Band of Brothers
Prelude
Chapter 4
Remus

It was dark. Cold metal bars were pressing against his feet and down his shoulders and side. Voices whispered in the air around him, human voices…hard to understand…. He sniffed, but all he could smell was sweat, blood and metal. Even those scents were muted. Dull and distant, like the light at the far end of a tunnel. This was not the usual greeny smell. Where was he? Heart lurching against his ribs, he wrenched open his eyes and saw hands. Small, pale, human hands that had thin red stripes of blood slashed along the back. His hands. The beast had ignored the pain, but as he came back to his human mind, it was hard not to feel it. There was a deep gash in his shoulder he could feel rather then see, even as it throbbed and sent blood itching down his arm. Pain laced along his side as well, and the bite marks on his arms pulsed angrily.

Remus closed his eyes again, shifting slightly and whimpering. There was no getting comfortable though, the bars on the floor dug painfully into his ribs. Something heavy was around his neck, making it hard to move. Cracking open his eyes, he lifted the thing up to eyelevel. It was a muzzle. A solid iron muzzle with thick leather straps that were still looped around the back of his neck. It must have fallen off when he…changed. Remus tried to get it over his head but his arm felt like lead. Soon he gave up, letting the muzzle drop back to the floor with a loud clang that made him wince.

Opening his eyes a little more, it didn't take him long to realize he was in a cage. There was rough granite floor beneath him that ended in a sun-speckled grey wall that looked to be made of stone as well. Two men stood further down the hall, dressed in black and seemingly not paying attention. This was definitely not a familiar place. Remus knew he should care but he was too tired and couldn't think properly. Sighing he rested his head on the uninjured part of his arm and closed his eyes. The strangeness of the place wouldn't let him sleep, though so he just lay there and listened.

"So, Sarge, whatchu gonna do once we get off shift?" said one of the men.

"Dunno, Knobbs. Probably stop by at the Broken Drum for a bite 'fore goin' home to the missus."

"Yeah? I might stop in there for a pint or two."
"What, this early in the day? They'll lock you up."

"Well, with the captain takin' his sweet time might be noon before we get outta here."

Booted feet shuffled across the floor as they came closer to him, but they stopped a good way from the cage.

"Whaddya reckon they'll do with 'im?" the one called Knobbs asked.

"They'll probably just take it to Mungo's," said Sarge, disgust heavy in his voice. "A fat lot of good that's gonna do. Time was when the wizarding world dealt with these creatures right."

"Thought all we did was kill 'em."

"Exactly my point. Everyone knows these half human types can't be trusted. They're all dangerous. Would kill you as soon as look at you."

"I dunno," Knobbs said. Booted feet came closer and a shadow darkened the gray behind his eyes. "This one looks pretty harmless to me."

"'Course it does," said Sarge. "Perfectly innocent 'til you find your throat torn out. Stands to reason." He sniffed.

"I s'pose."

From down the hall came the click of a door being unlocked and then someone was coming across the floor purposeful strides. There was a violent rustling of cloth and Remus was pretty sure the two men had stood tall in a hurry.

"Captain!" they said, almost in unison.

"Good morning, Sergeant, Constable. Where did you put the lad?"

"We haven't moved 'im, sir," said Knobbs, sounding confused.

"Didn't move--? Merlin's beard, it's nearly ten! How long has he been in there?" Someone, probably the captain, knelt by the cage and began fiddling with the lock.

"He's been in there since we wrestled him in last night," said Sarge. "Here, you're not going to let him out, are you?"
"Bloody damn right I'm going to let him out."

"But, all due respect, sir. He's a…you know…werewolf," Sarge said.

"He is also a little boy who has probably been through more hardships then you can even dream of," said the captain fiercely. The lock came off with a click and immediately crashed onto the stone floor, then the cage door was ripped open, squealing loudly in protest. Remus winced as the sounds hammered through his sensitive ears and made his head throb.

