SABAISM | H. POTTER

ONE. | PLATFORM NINE & THREE QUARTERS

Gemini had grown since that fateful night, transforming from an oblivious one-year-old into an adventurous eleven-year-old filled with a spark of life.

Gemini Lily Lupin-Black had become a captivating enigma, her personality as multifaceted as the glittering stars above. The spines of her treasured novels were worn and cracked, bearing witness to countless readings that had transported her to worlds far beyond her own, though she loathed the mundane schoolwork that often felt like a chain fastening her to a desk. Her attire frequently resembled a chaotic jumble of colors and textures, a reflection of the vibrant spirit within her. Yet amidst the disarray, she devoted a significant portion of her mornings to taming her wild curls, those rebellious strands of hair that seemed to possess a life of their own. While her warm demeanor easily endeared her to others, she was never one to shy away from delivering a swift punch to those deserving of it. Her upbringing, steeped in love and courage, had instilled in her a profound sense of humility. However, when it came to herself, she could be undeniably vain. A self-taught prankster, she relished the delight of learning, but only when it served a purpose. It was as though her parents' personalities clashed within her for dominance, forming a delightful tapestry that revealed her complexities. Her name was fitting indeed—an exquisite reflection of the dissonance and harmony of her spirited nature.

Remus Lupin quickly learned that life with his daughter was anything but dull, making their days far more eventful than he had ever anticipated. After returning from his father's house, following the unfathomable imprisonment of Sirius, he decided to leave that chapter of his life behind. They relocated to the tranquility of a Muggle village—not only for the peculiar challenge of being a werewolf in the wizarding world but also because he had taken a heartfelt position at the local primary school. While his spirited daughter had requested the comfort of being homeschooled, he had acquiesced. Her room in their quaint, ivy-covered cottage brimmed with splashes of paint, 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, initiating her in 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 to accompany her father on his moonlit escapades.

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

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As the golden sun began its ascent on September 1st, casting a warm 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 playfully weaving 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 laced with a hint of melancholy, for today marked a bittersweet 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.

"Good morning, Dad," she murmured sleepily, her voice a dreamy lull that pulled at his heartstrings. Remus's heart swelled with affection at the sound of her tinkling voice, reminiscent of wind chimes in a summer breeze. "Good morning, Gem," he replied tenderly. "You'd best start getting ready soon, or we'll be late."