Wolf Boy
October 30, 1978
When Lily woke up, it took her a while to remember where she was. The dark shiplap walls of her hotel room were a stark contrast from the pink and white daisies of her bedroom back home. Trading breezy white curtains for deep purple velvet ones.
After a good while, she convinced herself to get out of bed, throwing on a pair of jeans and a sweater. Her head was pounding from the night before’s fit of tears. Popping some pain relievers, she grabbed her leather satchel and left for the lobby.
On the way there, only a few people passed by. The hotel didn't seem very busy. Once she arrived in the lobby, she found Peter at the counter once again. She waved at him, before exiting out to the street in search of breakfast.
For how late it was, there weren't very many people on the street. Lily suspected she was in one of the quieter parts of London. She pulled her map out and started towards a coffee shop around the corner.
~~~
After breakfast Lily spent the rest of the morning wandering around central London. She made it her mission to see as much as possible on foot. That led to her stumbling into a record shop near the bus stop she had arrived at the day before.
The interior of the building smelt of rosemary and something else that smelled a bit like skunk. There was a record on the turntable in the corner, blasting a song Lily didn't know.
Talking, jiving, poison ivy
You ain't gonna cling to me
Man taker, bone faker,
I ain't so blind I cant see
The man behind the counter was busy looking over a magazine. He had mountains of curly black hair that complimented his sharp features and even sharper blue eyes. He had on a leather jacket over a Led Zeppelin t-shirt, and many rings decorated his hands.
Lily begins looking around, not entirely sure what she is searching for. She didn't really listen to music, it never really interested her. All they ever played on the radio back home was country.
Looking through the racks, Lily pulled out a Beatles album and started reading the track list.
Two of Us
I Me Mine
Maggie Mae
Dig a Pony
She put it back. Gripping the straps of her bag, she headed towards the back wall, where there was a very out of place book shelf. On it were many titles she recognized.
Lily’s heart ached, remembering her collection she wasn't able to take with her. She picked up a paperback copy of Wuthering Heights, admiring the cover.
“Can I help you with something?” Asks a voice beside her. She jumps, nearly dropping the book.
Lily glares at him. “Do you make a habit of scaring people?”
He turns his attention to his painted fingernails, leaning against the shelf. “One of my favorite hobbies, actually.” She rolls her eyes. He pauses for a second before looking back up at her. “You're that bird Remus was going on about.”
Lily’s eyes go wide for a second. This guy knows Remus? “How’d you know it was me? Big city aint it?”
He laughs. “He said something about a girl with red hair and a funny accent. Also it says your name on your bag.” She forgot about that. “I'm not a complete idiot.” He says.
“Could've fooled me” Lily turns her attention back down to the book. She kind of liked this guy.
“You're funny.” he sticks his hand out. “I'm Sirius.”
She takes his hand and shakes it. “Lily.”
Sirius grabs a box from behind the counter and begins stocking the bookshelf. “So what are you doing in London?”
“I live here.” He stares at her for a long time. “For how long? The way Remus made it sound, you don't know the way around here.” He grabs a red book from the box and slides it into an empty spot on the shelf.
Lily picks at her nails. “I don't. I’ve never been here before.” Sirius stills.
“You're telling me you moved here, without ever visiting or anything?”
She walks over to the counter and sets her book down, pulling out a wad of cash from her bag. “Correct.”
He returns to where he was when she first walked in. “I knew I’d like you Red.” He punches something into the cash register. “2 quid.” Lily smiles and hands him the money.
She grabs the book and heads for the door, before Sirius calls out behind her. “Wait!” She stops and turns to him. “What are you doing tomorrow night?” He asks.
Lily shrugs. “Nothing I know of.”
“Do you have a notepad?” Lily shoots him a confused look but hands hers over. “Meet us here at half eight tomorrow night. Wear a costume.”
At first she doesn't know what he’s talking about, then she remembers what day it was. “I didn't know you guys celebrated Halloween here.”
“Most people don't, but for us it was an excuse to throw a party back at school. It's kind of become a tradition” He hands her back the notepad. On it, scrawled in beautiful handwriting, is the address for some place called The Three Broomsticks.
“You in?” He asks. Lily nods and waves him goodbye before stepping out into the crisp October air.
~~~
October 31, 1978
The next afternoon, Lily set out in search of a costume. She went from thrift shop to thrift shop piecing together something at least recognizable. Later, in her hotel room, while she was pulling on her red and white stockings, the insanity of the situation hit her.
She was going out tonight with strangers she met yesterday, and the only bit of information she has is an address scrawled on a piece of paper.
However these kinds of situations are the kind that she lived for. The uncertain was a drug she chased everywhere.
Following her map, Lily made the trek to the address, which turned out to be a small bar. Lily had never had alcohol before. She didn't dance. She didn't smoke. So she never figured a bar would be her forte, but standing outside of The Three Broomsticks she swore to herself she would try anything.
