I didn't open my eyes when I woke up.
Partly because I wasn't fully conscious and didn't know what was going on.
But also because of the awful pain bouncing around the walls of my skull.
I felt a warm, dry hand smooth over my forehead. Under normal circumstances, I would have jumped in shock.
Instead, I just opened my eyes and breathed, "What the f-?"
The swear died on my tongue when I saw who exactly was hovering over me. I swallowed, desperately trying to relieve the aching dryness of my throat so I could speak.
"Remus?" I said. My voice rattled hoarsely and came out much more quietly than I expected. "What's going on?"
I looked over his shoulder, trying to see what was happening, but I only ended up cringing. The soft light of the room- The Gryffindor common room, I realized- seemed much harsher than usual. It sent a new wave of agony through my head.
I focused on Remus again, staring solely into his eyes because moving them anywhere else hurt. What I saw there was a mixture of concern and anger.
"Are you alright?" He asked me. I was becoming aware that there were voices appearing throughout the room. Ignoring the pain, I took in my surroundings.
It was an absolute wreck. There were students all over the room, all of them lying passed out on the floor or on couches. The couches that weren't occupied by people were tipped over. One of them was stuck to the ceilingl. To this day I don't know why or how.
Then I remembered.
The party.
The weightless sensation, as if I was flying.
Oh, yeah. The Firewhiskey.
Oh, yeah.
Dread sank into my stomach when I saw other Professors milling about the room, inspecting the bar in the corner and waking students with sharp reprimands. We'd been caught.
"Marcia," Remus said, bringing me back to the present.
I took a deep breath. "I'm fine. I feel awful, but I'm fine."
"Can you stand?" He continued. I was suddenly aware of our close proximity; I felt my face flood with heat.
"Yeah." My voice came out mumbled and embarrassed. I propped myself up on my forearms, flinching as I did so.
Remus stood and held out his hand. The gesture reminded me of the day we had met. When I was a little-too-quiet, little-too-pudgy twelve year old.
What happened?
I took his hand and allowed him to pull me to my feet. I closed my eyes for a moment, fighting the urge to lean onto his sturdy strength when the throbbing in my head increased.
"Wait here. I'll be right back," Remus said, leading me to an empty couch that was still upright. I took a seat and followed him with my eyes; he was heading towards Headmistress McGonagall. I wearily wondered what they were talking about, but let my eyes and my mind wander around the room.
I saw Kenna still asleep on the floor, an empty mug loosely held in her palm. She was the only one of my friends present, though. Angus, Ben, Bridget, and Adrian were nowhere in sight.
Adrian. Wait... what happened?
I squeezed my eyes shut again, straining to revoke the events of the night before.
I could remember darkness and loud music and dancing. I tried to put myself back into the moment; every bark of laughter, every breathless declaration, every drop of sweat shed. Adrian's eyes, dark and very, very close.
Our foreheads touching, slick from perspiration.
My hands; on his chest, on his shoulders, knotting in his hair.
His hands; on my cheeks, on my hips, running up my spine...
Oh, Merlin. What happened?
"Marcia," Remus said. I opened my eyes and he was standing in front of me.
"I got the Headmistress's permission to let you come to my quarters to deal your punishment."
I was relieved. I didn't expect him to go easy on me, I wouldn't want him to. It'd make me feel incredibly guilty. But at least it was Remus.
I got to my feet again and followed Remus out of the common room.
Every step down the halls echoed against the columns and stone walls; every step was torture.
Not just because of the headache. Though we were both silent, I could practically feel the tense silence hanging between us.
He's disappointed in me.
The thought hurt, but it was true. He wasn't making an attempt to comfort me, to tell me it'd be ok.
What, I bitterly said to myself, were you expecting him to?
I realized I had, and I was a fool. It was my choice to get drunk and I had to stop moping and take responsibility for it.
Remus unlocked the door to his quarters and gestured for me to enter. I did so, taking a seat like I always did on the tattered couch where I would sit and drink tea and talk with him some days after class.
He walked to the kitchen and returned in a couple minutes with a glass of violet liquid. He handed it to me.
"What is this?" I asked wearily.
"Hangover remedy," He responded. It smelled vile. I downed the glass; it didn't taste any better than it's aroma suggested. Remus was ready with a glass of water and I drained half of that.
He took a seat across from me, like he always did.
Usually when he sat there his eyes sparkled with laughter or joy or kindness. Now they were frowning and serious.
What in the hell happened?
"Marcia," he said. "What happened?"
I swallowed painfully. "I don't really remember."
"Anything at all? Start at the beginning."
I closed my eyes and pictured it. "I walked into the party and stayed my the sidelines for a while. Then Angus came in and his friends brought in Firewhiskey; loads of it. I didn't know it was going to be there. So I confronted Angus and... ended up having... a few mugs of it."
There was silence, so I opened my eyes. His expression... well, he had no expression. His face was completely void of emotion, a blank mask. I didn't know how to react to this.
"But why did you drink it?" He asked flatly.
I looked down at my lap, where my hands were clasped so tightly they were white and turning purple at the fingers.
"Marcia," he pressed. I could detect a trace of feeling in his voice. I didn't look at him.
"Marce. Is something wrong? You can tell me anything." I raised my eyes. His were impossibly sad, always sad. Why?
"I know," I whispered. "And so can you."
He visibly tensed and shut down. "This isn't about me."
"Remus, I'm not going to divulge my problems to you for solving and just let you sit there and listen. That wouldn't make you my friend, that would make you my therapist!" I was shouting now.
I forced myself to calm down and said quietly, "I'll tell you if you tell me."
Remus sighed and rubbed his face. "Marcia, please. You don't want to get involved in my issues."
"Don't patronize me," I said. "Please. Just... tell me. I'm you're friend."
He stared at me for a few moments, and I held it. He let out a puff of air, of resignation.
"Fine," He said, "But not right now. You're too tired, I'm too tired. Unfortunately, I do still have to give you your punishment."
He contemplated for a moment, then said, "For three weeks you have to come to my classroom everyday after dinner and grade the papers."
"Alright," I said. It wasn't that bad. I stood and walked to the door with him following. I turned to face him when I was right against the doorknob.
"Thank you," I said. It came out as a wisp when I realized how close he was.
Remus smiled slightly. "For what?" He murmured.
"I don't know yet," I replied, my voice just as quiet. "But thank you."
To any people who do follow this story, I'm sorry for the long delays between chapters. I just need motivation.
All I'm saying is by "All You Need is Love," I think the Beatles meant "All You Need is Love and Reviews."