Call On Me
Chapter Twenty Five-Letting Go
I continued to growl softly but warningly as there was a flurry of activity.
My ears were still pinned sideways. After Madam Elkin stopped sobbing, Professor Dumbledore sat down beside me on the cot. I just shifted away from him. I didn't want to be annoyed with anyone at this point.
Lily Ann began crying and Madam Elkin picked her up in her arms and began comforting her.
I silently snarled and licked my lips at the same time.
"How did You-Know-Who get on the property?" Professor McGonagall asked taking Lily Ann from Madam Elkin.
She sat down beside me and once again, I shifted away.
Professor Dumbledore had gotten up at this point and began pacing.
"I figure he snuck onto the grounds," he mused. "But I don't understand why he used the parasites?"
"Maybe because they would be discreet?" Professor McGonagall suggest as she gently laid Lily Ann down on the cot beside me.
I looked down at Lily Ann.
She reached over with her little hand and touched my shoulder. I raised my foreleg and placed my paw down on the other side of her thigh. I returned my attention back to the Professors. My ears were still pinned sideways.
"That's probably what the reason was," Dumbledore said nodding. "If I remember correctly, Sam Wilson had gone to Hogsmeade several months before he came to school. He went to Madam Elkin complaining of a stomach pain and then I think the rest is where Miss Andrews came in on."
I tucked my hind legs underneath me and stretched my forelegs out. I rested my chin on top of Lily Ann's leg.
"Poor Remus," Professor McGonagall said sadly and quietly. "He lost everyone he ever cared about and loved."
She went to touch my head but I gave her a warning growl. She retracted her hand looking startled.
"It hasn't hit him yet," Dumbledore said gently. "He's angry now but that will soon diminish and the grief will settle in. Let him stay with Lily Ann for the night."
He said to Madam Elkin. She nodded.
"I'll take care of Caitlin," she said as her voice began cracking again. I saw her head over to Caitlin's cot and she pulled the white sheet up over her body.
I wouldn't allow anyone to come near me or Lily Ann that night. I was sitting on my haunches in front of the baby's crib wide awake the entire night. I was sitting perfectly rigid and keeping my eyes scanning over the entire hospital wing.
Around 3 AM, someone entered the hospital wing. I began growling but as soon as the girl stepped into the light, I stopped. It was Kelly.
"Hey," she said warmly to me.
She began approaching me cautiously but I continued to growl in a low tone.
"I feel so awful for Professor Lupin," she said as her voice began breaking. "He lost so many people he cared about."
She slowly put her arms around my neck, ignoring my growling and pressed her face into my fur.
"All he has now is the baby," she sobbed.
Slowly, I stopped growling and then the immense grief took over. I lowered my head and began whining.
I rested my head against her shoulder and closed my eyes as I continued to whine. She continued to sob into my fur.
Madam Elkin entered the hospital wing.
"Miss Smith! Get away from him!" she scolded. "He's not friendly."
I opened my eyes and turned my head toward Madam Elkin. She went to pull Kelly away, but I gave her a growl warning her to leave Kelly alone.
"Okay," she said at last. "Stay as long as you want."
I continued to nuzzle Kelly.
After what seemed like hours, Kelly released me and gave me a kiss on my snout. She headed over to Madam Elkin and asked her for a Sunax Potion. She was getting stomach pains.
I went over to the crib and reared up on my hind legs, placing my forelegs over the edge of the crib. I stuck my head over the edge, looking down at Lily Anne peacefully asleep now. She actually looked more like Caitlin then she did me.
I dropped back down to all fours and curled up in front of the crib, dozing off shortly.
In the morning, I awoke on a cot fully dressed. I swung my legs over the edge of the cot and sat up.
"Morning, Mr. Lupin," Madam Elkin said softly.
"Morning," I said quietly.
Just then, Kelly came back in.
"Professor Lupin? What are you doing here? Is everything okay?" she asked sounding concerned.
"I wasn't feeling too well." I replied softly.
"Oh," she said nodding wisely. "I understand."
"Did the Sunax Potion work for you last night?" Madam Elkin asked.
"Yeah, but now I've got a new problem," Kelly said grinning and blushing embarrassed.
"What would that be, dear?" Madam Elkin asked.
Kelly continued to blush furiously and avoided looking in my direction.
I picked up immediately what the problem was.
"It's her time of the month," I told Madam Elkin.
Kelly blushed even more furiously and looked more like a tomato at this point.
Madam Elkin gave Kelly a small candy that looked like a lemon drop.
"I'll be right back," she said to Kelly and left the hospital wing.
Kelly came over to me and sat down beside me.
"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked kindly.
I felt my throat aching.
"I just lost Caitlin," I said as my voice began breaking. "Someone I love more than life."
I began breaking down.
"I lost all the people I care about," I continued sobbing.
Kelly gently wrapped her arm around me.
I continued to sob uncontrollably. I noticed that Caitlin's body was gone from the hospital wing.
Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape returned to the hospital wing shortly after Kelly.
"How are you doing Remus?" Professor Dumbledore asked kindly.
I looked up at him. Tears streaming down my cheeks.
"I just lost someone I loved more than life. Not too well," I replied.
He nodded.
"Lord Voldemort is gone," Dumbledore said. "You had every right to attack him. He caused you a lot of pain and agony. He made you lose the people you cared about."
"He may have had magical powers, but was no match for a wolf," Professor McGonagall said.
"He was human as any of us," Dumbledore said. "Or human-like."
I just continued to cry.
"Caitlin saved your life," Dumbledore said softly and quietly. "She risked her life to make sure that you and Lily Ann were okay and alive."
"I would've done the same for her," I choked out.
