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Restore
France, Healer's Tents Near Mon-Saint-Jean
June 19th, 1815
I snuck through the Healer's Camp, feeling ill and angered by turns. I had been much removed from the battlefield, but the sight of it was a thing too horrible to behold. I had retched trying to observe the multitude of mangled carcasses of wounded and dead men. Many were unable to move, and the stench of death hung heavy over the scene. I had no doubt that the healers could not work fast enough to keep from dying those who were losing copious amounts of blood and fighting dark curses. The wounded, both of the Allies and the French, were equally appalling. I had come for a single purpose, however. Stopping at the correct tent, I took a deep breath before entering.
Remus lay on his stomach on a cot, his torn back covered in gauze and smelling of potions.
He nodded to me as I entered, his lips twisting into a tight smile. "Curious thing: I've always liked wolves you know; it's been my insignia."
"You never shied away from werewolves, either," I said, thinking of the vial of werewolf's blood he had secured for me after Grayback had refused me.
He coughed a little, "Amusing, that."
"Well…" I didn't know how to offer comfort for this.
"Dumbledore is furious with you, of course."
It was a novel experience to realize that I had not plumbed the depths of the annoyance I could cause the old man. Pity that Lupin was a casualty. I realized suddenly that I did care that he had been so irrevocably wounded. Nevertheless, in the end, the Dark Lord had been more tightly resolved than I had any right to expect or even hope.
"He ought to be furious with you. After all, you physically assaulted him." I smiled and then suddenly began to laugh, reliving the sight of Albus crumpling under the weight of the chamber pot. At least I had returned the Elder Wand.
Remus smiled, too. "That's the first time I've ever heard you laugh, you know."
"There hasn't been much to laugh about."
"There is talk of you gaining a title or knighthood—"
"Utter rubbish, I'm sure."
"An Order of Merlin?"
I made a face. "Lupin," I began, no good at grand gestures. He nodded at me to continue. "When you get back to England, feel free to come see me. I er… well, I owe you a debt and will provide you with wolfsbane." I turned away.
"Thank you, Severus." He said quietly.
I stood and walked to the opening of the tent. "Cover for me as long as you can."
He chuckled, "What's so important that you can't remain by my sick bed?"
"Besides Dumbledore threatening to make me help return Louis to the throne? I'm recently married, Remus." His sharp intake of breath had me sneering. "Don't act so surprised, Lupin."
"I'm not," he said quietly. "I'm pleased."
"Keep your pleasure to yourself."
"Go. I'll hold Albus off for as long as I can."
I left without a backward glance.
Edited for grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation & death by starving on May 8th, 2013 [courtesy of renaid, who had been unfailingly patient].
Edited for formatting and author's notes March 3rd, 2015.
