thattimeofthemonth | Open RP Post

"I-" He didn't even have words. Remus ended up sitting down on the edge of the bed, staring down at the floor as he swallowed audibly. He ran a shaking hand over his face, eyes closing. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I.. I haven't gotten one in a very long time..."

"No need to apologize for this. I should have been more careful." Draco stood up and hesitantly went over to hug Remus. He didn't want Remus to blame himself or dwell on it. Draco had suffered far worse then this and the two were still learning to understand one another.

The hug was a surprise. It left him standing there for a few seconds before he brought up both arms and wrapped them around Draco, letting his eyes close and putting his head against the other's. He sighed slowly, unconsciously scenting Draco on his next breath in.

"I'm still sorry. ...I lived with the werewolves... too long. It's a lot of protecting yourself to keep what you got and with the fighting it just... ended up like that."

That sounded terrible. Always having to worry about your own safety and keeping the little had safe too. He couldn't imagine a life like that. "Now you have your family and a home. You don't have to worry about that now," Draco replied. It was naive of him, but he would never fully understand the hardship that Remus went through.

Remus' smile was anything but mirthful. "I know that here," he said as he tapped his temple, "but here?" He moved that same hand down to lay his palm over his heart. "...Some nights will always be like that. I made... I made enemies doing what I did, because I believed in what we, as wizards, were doing. Trying to keep the world safe from him, by keeping the werewolves out of his hands. But I had nothing on Greyback's influence."

"Greyback ruled with fear." Draco commented, shuddering slightly at his name."That's one of the hardest to persuade with." He pulled away from the hug to sit on the bed. "I remember that Greyback was furious when I failed my task. His wrath was almost more frightening then The Dark Lords. If my mother hadn't stepped in he would have taken me for sure. He hated my father and I said we were weak and a bunch if failures."

"That's just the thing." Remus looked up, looking to Draco and spreading his hands. "He didn't just rule with fear. Oh, some, of course he did, but others... he ruled with a certain messed up sort of logic as well. Most people don't understand how bad it is for werewolves. The ones I lived with... they were living in an abandoned bunch of buildings because they had no money. No one will hire someone who's registered as a werewolf. They're treated like they're all monsters, all the time, and werewolves like Greyback back it all that much worse for the rest."

He sighed slowly. "He told them that once the Dark Lord was in charge, that they wouldn't be in that condition anymore. That werewolves could live normal lives - the same thing the Dark Lord promised them. When you have nothing, the idea of hope... it becomes something to live and fight for. Greyback would have betrayed in the end, I think, but- well. That's that."

"More empty promises....It seemed that the Dark Lord was good at promising people what they hoped to hear in order to gain what He needed. And offering false hope can be very dangerous..." Draco commented.

"I don't think I can ever understand what it's like for the werewolves and how they lived...but I can understand the open hatred and being despised for what you are. What it must be like to be constantly watched over and waiting for you to do something wrong--just so they can act on their idea of justification." Draco softly admitted and looked away. "Even if you aren't the person people say you are...you eventually become that person because it's expected of you. Especially if you don't have someone to tell you don't have to be that person."

"Greyback... is..." Remus struggled for the word, but anger came to his face before he let out a breath. He couldn't hold onto that anger right now, not when his brain was still wired from that nightmare. "You're right, though, sadly. If people can pushing you, over and over, in a direction, no matter how much you fight it, you find yourself down that path."

He glanced up to Draco and gave a small smile. "Sometimes, though? Someone grabs you out of the path and onto a side path you didn't even know about." Clearly indicating what he'd been doing for Draco.

The comment caused Draco to give a small smile and place a hand on Remus's shoulder. "Come on we should go to breakfast before Tonks begins to wonder..." he said. "Although the pancakes look a little terrifying..."

"Oh Merlin, she tried pancakes again?" He joked a little, a hint of a smile on his lips before he nodded. "I promise, they're edible even if they look completely off. She was looking to try and learn a bit more of Muggle cooking but the mix is edible."

Remus would lead the way downstairs after getting his robe and slippers on, yawning widely as they walked. When he plodded into the kitchen, he came over and gave a kiss to Tonks' temple. "Morning."

