Black Mountain (Remus Lupin x f!student reader)

Chapter 28: Madness

(Written January 22th- May 10th 2023.) not proofread lolz

-flashback-

"Are you following me?" 

"Cicero always does, I always keep the listener safe. Do- do you not, remember?" He asked sadly. Y/n looked at her boots, shaking her head as she turned to look over her shoulder, looking straight into the madman his eyes.

"No, no I don't." After admitting that, she saw the hurt strike over his features. "I'm sorry, Cicero. But after what happened to me, I think that half of my mind was erased or something." 

"The fool understands." He bluntly replied, slightly sulking as his gaze went to the ground. He still followed Y/N, but didn't notice her stopping, and bumped into her. "Cicero is sorry-"

"Don't worry about it; can I ask you something?" Confusion hit the jester, but he gave a nod. "Aren't you, like scared of me now?" Cicero kept watching Y/N with a straight face, but after a minute or two, he broke down laughing.

"Humble Cicero? Scared of the listener? That's madness." Y/n lifted a brow, wanting to question him further. "Cicero wants to ask something in return." Y/n gave the jester a smile, giving permission since he was insisting on it.

"W-what happened to Y/N?" She sighed and told him to sit down. Even it was just a rock, it was better than the muddy ground. "You said, I was suddenly gone about 4 years ago, right?" , "Yes."

"The only thing I can remember from that was before it happened, a companion, named Vilk-"

"Oh Cicero knows. How he wanted to kill the dog with his bare hands." He admitted before mumbling again. "Should have kept his paws of Y/N. How did he dare to take poor Cicero's listener away." Y/N tilted her head, so he knew about Vilkas?

"Well, a month later I was deceived, turned into a vampire. I guess it was a price I had to pay?" The woman spoke, as the cool air blew in between through the trees. Making Cicero shiver a bit. But he forgot about the risks of potential frostbite. He got warm at the fact that he got his Listener back.

"Cicero can tell that there was a heavier price." The eccentric jester awaited for Y/N to continue. "Bound to marry Molag Bal. Oh Cicero, how I wish to go back in time. Undo some of the choices I made." Y/N sighed, her hand flying to cover her eyes as she took in a deep breath.

"Cicero understands the listener her problems. May I suggest something?" A calm, short nod was the only response the man got. And he had absolutely no problem with that. He was used to solitude, to silence.

"Our matron, the Night mother, can help you retrieve those lost fragments. we have a ritual—a ritual of communion with the Night Mother herself. It is said that those who partake in this sacred rite may glimpse lost memories, hidden truths, and forgotten secrets. It is a perilous journey, Listener, but one that may lead you back to your past." Y/N looked dumbfounded towards the jester. It was the first time he spoke with a certain seriousness in his voice. Not even pitching his voice like he always tends to do.

She moved forward, muttering a small thank you. Both standing in an embrace, Y/N stepped back first. "Sorry, I have just eaten and I still get hungry at the smell of-"

"Explains why you are so cold, like mother" He joked smoothly. The imperial stepped forward, "Cicero has missed you, oh so much. Even if the listener is a vampire, Cicero will always be there to serve." Y/n felt the corners of her mouth move upwards.  

"I can't go back to the sanctuary immediately tho. I need to go to the castle first and afterwards I need to return to another realm. But after that, I would gladly come home."