Stranger's Welcome
Remus kept his expression neutral, glancing at Harry beside him. The boy’s brows were furrowed in frustration, his shoulders tight with apprehension. Remus’s own heart pounded steadily, though he kept his concern contained. It was his job, after all, to keep Harry calm, to be his anchor. Panic, he knew, would do them no good, not here, wherever here was.
But he couldn’t deny that he was quietly unsettled. His wand hadn’t responded to any of his Point Me spells, and they weren’t subtle ones. Hogwarts, the Department of Mysteries, even the Burrow, none of them worked. In any other situation, the spell would’ve oriented him immediately. Its failure could only mean one thing, they were somewhere completely removed from their world.
They were stranded.
He tried to ignore the feeling of dread pooling in his stomach, forcing himself to think rationally. They would find a way out of this, just as they had done countless times before. Still, the silence between them grew heavier, punctuated only by Fenrir’s occasional muttered comments, which wore thin on Remus’s patience.
Around them, the forest seemed endless, dark shadows twisting into unfamiliar shapes. As Remus mulled over their situation, Harry’s earlier words returned to his mind, gnawing at him.
Why did I see your eyes on me as I fell?
Remus shivered. He could remember exactly what happened. He had been locked in battle with five Death Eaters, every instinct and muscle honed into defense as he fought to protect Harry and the others. In the midst of the chaos, he had seen Harry slipping, the boy’s form pulled toward the veil as though some unseen hand was dragging him.
He remembered lunging forward, his arm outstretched, determined to grab hold of Harry. But as his fingers brushed Harry’s cloak, he’d felt a rough hand on his back, a vice-like grip that had jolted him backward before he'd ultimately fell through the veil. And that hand had belonged to none other than Fenrir Greyback.
Why would Fenrir try to save him though? It made no sense. The werewolf had never shown the faintest regard for Remus’s life, quite the opposite. He had always relished reminding Remus of the power he held over him, the curse that he had bestowed upon him. And yet, here they were.
Remus shook his head, pulling himself back to the present. He needed to stay focused.
Suddenly, a pair of headlights cut through his vision, snapping him out of his thoughts. The rumbling sound of an engine grew louder, and an old, dusty 1982 Ford Bronco XLT rolled to a stop beside them. The driver’s window rolled down, revealing a young man in his late twenties with dark hair and a casual smile, though his eyes held a glint of suspicion.
“You guys look a little lost,” he said, his voice carrying a slight Southern accent. “Bit odd to be walking around out here at night. Not really safe anymore.”
Remus straightened, clutching his wand out of sight, aware of Harry stiffening beside him. Fenrir shifted his stance, eyeing the man with a dangerous glint that Remus didn’t like.
Putting on his most reassuring expression, Remus nodded. “Our automobile ran out of petrol, and we’re a bit turned around.”
The man raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes. “British, huh? You’re a long way from home.” He glanced at Harry. “How about you get in, and we’ll see about getting that car of yours some gas.” He smiled, adding, “And maybe some food for your son here.”
Remus hesitated. Every instinct in him screamed that this wasn’t safe, that trusting a stranger could lead them deeper into trouble. But the thought of wandering the unfamiliar roads, aimlessly hoping to find civilization, was equally unappealing. He was about to politely decline when Harry’s stomach let out an embarrassingly loud rumble.
The driver chuckled. “Sounds like a yes from him,” he said. “It’s not the safest place to wander around, especially lately. There’ve been some disappearances in the area.”
The man’s expression shifted as he glanced at Fenrir, a smirk tugging at his lips. “ Your husband can come along, too.”
Remus’s face flushed with indignation, and he could see Harry stifling a laugh. Fenrir, on the other hand, let out a low, amused chuckle.
“Come on, Lupin,” Fenrir drawled, rolling his eyes. “Stop being such a coward. Live a little.”
Harry threw Remus an uncertain glance, and Remus’s instinct to protect surged stronger. But Harry’s face was weary, his eyes practically pleading, and despite every warning ringing in his mind, Remus found himself nodding. “Fine,” he muttered, hoping he wouldn’t regret it.
Harry climbed into the backseat, shooting Remus a small, relieved smile as he settled in. Fenrir, annoyingly smug, took the seat beside him, leaving Remus to squeeze in as the door shut behind him.
As they started driving down the narrow road, Remus kept one hand on his wand, eyes flickering to their surroundings, tense and alert. Beside him, Harry relaxed slightly, though Remus could still see the wary glances he cast at Fenrir. For a while, they drove in silence, the only sound the low hum of the engine and the occasional rustle of leaves as the night settled around them.
The driver cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “Name’s Mason. Mason Lockwood.” He threw a quick glance in the rearview mirror. “You folks got names?”
Remus nodded, his voice calm as he answered, “I’m Remus. This is Harry and” he paused, glancing at Fenrir, who seemed content to ignore him. “And that's Greyback.”
Mason chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “Well, you all look like you’ve had quite a night. Don’t worry, we’ll get you somewhere safe. Welcome to Mystic Falls”
As the car continued down the road, a strange unease settled in Remus’s stomach. There was something about this town, something off about Mason Lockwood’s too-friendly smile and knowing gaze, that didn’t feel quite right. But for now, they had no choice but to trust him. Whatever lay ahead, Remus knew they’d face it together.