Music echoed in the halls as it blared from the speakers on the radio cassette, it slightly shaking from the edge of fridge it was set upon. Cyra sat at the counter, a book in her hands, but her focus was on her guardian who was dancing as he cooked. Remus nodded his head along to the beat of the music, whisking the eggs together in the metal bowl before throwing in a bit of salt. As the song faded out, he glanced over at his charge, seeing her watching him like a hawk, "What?"

"And that was Starship's 'We Built This City'! From the new hit album, 'Knee Deep in the Hoopla'! We're going to take a small break and then we'll be back with the group that is performing live in Rio tomorrow night, Queen!"

Cyra glanced down at the band tee she was wearing, trying to pull it over her head to read it. She could make out a few letters, but it was hard to read upside down. Remus pushed her hands back down, answering her question, "Yes, that's the band on your shirt. Well..it was my shirt. But now it's yours." He went back to cooking, pouring the eggs into the hot pan. Cyra reached over and picked back up her unicorn, hugging him to her chest, "You like it?"

Remus was confused at the question, glancing over at her so she could explain, but instead she just pointed at the radio. It took a moment before he understood, "Oh, the music? Yeah! Muggles really have the best style, in my opinion. You just don't hear that in the wizarding world." Cyra nodded along, though she didn't really understand what he was talking about.

"I mean, you should have seen James when he learned that there was good music. He went absolutely wild! Not to mention Sirius, he began dressing like a rocker, said he was going to learn guitar and make a band with us."

Cyra got more confused, she had never heard these names before. But Remus looked happy, so she didn't really want to stop him. He continued on for a bit, the next song playing in the background, but he seemed to pay it no mind. Cyra began to enjoy the sound of the drumming and guitars, especially as Remus's tales grew more and more detailed. It was like a secret side of him that she didn't know yet.

"Oh! And you should have seen Sirius! Lily got a right laugh out of his attempt at eyeliner, he did eventually get better though! I caught them doing lessons on makeup. He tried to put it on me next, I refused, but Sirius was always good at convincing me into things. Even when I was so very upset with him, he could still find a way to make me laugh and forget I was even angry in the first place. Honestly though, that's why I lov-"

Then it stopped. The music was still fading out, but Cyra felt as if everything was frozen still. Remus had ceased all movement, as if someone stupefied him. She began to grow worried, hugging Bingles closer to her chest.

"Moony?" She called out.

Smoke was beginning to come from the pan, the smell of burnt eggs reeking into the air they were breathing. The 6 year old hopped down from her stool, hurrying over to her guardian and tugging on his pants, "Remus!" As if he was snapped out of it, he jerked, his head quickly dropping to look down at her. His face was pale, as if he had just seen a ghost, his hands trembling as they dropped the spatula in his hand.

Cyra wrapped her arms around his leg, "It's okay." She didn't even know what she was comforting him for, but her Moony was scared, so she'd help him feel better. She reached up as far as she could to give him pats on his lower back, repeating, "It's okay." It took him a few moment to understand what was happening before he quickly bent down to her, forcing a smile onto his face, "Thank you Cyra. I was very scared." He felt his heart clench as she stared at him with wide eyes, "Not anymore?"

"No. Not anymore."

She seemed pleased by that, smiling back at him. Remus tried to ignore the lingering thoughts he had, standing back up and sniffling back the tears that tried to escape. Something was burning. He finally caught notice of the eggs and moved them off the stove, "Oh no!" It was too late, they were already burnt to a crisp.

Sighing, he glanced back down at the child, "Those were the last of the eggs..seems we may not have those sandwiches tonight." He wasn't surprised when she didn't look disappointed, her little feet hurrying over to grab the Chinese takeout menu from the basket. This wasn't an uncommon occurrence for Remus to mess up the cooking.

Grabbing the landline, he chuckled as he took the menu that was shoved in his direction, "Alright, what do you want?"

Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.

There it was again, that infernal sound. Glancing over from his work schedule, he saw Cyra clawing at her legs through her pajama pants. He cleared his throat pointedly, causing her to stop immediately. But within 5 minutes, she was back at it again.
She had been doing this for a week now, and he just didn't understand. Was it a tick? Did she have fleas? He was joking around with that last one, but Cyra was definitely having at her skin like she had something. That morning, he had to give her two band aids cause she managed to break the skin.

Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.

Finally having enough, he placed his book down on the table, "Okay, let me see your legs." Cyra looked at him confused, still clawing at them through the fabric. Heading over, he carefully took her leg and pushed up the pantleg to her knee, gasping as he saw the mess. Scratch marks all over, as he had already expected. But underneath them and the bandaids was an inflamed rash. It was as if the child had gotten into poison ivy.