"It's all right," said the captain softly, even as gentle fingers undid the muzzle from the back of Remus' neck. "No one here is going to hurt you." Remus tried to tell him he understood, but the only thing that came out was a muffled sort of sound that wasn't really a word at all. He managed to open his eyes just a little as the captain helped him out, letting him it with his back against the cage.

"'S cold," Remus muttered. The captain chuckled though not unkindly.

"Must be with no clothes on."

No clothes…? Oh…right. His clothes tended to rip when he changed. What didn't come off he ripped away with his teeth, desperate to bite…to tear…. Remus forcibly shoved those thoughts away. He was concentrating on those thoughts so hard that when the warm fabric dropped around his shoulders, he jumped.

"Sorry. Did I manage to snag you?" said the captain, pushing the cloth away from his more injured shoulder. "That's a pretty deep gash there," the captain said as he wrapped another bit of cloth tightly over the wound. "But that should hold the worst of it until we can get you some professional care. Can you walk?"
Remus tried to shake his head, but wasn't even sure if he did or not. In any case, the next thing he knew he was wrapped securely in the cloth and being lifted against the captain's chest. He snuggled closer reflexively, resting his ear against the man's chest and hearing his heart beat. The man began to walk; his steps smooth and even. Though still in an unfamiliar place, Remus knew he was safe and allowed himself to fall asleep.

For a while after that, he existed in a hazy dream state, not sure what was real and what was going on in his own head. At one point, he was almost convinced he was in some bizarre muggle freak show where men had bunny ears and a tired old witch in a bedraggled hat told patrons which floors to go to. But he must have been dreaming it for a second later he seemed to be lying on a bed in a quiet room.

Turning his head, he saw the captain in a nearby chair, slouching on a table with his head buried in his arms so that all Remus really saw of him was messy brown hair that stuck up in the back. The man was snoring lightly and Remus absently wondered how long he'd been here.

From his right came a soft whimper, like a dog in pain. Remus looked and saw a woman in the bed across from his. She looked young, but her eyes were tired and her dark matted hair was shot through with gray. Scratches that looked only a few hours old crisscrossed her face and traveled down her neck. She was the same as him. She even almost…smelled the same. Smiling, she reached out for him, pale hand trembling. He reached for her as well and though they were too far to touch, there was an understanding that was more then words. But then he closed his eyes to blink and forgot to open them again.

Fresh sheets underneath him, a comfortable blanket on top to take off the chill a pillow that was a bit too starchy and didn't quite smell like home. Remus let his head sink deeper into the pillow, his eyes wanting to rest but his brain rebelling into wakefulness. The brain was, unfortunately, winning. It didn't hurt so much today…and he figured it must be daytime because it was so light out. It was probably morning though. Usually by afternoon the sun would be streaming into the cottage window and warming his face, making it even more impossible to stay in bed.

But...as his senses came into focus one by one, he realized that something was drastically different. It was so…quiet. Usually he could hear the birds singing and the rushing of the little creek that was only a stone's throw from the cottage's ivy-covered walls. A bit unnerved, Remus opened his eyes, instead of a warm brown roof; saw a cold white ceiling high overhead. His flannel pajamas that Dad usually dressed him in after a change and become a cotton night robe with chubby pink elephants on the sleeves.

Trying not to panic, Remus squinched his eyes shut and thought hard, trying to remember just what had happened. The times before and after the change were always so murky. Where had he been that morning? Dad…Dad had wanted to go look for a job…and Remus had gone with him because they were going to have to stop by the cottage that night anyway. Then dad had gone off and left Remus to his own devices and he'd wandered around a bit then…then…then found that old bookstore and… and then what? Oh, right, met that boy- The fat boy with the pointed nose— Who had shown him horrid pictures. And then they'd left the store and it was twilight—and… and he'd sent the boy away-

Remus' throat went dry as he realized what must have happened. They must have knocked him out somehow and sent him…here. He'd been discovered. His heart beat against his throat. Dad said that something truly terrible would happen to him if other wizards knew what he was. Dad always told awful stories about what people did to werewolves that had been discovered. He had to get out of here! Remus opened his eyes to make sure the coast was clear. There was no one in the room. Although the only other bed was crinkled, as if someone had lain there not too long ago. Throwing off the covers, Remus bolted upright.
Just at that moment the door opened and a black robed wizard came in, balancing two trays laden with food and large frosty goblets. Upon seeing him, the wizard gave him an easy smile that went all the way to his gleaming brown eyes.

