Selene got back to him a few days later, after speaking with Lazaros about where he'd got his surgery from. According to Lazaros, a friend had done it for him, which wasn't much help to Remus unless this friend wanted to do it again, preferably for free. Lazaros said that was unlikely considering the friend had moved countries a few years ago and hadn't visited since.
"So we're back to square one," sighed Remus. He was sitting in the bar in the middle of the afternoon, when it was quiet and fairly empty. Selene was taking the time to clean the bar from top to bottom, listening to music on the tinny radio she kept behind the counter.
"Not necessarily," she replied. Remus lifted his elbows up so that Selene could wipe the wooden countertop underneath them, and looked at her questionably.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, Lazaros did mention that there might be some underground places you could go to, clinics being set up by wizards to help people like you." Remus sat up straight, brightening up at the news.
"Really?"
"I'm not sure, though, that sort of stuff is very hidden. I mean, I don't even have a proper name for my bar just so it remains as secretive as possible, so I really don't think I'd be much help finding any of these places for you."
"Who can help me, then?"
"I'll ask around. I bet Sylvia'll know, she knows everything that goes on around here, or else I have... other connections." Remus laughed.
"Connections? You sound like you're part of some spy group." Selene smiled.
"Not far off, to be honest," she said. "It does feel like being a spy sometimes, staying undercover, talking in code. I suppose it's pretty fun, if not very inconvenient."
"Well, I hope someone knows what to do. I can't bind anymore, you know, it hurts my ribs too much and my arms cramp up."
"I'm sorry," replied Selene. "I wish I could do something to help that."
"No, it's okay. I was never the best at binding anyway." Remus went home after a while, once the bar ceased to hold anymore interest and decided to go for a walk. He didn't tend to travel into the village much lately, mainly because it was a long journey without his cane, but he was still self-conscious about taking it out in public. He didn't want all of his neighbours to start gossiping about it, whispering behind his back and asking why he needed a cane at such a young age. He couldn't be bothered to answer all their questions, but he was so bored being cooped up in the house.
Perhaps walking into a village full of people he knew wasn't the best idea, so he decided to take the bus into town instead, like he had done with his friends a while ago. He was old enough now to not have to worry about getting into trouble and he felt like visiting his favourite record store. He had some money saved up, so he thought about finding a new album to add to his collection.
Adam, the shopkeeper, was still there when he entered the shop a few hours later, the sun growing lower in the sky and making the shop look darker than usual. Adam greeted him happily enough, excited to see him after so long.
"You've grown," he remarked. "I like the jacket." Remus was wearing his old leather jacket, which he had recently decorated with various badges and chains out of sheer boredom. Pairing it with a pair of ripped jeans (not technically a fashion statement, he simply needed new jeans) and he could reasonably label himself as looking cool. Adam seemed to approve, which was a compliment coming from someone with long hair and tattoos. He'd shaved his beard though, which Remus was a little sad about. He had suited a beard.
"What's with the cane?" asked Adam, rather predictably. Remus looked down at it as if he wasn't acutely aware of it.
"It just helps me walk," he said.
YOU ARE READING
Boys Will Be Bugs
Fanfiction[REUPLOAD] Remus Lupin has more than one secret, and there's no way of knowing who he can trust. All he has are his parents, but they can't protect him when he goes off to Hogwarts. But then Remus meets a boy and his two other friends, and soon real...
