In the Present
A HariPo fanfic
by mew-tsubaki
Note: I haven't finished To the Future and already I'm starting its second companion story. AGH! However, J.K. Rowling's characters are in good hands by now, so I hope everyone enjoys this Rena story. But to reach the present, one must glance at the past, where our story begins… READ & REVIEW!!!
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The Fifth Wax
Finally, a week had passed, and Remus was getting used to teaching once again. The last time he had taught had been Harry, Hermione, and Ron's seventh year. Then, right after they graduated, Voldemort's most vicious attack had happened, and Harry had his final showdown with the Dark Lord, ending in victory.
After that, Remus couldn't deal with the Auror's office, where he had worked before going back to Hogwarts for the trio's last year. There really hadn't been many options for Remus, so he became unemployed. Tonks had stayed with the Auror's office, and they had plenty in savings to support themselves, but Remus was glad to be busy again, especially since he needed to do something to keep his mind off… Well, off her…treachery.
His mind drifted while his third years practiced the spell against a boggart. How could he kid himself? I came back not just to get some time away from Dora, he admitted. I came back because I need time away from her smothering me. I don't- I don't love her like my soulmate.
I've never been in love with her.
So he let normalcy claim him as a student fell on his arse and the boggart assumed the shape of a dragon. Remus stepped in front of the kids, and the beast appropriately changed into a full moon. But then it changed –or, rather, it tried changing, but it didn't take to another solid body. The teacher couldn't tear his eyes away; his thoughts and fears had probably become one now, too jumbled for the boggart to scare him.
The boggart eventually went back to the full moon guise, so Remus drew his wand. "Ridiculus!!" he shouted, and the moon became a shining, white bowling ball that fell to the floor with a thud.
The class laughed, and the attempt resumed. They were pretty good, but Remus couldn't help but compare them to Harry and his friends in their third. Never had he seen such a talented group. He wondered if he would ever see another again.
Suddenly, the lunch bell rang, and the third years bustled around, collecting their bags and books. "Remember to finish reading the chapter," Remus bellowed over the commotion. "I want twenty inches on the reasons why a boggart can be a fearsome creature!" He supposed they heard him, but he knew if they had or not when he collected the homework tomorrow.
On his way to lunch, he swung by Sirius's classroom. It was empty, though. He probably went down already, the were inferred. The brunette wizard headed down himself, a tune caught in his mind. It distracted him, enough that he nearly crashed into something. Well, someone.
"Remus!" Neville exclaimed. "How's today been?"
"Oh, fine… I didn't see you two there," Remus stated. He nodded to Luna, who smiled.
"Yeah, Luna surprised me last period. She's doing another piece that's going to be on the front page."
"That's great," Remus commented.
"I'm going to do some research for my next few features here, at Hogwarts," the Lovegood girl said. "I'll be visiting a bit more often, since I'll be in and out of the Forbidden Forest."
The werewolf frowned. "On your own? Is that such a good idea?"
"Luna's great at handling herself in there," Neville declared. "Fearless, this one."
Remus raised an eyebrow and Luna nodded in agreement with Neville, but her lips were pursed. The werewolf didn't pursue it, though. Instead, he changed the subject. "Are you joining us for lunch?"
She shook her head. "No, I've got to go. I'll see you later, Neville," she said, and Neville pecked her cheek. Luna waved to the other wizard. "See you, Remus."
"Yeah…" He watched her leave them, and he turned to Neville. "You're fine with her being in danger?"
Neville frowned. "Well, no… But she really can handle herself, you know. Luna's smart and strong, and she really has no fear. That… That sometimes makes me nervous, though. It-It's almost like-" He stopped short and picked his head up. "Oh, wow! That smells delicious!!" And he went ahead and took his seat next to Sirius.
Remus furrowed his brow and hesitantly sat down. How can he be so calm about it? he wondered as he tasted his sandwich. The taste wasn't right, so he put his sandwich down and sipped at some water. I think he should worry more. I mean, the look on her face –She seemed like she wanted him to care more. Remus paused as he realized that was the most likely reason. She's definitely right about observing people…
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Short, I know, but the next few should be longer –they'll definitely be better! Ooh, I can't wait! And please review, peoples!!! REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! & on to six we go!
-mew-tsubaki