"Glad to see you're awake," the man said, setting one tray on the visitor's chair while arranging the other on a little table. Remus relaxed a little. The man looked…familiar. More importantly, he didn't seem to be here to execute Remus at all. Maybe…he didn't know?

The man set the table around Remus' lap, then took up the other tray and plunked heavily in the chair. Not quite sure what to say yet, Remus looked at his own tray. Roast beef and mashed potatoes, both smothered in gravy, a small pile of green beans and in the goblet, it smelled a little like cider. The best part of the meal, though, was the large slab of chocolate sitting just to the left of his plate. Mother would never let him near this much chocolate at home. And it was wizard chocolate, too.

"Dig in," said the man who had all ready taken a bite out of his own slab. Remus took a tiny nibble at his own hunk of chocolate, feeling it melt on his tongue and slide magically warm down his throat. But it didn't do anything to untwist the knot in his stomach.

"What's wrong?" the man asked.

"This isn't a last meal, is it?" Remus asked, the words making the chocolate taste sour on his tongue. The man looked surprised at the very thought.

"What do you…" Then he seemed to understand and he smiled gently. "No. No one is going to hurt you, Remus. I promise."
Now it was Remus' turn to be surprised.

"How did you know my name?"

The man shifted uncomfortably a moment, smile wavering. Then he shrugged a little.

"I'm Magical Law Enforcement. It's my job to know a little bit about everyone." He didn't seem to be telling the whole truth, but Remus didn't want to call him on it. The whole truth was probably something he didn't want to know anyway.

"You're the person that bought me here," Remus muttered, suddenly remembering. "The captain."

"Captain R. F. Potter at your service," he said with another easy grin, then his eyes narrowed and his face grew very serious. "I'm sorry what my men did to yesterday morning. I thought they would have gotten you out as soon as you changed."

Remus shrugged a little, remembering bits of the conversation he'd overheard. They had been scared of him. He didn't blame them. It was understandable to keep a monster locked away so it wouldn't hurt anyone.

"I didn't…did I?"

"Didn't what?"

"Hurt anyone?"
"No," said Captain Potter kindly. "But you did give me quite a scare. You charged me almost the second I stepped out of the Cauldron. Had to hit you a bit harder then I'd intended." The man gestured to Remus' shoulder. Remus rubbed it absently, remembering how badly it had hurt.

"It's okay. You were only trying to defend yourself."

"No, it's not okay. I wasn't expecting a werewolf and didn't go out as near prepared as I should have been. Still, the healers say your mending nicely, so I suppose it isn't all that bad."
Remus nodded, trying to smile. It was obvious the man was trying to cheer him up and Remus felt bad about not being happier. While it was true he was glad that he hadn't hurt anyone… If he'd kept track of the time better, it never would have happened. He should have gotten his father as soon as he'd felt it was getting a bit later then it should be. They might have gotten to the cottage in time.

"I know you're upset," said Captain Potter. "But at least eat your chocolate. It'll make you feel a world of good."

Remus didn't think he quite deserved to feel a world of good, but ate the chocolate anyway. It did make him feel a little better and hungrier for the roast beef as well. When he'd finished off most of his plate, another thought occurred to him.

"Someone better tell my Dad that I'm here.

Captain Potter suddenly seemed uncomfortable again.

"Yes, well ah—he already knows." There was something about the tone of his voice that alarmed Remus. The captain was hiding something again, but this time, Remus wasn't going to let him get away with it.

"What's wrong with my Dad? He's okay isn't he?"

"He's perfectly fine."

"Can I see him?"

"That…could prove a little awkward," said Captain Potter, running a hand through his all ready tousled hair. Remus glared at him, waiting impatiently for the man to continue.

"Why?" he finally demanded.

