SABAISM | H. POTTER

ONE. | PLATFORM NINE & THREE QUARTERS

Gemini had blossomed since that fateful night, transforming from an oblivious one-year-old into an adventurous eleven-year-old, brimming with an irrepressible spark of life.

Gemini Lily Lupin-Black had become a captivating enigma, her personality as multifaceted as the glittering constellations that adorned the night sky. The spines of her beloved novels were worn and cracked, silent witnesses to countless readings that had whisked her away to worlds far beyond her own. She loathed the tedious monotony of schoolwork, which often felt like a chain fastening her to a desk, stifling her boundless imagination. Her attire frequently resembled a riotous jumble of colors and textures, a vivid reflection of the vibrant spirit that danced within her. Yet, amidst the cheerful disarray, she devoted a significant portion of each morning to taming her wild curls—those rebellious, honey-brown ringlets that seemed to possess a will of their own. Her warm, magnetic demeanor easily endeared her to others, but she was never one to shy away from delivering a swift punch to those who truly deserved it. Raised in an atmosphere steeped in love and courage, she had developed a profound sense of humility. Yet, when it came to herself, she could be undeniably vain, admiring her own cleverness and charm. A self-taught prankster, she relished the thrill of discovery, but only when it served a purpose. It was as though her parents' contrasting personalities clashed and mingled within her, weaving a delightful tapestry that revealed her many complexities. Her name was fitting indeed—an exquisite reflection of the dissonance and harmony that defined her spirited nature.

Remus Lupin quickly learned that life with his daughter was anything but dull, their days far more eventful and unpredictable than he could have ever anticipated. After returning from his father's house, following the unfathomable imprisonment of Sirius, he resolved to leave that painful chapter behind. They relocated to the tranquility of a sleepy Muggle village—not only for the peculiar challenge of being a werewolf in the wizarding world, but also because he had accepted a heartfelt position at the local primary school. While his spirited daughter had pleaded for the comfort of being homeschooled, he had ultimately acquiesced. Her room in their quaint, ivy-draped cottage overflowed with splashes of paint and fragments of untamed creativity crowding the walls, intermingled with poetry books, vintage vinyl records, and the latest Quidditch magazines—each artifact recounting tales of adventure and whimsy. Despite the joyous artistic chaos, she had absorbed the fundamentals of magic from the best possible mentors, most notably Minerva McGonagall, who had affectionately taken Gemini under her wing, guiding her through the intricacies of wandwork and spellcasting. Yet, the mentorship backfired slightly when the mischievous Lupin-Black completed the Animagus transformation at just ten years old, all in a determined effort to accompany her father on his moonlit escapades.

Despite his own insecurities and the shadows that danced around him, Remus was a devoted and loving father. He never misled her, strove tirelessly to understand her, and ensured she wanted for nothing. In their shared existence, father and daughter found an enduring fulfillment that transcended the lingering trials of their past.

____________________________________

As the golden sun began its ascent on September 1st, casting a warm, honeyed glow that filtered through the window, Gemini begrudgingly opened her bleary eyes. She blinked her silver irises, heavy with sleep, to find her father's gently calloused fingers weaving playfully through her curls, creating delicate spirals that danced around her face. Nestling her head deeper into his palm, she took a moment to absorb the comfort of his presence—a grounding anchor amidst the uncertainty of the day. Remus towered over her like a gentle giant, his smile tinged with a bittersweet melancholy, for today marked a poignant milestone—the first time she would willingly leave him to embark on a journey of her own. It felt like just yesterday when she was small enough for him to cradle in his hands, a fragile piece of his heart.