p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"strongI. A seed is planted./strong/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire enters the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom eagerly. It had been far too long since her last encounter with her dear professor. Was she allowed to think that? Was she allowed to feel that?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"As Claire settled into her seat, she rested her chin in the palm of her hand. She supposed it was high time to truly examine her thoughts and feelings that she was pretending she didn't have for her professor./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire thought back to the moment they shared in the hospital wing. She could not deny that she was drawn to him. She had even thought perhaps he felt that same pull toward her, but was disappointed when he yanked himself away when she offered the comfort of her touch. Claire was a young woman of eighteen now, and surely mature enough to have a man such as Lupin as her suitor./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"But… was she?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"After all, she had no real reason to believe that he harbored any kind of interest in her. Outside of one or two interactions that filled her with anticipation, Lupin was nothing but cordial toward her–showing no favoritism or interest at all. Even in the Great Hall during mealtimes, she would try to catch his eye, and he seemed to be avoiding looking at the Gryffindor table altogether! Perhaps it really was just the machinations of a school girl crush. It was likely that he thought nothing of her at all./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire should just resign herself to the boys of Hogwarts./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Who was she to think that a scholar and gentleman such as Remus Lupin would have any kind of interest in her?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Before Claire began to wallow, the back of the classroom echoed with a bang as Professor Snape entered with a flourish of his robes. She sat up ramrod straight in her chair, and looked around the room–surely she was in the right classroom?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Professor," said a fellow Gryffindor classmate, "where is Professor Lupin?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Professor Lupin is incapacitated and is unable to attend classes today. I have been asked to sub in," he said with a drawl, "Open up your books to Chapter three,"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire was wracked with worry. Incapacitated? What did that even mean? Was he ill? Was he hurt? Surely he had need of her. Would he send for her? Should she go to him? Where would she go? Where was he? Claire began to feel hot. Her palms grew sweaty and her breaths shallow./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Are you alright, Claire?" whispered Oliver Wood next to her./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""I–yes, I'm fine," she stuttered back./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"With trembling fingers, Claire opened up her textbook as instructed. The chapter heading introduced Defense Against Dark Creatures: Lycanthropes. Werewolves? Surely Lupin–Merlin, is he okay? Does he need me?-would not have them start a new content area without him? Claire's heart began to palpitate./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Miss Frye," Snape said, "Do get a hold of yourself,"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""But, sir, Professor Lupin… surely he's alright?" Claire whispered./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Her eyes began to well up with tears. Oh no, was she about to embarrass herself in front of Snape? What was wrong with her? She had never felt so bothered and upset over a professor before in her life. He was just a teacher, why was she having this reaction? It was almost like a piece of her heart had slowly cracked./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Snape peered down at her. "For now," he said, his eyes studying her./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire attempted deep cleansing breaths. She would get through this class period, and then she would go back to the hospital wing. Just to be sure that everyone–ahem–everything was alright. Surely it would behoove her to at least look for Lupin and see for herself that he was alright. Claire tucked a curl behind her ear and shut her eyes. She shook herself free from her thoughts and tried to read the chapter./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Lycanthropes (werewolves) are the dark manifestation of the lycanthropy disease and curse. The disease is transmissible by werewolf bite during the full moon. Werewolves transform back to their human form once the sun rises after the full moon./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire paused her reading to look back up at Professor Snape who had moved to the front of the room. He met her gaze, staring at her intently. Could he read her thoughts? Did he know of her irrational worries? She could think of nothing else./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Werewolves are identifiable in human form by the following criteria, especially after a full moon: often haggard, disheveled appearance; inexplicable wounds or scarring; flashes of golden irises; and a heightened sense of smell./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Largely unstudied is the myth that werewolves have human soulmates. This author remains skeptical of such a phenomena, citing werewolves' aggressive natures and inability to discern friends from prey during the full moon. Due to their territorial nature, it is unlikely that fostering a werewolf mating bond could reap any kind of benefit due to the lack of safety. Most werewolves live lives in solitude–fearing harm to loved ones./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire looked up from her textbook, glancing at her classmates diligently taking notes on the reading. Surely they couldn't be reading the same text. Claire was disturbed. Living your whole life in solitude? Claire shivered. She could not imagine not having any meaningful