"Your father is being…detained pending questioning."
"What? Why? Is it because of me?"

The captain's sudden silence was all the answer Remus needed. He leaned closer to the man, nearly upsetting his small dinner table in the process.

"He wasn't the one who turned into a werewolf! I should be punished, not him!"

"The hard fact of the matter is you're underage. For something like this, your father has to take responsibility."

"But it's my fault I'm a werewolf in the first place! He was just trying to protect me."

"Remus…" the captain started, then stopped and sighed. "I'm sorry. I know this is hard for you. If it makes you feel any better, I probably would have done the same for my son."

"Then why don't you do something," said Remus quietly, fixing his gaze on the white blankets. He knew what the answer was…and he knew it was an unfair question to ask. But…

"It's out of my hands, lad. There's nothing I can do."

Suddenly everything seemed too much. Remus lay back on the bed, turning his head toward the empty bed opposite him. Just a short while ago, his mind had been full of so many thoughts it had been difficult to keep track of them all. Now he didn't know what to think. A tired kind of sadness rolled through him, filling the empty places in his mind and it took him a moment to realize he was crying. The tears made wet streaks down his face, but he made no move to wipe them away. He felt so lost.

Captain Potter took the tray away and hovered over him a bit. Remus could see the man's concern out of the corner of his eye and turned away so he wouldn't have to look any more.

"Look--" Captain Potter started. "I'll try to bring him up after questioning if I can. It'll be all right."
How? Remus wanted to ask. But he didn't. Instead he made noncommittal sound and closed his eyes, hoping the captain would go away. The man did after a bit, the door swinging closed with a quiet rush of air.

After a while, Remus was beginning to wish he hadn't left. The utter silence of the room made it all seem so much sadder somehow. Worries and fears clouded his mind again and the more he tried to push them into the background, the more they wanted to surface. He sat up again, twisting the blankets around his fingers and glancing anxiously at the door. Had Captain Potter been telling the truth? Would he really bring Dad around after the questioning? What was going to happen to him? To them? How would mother handle it?

It was about half an hour before the door opened again. Remus looked up hopefully but it was only an old witch who looked like she had eaten one to many lemons. She gave him a disapproving frown and Remus had the feeling he was perhaps breathing too loud for her taste. That irritated him a bit but one look at her bulging scarred forearms scared him from commenting. She waddled to his bedside only long enough to drop a stack of magazines and a pack of cards on the night stand. Then she crossed the room swiftly to make the other bed. After another glance at Remus and an imperious sniff she left the room, shutting the door a bit too loudly behind her.

The magazines seemed to be nothing but the comings and goings of celebrities, so Remus played cards a bit first. The only thing he really knew how to play was solitaire—and only one kind at that. But the repetitiveness was calming. That was until he placed the two of clubs down a little too hard and the whole thing exploded making him jerk back and bang his head into the wall. The magazines seemed to be safer if not duller. All the stories were the same. Witch such-and-such being caught with Wizard so-and-so when she was married to Wizard whatsit. The photographs inside were grainy and a bit muddled. The pictures moved like all wizard pictures did but tended to gum up mid-gesture and freeze for a while…but that was because it was photography.

The use of cameras was pretty new in the magical world. Dad's old work was one of the first places to discover the muggle camera and they'd struggled hard to even take the pictures let alone make them move. Dad had loved the challenge though. He probably wouldn't have even left his job if Remus hadn't been a stupid little kid and gotten himself bitten.

Sighing, Remus put the magazine down. He tried to fall back asleep but couldn't keep his eyes closed and ended up staring listlessly at the ceiling. The silence was almost maddening. What if they decided to leave him in here forever? Remus gulped as the horrible thought crossed his mind. They'd probably chain him to the bed. Maybe even muzzle him…and he'd never get to see his parents again. But…but maybe that would be better. They would be able to get along better without him. Dad might even get his old job back. It was a miserable thought. He wanted his parents to be happy but he wanted to be with them too.

