Left Behind (Kris, Remus)

[Remus Lupin]

"Our family?" Remus repeated. "What else could happen to us? I mean, we've already had a lot of bad things happen to us. But we're together now, and we'll protect each other, right?"

[Kris Lupin]

"I don't know, but the feeling wont go away, Remus." Kris said looking at him, "I want it to go away."

[Remus Lupin]

"Well, have you ever had feelings like that, that later turned out to be true?" Remus asked. "I mean, it's not unusual for a person to be worried and have nothing happen. It just means that now that we're all back together, you have a reason to be worried. You care more, you know? I don't want you to think I'm not taking you seriously, but I don't want you to worry yourself sick over what might be nothing." He squeezed her hand. "I just feel like you're always worrying about something. I just want you to be happy."

[Kris Lupin]

"I know, but I can't help it, I always feel like I should worry about the family and about what would happen if Greyback gets one of us...." Kris said quietly looking at her lap.

[Remus Lupin]

Remus wasn't sure what to say about that. He didn't want her to think he was dismissing her fears. And the truth was, he was really very worried about what would happen if Greyback did get his hands on either of them. The way he understood it, Zander had said something about how he could not face Greyback himself, because the next time the two of them met in battle, one of them would have to die. But he also had no doubt that if one of them were to be taken by Greyback, Zander would do whatever it took to rescue them, just as he was doing now for Ashura. "Well... maybe you should try to think about something else for a while, to distract yourself," Remus suggested lamely. "I don't like to see you so worried."

[Kris Lupin]

Kris nodded, "Do you think Dad will tell me the truth about everything?" She bit her lower lip as she waited for his answer. He knew their father better then she did, she still didn't think that it was fair to split them up.

[Remus Lupin]

Remus shrugged. "I don't know," he admitted. "I used to trust him with everything... I never would have guessed he'd lie to me. But now I don't know how to believe anything he says. Even if he tells the truth, I don't know if I'll believe it anymore."

[Kris Lupin]

"I'm sorry I messed up your relationship with him.... I never thought that would happen.." Kris looked at her lap as she bit her lower lip.

[Remus Lupin]

"It's not your fault, Kris," Remus said. "Please don't blame yourself. It's his fault. He's the one that did this, not you. If anything, I'm glad that I know now. I don't want to be lied to. Not about something so important. I needed to know what he did."

[Kris Lupin]

"I thought it'd be a good thing for us to be a family again but I've just messed things up." Kris said hugging herself, "Maybe it would have been better if I had just kept quiet about it."

[Remus Lupin]

"No, it wouldn't have been better," Remus said firmly. "What would have been better is if you'd never been sent away at all. My life was a lie... I couldn't keep living that way. I'm glad you're here."

[Kris Lupin]

"What if he lies again? What if he just says what he thinks I want to hear? And he never said I wouldn't be moving in... he just said I wouldn't be going back this summer... and the summer is almost over... what about next summer? Does he even want me home for good? Does he even want me at all?" Kris's voice shook as she spoke then after finishing she broke down and cried.

[Remus Lupin]

Remus immediately put his arms around her. "I don't know, Kris. I wish I had the answers for you, but I don't. I'm just as confused... maybe even more than you are. I lived with him all those years, and I never knew what he was keeping from me. I thought I knew him, now I realize it was all a lie." He sighed and held her tight. "Please don't cry...."

He wished he could find a way to help her get past all of this... the trouble was, he couldn't quite get past it himself.

[Kris Lupin]

"But he... he took everything from me... every year.. on my.. birthday... I would wish.. he would come get me.." Kris said through her tears, she was hurt that he made her feel unwanted. She hated her father for taking everything from her, her old life, her mother and her relationship with Remus.

[Remus Lupin]

"I know," Remus said. "It was wrong and unfair and cruel... I hate him for it, too...." He was at a loss for what else to say. He just wanted her to feel better, but he had no idea how to help her.

[Kris Lupin]

Kris finially calmed down but didn't bother to wipe her eyes. "I'm tired..." She mumbled but didn't know where to go to sleep.

[Remus Lupin]

Remus nodded and gave her one more squeeze before pulling away. "OK. I'm sure we can find an empty bedroom or a sofa somewhere around here. It's kinda been a long day." He glanced at the window, realizing that it was dark out. He didn't know what time it was, but it didn't really matter. It was late enough to sleep. "Come on," he said, taking her hand. "Let's see if we can find somewhere to sleep."

[Kris Lupin]

Kris nodded then stood up, she sorta felt good after letting everything out. "Maybe I'll get the truth out of him tomorrow... but that is only a maybe..." She added the last in a mutter to herself.

[Remus Lupin]

Remus put one arm around her, allowing her to lean on him as they left the room and headed into the hallway. "I hope so," he said. "I'm almost tempted to see if we can get our hands on some Veritaserum, so you can give it to him, so that you'll know he's telling the truth."

[Kris Lupin]

"Yeah but I bet the only person that could do that is Snape." Kris hoped her crush on him was gone, she wanted her whole heart to be Sirius'. She leaned against her brother, they were probably near the same height. "I've never felt this tired." She said as she ended with a yawn.