Hey everyone! Welcome to my new story, Sublunary, which I am very pleased with thus far. I'm hoping to take it to places I couldn't take my old story, translunary, in terms of quality of writing, and story line, character development.... and everything else a story requires. So enjoy, and I really hope u like it!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Preamble.

Through the trees, and down a river, Deep in an unnamed valley in northern Europe, sits a quaint blue cottage with a white picket fence. The paint is just as it was fifty years ago. The windows are dark, and the trees grow closer and closer by the day, a predator slowly stalking its prey. The roof is slate and uneven, but solid, as if weather has never touched its surface. The door is bolted shut.

Inside, dust covers ghostly old furniture. The front door leads to the sitting room, tiny, cozy, with a white brick fireplace and sky blue walls. If clean, it would seem to belong in southern France. Faux yellow flowers sit dingy in a crystal vase on a corner table. Pictures, some still and dead, yellow in frames on the mantel, while others wave enthusiastically at no one in particular, a monotonous existence of people long gone.

Through a thin doorway is the kitchen, its tiles neglected and dirty. 2 plates with napkins and forks are placed on the table eerily, as if its occupancy suddenly left existence just before they sat down to eat. A bowl and cutting board remain in the sink, crusted from unwashed meals.

Through the sitting room once more, and up a narrow winding staircase, the attic is yet another ghost . The walls here are paneled in unfinished planks. Posters are scattered in no particular pattern, or have fallen to the floor. A scarlet and gold flag with a rearing lion hangs in pristine condition over a perfectly made bed. On the bed; a wrapped package, its paper plain brown, with yellow and blue ribbon giving it some festive hints. A note sits atop the package, signed by a mother long distant from her child.

Fifty years ago, in a quaint blue cottage with a white picket fence, the Lupin family prepared their only son for bed. Remus was a joyful boy, with light brown hair and twinkling blue eyes. As an energetic 6 year old with a passion for astronomy like his father, he was particularly hard to put to sleep tonight.

"Daddy can't I stay out and watch the moon with you tonight?" he wined, John Lupin looked over towards his wife Mary for an answer. She remained strict.

"No. It's late as it is. And he has school tomorrow." She said sternly. "Maybe on the weekend."

"Oh, come on Mary," John whined just as well as his son. "at least for one glance at it? It's the harvest moon, after all."

She huffed. "Fine. But if he doesn't get up in time for school, you're the one bringing him."

John smiled and lifted his son into his arms. Remus was small for his age, and the feety-pajamas given to him by his grandparents were a bit to big.

"be careful! And not too long, now." Mary called from the kitchen door.

John carried Remus outside along a dirt trail leading towards a large oak tree a few hundred yards from the house. Here a winding staircase circled the tree, leading to a small platform above the foliage, held up by too little support beams, and too much magic.. The trees and the sky were the only things visible for miles. The platform was empty, save for a large telescope at one end. Remus struggled out of his Father's arms, and ran towards the telescope.

"Daddy, look!" he pointed up at something in the sky. Remus grabbed the end of the telescope and pointed it in that direction. "It's a comet, I think! I can see it's tail!"

John watched his son with pride. "Remus, look at the moon."

Remus turned towards his father and looked up. The moon was yellow, and so bright it lit up his face with odd shadows. "Oh, wow! Daddy, that's the harvest moon?"

"Yes."

"It's pretty!" he smiled, his eyes big and bright.

"Yes, it is."

They stared up at it for a few moments, until a howl off in the distance broke the silence. John looked down at his son. "We better be getting back, your Mother is going to have my head."

"Okay." he said reluctantly.

"Come on, if we get home fast enough, maybe we can have some hot cocoa."

"Okay!" Remus flew down the stairs with the enthusiasm and speed of any child persuaded with sweets. His father followed him a bit more slowly. When he got down to the ground, Remus was out of sight.

"Remus?" he called. He heard his son's laughter. "Remus!"

"Daddy!" Remus called back. He was still no where in sight. "Look!"

"Remus where are you?"

John heard Remus giggle again.

"Doggy!" he heard Remus say. A low growl echoed through the woods. John's heart jumped. His son shrieked.

"Remus! Get back here!"

Suddenly, from behind him, he heard a snarl. John spun on his heels.

A wolf, massive and strong, glared at him. An evil smile seemed to trace its bloody chops. Blood that was not its own….

He heard his son's whimpers, vicious growls, the rustle of the woods…and he froze.

The wolf gave him an awful look, its eyes full of hunger, before retreating. Remus' whimpers faded.

--

"He's dangerous Sir! He is a monster now, and you best get rid of him, before it's too late. The ministry can take care of it with dignity and-" the voice was pompous and sharp, and even though Remus didn't know what he was saying, he didn't like it.

"Get the hell out of the way, before I hex you!"

"Sir, its regulation. Don't make me call security- "

"Regulation my ass, that's my son in there. My son. Not some monster. You're not taking him away from me."

Remus moaned. His father's yells were off somewhere. He didn't know where. His eyelids felt heavy. He heard a door click.

"Sir, Remus is awake." said a gentle female voice.

"Sedate him again. There's no need for him to be awake at this point."

"No! You're all monsters! I want to see my son!"

"John, be quiet." said his mother.

"I'm afraid that is against hospital policy sir, all lycanthropes are to be quarantined."

"Remus!" Remus heard shuffling, and suddenly a hand was upon his own.

"Daddy?" he whispered. He opened his eyes. John was staring at him desperately.

"Remus?"

"Daddy, what happened?" his voice was weak. It hurt to speak.

"You're in St. Mungo's. Remus, I'm not going to leave you. These people are bad people. I'm going to get you out of here."

"Bad…?"

"Very bad. No, Remus, don't fall asleep. Don't-"

"It hurts." he said softly. His eyes would not stay open.

"Where does it hurt?" his Father's voice softened.

"S-shoulder….. Head." he winced as pain shot through his skull. Remus swallowed thickly, and sobbed "hurts."

"I know Remus, I know." he squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

"What happened to the dog?" he whispered. He tried to open his eyes again. His head was swimming with pain, dizziness, and nausea.

"It's gone now Remus, It's not going to hurt you anymore…. I won't let anything hurt you any more."

"I-…Daddy, I wanted to help it, It looked lost," He sobbed "I wanted to… I can't remember- Daddy, it hurts, m-make it stop."

"I'm sorry Son, So sorry." he sounded helpless.

"Tired…."

"Don't fall asleep Remus, stay awake, you need to stay awake."

Without another word, Remus drifted off to sleep.

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