It was two weeks later and Remus was finally coming to terms with suddenly being responsible for a young child's life. It had taken him a few days to fully explain to Esme that her mother wasn't coming back, which was an incredibly hard task for him to do. However, apart from that heart-breaking task, Esme settled in with Remus quite comfortably. She soon became used to the creaky small house that she was now living in, and she happily accepted Remus as her guardian. Dumbledore did as Elizabeth had asked and told Minister Millicent Bagnold that Esme had gone to live with her relatives in France, who couldn't be traced, so Bagnold couldn't find them and check. This gave Esme the limited freedom that Elizabeth wanted her to have, as no Ministry officials came looking for her.
However, there was still something playing on Remus' mind that he hadn't broached with Esme yet. He wasn't sure whether Elizabeth or Dumbledore had told the young girl that he was a werewolf, and if she wasn't aware, he certainly didn't want to scare her. She had only been living with him for two weeks and was finally beginning to trust him, so telling her that once a month he transformed into a fully-fledged monster probably wouldn't be a clever move. However, as the full moon quickly approached, Remus knew that he would have to brave the conversation.
"Esme, could you come here, please?" he said quietly, two days before Andromeda was due to collect Esme for a couple of nights. Esme was playing with a butterfly in the garden, having transformed into a small black kitten so she could chase it. She cocked her head at the sound of her name, one of her paws still swiping at the butterfly, and twitched her whiskers slightly. Remus watched, amused, as she jumped down off the tree stump, landed smartly on the overgrown grass and ran up the garden, leaping through the open back door.
"I nearly had it!" she moaned, transforming back into her human form, grinning brightly. "That butterfly was no match for me, Remus."
"I don't doubt it, Esme," Remus smirked, as he led her into the square living room. Esme plonked herself down on the sofa, tucking her legs up and staring up at Remus with her big blue eyes. Her grin faltered slightly at the sight of him, nervously running his hand through his hair. He looked similar to how Elizabeth had looked during the last conversation she had with Esme, as though wanting to talk about something upsetting.
"Am I being sent away, Remus?" she asked quietly, fearing the worst. Despite never saying it out loud, Esme had grown to like living with Remus in this small house. He was kind to her, and although she wasn't allowed to leave the house without his permission, she didn't mind the isolation. She still didn't quite understand why she was forbidden to associate with other people – not that she had much chance, as they didn't get any visitors – Esme still had more freedom that she had had when she lived with her mother, and her trust for Remus was so great that she didn't question why he was so willing to also live in isolation. Little did she know, that wasn't by choice.
"Why would you be sent away?" Remus asked, surprised.
"Mummy acted like you when she told me Uncle Severus would take me away," Esme explained slowly, her head drooping. "Is he coming to collect me?"
"No, Esme, you're not being sent away," Remus assured her, sitting down in the vacant seat on the sofa. "You live with me now, and that's not going to change."
"Do you promise?" Esme asked, lifting her head and looking at him straight in the eyes. Remus hesitated. He couldn't promise, because what if Esme didn't want to live him upon discovering what he was?
"I will only promise if you listen to what I have to say," he said, choosing his words carefully. Esme nodded, giving him her full attention.
"You know how you can change into any animal whenever you so wish to," Remus said slowly, hoping to explain the situation as delicately as possible. Esme nodded. "Well… I can also change into an animal, once a month –"
"Once a month?" Esme interrupted, cocking her head in surprise. "Why do you only change once a month?"
"Well, you can change whenever you want," Remus continued, trying not to let the innocence in Esme's confused face falter him, "but, I can only change once a month because I'm a…"
He trailed off. The word 'werewolf' seemed too harsh and would almost definitely scare the young girl.
"I'm not an Animagus," he said slowly. "Once a month, I change into… a sort of, wolf."
To Remus' surprise, Esme smiled brightly.
"Oh, I love wolves," she said happily. "Why haven't you changed into one yet? I haven't seen you as a wolf. I could change into one too, couldn't I? If I tried hard enough."