friendships or even her family to be with her. She thought worriedly of her muggle parents; having to abandon them inexplicably if she ever became a werewolf deeply wounded her./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire's eyes traveled back down to her textbook to the bold lettering at the end of the werewolf section:/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Kill on sight./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"strongII. Remus feels Claire's worry./strong/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus blearily blinked the sleep from his eyes. Another rough night alone in the Shrieking Shack. He looked down over his body as he laid in his cot in the Hospital Wing. His left arm was bandaged tightly, and his right arm only bore a few scratches. Evidence of Moony's frustration./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus reflected on his night. Even with the wolfsbane potion in his system, he struggled to keep himself at the forefront of his mind. Moony was tireless in his effort to seize control of his transformed body, desperate to be released from the prison of the shack. Moony howled tiredly, a yearning cry for his… beloved./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus groaned, drawing up his unbandaged arm to cover his face./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"It seemed that despite his best effort at keeping his distance, it only made things more uncomfortable for his wolf. But what else was he supposed to do? It was neither prudent nor wise to get close to the girl, for fear of… of what exactly? He was a professor after all. Perhaps offering tutoring sessions just to take the edge off would be enough for Moony to quiet himself. Perhaps simple nearness was all he needed. If Remus was honest with himself, he was rather delighted by the idea himself–to his utter shame, of course./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus was suddenly filled with an overwhelming sense of dread coming from the new fullness inside of his chest./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus stiffened before shooting upright in his bed (claireclaireclaire). He groaned as a bolt of pain shot through his bandaged arm (claireclaireclaire), but something wasn't right. He tossed off the tightly tucked sheets and swung his legs to the side of the bed (claireclaireclaire). A sense of urgency overtook him (claireclaireclaire), and he touched his bare feet to the cold hospital wing floor./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Mr. Lupin! I've been treating you long enough to know that you are not ready to leave that bed!" scolded Madam Pomfrey./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus began to shake with Moony's panic, his eyes burning and welling with tears, but when he touched rough fingers to his face, his skin was dry. What? Remus thought to himself, what is happening to me? Remus began to sweat, his heart (his heart?) wracked with inexplicable worry. He didn't know where he ended and Moony began. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Remus," Madam Pomfrey began gently, "are you alright?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"She approached him with hands raised, as if he was a wild cornered beast./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""S-something's wrong," he insisted, "my seventh year class–"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""It is being taken care of for you by Professor Snape," she tried to reassure him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""No, you don't understand!" he growled, "my seventh year, she–I mean, they–"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""They can wait one more day for their professor to rest and heal," she said gently, glancing behind him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus turned to follow her line of sight. Standing at the door of the hospital wing was Professor Dumbledore, silently observing him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus bowed his head in understanding and shame, but Moony did not care who saw his distress (claireclaireclaire). Something was not right with Claire, and although Remus understood the implications of his outburst, he still could not seem to dampen the panic within him. Remus wasn't even sure that he could call the school safe anymore, with Sirius at large on the castle grounds. Anything could happen at any time. Was Claire okay? Was she safe?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""I think, Madam Pomfrey," Dumbledore began sagely, "I should like a moment with Professor Lupin."/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus swallowed, and shoving Moony down (claireclaireclaire), returned to his cot./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Dumbledore joined him, dragging the divider closer to afford them a bit more privacy. He gave Remus a once over, noting the sweat beading at his brow, and the slight shake of his hands and shoulders. He met his gaze./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Professor, I–" Remus began, but Dumbledore held up a hand to silence him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, and his mouth curved into a small smile. "Remus, as a scholar yourself I'm sure you're aware that lycanthropy is largely unstudied?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus nodded. As Dumbledore spoke, Moony's panic dulled to a calmer worry./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Although it's true that fear prevents werewolves from being understood, love, Remus, is often the answer to most problems, don't you think?