Then at one point in trying to make Chapter 22, I was like -- "Hey! Make them go to London together!"

I have nixed this idea, but it was still fun to write.

Chapter 22 Take One and a Half

Remus seemed to reach a decision. He slid me into his arms. My chin sat on his shoulders and my arms fell over his back. His hands pulled my thighs against his hips and held them there.

Useless, useless, useless. "I'm sorry," I whimpered again, but didn't dare reopen my eyes.

"Don't worry," he murmured, turning and walking in the direction we'd been travelling. "Just rest, Ivy."

Remus started walking again, and from there it felt as though the walking would never end; his breaths made a rhythm against my ear. I tried to sleep, I wanted to sleep, but my body wouldn't settle enough for it to be possible. I wasn't sure where Remus thought he was going, but he seemed to keep in the same direction, never turning or pausing.

Then, he stopped. "We're off Hogwarts grounds."

That's nice, I almost told him, but couldn't open my mouth for fear I might be sick again. The importance behind Remus' words were lost to my fevered mind, but important they were indeed, and I later knew why.

Remus squeezed his arms tightly around me, and tucked his chin into my neck. "Keep your eyes closed," he told me.

Then there was a crack, and Remus Apparated us out of the Forest.

Into the busy lobby of St. Mungo's Hospital.

Before I could muster the strenght to properly squewer the man (because Merlin when I say NO hospitals it does not in fact mean "LET'S GO THERE RIGHT NOW AS FAST AS WE CAN") there was a sudden ruckus through the lobby as doctors and nurses alike swarmed us, even more so when one of them somehow managed to recognise me as a Black (quite a feat considering the blood, the tangly hair, the dirt, the rather ill disposition) and Remus kept trying to explain something to at least one of the people surrounding us, but apparently, carrying around the pure and innocent daughter of one of the most powerful wizarding families whilst she was in her underwear did not win him any points.

"Will you please kindly shut up," I tried to tell them all, but only managed a nauseated groan.

"No, please listen," Remus said against the babbling witches and wizards, trying to edge his way over to one of the beds on wheels, presumably to put me down and make himself look less like a criminal. "She needs medical attention, if one of you could-,"

"Clear one of the private rooms!" one of the nurses was calling down the hall. I could feel hands picking at my hair and lifting my face.

"Good Merlin, what on Earth-,"

"Prepare the potion, Winnie-,"

"Miss Black will want a filling meal, get the-,"

"And you, young man! What sort of dreadful-,"

Arms grabbed my shoulders from behind and tried to wrangle me away from Remus' grasp. The move turned out to be a bad one.

Instantly, Remus' hold tightened dramatically, snapping me against him as though he was trying to glue us together. His arms were like steel bands. He didn't say anything, but there was a sudden hush over the gaggle of doctors.

I knew who they would listen to, and I knew I wouldn't be heard if they started up again. "This man saved my life," I said absently. How else could I explain his presence? 'Oh yes, this is one of my banished elder brother's friends. He's a werewolf. Oh, and a Gryffindor. Mind not telling my father?' I took a slow breath, blinking against the harsh lobby light, organizing thoughts. Remus' hand came up and smoothed my head before he froze and let his hand drop to my back again. Smooth. "He stays with me. I require a room."

"Of course, Miss Black," one of the older doctors responded, and instantly a nurse popped up with a room number. Remus started walking in the direction she told him, and the employees of this fine establishment fanned away for the most part, expect for the old doctor and two nurses. Soon enough, I was deposited onto a bed. Sitting on the edge in a daze, I felt Remus move to a nearby chair and hover next to it, watching the nurses flutter about.

I rubbed a hand over my face. "I'd like some robes, and some for him as well," I told the old doctor who was pulling at my ears.

"Of course, Miss Black," one of the nurses disappeared.

"Food, too," I sighed.

"It will be seen to, Miss Black."

"And baths, and…and…please contact Headmaster Dumbledore and let him know…and…" what else was there? I tried thinking, but I felt more ill than before.

"Everything will be taken care of, of course," the doctor reassured me. He reached for my blouse. "But first we must treat these injuries-,"

My knee jerk reaction was to reach for my wand when he hand touched to close to the Mark, but then I remembered I didn't have one anymore. I pulled myself away instead. "No, the injuries are, inconsequential. Could I take a bath first?"

The doctor pursed his lips.