#xSIRIUS' MOVING CASTLE

[siriuslystargazing]

Sirius' Moving Castle PT1

... yeah i know it's probably been done before but what the hell.

In a small town, hidden amongst the valley, is a boy who makes shoes. These shoes are nothing special, but the boy tirelessly works on seven pairs a day unless he feels life broguing, and then it’s five pairs that day. But today, the boy made six and a pair of brown boots for himself. Simple in style but a perfect fit for himself. The boy looked out the window of the luxurious department store his mother owned, dusting off his hands and pulling up his goggles; soot from the fire pit left an ashen impression that covered his freckles but highlighted his amber eyes. His hair flopped around like a mop, and his mother was starting to nag at him. He did need a haircut, and it was the first Friday of the month, so that meant it was a half day.

“Remus dear”, the motherly voice came through from the grand shop floor, followed by a plain woman with chestnut hair. He opened the door to his tiny workshop. “oh good, you're getting ready. I want you to drop off this hat to Lily at the bakery.” her name was Hope. Hope Lupin, the local seamstress who fashioned the most exquisite dresses from the simplest of materials and the owner of Lupin’s Bazaar, the quality department store and hidden gem of the little village hidden away in the valleys. Remus looked at his mother, smiling. Remus thought he was plain like his mother, with sandy blond curls and amber eyes freckles that glittered on his face.

“Of course, I was thinking I might go to the barbers this afternoon to get my hair sorted.” Remus pulled the ribbons of his apron, shrugging it off and hanging it on the hook by the door. Hope held her son’s face in her hands, her heart melting at how Remus was growing older and into his face. “What?” Remus looked down at his new boots, letting a nervous chuckle slip,

“Nothing, Fy mab.” Hope planted a kiss on his forehead. She let him go, handing over the elaborate hat box to Remus as he left the shop.

The brass bell on the front shop door chimed in exit, but Hope did not let Remus leave without warning. “Do be careful on your way home, Remus. I heard news that the Dark Wizard Black is in the valleys!” 

Remus rolled his eyes and bid his mother farewell, entering the streets. He wasn't sure why his mother would warn him the Dark Wizard didn’t go for men. He only kidnapped pretty girls with no brains. Remus winced. He could feel the scolding his mother would give if he said that out loud, but it was a half-truth. Remus hated girls like that who just giggled and curled their hair around their fingers and batted their eyelashes at him. He wasn’t even into girls, but still, he would at least like to hold a conversation with them on more exciting topics. That’s why he liked going to see Lily. She was smart and enjoyed talking about the mysteries of the world. 

Remus continued down the street. Colourful bunting hung from the lamposts, and streamers were being fired off. The kingdom’s flag was flown from nearly every window and in front of horrible flying machines the domain felt so proud of investing in. It appeared The war effort was going well. A fresh batch of soldiers had just returned a few hours before, and another was about to be dispatched, but not without the pomp and circumstance. Remus saw it as a massive waste of time and money. The war was pointless over some missing prince and this war-hungry general from way up north fighting with the Wizard of the Wastes. Remus didn’t care for the politics of it all. He just wanted it over. In his eyes, if the great Kingdom of Griffdom had put the efforts and resources they did for the war into finding the Lost prince, he would have been found by now! Remus stayed on his path, avoiding the crimson and gold soldiers and drunken patriots. Heading down a secluded alleyway, it wasn't any better. He could see the piles of  ready-to-go packs and guns of the soldiers; it made him feel uneasy, but still, the bakery was just around the corner–

“You look a little lost?” a gruff older voice called out from behind Remus. He stopped suddenly tensing as a second, much older man appeared in front of him, a bushy moustache and a hungry grin on his face as he met Remus’ amber eyes. 

