The Wolf's Den [Remus Lupin]

35 - Time Changes All

CW: Contains blood and mentions abuse

-Alula-

"Bass! Come play with us!"

Gemini and I ran out into the kitchen with our traveling cloaks and hats on and our knitted scarves wrapped tightly around our necks. "You said you would Bastan!"

"Where are your gloves?" He looked up from his seat at the table. He had parchment and textbooks all over the table and quills scattered everywhere. "I can't come to play until you've got your gloves on."

"I'll get them!" I ran to the hallway closet and threw open the door. I grabbed mine and Gemini's but had to stretch really far to get the third pair. "Here! I got yours too, now you have to come with us!" I beamed.

"Bastan, you promised!" Gemini whined and I pouted.

He moved his chair out and held out his arms to both of us. "I know, Mini, I just have to finish some schoolwork. I promised Mother I'd study today."

"Mummy!" I ran to the stove and tugged on her robes. "Can't Bastan come out and play with us, mummy, please? Oh, please, oh please, please?" I begged.

"Girls, what have I told you about whining?" She tutted while pouring herself a cup of tea.

"It's not ladylike," Gemini said from behind me, giggling.

"Sorry mummy."

Mother brushed her hair behind her shoulder and guided me toward the table. "Rabastan will meet you outside later. First, he has to keep up with his studies. Just like your history lessons with Clinky."

"But mummy–" I started but her grip tightened and I choked on the rest of my sentence.

"No 'buts' darling, now go and play before I change my mind and strap you to a chair to keep you quiet." Rabastan pulled a face and I held back my laughter.

~

Over the next few days, I became increasingly more panicked about the year ahead. There was so much more work being thrown at us, I was glad I dropped Ancient Runes. We'd been lectured in every class about the important work ahead of us and how we shouldn't be slacking off this year. Professor Sprout assigned an essay in our first class on Mandrakes, Binns told us that the Witch Hunts of the 14th century would be an important unit, and McGonagall urged us to practice all of our spells that we'd be covering this term even if she hadn't gotten to the lessons yet because, and I quote, "private practice is the key to success" as if I haven't been using vanishing spells on Marly's toothbrush since I was 12.

I was suddenly more envious of my brothers than ever and missing Bastan more than usual since he hadn't answered my letter. I still wasn't talking to Gemini or Remus.

As for everyone else, I seemed to be the only one without a flourishing love life. Mary and Blackburn were almost always together between classes and she'd even smoked with him a few times. She liked it more than she liked to drink so I'd asked her to come with me when I went to buy from him one afternoon. She'd joked, "He'll give you a good deal as long as I'm with ya." Alice and Frank were always so cozy and giggly it made me sick, Marly met a Ravenclaw boy in the library named Grover Rockwell and had kissed him once or twice now, and even Lily, "Ms. boys are overrated" had discovered a new crush on a sixth-year boy from Hufflepuff, Ryder Thistlewood.

It was a Thursday night before dinner when the girls and I had taken over the common room. We'd laid out all of our timetables, planners, textbooks, and stacks of parchment. "Who does Muggle Studies with me again?" I mumbled, lighting a ciggie and adjusting my position, laying on the floor.