Author's Notes: yes, I know it's depressing. It will get happier, I swear! Please leave a review!

Disclaimer: Remus, I own not. (Along with Dumbledore and Azkaban)

Chapter 3: The Beggar

Remus sighed with relief as David and Nathalie entered the safety of their foster parents' middle class house. Following them home from school was the only time he ever got to see them,but he also trailedthem to make sure nothing happened to them. The Muggle world was perhaps more dangerous than the wizarding one.

He sat down on a curb, pulling the threadbare jacket he'd found around him. The autumn wind bit right through it, seeping into his very bones. So cold...But at least it wasn't as cold as it had been in prison. Remus shivered. Azkaban... He'd escaped from that dreaded place a mere three weeks ago. Since then, he'd traveled from Scotland to London, where Dumbledore told him his two children were... His darling children that didn't even remember him.

A car zoomed past, jerking him back to reality. His stomach growled as he tried to remember his last meal. He knew hadn't eaten in at least two days, maybe more. Remus stood up and headed to a small restaurant he knew was nearby. As he approached the small building, his cheeks grew hot in embarrassment. Look at him, what a pathetic sight! He was ashamed at his predicament, yet he had to eat.

Remus watched as a woman glared at him. She bent over her food as if to say "Don't you dare come near me, vagabond." He sat down by the wall of the patio to wait.

After she left, Remus quickly went to her table. He grabbed the left overs from her plate and drank the rest of her Coke. Disgusting, but necessary. He hated begging and eating after complete strangers, but he had to to stay alive. He couldn't last a few more days without food in his already weakened state.

In this way he ate, and left the restaurant feeling quite a bit better than he had been feeling. The afternoon was ending, but he still had a few hours to kill before nightfall. He decided to walk around the city.

So he walked, and walked, but he always made sure not to stray too far from Nattie and David's neighbourhood. He kept his head bent to escape the glares from the 'decent' ladies and gentlemen with warm clothes, jobs, and money.

Remus knew it was impossible for him to get a job, so he didn't even try. The chief reasons for this were: one, he was a werewolf, two, he didn't have anywhere to live, three, he doubted even McDonalds or a gas station would hire him, the way he looked.

He looked awful, and he knew it. His long, unkempt brown hair was nearly all grey now, and it was matted with mud and filth. He hadn't shaved in a year, nor had he had a bath in weeks. All he owned were a dirty shirt, a dirty jacket, dirty pants, and dirty shoes.

Sometimes he paused to look at himself in the shiny windows of stores, he couldn't help himself. The only thing about him that didn't completely look pathetic were his eyes. They were a piercing blue-grey and had a bright, cold light about them (cold, from all his years of torment). With a smile, Remus remembered how James had said that Remus could see through him even without the invisibility cloak. James... The smile faded as quickly as it had come. James...how Remus missed him and Sirius. Not to mention Rose...His love. A bitter tear fell from his eyes and disappeared into his beard.

He stopped at a children's park. It was deserted in the gathering dusk. A swing creaked eerily as the wind pushed it. The only light came from a flickering streetlamp. It was a perfect place to spend the night. He lay down on a bench and pulled the jacket up over his head. Soon, he was asleep.

David stared out the parlour window as night fell. The street was quiet, disturbed only by the occasional passing car. He sat with his back to the room, his hand propping up his head, and didn't turn when he heard his mother enter.

"David, have you done your homework?" asked his mother, a skinny, middle-aged woman.

"Yes Mum." he replied, still staring out the window.

"What out there is so interesting that you're always staring at it?"

"Nothing Mum." David sighed and turned around.

Mrs. Calet smiled at him. "Then go to bed. It's getting late."

Wordlessly, David got up and walked past her without giving her a second glance.

Andrea Calet's smiled faded. Why did he never say anything more of the bare minimum at home? His teachers said that he spoke much more at school... She sighed again and shook her head. The poor boy... She sadly walked back into the kitchen and began washing dishes.

Nathalie looked up from her book, the Moorchild, as her brother entered the room. "What's up? You look glum."

David shrugged. "I dunno, I just feel...weird for some reason."

"Weird?" Nattie raised her eyebrow. "Why?"

David shrugged again. "I dunno." He glanced out the window before going to his own room.

Nathalie shook her head, glad that she wasn't the only strange one in the family.

The next morning was, luckily, a Saturday. Nathalie lay in her warm, comfortable bed relishing not having to get up. From downstairs came the comforting sounds of her mother making breakfast. Nattie sighed contentedly. She loved Saturdays.

Eventually, she got up and trudged downstairs, bleary eyed and still slightly groggy. "I'm hungry." she announced as she came through the kitchen door. Her father chuckled from behind the paper.

"Then you're in the right place."

Nathalie sat down at the table as her mother set a plate of scrambled eggs and toast she tucked in gratefully. (AN: that's a Brittish thing to say, right?)

David arrived downstairs, already dressed, a few minutes later. Wordlessly, he ate the food Mrs. Calet gave him. Nattie shot him an annoyed glare which he ignored. Why didn't he even say 'thank you'?

David ate quickly then went back upstairs. Nathalie's eyes narrowed. "Thanks, Mum." she said before getting up. She needed to understand David's stupid semi-vow of silence.

While Saturdays were lucky for Nathalie and David, they were unlucky for Remus. Kids not having school meant the parks would be more crowded earlier in the morning. He awoke to the sound of kids screaming and laughing. He sat up on the bench and looked around the park that was no longer deserted. Now, little kids ran wild while their mothers shot Remus suspicious glances. He got up and stretched. At least the sun made it a little warmer...

He left the park and walked down a quiet street. Without out making a conscious decision, his feet took him to Nattie and David's house. Stealthily, he climbed a nearby tree and looked in through the window.

He was looking at the kitchen. Nattie sat at a table with her back to him. To her left sat a man hidden by a news paper. A thin woman with dark hair stood over a stove, obviously making breakfast. They seemed the perfect family.

Nattie got up and left the room, to Remus' disappointment. He slowly climbed down the tree. He shouldn't be spying on them anyway.

He stayed by the house for an hour, then boredom sent him wandering again.