In Grimmauld Place, everyone has to help with trying to make the house safe. Even Sirius, who's understandably peeved about the situation, has to do his bit.

"There's another Boggart upstairs," announced Remus, coming into the kitchen.

I stayed looking down at the table.

"Anyone want to take care of it?" he ventured. "I've got to go."

Lupin seemed not to have noticed that, other than me, it was only Molly, Arthur and Kingsley in the kitchen, all of whom were getting ready to leave.

They all mumbled apologies, and, recklessly, I jumped up.

I tried not to blush as I knocked over several chairs.

"I'll do it," I offered, staring Remus straight in the face.

He seemed surprised to see me in the corner. "Oh. Alright. Thanks."

Drooping slightly as I realised how unenthusiastic he sounded, I tried to smile, and tried not to panic.

~888~

Remus handed me a mug full of tea, and silently, I took a few sips.

"Are you alright?" he said gently after a few moments.

I nodded, not meeting his eyes, and there were another few moments of silence.

Sitting on a battered old sofa with Remus next to me, I stared down at my knees and tried to block out what had just happened.

"What happened?" asked Remus quietly, looking straight at me. "I didn't see anything."

Oddly enough, this was a comfort.

I sighed. "What do you think? I couldn't handle it."

Remus sighed. "You should have said something."

I said nothing,e ver so slighlty offended that he thought I'd never been able to handle boggarts.

"I wouldn't have put you through that," he told me, eyebrows slightly raised.

I shrugged.

There was another long silence.

"I'm sorry," I said in a tiny voice at last. "I mean… I said I could… and it's just a stupid Boggart…"

Remus shook his head, smiling slightly. "Don't worry." Clapping me on the shoulder, he went to leave.

"Wait-" I stared at him, swallowing. "I need to talk to you."

He looked surprised. "Alright. What's the matter?"

I sat back down on the sofa, despite the fact I had just leaped up from it, and a moment later, Lupin came and sat beside me.

"What's the matter?" he repeated.

I struggled for a moment, wondering how on earth I was supposed to tell him. Even Molly hadn't reacted well.

"Dora, what is it?"

I blinked at him, momentarily distracted. "You called me Dora."

"Well," he protested. "You said I should."

"That was two months ago," I reminded him. "And you've continued to call me nothing since then."

"Well," he repeated, smiling a little. "I know you hate your first name."

I snorted. "Hate doesn't cover it."

Remus laughed.

"So, Dora," he said. "What is it you wanted to tell me?"