Remus chuckled. He couldn't help it. Esme was just like her mother, always seeing the best of the situation. Her enthusiasm even made telling her the truth a little easier.
"I'm sure you could, Esme," Remus said softly. "The thing is, the wolf that I turn into is dangerous, so you can't be here when I transform."
"Dangerous?" Esme said, biting her lip. "You mean, we could be in trouble?"
"You could be in danger," Remus corrected her and silently waited for Esme to recoil in horror, to demand he leave her alone, to scream and run away. To his absolute shock, she simply sighed and rolled her eyes.
"I'm always in danger," she said. "I was in danger with Mummy, and now with you." Then, she turned to face Remus and smiled. "Does it only happen once a month?"
Remus nodded, still surprised at Esme's lack of a horrified reaction.
"Well, then," she said happily. "At least it's not every day, like it was with Mummy."
"No, but it does mean you can't stay here," Remus said, and then upon seeing Esme's worried expression, hastened to add, "at least, not all the time. One night a month, you will stay with one of your relatives, to keep you safe."
Esme didn't say anything for a few seconds and seemed to be thinking of a response. Remus watched her intently, concerned that he had scared her off. What if Esme decided she wanted to live with Andromeda permanently?
"What relative?" Esme asked suddenly, her voice strained. She was clearly worrying that it was going to be Severus. However, Remus was concerned that the real answer wouldn't relieve her of her worry. He didn't know how much information about Sirius that Elizabeth had divulged to her daughter, and hearing that she was going to stay with the cousin of her father, who she most probably couldn't remember, might unsettle her.
"Andromeda Tonks," Remus said, and Esme immediately looked confused again. "She was – is – your father's cousin."
Esme's eyes widened but she didn't say anything this time. Instead, she looked down at her hands, which had instantly began picking at the material of her jeans in anxiety. Up until that moment, excluding the day she had moved in, Esme hadn't heard Remus mention Sirius at all. In fact, when Esme had accidently looked into Remus' mind, searching for memories of her parents, all she could see was the night Remus had discovered her father's apparent betrayal. His anger and devastation had burned so furiously that Esme hadn't dared to look again.
"Esme?" Remus said softly, worried about the young witch's sudden silence. "Esme, are you all right?"
Esme nodded slowly, lifting her head and glancing at Remus.
"One night a month?" she asked quietly. "And, I can come back? Definitely?"
Remus nodded quickly and Esme smiled again, assured.
"Good," she said, fiddling with her jeans.
Two days later, the day of the full moon, Esme nervously waited in the back garden, half-glancing at the butterflies flutter around in the cool afternoon breeze. The two thick oak trees that stood at the end of the dark grass loomed over her, their leaves swaying in the wind. She watched them with interest, wondering why they were so calm in such a difficult time. Andromeda Tonks would be arriving any minute. She would be taking her away, and despite what Remus said, Esme was terrified that she wouldn't be returning to this comforting house.
"Esme?" a voice called from behind her and Esme turned to see Remus standing the doorway of the back door, much paler than he had been the night before. There were dark circles under his eyes and Esme wondered why he looked so ill.
"Are you ready?" he asked her, and Esme nodded, pottering back up to the house.
"Remus, are you all right?" she asked quietly, glancing briefly at the small blue overnight bag standing next to the sofa. It wasn't very full as Esme had refused to pack more than one day's clothing, determined to be returning back to Remus' cottage.
"What do you mean?" Remus asked sharply and Esme bit her lip, anxious that she had said something wrong.
"Nothing – you just look a bit poorly, that's all…"
She trailed off, looking away. Remus had never snapped at her before.
"I'm fine, honestly," he said quickly, smiling at Esme when she looked up again. "I'm just feeling under the weather."
"Is because of your wolf change?" Esme whispered, her eyes lighting up. Remus forced a smile and nodded. It still surprised him that Esme wasn't scared about him transforming into a dangerous wolf every month. In fact, she seemed to find it exciting.
