Message In The Ashes

Special Thanks: My fantastic beta readers; they really keep me in check! 007 and RavenNat

Chapter Two

The House by the Wood

The taxicab was silent as it drove on from London out into the countryside. This particular driver didn’t ask questions when he loaded Remus’ large trunk into the back, nor when Remus accidentally dropped his wand and Neo cuffed him on the head for doing so. He didn’t give suspicious or even curious glances at Remus in the rearview mirror. They simply rode on without a word. The most that was said was a few directions from Neo as they left the paved highway and got on to a dirt road.

This didn’t bother Remus. He was perfectly fine with the silence, sitting on the overstuffed and worn backseat. Picking at the various tears in the vinyl, pulling at the white filling, Remus stared blankly out the window. There was something about the wilderness of the country that intrigued him. He looked at the tall trees and vast expanse of grass, and wanted nothing more than to run among it all. Free from everything that tied him.

A soft murmur from Neo in the front seat shook Remus from his reverie. Blinking out of his stare, he made sure that the noise was not directed at him before looking back out the window. Only, this time, as familiar landscapes began to appear, the trees and brush became the symbols of everything he had come to hate.

That’s where it all began… he thought to himself bitterly as the scene flashed by. And it’s where a freak like me belongs.Not out saving the world.

"Stop here," Neo announced brusquely. Remus let his gaze slide to the front window, where he could see a decent sized house in the middle of a field. A pit formed in the base of his stomach, and he sighed softly.

The taxi stopped and the driver got out to retrieve Remus’ trunk. Neo simply got out and left, heading for the house. Remus was not the least bit surprised, and, sorrowfully, got out of the cab himself.

He was still standing on the same spot even as the cab left, the driver having put Remus’ trunk on the ground next to him. With his pay, he left without a word, only leaving a cloud of dirt and dust as the cab sped away. Remus studied this house, his home, until the image reinforced his memory of the previous summer, and his life there in general.

While the house was generous in size, it was greatly neglected. The landscape around it was barren, as if a drought had plagued the plant life to death. Shingles were sparse and hanging from the single story roof, patches of timber covering the many leaks and holes. One of the front windows was broken, and all of them were so dirty you couldn’t see inside. The front door showed evidence of once being very ornate and grand, but years of abuse, both human and natural, made it look pathetic indeed.

There was no joyous greeting as Remus finally grabbed his trunk and went into the house. The foyer was in desperate need of a good sweeping. He left his trunk beside the dilapidated door and made his way through the barren hallway to the sitting room.

If he tried very hard, Remus could remember a time when his parents were sitting proudly on the sofa, watching him and his older brother opening presents at Christmas. The air of loathing Neo held toward him was not as intense then, and all Remus had was the normal admiration a younger brother has toward and older one. Yet, looking in the sitting room now, all he could see was an aged and dirty sofa. The corner where the Christmas tree normally would be now piled high with old newspapers. Even the small fireplace was nothing but a hole in the wall filled with long-burned ash.

With a look of mellow indifference, Remus turned and walked into the kitchen. The neglect in this room was staggering, even worse than it was when Remus had left for his final year at Hogwarts. The doors to the cabinets hung on their hinges, while splatters of some unknown substance that had once been edible covered the peeling wood. Dirty dishes were overflowing from the grimy sink, and the white linoleum on the floor was now brown. Remus didn’t want to think of the last time it had been moped.

"Get me a glass, will you?" said a raspy, low voice.

Remus turned to see his mother hunched over the kitchen table, holding a nearly empty bottle of wine. Her long hair, that had once been brown and luxurious, was now gray after years of stress. She was very thin, with bags puffy around her darkened eyes. Remus looked at her, surprise evident on his face.

"Mother?"

"I’m running a little low, youngling. Be a dear," she smiled faintly in his direction, not really looking at him.

Hesitantly, Remus looked around the mess for a decently clean glass. Disgusted, he fiddled around the grotesque sink until he found one that must have only been used once. As he moved to put it on the table for her, he noticed several empty wine bottles littering the floor.

"Mother, how much have you had to drink?" he asked worriedly, sitting down across from her.

"Did you do well in school this year?" She didn’t look at him, only at the last drops of wine dripping into the new glass.

Remus didn’t answer her question, only furrowing his brows more.

"Where’s father?"

"Your father’s a good man. When he gets back, I’ll make us up something. He’s so proud of his boys," his mother smiled absently, staring past Remus and at the wall.