She pulled open the door and looked around for Remus and Sirius. They were nowhere to be seen. She started walking around, becoming increasingly more aware that she was the only one in costume.
Finally she spotted Sirius’s hair in a back round table. Pushing her way through the crowd, she reached the table only to realize they weren't alone.
Beside Sirius was a younger boy that was almost a carbon copy of him, apart from his hair, which was cut close to his ears. He was the only one at the table not in costume. Instead, he had on a green sweater and had one earring hanging out of his left ear.
Sitting close to him on the left, here was a man with tan skin, a mop of curly brown hair, and glasses. He was dressed up in a greek toga and had on a golden halo.
Next to him was Peter, decked out in a tuxedo and a pair of sunglasses. Between him and Remus, there were two men. One had smooth, dark skin and a shock of white hair close to the top of his head in dreadlocks.
The other was pale and had raven hair with streaks of green. They both had their faces painted like skulls and their shirts hung open and unbuttoned.
Remus was seated close to Sirius, sporting a cowboy hat. He smiled at her when she approached. “Glad you could make it Red.” he looked down at her outfit. “Er- What are you supposed to be?”
Lily blushed. “Raggedy Ann? The doll?” She says. The boy with green hair laughs, his friend with the matching face paint smacks his arm.
“Well no use standing around. Grab a seat next to Pete.” Sirius says, glaring at the boy with green hair. She walks over and sits between Peter and toga man.
He smiles at her and sticks out his hand. “I'm James. Nice to meet you.”
“Ah. You're James. I'm Lily.” She shakes his hand. They go around the table, exchanging pleasantries. She learns that the boy not wearing a costume is Sirius’s younger brother Regulus, and the two wearing the skull face paint are Barty and Evan.
They spend a while getting to know each other. Lily keeps the things about her past vague. Remus and Sirius own the record shop she visited. James is in his first year of university, playing for their soccer team- or football, as she was very sternly corrected. Peter’s family owns the hotel that she is staying at.
Evan is in University getting his degree in psychology, while Barty owns a tattoo shop. She learns that Regulus is very quiet, though through some boasting from Sirius, she is told that he is a full time artist.
Remus lights up a cigarette and takes a puff. “The girls should be here soon.”
“Girls” Lily questions. 7 pairs of eyes dart to look at her.
Sirius lounges back in his chair and takes a swig of beer. “Mary, Marlene, and Dorcas. They are gonna love you.” his eyes dart to the empty table in front of Lily. “Where’s your drink?”
She presses her lips into a thin line. “I don't drink.”
“You WHAT!” Barty flails his arms dramatically. “Booze makes the world go round’.” He says, clearly very drunk.
“Not everyone has a drinking problem like you B.” quips Evan.
Barty narrows his eyes at him. “I have no problem drinking, actually.” Lily dies laughing. “See!” He points at her. “At least someone in this world appreciates my humor.” He straightens up in his chair. “Bout’ time I got some respect around here.”
Evan apologizes for Barty, claiming he isn't normally like this, to which almost everybody disagrees. Soon the conversation changes to costumes. Where Sirius states that he is a rockstar (Remus informs her that he is a rockstar every year, however the clothes get riskier and riskier each Halloween).
“Can we get you something non-alcoholic then?” Peter asks sweetly. Lily nods. Peter nods to Sirius. “Go with him.” So off they go towards the bar. Although it is a tuesday night, The Three Broomsticks is hopping.
Sirius leans on the counter and shouts at the bartender. “Rosieeeee!” She slides up in front of them.
“What can I get for you loves? She asks. Sirius gestures towards Lily.
She clears her throat. “Do you have anything non-alcoholic?” Rosie thinks for a moment before looking down at Lily.
“You look like you'd enjoy a raspberry lemonade. Sound alright with you?” Lily nods her head. Lily grabs her wallet, but Sirius puts a hand on hers and tells Rosie to put it on his tab.
“My treat.” He says. When The bartender is done, she hands the glass to Lily and they return to their table, where James and Remus are having a heated conversation about music. Apparently, Remus thinks James’s taste is abysmal.
“There's no way you can look me in the eye and tell me you haven't danced to at least one ABBA song. James shouts, waving his hands around as he speaks. “Face it Remus Lupin, you like them.” Lily snorts at the name.
“Something funny Red?” He asks, narrowing his eyes.
“Remus Lupin?” She laughs at him.
He huffs and crosses his arms. “S’ a perfectly normal name.”
“Whatever you tell yourself wolf-boy.” The table howls with laughter.
Around nine, three women clad in black and dressed as Charlie’s angels show up. They start chatting with the boys at first, not noticing Lily.
One of them, who she assumes is Sabrina Duncan, speaks up. “Who is this beauty, and why is she sitting with you wankers?” she asks. Lily can feel hot blush creep up her cheeks, all the way to her ears. She has glowing brown skin and gorgeous curls framing her face.
The other two stop their conversation with Peter to look at her. The one with bleach blond hair crosses her arms. She was a regular Farrah Fawcette dressed as Jill Munroe.