Suddenly, there was a cough from the fireplace and both Esme and Remus turned very quickly. There, amongst the crackling flames and small pieces of wood, was a woman's head, smiling up at them.
"Ah, Andromeda, there you are," Remus said, striding over to the fireplace. "Everything is fine, I trust?"
"Yes, Remus, everything is on schedule," the woman replied. "Am I okay to come in?"
"Of course," Remus replied as Esme cowered in the doorway of the room. Andromeda seemed nice enough, but she was still a stranger who Esme was being forced to stay with for the night. The woman's head disappeared for a second and then suddenly, a large shape spun into view and the woman reappeared, except her whole body was now shaking off the dust from the wood.
"Is everything ready?" she asked briskly, looking around and smiling at Esme. "Only, I have to get back soon."
"Right you are," Remus replied, picking up the overnight bag and handing it to Esme. "I will be by tomorrow evening to pick Esme –"
"Evening?" Esme interrupted, her eyes widening slightly. Her fingers jumped to the hem of her dress, fingering it nervously. Remus smiled at her kindly, kneeling so as to speak to her face to face.
"Esme, I promise you are coming home with me tomorrow," he said reassuringly, taking hold of her hand that was pulling at a loose piece of thread and squeezing it gently. Esme didn't look at all convinced as she miserably glanced at Andromeda.
"Do I have to go, Remus?" she whispered, looking back down to her feet. "I could stay… I don't mind you being a wolf… I could –"
"No, Esme," Remus said quietly but firmly, knowing exactly what Esme had been about to suggest. He couldn't risk Andromeda knowing the exact powers that Esme was able to perform, and he certainly couldn't endanger this little girl's life by allowing her to remain in the house. "It's only one night. Tomorrow, you can come back here, I promise."
Esme nodded but didn't look up. Instead, she did something she hadn't done in the two and a half weeks she had been living with Remus. She hugged him, wrapping her loving arms around his neck and burying her head in his shoulder. Remus couldn't help but smile to himself and he gently hugged her back.
"You'll be back here tomorrow, you'll see," he whispered, gradually pulling away and tapping her lightly on the nose. Esme smiled through her sadness and finally moved away to Andromeda.
"Hello, Esme," the middle-aged witch said, smiling at the little girl. "Have you ever travelled by Floo Powder before?"
Esme shook her head as Andromeda pulled a small chamber pot out from under her cloak, holding it out. There was a glittery, silver powder in the pot, sparkling in the dim sunlight that was peeking through the curtains.
"All right, Esme," Remus said, suddenly business-like, getting to his feet. "All you have to do is toss a handful of Floo Powder into the fireplace, step into the flames and say your destination."
"Floo Powder, flames, destination," Esme repeated, determined to get this new experience right. "What is my destination?"
"Riverbed Cottage," Andromeda replied promptly, and Esme nodded again. "Now, Esme, you will go first. My husband, Ted, will be there to meet you, as will my daughter, Nymphadora. She's back from Hogwarts for the Easter holidays. She's very eager to meet you, Esme."
Esme swallowed hard, trying to seem pleased. It proved difficult, however, as the prospect of someone she didn't know being excited to see her was hard to comprehend. She took a handful of Floo Powder and looked at the fireplace. It was small and even though she herself was only short due to her age, it still didn't look as though it could hold her.
"Throw the powder in, Esme," Andromeda said kindly and Esme did as she was told. The small orange flames leapt up, turning a bright emerald green, dancing merrily in the grate. "All right, now stand in the fire and say 'Riverbed Cottage'. Say it very clearly, mind."
Esme nodded and closing her eyes, as she was anticipating a burning sensation, she stepped hesitantly into the green flames. Surprisingly, the flames didn't burn and only emitted a comforting heat which warmed her thoroughly. With a last look at Remus, who looked as anxious as she felt, Esme took a deep breath and shouted, "Riverbed Cottage!"