Remus was torn between great sadness and anger toward his mother. Why was she like this? Where was father? How could she live in the house in the state that it was? Didn’t Neo care about anything anymore?

"In that case, we won’t be eating at all," said Neo’s voice. He walked into the kitchen, giving no indication at being revolted by its condition, and simply looked through the cupboard for something to eat. Remus burned his gaze into his brother’s backside, and it was obvious Neo could tell.

"You’re such a good brother, Neo. Remus, did you thank your brother for fetching you today?" It was as if nothing was wrong. His mother somewhat focused her eyes on Remus, waiting for an answer. Neo, also, turned with a look of great amusement on his face.

Feeling his cheeks go hot, Remus looked down on his lap to avert their expectant stares. Normally, he would break down his defense and give in, doing as his mother told, but after eighteen years, it was time to show that he wasn’t a weak little boy anymore. Even if he was a weak, and worthless, man.

"Where is father, if he didn’t go out to fetch me?" he asked, his voice low and grim.

His mother looked confused, and her eyes fell. Neo, however, still had a look of mock amusement. He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, just behind their mother.

"Now, where is father? Do you know, mother?"

Remus bit his lip from snapping a remark, and looked imploringly at his mother. Her mouth was moving, but without uttering a sound. She looked disturbed by something. Neo chuckled bitterly, and looked at Remus directly in the eyes. Remus leaned back in his chair, recoiling.

"Father left. He’s been gone for sixth months, couldn’t deal with our popularity anymore. Mother’s been like this ever since. First there was the son that was worthless, then the miracle child that became the cursed. Too much cover up, too much worry. When mother’s magic mysteriously went dry, so did father’s. Only he didn’t have the gall to handle it, although mother isn’t that much better off, now is she?"

He looked at their mother then, with a smirk on his face as she continued to search her mind for an answer. Remus’ anger suddenly merged into immense remorse. Like always, he felt defeated, and he couldn’t bring himself to look at anyone. He simply sat in his chair, his shoulder’s sagged, searching for the lines in the linoleum that were covered by dirt. As if satisfied by his response, Neo laughed and went back to his search for food.

"Better put your things away, youngling," his mother said suddenly, back to her befuddled state. "You know how your father hates things lying around the house."

That night, Remus couldn’t sleep. He stared at the ceiling of his barren and musty room, seeing the depressing state of his mother in his mind.

So, father left. He thought morosely. What Neo always wanted.

It hadn’t always been this bad, Remus knew. Long ago, his parents were vibrant, proud, and intelligent magical folk. The Lupin name was distinguished among the countryside, and the Lupins where known to be very fond of nature. Remus’ father was an Unspeakable, one of the most exclusive and secret occupations at the Ministry of Magic. His mother, however, was a housewife. Even though she was talented in magic, she didn’t want her family to have two busy parents.

It was a great shock to find out that Neo was a Squib, a child of magical lineage that possessed no magical power whatsoever. The once well respected and admired family became frequently avoided, shunned because of such a handicapped child. According to Neo, it was too much to bear. His mother soon gave birth to Remus, and their joy was all too obvious. Remus was the son any magical couple could hope for, his talent visible even as an infant.

His parents tried to treat their children equally, using the least amount of magic at home as possible, so that Remus would not be influenced and Neo would not feel left out. Yet, it was plain to see that Remus was indefinitely the child they cared about most.

Neo learned to hate.

When Remus was four years old, Neo was asked to watch him as he played outside while their parents took care of adult matters in the house. His loathing of Remus had climbed to a crescendo. When he was sure their parents weren’t looking, he led Remus out into the woods. Later, when he was older, Remus would find out from Neo that he had only meant to loose him there. But something else happened that was just as well, if not better.

All Remus could remember of that fateful day was a flash of brown, a huge shadow, and an excruciating pain in his left leg. He had become tangled in a briar bush after that, and that was where his parents found him. Neo had fled when he saw the werewolf, and while he fed their parents one of the most cunning lies he had ever told, they found it hard to believe him. Their beloved son was now crippled for life, and that was all that mattered. Neo had only made things worse, and he hated Remus even more as result.

Those first several years were the worst of his life, Remus recalled, shuddering in his bed at the memories. When he transformed, his parents were forced to tie him up deep in the forest, where no one could see or hear him. The pain was incredible, as the change rearranged his entire body structure inside and out. His parents couldn’t bear to see him in that state, so he suffered alone.