The door opened again, but Remus didn't look up. It was probably only the horrid nurse again. He closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep, only to open them a second later when fingers brushed the hair from his forehead. Dad was standing over him, smiling softly. There were dark bags under his eyes and his breath smelled strongly of whiskey.

"Sleep well, little one?"
"I'm sorry, Dad," Remus said quickly, sitting up. "I just lost track of time and I couldn't see the windows at all. I know I shouldn't have stayed in the back of the store only I found a book and--"

Dad's frown deepened. "It wasn't your fault."

"Yes it was I--"

"No!" Dad said harshly, then he winced and massaged his forehead. "No, Remus," he repeated, voice quieter. "It wasn't. I…I fell asleep." Dad stared down at his hands. Remus hugged his knees to his chest. He knew what that meant. There was a silence then. Dad rubbed his hands up and down his face and stared at Remus with bloodshot eyes.

"What's going to happen to you?"
Dad stood and crossed the room to stare at a painting where a handful of deer grazed in a field.

"I don't know," he said finally.

"Tell them it was me!" Remus burst out. "Tell them it was my fault!"

"Remus!" There was a warning tone to Dad's voice but Remus pressed on.

"It's true! I could have tried to wake you up!"

"And if you hadn't!" Dad bellowed his face suddenly crimson with anger. "What if you'd come in there and tried and the moon caught you! There would have been a massacre! They wouldn't be able to magic the blood off the walls!"

Remus curled in on himself, tucking his chin close to his chest. A great sob wrenched though him. He knew Dad wouldn't want to see him cry, but he couldn't help it. The sadness seemed to come from the pit of his stomach, shuddering through him and knotting his throat. He didn't know what to do! Everything was going all to pieces and he didn't know how to put it back together. Strong arms wrapped around him, pulling him close.

"I'm sorry," Dad whispered against Remus' hair. "I….I had hoped to spare you. I wanted you to have a decent life where no one would be afraid of you. Even if you did have to go live as a muggle."

"I could l…live as a mu…muggle," Remus said, sniffing a bit.

"They won't let you," Dad said gently. "Now that you're registered you aren't allowed to have any unnecessary contact with the muggle world. I'm sorry. My foolishness destroyed any kind of future that you might have had."

Remus was quiet. It didn't bother him that he had no future. Dad had been telling him that ever since he'd been bitten. It wouldn't be so bad living at home all the time with his parents. They always bought him plenty of books and it wasn't as if he had any friends to miss. Saying any of this to his dad though would only cause more shouting and right now Remus was content to stay in the comforting circle of his father's arms. There was a soft cough at the door. Remus looked up and saw Captain Potter standing just inside the doorway, watching them sympathetically.

"Mr. Lupin?" the captain said after a moment. Dad sighed softly and stood.

"I'm coming," he said. Then, smiling in a distant way he rested a hand on Remus' head. "The healers say you can go home tomorrow. I…I don't know where I'll be but I'll have some money sent up so you can take the Knight Bus home."

"S…see you," Remus said to fill the silence. Dad looked at him a moment longer, seeming to want to say something more, but instead he nodded and left the room.

"I know it seems terrible," Captain Potter said, resting his hand on the door, preparing to go out. "But even in the darkest times you can find happiness if you only look."

Rubbish, he couldn't help but think. But Captain Potter had gone out of his way to be nice so Remus forced a smile and said nothing. Somehow he managed to keep the smile until the man left the room, then he dropped his head back to stare up at the ceiling and tried not to think at all.

Sleep never came easy to Remus, especially not after a full moon. This night was worse then most. Four times nightmares sent Remus bolting upright, cold sweat trickling down his face. Not even those dreams could prepare him for the sight for what was standing over him when he woke up.

The nurse from yesterday loomed over him, hands that looked like they could bend steel pipes with very little effort folded on wide hips. Remus flinched and drew the covers up to his chin on instinct.

"It's half past." Her tone was accusing as if he somehow changed time on purpose.

"Um…sorry," he hazarded.

"Don't be ridiculous, boy. Are you awake or aren't you?"
"Umm…yes ma'am I suppose so."

