I wonder
For many people, they had a day off on the 10th of march, but for Lily's parents, it meant more work in the bakery. Today was the princess's birthday, and Fenrir Greyback still hasn't found her, meaning that it was another year of celebration instigated by the royal family.
Remus had heard the story of Fenrir Greyback in passing before. Many years ago, a number of innocent people vanished without a trace. After it was noticed that many disappeared during the full moon, some started to suspect that it was Greyback’s doing. Every time someone confronted the evil fairy about the heinous acts, he would act horrified. To this day, nobody has been able to confirm he was guilty. Nobody had actually seen him work his evil magic, until the celebration of the royal birth, that is
Now, Greyback only has his mind set on finding the princess who is hiding in the kingdom. This was nothing new, the story was well known, even among people younger than the royal child. He was known as someone to be feared. There was only one thing Remus wondered about “Is there a way to know the prophesy has not come true?”
“His castle. It is located in the forbidden mountains and you can always tell when he is frustrated, because the weather at his domain will reflect that” explained Lily.
“And right now it’s thundering?”
“Exactly!”
Then Lily brought out baked goods that her parents would have thrown out otherwise. The two friends ate their cold pastries. In the evening they told each other ghost stories they could take comfort in knowing they were not real. For years, people continued to tell the tale of Fenrir Greyback. As long as the forbidden mountains thunder with his wrath and frustration, the kingdom could be assured that at least his evil prophecy had not yet come true
********6 years and 362 days later**********
Everyone in the throne room could feel the floor shaking as their ruler stormed in
"UNBELIEVABLE!!!” shouted Greyback “Seventeen years and not as much as trace after her!!! She can't have vanished into thin air!!!”
“Are you sure you searched everywhere!?”
“Y-y-yes, your majesty. We all did many times” a servant stammered. His fellow soldiers nodded frantically in agreement, like they wanted to make sure Fenrir knew they had tried. “Just yesterday we searched the forbidden forest, Hogsmeade, Godric's Hollow. B-b-but none of the cradles had the princess”
“Cradles!!??”. Fenrir Greyback hadn’t known he could underestimate the stupidity of his underlings, yet here he was, completely dumbfounded. Instead of ordering that he be sent to rot in the dungeon like he probably should, his lips curled up to form an amused grin
“All these years, you have been searching for a baby?” A loud, ugly cackle echoed throughout the entire hall. Everyone was surprised but relieved by his reaction, all they could do was laugh along nervously.
“IDIOT!!!” The laughing died abruptly. The frontman jolted upon realizing that Greyback was snarling at him. There was no hint of amusement from their master, only fury as he pointed his ceptor to the crowd. Everyone unfortunate enough to be in his way were shot with lightning. They fled like hares running from a wolf
The throne room was emptied. Fenrir slumped down to his throne, rubbing his temples.
A black raven flew down from the sealing, Fenrir let it land on one of his meaty fingers “What will I do with them? they make me exhausted!” Naturally, Diablo didn’t answer
“The window of time for the curse is closing, now might be your last chance of finding her. Do you understand?” Diablo stood up like a proud guard dog ready to take on any task and nodded. Fenrir smiled satisfactorily “Good. Now, away! and don’t rest until you find the princess!”
Thus, Diablo flew away, ready to search for anyone with beauty gifted by a fairy godmother. Someone with the same amber eyes as king Lyall and golden-brown hair like that of queen Hope
***********************
Remus was out in the woods picking every kind of berry that didn't grow in aunt Pomas garden. Some might find it tedious, he actually found it relaxing. He loves the woods especially during spring. This was also a place where he could clear his mind, sing and mumble loudly to himself without feeling the need to explain himself. Neither the stag, or the rat who rested between its antlers ever judged him for it
When he thought he had enough raspberries, he sat in the shadow of a tree ”Prongs, Wormtail, you see that?” he pointed to the trees on the other side of the stream. “When we had just moved here, my mothers took me for a walk and told me I must never go too far into that forest”.
One time, he and Lily had gone into the woods and gathered nestles, but they had gone further than needed. Later that evening, Minnie and Opie had come to pick him up. Petunia, who seemingly hadn't known the full extent of their overprotective nature, told her parents that Remus and Lily had come home from the forbidden forest, something that Remus’ mothers had overheard
The worst part of it was the way back home, Opie asked him straight out “Tell me you haven’t gone to the forbidden forest!?”. He of course said no, but Minnie still lectured him over the dangers of going too far. When they got home, Poma told him that he needed to listen to his mothers.
Remus didn't plan to go into the forbidden forest now either, there was nothing in particular he wanted to do there. He just sat and threw rocks into the shallow water. “I know they are just worried about me, but sometimes I feel like they still see me as a child”
The stag and rat while they rarely responded, they always knew when to let Remus ramble on. ”After all, I will turn seventeen”
Remus got the feeling that if Prongs could talk, he would ask if he always did as he was told
“I will have you know-” he grinned mischievously, like someone who did something they knew they weren't supposed to. “Their biggest rule is for me to not talk to strangers, but you know what? I have”
Wormtail squeaked as if asking “who?”
“A prince. You should have seen him. He was the most beautiful man I have ever seen. He danced with me the way Minnie taught me. Just as we said goodbye he leaned in for a kiss” Prongs and Wormtail leaned closer, clearly invested in the story “-then I woke up”
Remus got the distinct feeling his companions were disappointed. He wouldn’t get to see many new people unless in a dream. His family had hesitated to befriend anyone at all, but once they had learned to trust a little, they were happy to see that Remus had made a friend in Lily. The little town where the Evans resided was the closest they lived to other people, and it still took twenty five minutes to walk there. Lily was someone he loved like a sister. He also knew for a fact that his family cared about his well being, but he couldn't deny that he sometimes wondered why they never wanted him to see anyone else.
Remus turned to the rat “You know, I have had this exact dream so many times, surely my consciousness is trying to tell me something". Maybe the dream could come true one day, but for now, Remus had accepted that he would live in a small but comfortable world.
Then he heard a rustle from from one of the bushes over the stream
A big shaggy black dog barked at him. It didn't seem like the animal wanted to fend off Remus, but rather because they wanted his attention. The dog let out desperate whimpers, jumping up and down. Upon inspection, there was a collar, meaning that there must be an owner somewhere. When the dog was sure it had Remus' attention, it ran back into the forest. He looked over to Prongs, who by the looks of it wanted to follow the shaggy dog. Against his better judgement, Remus followed the stag, rat and dog. He jumped across the shallow water and went into the forbidden forest