Everything Beautiful [ Remus Lupin ]

chapter two; a happy encounter

"— And by the time we were told what had happened, they'd made it right out and the Weasley girl was safe!" Lance's voice was hurried and exhilarated,  his storytelling scrambled as he tried to recall as much as he'd seen or been told.

"Ginny Weasley, Lance. It's bad manners not to call people by their proper name," I corrected him, taking a bite of toast as I did.

Lance had been back home for barely a day and here he was, blabbering on about more of the wild misadventures that had been affecting the students recently. Something inside of me wanted to believe that he embellished these stories, but I felt the same concern I saw in my parents' eyes.

I still had to formulate a response to Dumbledore, but my heart was torn. The prospect of leaving a job that had literally opened an entire new world before me was somewhat disheartening. On the other hand, I was quite content not being far with my family during my break. And somewhere deep down, I longed to be closer. After all, just one year couldn't be that bad, could it? There were certainly other people more qualified who could take over if everything went wrong.

"Ellie, pass the jam, please," Evie requested, wearing a set of finely embroidered robes. It was strange seeing her so well-dressed for work and prepared every morning. I recalled her stumbling into the Great Hall five minutes before the end of breakfast to grab a bite of toast, eyes always scanning one textbook or another cramming for exams. It seemed the professional world suited her better; she'd always been gifted, but she hated spewing lessons and, though surprising, it was refreshing to see her organised and level-headed for once.

I slid the jar her way and clearing my throat I announced, "I think I know what I'll be doing next year."

My father glanced over his Daily Prophet and my mother slowly put her tea down.

"I think... I think giving the new job a try, for at least a year, can't be too bad," I nervously stated, glancing between both my parents. Dad's eyebrows were raised in what seemed to be surprise, and mum's lips were upturned in the subtlest of smirks. Dad interjected with a very neutral but nerve racking hmm and mum was the only one to speak up,

"Well, dear, you know your father and I always support you in your ventures. You are, after all, so accomplished, as is your sister," her eyes pointedly glanced over at Lance, with what seemed to be a passive aggressive signal for him. "In any case," she continued, "Once you've let the headmaster know of your plans, and put in your resignation, you should take your brother to Diagon Alley for his supplies and your own."

"Yes, mum." I finished my toast, nervously glancing back to my father every once in a while, but he never lifted his eyes up from his newspaper. Had my decision upset him? Why wouldn't he say anything?

Mum retreated to meet her friends for the day and Evie left for work soon after her. 

"Lance, I've left some chocolate frogs on your bed, why don't you go treat yourself?" My father suggested, right as Lance was finishing his pumpkin juice. The boy's eyes filled with glee and he shot out of his seat and up to his room. I was left alone with my seemingly disappointed father, in what felt like one of the most uncomfortable silences ever. I felt my face heating up in nervousness, so I finally let out,