Cyra looked uncomfortable, reaching up to scratch her arm next, but she was stopped by his hand. Remus looked at her worried, "Is it like this there too?" Cyra nodded, her face scrunching up with discomfort, fighting a little against his hand so she could claw at the area. Remus had no idea what to do, what if she had some kind of disease? Like Dragon Pox!? He released Cyra's hands to hurry into the kitchen, tearing open a drawer and grabbing the mittens. Before Cyra could scar herself more, they were forced onto her hands. He added a charm to stick them on so she would be unable to remove them.

Quickly, he penned a letter to Madam Pomfrey, explaining what was going on and begging for help. The owl was sent off in a flash. Cyra began to furiously rub at her skin with the mitts, getting frustrated as she couldn't scratch.

Remus almost bulldozed through Dumbledore as he ran out of the floo, carrying the child in his arms. Albus was alarmed by his old student's panic, but quickly calmed himself, before motioning for him to follow. The relief that Remus felt when they arrived was nothing short of a miracle. Madam Pomfrey whisked the itchy child away into the curtains and immediately began. He was soon returned the mittens on a tray, quietly taking them and avoiding the Headmaster's amused stare.

By the time Pomfrey arrived, he was shaken, worry etched on every feature of his face. She looked at him pitifully, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Dear, please calm yourself. She is fine." He felt the weight fall off of his shoulders, dropping back into his seat with a sigh of immense relief.

"What is it then?" He inquired.

The Nurse raised a brow at him before whipping out a chart, "What have you been using for her bathtime and for washing her clothes?" Remus's eyes grew wide as he tried to think, "Uhh.." He felt Dumbledore's stare and began to sweat, "I don't know? I got her this bubble bath that smells like bubblegum? And I just wash her clothes in the same stuff I use?" Obviously that was the answer she was looking for as she gave a sharp nod.

"Right, that explains it then."

He watched her scribble in her chart, waiting. When the rest didn't come, he cleared his throat, smiling weakly when she finally glanced back up at him, "Sorry. But, what is it?" Pomfrey ripped out the paper on her chart, "Cyra has Atopic Dermatitis. Otherwise known as Eczema. Her skin is very sensitive."

He nodded along, trying to grasp what she was talking about, taking the paper as it was held out to him. The nurse continued, "I've already applied a topical potion for her flare-ups, she's sitting now in a bath of lavender to help soothe the rest of her skin." Remus read over the list of do's and don'ts she gave him, "So..no hot water, perfumes, tight clothing, scented lotions or washes?"

He was given a quick nod before she continued, "I've also written down the natural herbs she can use. Lavender in baths and salves are always very comforting. Not to mention, it would make bedtime much easier. It's a muggle plant, but very helpful. We also have some bath oils that use moonroot, it helps with itching and irritation." The young man continued to nod along, though he was beginning to get a bit overwhelmed. She didn't seem to notice, pointing at the next thing on the list, "I don't know much about the muggle world, but I've heard they have washing liquids for clothes that are made for ones with sensitive skin."

The Headmaster finally stepped in, "I believe that's enough, Poppy. Allow the poor man to breathe." She finally stepped back, going to go check on her little patient. Remus stared at the list in his hands in confusion, but there was some guilt building inside. He had been doing everything wrong, causing her to suffer for so long and scar her skin moreso than before. He should have paid more attention, he knew she had been itchy for a week now.

"Remus."

He was dragged out of his thoughts by the elder wizard's voice, looking over to him quickly, "Y-Yes?" He was shaken, clutching to the paper with tight hands. Dumbledore gave him a knowing smile, "You're not a bad guardian, Remus. You didn't know. And it's very hard for a child to communicate what is wrong at this age." The younger wizard simply let out a sigh, looking over to where his charge was kept, "I just..I thought I was finally getting the hang of this? And now I've found out that I haven't."

A laugh was his reply, the old man somehow finding humor in his guilt, "It takes a village, Remus! Like I said before! You are doing wonderfully with her, do not allow a stumble to stop you in this. You are the best person for Cyra, she's already built so much trust in you. That's not easy, my boy."

He couldn't help but feel a bit better hearing those words, though he felt no better than when the little girl came bounding from the curtain, her curls bouncing with each step. Pomfrey shouted for her to stop, but she was on the go, racing towards her Moony. When he was hit with the force of a 6 year old girl, he stumbled to get his balance, a laugh breaking out.

"I'm not itchy anymore Moony!" She declared, hugging him tightly, her hair still dripping wet and leaving a huge wet stain on his pantleg. He didn't care though, patting her head with a smile, "I'm glad love."