Esme tried to gasp as she span but the force of the transportation was too strong. There was a roaring blasting in her ears and she felt suddenly sick as her stomach lurched – she prised her eyes open, determined to see where she was going – fireplace after fireplace zoomed passed her and she suddenly worried that she would miss the one she wanted – her hand flew to her mouth as she struggled not to vomit – she wished that her destination would arrive, and then…
She lurched forward suddenly and was greeted by something soft and fluffy as she fell on her front.
"Ah, you must be Esme," a pleasant voice said and when Esme lifted herself onto her elbows, she was greeted by a big-bellied man, who was sitting on a nearby chair, casually reading a newspaper. He had looked up when Esme had zoomed into sight, but had resisted from helping her to her feet, as his wife had warned him that a young girl might not like strangers.
Esme looked around and saw that she was in a small sitting room. There was a tall bookcase in the corner, full to the brim off battered and rather dusty books, all different shapes and sizes. There were also several cushions scattered around the room, including directly where she landed, no doubt to break her fall.
"Dad, is she here yet?" an eager voice called in from the next room and a pink-haired girl with a heart-shaped face came bounding in, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Esme.
Esme nervously got to her feet as Andromeda also zoomed into sight, clutching onto Esme's overnight bag and brushing fire dust off her cloak as she stepped out of the fireplace.
"Nymphadora, don't just stand there gawping, darling," she said briskly, gently taking Esme's shoulder and leading her to the door. "Take Esme's bag to her room."
The girl scowled slightly but did as her mother told her; she snatched up the blue bag and rushed out of the room. Esme could hear her footsteps pounding on the stairs as she ran.
"Now, Esme, are you hungry?" Andromeda asked and Esme shook her head, still feeling too sickly from the Floo Powder to eat. Andromeda's eyes narrowed, as though she was about to accuse Esme of lying, but instead, she glanced at her husband, almost as if she had just realised he was there.
"This is my husband, Ted," she said softly and Ted held out a hand, which Esme shook politely. She felt incredibly overwhelmed as she stood nervously in the doorway, with both Andromeda and Ted staring at her. There was another thundering behind her, and she turned to see the pink-haired girl jumping down the stairs, two at a time. She winked at Esme mischievously.
"Wotcher, Esme," she grinned and Esme smiled back, liking her instantly. "Do you want me to show you to your room?"
Esme nodded and followed Nymphadora back up the stairs.
"I've been waiting ages for you to turn up, you know," Nymphadora chatted away easily. "I thought you would be arriving this morning but Mum said that your guardian didn't want you to leave until later – something about you being nervous about leaving him. I heard he's a werewolf, is that true?"
Esme realised that the eccentric witch had asked her a question, but didn't quite know how to respond. Remus had said he could turn into a wolf, but he hadn't given it a proper name.
"What's a werewolf?" she asked instead, as they reached the landing.
"It's someone who turns into a wolf once a month," Nymphadora answered immediately, "but the wolf is really dangerous, like, they can't remember who they are or how nice they might be when they're human. They try to kill anyone and everyone in their path – if they bite you, you become a werewolf too. I expect that's why Remus Lupin sent you here for the night; he doesn't want to kill you."
Nymphadora didn't seem to notice how anxious Esme had become. She couldn't image Remus as a murderous wolf who would try to kill her – he had been so nice to her ever since she had started living with him.
"It's also really painful to turn into a werewolf as well, I've heard," Nymphadora continued happily, "I mean, it's nothing like it is for an Animagus, who can turn willingly. Werewolves' bodies stretch and tear away at the flesh – it's almost like they change everything about themselves – well, I suppose they do really – Oh, don't worry!" Nymphadora said quickly, as she had turned around to see Esme's eyes were filled with tears. "You're safe here, I promise. And, it's probably not as painful as I've heard. I'm just… fascinated, I suppose. I didn't mean to upset you, Esme."
Esme nodded, wiping away the tears from her cheeks. She didn't admit it, but she was terrified that Remus would be in pain all night, and might transform into a terrible monster.
"Esme?" Nymphadora said softly, worry clear on her face. "Are you all right?"
