𝑰𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑳𝑳𝑨𝑹 || 𝑮. 𝑾𝑬𝑨𝑺𝑳𝑬𝒀

𝑪𝑯𝑰𝑳𝑳 𝑰𝑵 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑨𝑰𝑹

September 1993

"CASSIE LET'S GO!" The voice of her father awoke her from her sleep. Instantly, Cassie sat up as fast as she could and jumped out of bed.

"Shit, shit, shit." She muttered to herself, running around her room trying to get dressed. She quickly slid around the room grabbing her trunk and dragging it to the stairs, as she ran to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. 

Before running back to her room she turned towards the bottom of the stairs and saw her father looking smug while leaning against the railing. "We aren't late are we." She panted trying to regain her breath. He walked up the stairs to grab her trunk and placed a kiss on the top of her head.

"And yet you always fall for it, Star." He smiled and walked back downstairs, she could only roll her eyes. She checked her room to ensure she hadn't forgotten anything and met her father in the kitchen with her Hufflepuff tie in hand. 

He had grown much older over the years, with scars littering his face and his hands and an almost permanent darkness under his eyes.

Remus Lupin was tired.

"Well if it isn't Professor Lupin," Cassie smirked and crossed her arms over her chest as she sat on one of the kitchen stools, "You're sure you want to take this 'cursed' position."

"Cass, you know I do. Dumbledore asked me personally. 'Can't exactly say no to him, can I?" Cassie raised her hands in defense as her father yawned,

"Alright, alright. I'm just worried about, you know..."

"Cassie, I transformed at Hogwarts for seven years, I think I can do it for one more-"

"I know, I know. I worry about you, okay? I don't want them to be awful to you more than they are to me. I just don't want you to get hurt." At this, Remus Lupin smiled sadly, walked over to his daughter, and wrapped his arms around her.

"My star, I'm an old werewolf and I've been doing this since before you were born. I don't want this to get in the way of your life. You're supposed to have fun, Cass, it's your fifth year. O.W.L.S are coming up, what an exciting time to be alive-"

"Oh shut it," She murmured and snuggled into her father's embrace, "But you do have your potion, don't you-"

"Yes, I have everything." He sighed, in exasperation. "But, I do have to talk about something with you, seriously," He paused at the word, "Ironic enough." He took a deep breath and Cassie looked back at him wearily. "Cass, I'm sure you've seen what your father has done and I just want you to know that things at school will get harder. I'm sure of it. It's rubbish, but it's going to happen. I just want you to know that you don't have to be alone. We're in it together." He took his daughter's hands and squeezed them, she looked at the ground.

"I know," She whispered, avoiding eye contact. He sighed in response. 

"Okay, I love you, my star, but we have to go or we will be late." The two apparated to the platform and the train was, luckily, still in the station. "I'm going to go find a seat, but you go find your friends." He kissed the top of her head before walking away.