Disclaimer: None of the Harry Potter characters belong to me and are in fact the products of JK Rowling. No infringement is intended and no money is being made from this.
A bit of change in mood here!
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Chapter 55 – Father's Day
One thing my mother always said was that it was always the good ones you have to watch out for because in reality they're just the bad ones that don't get caught. I guess that is what Sirius always connected to me, especially when I made such comments as that.
Seventh Year started off like every other year of course but there was a defiant sense of lingering darkness over the horizon. Voldemort was beginning to become more than a whispered name that frightened children, more so than he was the year previous when there was the odd attack, one of course being my father as you know. He was beginning to move into a name that even the brave would shudder at. I always kind of knew the extent of that man's malice from my own personal experience but I also always wished I were just being paranoid, that Voldemort was just a cruel man who would soon be caught.
The greatest weakness of being human is that we can't handle the enormity of a situation. We can't comprehend something so big as a War, or Death, Rape, Murder, Holocausts, -whatever- happening to ourselves. It's stories we hear of other people, or fictional or something else but we can not just accept that possibly we may become one of those tales.
Just like Minister Fudge didn't want to believe you Harry on the return of Voldemort neither did he want to comprehend a Wizarding War in England while he was in power. He wasn't as bad as he was in your fifth year; he listened to Dumbledore and the Order and he took necessary precautions but I think some part of him never truly wanted to believe he was here.
None of us did, and it was our downfall.
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(1977)
Remus blinked slowly trying to get his eyes used to the sunshine filtering into the window onto his bed. After a few more moments he yawned and threw his legs over the side of the bed. Stretching until his back popped loudly he got up and groggily made his way to the bathroom leaving Sirius snoring slightly in his bed.
Tugging off his pajamas he soon stood under the warm spray of the showerhead, tilting his head back and moving it gently from side to side to get the kinks out. He washed slowly, letting the trails of water running down his back act as a light massage before he moved from under it and found himself stood before one of the sinks, a towel around his waist as he stared at his own reflection.
His eyes trailed his youthful face; his elegantly sloping nose, his almost almond shaped eyes with their intense golden irises, his gentle lips that formed a lazy smile normally and his currently chocolately brown damp hair hanging in layers around his face. He frowned as he caught sight of something that hadn't been there yesterday but was interrupted when a pair of strong arms encircled his waist.
"Why're you frowning at yourself Moony?" Sirius whispered into his ear and Remus releases one of the sink to rest one arm over those around him.
"I have grey hairs." He said lowly in a childishly pouting manner.
"What? No you don't, teenagers don't get grey hairs." Sirius said with a slight chuckle but Remus reached up to tug at the offending clump of hairs.
"Well what'd you call that then?" He asked grumpily as he fingered the hairs that were in his fringe.
Sirius turned him around and tilted his head this way and that as though examining him. He made little 'Mmmhmm' noises as he did so before grinning impishly at his lover.
"Seems I've finally managed to give you grey hairs…I don't know whether to be proud or say sorry!"
Remus poked his tongue out at him before swatting his shoulders.
"I'll kick your arse later, now I'm a tad tired and I still have to get ready for class."
Sirius nodded but held a mischievous look in his eyes. As the werewolf walked past he quickly slapped his rear causing Remus to turn, glare then give a 'humph' before he walked back into the dormitories.
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Lily and Remus had a book open between them discussing the spell on the page as they sat next to each other in the Main Hall eating breakfast. James shook his head disbelievingly at the two before turning back to Sirius and their conversation on Quidditch. None of them spotted Dumbledore heading towards them until the man was standing behind them and cleared his throat making them all jump.
He smiled at them as they all shared confused looks.
"Ah good morning to you young gentlemen, and lady of course." He bowed his head at Lily who returned it with a smile.
"I was just coming over to inquire whether you intended to continue with the Order this year or whether you were handing the reigns over to someone else? I understand there were difficulties last year," He clasped Remus's shoulder briefly which the boy appreciated, "But I can not think of any group of young adults that I would like leading this."
Lily, James, Sirius and Peter all looked at Remus as though for confirmation but he merely smiled as he looked up at the Headmaster.
"Of course we'll still do it Sir."
