I don't own Harry Potter characters, worlds, or ideas so please don't sue me. ;)
: NOTE FROM AUTHOR : thx to corntey k, ozzy, azizah zafirah, teentypist, and missie for reviewing:) I can't write another comment on Chap. 1, but missie, thanks for that constructive criticism! Just to inform you that will be coming into play later in the story. Please continue to review this is to everyone! My first fan-fic so feel free to critique!
: ONE MORE THING : sorry for the last chapter being so short, I wasn't even sure anyone would read this! I'll try to make the following chapters longer.
: YES, ONE MORE THING I HAVE TO BUG YOU WITH : there is one curse word in this. Just so you know. :-P
"You think McGonagall will catch us?" Peter whined.
Sirius glared at him. "If you're so frightened, why don't you just go back and play with your stupid rat!"
Peter shut his mouth immediately, occasionally mumbling under his breath what sounded like, "he's not stupid…he's fluffy."
They turned towards the next corridor swiftly. Peter clumsily stepped on James's foot from under the cloak.
"Watch it!" James whispered harshly.
"I can't believe we're out after dark…" Remus remarked. Why did he always have to play the mother figure? Then he remembered all that Dumbledore had done to get him in. He couldn't just screw it all up by wanting to play around with his friends.
Remus daringly continued. "If we get caught they could expel us-"
"So we won't get caught," James replied simply.
As they passed room after room, Remus saw James get that mischievous glint in his eye. The one hungering for a challenge…for an adventure.
In the midst of the memory, Remus's thoughts caught up with him.
That glint, one day, would go out.
Remus removed the tears that had come. He had not cried for a long time. Not since…James had…
Remus shook the truth away, like an unwanted bug that had crawled up from the depths of his mind.
James could not be gone.
He was the one who would survive over all the marauders.
James and Sirius had always been the true brothers who would make it to the end.
Sirius…the name had haunted him for quite some time…
That scum…
No, he was lower than scum.
HE was the reason for all the pain.
HE was the reason all the pieces of their puzzle had fallen apart.
HE was the reason the old memories now brought hurt.
HE was the reason Remus was the last marauder.
HE was the reason James -
Remus quickly changed his thoughts back to the bastard who had done it all.
Sirius.
His friend. The one he had trusted. The one who had convinced James that he –Remus- was the spy. The one who had attended the wedding of two wonderful, in-love people…already knowing that he was giving them away to Voldemort with a snap of a finger. The one who had held the innocent child of his best friend in his arms and thought nothing of it.
THE ONE WHO HAD SIGNED THEIR CONTRACT FOR LOYALTY AT THE AGE OF ELEVEN.
He remembered them all walking through the halls of Hogwarts, thinking that they were all the best of friends because they were better than everyone else. They had secrets no one else knew, and they had true friends, and every month they had the types of adventures kids only dream of. But they did not know a traitor was in their midst.
Hogwarts…the name created a memory. Not the usual memory Remus had while sitting in his dark, empty home…but a memory of something that had actually happened not too long ago. He looked to the window to see if it had just been a dream.
But no, Fawkes still sat there resting, apparently occupied with her lunch for that day.
And the letter still lay opened on the windowsill.
As you may have heard, the defense against the dark arts position at Hogwarts is still open due to suspicious beliefs. I propose that you, Mr. Lupin, consider the job.
Lupin stood up and reread the letter again with his weary, shaking hands.
When did I get so…old?
And it was true. The pain…the battle between himself and the curse cast upon him…it all had weakened him. The only thing that had kept him young had been his friends.
And Hogwarts.
Hogwarts had kept him living…had kept him wanting to live a life of magic and mystery. He had, as a young boy, thought that he would never be able to go to Hogwarts because of what he was. But then Dumbledore had become headmaster. And suddenly there were possibilities.
Remus owed Dumbledore so much.
He owed him his trust.
He should trust Dumbledore when he said that it would be helpful to walk the halls once again…and when he said that Remus would be talented as the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher. He had never steered him wrong. Why doubt the wise old wizard now?
Remus knew the answer.
It was plain and simple.
Fear.
But the only thing that wavered fear was strength…and Dumbledore believing in him gave him that.
After a long time of silence and contemplation, Remus made his decision.
Dear Headmaster Dumbledore,
I accept your offer.
See you this year.
Sincerely,
Remus Lupin
As Remus tied the note to Fawkes, the thought filled every corner of his mind once more…
Back in Hogwarts…
: NOTE FROM AUTHOR : I am tempted to make this longer, but I must be going. I have an exam to study for gasp! I feel I wrapped up such a difficult decision a little bit too quickly, and had thought of Remus's decision changing if he found out Harry was at Hogwarts, but that I thought would take away from what I'm planning when they meet. But I need your opinion first. Please read and review! Thanks:D
