Tempus | Harry Potter |

30

The photo frames

"What's with the frown," Lupin said as he had placed a second stack of folders in front of her, the urge to groan was taking over her.

"Well when you said we can finally talk, I didn't think you were going to put me to work," one by one she grabbed each folder as she organized them into alphabetical order with the pile she had just finished.

"Can't look suspicious now by having you here without nothing to do," he lightly chuckled as he began to help her with organizing folders.

"We have something to do, talk," she scoffed as she paused to look at one of the folders, the name on it reading Neville Longbottom.

"Why do you even bother keeping all of our past work, this is just making you look like a hoarder."

His lips pursed as he lightly glared, "Hey, you will be surprised how many of my students love receiving their old work during their last year."

"And besides, I don't keep everything, just the stuff I think you all would appreciate receiving back." He was flipping through the folders, satisfied as he seemed to find one in particular, soon handing it over to her.

A small smile curled up on her lips as she read her name plastered on the side, "You really keep all of this?" She said as she went through it, her eyes catching the familiar titles of old essays she's done before, or simple homework.

"Indeed I do, just wait until you receive it by your seventh year, it'll triple in size by then," he smiled as he continued organizing the rest of the folders.

Her smile soon dropped as she placed the folder back down on the desk, her throat clearing as she shifted in her seat, "Yeah well...hopefully your Raya would appreciate it."

Her voice was low as she spoke, it seemed it hadn't hit him that she wouldn't be receiving it.

"Raya I'm sorry..." Her hand waved him off, "It's okay."

His office was soon filled with silence as the two continued to file the folders, "You're going to get back home, I promise you that," he wasn't trying to reassure her with anything but make it factual that it would indeed happen.

Raya nodded as she looked over at him, "I know that."

"So about Genma Alruz," Lupin stopped her before she could continue, "Raya, I'm sorry, but everything that we said in Dumbledore's office is all of the information we have on her."

"Believe me when I say if I had something else to give, I would."

She tried not to look disappointed as she forced a small smile, "Right, yeah."

He sighed as he stacked up some of the folders into a pile, folding his arms over them, "But you can ask me anything else, about anything or anyone, and I will answer truthfully, I owe you that at least."

Finally, the opportunity to ask him anything she wanted about this timeline, all she's ever wanted...so why is her mind suddenly blank?

"Was I that much of a bitch as people say I was?" Raya seemed a bit surprised with herself as she finished her question, Lupin on the other hand let out an amused laugh.

"Well...I wouldn't use the word, bitch, but you did have a strong attitude with people you didn't like."

"Ah, so in short words, I was a bitch."

He chuckled once more as he slightly tilted his head, "If that's how you want to see it, then fine you were a bitch."

A warm look was plastered on her face, "I'm so touched." He scoffed, shaking his head as he leaned to the back of his chair. "On the contrary of what people might believe, you're uh, a very smart girl Raya, in fact, one of the most talented witches in your year."

Her expression softened as she heard his compliment, "And I'm sure the same thing can be said in your time," he added.

"Well I don't know about that, but I'd like to believe it."

"Now," he began as he glanced over at her, "Would it be okay if I ask you a question?"

Her brows raised in curiosity as she nodded, "When this is all over, and you're able to return to your own time, what is the first thing you're going to do?"

Her lips had parted, but it seemed to take her a while to form any words, "Well, for one I would probably try not to have a psychotic breakdown given everything I've been through and what I'll be returning to."

Lupin laughed softly, "But I guess...once I've gained my sanity back, I would like to finally go on a date-"

"Date? As in you have a boyfriend, who!?" His tone of voice sounded like a schoolgirl who just learned juicy gossip coming from the hallways.

She chuckled and her smile only grew more and more as she thought back to her kiss with Harry, Lupin let out a dramatic gasp as his hand covered his mouth. "My god this boy has you with a hook in your mouth."

Raya scoffs, her lips being pulled down into a frown, "That's just how I smile!" Her arms opened up as she spoke, causing her to tip over a cup of water, slowly spilling onto the desk where the folders lay.

"Shit, shit, shit, sorry," she was quick in stopping most of the water, as she moved the pile of folders to the other side, "Don't sweat it, it's nothing that a drying spill won't fix up."

Pulling out his wand, Raya continued to move the folders, finally taking up the last pile, her eyes glancing back over to the spot they once laid, eyes widening as she could see what the folders were covering up, picture frames.

One was of Sirius and Lupin moving, seemed to be joking before they settled to pose, or another one with Sirius and James who seemed to have been teasing Lupin before the flash went off.

Yet, the one that had immediately caused her eyes to widen was a picture of her mother, Alba, hugging Lupin, it was the only one in its frame that wasn't moving.

It seemed Lupin had finally realized what she was looking at, he quickly stumbled as walked over to that side of the desk, "Raya, I'm so sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?" Raya spoke softly as she picked up the frame to look at it better, it was true what they all said, she did resemble her mom.

"Wow, Lupin, you don't age, you look the same as you do in this photo," she said with a soft laugh as she looked up at him, which he placed on a nervous smile as he nodded.

"Yeah, guess the old werewolf genes do help you out in something, huh?" The instant regret in his choice of words showed across his face, but she just waved off his current awkwardness as she looked back at the photo.

"Right...anyway, when was this photo taken?" "Oh well uh," he lightly snatched the frame from her hands as he too observed it.

"1981, believe we were celebrating someone's birthday that day, who knows, I may still look young, but my memory sure is getting old," he followed up with an awkward laugh which only seemed to make Raya concerned.

"Er-is everything okay?" "Everything is fine!" He yelled out, with his new behavior, Raya had felt she may have overstayed her presence for a bit too long, as he probably just needed some rest, given he had just returned from a full moon.

"Okay well, I think I'm going to go, I have somewhere to be, but if you don't mind, I would love to see more  pictures of my mom if you have any here."

"Once I gather some up, I'll make sure to show them to you right away."

She smiled, "Sounds good," she waved goodbye, soon stepping out of his office, shutting the door behind her.

Not knowing if her ears were playing tricks on her or not, she could have sworn as soon that door shut, a breath of relief was let go on that other side of the door.

__

A/N: Apologies on the very short chapter, but I'm very thankful for almost 700 reads!

As well as thank you for everyone who saves this story, votes or comments, truly appreciate every single of y'all!