Light My Candle

[Andromeda Nikki Potter-Lupin]

Title: Light My Candle
Author: Andromeda Nikki Potter Lupin
Rating: R, may change to NC-17
Summary: AU, non-magic. Harry Potter lives on the streets, selling paintings to those who want one. Remus Lupin stumbles upon this boy and feels sorry, so he slowly makes friends with him.
Couples: Harry/Remus, mentions of other relationships, Ron/Hermione, Severus/Sirius
Notes: not much... just sit back and relax.

Chapter One: Seeing Him

Remus John Lupin strolled the streets of downtown London. He wanted to get out and walk about, to see his new surroundings. He passed several men who sat against stores and begged for money. Some of them played music and sympathetic people dropped money into cases.

Turning a corner down an alleyway, he stopped at the sight of a young man sitting in front of an easel. A young couple were seated on some boxes, but the environment in the picture was different. It was of a beautiful park, with crystal clear water, fresh green grass, and tall healthy trees. Sitting on the bench in the picture was the couple. They had wide smiles and arms around each other.

"It's too bad you aren't as good as seller as you should be, Harry," replied the man. "And we shouldn't be your only customers." He took the portrait and tossed money into the tin.

The painter, Harry, smiled. "You aren't. Sev and Draco come here often. Ginny does too."

The woman gave Harry a warm smile. "I hope someday you'll accept our offer to take you in."

"I do appreciate it, Hermione, but I am fine here. Really."

The couple walked away and Harry stared at the empty white portrait. Remus decided to check the painter out. He stepped into the alley and cleared his throat. Harry turned around.

Harry had messy long black hair and dark emerald eyes. He was nicely tanned, but was thin and his clothes were dirty and torn.

"Yes?" he asked.

Remus gave a smile. "I see that you paint really beautiful portraits. Mind doing one for me?"

Harry gave a smile and readied his paints. "What kind of scenery do you want?" He gestured to the boxes. Remus took a seat.

"Um.. how about a nice cottage with a forest surrounding it?" Remus noticed that Harry's accent was a deep English tone, different than his French.

Harry gave a nod and started to use a pencil. He made the markings light before using the paints. "And where would you like to be?"

Remus gave a smile. "On the porch, looking to the forest."

There was a comfortable silence between the two. Remus found himself intrigued about the boy.

"So, what are you doing out here, with talent like yours?"

Harry shrugged. "My parents kicked me out of the house when I was young. I was raised by a man who only took in those who had great talent in painting. He died when I was eleven and I had no where else to go. Ron and Hermione, that couple that passed, are some of my usuals. Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy are some of the other usuals. They all wonder why I don't accept their offer and why I don't have a wonderful career in painting."

"You still haven't answered my question."

Harry sighed. "I really have no idea why, actually. I just never really thought about it. I am quite comfortable out here, painting pictures for people. I get lovers, people who just got divorced and want a lasting portrait, families, and lots of other people."

Harry put down the brushes and used a pen to trace everything. He quickly signed the portrait and handed it to Remus with a smile. "There you go, Mister..."

"Remus Lupin," said Remus with a smile.

"I'm Harry Potter." Harry then pulled out another white canvas.

Remus dug into his pockets and tossed some money into the tin. He could've swore a smile flitted on the younger man's face before he walked away.
~*~*~*~*~
end of chapter

I kind of liked that chapter. more is coming

[Andromeda Nikki Potter-Lupin]

I love this story! here is more!

Chapter Two: Visiting Him

Remus ended up visiting the boy twice a week. On his second visit, he met Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy, who were good friends with Harry. Severus was a father figure to the painter while Draco, like Ron, was a brother.

Remus had his fair share of paintings, so he used an empty guest bedroom to put them. He would go into the room and stare at the portraits all day.
~*~*~*~*~
Remus approached Harry that next week, holding a bag of take-out. He had learned that Harry loved Chinese food and decided to give him some food.

"Remus," Harry greeted. Then he caught sight of the bag. "You didn't..."

Remus nodded. He pulled a few boxes out to make a table and pulled out the take-out. "And I am eating with you, so you won't feel like I am being charitable."

Harry gave a laugh and grabbed the chop-sticks. They ate while talking more about each other. Remus learned that Harry had never been taught to read or anything other than the basics. Then he learned that Severus, Draco, Ron, and Hermione were slowly teaching him things he had missed learning in school.

"How about you? What's your occupation?" Harry asked.

"Well, I am a lawyer. I am very picky on who my clients are and I usually end up winning all of my cases. I haven't lost yet." Remus picked at his chop-suey. "I was raised in France with 2 brothers and 1 sister."

"Must've been great," said Harry. "I never knew my siblings, or my parents. Once my parents had more children, they took care of them more. Even my godfather, Sirius Black, gave them more attention. It was like I was invisible. Then, my father had had enough of me. Told me I was a waste of space and threw me out."

"How horrible," responded Remus, laying a hand on top of Harry's. The touch sent shivers down both of their spines.

