WATER FOUNTAIN; Remus Lupin

Chapter II

Chapter II: Remus' Glimpse

REMUS Lupin was in the last compartment on the train—famously reserved for the trouble making Marauders—and to say he was exhausted would be an understatement. The full moon was the night before and it had taken its toll on him. All the boy wanted to do was sleep. He knew he was quite irritable and he didn't want to snap at any of his friends so he leaned his head against the window and pulled out his most recent summer read: Pride and Prejudice, under heavy recommendation from a fellow book lover.

It was not long until he finished the remainder of the Austen novel, which left Remus both satisfied and longing. He was hyper-aware of the unlikelihood that he would have his own happy ending, given his cursed circumstances. The werewolf's mood swings seemed to be in full effect as he bounced between despair and elation.

Glancing down at the worn paperback placed on his lap, the wizard decided a change in company might lift his mood. It's not that his friends were grating on his nerves with their loud chewing, obnoxious snores and noisy humming—definitely not. Remus allowed a soft sigh to escape his chapped lips as he took in Peter's large stash of sweets; Sirius' mouth hanging open as he drooled in his sleep; and James' fervent scribbling (he seemed to be writing another song for Lily whilst humming).

Without another glance at the boys, Remus stood with the book in hand and left the compartment.

"Oi, Moony, do you think Evans would like this—Hey! Where'd he go?"

"He just left, Prongs. I don't know where to, though," mumbled Peter through a mouthful of liquorice wands. James only huffed in reply, letting the angsty wolf go.

Remus wasn't sure where he'd find her, but he knew he would find the witch eventually. As he was checking the compartments, he saw a door slide open and watched a Slytherin seventh year step out. His face was set like stone, a stoic expression engraved on his otherwise gentle features. They made eye contact, and Remus swiftly looked down. He wasn't in the mood to deal with some random Slytherin.

Once he passed the seventh year, the werewolf looked back up and trudged onwards. He was surprised to find the girl he was looking for in the compartment which the Slytherin came out of. The wolf decided to save his questions for a time when he was less tired. Clutching the book in his hand, he lightly knocked on the door.

It was swung open revealing Rielle with a welcoming smile. Mairu briefly glanced at the intruder and quickly hid behind her sketch pad to avoid any unnecessary conversation.

"How can I help you, Remus?"

"I just wanted to return the book you let me borrow over the summer," said the boy, nodding to the indicated novel.

A lively glint shone in the witch's eyes, excited to gush about her favourite novel.

"So, how did you find it? Who was your favourite character? What was your favourite part?"

Remus chuckled at the onslaught of questions, finding it refreshing to talk about something he was passionate about.

"It was really good, I'm glad you recommended it to me Rielle. I wasn't expecting to like Mr Darcy that much but in the end he redeemed himself," he smiled, remembering his thoughts when he first read the book.

"Right? But what about your favourite part?"

The back and forth continued with Rielle firing question after question, and Remus answering with his honest thoughts and opinions. It carried on until Rielle went on a long rant, and Remus took the opportunity to survey the compartment, nodding every so often to keep the girl's attention.