The Wolf's Den [Remus Lupin]

30 - Eureka

CW: Contains mentions of smoking marijuana, and mentions death

-Alula-

It had been two weeks and I'd isolated more than I ever thought I could. Clinky was depressed. I could hear her weeping as she swept the house and did the laundry. So one day I went downstairs and we got to talking all about her past serving my family. She told me how she'd been serving the family since she was born, about her mother who served before her, and how she'd never seen a first-born son die. She said she was 126 this year and I asked her who the first Lestrange was that she'd raised and it sent her into a haze of reminiscing about her past.

"Clinky has cared for every Lestrange baby alone since your great-grandfather Tiberius was born." She had been doing laundry and stopped scrubbing Bellatrix's dress to sit back and wipe her forehead. "Clinky's mother died just before Mistress Constance gave birth and it was summertime. Clinky was still a young elf but old enough to be the head elf in charge. Tiberius was an easy baby and a good master when he was older. Clinky just wishes she could've saved the baby Oberon. My poor mistress..." It was heartbreaking hearing her talk about it; she was barely managing.

Mother was frantically planning the last details of Bastan's wedding. There was almost always someone at the house like the florist, the baker, or the photographer, I didn't have one second to myself. Plus, I was so shaken up by Bellatrix's nighttime strolls with her "baby" that I couldn't sleep. So, I started smoking in my room at night in hopes that it would soothe me but it just made me miss school and the girls.

I had actually just gotten a letter from Remus where he'd sent me a blunt. We'd been exchanging notes on different albums from 'The Dark Side of the Moon' by Pink Floyd to 'Young Americans' by Bowie and he told me 'You have to listen to 'Maggot Brain' in a record store after smoking this, my treat. You will love it. Trust me.'

I told him I would and the experience had me practically hallucinating.

Hey Remus,
Where have you been hiding this album from me? I'm in love. I can't believe I've never heard it before. I'm waiting until I see Marlene so we can buy it and add it to the albums she keeps stored for me. Have you heard about the new movie everyone's been talking about, Jaws? I want to get everyone together for a trip to the cinema. I miss seeing you every day. Not much else is new with me. I hope you're well and feeling better than last we spoke. Let me know about the film! x

From, Alula

Hey Alula,
I knew you'd like the album. Super Stupid is my favorite. If you don't end up buying it, I have a copy you can borrow at school, plus you never know what the Den might come up with after we smoke. Peter made me see Jaws the day it came out – totally worth it. He also made me see it five more times after that (I really didn't need more than two viewings). You should go with the girls, I think you'll like it. I'm going to Wales with Mum at the end of the month to meet some of her cousins. They're all muggles so I won't be able to send any letters. I found a few muggle books for you that I can't wait to share with you when we get back to school. How did you like The Outsiders? You got through it fairly quickly. Tell me what you're reading now, and I'll catch up to you. Hope you're well x

From, Remus

Dear Remus,
I'm never swimming in the ocean again. Alice and Mary came down to visit Marly for a few days before Alice leaves for Paris later this month. I was able to get away from the wedding planning and all 5 of us went to see the film. Peter is mental!! I couldn't watch that again, let alone 6 times! Can't wait to borrow your albums, thank Merlin Gryffindor Tower is charmed to be soundproof. The Outsiders was good, but The Great Gatsby is still my favorite. Been reading some Edgar Allen Poe short stories so nothing to catch up on, I've been writing a lot in the margins and generally destroying the parchment–just kidding! Enjoy Wales!