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Monuments and Melodies

Chapter Three- Gold Plated

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He sat at the kitchen table, idly stirring his chicken noodle soup with the bent metal spoon. Head bowed down, his eyes flicked between the moving pasta inside the bowl. Thin, graying, brown hair hung in his face, shadowing his tired eyes. It was quiet and all he could hear was the occasional scrap of metal against the china as he continued to mix its contents.

He hated it.

Usually, the house had been bustling with guests, fires crackling, and footsteps from the floors above, but now it was silent. There was no one here and most of them would never be coming back.

The Order of the Phoenix was in shambles. Practically everyone was dead, injured, or missing and even though the war was over now. Remus was starting to, for the first time in years, realize that he was truly alone.

Tonks had disappeared a few weeks before, Alastor had fallen during the final battle, Emmaline Vance and Hestia Jones had perished after weeks of torture in Malfoy Manor, most all of the Weasleys were gone now except for Ginny, who was upstairs and unconscious, and Charlie, Dedalus Diggle had lost both legs in the battle at Hogsmeade, Kingsley was too busy with Auror rounding up stray Death Eaters to do anything else, Neville had been personally murdered by Voldemort himself, and Hermione was locked away on the fourth floor of St. Mungo's- Spell Damage. Harry was no where to be found, hiding from the world, and of course, Sirius was still dead.

And Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place was as bleak and lonely as ever.

Remus rubbed a hand over his sinking face. He was tired. In fact, he had been tired for almost all of his life, but suddenly it was all the more apparent. Sighing, he gave in. He would never eat the soup. It was too late for him to be hungry. Slowly, Remus rose from the table, forgetting about the full bowl that sat upon it, and tromped up the narrow stairs.

His hand ran lazily down the side board as he wandered up the hallway. The door to his right was open, and a faint light was coming from it. Curious, he moved over and took a peek inside. There was Snape, his head tilted back as he slept soundly in his chair, a large tome open on his lap. The bed beside him was covered with many blankets, like a rose printed shadow over Ginny Weasley who rested under them.

He watched the sleeping pair a moment before slowly shutting the door, hoping it would not creak. Shaking his head, Remus continued down the corridor and to his room, desiring sleep more than ever.

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The candle had already gone out when Severus woke up. It was morning now. Light streamed through holes in the tattered curtains, painting a golden design like stained glass over the bed and sheets, making Ginny's face glow, her bright brown eyes sparkling.

Yes, she was awake, much to Severus's surprise. He blinked as she just lay there and watched him, still huddled beneath the blankets. He stood abruptly, the book on his lap dropping to the floor as he rose.

"Miss Weasley, it's good to see you awake," he said stiffly, clasping his hands behind his back.

"Well, it's good to be alive,' she croaked, but Severus had a feeling that she was being sarcastic, "How long have I been asleep?"

"Not long, about a day,"

"What did you give me?"

"Dreamless Sleep," he replied. She gave a little nod, her chin blocked by the numerous sheets below her, "How do you feel?"

"Awful," she said honestly, her voice raspy from the wear.

"You're losing your voice," he said, "Would you like me to get you some tea?"

"Yes, please,"

Severus nodded and walked out, shutting the door carefully behind him. He trotted down the stairs and into the kitchen where he was surprised to find two people- one taking a kettle off the stove and the other slouched at the table, head in hands.

Remus turned around from the stove upon hearing the door, "Severus," he greeted politely. At the table, Harry lifted his head to look at the potion's master. His hair was ruffled more so than usual and large purple splotches hung under his now dull green eyes.

"Lupin," Severus returned, "May I take some of that water?"

"Of course," Remus said, rubbing his eyes a little. As Severus moved to the counter, he realized how tired Lupin looked, like he had been up all night. In fact, both Potter and Lupin looked atrocious. He wondered lightly how he looked at the moment. Probably just as bad after the horrible position he slept in last night, and the unpleasant dreams that awakened him.

He did not want to think of that.

Severus opened the top dresser, skimming over each cup to find the one least chipped. He took down a small tea cup, rough around the rim, hand painted with a now fading design of a dark rose surrounded by thorns. He ran his thumb over it, narrowing his eyes to catch any blemishes. It was nice cup, surely, though old now and certainly not in the best condition, but it would do. It would do.

He poured the steaming water into the cup, plopping the tea bag in as he fuddled around the cabinets, taking out various herbs and spices, which he added to the tea. As he squeezed the honey in, someone spoke behind him.

"Is she awake?" It was Harry, now standing, his hand grasping the table.

"Yes," Severus answered, stirring the tea, not looking at his former student.

"She is?"

"Yes, Mr. Potter. Did you not hear me the first time?" Harry ignored this.

"Is she alright then?"

Severus looked down at the tea, looking over the fainting red rose almost trapped between the black thorns.

"Will any of us ever be alright?" he murmured, turning his head up to Harry, who looked horribly anxious. He did not answer. Severus shook his head, taking the cup in hand walking back up the stairs and into the bedroom.

The first thing he noticed was the change in the light. It was brighter, sunlight streaming through the lead window, the curtains pushed aside. Ginny was standing beside it, her hand tracing one of the diamond panes. Crimson hair tumbled down her back over her plain white nightdress that fell just below her knees. Her skin was pale, making her freckles show clearer than ever like leftover leaves fallen in the pure snow. The light caught her face, lighting it like a fire, her eyes looking to the London street below. He watched her a moment, caught off guard, before he finally regained his senses.

"You shouldn't be out of bed," he said, shutting the door. Ginny turned around, looking startled for a moment, but then recognizing him.

"It was dark. I just went to open the drapes," she said, heading back towards the bed and sitting down before the covers. Her voice still sounded dreadful.

"I could have gotten them,"

"You weren't here," she said, "Is that for me?" she pointed to the cup in his hands.

"Yes," he handed it to her, "I added some different ingredients to help with your throat."

"Thank you," she said, accepting it. She held it up to her eyes a moment looking over the design on the cup.

"It was the best I could find," Severus said, gesturing to the cup. Ginny looked up.

"No, I like it. It has… character,"

"Character?" he questioned skeptically. She nodded.

"Yes, character," she took a sip, seeming satisfied in a sad sort of way, "Thank you,"

"For what?"

Ginny looked at him oddly, almost in disbelief, "For the tea. Thank you, for the tea,"

"You're welcome," he said, watching her for an awkward period as she sipped her drink. Finally he cleared his throat, "I believe Mr. Potter is downstairs. He seemed worried about your condition." He said, not knowing what else to say.

"I would think he'd be here," she said, looking down at the tea, back to the rose on the cup.

"Would you like me to send him up?" Severus asked lamely. Ginny shook her head.

"No," she said, "I'd like to be alone for a little while, if you don't mind?"

"No, I don't mind. It would be better for you anyway. What shall I tell him, then?"

"That I'm asleep. Tell him I'm asleep,"

"I shouldn't be making excuses for you,"

"Then don't. Tell him I don't want to see him. I don't care," she said, "It will be you who his frustration is taken out on, not me,"

"Fine, I tell him you are asleep," he said, almost grudgingly.

"It's appreciated,"

"I would hope so," Severus growled, pulling open the door. Just as he was walking out, Ginny stopped in.

"Professor?"

"What?" he said, spinning back.

"Thank you… for the tea,"

Severus watched her a minute before turning and walking back out of the bedroom.

He was almost sure she was not talking about tea.

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A/n- Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed! I can not tell you how happy I am and I adore getting feedback. The reviews with some opinions were great to get me motivated. So, from the great reviews I got, you get another chapter! Thanks so much!

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