“I’m not lost”, Remus stated, straining himself up. “if you don’t mind, I'm running late–”

“He is quite cute.” the moustached man bent down to look at Remus in the eyes. Remus was tall, a good 6 foot, but he was skinny like a noodle and had terrible posture like one, too. The soldiers were also tall but stocky, just vast masses of men. “You look a little thirsty. Why don’t we treat you to some Tea?” he asked, his primal grin unnerved Remus even more. Remus wasn’t one to baulk at the sign of danger, but the men that were harassing him felt an unhuman sort of evil festering inside them. Remus stepped back into a body. 

“There you are, starlight; I’ve been looking everywhere for you”, a sultry voice, and a warm, comforting hand fell onto Remus's shoulder. Remus didn’t turn to look at the man that was essentially saving his ass but instead melted slightly.

The crimson soldiers soured at the presence of their prey being stolen. “do you mind? We were just –”

“Actually, it looked like you two were just leaving”, his silken voice spoke out again, and he lifted his index finger. The soldiers puffed out their chests, ready to fight, but stopped. Remus looked on in awe as the two men stood up straight and marched away like toys. Remus watched on in amazement. It was magic, real magic, so that meant only one thing: the man who was currently rescuing him was Sirius Black, the Dark Wizard. “Don’t hold it against them; the soldiers from this kingdom aren’t as bad... Now, where to?” Sirius bent down, picking up the hat box Remus so carelessly dropped; it really was him; with blond hair and steely grey eyes, he didn’t suit being a blond. Remus thought his complexion was too pale. He would be better with jet-black hair. Wait? Why did he even care?

“So where to?” gods above his voice were like melted chocolate. Remus wanted to combust every time the Dark Wizard Sirius Black opened his stupid mouth… 

“Oh, the um bakery.” Remus was sure he was blushing. His face felt hot. Sirius just smirked, slinking his arm with Remus and walking along the alleyway. His aggressively bright coat hung on his shoulders; obviously, it was kept there with his dark wizard magic. And then his waist. Remus was staring, and he didn’t care. He was also drooling a little at how Sirius's black high-waisted dress pants and a simple white frilly dress shirt hugged his slutty waist and fit him so perfectly. Then he saw his shoes… oh.

They were worn and not looked after, in dire need of a polish, and the leather needed rehydrating. They were abysmal. They–

“Everything all right there?” Sirius drawled, capturing Remus’ attention again 

“YES!” to loud! “Yes, it’s just your shoes, you might need new ones… if you come by the shop, I can–”

“Thank you starlight, but I must–” Sirius stopped, sensing a shift in the air. Remus just watched him. “Don’t get alarmed, but it appears we are being followed.” Remus went rigged, followed! But Sirius just smirked as they continued down the alleyways. “Just act normal.”

Something began oozing out of the walls; they morphed and slobbered across the floor, coating the cobbles in the dark, inky sludge as they manipulated themselves with human-like features, Giant noses and little straw hats. Sirius frowned but continued, “I’m sorry, it looks like you’re involved.” Remus gasped as many black oozy creatures slithered out the walls and shadows climbing over each other towards Remus and Sirius. 

Sirius quickly whipped round the corner with casual grace, the sunlight beaming into the alleyway. His smile wiedend, but Remus scoffed. How can he be so happy? It is horrible being chased around by slimy, oozy creatures! And now the creatures were oozing out from the exit. They were doomed; Remus looked over to Sirius, who was still beaming with pride as he swiftly moved the arm he had linked with Remus’ through his waist, drawing him closer to his side. “Hold on”, Sirius muttered as they continued walking with speed and Woosh!

Remus closed his eyes and felt the calm spring wind and the sudden warm embrace of the sun. he peeled his eyes open, not feeling the solid ground underfoot, but could still feel Sirius' tight grip on his waist. Remus looked out, shocked; he could see the rolling hills of the valley and the river that splits into a stream that runs through town, even the noon train! He was flying!

