the lucky one

wish upon a star

Spring gives way to summer, which gives way to fall. The crisp mountain air sending brittle leaves hued with red and orange scattering across the grass. Every day there is another death, another attack, another person they couldn't save. Miranda and Mateo do their best to keep updated on everything going on, but the Malfoy cabin is very well secluded. Somehow, Snape figured out where they were and instructed them to lay low. He was in hot water with the Death Eaters after their display at the Manor and couldn't afford to be seen in contact with them. They were only allowed to go so far, and that restricted the amount of people they could help, which frustrates Miranda to no end.

"I hate this stupid house, and this stupid stream, and all these stupid fucking trees." Miranda groans and flops down on her back in a pile of leaves.

"We're safe and that's all that matters." Matt pacifies, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Miranda rolls her eyes and sticks out her middle finger, "Don't speak to me anymore. I can't take your optimism."

A motor roars in the distance, a cloud of dust spewing from the path leading up to the cabin. Miranda rockets to her feet, drawing her wand, no one ever comes up here, not even a lost Muggle on a hike. If someone's here, it's definitely not an accident, and it probably means they're looking for Miranda and Mateo.

The dust clears, and Miranda and Mateo see a large black motorcycle, puttering and emitting black smoke.

"Told you we could make it up the hill, Elle." Sirius Black hops off  of the motorcycle, shaking his hair out of the helmet and reaching out a hand to help Evelyn down, which she refuses, jumping down herself. Remus however, takes Sirius's hand half begrudging, half grateful, legs wobbling slightly as he steps down, looking as though he might genuinely be sick.

"Moony was the one who had no faith, Black. At least I had some." She grins at Miranda and Mateo, "Hey kiddos, miss me?"

Miranda and Mateo run to hug their aunt, "Evelyn! How did you—? Where did you—? Why are you—?" They ask breathlessly, amazed that they're all here.

"Take it easy," Sirius slings an arm over Evelyn's shoulders, and Evelyn promptly elbows him in the ribs. "Aren't you going to offer us tea?"

Evelyn and Remus share an eye roll of massive proportions. "What is it with you and tea these days, Pads?" scoffs their aunt. She nudges Remus conspiratorially, who is busy muttering under his breath.

"Bloody, cursed, death trap," mumbles the man, adjusting his jacket. "Didn't like it back then...don't know why I thought it would be any different."

"Cecilia only has lovely things to say about you, Remus," whispers Sirus loudly, patting his motorbike consolingly. "He didn't mean it, darling."

"Cecilia has nearly killed both Moony and I over the years," huffs Evelyn. "You included! Don't you remember when Potter fell off? And of course Lils absolutely hated it. Didn't she, Remmy?"

"You know I hate it when you call me Remmy," Remus finally speaks, looking harried. Miranda silently wonders why they have come here. And why they have brought Remus along with them. Not that she is disappointed at their arrival. It is a welcome disruption.

"That's precisely why I do it, love," Evelyn hums, scrunching her nose up at her best friend. She glances at her nice and nephew's bewildered expression and hastens the proceedings along. "Now please Moony," she encourages impatiently, "before we're old and gray."

"Ah!" Remus's eyes brighten, pulling a small photo out of his jacket pocket. "Tonks had the baby today, just this morning! Theodore Remus Lupin, for Dora's father. 7 pounds, 6 ounces. Hair changing colors already." He shows a picture of a tiny baby boy with blue hair that changes to blond every second.