Every Whispered Word
I'm reposting this from my side blog @a-sea-of-endless-stars. I've decided that I'm going to make this into a series and this is part 1 in my Fallen Kingdoms series.
Remus Lupin was dying. After so many months of fighting and years of painful transformations under the moons hateful glare, his time was finally up. Remus had always known it was only a matter of time before something got him. He just never expected it to be at Hogwarts. Hogwarts. The only place he had ever really called home.
Good times mixed with bad like blood in water. Afternoons spent running through the halls causing mischief and creating mayhem. Evenings in the common room by the fireplace, playing exploding snap and practicing spells. Sunrises on the roof with the Marauders, and sunsets in the shrieking shack, preparing for yet another painful transformation.
Every bit of the castle held memories. Every stone represented something different. The quidditch pitch, where he'd cheered on friends. The dorm room where they'd choked down fire whiskey, laughing as the alcohol burned through them like liquid fire. The library where he could find solace and go on endless adventures through time in books. The kitchen where the Marauders had befriended many house elves. The roof of the astronomy tower where he and Sirius had spent many nights counting stars and telling dreams. Wishing for a better world, a perfect world, where wars didn't rage and families didn't abuse and disown their children. A world where they both had no scars from the horrors of their past and the burdens of their realities.
Then of course there was love. First with Sirius, blindingly bright and beautifully warm. Living vicariously through each other and pulling themselves through sorrow. Tracing each other's scars and whispering sweet nothings against each other's skin. Then there was Tonks. Yet another love born from a war. Slower and sweeter than what he had with Sirius. But just as wonderful. Remus also loved his friends. They'd fought for him and loved him when his family hadn't. Stayed with him through the moon's. He would have died for them. All of them. For James and his undying love for those he considered family. For Sirius and his love. For Lily and her fiery personality. For Marlene and Dorcas, who had remained his friends despite what he was. For the countless others who had loved him unconditionally. For his son, who he'd had so little time with, but loved more than anyone. And finally, for Harry Potter. The boy who lived. That impossible child, who had been born in the darkness of a war. And lived through the shadow of loss. His best friend's son. He might not have been able to protect James, but he can save Harry.
Remus can do his part in making sure that he survives. That Harry makes it through what all the other before him hadn't.
So when the time comes and Hogwarts calls him to fight, Remus goes. He goes and he fights till his last dying breath. Like all those he lost. And when Rodolphus raises his wand and sends that jet of emerald green light barreling towards him, Remus has no regrets. Every tear shed, every burning kiss, every laugh, every sorrow, every second of pain, and every whispered word, was worth it. All of it was worth it.
