UNDER THE MOON, Remus Lupin

xxxvii.

RISES THE MOON

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When Remus had left, Alice found herself wandering around the room, incredibly bored and slightly sad. He seemed so hesitant to leave. Alice could tell he absolutely detested being forced to this. It wasn't that Alice pitied him, but she did feel bad in a sense. It was an added struggle to life that Remus really didn't need.

Alice shivered from the absence of heat. A discomfort crawled around her body as she quickly ran toward the fireplace and started it up with her wand. "Incendio," she said quietly. Flames rose from the wood, and a subtle blast of heat warmed Alice's face like the first sip of your hot chocolate.

Hot chocolate sounded good right now. Alice strutted into the kitchen, avoiding the windows. Even though Remus didn't usually get out of the shack beneath the Whomping Willow, it still remained a possibility that she did not want to witness. Alice put the kettle on, ignoring that she could easily use magic. She made her own little concoction of chocolate powder, that included cinnamon, mint, and a hint of vanilla. It's how her grandmother made it for her every time she visited. Even when it was summer, Alice found herself sipping on hot chocolate. If she sat in front of her grandmother's air conditioner, it felt near enough to winter.

Alice shuddered again, whilst waiting for the kettle to begin screaming at her. She began to rummage through Remus' drawers, searching for something warmer to wear. Mind you not, she found plenty of sweaters. But one, in particular, gathered her best interests.

A sweater patterned red and gold- the colors of Gryffindor- caught her eyes. It was your typical wool sweater, but Alice could tell each thread was laced with love. The sweater was well done too, but not so that magic was used. Completely by hand. Embroidered on the back, read: Remus J. Lupin. Of course, she'd known it was Remus' sweater, but she'd never seen him wear it. Why would he, after all? He wasn't a Hogwarts student anymore, but a teacher. Alice pulled it over her head and let its warming compassion wash over her. Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she admired that she looked pretty good in red and gold.

Remus would've been inclined to agree if he'd been here.

Alice sat down on the couch with an old photo album of Remus', hot chocolate in hand. On the inside of the album, 'Property of James Potter' was written in cursive. Her heart sank. That name she heard about so many times. Page after page, Alice studied the moving photos. Most of them were full of the marauders, others of James' family, and a ginger woman. Alice assumed it was Lily Evans, Harry's mother. James seemed to have a sort of chivalrous innocence glowing from him. Alice had heard many tales of James not being so 'innocent' as he tragically appeared. He felt familiar in a comforting way- like the friend you could always count on. Like Harry.

Images of Remus flooded an entire section, most of them he seemed to not agree with the intrusion. His hands had tried to cover the lenses, or he covered his face. In a few, he even glared at the camera. But there were a few hidden gems where Remus was reading, smiling, goofing off. A picture of him falling off his broom caused Alice to almost spit her hot chocolate out. He was so young. Alice's age, actually. He smiled a little differently in those pictures than Alice saw him smile. But that same smile was recognized every time he looked at her. Happiness. True happiness.

Alice didn't see it. How completely in love with her Remus was. She gave him the attention he never really had. Even with his friends when he was younger, Remus had never quite experienced what he had with Alice. This profound love soared above the skies and through the clouds.

Remus had never felt this way before for anyone.

So consumed by reciprocated love, endlessly enraptured in every emotion that sends you spiraling in every direction, positive and resting assured that the one you love will catch you. Maybe Alice and Remus put too much trust into each other, but trust was a huge part of relationships. It was important they trusted each other, which they did. Without question.