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus felt his eyes widen. "But, sir–"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"He held up another hand. Remus clamped his mouth shut./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Dumbledore stood from his seat at Remus' bedside./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""It's an awfully nice day for a walk 'round the Black Lake," he said, glancing at the window behind Remus' bed./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus turned behind him to peek out the window. It was a nice fall day. It was afternoon, and classes were dismissed for the day. The grounds were littered with students enjoying the crisp fall air. He looked down and seated along the shore of the Black Lake was a familiar head of long brown hair./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"He turned back around to face Dumbledore, but he had gone./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"strongIII. The Black Lake/strong/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"After much resistance from Madam Pomfrey, Remus escaped from the Hospital Wing–to Moony's delight of course. He dressed himself delicately, minding his freshly healed arm, and with explicit directions to take it easy, Remus left the Castle toward the Black Lake./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. His wolf seemed to sing her name with satisfaction now that Remus was determined to lay eyes on her. What had happened in the hospital wing could not happen again, Remus thought. Imagine having a panic attack in the middle of a lesson, or worse, in a fateful encounter with an ex-best friend perhaps? He would be a danger to himself and to Claire–er, the students./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Perhaps Dumbledore was right, Remus mused to himself. Perhaps he would allow himself a little bit of Claire to temper his wolf. Perhaps in doing so he would learn something about lycanthropy. Remus was aware of the myth of werewolves mating for life, but could this be that? There was a chasm sized lack of literature on the subject–werewolves were just seen as beasts to cleanse the wizarding world of. What would Claire think if she found out about his condition?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus cringed at the thought./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus pushed open the heavy double doors leading outside and was met with the smell of outside air, grass, and dying leaves. Faintly, the smell of chocolate wafted to his nose. Moony howled with delight. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. He followed the scent to the Black Lake./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"And there she was, her back toward him, sitting on the sand, her arms around her knees. He felt her worry as if it were his own, deep within his chest. He watched the rise and fall of her shoulders, and saw her try to calm herself with shuddering breaths. Moony whimpered with the desire to smell her, to rub against her, to mark her with his own scent, but Remus tamped it down. As overwhelming as Moony was in this moment, Remus took every effort to be of sound mind, present and steadfast./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"He cleared his throat./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire jumped, clearly startled, and she whipped her head around to face him. Remus was struck by how lovely she was, with long dark eyelashes blinking away the sun. He watched her drink him in, her eyes traveling from the toes of his shoes to the very tips of his hair, memorizing him, and cataloging his appearance. He felt the beginnings of a blush tinging his cheeks, and he averted his eyes. What had he done to earn this level of concern? He had done nothing but avoid her and push her away for weeks. Rightfully so, she was a student after all./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Professor Lupin," she said, meeting his eyes again. Remus cringed… being called "professor" did not do much for the shame he felt for his feelings for her./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Oh, but her voice, Moony whimpered, so lovely ClaireClaireClaireClaire…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus cleared his throat again./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Miss Frye," he began./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""You can call me Claire, you know," she said, eyes sparkling./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Claire," he said, tasting her name on his lips. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"She smiled up at him, and it was then that he noticed the red rims around her eyes. He became alarmed./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Are you alright?" he asked her./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Her head tilted, not unlike a small curious kitten./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Are you?" she asked him back./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus bowed his head in a chuckle, "I am now."/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"He watched as a blush rose to her cheeks, staining them a handsome pink. Remus was chuffed with himself, confident and proud that he could stir something within her–as she so effortlessly did to him. He drank her in earnestly, as she did not just a moment before. Her hair tumbled in soft curls down her back. Her robes were clean and tidy, but her uniform was a bit rumpled–no doubt attributed to a long day. Her black trainers were scuffed on the toes, and her ankles were crossed. She looked delicate, and Moony surged to the surface, the need to make his presence and desire to protect known./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"But Remus shook him from his mind. Now would be his time./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""May I sit?" he asked her politely./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"She nodded, "Please."/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"He carefully sat next to her on the sand, minding his arm. She watched his every move./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Where were you today during class?" she asked him, and he met her eyes to find them alight with bold curiosity./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Felt a bit ill this morning. I was in the hospital wing," he divulged./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"She searched his eyes, looking for a lie no doubt. Seemingly satisfied, she relented./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Well, you should know that Professor Snape completely diverted from our lessons!" she exclaimed hotly, "He introduced a brand new topic, and completely skipped chapter two!"