Authors Note: So sorry for the delay... Hopefully this chapter will make up for it! But I promise chapter 5 will be up by the end of the week...
Also one or two questions about why Remus has a cane... Since the fic is AU and he can't be a werewolf, I figured that Remus neeeded something that he had to overcome... to show his strenght, like you see in the books... so i gave him a childhood illness that left him slightly crippled...if that makes sense?
Thanks to the ever wonderbar Fortheloveoftea for the great beta and the encouragement that she showers me with... she is way way way too good! Also go bother her over at her story 'Pride Prejudice Potions and Potter' go on you know you want to... bother bother bother bother...
Disclaimer: Not J.K. Rowling, which, in turn, means that I do not own any of the characters that you may recognise... I do, however, love them...
Chapter 4
Remus cautiously entered the small room at the end of the downstairs corridor of his home. His father's study. It had been over a month since he had opened those doors, just before his father's death. He took in the room in a new light. The study was no longer his father's but his own. He stood at the doorway for a moment, in trepidation or respect, he wasn't entirely sure. Looking at the room he felt the bitter stab of grief in his chest as a flood of memories came to the forefront of his thoughts. His father would no longer sit at his desk and sort out his papers. Nor would he invite Remus into the room and pour out two glasses of brandy from the decanter that sat on the table by the wall, and toast to a job well done or good exam results or even good health. Remus gripped his cane tighter and stood up straight trying to compose himself before the lawyer would come to sort out his father's will.
He walked over to the desk and lightly touched the papers, the quill and inkwell, the mark from when, as a child Remus knocked over a candle that etched a small burn mark on the desk. His father had not chided him for the mark or for even being in his study. Remus smiled slightly at the memory.
'Remus' a deep, soft voice spoke lowly from the doorway and Remus looked up.
'Albus' Remus sighed with relief and happiness before walking across the room to his Godfather and father's closest confidante. 'I am so glad you could make it.'
'Anything for you my dear boy.' Albus hugged the boy and clapped him on the back.
'Come, we will go to the living room and I will have tea brought.' Remus led the way to the living room and called his housekeeper.
An elderly woman in her fifties walked into the room.
'Mrs. McGonagall? Could you please bring some tea for Mr. Dumbledore and myself?'
'Yes of course Remus dear.' She replied with a lilting Scottish accent and bustled out of the room.
Remus took a seat in an armchair and placed his cane across his lap.
'Albus please sit.' Remus motioned to the chair opposite him.
Albus nodded and once he had taken his seat, he began to scrutinise Remus' appearance.
His godson looked sick and pale; the pressure of the past few weeks had begun to take its toll on him. Taking on the role of head of the household was not an easy task and in the past few weeks Remus Lupin had begun to grow up before his very eyes. Albus felt a little sad at the thought.
Mrs. McGonagall came back with a tray of tea and a plate of cakes, placing it on the table between the two men. 'Now my lovies! Enjoy them.' And then she bustled out the room again. Once she left Remus prepared a cup of tea for Albus, milk no sugar. He handed the cup to the older man.
'Thank you my dear boy.' He took the tea and sipped at it while Remus prepared his own cup, Milk, two sugars. Once Remus took his seat again Albus spoke up.
'How have you been keeping Remus?' Albus asked with concern.
Remus waited a moment before answering. 'I'm alright Albus.'
'I think you are lying my dear boy.' Albus replied.
Remus chuckled grimly. 'Am I really that transparent?'
'Ah dear boy, I have known you far too long to ignore when you are obviously struggling with what has happened.' Taking a sip from his cup Albus continued. 'You are tired Remus. I can see it.'
'I am just back from an engagement party. The carriage ride home took several hours.' Was the explanation given.
'That is not the only thing that is tiring you but I will let it slide. We have much to discuss before Gilderoy arrives.'
Remus sighed loudly. 'Gilderoy Lockheart...I would really rather not deal with him at all if the truth were to be told. I don't trust him Albus.'
'Well you are right in your judgement. Do not trust him. Not only because of his nature and his character but because the one thing my father taught me was never trust a lawyer!'
Remus laughed at this. 'You don't suppose he'll make this easy on me? Will he draw it out and say something along the lines of there is still paper work to fill out and the proper witnesses to have in presence for signing over the estate?'
'He may do son, he may do.' Albus nodded.
'Why did father insist on dealing with him? I just don't understand it.' Remus shook his head in disbelief.
'Your father and Gilderoy's father were very close friends. Just before he died your father assured Abraham that he would look out for his son, even though the boy was spoilt, pompous and insufferable. Your father was a man of his word Remus, a man of honour.' Albus noted with respect.
'I know I know...Hopefully he did not expect to be a man of his word either. God willing this will be the last of my dealings with Mr. Lockheart.'
The sound of the doorbell ended the conversation and soon Mrs. McGonagall led Gilderoy Lockheart into the living room. The man had a proud stance with his head held high. His blonde hair was curling by his ears and upon his face sat a grimace. In his hand lay a folder. He obviously didn't want to be there.
Remus and Gilderoy had a troubled past. Their fathers had a long standing acquaintance and often did business together. Remus and Gilderoy would spend much of their youth together, usually in aggression and anger. Their childhood grudge lasted into their teen years and finally once university was finished Remus had matured enough to let bygones be bygones. Gilderoy on the other hand still held the grudge. Remus was often considered to be more intelligent and was shown more respect than Gilderoy, and most people in general found him to be much more pleasant. Gilderoy found this assessment of Remus to be totally inaccurate and unfair. He would hold this against Remus for the rest of his days.
