I am not Afraid; a Remus Lupin love story

Meet the Lupins

Remus POV

As we walked up the sidewalk to my house I became more nervous than I thought I would be, this was a big deal, I've never brought a girl home to meet my parents. Though my mother and father are two of the nicest people I've ever met I couldn't help but worry about how they would react tonight. It couldn't be bad, they loved all my friends...but charlotte was different, she was more than a friend. And tonight she looked as beautiful as ever. Her eyes sparkling and her red dress looked like it was made just for her, and to top it off she had curled her hair beautifully. With the snow falling around her she was as pretty as a picture. "Hey, don't be nervous. They'll love you! Just be yourself and make some jokes, dad loves jokes" I said trying to calm both her nerves and mine, "I know, it's just that I've never wanted impress, two people, more than right now." I squeezed her hand and then I opened the front door.

We stepped inside into the small hall that led to either the parlor, the dining room or the kitchen. I took Charlotte's coat as well as mine and hung them up. Mom was making Roast Beef, some salad, rolls, and Apple Pie. So the whole house was filled with the aroma of the food, "whoa It smells absolutely wonderful in here!" she said smiling at me. I began to respond when I heard my mothers calm voice yell "Remus! Is that you?" followed by the sound of her shuffling feet coming to greet us. "Yeah mom were here!" then she entered the hall "well you could've said something when you walked in, instead of just standing here" she told me, playfully slapping my cheek. "Oh, and you must be Charlotte! We've heard so much about you!..." char laughed and said "All good things I hope," "... yes, of course, all good things. My name is Hope and we will have none of that Mrs. Lupin business, that would be Rem's grandmama. Now follow me and we'll have dinner soon!" Mother led us into the living room next to the kitchen in the back of the house, where dad probably was. She told us to make ourselves comfortable so we sat on the couch. "Your mothers lovely, and so pretty," Char said. "She's dressed up for tonight she's wearing her good dress, that's only reserved for special occasions, like you." she rolled her eyes at that line and we laughed. Then Dad walked in holding a cup of coffee as always but also in his best with corduroys, button-up, tie, and sweater vest. My dad is a very tall and lean man, like the rest of our family, we even have the same color hair. But dad does have a scar on his face from the time he tried to protect me from Graybeck. But all in all, dad was still pretty jolly. "Hey, you kids! I thought I heard an unfamiliar voice..." dad winked and held out his hand to shake chars "...Nice to meet you I'm Lyall, Remus's dad, not that we look alike or anything" he winked at me again then laughed. 

"Dinners ready!!" Mom called from the kitchen, so we all got up and sat in the dining room. The table only had four seats and mom and dad were at the ends while char and I sat opposite. "So Charlotte, you're from America. How did you get here?" dad asked. "Well, my Father got a job with the Ministry so we moved to be able to take the job." "Well how nice! Now do you know what you want to do after school?" my mom asked, that question always made those in school begin to sweat but Charlotte was quite sure of her answer "I think I'd like to be a Healer, I've always kinda been the one to look out for others. But I also like being an activist when I have the platform so anyway to weave that in I want to" At that, my parents looked at each other, then at me and grinned. Mom brought out the Apple Pie and the childhood stories began along with the jokes. Charlotte seemed to be calming down and things were going very well. We all moved into the living room for some TV and Hot Chocolate. 

Dad filled everyone cups and we sat for a while before I suggested that I give Char a tour of the house. Mom gave us the okay and I showed her upstairs. "Remus your house is just the cutest! How old is it?" she asked me. "It's about 400 years old, been in my family for years." I told her, "Wow that's crazy," 

"hey here's my room! Now it might be a bit messy but not bad" I warned. Upon walking in Charlotte giggled, "I don't mean to laugh, but your room is just so distinctly you! I mean with all the books on books on books! And the neutral colors, along with the candy jar. It shouts you!" she seemed very impressed. "Hey now! Don't laugh at my room!" I said jokingly, then went in for the tickling and as usual, she went down laughing. "oh my go-ssh! hahaha, quit ah okay, okay I won't! laaaugh!" she squealed, I stopped and helped her up. "Hey, you brought this on your self young lady." I said, "oh don't think I won't get you back!" she said eyeing me. "Alright you've seen the whole house so let's go back downstairs," I said grabbing her hand and down we went. 

As soon as we sat back down on the couch and was served more Hot Chocolate, our tv program was interrupted by a "Special News Report" a man came on the tv in front of a square that had been roped off, and said "Sorry to interrupt your nightly shows but tonight at 7 pm a man wearing a long coat entered this square and killed a man known as Tom Harpie, after the attack the same green symbol was seen overhead just like two weeks ago. More updates will arrive soon, but please try to stay indoors around the area." Everyone knew that Tom was a part of the Ministry, although the Muggle News wouldn't have. Our program came back on, but mom turned off the TV. "Thats the third time this month and two happened last month too. Each time its a different type of person, but always someone who speaks out against bigotry." mom said, dad reached for her hand. "Dad how come no one at school knows about these attacks?" I asked, "The Administration knows but hasn't told the school in case something could happen to the students, we don't know much yet but the Ministry is looking into it", "do you think I will get worse?" charlotte asked. "Its only been escalating, so i assume so. But you all will be safe at school I promise" Mom answered. 

The tension went down a bit and we played a board game until I looked at my watch, "well if its nine and I have to have Char home before Ten so we best make that happen" I told my parents and held out my hand to help up charlotte. My parents stood, "Oh it was lovely meeting you! Come back soon!" My mother said giving charlotte a hug, "Yes I agree with what Hope said, and please don't hesitate to stop by, ever" agreed dad with a final handshake. "Of course It was so nice meeting both of you! I do hope I see you both real soon!" Charlotte responded, I handed her her coat and slipped mine on and we headed to the door I was in the process of closing the door behind me when Mom stopped me, "Do be careful hon, there is a lot of snow and weird people out there" then she kissed my forehead and shut the door. I got Char's door and then started the car. "We'll be fine," she said then leaned over and did the same as my mother. 

We pulled up to her house about 9:45 and I walked her up to her front door. She turned to me and said "You know tonight really was great, your parents are lovely people and it explains why you are the way you are. I hope they liked and approve of me as I do of them". "Of course they do! If I like you then they like you, and I for sure like you" I said.  I kissed her goodnight forcing myself to break the kiss to walk her inside. I drove home. Once, I got home I went to my room and got ready for bed. Dad walked in and said "Son If you are gonna marry someone, it should be that girl. Just something to think about, Night, love ya" then he left without even waiting for my reply. I smiled and whispered back "Night".