“Come on now, straighten your legs and start walking.” Sirius grabbed Remus' hand in his; Remus slowly extended his legs and began a walking motion; they were walking on air! But how? Remus looked down at the waltzing people; mothers danced with their sons and husbands, and young lovers waltzed for the final time as the music played out. Remus couldn’t describe the feeling, but a little bit of his heart broke at the sight, the thought of the men going out to the awful war never to return–

“Look at you, you’re a natural.” Sirius looked at Rmeus as they met eye to eye. Remus felt his heart fluttered as he lost himself in those stormy grey eyes. The two continued to walk on air, swiftly passing the street parties below and towards the giant bakery. 

Sirius landed on the railing of the balcony. Pulling Remus down gently, landing just below him, Remus finally got a moment to drink the handsome stranger who saved his life. He was gorgeous, just like the rumours said, with grey eyes that swirled like storms and blond hair that shimmered in the sun, with a mole under his right eye, sharp features and a constant smirk he was the Dark Wizard but how can someone so evil be so good looking? Remus let Sirius’ pale hand slip from his, and he landed on the oak wood balcony. Sirius handed over the hat box and laid his hand above his heart. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to draw them off, but wait a while before heading out again”, his voice silken and smooth, so intoxicating. Remus swore he could get drunk on it even if he just sang the alphabet. 

“Okay”, Remus sighed. Sirius smirked, jumping off the balcony; Remus gasped, leaning over.  

“That's my boy”, he smiled, disappearing into the streets below. 

The bakery was busier than ever. Lily was used to mad rushes like this, but it was even more active than expected, thanks to the street parties. The tables in the small cafe were all occupied by soldiers and their entourage of women and men. Lily went back and forth, listening to orders, grabbing perfectly wrapped boxes of business from the shelves and trying to distance herself from the more suggestive men who only wanted her and not the pastries. Luckily, one of the other bakery girls ran over to her, telling her that Remus was upstairs waiting on her.

Lily sped through the corridors and up the staircase to find Remus looking out the window as if he was searching for answers. 

“Remus!” Lily cheered, running up to him and embracing the skinny boy in a tight hug. “One of the girls told me you landed on our balcony!” Remus looked at Lily. Something sad hid in his eyes.

“So it really did happen. It wasn't a dream?” Remus whispered. Lily hugged him again, pulling him down the stairs and into the delivery room behind the kitchen.

Lily dusted off a few crates, sitting Remus down. He was still dazed as if he was running through what had happened, and then he remembered the hat box.

“Oh! Your hat, Lily, Here.” He handed it over. Lily smiled but did not open it. She just set it down. 

“Will you tell me what happened?” she grabbed a few pastries from the kitchen, and a chef followed her with two mugs of sweet tea; they sat for a few minutes as Remus gave her the rundown of his encounter with the Wizard. Lily listened intently, her eyes fixated on her friend as he looked at the bottom of his teacup.

“He must have been a wizard then Remus!” Lily protested, grabbing Remus' shoulders 

“But he was so kind to me, Lily.”

“Of course he was! He was trying to steal your heart!” Lily scrunched up her face, but Remus still stared out towards the piled stock boxes. She sighed. “you were so lucky, Remus. If that Wizard were Sirius, he would have eaten it”, Lily softened, slumping back, but Remus looked up at her. 

“No, he wouldn’t. Sirius only eats the hearts of beautiful girls, not plain boring men like me.”

“Don't say that!” Lily shrieked, “You need to be more careful out there. The wizard of the waste is back on the prowl. And his horrible henchmen, too, call themselves Death Eaters such a pretentious name– Hey! Are you even listening to me?” Lily looked down at Remus, who was lost in deep thought, probably thinking about the pretty wizard who saved him (he was). 

Lily and Remus sat in the stock shed for a while until one of the chefs told her some fancy pastry was done, so Remus took that as his cue to leave; he was sure he had given himself plenty of time for the Wizard to get rid of throes horrible oozy blob men. Remus bid Lily farewell and went on his way back through the once-crowded streets. The Parties had finally ended, yet a few piss-ups continued in the teaveners. Remus contemplated a drink but decided just to go home; he had enough excitement to last him a lifetime. 

