Game Over▬RL 2

Wendelin

"Could somebody deal with the owl!" One of the wizards called out as they lifted James Potter's body from the ground. The owl in question was narotic. It wouldn't stop flapping its wings or screeching. Its talons kept banging on the cage door. The big blue eyes never left the deceased, they followed the body out of sight.

"Hey little guy, let's get you something to eat." The witch pulled out a carcass from her bag and opened the door for the Snowy owl to take the meal. Her eyes seemed to widen and she squawked at the woman. Within seconds the woman was on the ground clutching her eye. Renee needed to get out of there. She wasn't going to eat a dead mouse. And she wasn't going to be captured any longer. She had to listen to the group of wizards talk about her brother and best friend as if they weren't human. They were just collateral damage. The only good they ever did was create a baby that defeated the Dark Lord. So, she flew. She flew to Scotland where she assumed her nephew was. Peter had mentioned that Hagrid had brought Harry somewhere safe. The safest place she could think of was Hogwarts.

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"Blimey! A Snowy owl! They're beautiful creatures. Not native to England. Y'know I once had a run-in with one, right after I had dropped you off. Though that was in Scotland. What d'you think, Harry?" Hagrid offered the owl his finger for a little pet, which she leaned into. She looked Harry up and down before giving him a pleasant squawk. It didn't take long for Harry to agree. He was still flustered at the thought of Hagrid getting him a birthday present. Renee was not only excited to finally stop watching him from afar but also to leave Eeylops Owl Emporium. Sure, she had only been there a day but she hated the dark, dingy shop. It was nothing compared to the Menagerie she had worked at.

The last month before they left for Hogwarts was long. Harry kept to his room which was nice for Renee, she liked to watch him. She leapt out of the cage as Harry flipped through his History of Magic school book. She studied the page he was on and her eyes widened and she stepped forward. Harry looked up from the text and noticed her concentration. He looked between the book and the owl and sighed. "We haven't gotten you a name yet." She tilted her head at his suggestion. "How about I read some out? Be like a little game." He picked up the book and turned the cover to her. His finger pointed at the author's name. "Bathilda?" The owl looked at him boredly, not blinking an eye. "I assume I'll get some sort of reaction when we find something you like." He opened it to a random chapter. "Wendelin? Oh, come on, we can call you Wendy."

The messy hair and glasses reminded Renee of the time James had made a list of a dozen nicknames. He had bombarded her at the table with them. They had kind of landed on Sugar. "Well, I don't think any of the Goblins' names suit you... Hmmm... I'm not sure. Maybe we'll have to come back to it." The boy tossed the book onto the bed in front of Ren. She very subtly opened it to the page they were on and squawked in excitement. "Hedwig?" She flapped her wings.

Every day she wondered what Regulus would do if he were here. If she was able to keep him from entering that cave. If she would've been able to keep Dumbledore away from him. To give him the childhood he deserved. Everyone would be at Renee and Remus' house. James, Lily, Remus, Peter, Regulus, Marlene, Dorcas, and herself. Of course, Harry would be there too. Maybe James and Reg would be out in the yard teaching him how to fly. Sirius wouldn't have done what he had done. Ren wouldn't have a grudge against a dead man and a hatred for a prisoner. Everything would be alright.

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I thought I saw you again. It happens now and then. I feel the familiar tug on my heartstrings. Suddenly all my senses are overtaken with electricity. I feel alive. And then I remember. You left me. He took you from me. I always thought he would but not like this. I've never felt this pain before. I'll never feel the love and happiness I felt with you. When you were in my arms, or sitting at the table with your tea, or when you told me we were going to get married. You didn't give me an option and I would've done it. I got the ring before I saw the news. I never thought I'd ever see you again. They gave me your wand. It sits on my dresser. I'm sorry I didn't write. I'm sorry I didn't visit. It feels hapless talking to an empty grave.

I saw him in the Prophet. He was standing with Lockhart. You and James would've laughed at it. Rumours are going around; he's made quite a show at school. McGonagall sends me updates, he's quite a talented wizard. Got James' unruly hair.

I wish you were here. They say it gets easier, but I haven't felt it. The weight just worsens. I don't know how much longer I can go on. Sometimes I think of being with you again. That's when I saw the owl. I get a glimpse of it when I'm by your grave. It's almost like it knows. It knows that I'm filled with dread and longing.

I love you.

Remus folded the parchment, placing it on Renee Potter's headstone. Right next to James and Lily's. He anchored it down with a chocolate frog. The werewolf shook his head at the stupidity of it all. Eleven years ago, his four best friends were murdered. Two at the hands of one of the darkest wizards alive and the other two at the hands of his other best friend. He knew to be concerned about Sirius. He didn't push it because Renee was very adamant about his innocence. Now she's gone. All of them are. All because of Sirius Black. Lupin sighed, looking at the stone once more before apparating away. Within seconds of him leaving an owl appeared from the other side of the graveyard. It hopped toward the same stone. First stopping at James and Lily's, bowing its head. Then it picked at the letter. Ren's eyes followed along the paper and then she flew off with the chocolate in her talons.

"Where'd you get that, Hedwig?"