"Then what are you doing still abed." She clicked open a pocket watch. "The day is nearly half begun all ready."

"Sorry," Remus said, scrambling from bed. He stared at her. She stared at him and suddenly he felt quite stupid, standing there in the ridiculous elephant patterned night gown which was entirely too girly to even be thought of as a robe.

"There are your clothes," she said, gesturing sharply to the bedside chair. "Although why your parents sent them up, I've no idea." She sniffed. "They aren't even suitable for the rag bag."

Remus felt his face heat as she held a shirt in the light between pinching hands. It did look pretty bad off. But mum wasn't that good with a needle and money was a bit tight. He dropped his gaze to the floor. This wasn't the first comment he'd gotten and people like this annoyed him. Just because someone was poor didn't mean anyone had the right to judge them. He knew what was coming next. She would say his father was a bum and his mother must be terrible around the house. Shaking her head, she folded it up neatly and put it back in the pile.

"Though I suppose you can't help it," she said. Shaking her head, she folded the shirt Remus looked up, a bit startled

"It's hard enough to see them living like this when their older. But when so young…" Her face crumpled a bit and Remus was surprised to see mist in her small eyes. All at once she seemed like an entirely different person. Remus shifted uncomfortably.

"I…it's not that bad."

"Well, get dressed so we can send you home," Ask she spoke she thrust the shirt at him. Remus took it quickly; half afraid she'd try to put it on him if he didn't. After a stiff nod of approval, the woman left the room, leaving him to dress in peace. He stared at it for a moment. Home… The word had never been so frightening before. Usually it was a place of comfort, where no one would stare at the scars. But now… Would mother be crying at the kitchen table, hands clawed in her hair, like she had when he'd first been bitten? Would she be smiling emptily? Would she even be there? And Dad…what had happened to him? Suddenly the door slammed open, making Remus jump horribly.

"Hurry it up!" snapped the nurse, leaning into the room. Apologizing almost on instinct, he began to take off his night gown before she'd even closed the door again. Once he was dressed and out in the hall, the worries were temporarily put out of his head.

It was hard to worry about anything when people kept staring and talking to each other in hushed voices, giving him a wide berth. Even the portraits that lined the wall whispered to each other as he passed. One craggy old wizard even flitting through about fifteen portraits just to watch him. Though he couldn't hear everything that was being said, certain things stood out. Words like "tragic" and "pity" and "so young."

Everyone knew now. Knew what he was. The thought was kind of scary. Remus suddenly felt quite small and afraid…like a little kid lost in a store. Thankfully though, the further they got, the fewer the whispers became. There was barely any as he crossed through the waiting room and by the time he was outside, there was nothing at all.

"Here you are," the nurse said, pulling a fistful of coins out from somewhere in her robes and counting them before holding them out to him. "Sixteen sickles."

Remus must have looked blank because the woman snorted and snapped: "Bus fare."

"Oh…" Remus awkwardly held out his hand and she dropped the coins in them. They were unpleasantly sweaty and he really didn't think he wanted to know why. Then the nurse took out a wand that looked eerily like a stubby, gnarled finger and thrust it straight out in front of her.

At first there was nothing then a humongous BANG which sounded like a hundred balloons being punctured at once and a big purple bus was careening down the sidewalk, straight at them. A girl screamed somewhere and he was only vaguely embarrassed to realize it had been him, rather distracted by the giant purple death was rushing him at blinding speed. He must have blinked because the next thing he knew, the bus's metal grill was pressing lightly against his nose and his heart was desperately trying to get out via his throat.

"You can't get in that way," said the nurse, sounding frustrated. Remus tried to say that he realized this but it came out as a sort of strangled.
"Nng."

With a heavy sigh, she took his arm, guided him round to the back of the bus, paid his fare to the old man with thick glasses standing on the step and fairly shoved him on. Remus stared at the chairs that littered the bus, still trying to process everything.
"You look a sight," said the old man. "But don't worry, lass, Old 'Ern will help you out."

Still a bit too dazed to correct him, Remus let himself be led to the front of the bed and be sat in a plush pink chair with embarrassing tassels. Ern gave him what he supposed was an encouraging smile.

