A Thousand Wishes | Remus Lupin

Chapter 1

I checked my trunk one last time. Robes, books, everything was there. It was filled with all kinds of necessities, I had to push all of my weight on the trunk as my bed squeaked, and finally it shut close. I was panting in exhaustion as sweat ran down my back. I looked around my room one last time. The tapestry was beginning to mold and it was a huge mess after trying to pack my bags last minute. I grabbed the heavy trunk and shoved it down the stairs. In these moments, you'd imagine a witch like me swishing with my wand quickly and see the trunk levitating. Unfortunately at this time, I was an underaged witch. If I performed any sort of magic, I'd risk getting expelled. Getting expelled would mean I had to live with my dreadful muggle father. I couldn't risk it.

'Leaving already, dear?' my father said as he put down the bottle in his hand. He spoke in my native language, Swedish. I didn't bother answering it.
'Don't leave me like this! I'm a mess! If you leave, I'll drown myself!'
'Don't even bother, father. You're lucky I didn't stay at the Burrow this summer.' I said in a spiteful tone.

He didn't like it when I talked to him like that. Usually when I did, he'd destroy something. I had to hope this time it wasn't me. My father had bruises on his fists, anger management was his only form of physical training. At least in the summer when he wasn't working at a construction. He stayed all summer in our living room, watching the same tv shows on and on as he yelled at me to go get him a beer. To your surprise, our living room was the only place in the house seeming not to be falling apart (because he forced me to clean it for him).

'You are so ungrateful. I provide you with food, water!' he said as he got up from the couch.
'Yeah, the bare necessities.' I said as I was about to open the door.
'Not so fast, honey. You know I don't like it when you speak to me like that!' He said as he grabbed me and pinned me up the wall. I felt a stinging sensation in my cheek as he slapped me.
'Father, I have to leave-' I got interrupted as he punched my eye red. I knew he didn't intend to stop, but he got interrupted by a loud honk from outside. I got myself loose and ran out the door. The Weasley Twins had borrowed a car with some help from their father's ministry position. They looked out of the car window grinning at me, but their smiles slowly faded away the closer I got to the car. They could tell something was wrong.

'Get in the Weasley Taxi, sunshine!' Fred yelled.

I got into the car, sat myself down comfortably in the seat and shut my mouth. I was incredibly grumpy after my father acted like an asshole in front of my friends. The newly rented car was rather dirty, with candy wrapper all over the floor. In the backseat where I was sat, I couldn't help but notice a certain amount of boxes. It didn't take me long to realize Fred and George had invested some money to start opening a prank business, much like Zonko's in Hogsmeade. The box was in a pale orange, saying "Weasley" in a beautiful font on the sides. Look at them, being businessmen, I thought to myself. My curiosity got interrupted by two even more curious pairs of twins.

'Not even a hello to your favorite gingers?' George said as he pouted with his mouth.
'Old man again, aye?' Fred said with a concerned face as he was my fairly injured eye.
'Don't worry, Mum will get you all fixed up in a heartbeat. Don't tell her too much though, she'll never let you out of her sight' George said as he gave me a genuine smile. They never failed to cheer me up.
'Now, your private drivers will now escort you to Padfoot's.'
'Mum wanted us to stay a bit at his for a bit, with the Order and all that.'
'You okay back there?'
'Fine, take it away you two.' I said as I gave them a forced smile.

The whole trip to the Order's Headquarters was eventful, but I couldn't help letting my thoughts wander. I think the twins managed to figure I was not available, and started talking to each other instead. I looked out of the window, admiring the streets of London. So many people, clueless over the flying car above their heads. It was so grey, but yet all of the people of London somehow managed to light it up with colorful skirts and hats. My thoughts got interrupted once again by the car stopping at the front of the headquarters.

Molly ran out the door greeting me with what seemed to be hundreds of kisses and hugs. She took a hard grip and inspected me up and down.

'Oh dear, you look terrible. Is this your father's work? I swear, one day I will make that man very unhappy-' Professor Lupin stepped forward.
'Molly that's enough. Go make her some food instead. I assume you haven't eaten?' I shook my head.
'I'll escort her inside and clean those wounds up. Come with me, would you dear?' Lupin said as he smiled gently towards me.

                                               *
'He got you good, didn't he? This is going to sting a bit.' I moaned in pain.
'Sorry.' he said as he gave me a sympathetic look.

While Lupin was mending my wounds, I couldn't help but look at him. You see, you never got bored of looking at that man. Every scar on his skin was unique with different stories. The ones running across his face fascinated me the most. I couldn't help but think that was probably his biggest insecurity. He might've felt like they were dreadful and depressing, but I found them beautiful. Normal is boring, anyway.

'You don't have to live with him, you know. Not when he does this to you.'
'Don't worry, I'm used to it. Two more years, and I'll go into Obliviator training. Besides, I don't think that he would last one day without me. That man is a drunk, he'd probably be lying unconscious in a bush somewhere if it wasn't for me. He's going back to work soon anyway.'
'Sounds like a lot of responsibility to put on a fifteen year old girl to me. When was the last time he took care of you?' He saw right through my lies.
'It doesn't matter. I'll be okay, I promise.'
'If you say so, I believe you. You know where my office is placed, if you ever need to have a chat. I'm all finished with your wounds by the way. I hope it made the pain settle a bit.'
'It did. Thank you, Professor.'
'We're not in school, call me Remus.' He said, giving me a big smile, followed by a warm hug.

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authors note: hi!! i know this chapter is kind of short, i'm working on it. they'll get longer along the way:)