Mischief Not So Managed

The Lupins

"Mum?"

"Yes, Remus?"

"Mum, can I ask you something?"

"Anything, my love."

"H-how did I become a... A werewolf?"

Silence.

Remus gulped, fearing he'd made his mother upset.

"Sweetheart..." Mrs Lupin trailed off with a sigh, "I know you're curious about this and you have every right to be. You have the right to know as well. It's just that you're still just... So young."

"Mum, I'm turning thirteen this year."

"You are, aren't you? Still a baby," she smiled, ruffling through her son's thick brown hair, "You will know. Your father and I just want to wait a little longer to tell you. Is that alright Remmy?"

Remus hummed in response and gave his mum a sad smile.

Mrs Lupin patted his cheek affectionately and went back to working on the stew for dinner. Remus watched his mother cook for a few moments.

"How's school? Made any good friends?"

"Yeah it's alright. I've made a few friends. There's James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. Then there's Lily Evans, Marlene McKinnon and Mary MacDonald. They're the ones I talk to most."

"Wow. Quite a few then," said Mrs Lupin with a warm smile. "Black, eh? Must be in Slytherin am I right?"

"No, he's in Gryffindor actually."

Mrs Lupin turned to look at Remus with interest. "A Black not in Slytherin? Poor boy must be going through hell."

"Really?"

"Why yes. The Blacks have always been awfully odd about these things. Seems a bit silly to brood over things like houses, blood status, money, and reputation when there are much more important things to worry about."

Remus hummed in response.

"Sirius hates going home. He spent Christmas over at the Potters' with James."

"Did someone say Potter?" asked a voice from the living room.

"Lyall, you're home early," said Mrs Lupin.

"Let me off of work a bit sooner today."

"Dad, do you know the Potters?"

"Not personally, but thanks to Fleamont Potter your old man still has a nice head full of hair," laughed Mr Lupin whilst Remus stared at him in confusion.

"Sleekeazy's Hair Potion," explained Mr Lupin.

"Oh," smiled Remus.

"Remus, darling, why don't you go wash up?" suggested Mrs Lupin with a smile, to which Remus nodded and left.

"Lyall, he's been asking again," whispered Mrs Lupin.

"Bloody hell... Can you blame the poor boy?"

"He's too young. Don't you agree?" Silence. "Lyall?"

Mr Lupin looked at his wife meaningfully.  "No," stated Mrs Lupin flatly. 

"My love, you must understand, he's growing up."

"No he's not. He's a baby!"

"Would it not be better if he could truly grasp the importance of everything? The people out there... if they knew... if he trusted them and told them! He doesn't even know who he is!"

"Please, it's too much for my boy," Mrs Lupin was in tears.

"Well, he's my boy too!" yelled Mr Lupin in frustration.

"Mum? Dad? Please," peered a teary eyed Remus, "I want to know."

"Sweetheart..."

"Sit down," ordered Mr Lupin, "It's about time you knew."