(HP) Remus is a Good Boy (1/6)
Please see the Remus is a Good Boy Chapter List for story details including summary, warnings, etc.
Remus is a Good Boy
Part One: Mrs. Lupin
“Remus is a good boy.”
I am able to say this with such vehemence because I believe it with all my heart. My son has always been well behaved. But I can’t say that he is not dangerous... not anymore.
“There’s a big difference between a boy and a wolf, Sarah,” my neighbour growls, and I feel my face growing red with anger. Does he think I don’t realise what my son is capable of? My anger only grows when Bob’s gaze turns from mine to focus on Remus, who presses himself against my side as closely as he can, small tears running down his tiny face. He doesn’t remember anything about last night; he doesn’t understand what he’s done.
“My son would never intentionally hurt anyone, Bob. You know that. You’ve known Remus since he was born,” I remind him, hoping to stir some compassion in his usually kind heart.
“He tried to get into my house last night!” he yells, pointing at my son accusingly. “My wife and my daughters were hiding in the attic for hours! We’re Squibs, Sarah. We can’t just Stun him. What if he gets through the door next time? What if he kills someone? Or, worse, bites them? What then?”
“It was my fault that he got out,” I admit softly, pulling my son closer. “It won’t happen again, I swear it. No one is in danger.”
“I’m sorry, Sarah, but you’re wrong…. I know I said I would never tell, but you have to understand my position here. I have to look out for my family, and if that means reporting your boy to the Ministry, so be it. Think about your own family! Your husband is a Muggle: surely you realise what danger he’s in every month, having that monster in the attic? Maybe this is too much for you to handle on your own….”
I’ve never heard anyone call my son a monster before, and it… it burns. It hurts in a way that makes me sick to my stomach, a way that makes me want to cry. Remus gasps at the hurtful comment; he slips behind me and buries his head into my back, clutching onto my hips and pressing his face into my robes, trying to hide from view as much as possible.
“No, please,” I beg shamelessly, stretching out my hand to grab Bob’s arm, but he pulls away and turns towards his home. Tears slide down my face as I consider the consequences of what my so-called friend is threatening. The Ministry knows that Remus is a werewolf, but so far we have managed to escape their attention for the most part. If they are given any reason to believe that he is a danger to others, he will be locked up ‘for his own protection’. I can’t allow my son to be thrown in a cage like an animal. I would rather die.
“I’m sorry, but this is the way it has to be,” Bob says softly, slumping his shoulders and walking away from us.
Completely forgetting all of my caution and self-control, I pull my wand from the pocket of my robes, raising it slowly. I feel Remus pull away from me, and I glance back to see the scared, shocked look on his face before turning my gaze back to my neighbour.
“Bob!” I call desperately, and when he turns to look at me, his eyes grow wide with fear.
"Obliviate!”
Part Two: Albus Dumbledore
Remus is a Good Boy
Part One: Mrs. Lupin
“Remus is a good boy.”
I am able to say this with such vehemence because I believe it with all my heart. My son has always been well behaved. But I can’t say that he is not dangerous... not anymore.
“There’s a big difference between a boy and a wolf, Sarah,” my neighbour growls, and I feel my face growing red with anger. Does he think I don’t realise what my son is capable of? My anger only grows when Bob’s gaze turns from mine to focus on Remus, who presses himself against my side as closely as he can, small tears running down his tiny face. He doesn’t remember anything about last night; he doesn’t understand what he’s done.
“My son would never intentionally hurt anyone, Bob. You know that. You’ve known Remus since he was born,” I remind him, hoping to stir some compassion in his usually kind heart.
“He tried to get into my house last night!” he yells, pointing at my son accusingly. “My wife and my daughters were hiding in the attic for hours! We’re Squibs, Sarah. We can’t just Stun him. What if he gets through the door next time? What if he kills someone? Or, worse, bites them? What then?”
“It was my fault that he got out,” I admit softly, pulling my son closer. “It won’t happen again, I swear it. No one is in danger.”
“I’m sorry, Sarah, but you’re wrong…. I know I said I would never tell, but you have to understand my position here. I have to look out for my family, and if that means reporting your boy to the Ministry, so be it. Think about your own family! Your husband is a Muggle: surely you realise what danger he’s in every month, having that monster in the attic? Maybe this is too much for you to handle on your own….”
I’ve never heard anyone call my son a monster before, and it… it burns. It hurts in a way that makes me sick to my stomach, a way that makes me want to cry. Remus gasps at the hurtful comment; he slips behind me and buries his head into my back, clutching onto my hips and pressing his face into my robes, trying to hide from view as much as possible.
“No, please,” I beg shamelessly, stretching out my hand to grab Bob’s arm, but he pulls away and turns towards his home. Tears slide down my face as I consider the consequences of what my so-called friend is threatening. The Ministry knows that Remus is a werewolf, but so far we have managed to escape their attention for the most part. If they are given any reason to believe that he is a danger to others, he will be locked up ‘for his own protection’. I can’t allow my son to be thrown in a cage like an animal. I would rather die.
“I’m sorry, but this is the way it has to be,” Bob says softly, slumping his shoulders and walking away from us.
Completely forgetting all of my caution and self-control, I pull my wand from the pocket of my robes, raising it slowly. I feel Remus pull away from me, and I glance back to see the scared, shocked look on his face before turning my gaze back to my neighbour.
“Bob!” I call desperately, and when he turns to look at me, his eyes grow wide with fear.
"Obliviate!”
Part Two: Albus Dumbledore