Adrian wondered mutedly if the werewolf was at all aware that this was the same lake he had threatened to crash through the last year, scrabbling at the frozen edge and howling into the night.
Lutain bit James Potter that day, and Adrian nearly killed him.
Adrian flinched.
"So," Remus began, looking hesitant yet curious and worried, "I as well as a few others want to know all of what happened in your absence."
"A few others?" Adrian asked with a frown, crossing his arms sourly and in a defensive posture.
Remus smiled, looking at Adrian fondly as he shook his head in good nature.
"The headmaster," Remus admitted, fingers twitching and tracing imaginary patterns on the boulder, "He was intending to talk to you directly, but ah, since you two haven't been introduced Albus thought you may feel...intimidated."
That clarified a few questions Adrian had.
"Intimidated," Adrian repeated, quietly under his breath with a scoff. Remus heard, and he turned away quickly to hide his affectionate smile at how annoyed Adrian sounded.
"Alright," Adrian settled carefully. He shifted, moving to sit on the nearest rock. Lutain uncoiled, sliding down to peer and spot minnows swimming in the shallow water.
"What happened? At the World Cup." Remus asked quietly, his good mood evaporating and leaving the air brittle and cold.
Adrian stared out over the water of the secluded lake, he could almost imagine the snow, the broken ice and the shrieking- "James! Help me!"
He blinked, and saw water once more. "I was separated. Bellatrix had Lutain with her, so I couldn't do much else but agree to go with her."
Remus for his credit didn't say anything.
Adrian ducked his head, plucking at a small stone nestled in a groove of his boulder, "So we went home, and then I came here."
Remus leant forward, resting his chin on his knee with a frown. "Did she curse you?"
"No," Adrian denied with almost a smile, "She...she was mad, before. Azkaban changed her, it was easy to distract her."
Remus flinched at that and shook his head, "I'm so sorry- I should have tried harder. I'm so sorry that…"
"Don't be, I have Lutain again." Adrian glanced at his friend, smiling as the snake snapped and tried to catch a fish. It was fruitless, and instead left his friend playing in the shallows, warmed by the sun.
"I... I was told, to ask if you had…" Remus paused and tried to summon his words. He wrinkled his nose, looking annoyed or offended by whatever he had been tasked to ask Adrian.
It wasn't that hard to guess.
"If I overheard anything, about the attack. About why she did it or…" Adrian's eyes darkened, "About You-Know-Who?"
Remus looked pained, and furious with himself. "Albus' request, of course, I think it's shite."
Adrian blinked in surprise and confusion, "I...pardon?"
Remus rolled his eyes, still looking agitated but somehow undeniably happy, "You're here. I don't care how in Merlin's name you're alright, but I'm so, so thankful that you're alright."
Remus paused, before reaching out and gently taking Adrian's arm, clutching his hand between his two palms as if it was chalice holding an antidote to a poison.
"I am so glad you're alright," Remus spoke, voice hoarse and pinched yet his eyes were wide and undeniably honest.
Adrian swallowed the lump in his throat, and struggled to speak words, "I- Bella. She didn't say anything about it, or- or about He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named."
Remus didn't care, and instead shook his head gently.
"This is my fault…"
"No, It isn't. It wasn't awful either, besides," Adrian's eyes were faintly sharp, "Don't you have Potter to worry over?"
"I have plenty of time to worry about Skylar. Allow me to worry over you right now. How are classes? Not too difficult?"
Adrian looked taken aback once more, "No, er, not yet. I'm part of the Advanced Care Classes."
"I've heard, Hagrid speaks all about you. Are you aiming for a career with magical creatures?"
Adrian paused thoughtfully, feeling almost suspicious with Remus' curiosity. "Maybe. I never considered far into the future."
Remus smiled, his teeth were white but his canine teeth were slightly pronounced. "I heard that Charlie Weasley is visiting soon, he's a keeper over in Romania at a Dragon Reserve. I'm positive the boy would love to talk with you, it's not every day someone can hold their own against him."
Lutain snapped loudly and struggled. His body flailed, coiled half hazardously around a silvery body, struggling to hold on.
"Blasted worm!" Lutain cursed around the slimy fish scales in his jaws.
Remus laughed, watching the display fondly, "I see why you care so much for him. He is quite the character, I never truly understood the desire for a snake. I've been missing out."
Remus' eyes were twinkling and alight with something gentle and kind, warm and sweet like melted honey.
"You can owl me for anything you need, Adrian. I'll make it up to you."
Adrian blinked slowly and watched Lutain flounder and get coated in the dark brown mud of the shore.
"I know, I just...I do things on my own." Adrian paused, trying to elaborate but struggling with the words.
"Ah, I know how you feel." Remus smiled slightly, something nostalgic and yet so terribly pained, "We all have our own burdens to carry."
Adrian felt the press of Nagini beneath his skin.
Some burdens weighed a bit too much for even him to carry.
(Remus told him that he visited with James and Lily, sneaking in along with Sirius under some sort of loophole in Ministry regulations. He was there for the family visitation for the Champions.
Skylar was the Champion.
Remus' visit suddenly confused Adrian more than anything in his life- why would the Werewolf spend his visitation with Adrian? And not Skylar?
Nothing was making sense anymore.)
....
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