Neo always seemed to enjoy seeing Remus the day after, sneering at him with their parents weren’t looking. Remus’ entire view of his brother changed then, from complete admiration to total fear. Neo was full of hatred, envy, and revenge… and he took it out on the family. By his teen years, Neo’s words cut straight to their parents’ hearts. Their father especially. How the family was failing, how horrible they were… but they all endured it. When arrangements were made to let Remus attend Hogwarts after all, there was a feeling of relief and joy at the news. But Neo couldn’t stand it. His verbal abuse gave way to physical violence. There were still two holes in his wall.

The past summer, Remus had expected Neo to finally leave the family once he turned 21. Their father encouraged him to go out into the world, if he was so disappointed by it that he should go out and try to make a difference. Mother had hope then… but as he saw her earlier that day, things had only gotten worse since.

There was a soft hoot at his window, and Remus sat up instantly to answer it. Quietly, he opened the latch and let the large tawny in.

"Zel," Remus whispered with a small smile to the bird. "How’s James?"

He took the rolled piece of parchment from the owl’s talons and opened it, taking his wand and uttering Lumos to give some light. The letter was brief-

Moony,

My God your brother is such a git! Our parting at the station was not in the least how I expected we would depart for the last time from Hogwarts. Don’t let the scum get you down… we’re adults now and you can do as you please. I’m going to apparate to your house tomorrow around noon and we’ll go get the others and have some fun, eh? How ‘bout it? Too bad, I’m coming anyway. Neo does not scare me, nor should he scare you.

Prongs

Remus’ smile broadened and he set the letter aside. Going over to his small desk, which was being propped up on one side by a stack of old textbooks, he took another piece of parchment and wrote a quick note.

Fine with me. Just don’t let Neo see you pop out of nowhere in front of him. I’ll see you, then.

Moony

"Be careful, Zel," Remus whispered to James’ owl. He tied his note to its leg and shooed him out the window. Watching it disappear into the night, Remus reached up to close his window, when he noticed another owl approaching. Thinking it was an owl belonging to Sirius, Peter, or even Lily, he stood there poised with his hands on the sill and waited. When it came closer, Remus couldn’t recognize the owl. It was a small screech owl, and instead of coming to his window, it went to Neo’s.

Remus wasn’t aware that Neo had any correspondents. He watched with complete wonder as the owl tapped urgently at his brother’s closed window. When it finally flew open, Remus ducked away. He leaned up against his barren wall and listened intently for anything, but not a sound came from Neo’s room that he could hear. A flash across his window made him dare to look back, and he could see the small outline of the owl retreating into darkness. He couldn’t make out if it bore a reply.

When nothing more happened from Neo’s direction, Remus shrugged and climbed back into bed. The thought of seeing James and his friends the next day eventually lulled him to sleep.

Remus’ mother was in the same place he had left her the previous day when he walked into the kitchen the following morning. She sat in her usual place at the table, nearly hugging the near-empty wine bottle with one arm and holding a dirty glass in her opposite hand. Remus sighed softly and puttered around, looking for anything decent, or even edible, to eat. Grimacing at the sight of such filth, he decided against using a plate or any kind of utensil and decided to eat a cold bagel. The entire time, his mother didn’t say a word.

He sat down in his usual chair and ate his bagel slowly, watching his mother’s glazed eyes as they seemed to trace the lines on the wooden table. Not a sound could be heard, except for her jerky breathing and the ticking of the clock on the wall.

"I missed you, mother," Remus said after a while. He meant it, too. His mother was always comforting and supportive, even if she wasn’t too talented at it.

Her gaze slowly lifted to his direction and she smiled, almost sadly.

"Oh, youngling, I don’t recognize you anymore! You boys have grown up so fast. You’ve turned into a fine young man, just like your father, Remus. I’m glad you got to go to Hogwarts after all."

Remus couldn’t help but let a faint smile slip, looking away and blushing as he usually did when his parents praised him. This was what his family should be… normal. It was such a normal statement from her.

"Your brother went out today," she continued, surprisingly. "I hope you can find something to entertain yourself."

His smile turned into a grin, and he looked back at her confidently.

"James is coming over today, and we’re gonna go out. Will you be alright by yourself?" He wasn’t entirely sure, after thinking a moment, that she should be alone.

