A/N: Hey gang! So, I'm playing with perspectives a little, so please let me know how it works out. Hope you enjoy!
Remus Lupin is fine. He's currently working a job in muggle bookshop, and it's fine. It's quiet and he gets on well with the owner, an older woman called Dot. He's had the same flat he's had for the past six years and it's fine. The rent is still the same and it's cozy, in a cramped sort of way. He goes to the same pub he's gone to every Wednesday night—save for the full moons—for his weekly supper out and it's fine. He doesn't really talk to many people but that's fine too.
Really, he's fine.
Honest.
It's the day after a particularly uncomfortably full moon and every part of his body aches. Remus balances a stack of books on one arm, shelving them with the other.
"Mr. Lupin!" Dot calls as the bell on the door chimes. "I need assistance." Remus sighs, setting the stack down. He stretches carefully, trying to ease the strain in his shoulders. "Hurry! There's a great big animal in front of the store!"
"What?" he mutters, hurrying over. Dot's cowering behind the counter, pointing to the glass door. "What?" he repeats.
"There was this great big beast!" she gasps. "Just there! I don't know where it's gone."
"What sort of beast?" Remus asks carefully. He still feels particularly wolf-like, all of his senses buzzing. There's something here, something big and familiar, but he doesn't think it's dangerous.
"It was big and black," Dot stutters out. "Maybe a dog or a bear!"
"A bear in London?" Remus asks, trying desperately not to smile. Just a dog then. Dot's terrified of them. He can't imagine what she's do it she found out about Remus.
"Well," she sniffs. "Obviously not. A dog, I meant. A big, horrible dog. Won't you go see that it's gone, please?"
Remus sighs, nodding. He guides Dot into her office in the back, settling her in her desk chair. Merlin, he doesn't need this, not today. All he wants to do is find a quiet spot and a decent book, hide from customers.
"Why don't you have a rest, Dot?" he says. "I'll make you a cuppa, alright?"
"I did have a rather difficult night," Dot says. "Tedious in the extreme."
"Poor dear," Remus says as sympathetically as he can manage. He keeps his back to her while he starts the kettle, rolling his eyes.
"Oh, remember, darling, I can't have any milk or sugar in it," Dot says, completely at ease now. "Trying to lose a few."
"Whatever for?" Remus asks, unable to help the bit of charm that slips into his voice. Dot giggles, patting his cheek.
"Naughty boy," she says. "Oh, leave the dog. I'm sure it's gone." Remus doesn't bother to hide his grin.
"Well, I'll get back to the shelving then, Dot," he says. "Just try and relax."
"Thank you, pet," she says. "What would I do without you?"
"Let's try not to find out," Remus calls, making his way back to his spot. He finishes the remnants of the shelving and plucks something from the historical fiction section and settling in the warm spot by the window.
Remus can't focus on the book, though, his mind far away. He's thinking of Hogwarts, of his old friends, things he hasn't thought about in years.
His throat works, and no matter how hard he tries to push away the thoughts, they won't leave him. He remembers playful pranks, the way he'd talk their way out of trouble. He's always had a rather non-threatening face, and people just couldn't believe he could possibly be the culprit behind anything. He'd learned to expand, talk James and Sirius innocent for their many, many infringements.
Sirius—
No. He won't think of him. He doesn't deserve to be thought of.
Remus slams the book shut and sighs, looking at the old clock hanging nearly sideways on the far wall. Only a few more hours left. He can do this.
Finally, seven rolls around and Remus sends Dot on her way, promising he'll lock up for her, he's just got a few bits and bobs to sort out. He picks his way through the store, straightening the books and finishing off the last of the shelving.
The moon is high in the sky by the time he finishes, just barely waning. He glares at it, feeling considerably more angry than he has in months. What for, he couldn't tell you. It is Wednesday, and he is due into the pub for his supper, but Remus really can't muster the energy to go in. Besides, there looks to be a hen night on when he passes it.
He makes his way to his apartment, shoving open the door with more force than strictly necessary, and dumping his things in a pile by the coat rack. Merlin, he's exhausted. Stretching and yawning, Remus stumbles into the kitchen, intent on making some tea. A nice cup of tea will make things better, he thinks.