Harry nodded. "Yes, it was. But then Trent took me in and taught me the very basics and perfected my paintings. He died, like I said, when I was young. Ever since then, I have lived out here, painting pictures for anyone. I never ask for any money, but they always give me money. I know all of the shopkeepers in this town. Very nice people. Hermione Weasley owns the bookstore, her brothers-in-law, Fred and George, own the joke shop, Severus owns the bakery with his godson Draco, Seamus Finnigan owns the althetic store, etc."

"You are lucky to have friends like that. Most hobos don't have friends, if any sympathizers."

The younger man gave a shrug and munched on an eggroll.
~*~*~*~*~

[sake1]

This story is just too cute!

[Andromeda Nikki Potter-Lupin]

it is. Having Remus as a Frenchman is something I got from two beautiful slash fics. They are not on ff.net, but on a slash site called The Silver Snitch. Both are done by Occaus. First one has Harry with Severus, but Severus dies of leukemia. The second one is pure Harry/Remus.

[sake1]

Huh. I've never really been into the whole 'un-magic universe' but maybe...

[Andromeda Nikki Potter-Lupin]

it's cool. He also has done some really great fanfiction, but ff.net took all of his stories off and now he is on The Silver Snitch.

[sake1]

I hate fanfiction.net

[Andromeda Nikki Potter-Lupin]

same... all the really good slash fics are gone. grr. Anyway, here is the new chapter!

Chapter Three: Learning to Love Him

Soon it became routine for Remus to see the young painter. Sometimes he would walk in on Harry painting another beautiful scene, involving those who sat on the boxes opposite him. It usually were couples, wrapped up in the arms of another. Sometimes it involved pets, lost loved ones, or just one person.

"I swear, you should sell paintings and earn a lot more money," said Remus, after a young couple walked off with their painting, after paying him. "Then you would have a house and not live on the streets." He dropped a few bags down on the ground and opened one. Remus handed over a plastic white box to Harry before opening his own.

"I like living on the streets," protested Harry, picking up his chicken sandwich. Remus had now started bringing food he himself had prepared, something Harry loved more than take-out.

"Mon ami, you should have a better life than this." The older man gestured around. He grinned at the look Harry gave him. "parle vous francais?" (I think my French is choppy. I haven't spoken French in years.)

Harry stared at the Frenchman with a look of puzzlement that sent Remus into laughter. "Oh, mon ami, you really are something else. All I asked was do you speak French."

"Oh." Harry then gave a half-hearted glare to the older man, who still chuckled.
~*~*~*~*~
Remus returned to his cottage, sitting in front of the warm fire. He contemplated his relationship with the young man. Since he first met him months ago, he and Harry were friends. But now... now the Frenchman started to become attracted to the painter. He had a gorgeous body, despite the fact that the man didn't live off of much, and a wonderful personality.

"I wish I could just kidnap him and keep him here, at home," he whispered to the fire. "Where he could be mine."
~*~*~*~*~
looks like Remmie isn't too afraid of his feelings for Harry. so cute!

[sake1]

Its so cute...

[Andromeda Nikki Potter-Lupin]

it is... and I revised the French. I accidently said I do not speak French. And i should reteach myself French, as I plan on having Remus say things in French. I remember odd tidbits of French, but that's it.

[sake1]

Go to the libary and get a french book.

[Andromeda Nikki Potter-Lupin]

i will, eventually

[sake1]

Okay

[Andromeda Nikki Potter-Lupin]

well... here is a chapter, finally!

Chapter Four: Talking to Him

The next time Remus visited Harry, he saw a tall dark man leaning on the brick wall next to Harry, talking quietly. Harry gave a laugh, which brought a smile to the man's face. Remus felt like growling but didn't. Instead, he walked up and greeted Harry.

"Oh, Remus, sorry," said Harry. Severus, the man talking to Harry, excused himself. The other man had seen the looks Remus gave to his young friend. He knew the French man was in love with Harry and Harry was in love with Remus. He mentally told himself to gather the others and try to get the two to confess their feelings to the other.
~*~*~*~
Remus had made spaghetti this time, which was another favorite of Harry's. They ate quietly, talking only when they wanted to.

"How's work?" Harry asked, taking a napkin and wiping his face.

"Good. The most recent case is going along swimmingly. How about you, mon ami?"

"I have been getting more customers lately. It seems the shopkeepers have been talking about me and they hung their portraits in their shops."

Remus laughed. Harry secretly loved the man's laugh. "It only shows how much they care about you."

They continued to talk casually, enjoying the company the other offered. Remus glanced down at his watch and cursed in French.

"Sorry, Harry, but I need to be going. My client is coming over in half an hour. I'll see you tomorrow, then?"

Harry nodded. He watched his friend walk away, his eyes attached to the man's behind. He blushed and leaned back against the boxes, smiling. Yes, he was definitely in love with Remus Lupin.

[sake1]

Aww!