Memories of the Heart || Harry Potter x Reader

Y5 ~ Blue Butterflies

The beginning of summer unfolded in a gentle, golden haze, with warm sunlight spilling over the rolling hills of the countryside. Y/N's arrival at Lupin Cottage once again felt like stepping into a sanctuary, far removed from the chaos that plagued the wizarding world. The cottage was tucked away amidst wildflower meadows and bordered by a grove of ancient oak trees that rustled with the soft whispers of the wind. The air was sweet with the scent of blooming lavender, mingling with the faint aroma of baked goods wafting from the kitchen.

Moony—Remus Lupin—had been working less now the n the previous summer, she knew, he was choosing instead to spend more time at home. Though part of her suspected it was as much out of protection as it was affection. Voldemort was back, and she was a target—a weapon he sought for his army.

Still, Moony's quiet devotion wrapped around her like a protective charm. On her first morning at the cottage, he greeted her with a basket of freshly baked chocolate croissants—her favorite—set out on the small, sunlit table near the kitchen window. "Breakfast fit for a Lupin," he said with a smile, his amber eyes crinkling at the corners.

Each day brought a small ritual of hope. Y/N would sit by the window in her room, her hands trembling slightly with anticipation as she opened the stack of mail Moony delivered to her. The letters from her father stood out immediately, tied with a navy blue ribbon and sealed with wax. When she broke the seal, an enchanting swarm of blue butterflies fluttered out, dancing in the sunlight before wrapping around her. They grazed her cheeks and tangled in her hair before vanishing into the air.

She would close her eyes and breathe deeply, feeling her father's love as though it were a tangible thing, the butterflies like his hand brushing her cheek. Each letter was a treasure, each word infused with a depth of care that made her heart swell.

She could almost see him as she read—her father sitting at a heavy oak desk in some quiet, faraway place, hunched over a piece of parchment. The room around him was dim, lit by a single flickering candle, casting warm light over the sharp angles of his face. He wrote with deliberate care, his quill scratching against the paper as he paused every few moments to think. She imagined his lips moving as he tested the sound of his words, his brow furrowing with concentration. He poured everything he could not say in person into those letters—his fears, his hopes, and, most of all, his boundless love for her.

One morning, as Y/N sat in the garden reading one of his letters, a warm sense of joy spread through her, filling every part of her being.

My dearest Y/N, it began,

If you could see the sunrise here, you'd know I was thinking of you. Each morning, it paints the sky with colors that remind me of your smile—golden and endless. I miss you terribly, my darling. But I take comfort in knowing you're safe with Remus. Hold tight to him, Y/N. He is a good man, better than I have been. One day, when all this madness is over, I'll make it up to you. Until then, remember that you are the brightest light in my world.

She pressed the parchment to her chest, closing her eyes. The butterflies still lingered in her hair like a phantom touch.

Later that evening, sitting with Moony by the fire, she shared her thoughts. "I can feel it," she said quietly, her voice trembling. "Every time I read one of his letters, I can feel how much he loves me. It's in every word, every stroke of his quill."

Moony looked at her, his expression soft and thoughtful. "That's the thing about love," he said, his voice low and steady. "Even in the darkest times, it finds a way to shine through. Your father—he's giving you all he has. And I suspect he'd give even more if he could."

Y/N nodded, biting her lip to keep the tears at bay. "I just wish he didn't have to love me from so far away."

Remus reached over, his hand resting gently on hers. "Someday, Y/N. Someday, he'll be closer than you could ever imagine."