Chapter 81.2 Own Land (POV Remus Lupin)

POV Remus Lupin

— Hello. — A young Asian man in an expensive suit sat down at the table without asking permission — something the man had learned to recognize long ago.

The man looked around, dabbed his eyes at the man and found the serving girl, waving his hand. All the while, Remus Lupin had been studying the Asian man, noting his confidence, his fighter's movements, the purity of his speech without a hint of accent, the expensive clothes and accessories, the watch alone being worthless, not to mention the artifact gloves and the shiny gold bracelet.

Obviously, the man was here for a reason, and most likely, — Lupin looked around, very carefully and professionally, — that reason was him — Remus Lupin. He would find out why the stranger was interested in him, but this choice of introduction was confusing, because there were many possibilities, from smuggling to banal jokes. A girl in a blue dress below the knees and a white apron approached.

-What do you want? — The girl didn't smile, but she acted friendly.

— Soooo... — the guy quickly scanned the poor menu, flipped to the desserts page, then looked at the drinks, judging by his face .... he didn't understand a thing. — Lunch number two, — the girl nodded and scribbled an entry in her notebook. — Hot salad with extra cheese, — the girl nodded again. — Double portion of number three sandwiches, a glass of orange juice, and a little later two double scoops of ice cream, cherry and chocolate.

— Anything else? — The girl's voice brightened a bit.

— That's all for now.

The girl nodded and left, and the boy fixed his gaze on Lupin. The werewolf had worked with all sorts of people, so he had to learn Occlumency to an intermediate level, which allowed him to track the attacks of even the most skilled wizard. If this guy was attacking, Remus would have noticed.

— Mr. Lupin, do you believe in destiny? — For some reason, it was clear to the werewolf that the word 'destiny' was capitalized.

— A difficult question... — The fact that the stranger knew his name narrowed the range of possible questions.

— You're right about something, but humans can't believe in anything, and not just humans. All mortals believe in something or someone to some degree. — The guy took the lunch he'd brought, half of the ham and cheese sandwiches, and slid them over to the werewolf. — Help yourself. Anyway. Mortals very rarely have a spirit strong enough to withstand the blows of life without the support of someone else. We have to believe that somewhere there's someone who can stand up for us, or punish an abuser who can't be avenged. It's our nature. — Saying that, the guy had time to eat lunch without stopping for a long time. — That's why I think believing in fate is not the worst option.

— Why are you telling me all this, Mister?

— Sora Hoshino. — The boy nodded and continued. — I had a feeling today that I had to go somewhere, and when I followed that feeling, I ended up here. What else is that but fate?

— I don't quite understand you... — Lupin blinked, feeling his inner wolf baring its fangs.

— I need a man, a wizard, familiar with the English way of life, its ways and customs, educated, with a head on his shoulders, energetic enough to get my errands done quickly... and who could be more energetic than a werewolf, right?

— Knowing my nature, — Lupin began, keeping his eyes on Hoshino's face. — You, a stranger, are offering me a job? Why would I do that?

— I already told you. — The boy who had kept a neutral and friendly expression all this time turned into a serious adult with a penetrating gaze that made the inner wolf prick up his ears and tense up. — I have a unique opportunity to hire a specialist in "local cuisine" and I am not going to miss it — I am offering this "specialist" a fair choice of honest work. What do you think? Do you want to live in a human way or are you satisfied with the fate of a parcel boy who can be chased away at any time with an old newspaper?

Aren't you tired of feeling like an extra in this life? What have you gained by serving an old politician, hmm? — Lupin's mouth was dry and he wanted to answer, but for some reason, all of the Headmaster's speeches seemed to be lies. — I offer you a home. I offer you a place in life. I offer you to be a human being. I expect your answer after lunch.

Remus expected the boy to say something else, but he remained silent. For a while, Hoshino concentrated on pretending to eat, though in reality he was cautiously studying the local contingent. At the moment, the crowd here was decent and interesting, Xenophilius Lovegood alone was worth a lot. By the way, I wonder what he's doing here? Oh! His backpack! Where's his daughter?