Lessons on Existing Without Your Soul, Chapter 12
DISCLAIMER: No, I do not own any of the characters created by J. K. Rowling, and nor do I claim to. I am merely writing this for my enjoyment and yours, and not for any monetary value.
Severus proved to be a most boring and unenjoyable houseguest, though, Leigh had to admit, it was nice having someone around. They didn't speak, but Leigh liked thinking that if she wanted to say something, he would be kind enough to hold a conversation with her. She walked aimlessly around the house as Snape brewed a few spare potions for Leigh, all of which he made by memory. Leigh could not help but be impressed – she knew he was good, but she didn't know he was that good.
Sometimes, Leigh would open her mouth to speak, but would readily close it. She was still ashamed of her outburst, and was almost afraid she would start yelling again if he, as he probably would, provoked her.
The sun was setting as Snape began to pack up his things. "Won't you stay for dinner, Severus?" Leigh asked. "It's the least I could do."
"No, no, I think it would be best if I returned to Hogwarts," Snape responded. "But thank you for the kind offer."
He treaded to the fire place, and grabbed a heaping handful of Floo powder from the jar by the pokers.
"Severus," Leigh said loudly, to catch his attention. He raised an eyebrow at her. "Thank you."
"Hogwarts!" He shouted, throwing the powder to the floor of the fire place. With a flash of green flames, Severus Snape was gone.
The house was left silent once more. Leigh sat on the couch and stared intently into the blackened and very empty fireplace. She half wished Snape hadn't left in a burst of flames. At least his presence, regardless of how reluctant, occupied her mind.
Leigh yawned. Perhaps it was time for her to attempt to fall asleep, though she didn't really want to. What if something happened in the hours she was asleep? She did not want to miss something that probably would not occur.
She yawned again.
Defeated, she stood from the couch. With a very feeble flick of her wand, a few lights dimmed – not the effect she was going for. All of the lights were supposed to go out completely. Leigh sighed and manually turned off each light, one by one. She had never felt more like a Muggle in her entire life.
"Penelope," Leigh called loudly. "Bed time."
No response. Odd. Usually Penelope came bounding to Leigh whenever she called her name.
"Penelope?"
Still no response.
Whatever, she thought, she's a dog. She can take care of herself.
Leigh entered the mouth of the hallway to find Penelope curled into a ball at the door of the guest bedroom – Remus' old room. "I miss him too," Leigh said to the huddled mass on the floor.
She opened the door, half expecting to see Remus asleep on the bed, his sandy hair covering his scarred face. The bed, which Remus had made before he left, was quite empty.
Leigh walked trance-like to the bed. She stared at the pillows and sheets, and imagined Remus' body there. She crawled into the bed and covered herself with the blankets. She could smell Remus all around her – and if she tried hard enough, she could feel him next to her.
Penelope jumped on the bed – she was big enough to do so now – and curled up next to Leigh.
"Good night," Leigh said quietly, shutting her eyes and letting sleep wash over her.
And Leigh could have sworn she heard the soft voice of Remus wish her a good night, as well.
X
There was a knock on the front door – the knock Leigh had been waiting so long to hear. Both Penelope and Leigh ran to the door, incredibly excited to see who was on the other side. Leigh looked through the peephole; a tall, handsome, and scarless man stood on the doormat, smiling widely. He carried a suitcase, a suitcase Leigh had seen before.
Leigh threw the door open. "Remus!" She shouted.
He dropped his suitcase as she ran forward. She jumped onto him, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. His arms enveloped her body as he kissed every inch of her he could. Tears were streaming down her face.
"I'm so happy you're home!" She said, before planting a huge kiss on his lips.
"I'm happy to be home, Leighton," Remus responded, carrying Leigh into the house, his suitcase magically floating behind them.
Leigh woke up to the sound of scratching and whimpering. She shot up in bed to find Penelope had long left the guest room. Leigh patted the empty swath of bed next to her, to find no one was in bed with her.
"Remus?" She called out. "Remus?"
It took her a few minutes to realize Remus had not fallen asleep by her side, and that she was only dreaming he had returned home, safe and unmarked.
Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic, Leigh thought to herself. She slapped her hand to her forehead and laid back down, preparing to go back to sleep.
However, the whimpering only grew louder, and the scratching grew more frantic and persistent. Leigh sighed and threw the covers off of her and placed her feet on the floor. She was still in her jeans and tee-shirt from the night before. She scratched her head.
The whimpering was now turning into pained and strangled barks.
"Okay, Penelope!" Leigh shouted, irritated. "You're hungry, I get it!"
Leigh exited the guest room, yawning so hard, her eyes were forced shut. When she opened them, she found Penelope was not in the kitchen, scratching at her food bowl, but at the front door. There was blood at the bottom of the door, presumably from Penelope's incessant scratching. "Penelope!" Leigh called.
The dog ran toward Leigh, her entire body shaking. There was blood on her muzzle and paws. Leigh, very worried, examined the dog for wounds. Perhaps there was another dog outside and Penelope just wanted to get out and play, and in her excitement, tried to dig a hole through the door.
Penelope's gums were bleeding, and one of her claws had fallen out. Leigh shook her head. "You crazy dog," She muttered. "What's out there?"
Penelope ran back to the door, crying loudly. Leigh looked through the peephole. She could not see anything as she looked directly outward, but then, her eye traveled to a black mass on the ground.
"…the hell is this?" Leigh said, unlocking the door. Penelope slipped through the gap as Leigh opened it, and began licking the black figure lying across the doormat.
"Penelope!" Leigh shouted. "Get back into the house!"
The dog did not listen, but continued to sniff and lick the mound. Leigh bent down, incredibly worried and, admittedly, scared.
Penelope started barking. Slowly, Leigh extended her arm and pulled back the black robes. On the ground, bleeding and shaking, lay Remus Lupin.
