Family drama with a side of anxiety
On Thursday afternoon, Harry was a wreck. He has been worried about meeting Jasper’s parents. He knew Jasper had told them about his disability and his father, but he couldn't help but worry. As they pulled up to the Cullens house, Harry could already see Jasper waiting by the door. Harry couldn't help but smile, Jasper has been so nice to him.
“Hey there, Darlin” Jasper spoke as he opened Harry's door for him.
“Hello, Jasper.” Harry signed back, with a blush on his face when Jasper wrapped an arm around his waist. Jasper stuck his other arm out to shake Remus’ hand.
“Good evening, Sir”
“Good Evening Jasper. Thank you for the invitation.”
“Not a problem at all sir. Come inside and I’ll introduce the rest of my family.” Jasper replied as he led Remus and Harry to the front door, which was still open from his hurried exit. Once inside, Jasper led Harry and Remus up stairs and into a living room, where it seemed everyone was waiting.
“Harry, Mr. Lupin; Meet my family. Everyone, meet my mate Harry and his father, Remus Lupin.” Jasper introduced
“Hello, I am Carlisle Cullen, I am the coven's sire. This is my mate Esme, our son Edward and his mates Alice and Bella, and my daughter Rosalie and her mate Emmett.” Carlisle gestured to everyone as he said their names.
“It's nice to meet all of you, and I just want to thank you for your invitation to dinner again. My son and I really appreciate it.” Remus said, shaking Carlisle's hand.
“You’re a wolf!” Alice said ‘subtly’ announced.
“I was under the impression that was already known” Remus stated as he looked at Jasper a little confused.
“Alice, you need to actually pay attention, I told all of you he was a werewolf.” Jasper said to Alice, looking frustrated.
“Well, why don’t all of you sit down and get to know one another while I finish dinner. I didn’t know what you would like, but Jasper said that you two are from England, so I made some traditional English foods” Esme cut in trying to avoid at fight breaking out between Jasper and Alice.
“That sounds positively lovely, I have to admit I'm not the best cook, so we have been having take-out. An English home-cooked dinner is very much appreciated.” Remus brought up.
“Jasper mentioned that you left England because of a war? Was it a war in your world, I haven't heard about any fighting so I can only assume?” Carlisle questioned.
“Well, in the wizarding world the war had been going on for almost 25 years, there was a brief pause where it died down a little but in the last 5 years it has been very ‘ablaze’ for lack of better words. We lost a lot of good people.” Remus answered, while keeping an eye on Harry to make sure he did not get triggered.
“ That sounds horrible, did you fight? Why did you just now leave? Oh, sorry. That was a bit much.” Emmett had a light blush staining his cheeks as he apologized. “You don't have to answer, I shouldn't have asked.”
“Oh, It’s quite alright. It's natural to be curious. I did fight, and we only just left because I finally got custody of Harry, but that is all I will say to many unpleasant memories.” Remus said, reassuring Emmett. Harry was looking a little uncomfortable with the questions.
“ What do you mean just got custody, does that mean you didn't raise him? Does it have something to do with why he can’t talk? Was it his mom, did she abuse him? Where were you?” Alice rapid fire questions. The room was silent for a moment, and then it suddenly erupted in noice. Jasper and Carlisle were yelling at her. “ALICE, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?” Jasper apparently was over holding his tongue too. “Alice, that is incredibly rude and personal. You should know better.” Carlisle was in front of Jasper in a blink of an eye, stopping him from stepping any closer. Bella tried to speak in Alice's defense when Edward put his hand in front of her mouth. Harry was shocked, he wanted to get along with Jasper’s family, but Alice wouldn't quit with the questions. Finally over it when he heard her accuse him mom. “That is none of your business, my mother wouldn't have hurt me. My papa always tried to get custody of me but the laws in the wizarding world are very different. You should stay out of my business if you know what's good for you.” Harry signed, furiously as he stood up, he could feel his face heating up. He wished he could talk, he wanted to yell and scream at her. “Harry, I am so sorry you have every right to be angry at her, please do not hold it against the rest of us.” Carlisle's calm voice brought him back from his ranting.
“I can’t be here right now. Jasper can we- I need to leave” Harry’s hands were shaking as he signed, from the look on remus’ face he doesn't want to be in the room soon. Yelling is still a big trigger for him. Jasper was instantly at his side, he grabbed Harry’s hands and led him out of the living room. In no time they entered a bedroom, there was a bed against the far right corner, all around the walls were bookshelves filled to the brim with books. Jasper and Harry sat on the bed. “What is the bed for, I thought you didn't sleep?” Harry asked, hoping to distract himself. “It's just to keep up the act, and it's more comfortable to read in than a chair,” Harry nodded, understanding. “Is there something you wanted to talk about, or did you want me to distract you? I can feel your anxiety, if you want I could calm you” Jasper had set his right hand on Harry's knee, hoping to comfort Harry. Just as Harry was about to reply, shouting could be heard from the living room. Harry flinched, as he heard the yelling.
***
Remus was struggling to hold his wolf back, this blood sucker had the audacity to accuse Lily of abusing Harry. He waited until Harry was far enough away before speaking “Not that it's any of your business, I adopted Harry. I am not his biological father. His parents were MURDERED when he was only A YEAR OLD. He lived with his mother's sister until 2 months ago. I was only just able to get custody of him, the laws of our world restrict the right of wolves, we have less rights than house elves. YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO ACCUSE HIS MOTHER YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT EITHER OF US! YOU THINK YOU KNOW BECAUSE OF YOUR GIFT, BUT YOU KNOW NOTHING” Remus took a shaky breath before turning to Carlisle, “I apologize, I shouldn't have lost my temper but I don’t think being here at this time is good for Harry. Maybe we should try this again at a later point.”
Esme, who had walked into the room halfway through Remus’, brought the attention to her as she stepped into the middle of the room. “Oh, no please don’t leave. Alice I am completely ashamed of your behavior recently, I think it would be best if you took Bella home and you stayed with her the rest of the night. And before you come back into this house I want a written apology for Jasper to give to Harry and his father.” Alice looked visibly upset, she opened her mouth only to be cut off by Carlise, “NO, not another word Alice you've said enough. Go!” As Alice and Bella stood up, Edward stood as while giving them both a kiss on the cheek before he sat back down. When the door shut, Esme turned to Remus, “Would you please talk to Harry about staying for dinner? We all would love it if you both did, but if he's not in a good place we can try this again some other time.”