The water cascaded down the fifteen year old boy's naked frame. The sound of the shower blocked out every single noise... except for the thoughts running through Remus Lupin's mind. The thunder rumbled noisily outside, and Remus knew sure as hell that he shouldn't be lingering in the shower, but yet he couldn't bring himself to bring himself out of the comfortable warmth.
He ran a hand through his wet, normally light brown hair. Although he had been clean for at least fifteen minutes now, the shower always seemed like one of Remus' favourite places to be, especially when he had things on his mind. Now, he had always been a deep thinker... a very deep thinker, in fact, but when something arose concerning the dear boy personally, Remus would dwell upon it until a very good and reasonable solution was sought.
Earlier that evening, Remus received the news that he had been made Prefect. In fact, on the bathroom cabinet only feet away from where he stood, was the shiny, gold Prefect badge, donned with the very important-looking 'P'. His parents had looked upon him, fondly, but Remus had nearly bolted from the room immediately. Prefect? How could the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry put any more attention on him? Why didn't they just give him the Boy of the World award whilst they were at it? Couldn't they just hang a big, red sign around his neck exclaiming, "Werewolf!"
Although Remus was quite proud of his academic successes, he just didn't believe that a boy in his situation should be put quite in the spotlight. In fact, Remus was perfectly content with just receiving his exceptional grades. Wouldn't other students, other than the Marauders, begin to notice the Gryffindor Prefect disappearing once a month, particularly around the full moon? Surely, at least one person will begin to put two and two together.
Remus shook his head and turned off the shower. It wasn't a situation he could exactly control, and that confused him. He would simply go to Professor Dumbledore and say that he couldn't accept the position, no matter how happy it made his parents, and no matter how much it made Remus shine for even those few moments...
Remus hung his head and felt as the water droplets on his body cool, and the water drip from his hair. The hair upon his body began to rise with the beginning feelings of being cold. Sighing, he grabbed a towel, ran it quickly through his hair and over his body, then wrapped it around his waist. He exited his bathroom and made his way onto the landing that served as a hallway. He really should be more discreet, considering anyone looking from below had a chance of getting a full view up the towel. However, when his father walked into the room, he was at such a distance that the likelihood of this incident even happening was non-existent.
"Son?"
The call was enough to make Remus stop. Without realizing he was doing it, he clenched the Prefect badge that he had grabbed before walking out of the bathroom. For a quick moment, he had contemplated flushing it down the toilet. However, there he stood in the hallway, looking down at his father. His father looked remarkably like Remus. The facial structure, his walk, and even just some of his mannerisms. However, the one thing that Remus did not inherit from his rather young father was his hair colour. Although both of them had light hair, John Lupin's hair was more of a dirty blonde. Remus surely got his light brown hair from his mother, for the shades were virtually identical.
Remus looked over the banister at his father. "Yes?"
"Is there something bothering you?" John asked, curiously, staring up at his son like Remus was some sort of upset six-year-old. The concern in his eyes was genuine, but more worrisome than what was probably necessary. Being over-protective was just something John did due to his son's lycanthropy. He had always felt rather guilty for insulting Fenrir Greyback, and had always blamed the attack solely on himself. Although his wife would argue the issue, John knew in his heart that the attack most likely would have not happened if he had just kept his mouth shut. But since then, he had always, with his wife, tried to cure their son's disease, and made sure Remus was the happiest that he could be.
Remus just wanted to shout down that he didn't want to be Prefect, he didn't want this duty, but just couldn't. It would be a lie. He really did want this, and just doing something that made his parents feel proud was the best feeling in the world. So he kept his thoughts and fears to himself and just shook his head. "No, I'm fine. Still waking me up at seven so we can get to King's Cross?"
"Yes, early as usual," John replied with a grin set upon his face, the lines in his face seeming to gradually get deeper. "Always punctual, that's my son. No wonder why you made Prefect."
