Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter world... If I owned Remus Lupin, I would definitely be doing something more interesting than writing some fanfiction. ;)

Chapter Twenty

Something deep in my subconscious jolted me awake. Something's wrong.

At first I was alarmed by not being in my own bed. The grogginess took a moment to melt away but then it came back to me. Second, I was alarmed by not having a body next to mine.

I sat upright and took in the rest of the room. I didn't bother calling his name. I knew he wouldn't answer; all his bags were gone. I had the distinct feeling of being alone. Distinct and familiar... All that was left was a lingering scent on his blankets and pillows. I hugged a pillow, closing my eyes and breathing in, briefly trying to trick my mind into thinking he hadn't left. Finding no comfort in this, I pulled my knees into my chest and let the dam of grief wash over me. It came over me in waves, weighing down my body until I felt made of lead. The weight was so great that not even a tear could escape, not even a sob. I didn't even say goodbye.

At last, I mustered up the will to swing my legs over the side of the bed. Another pang of grief struck me when I remembered that I was wearing his clothes from the night before. I almost stood up, but something out of the corner of my eye caught my attention: a simple envelope on the bedside table. I picked it up carefully and examined the name written on the back, 'Ginevra Weasley'. My heart began to flutter from nervousness. He left me a letter... I couldn't even begin to imagine what it could possibly say. That's why you open it, Ginny. I couldn't; I was too scared. Wouldn't it just make his absence hurt all the more? I could barely handle what was already on my plate, let alone adding more. So, instead of being reasonable, I slide the envelope into my sweater pocket and didn't let it leave my person for the next eight days (save for sleeping, when I put it under my pillow).

...

There I sat, alone in a compartment on the train. My face resting against the cold glass, watching the snow covered landscape pass by. Watching my breath cloud the glass on every exhale. Having nothing else to distract me, my thoughts drifted off to the previous eight days of my life. They passed by more slowly than I could ever have believed possible. I went to all my classes and finished all my homework, but otherwise made myself scarce. I refused to spend any more time in the library or even eat my meals in the Great Hall. I couldn't bear being in the company of other people. The rest of the school was disturbingly in high spirits and illogically optimistic. God only knows why... Even people around me like Ron and Hermione, who knew just how serious Voldemort's powers were becoming, cared more about their own personal dramas then the future of the wizarding world. Much to my self-loathing, I felt a certain jealousy at their ability to just let it all fall to the background. Of course, that just made me want to be with them even less.

Life reverted back to how it had been for the past five years of my school life: lonely and quiet. Not even Tom had anything to say... not that I wanted to talk to him. Remus, where are you? I thought for maybe the fiftieth time that morning. The ache in my chest grew stronger and stronger until I could barely handle the pain. I needed a part of him with me before I succumbed to absolute misery.

I pulled the very worn envelop out of my pocket and clenched it tight at the edges. I turned it over and glared at the wax seal. I knew that this was the moment I'd been waiting for. My fingers slowly inched across the parchment. My finger nails rested next to the seal, slowly pushing under, slowly pulling the wax away from the parchment. My heart nearly burst out of my chest from overload of anticipation. I should have done this sooner... Merlin, I'm such a coward. I pulled the wax off and stared at the now open envelop, hands trembling.

Before I had another moment to open the letter and finally read what was inside, fate intervened. I could have screamed. The door to my compartment opened, leaving only enough time for me to shove the letter back into my pocket. "There you are, Ginny!" I looked up to see Stephen closing the door and pulling down the curtain. "I'm glad I found you alone, I'm freaking out a little." No kidding, did he ever seem on edge, or what?

"What's up?" I asked, throwing a mask of calm over my features, trying with all my might not to let my irritation show through. Of course I don't get to read it after finally deciding to. He came and sat down on my side of the compartment and pulled out a fancy little box. Lucky it was too big for a ring because I almost flipped. No surprise that he wanted to talk to me about Hermione.

"You know how I'm spending the holidays in France with my grandparents and couldn't see Hermione over the next two weeks?" I nodded, remembering the long hour of complaining I had to hear from Hermione over this. "Well, I wanted to get her something extra special for Christmas and I'm going to give it to her before the train arrives at the station..."

"But you don't know if she'll like it?" I finished, exasperated. Why don't boys ever learn? Girls will like almost anything so long as you've put thought into it. He looked so worried though, that I felt a little sorry for him. "Show me and I'll tell you," I restrained myself from rolling my eyes.

His face cracked into another of his Gilderoy Lockhart shaming smiles and he opened the box to show me a dazzling bracelet. My jaw dropped a little, it was simply stunning. "Oh hell, I knew it was too much!" He said, his face dropping.

"Are you kidding me? It's beautiful!" I gushed a little, I won't lie.

"Are you sure? I mean, I don't know if it's something that would look ridiculous on her wrist," he looked up at me pleadingly. "Ginny, could I please try it on you just to see what it looks like?"

How could I resist those puppy dog eyes? I could have sworn I saw something else gleaming within them, but I must have imagined it. So although I did feel a little upset that I was just the guinea pig for him to lavish beautiful jewellery on Hermione... sacrifices must be made in friendship. I held out my arm for him.

He undid the clasps and as if in slow motion he brought the silver band to my wrist and went to fasten it. Something changed in his face. His grin turned into a sort of triumphant leer while the happy sparkle in his eye changed to what I noticed moments earlier, a gleam of malice. I felt a surge of fear rush through me. Something's very wrong. I tried to pull my arm away but he clenched it tight. I let out a yelp of pain. "Stephen―

I felt a sickening pull just behind my navel and everything went dark.

The bracelet was a fucking portkey.

TBC

Author's note: Well, sorry for the long delay, University is quite a busy place actually! Anyways, I know this is like the shortest chapter ever, which is why I feel like a big ol' jerk when you've waited so long and that's all you get... but at least you know shits going to get real exciting, real soon! Anyways, hopefully you enjoy that little cliff-hanger and that you weren't expecting it! Poor Hermione... it looks like Stephen wasn't so nice after all :( Hopefully the next chapter will be up in less time and hopefully it will be substantially longer. Peace out guys, reviews are extremely appreciated! Love, me!