Technically, he does live in muggle London, so he's not too keen on using magic, but he really can't be arsed to turn on the hob, so he points his wand at it, grinning as it ignites. Since he's already got it out, he fills the kettle with a quick charm and sends it on its way to boil.
Finally, he thinks, dropping heavily onto the ancient futon. His muscles ache at the way he slumps so he squirms, trying to find a comfortable position. As soon as he does, the doorbell chimes. Of fucking course.
Remus grumbles as he pulls himself up, but before he can get the door, he stops, every instinct screaming. It's that same presence, he realizes, from the store earlier. His heart begins to race and his breaths come in shallow pants. Gingerly, he opens the door.
Sirius Black is standing in his doorway.
Suddenly, he's seventeen years old again, a foolish boy who thought he was invincible, surrounded by the people he loved best in the world. A stupid teenager with a heart threatening to overflow, aching both in the best and worst ways, so terribly in love that it burns.
Sirius. Padfoot.
Sirius Black is standing in his doorway, and it looks like he's not alone.
Harri was immediately convinced Padfoot was the very best person in the whole world. He spoke kindly to her, made her laugh, and bought a whole plate of kebabs and chips for her. After eating, he'd told her they were off to find another friend of her father's.
Harri had spent ages imagining her father and mother, pretending the crash wasn't real and that one day, they were going to come roaring up Privet Drive to get her. She didn't know why, but she'd always imagined they'd drive up on a motorbike. She dreamt of it often.
Now, she had her father's friends! The real people meant to take care of her. Maybe they'd live in a nice house with a big garden, and Padfoot could show her how to do magic. He could turn into a dog, and Harri thought she'd very much like to learn.
As a dog, Padfoot lead Harri all through London. She'd been once before, but she was a bit nervous. Still, she resolved not to let Padfoot think she was scared. He might look at her and decide she was too much of a baby for their adventures and send her packing off to the Dursley's again.
They'd ended up walking up and down the same street for hours, passing the same few bookshops and cafes. Harri didn't mind. She chattered away to Padfoot, telling him all about school, the games she'd play, and the strange people she'd see sometimes, wearing weird dresses and smiling widely at her.
Padfoot the dog was actually lovely, and not a bit scary. His eyes were the prettiest grey color she'd ever seen, and she could just tell he was listening. He was also nice to pet, though his fur was a bit scraggly. It didn't matter to her; her own hair was a mess, hanging in a curly sheet to her back.
Finally, when it got a bit darker, Padfoot and Harri followed a man from one of the bookshops. He didn't notice them at all, but Harri thought he might be the friend Padfoot had mentioned. He looked sad, but Harri thought a visit from his friends might cheer him up. She would've loved that.
Once the man had gone inside, Padfoot the dog had become Padfoot the person again, and he crouched down to grip Harri's shoulders.
"Listen, love, just let me do the talking, alright?" Padfoot says. Harri nods, suddenly nervous.
"I thought he was dad's friend," she whispers. "Won't he know about me?"
"Of course he does, it just that… well, he might not like me very much," Padfoot mutters, looking away.
"Why?" she asks, tilting her head. Padfoot opens his mouth, but snaps it shut and shakes his head.
"I'll explain later," he says. "Stay behind me."
Suddenly, Harri's scared and does what she's told. The man hadn't looked scary before, but Padfoot sounded worried. She clutches his trouser leg, peeking around him. Padfoot rings the buzzer, and for a moment, they both hold their breath.
The door swings open and the man looks at them, the strangest expression on his face. He looks from Harri to Sirius in rapid succession, more and more upset.
"What. The. Fuck?" he hisses through clenched teeth. Harri shrinks against Padfoot, clutching hard.
"Moony, I need you to—"
"Do not call me that!"
"Remus, then—"
"Where did you come from? How did you get out?" Moony—Remus, Harri wasn't sure—asks, still decidedly angry.
"Listen, it's a long story, but you have to—"
"The only thing I have to do is call the aurors!" he explodes. "Why isn't it in the papers? What did you do?"
"Oh, for fuck's sake," Padfoot snarls. "Let us in! I'll explain it all, just trust me." Stunned, Remus—maybe Moony?—steps aside to let them pass. Harri clings to Padfoot, deciding she doesn't like this man, not one bit.
"Trust you?" he scoffs. "Fat chance."