Tonks looked between the two men, a little concerned since it took so long. "Wotcher," she said in greeting, kissing his cheek back.

Draco still looked uncertain about the pancakes, but gave a nod and followed Remus downstairs. He noted Tonk's concerned look, but wasn't sure what to say. Should he even mention the nightmare at all or let Remus do the explaining? He glanced over at Remus.

Remus just gave a bit of a smile. "Got to talking about last night. I think I have some ideas on another training session once Draco's back from his parents and the moon's over." Simple as that, even if it wasn't entirely truthful. Really, he didn't want to worry Tonks any more than she was already with the moon coming.

"Seems you two had a heck of a busy night." Tonks looked like she'd accepted that, smiling as Remus bent down to kiss Teddy's head. Obvious how dearly he loved his son. "He's almost done breakfast, but I'd recommend you eat yours before it gets cold."

It was a good thing, Draco chose to let Remus explain. "How often do you think we should do these training sessions?" Draco questioned. It had never dawned on him to ask about it earlier...If they were going to have them on a regular bases, he wanted to make sure he didn't plan other stuff on top of them.

The training sessions were something that he looked forward to. It was something to do and he actually had fun while learning. He had dreaded learning the Dark Arts when Bellatrix took over his training. She had been pretty brutal in her training and his body still bore scars from it. Snape and his father had always been careful when they trained him.

Draco sat down at the table and still gave a skeptical look at the pancakes. He would at least make an attempt to try them...it would be rude if he didn't. Much to his surprise they were edible. They weren't bad and they weren't the best. At the same time he secretly looked forward to his mother's cooking.

Why do you think they do take-out so often, Draco? The Lupin household was not known for it's gourmet cooking by any means. They managed, somehow. At least they were both adults who could get food elsewhere.

Remus matched Draco, sitting down and eating. If the pancakes bothered him at all, it didn't show. He just tucked in without concern. "Mmmm..." He made a thoughtful noise. "Honestly, I'd be keen on having them as much as we can. It'll be a little while until our next one," close to a week, most likely, "but as long as we can work around both of our schedules, I don't see why not."

"That sounds like a good idea," Draco replied. He preferred the idea of constantly having the lessons. He actually liked being busy and not having so much down time. Less down time meant less dwelling on the past.

After finishing breakfast, Draco then went head to go visit his parents. He did make sure to let Tonks know he would be staying at his parents that night so she didn't have to worry about letting him back in later.

Now it was time to brace himself to what he may potentially be walking into.

Actually, it seemed things might be quite... good. Melinda was the one who first spotted Draco, and she gave him a quick smile. Today the silver hair was unbound, flowing down to her knees. "Good morning, young Malfoy. Your parents are making breakfast in the kitchen." When she turned, it was clear a group of bedsheets was following her... someone was helping out with the chores.

Lucius was improving already. No longer degrading with someone helping him mentally, it could be seen in small signs. His dexterity was better, along with his memory. He was sleeping more through the nights instead of waking up in terror. Small things, but big in context.

"Good morning," Draco greeted with a smile. It seemed for now he didn't have to worry. Seeing that Melinda was busy, he figured he would talk with her later and headed into the kitchen.

He was actually rather surprised, yet at the same time pleased. His mother appeared to be less stressed and didn't look exhausted. His father was starting to look better himself. The dark circles under his eyes were gone and it looked as if he was picking up weight again.

His parents greeted him happily and made their usual fuss over him. While the breakfast was cooking, they filled each other in on what had been going on the last few days. Draco explained about the lessons he was receiving from Remus and how he wanted to try and study more...despite his lack of studying at school. Which of course his father didn't leave alone. He was just glad that someone finally managed to convince Draco that knowledge was important.

He did not mention his Muggle friends and the various take out meals he was introduced to. Maybe later he might request to learn how to cook...but for now watching his father's smug expression was enough to deal with.

Draco couldn't help, but feel content as it was almost like the old days. He hoped that it would continue to get better for all of them.

