Chapter Twenty-Five
Make the Oath
Got a secret
Can you keep it?
Swear this one you'll save
Better lock it, in your pocket
Taking this one to the grave
(Secret - The Pierces)June 20th, 1972"Please take care of yourself." Mia frowned as she stood in front of Remus, staring
worriedly up into his soft green eyes. "And write to me if you need... anything."
The term ended with nothing more exciting than exams, Quidditch finals, and the
end-of-year feast. No three-headed dog, or devil's snare, or giant chessboard, or flying keys,
or dead troll, or Voldemort. Just a typical year of school. The biggest announcement by
the end of the term was that the Slytherins had won the House Cup. It was not surprising,
considering how many House points were taken away from Gryffindor thanks in part to
the newly-minted Marauders and the Prewett twins.
"You worry too much. The past year with you.. ." Remus reached out and tucked
a curl behind her ear. She beamed as she remembered that, at the beginning of the year, he
had been too terrified to even shake her hand in introduction. It was amazing to see the
changes that had occurred within the young werewolf. "Mia, I've honestly never felt better."
"Still," she said, fussing with the collar of his robes to keep her hands busy. "Don't
think asking for help makes you weak or cowardly."
"Remus!"
He turned at the sound of his name being called out just in time to be approached
by a man and woman that Mia assumed were his parents. Suddenly, his confident
disposition faltered in the face of his family, and she caught the change immediately.
"Hi, Mum," he said quietly.
The woman wore Muggle attire. A light brown, modest dress that was obviously
handmade. Her sandy hair matched Remus's perfectly. While she was still in her early