"Oh, James! Such a fine boy, that Potter fellow. No, no, don’t worry yourself, youngling, I’ll be okay. You have a splendid time." Her smile revealed her teeth, which were yellow after not being brushed for so long. He tried not to let his expression waiver at the sight, another wave of anguish and pity hitting him.

He looked away instead, and his gaze fell on the chair that was where his father normally sat. His anguish and pity soon gave way to anger… anger at his father for abandoning mother like he did. He had stood up to Neo for all these years, why did he finally let him get to him? Remus almost opened his mouth to ask his mother where his father left to… but decided against it. After the previous day, he shouldn’t upset her.

There was a sudden pop, and James appeared, standing on top of a pile of trash. He blanched and stuck out his tongue, stepping back and wiping off his shirt as if it had somehow gotten dirty.

"Remus? Remus… oh, my… God," James said, looking at the state the kitchen was in. "What happened?"

Remus blushed deeply and cleared his throat. His mother didn’t seem to notice James had apparated into the room.

"I’ll explain later," he said quickly, getting up.

James nodded, his face solemn, as he walked over to the table and faced Remus’ mother. Remus couldn’t see his expression, but he could tell that James was holding himself back at commenting about his mother as well.

"Good morning, Mrs. Lupin," James said politely, leaning down so she could notice he was there.

Remus’ mother’s head snapped up and she looked at James with surprise clearly on her face.

"James! Oh, how good to see you! My, you’ve grown too! I was just telling Remus how I can’t recognize you boys anymore."

"You look… er…" James tried to find something to say, but he was so shocked at her condition that he merely nodded and said, "Thank you."

Remus grabbed his shoulder and pushed him aside so that he could kiss his mother on her cheek. She smiled and sat up straighter.

"You boys behave yourselves now," she called over her shoulder.

"I’ll be back later, Mother," Remus said, as he and James apparated out of the kitchen.

Sirius and Peter were waiting for them when they disapparated just outside of Wales. Every summer, they met halfway from where they all lived, and this particular spot was in the middle of everyone. It was a grassy hill, overlooking a vast forest of trees. Not too far to the east was a small town, where they played out a lot of their practical jokes. Yet this spot was secluded enough for them to transform, including Remus at the full moon, and have their adventures.

James immediately turned to Remus when they appeared, his face flushed with concern.

"What on Earth is going on, Remus?" he asked incredulously. Sirius instantly strode up Remus, his face an inch away, his eyes narrowed.

"It’s Neo, isn’t it? I’ll kill him… I will," he growled.

Remus put up his hands and shook his head.

"Guys, guys… calm down. Things have just… gone a little downhill since last summer."

"A little?" James rounded, his voice shrill. "Your kitchen looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in decades and your mother is… your mother is…"

"Depressed," Remus muttered, looking away.

"More like manic depressive," James said more softly.

Peter walked up to them now, his eyes wide and jumpy. Remus sighed, turned around, and explained his home situation. About the house, about Neo, his mother, and… his father. They all listened in silence.

"Oh, Moony," Sirius shook his head, placing a strong hand on his shoulder. "I’m sorry, man."

"S’not your fault," Remus muttered.

"Your welcome to come by me, whenever, you know," James said. "My parents won’t mind at all, we have more than enough room."

"Thanks," Remus couldn’t help but smile.

"Well, enough of this," Sirius picked up his voice, making everyone stand up straighter. "Let’s go make some mischief."

Mischief was something Remus had taken a while getting used to during his first few years at Hogwarts. Having Sirius and James as friends marked you as a troublemaker. Known as the Marauders, the small group caused so much mischief that they had their own file in the janitor’s, Filch’s, office.

And so it was mischief that was obviously planned as they walked up to Lily’s house, having apparated to her small Muggle town a quarter of a mile away. Remus was instructed to knock on the door, as James and Sirius hid behind some bushes nearby. Peter, as always, was too excited and nervous to amount to anything useful, and so was told to go stand behind a tree and wait until they were through.

With a wistful grin on his face, Remus knocked firmly on the door and waited.

"Yes?" It was Lily’s sister, Petunia. She was slightly taller than Lily, with short auburn hair and an upturned nose. Unlike her sister, she had piercing steel blue eyes that always gave the impression that she disliked everyone. Petunia stared at Remus hard, as if trying to remember him. He had to act quickly.

"Hello, I’m inquiring about the dog and the stag that you had advertised for sale." Remus turned on his most innocent look.