Edited 2015-11-23 16:45 (UTC)

Things seemed better. Melinda was eating with them, though Lucius still sat between the two women just to be sure. Melinda was actually smiling, though always at ease, and let the parents dote over their son. It was good for all three of them, and it let her see the change in Lucius as well. It was actually entertaining to see some of his normal arrogance back. A sign of good things.

"How have you been managing with Lupin's young son?" Melinda asked in a silence, looking to Draco. "I've come to understand this is your first experience around infants. Keeping you up at night?"

"I'll admit that I was nervous around Teddy at first. But when Remus had me hold him, Teddy seemed to be okay with me. Then Remus showed me how to feed him." Draco replied, a little embarrassed. But he enjoyed being around Teddy and it was like having a little brother.

"For the most part, Teddy seems to sleep through the night. Remus and Tonks are starting to trust me more with him and showing me how to help care for him. It lets me help them out a bit."

Narcissa seemed to have a wistful look at the mention of Teddy. Her own regret of not being able to bear more children and a mixture of hope of Draco having his own family to care for someday. Lucius noted her look and lowered his own eyes sharing in her regret.

"It's a good life experience. Whether or not you have your own someday, it's a useful thing to start to learn. Besides, I'm sure Remus and Tonks can use the help. New parents are always struggling." She gave a small smile to him between her bites of breakfast.

Narcissa reached down and gently squeezed Lucius' knee, unseen beneath the table. They both understood the other there. They had wanted several children, and sometimes there was guilt she had been unable to provide Lucius with them.

"I believe I got roped into babysitting for them one night. Not sure when." Draco replied. He was not about to explain the hair dye battle they had that night. "Remus can be crafty."

Lucius placed his hand on Narcissa's, appreciating the support. He knew that his son would be a good father later on in life and was glad to see him getting this experience now. He had wished he had been able to give Draco other siblings to grow up with. It was clear that Draco had wished for a sibling.

He was also proud to see his son adopting to the new living situation as well. Most people would have had a hard time to adopting to the lifestyle the Lupins' led...especially if they were used to a more comfortable one. Then Draco was always quick to adapt to his surroundings.

It wasn't either for either of them. There was still that deep part of Narcissa that believed her son deserved better. He should have had more of the good life like she and Lucius had grown up with. There was still the part of her that believed herself better than the likes of the Lupins. It was learning that she wasn't ever sure would truly take, but her son had a better chance than she. He was growing up in a different world. Maybe a new mindset the Malfoy and Black lines hadn't known.

She turned her hand over to lace their fingers together, squeezing her husband's hand. There would always be love, there.

"He's one of the craftiest people I know," Melinda agreed, chuckling. "He wouldn't be alive today if he wasn't. Be careful about him." Her voice was a gentle tease to her friend.

"Malfoy's can be just as crafty." Draco replied. He was fully aware of the various stories of how much trouble Remus got into or helped cause. He had stories from his father, Snape, and Remus himself about them. Slytherins can be just as crafty.

It was strange to watch their son grow away from the life they were used to. Lucius knew it was necessary, but at the same time he wanted to hold his son back and keep him. He still wasn't about to admit that their way of living was out dated and what had gotten them into trouble from the start. It was how he was raised to be and to know another life was too much for him now.

He knew enough that it was hurting his son and separating him from those that were his age. And that was why he had allowed Draco to go with the Lupins. Draco shouldn't be kept here as much as he would have liked him to. Now Draco appeared to be happy and was acting his age instead of mimicking what his parents taught him.

It had taken a fight, a great deal of discussion, and even a bit of crying to come to the agreement to allow Draco to leave with Remus. Narcissa had been terrified that the man would do something against her son pay back for everything that had happened, never mind the fact of what Remus Lupin was. But... when it came to the good of her son and protecting him, there was little Narcissa wasn't prepared to do. The same ended up going for her husband.

Her fingers squeezed his again. Someday, she hoped, they would have a grandchild. Someone they could spoil more than a little at times and love as much as they did Draco.

"As your father and mother have been proving. I've been hearing bits about their days as students... quite crafty indeed. They've been teaching me a little more about how schooling happens here in the UK."

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