Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JK. Serena is mine.
Ok. Fine. Even though I didn't get nearly enough reviews on that chapter as I wanted too, (I left her practically dead, and no one says anything? What's wrong with you people?) Here's the next chapter. Please, please review! It really makes my day!
Plus, in case anyone's interested, I'm working on another Lupin fic. One where he's not quite the nice, easygoing sweetie we expect. I'm having trouble with a girl for him though, so if anyone has any ideas email me!
Those that did review—Thanks!
Chapter Thirteen
Remus thought maybe he was dead. But then again, it wouldn't hurt quite so much if he was.
So, he wasn't dead. He couldn't decide how he felt about that.
He swallowed, his dry throat rasping, and tried to open his eyes. But he was so weak. So tired.
He heard a low voice nearby. "D'you think he'll be ok?"
Harry's voice he realized.
"Remus will be fine." Replied Dumbledore from the other side of his bed.
Then he heard Ron Weasley. "I dunno. He looks pretty bad. Sicker than usual."
And Hermione's hissed response. "Ron! He might hear you."
He wanted to smile at that. But couldn't. So he cracked his eyes open, wincing at even the dim light.
"That bad, Ron?" He whispered hoarsely.
The teenagers jolted as one.
Ron stammered an apology, while Hermione shot him a look that said 'I told you so'. Harry just grinned, relief showing on his face.
"Hello, Harry." Remus said.
"Hi." Harry replied, still grinning. Remus was touched that the boy had been worried about him.
Dumbledore leaned over him. "Remus. How are you feeling?"
"Terrible." Remus replied truthfully. He looked around, recognizing the hospital wing at Hogwart's.
"You brought me to Hogwart's?" He asked.
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes. It seemed… best, considering."
Considering he was a werewolf?
Madam Pomfrey bustled into the room then, fussing around Remus like a mother hen when she found him awake. She made him sit up and drink a restorative potion, then fluffed his pillows, and made him drink a goblet of pumpkin juice. Then she patted him on the head and left.
As he had been fussed over, something had occurred to him.
"Where's Serena?" He asked when Madam Pomfrey had left.
The teenagers at his bedside suddenly became very interested in their laps.
Dumbledore sighed. He sat on the edge of Remus' bed. "She saved your life, Remus." He said quietly.
"Where is she?" He had a feeling of foreboding, something teasing the edge of his memory.
"You were badly injured. Beyond what a normal healing charm could mend."
"Where is she?" Remus repeated.
"She performed a spell so complex and dangerous, only the most advanced wizards have ever attempted it, and I don't recall it ever being done so successfully. For the most part."
"Where is she?"
Dumbledore rose and went to the curtain that separated Remus from the next occupant and pulled it back slowly. On the other side lay Serena.
She was pale and still, her breath so slow and shallow it looked as if she wasn't even breathing.
"No." Remus gasped. "Is she..?" He couldn't bring himself to ask.
Dumbledore shook his head. "She's alive." He said gently, "but only just. Madam Pomfrey is doing all she can, but it's too soon to tell."
Remus sat up, ignoring sharp stabs of pain. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, tugging the hospital robe he wore more securely around him. He struggled to stand, but couldn't because he was too weak. He closed his eyes in defeat.
Then he felt an arm slip around him. He opened his eyes.
"Let me help." Harry said quietly. And Ron came around to his other side offering his support.
Between them, they were able to get him upright and over to Serena's bedside, and Hermione dragged a tufted armchair over for him to sit in.
Dropping heavily in the chair, Remus murmured his thanks, his eyes locked on Serena's peaceful face.
Reaching out, he enfolded her cold hand in his.
"What did she do?" He asked, his voice strained.
Dumbledore moved to stand at the foot of Serena's bed. He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "The spell she performed is very old and extremely complicated. But in the simplest of terms, she gave you her life."
A stunned silence fell over the group.
"I'm sorry, Remus." Dumbledore said gently. "All we can do is wait and hope she awakens." With that he turned and left the room.
Despite her curiosity, Hermione nudged Ron, motioning to the door.
After glancing at Harry, who was staring at Serena with a mixture of horror and admiration, Ron followed Hermione out.
Harry lingered, his hands shoved in his pockets, his green eyes focused on his former teacher and the last link to his parents. He noticed for the first time how incredibly alone Lupin looked. Almost as much as he himself felt sometimes. But he had Ron and Hermione, Hagrid and the Weasleys. Who did Lupin have?
"Remus?" Harry called softly, using Lupin's given name for the first time.
Remus turned his head, grief etched on his face. "Yes, Harry?" He suddenly seemed very old.
Harry shifted uncomfortably. "You really like her, don't you?"
Remus nodded, smiling sadly. "Yes. Yes I do."
"Professor Dumbledore told me that she knew my Mum." Harry whispered.
"They were friends. Serena was there when you were born."
Harry took a step closer. "He also said that she was like my Mum."
"She is quite like your mother was, Harry." Remus replied, lowering his head, his voice heavy.
Harry didn't know what to say to that. He'd like to know someone who could give him some insight into his mother.
"I hope she wakes up." He said softly.
Remus sighed. "I do too."