"Rest," Dumbledore continued. "I'll have Madam Elkin give you a Calming Draught."
Professor Dumbledore put a hand on my shoulder before he, Snape and McGonagall left. Kelly remained though.
"You should leave too, Miss Smith," Madam Elkin said to Kelly.
"Let her stay," I said.
Madam Elkin nodded and I got up and leaned over the crib. I picked up Lily Ann in my arms. She was still fast asleep.
I sat back down beside Kelly.
Kelly flashed the baby a big grin.
"Professor Andrews is a hero," Kelly said gently and quietly. "She gave her life to save that wolf. Not many people would do that."
I gave her a weak smile.
"I know," I said quietly. "She was amazing. I'm going to really miss her so much. You know I had proposed to her just before You-Know-Who arrived. She had said 'yes'."
Kelly's eyes swelled with tears.
"How sad,"
I nodded and broke down again.
Finally, I managed to stop crying. I felt like I had completely cried myself dry.
My heart hurt from crying so much.
Professor Dumbledore allowed the crib to be put in the boys' dorm at this point so I could keep an eye on the baby.
I got woken up every night at midnight and had to feed her. The guys were pretty good about it and didn't mind it whatsoever…only when tests were given did they moan that instead of writing down the 12 ingredients to a Maruk Potion, they'll be writing down 12 ways to change a baby diaper.
I missed Caitlin so much….
TWO MONTHS LATER.
JUNE 12th.
I left Hogwarts in June. The current 7th years had graduation and everything to celebrate. But I wasn't in a celebrating mood at all.
I returned home with Lily Ann. Mum and Dad was so good about it. They helped take care of Lily Ann and knew just how much I missed Caitlin.
Of course, they kept telling me that I was not to blame one bit for what happened to Caitlin. It was her choice to step in front of the Killing Curse for me. I knew but I still felt awful. I had loved her more than life and now I have to be there for Lily Ann. She needs me now more than ever.
11 YEARS LATER
LUPIN RESIDENCE
"Dad! A letter just arrived for me!" Lily Ann's voice floated through the hallway.
I had just finished preparing dinner and set the table.
"From where?" I asked looking up.
Lily Ann bounced into the kitchen. Her blond hair was pulled into a ponytail and she was dressed in jeans and a red tank top. She looked like Caitlin in every detail. It was like a mini version.
"Someplace called 'Hogwarts'," she said handing me the familiar letter.
I felt my breath freeze inside my chest and my insides went cold.
I slowly took the letter from her and opened it. It read:
Dear Miss Lupin,
I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed is the first year list for books and supplies. Congratulations and we look forward to seeing you in September. You will go to Platform 9 ¾ on September 1st.
Professor M. McGonagall
"What is it, Dad?" Lily Ann asked eagerly.
I swallowed.
"Nothing," I replied. "It's just a joke."
I folded the letter and stuffed it back into the envelope and into my pocket.
"Oh," Lily Ann said brightly.
"Dinner let's go," I said.
We entered the kitchen and sat down at the table. I handed out the pork chops, corn and mashed potatoes.
Lily Ann began eating her dinner.
All the memories of Hogwarts came flooding back. Memories of Caitlin, Lily, Sirius, James and Peter came flooding back. Since I had left, I had devoted my life to protecting Lily Ann. I guess I sort of spoiled her. I was really wary of sending Lily Ann to Hogwarts now even though I knew Lord Voldemort was gone and no more of those parasites existed. They completely managed to destroy all of it. Voldemort had made a deal with someone in Romania but who was still unknown.
I continued to eat the dinner quietly.
"Daddy," Lily Ann said suddenly. "Are you okay?"
I blinked.
"Yes," I said. "Why?"
"You looked like you spaced out for a bit,"
I broke into a smile. "I'm fine trust me."
She nodded and went back to her food.
I knew I was probably being a little ridiculous, but I couldn't help it. Lily Ann was my life now and if I lose her that's it.
I was just being protective over her. It was a normal reaction.
That night, we headed off to bed.
The next morning, I awoke and pulled on a pair of gray sweat pants and a white tee-shirt. I jogged downstairs. Lily Ann was already awake and eating cereal from a bowl. There were two more letters lying on the table.
"I guess that person didn't get enough from the first joke," she replied gesturing to the letters.
I opened one of them. I recognized the handwriting as Professor Dumbledore's. I opened the letter. It read:
Dear Remus,
You haven't replied to the first letter. I'm sure there is a good reason. Might it be because you're nervous about sending Lily Ann back here to Hogwarts? I completely understand. But trust me, all precautions have been taken. No one that visits Hogsmeade is allowed to go into the Three Broomsticks. You will be allowed to return with her of course. If you change your mind, please respond to my letter. The second one is from Professor Snape. He has a new potion called the Heric Potion. It is much stronger than the Vocis and will kill any foreign body in a human being.
Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster.
I sighed.
"What is it Dad?" Lily Ann asked looking up from her cereal.
"I've got something to tell you," I said quietly folding the letter up and placing it in my pocket.
Lily Ann waited patiently.
"The first letter was not a joke," I said quietly. "It's true. You are a witch. Your Mum was one as well. I'm a wizard as well as a werewolf."
Lily Ann looked at me wide-eyed.
"Dad, I knew you were a werewolf but why didn't you tell me about the witch part earlier?"
I gulped and told her everything. When I was done, she looked at me.
"Dad," she said gently. "Mum did that because she loved you. Stop blaming yourself okay?"
I nodded, feeling tears swelling in my eyes. She got up and came around the table, wrapping her arms around me. I hugged her back tightly.
"I love you," I whispered to her.
"Love you too," she whispered back.
"So we're going back?"
"Yes," I said.