The Truth About Remus
Chapter Eleven (AN: actually, this is so short that it could be considered Chapter Ten and a Half, but to save us all from confusion, it is Chapter Eleven.)
Remus,
We heard about Anistasia's accident and we are so very sorry. Joseph and Katrina ran over to our house last night, all shaken up. We were up with them all night, but, sadly, they are still in terrible sock. Now dear, even though you may be tempted to, don't do anything rash. Time will heal the wounds and soon, everything will be back to normal. Please trust us.
I know this may be much more than you can take right now, especially on your birthday and with everything that happened yesterday, but you will have to remain at Hogwarts for the holidays. There is going to be a full moon the evening that you are supposed to leave for the holidays, and we don't want anything to happen to you or anybody else on your way home.
Always remember that we are your parents and we love you dearly. We know that you will get angry at us saying this, especially since it is not exactly what you want to be hearing right now and you probably are wondering why we are saying this, but happy birthday, son, even if it is not happy at all.
Love,
Mum & Dad
P.S. Write back and tell us how you are doing.
"They speak of me as though I died," I told Remus laughing as I folded up the note.
"Its no laughing matter," he said, scolding me, "For Gods sakes, Ani. You were unconscious for two days! Your temperature was far below the normal body temperature for a dangerously long time and no one knew if you would make it. You are lucky just to have pneumonia. We were all worried about you!"
"Its no big deal."
"Yes it is a big deal," Remus yelled, "To me, it was a big deal! You don't know what it is like, on your knees, holding your best friend in your arms, not knowing whether she could hear your cries and pleads or feel your pain ---"
He suddenly stopped talking and I took a deep breath.
"But I do, Remus. I remember that night all too well."
"If you are talking about that night when we were six, that doesn't count. We were too young to know pain and love."
"No, we weren't. Maybe, you were, but I wasn't. That night haunts me every day."
"If you think it haunts you, what do you think I have to go through?"
I stood and confronted him, "You know, you didn't have to let that damned thing bite you. It wanted me. It was coming after me. I should have been bitten, not you. I should have been the one that had to have this burden on me and you could have forgotten about me. We both would have lead better lives."
"Oh, so now you are saying that you are only my friend because of your guilt?"
"No, I am not saying that ---"
"Yes, you are," Remus yelled, "You just did! Good Gods, Ani, why didn't you tell me this before instead of leading me on for the past ten years?"
I couldn't reply before the door of the Hospital Wing burst open and the Marauders, Crystal and Lily rushed in.
"Excuse me," Remus said under his breath as he passed the incomers and left the room.
No one paid much attention to him, including me.
"Dumbledore just told us," Bill exclaimed, hugging me tightly.
"Mademoiselle Willow," Sirius said, bowing and kissing my hand.
"Ditto," James laughed, bowing and kissing my other hand.
"Ani," Lily and Crystal exclaimed, embracing me.
"Hey, ya'll," I said, and then held my hand up to my mouth, "Achoo!"
"Oooh, yeah, we heard about your pneumonia, too," James said and helped me to the bed.
Bill sat on the end of my bed, at my feet, while the others took seats around me.
"Thumper, what was it like being unconscious," he asked enthusiastically.
I smiled and thought for a moment, "Well, Stryker, time flew by very quickly."
"Hey, Ani, the Quidditch Tournament schedules are up," James told me, handing me a piece of parchment that he had pulled from his pocket, "Take a look."
I unfolded the parchment and read:
Sunday, December 13: Match One @ 9 AM
Slytherin vs. Ravenclaw
Monday, December 14: Match Two @ 9 AM
Winner of M1 vs. Gryffindor
Tuesday, December 15: Match Three @ 9 AM
Loser of M1 vs. Hufflepuff
Wednesday, December 16: Match 4 @ 9 AM
Winner of M2 vs. Loser of M3
Thursday, December 17: Match 5 @ 9 AM
Winner of M3 vs. Loser of M2
Friday, December 18: Championship Match @ 11 AM
Winner of M4 vs. Winner of M5
An hour after the championship match, the school will assemble in the Great Hall for the presenting of the Quidditch Cup. I ask that all Quidditch team members wear their Quidditch uniforms.
After the ceremony, the Yule Ball will take place. All years are invites to attend and you may wear what you please.
~Madam Hooch and Headmaster Dumbledore~
"I can't wait," I exclaimed excitedly after I was done reading.
"Yeah, well, I apologize for bursting your happy bubble, but," Lily began and I looked up at her, "we have mid-term exams all next week."
"Mid-terms," I asked and all of my sixth year friends nodded, "We have never had those before."
"They are so the Professors know where to start after the holidays when we are training for our careers," James told me.
"Right…"
I totally forgot about the O.W.L's last year and the career training that is supposed to begin this year. I lie back on my bed and closed my eyes. I was in for some hard work.