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus blanched. If that were true, then the seventh years must have been introduced to the topic of werewolves. What must've gone through her mind as she read the text?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Suddenly she became bashful, averting her eyes, and her blush deepening. "And… Well, he said that you were incapacitated. I… was worried after you," she admitted./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Moony's heart soared. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus was rather flattered himself. He did not deserve her worry or her kindness. However, if his theory was accurate–and gods, he hoped it wasn't–then the panic he felt in the hospital wing was not his at all, but Claire's./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Incapacitated you say?" said Remus, "Do I rather look incapacitated to you?" he finished with a grin./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""No," she smiled back at him, "you look well,"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"He felt his cheeks grow hot as hers did. His chest swelled with affection for her. She was too sweet for his own good. Almost painfully so./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"If only Sirius could see him now, blushing like a teenage boy. He'd laugh and shove him in the arm and tease. But Remus was no teenager. No, he was a man of 32 years old, blushing over a student thinking that he looked well./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Claire," he tested her name on his lips anew, "would you like to walk with me around the Lake?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Her eyes widened in surprise, and… was that pleasure? Remus stood and held his elbow out to invite her to join him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"She eagerly scrambled to her feet, and took his arm. At his wince, she glanced up at him in concern./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Just a bit banged up," he reassured her, "all is well."/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"But she did not seem convinced, and withdrew her hand for fear of hurting him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Whether it was his own courage or Moony's untempered desire to maintain touch between them, he did not know, but almost of its own accord, he snatched her hand in his before it fell to her side. They shared a blush. Remus returned her hand to the crook of his elbow, and led her to the very edge where the shore met the Lake's water./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""You know, Professor," began Claire, "before now, I wasn't sure you liked me very much,"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus winced, although this time for a different reason./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""I like you just fine, Miss Frye" He tried to play it off, but she was no fool./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""It's Claire. I had thought you were avoiding me. Is that not true?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus was struck by her candor, and although there was a blush high on her cheeks, seemingly permanent, he could see her courage./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Well, Claire, it's not fair of a professor to show favoritism is it?" he countered, but he feared his blush betrayed his confidence./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Oh," she said lamely./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus attempted to recover, "But I've had enough of that nonsense, haven't you?" she nodded, with delicious hope in her brown eyes, "Would you like to spend some time with me?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Some time?" she asked./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Erm, yes. Would you indulge an old professor in keeping him company from time to time?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire laughed, "Well, alright then!"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Moony was over the–well, moon with her. He was delighted by her every word, the sound of her voice, the feel of her hand at his elbow, and her smell, oh her smell. Gosh if only Remus could bottle it up and take it home with him. He was enamored, enraptured, completely captivated by her, and all she'd done was walk with him along the banks of the Lake. Something so simple, became something so delicate and worth protecting. Was this the magic of a soulmate bond? Remus cast the thought away, for fear of being wrong. Whatever it was, Remus intended to cherish it at least until the end of the year./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Perhaps Dumbledore was right. Perhaps all he needed was just a small taste of what it might be like to be with her or even simply be near her. But that was all he would allow himself. He would not allow himself to forget–he was a professor, and she was a student!/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Even now, although content, Moony yearned for more. He desired the feel of her tightly and safely wrapped in his arms. He longed for the chance to twirl a loose curl around his finger, or perhaps bring her knuckles to his lips. But this is all they would be; a cordial walk around a lake./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"strongIV. Return to the Tower/strong/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire seemed to glide as she made her way back to Gryffindor Tower and the girls' dormitory. She had relished the feel of Lupin's jacket and the warmth of his body. What a treat to be so near him, to have her fears and insecurities assuaged by him. She would rather like to spend some time with him, whatever that would look like. She would take whatever he would be willing to give her./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"She let herself fall onto her bed, and heard a loud yelp./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Oh, Merlin!" She said, "Snuffles, you poor dear,"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Snuffles wriggled out from beneath her to continue lounging on her bed. He lifted his head to her neck and inhaled deeply before perking up with a start. He wagged his tail and let his tongue hang out of his mouth./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire, overwhelmed by his cuteness, opened up her snack drawer by her bed. Snuffles began to help himself./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""You know," Claire's roommate, Elena Edgewater began, watching Snuffles gobble Cauldron Cakes with wary eyes, "Oliver was telling me that Harry was in need of a new broom this season, otherwise he's not going to be able to play quidditch this year!"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire lazily threw her arm over her eyes, "Did you hear that Snuffles? Someone needs to get Harry a new broom. Do you know anyone who might be able to do that?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"But Snuffles was already halfway out of the door when she turned to look at him./p
