Swimming through the ashes of another life -- Late Summer 2000 (DONE)

The lestranges... when I found them, they would not know what hit them.  "And what happened to greyback?" I asked.  I had unfinished business with him... he needed to apy for ruining my life.  I looked at James and could read there was a big story there as well.  "What is it?" I questioned.  I was rather intrigued by the possibility of aan interesting story behind that look.

I sighed.  Why was I the one to tell Remus everything?  Oh right, because I was atually being honest unlike the Healers.  "You klled him last year," I explained.  "He went after Lucy -- your daughter.  Apparently you were pretty awesome when you did it."  I wished I could have seen Remus then... I was a little curioust to see that side of him.  I just had mixed feeling about that side of him.  He was our moral compass; what are we going to do without that?

I could not help but smile at the thought of having killed Fenrir Greyback.  "You don't have to tell me who everyne is multiple times.  I know hwo Lucy is.  But it doesn't mean I accept who she is to me.  He went after her because of that... or something else?" I pried.  I felt like there was more to this story than what James was telling me.

"Well, because she's your daughter and because she's with his son.  At the time they were just engaged, now they're married," I answered.  I hoped Moony would not relapse into disliking that relationship again.  Ayden was nothing like his father.

Interesting... a Lupin and a Greyback.  I was not sure how I felt about that.  But since I really did not want to be a dad right now, I really had no say.  I shrugged.  "I'm glad that I finally finished him," I said.  I put my hands in my pockets and looked back at my dad's tomstone.  "He kept me on track," I noted.  "Now who can I count on to do that?" I coul donly imagine... but I really did enjoy the idea of letting it all loose...

I put a hand on his hsoulder.  "Moony, you have us," I assured him.  It was hard to tell if he was sad about not having a guide anymore or not.  I mean this was not Moony at all.  "And you'll have Chloe when she wakes up," I added quickly as well.  I new she would help Remus more than any ofus.

I felt something change inside of me.  "If she wakes up," I replied darkly.  I practically growled at the thought of that.  I did not even technically know her, but the thought of losing her... it made my blood boil and boris awaken at the thought.  I wanted to go after the Lestranges badly already... if that happened, I did not know what I would do.  I was completely willing to do what had to be done, yet I also wanted to be stopped.  I knew what I was capable of and I also did not want to do it if it meant being unable to have the woman I apparently loved but could not remember.

I saw that darkness again on Remus's face.  Putting a hand on his shoulder, I said, "She will wake up."  I did not want to think that she would not.  I just hoped that it would not be like it was with Sirius.  I guess that at least Remus would not be wasting away like Ember did.  But I did not know which would be worse.

I looked at James and I felt that anger and darkness let go of me.  "I am going back and seeing her.  I have to," I said suddenly.  I really hoped that perhaps something could be remembered if I were more willing to embrace memories.

I smiled and nodded.  "I'll take you back," I told him.  I was not sure if he should go alone.  He seemed a little unstable... I was worried they released him too soon.  Though they probably coul dnot keep him anyways... he wanted to out of there.

I shook my head.  "I'm going alone.  I'll meet you by the pond... do the Lupins still own it?" I asked.  I needed to do this alone.  But I would want to talk to James afterwards, I was sure of it.

I was surprised that he remembered the pond.  "Wow... er, yeah.  I'll be there waiting for you," I assured him.  I was sure my shock was on my face.

I nearly laughe at James's face.  "I'm guessing some things will continue to reveal themselves to me as time goes on," I said.  I returned to St. Mungo's and Chloe's room.  I sat down by her and surprised myself by taing hold of her hand.  I even kissed it.  "Chloe... I need to hear you rvoice... see your smile to be able to remember who you are to me.  I can sort of feel what you meant to me.  But... I need you here to help me," I whispered to her.  I was again surprised by myself; tears were in my eyes.  I could not believe the longing I felt for this woman... this stranger... Chloe.  My wife.  My love.