“Damn. Where the bloody hell did you find her?” She gapes. Remus’s eyes snap up to hers from where he sits at the table.
“Box on the side of the road.” He takes a drag of his cigarette. “Where else?’ She throws him an unamused look.
“Har Har.” She and her friends pull up chairs. She grabs Remus’s cigarette from him and takes a puff. “You got a name?” She asks.
Suddenly very aware that everyone at the table is looking at her, she tells her her name. “Lily, huh? Where in The States are you from?”
Lily swallows the lump in her throat. “Missouri.” The girl shrugs and opens her mouth to ask another question.
“Stop interrogating her, Marlene.” Says the final angel. This one had dark skin and even darker hair. She has silver rings and cuffs in her braids.
They talk for a while, Lily learns their names and they invite her to dance. Lily politely declines.
“Awww please Lily?” Mary begs. “It would be a shame not to put those hips to use.” Lily turns crimson. Lily has always been insecure of her weight. She has always been on the chubby side, constantly comparing herself to her much thinner older sister.
However Mary wasn't making fun of her, and that gave Lily a bit of confidence. Why not? She asks herself. “Fine.” The girls cheer and pull her out of her seat. “But i've never danced before.”
“Not even once?” Dorcas asks, leading her to the vacant dance floor.
Lily shakes her head. “Grew up Baptist. Dancing was a sin.”
They shrug. “Then it's an honor we get to teach you.” Mary quips.
They dance for a long time. Lily feels more and more confident as they go, with Mary's hands on her hips helping her to move to the beat. Eventually they are joined by Sirius , James and Barty. James and Mary request a few ABBA songs, much to Remus’s dismay.
Lily feels drunk on life. She's glad she came here.
Eventually she gets tired and returns to her table and gulps down some lemonade. Her and Remus chat about books and music and many other things. Some time later, Remus invites her and Regulus outside.
The cold night air sucks the breath out of her. They find a wire table and sit down. Nobody says anything for a long time, Regulus’s head bent up towards the sky.
Remus breaks the silence. “Want to smoke a spliff?” He asks. Regulus nods and he lights one up. They both take a couple of drugs, and Remus offers it to Lily.
She shrugs and takes it. “When in Rome.” It makes her head feel light, her feet tingle, and her problems actually feel thousands of miles away instead of just being thousands of miles away.
“Orright. This is boring’.” Remus says, his accent (Which Marlene informed her was Welsh) became thicker. “Let's play a game.” Regulus groans.
“Truth or dare Red?” Remus asks.
“Truth.”
“Bit boring.” He remarks, thinking for a moment. “Since you made fun of my last name, what's yours?”
“Evans.” She says. “Truth or dare Regulus?”
“I'm not playing.” He says. That's the first time Lily heard him speak all night. He had a thick French accent, Lily wondered why his brother’s wasn't the same.
“Too bad, can't play truth or dare with two people.” She says. Remus nods.
Regulus takes another drag and shakes out his shoulders. “Fine. Dare.”
“That's the spirit Reginald!” She shouts. “I dare you to yell the first word that comes to mind.” He thinks for a second. “Don't think about it! Just say it.” She shouts.
“How can I not think about it?”
“Just don't!”
“FUCK!”
Lily gasps. "Language!”
“I was doing the dare!” They bicker for a second while Remus laughs, ending in an “Okay mum.” From Regulus.
“Alright Lupin, your turn. Truth or dare?” Regulus questions.
“Truth.”
“You just said I was boring for saying that.” Lily wines. Remus shrugs.
Regulus puts a finger to his lips. “Shhhhhh.” He was definitely high, wearing a mush different personality from the quiet, brooding boy she met inside. “If you had to get back with an ex, who would it be?”
“Ooooohh juicy.” Remus giggles, also very high. “That's an easy one. Marlene.”
Regulus gapes at him. “I'm telling Sirius you said that. His boyfriend had no hesitation.” The regulus claps a hand over his mouth and whips to turn to Lily. “I mean best friend!”
Lily shakes her head. “What Remus and Sirius do in their free time is none of my business.”
Remus gapes at her. “You're not disgusted by it?” He questions.
“Should I be?” She asks. They both shake their heads. “Well then that settles it. Who's next?” She asks.
Remus closes his gaping mouth and looks at her “Truth or dare.”
“Truth.” Remus mutters about her being boring.
“Alright then. Why don't you drink?” He asks.
Lily sucks in a breath before letting it out. She could tell them. They aren't going to judge her. It will be fine. “Loaded question there.” She sucks in another breath. “I typically tell people it's because I grew up Baptist but I'm really high right now and I don't have the better judgement so I'm gonna tell the truth because that's literally like the one rule but my mom was sorta an alcoholic so yeah thats why.” She rambles out in one breath.
The other two just looked at her for a second. Then Remus wrapped an arm around Lily and she leaned in to him. “I think that's enough truth or dare.” The other two nod. “Want to smoke another?” He asks.
Lily nods. That's the last she remembers of that night.