hr /
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"strongAfter about a billion years since I posted the first chapter, I decided to pick this back up! I hope you enjoy :)/strong/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire enters the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom eagerly. It had been far too long since her last encounter with her dear professor. Was she allowed to think that? Was she allowed to feel that?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"As Claire settled into her seat, she rested her chin in the palm of her hand. She supposed it was high time to truly examine her thoughts and feelings that she was pretending she didn't have for her professor./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire thought back to the moment they shared in the hospital wing. She could not deny that she was drawn to him. She had even thought perhaps he felt that same pull toward her, but was disappointed when he yanked himself away when she offered the comfort of her touch. Claire was a young woman of eighteen now, and surely mature enough to have a man such as Lupin as her suitor./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"But… was she?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"After all, she had no real reason to believe that he harbored any kind of interest in her. Outside of one or two interactions that filled her with anticipation, Lupin was nothing but cordial toward her–showing no favoritism or interest at all. Even in the Great Hall during mealtimes, she would try to catch his eye, and he seemed to be avoiding looking at the Gryffindor table altogether! Perhaps it really was just the machinations of a school girl crush. It was likely that he thought nothing of her at all./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire should just resign herself to the boys of Hogwarts./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Who was she to think that a scholar and gentleman such as Remus Lupin would have any kind of interest in her?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Before Claire began to wallow, the back of the classroom echoed with a bang as Professor Snape entered with a flourish of his robes. She sat up ramrod straight in her chair, and looked around the room–surely she was in the right classroom?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Professor," said a fellow Gryffindor classmate, "where is Professor Lupin?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Professor Lupin is incapacitated and is unable to attend classes today. I have been asked to sub in," he said with a drawl, "Open up your books to Chapter three,"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire was wracked with worry. Incapacitated? What did that even mean? Was he ill? Was he hurt? Surely he had need of her. Would he send for her? Should she go to him? Where would she go? Where was he? Claire began to feel hot. Her palms grew sweaty and her breaths shallow./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Are you alright, Claire?" whispered Oliver Wood next to her./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""I–yes, I'm fine," she stuttered back./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"With trembling fingers, Claire opened up her textbook as instructed. The chapter heading introduced Defense Against Dark Creatures: Lycanthropes. Werewolves? Surely Lupin–Merlin, is he okay? Does he need me?-would not have them start a new content area without him? Claire's heart began to palpitate./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Miss Frye," Snape said, "Do get a hold of yourself,"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""But, sir, Professor Lupin… surely he's alright?" Claire whispered./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Her eyes began to well up with tears. Oh no, was she about to embarrass herself in front of Snape? What was wrong with her? She had never felt so bothered and upset over a professor before in her life. He was just a teacher, why was she having this reaction? It was almost like a piece of her heart had slowly cracked./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Snape peered down at her. "For now," he said, his eyes studying her./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire attempted deep cleansing breaths. She would get through this class period, and then she would go back to the hospital wing. Just to be sure that everyone–ahem–everything was alright. Surely it would behoove her to at least look for Lupin and see for herself that he was alright. Claire tucked a curl behind her ear and shut her eyes. She shook herself free from her thoughts and tried to read the chapter./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Lycanthropes (werewolves) are the dark manifestation of the lycanthropy disease and curse. The disease is transmissible by werewolf bite during the full moon. Werewolves transform back to their human form once the sun rises after the full moon./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire paused her reading to look back up at Professor Snape who had moved to the front of the room. He met her gaze, staring at her intently. Could he read her thoughts? Did he know of her irrational worries? She could think of nothing else./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Werewolves are identifiable in human form by the following criteria, especially after a full moon: often haggard, disheveled appearance; inexplicable