"Excellent! I was wondering though whether I may be able to come along to these meetings, possible let you use me to your disposal as I have to say that the events of today do have me a little unnerved about the safety of my students."
"Course Sir! Maybe you could teach us some new tricks?" Sirius said with a 'wouldn't melt butter' smile making the Headmaster chuckle as he shook his head lightly.
"That would depend Mr. Black on what it is you would like to learn. Until then I bid you all a Good day."
They watched as the man turned with a whirl of his cloak and left humming happily as he did so. Sirius quirked an eyebrow before turning back to his friends.
"That man's just slightly unhinged." He said matter of factly, James nodding as Peter hummed his agreement.
"I think he's fun!" Lily said scandalised.
"Oh he's fun…just slightly mad too." Remus told her reassuringly as he patted her hand.
"So we're gathering the kids together again then? What nights and it had better not intervene with Quidditch!" James said quickly earning himself an eye roll from Lily.
"Do you think of –anything- other than Quidditch?" She asked exasperated.
"You." He said quickly and kissed her cheek swiftly. She blushed and tried to maintain her stern look but it quickly disintegrated as she smiled shyly at him.
"Nice save." Sirius said as he bit into his toast earning a glare from the girl.
"Thanks." James said buttering his own slice and wincing slightly when she slapped his arm.
"Tch, Boys!" She said folding her arms across her chest and looking away from her boyfriend to talk to Remus on her other side.
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The four boys made their way across the open space in Hogwarts as they killed time on their break when they saw a girl crying as she was comforted by four other students. Looking curiously at one another they quickly made their way over.
"Hey, what's going on?" Sirius whispered into the ear of a smaller Hufflepuff and the girl looked down sadly at her friend, seemingly fighting back tears herself.
"Her dad was killed over the Summer Holidays by those Death Eaters and she's been like this ever since, just every now and again breaking into tears. Apparently her and her mother had gone out only to return to a ruined house with a symbol above it."
Remus looked at the Hufflepuff then down at the crying girl. Slowly he moved forwards and knelt down so he was looking up at her. He placed a hand on one of hers causing her to look at him with a stricken face.
"They attacked my family too, hit my dad with a curse meaning he only has a year or so to live. I know how you feel, it hurts."
"W-We only went o-out for some f-food. H-He was g-going to make u-us his f-famous trifle l-like he does every W-Wednesday but now he w-won't ever again." She sobbed before she fell into another fit of tears. Remus moved up to sit next to her on the bench and cradled her to him, her head resting under his chin as she clung to him.
"It h-hurts and it w-won't go away." She said as her breath hitched and he gently rocked her as he made soothing noises.
"I know," he said feeling his throat getting tighter and his eyes moistening, "I know and you wish you could do anything for them…but he still loves you and you still love them so hold onto that ok? Don't let those bastards take that from you too ok?"
"O-Ok." She said and rubbing at her eyes furiously she tried smiling at him shakily. He smiled back and kissed her cheek before getting up.
"If you ever need to talk…" He said and she nodded, "I have to go to my next class now ok?"
Again she nodded and after a brief wave they left the mourning girl, walking in silence to their next class.
After a moment Sirius slipped his hand into Remus's and squeezed it.
"You ok?" He asked lowly as James and Peter looked on. Remus released a sigh as he nodded slightly.
"Yeah I…that felt kind of…it helped I think," He looked at his friends, "You know, with…with my dad and all. It felt good to, to help someone else too."
Sirius pulled him to his side and wrapped his arm around his shoulders.
"Yeah I know." He said with a small smile on his face. Remus returned it and after another slightly awkward moment of silence (more so for James and Peter) they made their way to their next class.
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Remus felt compelled to write to his father that night more than ever before. As the others lay spread around the Dorm room doing their homework he pulled out a sheet of parchment and after dipping his Quill into the ebony ink he placed it to the tea coloured paper.
Dear Mum and Dad,
Hey, it's just Remus. I felt like writing to you so here I am, writing with a very poorly constructed opening sentence! I arrived here just fine, no mishaps or misgivings whatsoever…well ok, call my bluff but you know it's very hard not to have something happen when you have a Black and Potter about! Other than that we've been saints!
