Chapter Text
As a child the world is full of wonder, of opportunities unknown. Magic behind every corner is just out of reach, sometimes so close it's an extension of the arm away. Being young you feel as if anything is possible, that you can save the world with just your two hands. The harsh realities of life haven’t yet damaged your curiosity and wonder. As a child we have big dreams, many of which we outgrow; we stop wanting to be a prince or princess, witch or wizard and instead become an architect or english teacher, a detective or lawyer.
Some children don’t get the opportunity to dream. They are pulled from the world of wonder too fast and instead grow up, missing the years of being a teen, missing the years it takes the average person to leave the world of wonder and enter reality, the harsh truth of the world. These people typically shut off their emotions, don’t let anyone get too close, are only one moment away from a breakdown. The time to heal may never arrive but they still fight day after day.
Remus Lupin never got the chance to have a childhood. At the age of five his Father went from a kind journalist trying to rid the world of evil to becoming the evil he had worked to rid the world of. He was exposed to a world of violence, death, and misfortune from that point forward. The gun shot, his mothers scream, his fathers cackle, the man he no longer recognised throwing a broken bottle at his face. The red and blue lights saved him from what may have been his final moments; from what he wished was.
‘Breathe in, breathe out, Lupins don’t cry. Breathe in, breathe out, Lupins don’t cry. Breathe in, breathe out, Lupins don’t cry.’ His fathers words echoing around in his head, the tears threatening to fall staying.
“Remus,” a man sitting across from him whispered. “Please, what can you tell us about last night? What exactly happened to Mary Macdonald?”
~~~
“You’re such a wanker, Remus Lupin.” A girl giggles as she playfully pushes the boy beside her.
“Whatever do you mean?” He smirks innocently. “It's the truth, the night sky has no beauty compared to you.”
The girl laughed, rolling her eyes fondly at her boyfriend. Her silky silver dress shone under the moonlight against her dark skin, making her seem like a goddess. Her hair full of tight coils was in a natural afro with glitter throughout it; like the skies above she held a whole galaxy of beauty at her fingertips.
“Gosh, who would’ve guessed I’m dating the biggest simp out there?”
“It’s not my fault you're so beautiful.” Remus whispered in response, cupping her face with his hand, “There was something I would like to ask you.”
A loud bang. That’s all it took to interrupt the moment of peace as a piercing scream echoed through the ambiance seconds later.
“Remmy” the girl whispered; voice shaking. “Help.”
He turned to the girl's glassy eyes and watched a warm crimson river flow down the back or her neck. He cradled her head in his lap sobbing as he held his phone high up trying to gain service, blood pooling on the ground beneath them.
“Mary, I'm sorry.” He cried as her breaths became more shallow. The small box in his pocket only grew heavier with the decline of her breathing, burning in his pocket as her eyes began to slowly close.
“I’m okay,” she whispered, voice raspy in her last moments. “I’m with you.”
~~~
“I didn’t kill her.” Remus’ monotone voice filled the small room, tears prickling in his eyes.
A second man who was leaning against a wall in the shadows let out a cold laugh, his presence announced. His aura of chaos filled the room. He was wearing the standard uniform; black cargo pants with a white button-up shirt. He had the cargo vest resting on top; the gun in its holster giving off a taunting glow. The small patch on the front reading ‘police’ gave the only indication of authority. Messy blonde hair going off in every direction and a stunning blue eye; the other clearly glass with a slight yellow tinge and was off-centred.
“Well, the apple never falls far from the tree dear boy,” the man cackled. “Given your father's past, I wouldn’t put it past you. You are the only witness, only lead, it does not mean innocent.”
“I didn’t fucking do it.”
“Well, someone sure bloody did.”
“ALASTOR!” The man who sat opposite Remus shouted. He was a lot more put together than the man of chaos. He wore a tight fitted suit and tie with an odd-looking hat. A blank expression on his face with his dark eyes only a few shades darker than his skin fixated on the boy in the chair. A sense of authority flowed out of him with every breath.
“His father is a nuisance. That man treats this type of thing like a little game.”
“Alastor’” Kingsley spoke so calmly that it sent chills down Remus’ spine. “We can not discuss that man in this setting.”
Remus took in a shaky breath, the metal band around his wrist cutting circulation. The other cuff was attached to the metal beam on the table. A small black dome in the corner of the room had a slow flashing red light, he was being watched. Always being watched. His eyes darted between the camera and the two men wanting to have a sense that he knew what was happening, a sense of control even if it were false.
“If you have nothing to hide, then why are you scared?” Alastor mocked.
“Fuck you,” Remus spat, tears prickling in his eyes.
He wished he could just be cooperative; his instincts choose otherwise. Don't show weakness ingrained in his head. Boys don’t cry, never show weakness, don’t be pathetic. His father's voice echoed around in his head. He’d shown weakness, cried, felt pathetic, yet the lessons taught to him from a young age still made him act as if he hadn’t; as if he didn’t currently have a tear-stained face with more threatening to fall.