Four To The End (prev Shifting Lines) - Book One (Marauder Era)

Chapter Eighty - Snape's Secret Identity

Sirius seemed a little distant on Monday, and Remus knew it was because of him bringing up the broken arm. He was desperate to apologize, to fix things, but didn't know how without making it obvious. Sirius seemed fine with James and Peter however whenever he spoke to Remus there just seemed to be something... stiff in the way he spoke. Or maybe Remus was just imagining it. That was a possibility. Was he just projecting? As the day progressed, though, Sirius seemed to relax a little more until Tuesday he was back to normal (which proved to Remus he had been upset on Monday). He... really wanted to say he was sorry but figured that would put Sirius back into a shell, so he left it alone.

Dearest Remus, 8/5/72

Only seven weeks now till you come home for the summer! Less than, really, by a couple days. Wait till you see the plans I've made for the garden! Your father's getting me a really beautiful plant called... well, I don't remember exactly what he called it. Some kind of bell? Like bluebell but not quite. But it makes this lovely chiming sound when the wind blows, like wind chimes. I've been sitting out in the garden when the sun's out enjoying the sound. I think you'll like it too. Lyall says it blooms through July so you'll have time to enjoy them too. They still chime even when they're not in the ground so once they grow some more I'm going to try to cut one to put in a jar by the window to see if it works that way.

I mentioned the possibility of us educating you at home after this, by the way. Lyall is worried since he works so much but I'm sure I can do plenty out of books. You can't actually practice any magic however I don't think that's too terribly important, is it? Sometimes I think it might be easier for us... for YOU... if we were more Muggle. We'd have an easier time hiding the truth. I have not mentioned this to your father though but perhaps it's something we can talk about once summer comes around. Your father's not doing a particularly overly magical job as it is. Perhaps we could move to a Muggle town, and start anew. You'd be even safer. Or would the M be more suspicious if that happened? I don't really understand them much.

I miss you, darling, and I cannot wait to see you. I love you so much!

Love, Mother

"You all right?" James asked, voice penetrating Remus's thoughts. "You've gone quite pale."

"Is your mum okay?" Pete asked, since he realized Remus was reading the letter his owl had brought him.

"Y--yes. I mean--I think so. Nothing bad." He swiftly folded the letter, jamming it down into his bag. He should probably start reading his letters privately in case one of them saw the words. He knew Sirius often read his letters privately. Whenever the stately owl brought him something he'd just tuck it away, and that would be that, like he just did when the owls came a few moments ago. "She's mostly all right," Remus finally said, trying to smile.

Move to a Muggle town. Was his mother insane? He and his father pretending to be Muggle? His father would die. Sure his mother ran a fairly Muggle household but magic was everywhere. His father used magic every single day, for everything. Plus the Ministry would probably know. The only way to truly escape would be move to a different country. Or was that what his mother meant? She had some American relatives. What if she wanted to move to America? America was enormous, they'd definitely be able to hide there.

Remus stirred his porridge, thinking. Wondering, about what it would be like. Going possibly to a Muggle school. Not having to really hide as much as he was. Oh, but they'd know he was different. He'd still have to fake an illness. One that would be difficult to explain to the teachers at a Muggle school. Plus... didn't Muggle schools have gym? A class period dedicated to... sports or something? Ugh! No, it wouldn't work out at all. He'd still be faking every single day, trying to be normal. Unless she still meant to educate him at home even in a new town, a new country.