Petunia looked blank, her chin dropped slightly and she looked at him even harder.

"I’m sorry, but I’m afraid you have the wrong house," she said smartly, and then tried to close the door before Remus put his hand through.

"Oh, well, then maybe that dog and that stag behind me belongs to someone else?"

There was a sudden bark behind him, and Sirius plowed straight through them and into the house before Petunia could so much as scream. Remus had to jump aside as James, transformed into his Animagus form, trotted regally after Sirius.

"YOU!" Petunia shrieked, recoiling away from Remus as if he were about to explode. "You’re one of them!"

"Your sister wouldn’t be home, would she? We can stick around if she isn’t," Remus said, stepping into the house as Petunia turned to a sickly shade of green.

"How dare you step foot into my house! If you so much as touch or even breathe on anything I’ll call the police!" Petunia flailed her arms around, bouncing on her feet like an excited dog. Remus ignored her and followed the sound of laughter to the living room, where Lily was petting Sirius and James was lounging back in his true form on the couch.

"Petunia! What’s this I hear? You’ve found someone that you won’t actually scowl at?" he cried cheerfully, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Lily! Get this filth off the furniture! Get them out!" Petunia was now red with fury.

"Calm down before you hurt yourself, we’re about to leave anyway. Right boys?" Lily patted Sirius’ head and looked firmly at James and Remus.

"Oh, but Lil-lee," James drawled dramatically. "I thought we were going to have a big party in Petunia’s honor! I’ve gone ahead and invited the entire Dwarfs Coalition to perform an Arthurian melodrama for us."

"How smashing!" Sirius said suddenly, popping back into human form. Petunia leapt into the air in fright and shrieked again.

"OUT! THIS MEANS ALL OF YOU! DON’T COME BACK! This is it, Lily! You can take care of yourself from now on! Mother and Father are gone because of your sort… I disown you as my sister! Don’t even bother packing your things, I want you out NOW!" Petunia’s infuriated rage made everyone fall silent. Remus looked quickly to Lily, knowing how for over two years she had been battling the thought of being responsible for her parents’ murder. With Petunia now deathly serious about kicking her out, she had no place to go.

James stood up, all humor gone, and took Lily gently by her shoulders.

"Come on, ‘Lil. I’ve got you."

Remus followed them out, leering at Petunia as he went past. He didn’t see what Sirius was doing behind him, but Petunia let out one unearthly scream before they left the house. The door slammed behind them, and Peter came out from behind the tree, his face concerned. When he opened his mouth to question, James held up his hand and shook his head warningly. Lily was silent, and Remus couldn’t see her face.

"My place, okay?" James asked, although it was more like a statement. No one argued, and they silently disapparated.

The Potters were a very well respected old wizarding family, and there wasn’t a Potter that lived that was known to be anything but kind and considerate. Remus knew that they had a fine sum of money, but he never knew them to exploit their resources. James did not act like a spoiled rich kid, much like a detestable boy they knew at Hogwarts named Lucius Malfoy.

James lived with his aging parents, being their only child after a long marriage of unsuccessful attempts at a family. He was their light in life, Remus could tell, for his true being was a miracle. James’ parents always treated his friends like family, and Remus often found himself completely envious of James' perfect family life.

When they apparated in front of the Potters’ large manor, smoke was rising merrily from the chimney and the smell of freshly made bread filled the air. James did not remove himself from Lily as they walked into the manor; Remus, Sirius, and Peter followed silently behind. House elves greeted them cheerfully at the door, and James requested some tea be brought for them. Without hesitation, the elves vanished and returned with tea, cakes, and cookies.

"Is that you, James dear?" came a soft voice from inside the sitting room.

"Yes, Mum. Everyone’s here, too." James answered, leading them in.

Mrs. Potter was a very pretty woman, even still at her age. Her hair was already gray, and each wrinkle was result of years of laughter. She was shorter than James, but her pale blue eyes showed their kin. They hugged and Mrs. Potter’s face instantly turned to concern as she went to kiss Lily in greeting.

"Why, Lily dear! What ever is the matter?"

"Her sister made the threat again," James explained.

"I’m sure she’s serious now," Lily muttered, keeping her eyes low.

"Oh, my," Mrs. Potter gasped. She looked to Remus, her face still concerned.

"You look pale, Remus. It’s not your brother again, is it?"

