Complex Languages

2 - The Language of Courtesy

All old wizarding families were famous for certain attributes. To be a Black was to be prideful. To be a Diggory was to be athletic. To be a Flitwick was to be short. To be a Longbottom was to be doughty. To be a Lovegood was to be eccentric. To be a Malfoy was to be ambitious. To be a McGonagall was to be pragmatic. To be a Potter was to be confident. To be a Weasley was to be red-haired. As for the Lupins...

To be a Lupin was to be polite. They possessed numerous other qualities, both positive and negative; however, being mannerly was the most frequently noted.

The term 'polite' derived from the Latin word 'politus.' This was used in 1263 and meant 'refined, elegant.' Literally, it indicated the state of being polished, which is the past participle of polire: to polish, to make smooth. In 1501, when it was first adopted into English as 'polite,' it was used in the literal fashion of being 'elegant, cultured.' Only in 1762 did it begin to be recorded as signifying 'behaving courteously.'

The latter exemplification was the way in which it currently continued to be put forth, and the way it typically applied to the Lupins. Take any of the definitions into account, though, and all could contrive that six-year Romulous was not being polite one midmorning when he barged into Remus' room, unable to contain his enthusiasm.

"Who'll play my new trivia game with me?" He smiled around at the room's occupants hopefully.

"I will!" Remus sat up excitedly under his quilts, but the grown-ups by his bedside gently pushed him back down.

John chided, "The moon was only yesterday. You need your rest."

"And your nourishment." Faith placed a tray containing a bowl of warm soup across Remus' knees.

"I hurt a little, but I'm mostly fine. Can't I play with him?"

"No, Love," responded Faith fondly, yet sternly.

"Can't SOMEBODY play with me?" Romulous begged.

"We need to watch over Remus." John waved his hand dismissively at Romulous. "Entertain yourself for a while, or get one of the neighborhood kids into a game. We'll spend time with you later, we promise."

Dejectedly, Romulous returned to his bedroom. Remus got much more attention from their parents. Romulous knew that Remus had traumatic transformations, so he probably required it. So what? The logistics didn't cause it to be less painful to Romulous' heart.

Romulous missed Remus, too. It seemed a bizarre person to miss considering that they lived together. It wasn't that the adults perpetually refrained from permitting to be together, for that was only near full moons. And during it, of course. He missed who Remus used to be. When they'd chase each other around nowadays Remus became wearied more swiftly than he used to. Consequently, Remus chose to partake in other activities most of the time, which was normally reading.

Romulous enjoyed a good story, but he liked being outside as well. He wished to live life, not always peruse about other people living theirs. He wanted adventure. He wanted action. He wanted excitement. He'd gladly trade all of that, however, for the thing he wanted most. He wanted Remus to get better.

Mum and Dad said he never would.