"All ready, Simon," the man said. The driver, an ancient black man, cackled and shut the doors.

"'Bout time! Let's get goin' then!" he said in a thick accent that Remus couldn't place. Before he could even try, the bus took off with enough force to wrap his intestines around his spine.

Remus groaned; one hand against the wall to support himself. His legs felt like they were made of jelly and his stomach roiled uncomfortably. Never again. He didn't care. Not even if he was stranded. Not that he quite knew how one summoned the bus in the first place…

A mother with a small daughter passed by him then and he must have been making a face for they suddenly quickened their pace. Sighing, he pushed himself off the wall, went into the building and somehow made it up to the flat without falling on his face or retching his guts out. Once at the door though, he hesitated, dreading what he might find inside. For one wild moment he considered not going in. Had the reckless thought of running away…hiding somewhere until… That's what stopped him. Until what? Until the next full moon?

"Opening a door can be quite daunting, can't it?" said a kindly voice behind him. Remus half turned to see a man standing by the opposite wall. He was an old man, older then the man on the Knight Bus probably, but somehow he didn't feel old. Maybe it was the twinkle in his deep blue eyes. Or the easy smile behind the snow white beard.
"Especially when one doesn't know what's on the other side," the man continued, smile seeming to deepen.

"Yes, sir," Remus murmured, feeling his heart drop a little.

"You could stay out here, you know. I'm sure they'll open the door eventually."
"Yes, sir…" he said again. That was true. He could stay out here. But…

"But…?" the man encouraged.

"But…I'll never get to the other side," he finished lamely.

"Very true," said the man, a laugh in his voice, but it didn't seem to be a mean one. With a resigned sigh, he set his hand on the knob and was mildly surprised to feel a warm hand on his shoulder. There were no words spoken and soon the hand was gone, but Remus felt strangely comforted. Taking a deep breath, he turned the knob and pushed the door open.

Mother was sitting at the kitchen table and looked up as he came in. Her eyes, red with crying. Dad was there too, standing by the window. Both were staring at him startled, as if he was a stranger just come off the street. Then mother's lower lip trembled and she burst into tears, burying her face in her hands and sobbing his name over and over again. Remus tried to swallow the lump in his throat, closing the door firmly behind him before turning to his dad. Dad continued to stare, pale lips moving but nothing coming out.
Then, came to him, crossing the room in great strides before scooping him up in his arms.

"Oh, Remus..." Dad said, in a trembly voice. He seemed to be crying too.
"I'm sorry, Dad." Remus' voice broke and he buried his face into his Dad's shoulder to hide his own tears. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"Shh, it's all right. No, don't cry," Dad said, gently rubbing his back.

"B…but you're going so…somewhere t…terrible…aren't you?" Remus choked, fisting his hands in his father's robes. "The…they're going to s…send you somewhere beastly…"

Dad squeezed him tightly.
"Yes… Yes they are…" Dad said. "But that doesn't matter…. Truly it doesn't." Remus pushed himself up, tears streaming down his face even as he glared into his Dad's eyes.

"How can you say that! It can't be all right! It can't."

"Yes, it is." And Dad was smiling. Truly smiling. Something Remus hadn't seen in a long time.

"B…but…" Remus said, feeling completely lost.

"Oh, my Remus, you're going to Hogwarts!" Dad said, voice breaking a little. "Hogwarts!" Dad hugged him tightly again, giving a shuddering cry. "Dumbledore just came by and told us… Not even a hello j…just…I look fo…forward to seeing your boy at H…Hogwarts!" Dad was really crying now, but seemed to be laughing as well.

"I…I don't…" Remus stuttered. He wasn't sure what to say. Everything was happening so fast.

"You have a future, Remus. A future."

Remus remained silent as he listened to his parents' sobbing. He hadn't had a future in so long he wasn't sure what to do.

Yay! Prelude is finished! Now on to their first year. 00 Save me.
With a big THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU to mah Crystal bunnah! (You know who you are)