Remus raised his eyebrows in shock. Mrs. Potter always seemed to see right through him. Even with Lily obviously in trouble, she was still able to notice Remus too. He wasn’t even aware that his preoccupation was visible.

"Not to worry, Mrs. Potter. I’m quite alright," he reassured her, but she did not look convinced.

"Tell me, Sirius," She said, turning to Sirius who was hovering toward the doorway. "You wouldn’t have anything to do with provoking Lily’s sister, would you?"

"It’s not their fault, Mrs. Potter, honestly," Lily immediately jumped to their defense. "She had been upset since the day I came home. Now that I’m out of school, she no longer has obligation to house me. It’s not their fault."

Mrs. Potter grimaced, but motioned for them to sit down and the tea was passed around. Lily went on to explain all that had happened since they had left Hogwarts, and Remus began to feel that he wasn’t the only one that did not come home to what was expected.

"That settles it then," Mrs. Potter said firmly. "You can stay with us for as long as you need, dear."

Lily smiled and was caught between gratitude and declining.

"I don’t want to impose,"

"Nonsense," Mrs. Potter laughed.

"It’s not a problem," James grinned, and Lily elbowed him in the ribs.

"After all," Mrs. Potter continued, sipping at her tea. "You all start your new careers soon, am I right?"

Remus stiffened as everyone sort of nodded and averted their eyes away from him. For once, Mrs. Potter did not notice.

"Sorry to butt out, but I have an appointment," Peter suddenly announced, getting up.

"What’s this?" Sirius looked at him sharply. "You never said anything about this before."

Peter’s beady eyes wavered and his stout body fidgeted in place under their gaze.

"I… er… forgot, I’m sorry. See you." He left.

"How odd," Mrs. Potter looked suspicious. "That Peter is such a sweet boy, and yet such an oddball."

"Nah, he’s alright," James smiled, picking up his teacup. "He’s flighty, but I would trust him with my life."

Remus decided not to apparate directly into his house when he left his friends that evening. He had eaten dinner with the Potters, which had been highly amusing. Mr. Potter had come home from work wearing only a loincloth, and he insisted that he keep it on all through dinner so that he could explain exactly why he was dressed that way. Sirius broke into such a fit of giggles as Mr. Potter explained how he had lost a bet at the Ministry betting on how fast lobsters could run, that he fell out of his chair and caught a bad case of the hiccups. What ensued was Mrs. Potter insisting that she knew an old family recipe for getting rid of them, which resulted in Sirius turning daisy yellow for three hours. The hiccups still remained.

He was in such a happy mood, that Remus did not want to face his mother just yet. Nor did he want to see his brother. He had avoided all questions pertaining to his family at dinner; he did not want to think about them at all.

"Just because Lily is here," James had said as Remus made to leave. "Does not mean that you aren’t welcome either. As soon as your brother gives you trouble, get out. I mean it, Remus."

Then what? Remus thought, passing the dark woods around him. You become an Auror and I hang around your house?

What could he do, should he decide to take Dumbledore’s offer after all?

Remus was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the red blaze that rose above the trees. Yet, it was the smoke that got his attention shortly. Concerned, he looked up… and ran.

His entire house, surrounded by the ominous forest, was engulfed in flames. No one was around, the fire left to do its deadly work untouched. Remus was powerless. He tried all the spells he could think of, but nothing even so much as snuffed out a single flame. Defeated, he threw up his arms and sobbed.

There was no sign of his mother.

A hazy green light hovered above the wreckage. The image of a skull with a snake entwined around it loomed over the smoke like a malicious pall. Remus looked up and felt a shiver go down his spine. He knew that mark…

"Pity… she made no move to get out," said an amused voice behind him.

Slowly, fearfully, Remus turned and faced his brother. He was dressed in a hooded black cloak, grinning as if it was the best day of his life.

"You look surprised, dear brother," Neo taunted. "All the liquor made the fire so much bigger."

Without thinking, Remus lunged at him, but fell back as Neo backhanded him in the face.

"Mother and Father were so convinced that you would be the successful one," Neo growled. "How wrong they were. It was their dear number one son after all. Things are changing, youngling… perhaps you should think about which side is the winning side."

He laughed then, and turned into the woods, disappearing in the darkness. Remus, clutching his heaving chest for air, his left cheek red from Neo's powerful blow, watched him leave.

His home fell into cinders, and the ash blew away with the wind.