Wild Amenity » Remus Lupin

16. Killer afternoons

Monday, 12th July 1976. 1 day after the full moon.

Summer finally arrived, bringing with it loads of free time. Judson loved his free time. In fact, he loved it so much he decided to spend it doing what he liked the most, which was reading, especially books regarding magic medicine and the art of healing. The last time he'd visited the infirmary at Hogwarts, Madam Pomfrey had informed him she received students aiming for the healer career after the O.W.L.s and gave them guidance. She even let them help around with chores and patients—that is if they passed their exams. Judson hadn't heard anything of his results, but he borrowed some books to start preparing for the upcoming year just in case. It wasn't a bother for him, since he found every little fact the most interesting in the world until he read the next one, and so on. Ah, so entertaining.

Two weeks had passed since the end of the school year, and Judson still hadn't written to Remus. His excuse? Well, it was too soon to be sending letters. He definitely didn't want to look desperate, but he had to look interested too. It was a technique he decided to try for the long distance relationship they would be having for the next two months. He decided to wait a week more, even though he really really wanted to see Remus again. So every time an owl appeared at his window, he would run to it and tear every envelope apart, hopefully expecting a letter from Remus, or his O.W.L.s results if that wasn't the case. But neither of those arrived, and he always ended up being his father's postman and delivering his Ministry news.

Meanwhile, Judson decided to spend some time with his mother. He'd always been a very independent child, and he adored being at Hogwarts, but Niamh Ogden was one of his favourite people on earth, so it was impossible not to miss her when he was away. Niamh was a serene and lively woman, with eyes as green as the widest forests and honey-coloured hair that seemed to always be carefully combed and in place. Her hands were busy most of the time, and music could always be heard when she was around, like the sound came out of her naturally. When she was gardening, cooking, cleaning, The Beatles followed her around like her personal soundtrack. And since Judson did everything with her, he learnt to love them too.

Niamh never pushed Judson away or gave him side looks like his father would do if he ever decided to join him on his activities. In fact, she encouraged him to do so. Niamh was a very creative person who loved to craft, a hobby that Judson had picked up ever since he was a kid. At first, little Judson wondered why he couldn't just do magic to transform a box into whatever his mother wanted. Later on, he found out muggle crafting was actually really fun. Every time he came back from school, his mother's choice of handicraft changed: last summer, it had been dying clothes—from where he got his dearest headband. This one, painting pots for the garden.

The living room table was packed with acrylics of different colours, glasses with water and a lot of brushes. Judson and Niamh both had an empty pot in front of them, which they were adorning as they pleased. As they painted, Niamh asked how his studies were going, and Judson told her all about Madam Pomfrey and her internship, as he liked to call the offer. He also explained to her what the Slug Club was, and that he was also studying because he wanted to get in that year.

"It all sounds exciting," said Niamh as she painted. "Are you holding up well with that?"

"I'm a wee nervous, to be honest," Judson admitted after a while. The words tasted sour in his mouth, but it was his mum. She knew him better than he knew himself. She frowned as she switched brushes.

"Oh no, darling, no need. You're brilliant. I'm sure you'll do your best, and even if it doesn't work, you'll learn."

"It's not that." Judson sighed, dunking the tip of his paintbrush in the white paint. He drew a long and wavy stroke on the pot, and although his mum was still painting and with her eyes focused, he knew she was waiting for him to go on. "I know it's a great opportunity, but the ones going to the infirmary are all students. One way or another, I know them. If I mess up, they'll know who to blame."