You find out who your friends are

Four years since his escape and the little cottage was once again a place of comfort and peace. Though, sadly, no less lonely. Remus pulled his jumper a little tighter around himself and glanced toward the calendar stuck to his fridge as he made his morning tea. August twenty fifth, seven days before little Harry's first day of school.

He'd seen him, flanked by his parents, Sirius walking backward in front of him while they laughed, that painfully familiar laugh. He'd seen them and he'd backed deeper into the shadows and watched.

Remus shook his head and stood from his place at the worn kitchen table, his chair scraping across flagstone tiles, and headed for the canister he kept his chocolate in.

A knock sounded on the front door, pulling him away from his goal, and he frowned in confusion. No one came to see him...maybe it was the neighbor looking for that little mutt she called a dog. "I haven't seen him mrs Wilson..." he cut off at the sight, eyes misting over. "Nuntis.."

Dark eyes seemed to brighten as the woman stepped forward and reached out for him, her bag landing just inside the door. "Remus Lupin! Oh, how I've missed you!" She signed enthusiastically as they parted. "I was afraid I'd miss you! You haven't left for the Potter's yet?"

"They, uh...I haven't seen them in years..." he mumbled.

In the silence, deafening, horrible, silence, Remus began counting the noises he could hear. The clock ticking on the mantle, the birds just outside in the cottage garden, the wind, rattling the shutters. A muscle ticked in the woman's jaw as she strode forward and collected a second mug for her own cup of tea, preparing both as they liked it. "Tell me?"

The chair squeaked once more as Remus settled down at the table with a sigh. "Nothing to tell, really. They quit speaking to me during the war so.." signing was easier. He couldn't choke on his words while he signed.

"Remus, darling...have you been alone all this time?"

If only. He snorted hopelessly and shook his head. "Only for the past four...I..." Remus cringed, his hands clutching around the mug as he took a slow slip, biding his time. "Remember Gena..?"

"Remus Lupin, if you say Gena Davis I may actually hurt you..." she scowled.

He laughed helplessly and dropped his head onto the table. "If I don't answer, will you go easy on me?"

Nuts flicked the top of his head and grabbed a fistful of his shirt, dragging him toward the sofa. "Can you tell me why?"

Remus shook his head helplessly and laced their hands together as they faced one another on the sofa. "I wish I knew now, Nutty...I just..."

She sighed and dropped her cheek against the sofa, studying him. How could they do this? How could they abandon him this way? "You could've come to me, Remus...you could always come to me..."

"I wasn't sure..." he admitted softly. "They...thought I was the leak, Nuts...I wasn't sure how many people..."

"You're too smart to be this stupid, Rem," she replied sadly. "Now, tell me everything."

It had been ages since he'd had anyone to truly share his troubles with and Remus found himself slowly telling her everything in a mixture of broken and halting whispers and trembling signs. He told her everything, from the moment he'd first realized he was no longer trusted with his friends, to the I'll fated relationship he'd buried himself in for so many years.

"Left while she was out with friends," he completed softly. "Forgot that nice copy of Macbeth you got me...haven't dared go back."

He recognized the expression even before she stood. "Nuts, please, it's not necessary...I'm just glad to be away from her..."

Nuntis huffed indignantly. "I'm going to get you your things back, Remus. Gena Davis, of all people! You, look at me?" She cupped his jaw, her hold firm but gentle as she stared into his eyes. Only when she was satisfied she had his attention did she step back. "You were, and are, worth so much more. You understand me? You are a wonderful person and my dear friend and I will be having words with anyone who says anything to the contrary! Let's go."

"I'll just grab my wand," he shook his head with a defeated sigh.

_________

The place looked wildly different than it had when last he'd been there. The red orange of the vermilion painted door was curled and peeling, bits tumbling to the steps when Nuntis pounded on the door. Remus watched in a sort of detached manner.

He'd painted that door every spring, smiling to himself as he did so. It was one of only a few things he'd felt he could actually manage back then. Sirius would've liked the red. Would've waxed poetic about the shade, how saturated it was.

The door flung open, interrupting his reverì, and his gaze jerked round toward Gena. Even now it was a struggle to hold her gaze, not to glance away or squirm nervously. He'd convinced himself it hadn't actually been this bad, but he couldn't deny it now.

Gena's lip curled in disgust as she took the pair in. "You lost your right to stand there when you vanished you coward," she snarled and would've slammed the door if not for Nuntis.

"Remus, go inside and find your things. I'll deal with her."

"What are you doing?!" Gena screamed indignantly as Nuntis pushed her way inside, Remus slipping past to find any belongings that might've still been lying about. "I don't want you here! Get out!"

"I just want my book, Gena," he sighed. "Believe me I don't want to be here any more than you want me here. If you could just tell me where..."

Remus trailed away. Something had clattered in the basement, a soft whimper accompanying the sound. He shared a worried glance with Nuntis and turned toward the door. "What's down here?"

"It's a little mutt, none of your business, get out!" She screamed again. "Get out or I'll say you attacked me! They'll believe me, you know they-"

Nuntis had had more than enough of her. She struck out, knuckles bursting with pain as they connected with Gena's cheek. She followed the action with two silent but brutal hexes and the woman fell back, bound and gagged against her wall. "See to it Remus. Go. Not leaving a single living thing in this woman's care."

(Totally thought I'd posted this update lol. Sorry peoples 🩵 hope you enjoy)

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