Esme nodded, whispering, "I'm fine."
Nymphadora nodded slowly, obviously not convinced, but didn't press the issue. Instead, she pushed open a door at the end of the corridor and revealed a small but comfortable room. A metal bed took up most of the space, but it was covered by a beautiful patchwork quilt, illuminating a scarlet and emerald glow onto the walls.
"It's not much, but you should be comfortable," Nymphadora said cheerfully, her eyes still searching Esme. "Do you want me to get you anything?"
Esme shook her head before settling herself on the bed, noticing that her blue bag had been dumped on the floor by the window.
The next day came quickly enough and Esme was soon waiting impatiently in the sitting room for Remus to arrive for her. She had surprisingly had a pleasant time at the Tonks' house. She and Nymphadora, who, from the moment her name had passed Esme's lips, had insisted on being called Tonks, as she hated her given name, had talked earnestly of Hogwarts, as Tonks was in her third year there. Tonks had eagerly answered any and every question put to her by Esme, who had never been told anything about the mysterious school.
Andromeda had also been determined to make Esme's short visit a pleasant one, so had insisted on cooking her favourite meals and playing her favourite games. She had been so attentive that Esme had gotten secretly upset, as it reminded her of Elizabeth, who had spent her last few weeks alive giving in to Esme's every demand.
Ted was incredibly funny and had cracked several jokes at dinner, making Esme giggle through the meal. His fair hair was a lot like Remus', and every so often, when Esme was no longer distracted by food, jokes or entertaining conversation, she wondered how Remus was.
But now, at six o' clock the night after arriving, Esme gritted her teeth nervously, terrified that Remus wouldn't collect her. Truth be told, she still didn't completely believe him when he had promised her she would be returning to the cottage. Since her mother's death, Esme had had trouble trusting people when they told her things, even Remus, who she loved dearly. And, what would happen if Remus didn't come back for her? Would she have to live with the Tonks family? She enjoyed their company, sure, and she would like to visit them again, but she loved her life at the cottage, and didn't really want to leave.
"Don't look so worried, dear," Andromeda said gently, entering the room with Esme's overnight bag. She handed it to the young girl, who took it gratefully, although her eyes never left the fireplace. She watched it eagerly, willing the flames to turn green so announce the presence of her much anticipated guardian.
"I expect Remus will be here soon," Ted said from his comfortable chair in the corner of the room. He looked over his newspaper and frowned sadly at the sight of Esme. She was almost bouncing with anticipation, and yet there was a real sense of sadness in her presence, and longing in her big blue eyes.
"Look!" she whispered suddenly, pointing at the flames. They had soared up and flashed emerald green as a large shape span into view.
"Remus!" Esme exclaimed, rushing forward to hug his legs, getting covered in fire dust in the process. "You came!"
She pulled back and her smile froze. In her excitement and relief in Remus' arrival, she hadn't taken the time to look at him properly. However, now she had been given the chance, she was horrified by how tired he looked, and his skin was grey in the firelight.
"Of course I came, Esme," he said cheerfully, shaking Ted's hand. "I told you I would. Have you got your bag?"
Esme nodded and gripped her bag tighter, eager to leave. She grasped Remus' hand, feeling secure in the knowledge that she was going back to the cottage, and threw her bag over her shoulder.
"Thank you for this, Andromeda," Remus said, grabbing some Floo Powder from the mantelpiece. "Is Esme all right to come back next month?"
Esme's head snapped up and she caught herself before she exclaimed in shock. She had to come back next month? She had thought that this was just a one-time thing.
"Of course," Andromeda was saying, and Esme forced herself to focus. "I'd love to have her back. She's been a delight."
Remus beamed down at Esme, who didn't smile back. Instead, she nodded at Andromeda and Ted before turning to the fire, hoping that they would leave.
"All right, we'll be off," Remus said, noticing that Esme's grip on his hand was growing somewhat. "Thanks again."
He threw his handful into the fire and watched as they danced about, turning green.