"Shut up for a mo, alright?" Padfoot says, gently detaching Harri from his trousers. "You're scaring her."
Suddenly, she's angry. Who is this man to talk to Padfoot like that? She's dealt with bullies before and she's done with them.
"I'm not afraid!" she declares, stepping on the man's foot as hard as she can. He stumbles back, swearing, but his mouth twitches. Padfoot lets out a bark of laughter, pulling Harri towards him.
"Harri, this is Moony, alright? He was one your dad's best friends, remember?" She did, but he wasn't acting like a friend at all! "He's going to help us."
"Quite a foot, you've got, young lady," Moony says, arching an eyebrow at her. He reminds Harri a bit of a school teacher, and it melts her anger instantly. Heat rises to her cheeks and she ducks her head.
"I'm really sorry," she says softly. Moony crouches down to look at her.
"It's alright," he says. His face goes a bit ashen, but he gives her a weak little smile.
"You look exactly like James," he says softly. "But your eyes are all Lily. Perfect copy." Harri gasps, savoring this new information like the last mouthful of her favorite dessert. Moony frowns, eyeing Padfoot.
"Harri," he starts, hesitant. "I need you to be honest with me, alright? Did this man make you go with him? Did he take you from your aunt and uncle?"
"What?" Harri asks, decidedly confused. Maybe he doesn't know. "My parents died in a car crash and Padfoot is my godfather. He's a bit late, but he came to get me."
"Car crash, what do—never mind. Harri, what exactly did he say to you?" Moony asks insistently.
"We went to back to the house and Aunt Petunia knew him. He really is my godfather," Harri says earnestly. "And I told them I'd write."
"Remus, let me explain everything, there's a lot she doesn't know," Padfoot says softly. "She's probably hungry and tired, if we could trouble you for something."
Harri flushes, but her cheeks are too dark to betray her embarrassment.
"I'm okay," she says. Moony gives Padfoot a hard glare, but sighs deeply.
"My top priority is Harri, do you understand? I'm going to do whatever it takes to keep her safe," he practically snarls. Padfoot raises an eyebrow.
"Still a bit touchy from last night?" Remus clenches his fists and his jaw but doesn't say anything. He turns to Harri, a concerned frown on his face.
"I don't have too much, but I can make some toast. Is that alright?" he asks. "And tea, there's tea, and I've got milk."
"Yes, please," Harri agrees eagerly. Moony's lips twitch and Harri hurriedly tacks on, "If it's not too much trouble. I can do it myself, so you don't have to."
"That's why I had to take her!" Padfoot interjects. "You should've seen the way they were treating her, Remus—"
"Later!" Moony hisses. "And never mind the toast, I'll do it. You just wash up. Bath's just through there."
Harri heads off to the door he pointed out, quickly scrubbing her hands. She can't understand why Moony would think Padfoot might hurt her. They've had talks before during assembly, about strangers who could hurt children, but Padfoot is the only family she's got left. He would never hurt her, she knows it. Best she can figure, Moony thinks he's a bad person, but she can't glean why. Maybe they had a fight, and now they're not friends anymore. The thought makes her sad.
When she troops back into the kitchenette, Moony has a cup of milky tea and a few pieces of hot, buttered toast for her.
"Go on, tuck in," Moony says, taking a few sips of his own tea. He hasn't put any milk in it, though. He makes a face like he doesn't like it but keeps drinking. "You can go to bed straight after, I'm sure you're exhausted."
Harri picks up a piece, but notices there's not a place set for Padfoot. In fact, he's still standing by the door, looking a bit sad.
"Do you want some?" she offers him. He shakes his head, but Harri's glad for the way he smiles. She gobbles up the toast and gulps down the tea, not realizing just how hungry she was. Moony takes her dishes when she's done and to her amazements, uses magic to get them washing themselves. Awestruck, she watches as the dishes scrub themselves.
"Come on, off to bed," Moony says. He takes her to the single bedroom in the flat, settling her into the narrow bed.
"I'm going to keep you safe," Moony whispers softly, brushing her hair back and pulling the blankets up. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you again." Harri's eyes are heavily, and the blankets are so cozy. She drifts off to bed easily. The last thing she hears is a dull thud before she falls asleep.
A/N: Hey gang, let me know what you guys think about the pacing and how the chapter endings go. Hope you enjoyed!