Remus and Albus stood to greet the man. He limply took Remus' hand and shook, letting go as soon as possible. Remus noted the limp hand shake and this reminded him of his father. 'You can always tell the worth of a man by the strength of his hand shake.' His father's words reverberated through his mind. This man was obviously not worth all that much... not that he was terribly surprised.
'Please sit.' Remus gestured to the chair to the left of him. 'Tea?' he offered.
Gilderoy stood uncomfortably for a moment before he spoke up.
'Erm... No thank you.' He paused before continuing. 'Do you not have somewhere more appropriate for this work?'
Remus raised an eyebrow before rising slowly. 'Of course. Will my father's study suffice?'
Gilderoy sighed audibly. 'Yes I suppose.'
Albus kept silent throughout the exchange. This was not his business. He was merely there for support.
Remus led the two to his father's study and took the seat behind his father's desk. Gilderoy took the seat opposite him. Albus remained standing. He would only be an observer in this.
Gilderoy began to organise his notes, his head down in concentration. 'Well Lord Lupin I guess we should begin.'
'Remus.' Remus replied.
'Mmmm?' Gilderoy looked up. 'Sorry?'
'Remus, not Lord Lupin. Lord Lupin was my father and I will not take his title until I feel ready.' Remus smiled.
Gilderoy looked up confused. 'Of course.' He smiled grimly.
'Well Remus...' he accented the Remus. '...your father left everything to you in his will. However, due to the fact that it was not technically a legally bidding will, it will take a few weeks to process. In his will it states that you are the sole beneficiary.'
Gilderoy cleared his throat and began to read aloud.
'On the instance of my death I, Lord John James Lupin, bequeath my wearing apparel and articles of personal use or ornament and the household furniture, books, pictures, plate, linen, china, glass, wines, liquors and household and consumable stores of which I shall die possessed to my son and heir Remus John Lupin absolutely and I also bequeath to my son the sum of Three hundred pounds for his immediate use to be paid as soon as possible after my decease.
I also devise and bequeath the real estate and the residue of the personal estate including all monies, titles and deeds of which I shall die possessed unto Remus John Lupin.'
Gilderoy finished and looked up from the will and looked at Remus.
'You understand that you do indeed inherit everything but you will not receive them for another few weeks. Except of course, for your three hundred pounds, which I have here for you.' Gilderoy took the money from his folder and handed it to Remus.
'If you would sign here to indicate that you have received your monies, then I will be on my way.' Gilderoy handed Remus a contract to sign.
Remus read the contract before signing. Once he had finished he took up his father's quill, signed his name and handed it back to Gilderoy.
'Thank you Remus.' Gilderoy stood up and stuck out his hand, Remus grasped it firmly and shook.
'No thank you Gilderoy.' Remus smiled. Gilderoy observed him for a moment before nodding slowly.
Gilderoy turned to Albus and offered his hand.
'Albus, always a pleasure.'
Albus took it shook. 'Goodbye Gilderoy.' He smiled.
'I can show myself out Remus.' He spoke without looking back. Remus smirked.
Gilderoy left the study and Albus took his seat.
'Well that went surprisingly well.' Remus commented leaning back in his chair.
'Yes... although you were right. He said it would take a few weeks to sort out.'
Remus shrugged his shoulders. 'I'm not really bothered by that.'
Albus nodded. 'Remus, I really need to head, I've got a few errands to run, however I will come by to visit in the next few days.'
'To check up on me?' Remus asked with a smirk.
'Yes.' Albus answered honestly as he stood.
'However before I go I have a small gift for you... a birthday present if you will...' He handed Remus a piece of paper.
'It was a letter your father wrote to me telling me of your birth and asking me to be godfather. It means a lot to me, and I'm sure once you read it, it will mean much to you also. Now then boy, like young Mr. Lockheart, I can show myself out. You need to rest, Remus.'
Remus nodded in agreement and Albus left. He fingered the letter cautiously. If the truth be told he felt drained, the weight of the world on his shoulders. He loved his godfather dearly and was grateful for all he had done, however he could really use his father's help right now. Maybe this letter might help him feel closer to the man.
It was a short letter, written in his father's spidery scrawl.
My Dear Dear Albus,
Today our family became complete. Marie gave birth this morning to the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. He is a boy, a strapping young boy like his father! I have never understood the term of love at first sight until this very morn, for he is a wonder. He has his mother's hair and his father's lungs, (he has been howling up a storm, almost like a wolf!) I apologise for my short correspondence but I am so giddy, I am not really sure where to begin! You will of course be Godfather, (as if there was any doubt). I believe I am the happiest man in this land for the child is the ultimate symbol for my everlasting love for Marie. She did so well and I am so proud of her today. This child will be the most loved child in all of god's green earth dear friend. Again apologises for the crude letter but I cannot get a thought straight!
Yours
John.
Of course I forgot to tell you, his name is Remus... my little wolf.
Before Remus even noticed, tears began to form in his eyes and for the first time since his father's funeral, he cried.
Authors Note: Ah poor Remus... sniff
R and R if you wish!