I met a girl today, I already knew as Eleanor Macmillan in the year below me but I've never really spoken to her. She was crying because over the Summer Holidays the Death Eaters attacked her family too and she lost her father to them. They had left what some people around here are calling the 'Dark Mark' over her house and she's been mourning ever since. I tried to help her, comforted her and she was grateful for it.
I guess it made me just want to write and remind you that I love you, so very much and I am so thankful for everything you've done for me. I don't think I say that enough so I'm saying it now. Thank you for not giving up on me even when I was bitten, thank you for trying so hard to get me into Hogwarts (even if you hadn't managed it I would've been thankful that you tried), thank you for accepting me when I said I was the other way inclined and thank you for just being my parents.
I'll probably come home at Christmas and be so embarrassed of this letter but if Sirius has taught me one thing then it is to follow your impulses (…Well, to an extent)!
For all the wrongs in my life you make the rights, thank you thank you thank you!
I will come home for every holiday we have left together dad, Alone or with Sirius I don't care as long as I know you're happy!
Well, this is me, signing off. In my next letter I'll try not to be so gushy and actually –tell- you about my day! Until then, I mean every word I've written.
However if anybody else sees this letter I will die of embarrassment and then haunt your house, which I don't think you'll appreciate.
All my love,
Remus x
Scanning it quickly he checked for spelling mistakes and seemingly satisfied he blew the ink dry, folded it and placed it into an envelope before sealing it with a wax stamp with his initials on it.
He then placed it to one side and began to gather his things to get ready for bed, smiling gently to himself as he walked into the ensuite.
(TBC)
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AN: This is unbetaed and rushed but I'm in a hurry. I did this chapter with my father in mind though so 'Mwach' (kissy sound) to my father!
Thanks to:
Kynny: Lmao, glad you liked the chapter and glad I could act as a distraction.
NixiNox: Just a tad lol!
Kuri Raikou: Maybe Lily's a slasher too?
Mirale Nic Draco: James…and Sirius…not my thing lol!
Twilight-la-fae: It's good to hear you like the opening scenes, I am rather found of them as Remus can be that little bit serious, little bit wiser or that little bit cheekier. Voice over sounds brilliant, I could picture that in my head really well but like you said, I have a –tinsy- feeling JK might be a bit frownish lol! But OUCH about your leg man, I hope it's better now! I currently have a headache from doing Graphic Typography style work all day (my eyes are crossing).
Saturndragon: Ooh tell me about it, I swear there's a monster eating my time away!
DragonsDesire: (Grins) glad you liked that one lol!
Countess Zephyr: Lol, sorry to keep you waiting (I'm a woman of great demand lol). But thank you, they were really nice compliments that brought a smile to my face.
Happo: Well…you could pinch said Hot Italians arse…just a suggestion…
Dark Dragon Fire Demon: Thank you for everything you said, you guys really do make my day!
Malfoyscutie: Just something that popped out of my sex-crazed mind lol!
Bitcake: Thank you and for some reason your Penname makes me hungry…must be the cake bit…
Sidhelady: Dirty minded Remus…I'll get on that lol! It really –is- the quiet ones you have to watch out for.
Callista Silverheart: Ouch on your exams but smile, those ones at least are out of the way! I have some exams coming up soon but they're art exams so it isn't as difficult as yours I imagine! Hang in there!
Elrohir Lover: That last line confused me lol but thanks lol! Catch you later trouble.
Sexy Pancake: I loved all those ideas and will more than likely integrate them at some point (I especially liked the idea of a brief Cameo from a Faolan!), so when that happens the chapter will a 'thanks and dedication' to you at the top!
Blackdragonofdeath13: (Looks proud) thank you very much!
Guu-Sama: Lol, I do that too (forget to check stories then find a million chapters)! It's a good feeling, means you get to kill a ton of time (when you have it lol).
Gil de hu: Thank you and don't worry, your English is a lot better than my German ever was (I've forgotten most of it since High-school). But thank you, what wonderful comments you made!
IsisFireDancer: Merry Meet! (Blushes) Oh you! (Flaps hand flamboyantly). I rock, woohoo! You too! You rock too if for anything then for the fact that you love the Stranglers too! I'm afraid I haven't read the Stephen King books so I'm guessing it might have been another author, I'm a Kelley Armstrong kind of girl!