"I'll go first," he said, gently releasing himself from Esme's grip. He stepped into the fireplace and calmly said, "Cana Cottage." In an instance, the flames enveloped and swallowed Remus, and when Esme dared to look again, he had gone.
"All right, Esme, take a handful," Ted said softly, holding out some of the powder and Esme did as she was told. She threw the silvery powder into the fire and once again, the flames flashed emerald and without being asked, Esme instinctively and stepped in.
"Cana Cottage!" she said clearly and the sucking feeling came back – whirling and whirling Esme around – bringing up the ham and cheese sandwiches she had eaten for lunch – she closed her eyes as dust began to fly into them – her left elbow knocked something pointy and hard – she pulled it in, a gasp escaping her as pain set in her arm – and then...
"Oomph!"
Esme smacked into the soft carpet as she fell out of the fireplace, soot and ash flying up all around her. There was bristling somewhere near to her head and as she turned her neck upwards to get a better look, she saw Remus brushing some stray specks of dirt off the bottom of his robes. He looked at her as she got to her feet and concern flashed across his eyes.
"Esme, are you all right?" he asked quietly and Esme nodded quickly, a little too quickly. Remus raised his eyebrows and gestured towards the sofa. Reluctantly, and thinking that she was in trouble, Esme went and sat down, refusing to look at Remus in the eye.
"Esme, what is it?"
She didn't answer, but started playing with the corner of her t-shirt, pulling a little piece of stray cotton out of the hem. She heard Remus sigh and suddenly, his rough hands were on hers, gently pulling them away from the thread, making her look at him.
"Esme, what's wrong?" he asked quietly, his dark eyes evidently looking for clues that would explain the young girl's sudden downtrodden expression. Esme bit her lip but decided that she would get an answer to her question unless she asked it.
"Tonks said you're a werewolf," she whispered, looking down as soon as the last word passed her lips. If what Tonks had said was right, then Remus was a potential threat to her. But, what bothered her more than that, was the comment that Tonks had made about the actual transformation. She had said that it was painful and she imagined that it probably took its toll on the body. She didn't want to think of Remus in pain…
"Who is Tonks?" Remus asked, pulling Esme out of her brewing thoughts.
"Nymphadora doesn't like her name," Esme answered slowly. "She prefers to be known by her surname… Although Ted calls her Dora. Is it true that you're a werewolf, Remus?"
Remus sighed but didn't answer. He simply turned his head slightly and started to look out of the window. Esme bit her lip, a sudden thought coming to her, but she wasn't sure she had the nerve. She studied the wizard's face, willing him to answer him, but instead, he rubbed his forehead as though something was pressing heavily on his mind. Wanting answers, and something burning inside egging her on, she looked at Remus in the eye and delved in.
An image filled her eyes as she searched Remus' mind for answers. It was of a dark forest, thick trees for miles in every directions. Remus was stood in a small clearing, anxiously pacing, glancing upwards every now and again. Esme watched him, confused. Why was he in the middle of a black forest, walking around as though worried about something? She looked up, wondering what Remus was constantly watching for. Her eyes found a silvery orb, half-hidden by a thick black cloud. It seemed to be floating in mid-air and it took Esme a moment to realise it was the moon.
She glanced back at Remus, who now seemed to be sweating in a panic. His dark eyes looked up at the moon again, its light illuminating his tired and agitated face. And, then, the cloud shifted, and the whole clearing was bathed in moonlight.
Remus immediately went rigid, his face screwing up in pain. Esme stood fixed to the spot, watching horrified. Remus started shaking uncontrollably, his limbs almost vibrating. And, then, there was a terrible snarling noise. Esme moved back, terrified, despite knowing that she couldn't be harmed. She watched Remus howl in pain as his head snapped, his body lengthened, his shoulders hunched.
"Esme," she heard him say, but apart from the snarling from the newly formed wolf, it wasn't in a fit state to say anything human. She continued watching, as hair started sprouting on the animal's face and it started snapping its jaws, turning left and right, as though searching for something.
