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I know its been a while, so here ya go. I won't blabber about useless nonsense. Onto the story! *epic music plays as you begin reading*
Chapter 47 "The Werewolf Returns"
Lily had allowed Severus to get up and come downstairs so he could see his shop.
"I want to reopen it, Lily. I've been closed long enough." he had said.
Lily agreed. He needed something to take his mind off things. He was still a bit weak, but strong enough to get up and start doing things. Severus was not a man to sit in bed all day. He was antsy as it was for the three days she had kept him there.
Severus talked to her, but she only half-listened. Something else was preoccupying her mind. She was thinking of Remus and wondering what had happened with Dumbledore. Surely if he didn't have anywhere to go, he would have come back to let her know..?
Severus stepped behind Lily where she was standing by one of the potions shelves, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her neck. "Don't forget, Lily. We still need to plan the wedding."
Lily smiled. "I don't want to do anything big, Sev. We could just have someone do the vows for us."
"But I want to give you a wedding, anything you want."
Lily turned around in his arms, kissing him lightly. "All I want is you, Sev. That's it."
She rested her head on his shoulder. "If you really want to do something, why don't we go out to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink? Then we could go shopping..have a nice day out."
"Okay." that sounded good to Severus. He would buy anything that Lily wanted. He knew though, even as he thought it that Lily wouldn't get anything for herself. She would probably pick out things for him, or things for the house.
"Good, but we need to wait a few more days. I don't want you running around and getting sick or anthing." Severus rolled his eyes, pretending to be annoyed, but really he was so grateful to have someone looking out for him for once.
A loud knock on the front door made both of them jump. An awkward-looking Remus was standing there, and Lily pulled away from Severus to open the door for him.
"Remus!" she hugged him tightly and he squirmed uncomfortably because he felt Severus' eyes on him."I was just thinking about you! Did you go to Dumbledore?"
"Yes, he's letting me stay at the castle."
"Oh, good!" Lily pulled him inside. "Come in. Do you want anything to drink?"
Remus shook his head. He was very quiet and his face looked pale and drawn. Lily regarded him curiously and then realized with a start why he looked sick. "The full moon's tonight, isn't it?"
Remus nodded slowly, involuntarily shuddering at the mention of it. She took his hand gently.
"It's okay." she said softly. "Come upstairs and sit down. Let me make you some tea."
Severus nodded at him as Lily led him upstairs, and then followed the two. Remus did not look good at all. When they were all seated on the couch, Remus with a steaming mug in his hand, Severus cleared his throat.
"I can brew something that can help you, if you'd like."
When Remus didn't answer, Severus elaborated. "It's a potion that makes you a harmless wolf. You can just curl up and sleep through your transformations."
"I've tried sleeping potions already. They don't work when I'm a werewolf." Remus said harshly. It was true; one time he had nearly over-dosed from taking way too much sleeping potion and almost went into a coma.
"It's different then a sleeping potion. It deliberately targets the werewolf part of you, relaxing it and forcing it to rest. It's quite a new potion, which is why you might not have heard of it."
Remus shrugged, and Lily touched his arm lightly. "Please, Remus. Try it. It might help."
Remus hesitated, then gave a quick half-nod. "Alright."
"I can have it ready for the next full moon."
"Thank you."
Lily smiled as the two men talked. There was still uncomfortable air between them, but at least they were speaking.
Remus traced his finger around the rim of his cup. "I should probably go now. It's going to get dark in a few hours." he put his cup down and stood.
Lily glanced quickly at Severus before speaking. He knew what she was going to say, and gave her a slight nod to show he didn't mind. "Remus, let me come with you."
Remus looked mortified. "No, Lily! I'll hurt you!"
"Not while you're transformed. I'll stay with you until you need to..you know."
"No." Remus shook his head. "You can't."
"Why not?" Lily said stubbornly.
"Because-"
"See, you don't have a good reason." Lily interrupted. Severus hid a smile as poor Remus was beat down. "I'm coming with you. Let's go."
"But-" Remus tried to argue weakly, but Lily ignored him, pulling him up and holding onto him like he was a naughtly child. Before she left, she looked at Severus, her expression softening.
He smiled to show again that it was fine with him.
"Stay here, and don't do anything strenous, okay?" Giving him a kiss on the cheek she added, "I'll make dinner when I get back. If you get tired, don't wait for me. Go to sleep."
Severus ran a hand over her cheek lovingly, and her green eyes sparkled. "I'll be back soon." she said, and then she was gone, pulling Remus out the apartment door with her.
Immediately Severus felt like a part of him was gone as well and he went back downstairs after a moment, intent on keeping himself busy until Lily returned.
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Lily stayed with Remus in his quarters, talking and keeping him company. He had told her everything about the place he was going to transform, and about how he used it in his school days as well. As it grew darker outside, he started fidgeting and glancing at the clock.
"Remus,"Lily said gently, trying to draw his attention back. "I was telling you about the time I pushed Petunia in the stream."
There was suddenly a knock on the door and Remus jumped up, going white. Lily stood up next to him as Dumbledore entered. He looked surprised to see Lily, but smiled.
"Miss Evans, I did not expect to see you here."
"I'm here for Remus, sir. To keep him company."
Dumbledore nodded. "Well, it is time now, Remus."
Remus nodded, shaking, and Lily reached out for his hand. "I'll walk with you."
They followed Dumbledore through the corridors; Remus looked like he was about to be sick. They got outside, traveling across the lush lawns as the setting sun cast a golden glow over everything.
The Whomping Willow towered above them like a many-armed monster. Dumbledore took out his wand and muttered a spell so that the tree froze and ceased its thrashing. The hole at the base of the tree looked small and dark, like a gaping mouth ready to swallow Remus. He had done this so many times before, but it seemed like the first time every time.
The sun started to disapear, and Lily squeezed his hand tighter. "It'll be okay. I'll be here for you when you get out." she let go of his hand as the sun set completely. Remus looked at her emerald eyes shining, and quickly hugged her. She was surprised, as she didn't expect it.
"Thank you for this." he whispered in her ear, and she could hear his voice shaking.
"Remus, it's time." Dumbledore said again. Lily gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before backing away so he could go down into the hole. Dumbledore bent to follow.
"Sir?" Lily questioned, and Dumbledore looked up at her serenly. "Someone has to secure him in, Miss Evans."
"Do you want me to-?" Lily offered, but Dumbledore shook his head. "I can still climb down holes and crawl through tunnels, Miss Evans, despite my age. I am rather agile, although I do not look it."
"Alright." Lily said uncertainly as Dumbledore disappeared into the dark. She turned around and glanced up at the school as she stood alone. It had been a happy place for her. She knew however that Hogwarts held such terrible memories for Severus and Remus and she respected Remus to have the courage to stay here in v the quarters Dumbledore provided.
The darkness thickened around Lily, and she knew she should get home to Severus.
At Least Remus and Severus are getting along.