You tread water, fighting for the air in your lungs...
Remus Lupin really should have stayed in the Hospital Wing this morning. It was shaping up to be quite a terrible day. His head was throbbing; really, it was a wonder it hadn't exploded during potions that morning, but he remained thankful that bits of his brain hadn't caused everyone else's potions to fail as well as his.
"Remus!", Remus tried to ignore the call that came from somewhere behind him. Instead, he pushed on through the throng of students milling about. Honestly, it was as if they thought he had nowhere else to be. "Remus!", Heaving a heavy sigh, Remus set his shoulders, readjusted the strap of his bag, and continued walking. "REMUS!", The intensity in the way his name was being said only made Remus walk a bit faster. He was determined to be alone right now. The stares of his peers were getting to be a bit much.
Making up his mind as he turned down a slightly less crowded corridor, Remus shoved his hand into the depths of his bag, and felt around for the familiar wad of soft, silky fabric he'd borrowed from James earlier in the week. But just as his fingers clenched around that elusive cloak, he felt a hand grip his shoulder. Damn. Turning slightly, Remus was relieved to see that at least the mystery screamer was only Sirius. With a small half-smile, he concentrated on matching his pace to that of the teen walking alongside him.
"Jeeze Rem! What's a guy got to do to get a mo' with you these days?", Sirius seemed unperturbed about his friend's previous avoidance, as he watched the passing students go about their business. But when he finally shifted his focus to his best friend, he let out the softest, almost imperceptible gasp. There was a wide bandage wrapped around Moony's forehead, and while this was meant to hide whatever wound Remus had sustained, there was the faintest scratch peeking out near the boy's eyelid.
"It's nothing", Remus quickly looked away. Sirius let out a harsh scoff.
"Nothing my arse. You, Remmy my dear friend, are full of it. And between me and you, I hope we never have to discuss what it is.", Remus almost felt the edges of his mouth begin to creep up at Sirius' mild attempt at humor, but instantly stamped down the smile, and tried to twist out of the other boy's grip. "Seriously though ole' chap", Sirius continued, donning a stoic mask as he went, "what's this nonsense you're parading around school in? And why didn't I receive the memo that hospital-chic was in again?"
"When was it ever in in the first place?", the words had escaped Remus' mouth before he'd even had time to contemplate the prospect of indulging Sirius.
"Exactly. Which is why you've got me wondering why you've got that hideous scrap of fabric wrapped around your head like you want it there." Remus merely raised an eyebrow.
"No reason... Had a bit of... of a headache, yes." Sirius didn't look convinced in the slightest.
"You're grasping at straws here Remus. What's really going on?" But Remus couldn't stand the scrutiny any longer, so he simply made a quick sort-of shrug and immediately began walking in the general direction of the library. He needed to clear his head. He really should have just stayed in the Hospital wing this morning.
But you let go, 'Cos your hope is gone,
And every answer fades away...