wounds or scarring; flashes of golden irises; and a heightened sense of smell./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Largely unstudied is the myth that werewolves have human soulmates. This author remains skeptical of such a phenomena, citing werewolves' aggressive natures and inability to discern friends from prey during the full moon. Due to their territorial nature, it is unlikely that fostering a werewolf mating bond could reap any kind of benefit due to the lack of safety. Most werewolves live lives in solitude–fearing harm to loved ones./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire looked up from her textbook, glancing at her classmates diligently taking notes on the reading. Surely they couldn't be reading the same text. Claire was disturbed. Living your whole life in solitude? Claire shivered. She could not imagine not having any meaningful friendships or even her family to be with her. She thought worriedly of her muggle parents; having to abandon them inexplicably if she ever became a werewolf deeply wounded her./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire's eyes traveled back down to her textbook to the bold lettering at the end of the werewolf section:/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Kill on sight./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"strongII. Remus feels Claire's worry./strong/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus blearily blinked the sleep from his eyes. Another rough night alone in the Shrieking Shack. He looked down over his body as he laid in his cot in the Hospital Wing. His left arm was bandaged tightly, and his right arm only bore a few scratches. Evidence of Moony's frustration./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus reflected on his night. Even with the wolfsbane potion in his system, he struggled to keep himself at the forefront of his mind. Moony was tireless in his effort to seize control of his transformed body, desperate to be released from the prison of the shack. Moony howled tiredly, a yearning cry for his… beloved./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus groaned, drawing up his unbandaged arm to cover his face./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"It seemed that despite his best effort at keeping his distance, it only made things more uncomfortable for his wolf. But what else was he supposed to do? It was neither prudent nor wise to get close to the girl, for fear of… of what exactly? He was a professor after all. Perhaps offering tutoring sessions just to take the edge off would be enough for Moony to quiet himself. Perhaps simple nearness was all he needed. If Remus was honest with himself, he was rather delighted by the idea himself–to his utter shame, of course./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus was suddenly filled with an overwhelming sense of dread coming from the new fullness inside of his chest./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus stiffened before shooting upright in his bed (claireclaireclaire). He groaned as a bolt of pain shot through his bandaged arm (claireclaireclaire), but something wasn't right. He tossed off the tightly tucked sheets and swung his legs to the side of the bed (claireclaireclaire). A sense of urgency overtook him (claireclaireclaire), and he touched his bare feet to the cold hospital wing floor./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Mr. Lupin! I've been treating you long enough to know that you are not ready to leave that bed!" scolded Madam Pomfrey./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus began to shake with Moony's panic, his eyes burning and welling with tears, but when he touched rough fingers to his face, his skin was dry. What? Remus thought to himself, what is happening to me? Remus began to sweat, his heart (his heart?) wracked with inexplicable worry. He didn't know where he ended and Moony began. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Remus," Madam Pomfrey began gently, "are you alright?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"She approached him with hands raised, as if he was a wild cornered beast./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""S-something's wrong," he insisted, "my seventh year class–"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""It is being taken care of for you by Professor Snape," she tried to reassure him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""No, you don't understand!" he growled, "my seventh year, she–I mean, they–"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""They can wait one more day for their professor to rest and heal," she said gently, glancing behind him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus turned to follow her line of sight. Standing at the door of the hospital wing was Professor Dumbledore, silently observing him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus bowed his head in understanding and shame, but Moony did not care who saw his distress (claireclaireclaire). Something was not right with Claire, and although Remus understood the implications of his outburst, he still could not seem to dampen the panic within him. Remus wasn't even sure that he could call the school safe anymore, with Sirius at large on the castle grounds. Anything could happen at any time. Was Claire okay? Was she safe?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""I think, Madam Pomfrey," Dumbledore began sagely, "I should like a moment with Professor Lupin."/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus swallowed, and shoving Moony down (claireclaireclaire), returned to his cot./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Dumbledore joined him, dragging the divider closer to afford them a bit more privacy. He gave Remus a once over, noting the sweat beading at his brow, and the slight shake of his hands and shoulders. He met his gaze./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Professor, I–" Remus began, but Dumbledore held up a hand to silence him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, and his mouth curved into a small smile. "Remus, as a scholar yourself I'm sure you're aware that lycanthropy is largely unstudied?