Esme heard her name being called again. It was Remus, but in the present time. He must have realised what she was doing and was trying to bring her back out of his mind. She felt a firm hand on her shoulder and closed her eyes. The werewolf vanished and instead, all there was in her eyesight was darkness.
"It's true," she whispered, hugging herself tightly. Remus' grip on her shoulder was almost painful as she slowly opened her eyes to face him. He was incredibly pale and his dark eyes had small tears in the corners.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly, releasing her shoulder and getting up from the sofa. "I'm sorry that you had to see that, Esme. I shouldn't have allowed…"
He paced around the room, running his hand through his grey-speckled hair in angst. Esme watched him nervously.
"Esme, you have to understand that you will never be around when I transform," Remus suddenly said, coming back over to her and sitting heavily on the sofa. "I will never put you in danger."
"I know," Esme replied simply, relieved that Remus wasn't yelling at her for invading his mind. Remus stopped suddenly, surprised at Esme's reply.
"You're not worried about being hurt?" he asked slowly and Esme shook her head.
"No, that's not what scared me," she said sadly. "You were in pain. When you turned into the wolf, you were screaming."
To her surprise, Remus smiled sadly and he sank back in the sofa.
"Sometimes, I forget just how much like your mother you are," he said softly, and Esme smiled back.
However, that night, she wasn't smiling. She had a nightmare. She was in a forest, in her pyjamas, wandering around in the dark, terrified. There was a snarling noise nearby and something was creeping around, snorting softly. However, there was something else that caught her attention. There was a woman in a white dress walking slowly towards Esme, her arms lovingly outstretched. She seemed to be glowing. Her skin was milk white and her eyes looked familiar. They were bright and blue. Just like Esme's.
It was her mother.
Elizabeth smiled, slowly getting to her knees on the soft forest floor. She took her daughter's hands and pulled her into a hug.
"Mummy?" Esme whispered happily, but then suddenly, Elizabeth had disappeared. Esme was hugging nothing. She looked around wildly, bitter tears running down her face. "Mummy? Mummy, where are you?"
The snarling noise was louder and from behind a tree, a familiar looking wolf reared, snapping his jaws menacingly. Its green eyes stared into her, and it paced towards her, but she couldn't move. She was frozen to the spot. It pounced. She screamed. She kicked. She scratched. Something grabbed her arm. She screamed louder, kicked harder, scratched faster –
"Esme!"
Esme's eyes snapped open and she froze in her bed. Remus was stood over her, terror on his face.
"Esme, what happened?" he asked, and he loosened his grip on Esme's arm as she angrily brushed away the tears that were still running down her face. "What did you dream about?"
"Mummy," Esme muttered, sitting up and making room for Remus to sit down on the bed. "I saw Mummy. She was in a forest."
"In a forest?" Remus repeated in a rather strained voice. "Which forest?"
Esme hesitated and considered lying, but couldn't bring herself to do it, not directly to Remus' face. She twisted slightly in the bed, uncomfortable as she knew her answer would make Remus angry.
"The forest I saw you in," she mumbled, lowering her gaze. "The one from your memory."
Just as Esme suspected, Remus' face grew slightly red as he registered what she had said. He ran an anxious hand through his hair and sighed heavily.
"I knew this would happen," he said bitterly. "I knew you would have nightmares about what you saw."
"It doesn't matter, Remus," Esme tried to say but Remus didn't appear to hear her. Instead, he rested his head in his hands and sighed again. He seemed to be thinking hard about something, as though trying to work out a solution to Esme's nightmare. She heard him whispering to himself and managed to catch the words 'memory', 'spell' and 'Esme'.
"All right, Esme, you need to promise me something," he eventually said, lifting his head, his face full of seriousness. "You must not look into my mind ever again. I can't allow you to see what happens every month, so you can't look into my memories. Esme, promise me you will never read my mind again."
"I promise, Remus," Esme said sincerely, and she meant it.