the_debt_of_time

younger self was in desperate need of understanding friends. And his letter was her guide
and her rules, and she would obey it.
Mia smiled over at him, gesturing to the book in his hands, watching as he very
slowly let his guard down a little.
"My favourite, too." He gave her a nervous smile. "I was really excited to go, so I
wanted to read up. I didn't think I'd ever be able to attend."
"Why not? You're a wizard, aren't you?" she asked.
"I... I, umm... yeah. I mean, my parents weren't sure if they wanted to send me
somewhere else is all."
Mia understood why he lied to her and did not push the issue any further. Instead,
she beamed at him, offering a friendly smile. "Well, lucky us then."
He raised a brow as though he did not understand the word. "Lucky?"
"Yeah, you're coming to Hogwarts, and now we're going to be friends."
"Friends?" The word sounded painful as it left his lips.
She did her best to hide the expression of grief that threatened to escape her. Yes.
Remus was her friend and would be her friend again. She needed him, just as he very
desperately needed her.
Eventually, she held a hand out to him that he gaped at with wide eyes. "I'm Mia
Potter."
"Remus Lupin," he said without touching her, still staring at her extended hand.
"You know, I don't have germs."
"I know, I mean.. ." He glanced up at her face and then back down at her hand,
and she could almost see him calculating the risks. Any other child would have probably
thought him to be completely strange or possibly have been offended by his reaction, but
Mia knew better, which was also why she refused to back down.
Shake the bloody hand, Remus, she urged him silently.
After a moment, he looked up at her, and she tried to express to him the safety of
the situation. Slowly, he took her hand, and she smiled as though she had just received an
Outstanding on a test.
"Come on, Remus," she said, tugging on him like Tilly was constantly doing to her.
Remus looked panicked, but he did not struggle against her. "Where... Where are
we going?"