Late at night, or actually, early in the morning of the fourth day, Remus Lupin sat at Snape's desk searching his books and scrolls for something, anything that would tell them about this dreadful poison. His feelings were very chaotic. He wanted so desperately to find something to help, but he simply couldn't concentrate no matter how hard he tried. Exhaustion overwhelmed him, and he kept being distracted by Evangeline's movements, in the bed, in the next room. She was repeatedly thrashing about and moaning in her delirium.
Lupin finally gave up in frustration. Tossing down the book he'd been searching through, he got up from the desk, went in, and stared with worry at the delirious woman in the bed. His heart beat fast as he looked at her. He felt so helpless.
Evangeline lay in the middle of the big bed, obviously uncomfortable and unsettled. She'd thrown back the covers, and her nightgown was twisted up around her body. Hoping to make her more comfortable, Lupin crawled onto the bed, reached over, and pulled the blanket back up over her again. He was kneeling there looking down at her in concern when suddenly her eyes opened wide and stared into his.
"There you are. Where have you been? I've been so worried," she whispered faintly.
Lupin tried to smile reassuringly at her. " It's all right, I'm here, Evangeline. We're going to help you, don't worry."
She smiled back at him. "I'm not worried if you're here," she murmured softly.
Hesitantly, he reached out a hand and gently pushed her hair back off her sweaty forehead. His fingers automatically continued on to caress its softness. How long had he yearned to touch it? He didn't know.
Without warning she slipped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. "Kiss me," she pleaded.
Caught off guard, he found he couldn't pull himself away from those overly bright green eyes, in fact, he realized with a shock that he didn't want to. All rational thought fled in the face of a sudden strong burst of desire. As if in a dream, he kissed her gently, and then passionately. Suddenly he found himself releasing all of these overwhelming feelings for her into this embrace that he hadn't even realized he'd been longing for so desperately. From there his eager lips moved slowly down her throat to her bare shoulders. Slipping the straps of her nightgown down her arms, he exposed her breasts. Pausing to momentarily feast his eyes on this bounty, he moved on to kiss and fondle them lovingly. Evangeline moaned with pleasure at his touch. "Oh, Severus!" she gasped.
Lupin froze, as if someone had thrown ice water on him. Harsh reality came crashing back. God, what was he doing! He pulled out of her arms. She moaned and grabbed for him.
"Don't leave me, Severus! I love you. I need you, Severus!" she cried weakly.
In a sudden cold panic, Lupin pulled the straps of her nightgown back into place and pulled the covers up over her again. He tried to quiet her, and when she was a bit calmer, he gave her another dose of a sleeping potion that Poppy had left at the bedside. When she was finally sleeping peacefully, he walked shakily out of the bedroom. The horrified wizard sat at the desk trembling, feeling alternately hot and cold. He held his face in his hands and tried to calm himself down.
You idiot! What were you thinking? How could you do something like that?!
He had to get out of here! Jumping to his feet, he went over to the fireplace, and tossed some blue powder into it from a dish on the mantle. The flame burned blue. Lupin knew it also would upstairs in the infirmary. Unable to return to the chair to wait, he paced back and forth in agitation. Mentally berating himself for his shocking behavior.
A few minutes later came the knock he'd been waiting for. Eager to escape, he ran to the door and let Poppy in. "What's wrong, Remus? Is Evangeline worse?" she exclaimed as she entered.
He shook his head. "No, she's sleeping. I just need to get out of here for a while. Can you take over for me?"
Poppy shot him a sharp look. "What's wrong? You're sweaty and trembling? Are you sure you feel all right?"
Nervously he ran a hand through his hair as he nodded. "Yes. I'm fine. I just fell asleep at the desk and had a nightmare, that's all. I really need to get out of here and get some fresh air."
His mind pleaded silently with her to just let him go. Please, don't keep questioning me, Poppy! I might just tell you the truth, and I'm not sure I can deal with that at the moment.
To his great relief, she frowned but didn't press him further. Instead she patted his arm reassuringly and said, "Go get some rest, Remus. I don't want you in there next to Evangeline with nervous exhaustion."
No. The very last place he needed to be was in the same bed with Evangeline Winthrop!
"Thanks, Poppy!" Anxious to make his escape, he grabbed the book he'd been searching, and fled quickly from the room.