Chapter 8: Curiosity
Sunlight streamed through the curtains and onto the blue and grey walls of Remus' room. It was bright and warm, far too late to be in bed in Remus' point of view. He rolled on his left side and lay against the wall. Too early, he thought.
"Remus! Breakfast!" his mother called up the stairs. Not that she needed to… the smell of bacon and sausage was what had woken him up. He took a deep breath and immediately felt more awake.
"Coming." He muttered groggily.
"Mama! He's coming!" Grace yelled from outside his door. He heard her open the door and ask, "Are you even awake?"
He rolled over again and looked at her sleepily. Her yellow curls were clipped back from her face, revealing pale blue eyes and a way- to- perky- for- this- time- of- day smile. "Yeah, I'm awake. Hold on I'm coming." He threw the covers off and stretched. Grace hurried out of the room, and he heard her jumping down the stairs.
"Morning Remus." His mother called from the stove as he sat at the table.
"Morning." He mumbled as he reached for the toast and piled bacon on his plate.
Terri hurried over to him. "You wouldn't feel so sleepy if you went to bed at night instead of staying up late. What on earth were you doing last night?"
"I had to finish that song. It's all done now."
"If you spent more time on your studies and less worrying about that guitar, you might get Head Boy." said Faith.
"I shouldn't get Head Boy anyway Faith," he muttered between bites. "It's too much of a spotlight position."
"Remus is right dear. Let him do what he wants with that guitar, it's not like he's never stayed up late." said his mother.
Faith shook her head and whispered. "That's why he's always sick."
Just then, the family owl, nutmeg, flew into the open window and dropped a bundle of letter in the basket. "Hogwarts letters," said Grace. "And I got one this time!"
There was a chorus of "Congratulations" from the rest of the family and Grace blushed.
Remus smiled. "I got to get some homework done before I go to James'." He stood up and put his plate in the sink. "Great breakfast, Mum."
Two hours later Remus was still sitting at his desk in his room, trying to do his homework because he kept getting interrupted. It seemed everyone in the house needed him to help them with something. He had finally sat down and finished his potions essay when a tiny white owl flew in, followed by Fudge, with a letter from James.
He grabbed the letter from Fudge, who quickly crossed the room to his perch. Remus then turned the small owl waiting patiently on the edge of his desk. He wondered who it belonged to, but thought it look familiar. The owl had dropped the letter in its beak onto the desk.
Remus picked it up and opened it.
Dear Remus,
I realize it may seem strange that I am writing to you, as I've never actually spoken to you before. But I am curious, and my curiosity is overruling my shyness. I've noticed that you are always reading and often the books are about lycanthropy. I'm curious as to why you are so interested in werewolves. I must admit, it is a … hobby of mine as well. I plan to go into spell research after Hogwarts, and I'd like to work to find a cure for lycanthropy. If you like, we could discuss it sometime at school. Have you read Lost and Dangerous, the biography? If you haven't, you can borrow it if you'd like. It is a fascinating read. I must go now; my mum is calling me for lunch.
All the best,
Cara R. McKinnon
P.S. See you at James' party! He said you are going to bring your guitar, I didn't know you played.
Remus stared at Cara's signature ion awe, a silly litany running through his mind. Cara wrote to me. Cara McKinnon wrote to ME! He couldn't believe it. Here she never said a word to him for 5 years and then this. To say he was stunned would be saying James had messy hair. Remus decided to think about her letter after reading James'. He picked it up from the desk and sat down on his bed, his knees still slightly weak.
Hey Moony!
How's life at home? Tell your sisters I said hi. Has grace gotten her Hogwarts letter yet? Is she getting better at piano? Maybe she can help me at school sometime.
My party is at 3:00. I invited Lily and her friends. Dad's new girlfriend is helping us set up. She's a publicist for some ministry big-shot. She's really nice and has been teaching dad to cook. I like her, but it's kind of weird to see my dad dating.
Well got to go. Dad's making dinner. See you at the party.
James L. Potter
Remus chuckled as he read James' letter. Even after all this time, Mr. potter could not cook. Remus hoped this new girlfriend could teach him or James would never get a decent meal.
"What are you laughing at?"
Remus turned and saw Selene at the door. "Mr. Potter is attempting to cook again."
"Oh." She giggled.
"I thought you were going to what's- her- name's-Amelia?"
"After lunch. Which is right now." She said pointedly.
"Oh okay." His eyes fell on Cara's letter. ? "Give me a minute."
"Kay." She left and Remus stuffed the two letters in the drawer and locked it. He'd think about Cara's questions and idea after lunch.
