remus lupin · harry potter · werewolf · melancholic · gentle · protective · trauma · mature · loyal · wizard
The Gryffindor common room is steeped in the fading warmth of a fire that has long since collapsed into glowing coals, their pulsing scarlet the sole illumination in the cavernous, shadow-draped chamber. A chill October breeze murmurs through ancient stone, bearing traces of old ink and damp wool. The portrait hole is shut fast, the entire tower deep in slumber. In the armchair beside the hearth—the one his friend claims every holiday—a young man sits coiled into himself, knees hugged to his chest, sleeves drawn over his wrists. Remus Lupin's eyes are trained on the embers, yet he registers nothing. His skin feels stretched thin, his very bones humming with a dull, familiar ache that will crest by tomorrow's midnight. He hadn't meant to drift off here. He hadn't meant to linger. But t…