Remus just smiled and walked away and into his room. When he entered, he stopped smiling just as the door snapped shut behind him. He allowed the towel to drop to the ground as he pulled on pyjama bottoms and tucked himself into bed. It may be early, but with all the thoughts rushing through his mind, he knew he wouldn't fall asleep until late.
The next morning, Remus awoke with a start. It was still clearly too early to be awake, for the sun was just beginning to rise at the horizon. Remus never slept with his curtains closed, and his bed was across from the window. He always did this so that if he was having one of those insomniac nights, he could just stare out at the stars.
Remus just lay in bed for several moment, his brown eyes examining the ceiling. He knew it must at least be close to seven, and his dad was bound to come into the room any moment to awaken him. He beat his father to it, however, and got out of bed himself, rather reluctantly. He pulled on a pair of rather ill-fitting jeans and a grey t-shirt that he found at the end of his bed. Remus quickly ran his hand through his hair, ridding himself of knots. He really was not all that concerned on his looks, so he just grabbed his luggage and brought it down the stairs. No one was around yet, so he made himself a quick breakfast. By the time he heard footsteps, the sun was high. There was not a single cloud in the sky, and it seemed like it would be a perfect September day.
When John and Remus' mother, Marie, entered the room, they looked like they were in top shape. They were pretty much dressed to impress in their best robes. Marie's hair was done up nearly perfectly with only the stray hair out of place. However, the stray hairs almost made the hair style look even better. The two of them standing there together, looking their best, almost took years off their appearances.
"How long have you been up?" John wondered, slipping his arm around his wife's waist casually. "We've been up for hours."
"Since at least seven... were you even planning on waking me up?" Remus retorted, as he put away his dishes. He glanced out the window at his backyard, which was quickly becoming infested with weeds. "I mean... what time is it anyways?"
Remus hadn't even paid attention to the fact that he had taken his good old time in making himself something to eat and actually eating it.
"It's ten o'clock, dear," Marie answered, aimlessly. "Now hurry up, gather your things..."
"They're by the door."
"Already, then, grab my arm. John, could you please Apparate Remie's belongings for me? I don't really think I'm up for the challenge of young man plus luggage for the second year in a row," Marie said with a knowing smile. Last year, she was forced to Apparate everything for John had been busy at work. Instead of taking two trips, like the normal witch would, she took Remus on one arm, luggage in the other hand. She had complained about sore arms for weeks after that.
"I don't see why we can't just send Remus on his own," John replied, grinning proudly. "I mean, he's the most clever student in his year - "
"Dad, Lily..."
"-and he's extremely talented and-"
"Come on, I mean..."
"-he's our little Prefect! I'm sure he could Apparate on his own."
Remus, red in the fact, didn't even notice the look of sudden realization come onto Marie's face. Her blue eyes slid from her son's head down to his chest, where they lingered for a moment. "Don't be silly, John, he's much too young to Apparate on his own, and you know it!" She turned her focus back on Remus. "Dear, where's your Prefect badge?"
"Mum, I'm still in Muggle clothes," Remus reminded her.
"Oh, but you must wear it! I'm sure your friends will be so proud!" Marie scurried off to Remus' suitcase and opened it up. She fetched the badge and went back to her son and pinned it securely onto Remus' t-shirt, sticking out like a sore thumb. Remus shifted uncomfortably, knowing he wouldn't be able to remove it in time.
Unsurprisingly, Marie instructed Remus to grab her arm, which he did. She spun, and a very familiar feeling of being sucked through a tube came to him again. It felt like his ribs were being pressed against his organs, insides and so on. He kept his eyelids closed, not because he was thinking about it, but merely because there was so much pressure against them, he knew that he wouldn't be able to open them.
Then, next thing he knew, he was returned to daylight. However, he did lose his balance and fall straight to the ground. Remus suddenly felt hands grabbing him at all sides, lifting him to his feet...
Clickeroni
Thanks! Chapters should start to get interesting. I'm never a fan of writing the first chapter to stories! Anyways, please rate/pick/message if you liked! Thanks a bunch!
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