The Secret Diary

Chapter Two: Water

"Ah, then," began Dumbledore, lacing his long fingers into a steeple, "everything seems to be in order. You will pick up Harry from the Three Broomsticks on the previously discussed date and then stay the night here at Hogwarts. Whenever you are ready, you two may depart for your place for the rest of the summer."

"Wonderful. I hope I can show Harry a good time before he has to come to school. It's going to be a hard year for the lad, you told me so yourself," Remus responded, sipping a mug of Earl Grey.

"Indeed," agreed the aged man with a bobbing nod.

Remus observed Albus Dumbledore, whose knowing, shrewd eyes hid behind half-moon glasses. Those wise eyes twinkled and flicked to the corner, from which a choked "squawk!" and an exploding noise had been emitted.

"Ah, Fawkes is moving on today. Such a lively little fellow. He reminds me very much of a child, and what mine might have been like, had I any." Dumbledore wistfully smiled, shuffling the papers on his desk.

"I've noticed that same quality of birds in general recently," noted Remus, suppressing a laugh. "Ever wonder if they consider wizards parent figures?"

"Squaaa?" replied the infant phoenix from the corner, peeping its head over a small hill of ash.

"Exactly, Fawkes," concurred Dumbledore.

* * * * *

Remus shed his dressing gown and steeped his hands into the washbasin in his lavatory. Cupping the cool water in his hands and splashing it on his face, he felt thoroughly refreshed as he gazed out his open window into the starry sky.

"Funny how splashing a little water on one's face clears one's mind," remarked Remus, recalling an old habit of Lily's.

1979

Remus leaned on the doorframe, silently watching Lily at the bathroom sink. She was humming a quirky melody, likely one she was making up as she went along and Remus had to suppress the sudden urge to drag her off to get married on some Mediterranean island, shoeless, during sunset.

As if on cue, Lily looked up, round face dripping, and smiled. Remus couldn't help but wonder how, in the name of all things bright and beautiful, Lily thought he deserved her. That they were meant to be together. It wasn't fair to her... not at all.

Lily, still dripping, walked over to Remus and gave him a sweet peck on the lips. Remus was reminded of candy, only he could never get enough of Lily's little kisses. She slid off his coat and started to pull his robes up over his head, but he stopped her.

"I can get out of these and into pajamas by myself-"

Lily smiled and Remus noticed a glint in her eye as she began to unfasten her blouse.

"Lily, really, we don't need to-"

She placed a finger on his lips and he was immediately silenced. When she began to tug at his belt, he knew he couldn't refuse, no matter how loudly the voices at the back of his head were screaming to stop her, to back away, to tell her she shouldn't be stuck with him...

* * * * *

Harry stretched and yawned at the same time. Ron laughed at him, remarking at how his best friend wouldn't be so tired if only he had gone to bed the night before instead of talking to Ginny until the sun rose. Harry bungled an attempt at an insult and leaned over the sink as it filled with cool water.

He splashed the water onto his face, dampening the towels on a nearby rack and causing the soap bar to slide down into the sink. He swore and fumbled the soap several times before successfully removing it from the bubbly water.

"What are you going to do when you're with Lupin?" Ron asked, trying not to slip on the water-covered tile floor. "I mean, he's interesting enough, but he's not exactly the sort you can just hang out with, is he?"

"You just think that because you don't know him like I do. We understand each other, and I really like the guy. We'll have plenty to talk about and stuff," Harry explained as he pulled the plug to drain the frothy water out of the sink. "I'm looking forward to the next few weeks with him- and I'll finally turn fifteen!"

* * * * *

"Nox," Remus muttered as he climbed into bed, extinguishing the light on his bedside table. He was still a little tired from his previous transformation and knew he had a full day ahead of him. Harry would be arriving in a couple hours' time and the cottage was still nowhere near as clean as he would have liked it to be.

As he slipped into the realm of sleep, he thought he felt a slight bit of cold air wash over his cheek. He could have sworn he saw Lily's face as he blinked one last time and nodded off, but tried to brush off the idea.