Cursed Paths: The Story of William Lupin90.00%

The First Threads of Trust

Will woke up early, even before the first rays of sunlight pierced through the curtains of his room. He wanted to start the day without drawing unnecessary attention, avoiding unwanted encounters. Moving quietly, he left his room and headed for the bathroom.

As he walked down the hallway, he barely made a sound, careful not to disturb the morning silence. In the bathroom, he quickly freshened up, not wanting to linger. Once he was done, Will stepped back into the corridor and paused for a moment, listening to the sounds of the house. It was still quiet.

Leaving the bathroom, he made his way back to his room. As he passed the girls' room, he unexpectedly ran into Ginny Weasley, who had also woken up early. She looked a bit sleepy and surprised to see him in the hallway.

"Oh, good morning, Will," Ginny said with a slight smile, which, despite her drowsy state, was warm and genuine. "Didn't expect to run into anyone this early. You're up too?"

Will was slightly caught off guard by the unexpected encounter but tried to keep his composure. He nodded and replied,

"Yes, just wanted to get ready early. I don't like getting in the way of others. What about you? Why are you up so early?"

"I grew up in a house with six brothers," Ginny answered. "So I got used to waking up before everyone else to avoid waiting in line for the bathroom."

Noticing his reserved demeanor, Ginny offered,

"Will, why don't you join us for breakfast today? Everyone would be happy to have you there."

Will hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly nodded. He wasn't sure if he was ready for socializing, but Ginny's invitation was sincere. He decided it was worth a try.

"Alright, Ginny. It would be impolite of me to refuse."

Ginny seemed genuinely pleased that Will had accepted her invitation. She said,

"Great. See you at breakfast," and headed for the bathroom.

Will returned to his room and, as soon as he closed the door behind him, once again sank into his thoughts. The idea of having breakfast with everyone didn't particularly excite him. He wasn't ready for loud conversations and the endless chatter that often filled the house. His current state of mind was far from wanting to participate in discussions about recent events.

Despite his reluctance, he knew he had to adhere to certain habits instilled in him since childhood. His parents had always taught him to uphold aristocratic manners and follow the strict standards of their ancient family, the Dedefans. This extended even to his appearance at breakfast. Though he bore the Lupin name, he still felt like part of an aristocratic world that demanded a certain behavior and presentation.

Will chose dark blue trousers and a light shirt, which contrasted with the jeans and t-shirts the others usually wore. As he dressed, he made sure everything was neat and proper, maintaining his dignity. Once he was ready, he glanced in the mirror and decided that at the very least, he would try to meet expectations on the outside.

Entering the dining room, Will greeted everyone with reserved politeness. His greeting was brief and formal, as befits someone raised with aristocratic manners. He nodded toward Sirius, Remus, the Weasley family, and Hermione, trying to appear confident despite the inner discomfort and his desire to avoid unwanted attention.

Sitting down at the table, Will noticed that he had drawn some attention—everyone, including Hermione and Ginny, was watching him with curiosity, but no one intruded on his personal space. Taking a cup of tea, Will tried to focus on his plate, sinking into his thoughts and attempting not to dwell on the looks of those around him.

Everyone at the table engaged in conversation about the latest news and events. Sirius animatedly discussed new developments in Muggle technology, while Molly Weasley shared new recipes she planned to try. Ron and Ginny exchanged their thoughts on the latest Quidditch updates, and Hermione actively participated, sharing her opinions on recently read books.

Will wasn't in a hurry to join the lively discussion. Instead, he focused on listening, trying to catch important details and understand the context of the ongoing events. His gaze moved across the faces of those speaking, and he made an effort to remember their mannerisms and habits. Occasionally, he made brief remarks or nodded to show he was paying attention, but for the most part, he remained in the background, preferring not to engage too much.

After finishing his meal, Will thanked Mrs. Weasley for breakfast, gave a polite nod to everyone present, and left without lingering. He felt a sense of relief upon returning to the quiet of his own space, away from the noise and chatter downstairs. Once back in his room, he picked up a book on ancient runes—an old passion of his. The pages, filled with symbols and hidden meanings, captivated him, helping him escape from his heavier thoughts.

Deep in his reading, Will was startled by a knock at the door. Slightly surprised, he looked up from his book and listened.

"Will, may I come in?" came Hermione's voice.

"Yes, come in, Hermione," he replied calmly, closing the book.

She opened the door and stepped inside, glancing around cautiously.

"Mrs. Weasley asked me to tell you that there will be an Order meeting in an hour," she began, "and it's best for everyone who isn't a member to stay in their rooms."

Will nodded, acknowledging the information, and Hermione noticed the book on his desk. Her eyes lit up with interest.

"Oh, I've read this book on runes! Are you interested in them too?" she asked enthusiastically, stepping closer.

Will gave a slight smile, feeling a rare warmth in the conversation for the first time in a long while.

"Yes, I've been interested for a while. My father studied runes as well, and that's what got me into them."

Hermione sat down across from him, eager to continue the discussion, sensing that they had found common ground.

Will and Hermione quickly became immersed in a conversation about ancient runes. They discussed the meanings of symbols, their origins, and their applications in magic. Will was surprised by the depth of Hermione's knowledge and found himself enjoying the exchange of thoughts, discovering something mutual in the discussion that gradually brought them closer.

They talked for about an hour, completely forgetting everything else around them. At one point, Hermione glanced at the clock and, realizing how much time had passed, apologized.

"I should go now. Thanks for the conversation, Will. That was great."

Will nodded, still somewhat distant, but clearly pleased by their discussion.

"Thank you, Hermione. I'm glad you find it interesting too."

As Hermione left the room, she felt a quiet sense of happiness. She knew she had taken the first step toward establishing a connection with Will and perhaps, in time, becoming his friend.

Will spent the rest of the evening deep in thought, sitting by his window and watching as twilight slowly enveloped London. He pondered whether he was ready to open up more to the people in the house at 12 Grimmauld Place.

It was difficult for him to make that decision. Memories of his family, the pain of loss, and his reluctance to trust new people held him back from fully connecting with those around him. However, today's conversation with Hermione showed him that perhaps things weren't as difficult as they seemed. He had found in her not just a conversation partner, but something more—understanding and empathy that he hadn't felt in a long time.