LOST ☞ REMUS LUPIN (being rewritten)

iii. the parlour

Months passed and the days grew shorter and colder. The lake froze, and it was worth getting up early to see the sunrise over it. Christmas came and went, and they days began to get a little longer, but not any warmer.

On a day in early March, all four of them were sitting in front of a roaring fire in the parlour. Hope sat knitting a scarf, Lyall read the morning's edition of The Daily Prophet, and Bast and Remus sat on the floor playing gobstones.

Suddenly, someone was at the door knocking. Lyall set his paper down and signalled for the two children to go. Lyall stood with his wand out, and Hope stood behind him holding a knitting needle threateningly. The doorknob creaked and turned as the door slowly swung open. As it opened, it revealed a tall man wearing half-moon glasses on his crooked nose. He was clad in long purple robes with flowers and spirals embroidered near the base.

Hope and Lyall tried to force the door shut, trying to argue "sir, you certainly have got the wrong house" and "we aren't expecting anyone, so please leave". None of these worked, and the man gently pushed his way through, leaving Hope and Lyall flabbergasted. He smiled and winked at the two before beckoning then out of their not so secret hiding spot.

"What a shame to leave a game of gobstones sitting on the floor! Come on, we can finish it. I used to be rather skilled at Gobstones in my youth. And anyway, I have something for the pair of you."

He sat down on the floor and motioned for Bast and Remus to do the same. He then reached into his robes and pulled out three envelopes. Two were parchment with fine green calligraphy, and the third was a white one with black cursive. The man noticed that Bast seemed particularly interested in the white envelope.

"While the topic is still on hand, I believe it best to hand these out. Mr Lupin, this one here is for you, and Miss Lupin, these are for you. The white one is from a girl named Lily who wished that you receive it."

Remus tore into his letter, excitedly, knowing that it had to be his Hogwarts acceptance letter. He hadn't been expecting to receive one, as he thought he would be deemed a monster unfit for a school setting.

"Sir, I'm going? But, there has to be a mistake! I'm a— well, would it be safe?"

"Ah, I wondered when you would ask. Of course it is safe! You aren't a monster, unfortunate events occurred leaving you a lycanthrope, but you yourself are no monster. From what I see you are a young boy who enjoys spending time with his family and reading. And last time I checked, monsters do not enjoy either of those things."

Remus looked up at the man and smiled.

"And don't worry about your transformations. Everything has been arranged so that you would be allowed to attend Hogwarts."

"Really sir? I can go? Bast, did you hear? I'm going to Hogwarts with you!"

Bast smiled and nodded. Curiosity was getting to her, but she did rather want to win the game of gobstones, so she concentrated. Apparently, it was not enough.

"Alas, it appears that I have won! Well, it is getting late in the day, and it would be best for me to return to Hogwarts before Minerva frets. Goodbye!"

With that, he disapparated.

Curiosity got to Bast. She tore into the letter, already having a clue as to what it might say. She was correct, Lily had indeed received her Hogwarts letter.

Dear Bast,

Hello! It's been a while since we've talked. I hope you haven't forgotten me. I just wanted to let you know that a wizard named Dumbledore came to visit today. He told me I was going to Hogwarts! He told me all about it, and I'm so excited. I know it's almost nine months away, but I can't help but get excited for it. Petunia is still calling me a freak, and it's gotten worse. But knowing I'll be at Hogwarts with you soon makes it better. I gotta go. Bye!

    Lily Evans