By the time the tram took him back to the shopping district of the town, night had fallen across the valley, and the stars peaked through the clouds. Remus always stole a glance at the stars; he loved how pretty they looked, and the vibrant blue-green hues the clustered ones emitted were his favourite. He couldn’t quite grasp why he was so fond of the night sky or why he enjoyed tracking moon cycles. He honestly believed in a past or alternate life; he might have been a werewolf or something. Remus chuckled at the thought, his breath curling the cool spring air. 

The shop lights were out, an obvious sign Hope had gone to bed upstairs. Remus decided to go through the main entrance so he wouldn't disturb his mother; the shop was grand in design. The main floor was full of women's hats, and just at the back were the shoes, all the boots that Remus had made that month; he looked down at the new pair he had made just that day, smiling at the thought of his father being proud of him. Lyall had gone to war two months prior, but no word had come from him. Hope stayed strong and ironically hopeful, but Remus was sure his father was dead; it was easier to think that than torture himself with the idea he was missing in action. Remus tidied the shop floor up, putting hats back on the stands and pulling a few pairs of boots down to give them a touch of polish when the bell rang from the front door. Remus furrowed his brow, looking up. He could have sworn he locked that door. Remus got up, heading to the front desk.  Standing in the foyer, grinning ear to ear with gnarly teeth and a beastly face, was a Death Eater. Remus schooled his features to a neutral calm. He could hazard a guess as to what dark magic the Death Eater had used might have involved heightened animalist traits if he went off the strange maw-shaped mouth and nose.

“I’m sorry, sir, the shop is closed. You’re more than welcome to visit tomorrow during our opening hours of 9 am to 4 pm,” Remus stated, keeping his cool; the beastly Death Eater grinned, baring his disgusting teeth. 

“What a tacky shop... And yet you’re by far the tackiest thing here,” she growled. Remus narrowed his gaze, keeping his temper in check as he marched over to the door, whipping up the air around the Death Eater. His foul smell made Remus’ eyes water as he pulled the door open.

“Like I said, we're closed!”

Death Eater held his smile as if he had just caught his next meal. “Standing up to the Beast of the wastes, Fenrir Greyback”, Fenris chorteled. He unsheathed his clawed hands, and the firelight from the oil lamp danced across his black fingernails; Remus stood his ground. Just because Greyback, the beast from the western wastes and loyal Death Eater to the Wizard of the Wastes, was threatening him didn’t make him cower didn’t mean he wasn't scared shitless either way. 

Remus stood his ground, but Greyback didn’t care. He widened his eyes as dark magic flowed through and as if he turned into smoke. Greyback ran through Remus, leaving a viscous curse in his wake. Remus gasped at the feeling. He turned to see Greyback in the doorway, smirking. “The best thing about that spell is you can’t tell anyone about it.” Greyback grinned. “Riddle sends his regards to the Brothers Black.” 

Remus dropped to the ground, his body weak and heavy. He tried to run after Greyback but felt he had no energy left in him. Whatever that curse was, it obviously wasn't good. Remus pulled himself up, groaning. His bones creaked, clicked and popped worse than ever. He stumbled over to the vanity mirror, peering at his reflection, but an old withered man, a much older greyer version of Lyall, stared back at him. Remus gasped, taking a step back. Indeed, it wasn't him. Surely, he wasn't an old man. He was 18 years old, for god's sake.

Remus thought this couldn’t be happening. Perhaps it was just a bad dream or a funny hallucination from all the sugar at the bakery. Remus lifted his wrinkled hands to his face, pulling at his leathery skin; it was definitely him in that mirror.  On the bright side, he wasn't a dog or a wolf-shaped man. He was glad about that. Remus paced around as much as his old legs would let him; in his mind, he was still 18, but his body was pushing 90, it seemed. The only thing he could think of doing was to go to bed to sleep and hope he woke up himself and not an old man. So Remus did.