Secrets
You
said there's no solution here to find
You went away and left it
all behind
I tried to open up your heart
But we always ended up
apart oh...
All the secrets I can not reveal
Secrets made you
cold as steel
All the secrets that you tried to hide
You didn't
need me by your side
Secrets-silver
Kimberley Lupin hummed a cheerful ditty as she cooked her stew. It was the night that the whole 'family' was due to come and she had been looking forward to it for weeks. She looked over at the scrubbed kitchen table with fondness in her eyes and smiled. It was the first piece of furniture she had bought with Remus and there, sitting at its head, was the man himself. The one person she had always loved and would always love more than anything in the world. His face was despondent and grave, this would not do at all.
Turning down the flame on her stew she sidled over to him in that silent way she had. Suddenly, before he knew what to do with himself, she was ensconced on his lap. Not that he was complaining of course, it's always nice to have an attractive woman in your lap, but he was surprised at this sudden display of affection from the usually shy woman. Surprised he may have been but he was not completely bemused and so he quickly wound his arms around her slender waist.
'Now, I have yer attention. What's the matter wi' yer face?' She brushed her hand down his thin cheek as she spoke as if to emphasise her words. He took in every detail of her before he dared to speak, as if he knew his next words would remove her from his lap. Her soft olive skin, round chocolate eyes and her dark curly hair that flashed red in the light. This secret could tear them apart. Maybe forever. Remus sighed.
'She'll be right here, in this room and it kills me that I know and she doesn't'
'Don't you think it's time now? It has been three years' His beloved face-hardened and he removed her from her position on his lap.
'She's not ready' Kimberley stared into the defiant face of her husband.
'No Remus. You're not ready' before he could argue she turned back to the stove with a sense of finality in the gesture. The door slammed and Kimberley flinched at the sound. Suddenly, it was silent once more.
The house at Grimmauld Place had been many things over the years: An ancestral house, a derelict building and the headquarters. But now it had a new, exciting and cheerful purpose: A home. And never had it seen more excitement than on this night. Even the mice were forced to retreat to the rafters to make room for the hubbub below. The joy of a home full of people was almost too much for Hermione to bear. She had never felt the happiness and love that a family could feel. Her parents had loved her of course but they had been intimidated by her magic and were often distant and she had never fitted in with them. But here, she felt loved. The overwhelming grief that cloaked her in darkness when she was alone in her office every day seemed like an awful and distant memory when she was around them. But there were always the huge gaping holes in her heart that never seemed to be filled. Could only be filled by them. Her parents… and him.
Clearing her mind of dark thoughts, she looked around the filled room. Molly, overbearing in her love for them all, was fussing with the stew while Kimberley insisted it was fine. The weasley men (including Harry) sat playing exploding snap, Ron accusing the twins of cheating as usual. Ginny and Luna stood at the side discussing wedding dresses. Sirius, the gorgeous rogue, was laughing at Kimberley's favourite scrubbed table with the widowed Andromeda. Yes, she had found joy here. But where was Remus?
Her eyes rested on the man who had become like a father to her. Just as she began to take a step towards his solitary form, a hand gripped her upper arm. She turned to protest but was met with the motherly concern that was etched onto the beautiful face of Kimberley Lupin and as though sensing her unease followed in silence. She was led silently through the house that the Lupin's shared with Sirius until they reached the peace and tranquillity of the Black family library. She was pushed gently into a plush armchair and Kimberley sighed softly.
'I love this room,' she whispered, 'I married Remus in this room'. The older woman stared (seemingly oblivious to Hermione's presence) at the walls that were lined with books. Books they had both probably read hundreds of times and were still fascinated by.
'Why did you bring me here?' asked Hermione snapping the woman out of her reverie.
'Because I'm worried. Because I see the pain in your eyes. You think Ron is the only one who knows but I can see it. It used to be nightmares but it's more than that now and I'm worried about you. We both are.' Hermione stared at the insightful muggle. For some reason she felt the need to tell her everything.
'Since Malfoy died I can't get him out of my head and then suddenly a few weeks back a boy arrived at my office…'
One Hour later…
'I still haven't looked at the diary' as soon as she finished the story she was enveloped in a warm motherly hug and for the first time she truly let herself cry.
'What does your heart tell you?' Kimberley whispered in her ear. Hermione sobbed loudly.
'I feel as if I'm in a room screaming and no one even looks up. I…I don't even know what my heart tells me anymore. The voices of everyone else seem to drown it out. I just don't know.' A final sob was wrenched from her chest and she felt a warm hand wipe away a tear.
'Now, no more tears. Tears may make our heart lighter but they wont heal the wounds of the world' Hermione's head shot up. The words were familiar, she had heard them before. But that time the voice had seemed younger, more exotic.
'That phrase, I've heard it before.' The older woman's face dropped.
'Of course dear. I say it all the time and it is a very popular saying.'
'No, I've only heard it once before and that was long ago' Kimberley shook her head and sighed heavily. She muttered something under her breath that sounded remarkably like 'I warned him' and opened her mouth to speak. Just then, Remus burst in.
'Alright sweetheart? Mia? Why have you left the party?'
'I'm glad you're here take this glamour thingymabob off me. It's time the three of us had a chat.' His face fell and he silently tapped his wand onto her head and then onto his own. Silvery sparks shot from the tip of his wand and showered down around the couple. For a moment Hermione's view of the two was blocked. When it was re-established she was shocked at what she found. Wrinkles had disappeared, grey hairs vanished and the beginnings of middle –aged spread flattened out. Before her very eyes the years began to melt away from the couple.
'What…' she began, until she was suddenly cut off by the female counterpart of the duo.
'I think it's time we told you who we are…'
How was that? Review me fair readers …x