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus nodded. As Dumbledore spoke, Moony's panic dulled to a calmer worry./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Although it's true that fear prevents werewolves from being understood, love, Remus, is often the answer to most problems, don't you think?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus felt his eyes widen. "But, sir–"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"He held up another hand. Remus clamped his mouth shut./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Dumbledore stood from his seat at Remus' bedside./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""It's an awfully nice day for a walk 'round the Black Lake," he said, glancing at the window behind Remus' bed./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus turned behind him to peek out the window. It was a nice fall day. It was afternoon, and classes were dismissed for the day. The grounds were littered with students enjoying the crisp fall air. He looked down and seated along the shore of the Black Lake was a familiar head of long brown hair./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"He turned back around to face Dumbledore, but he had gone./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"strongIII. The Black Lake/strong/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"After much resistance from Madam Pomfrey, Remus escaped from the Hospital Wing–to Moony's delight of course. He dressed himself delicately, minding his freshly healed arm, and with explicit directions to take it easy, Remus left the Castle toward the Black Lake./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. His wolf seemed to sing her name with satisfaction now that Remus was determined to lay eyes on her. What had happened in the hospital wing could not happen again, Remus thought. Imagine having a panic attack in the middle of a lesson, or worse, in a fateful encounter with an ex-best friend perhaps? He would be a danger to himself and to Claire–er, the students./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Perhaps Dumbledore was right, Remus mused to himself. Perhaps he would allow himself a little bit of Claire to temper his wolf. Perhaps in doing so he would learn something about lycanthropy. Remus was aware of the myth of werewolves mating for life, but could this be that? There was a chasm sized lack of literature on the subject–werewolves were just seen as beasts to cleanse the wizarding world of. What would Claire think if she found out about his condition?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus cringed at the thought./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus pushed open the heavy double doors leading outside and was met with the smell of outside air, grass, and dying leaves. Faintly, the smell of chocolate wafted to his nose. Moony howled with delight. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. He followed the scent to the Black Lake./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"And there she was, her back toward him, sitting on the sand, her arms around her knees. He felt her worry as if it were his own, deep within his chest. He watched the rise and fall of her shoulders, and saw her try to calm herself with shuddering breaths. Moony whimpered with the desire to smell her, to rub against her, to mark her with his own scent, but Remus tamped it down. As overwhelming as Moony was in this moment, Remus took every effort to be of sound mind, present and steadfast./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"He cleared his throat./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire jumped, clearly startled, and she whipped her head around to face him. Remus was struck by how lovely she was, with long dark eyelashes blinking away the sun. He watched her drink him in, her eyes traveling from the toes of his shoes to the very tips of his hair, memorizing him, and cataloging his appearance. He felt the beginnings of a blush tinging his cheeks, and he averted his eyes. What had he done to earn this level of concern? He had done nothing but avoid her and push her away for weeks. Rightfully so, she was a student after all./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Professor Lupin," she said, meeting his eyes again. Remus cringed… being called "professor" did not do much for the shame he felt for his feelings for her./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Oh, but her voice, Moony whimpered, so lovely ClaireClaireClaireClaire…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus cleared his throat again./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Miss Frye," he began./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""You can call me Claire, you know," she said, eyes sparkling./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Claire," he said, tasting her name on his lips. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"She smiled up at him, and it was then that he noticed the red rims around her eyes. He became alarmed./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Are you alright?" he asked her./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Her head tilted, not unlike a small curious kitten./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Are you?" she asked him back./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus bowed his head in a chuckle, "I am now."/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"He watched as a blush rose to her cheeks, staining them a handsome pink. Remus was chuffed with himself, confident and proud that he could stir something within her–as she so effortlessly did to him. He drank her in earnestly, as she did not just a moment before. Her hair tumbled in soft curls down her back. Her robes were clean and tidy, but her uniform was a bit rumpled–no doubt attributed to a long day. Her black trainers were scuffed on the toes, and her ankles were crossed. She looked delicate, and Moony surged to the surface, the need to make his presence and desire to protect known./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"But Remus shook him from his mind. Now would be his time./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""May I sit?" he asked her politely./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"She nodded, "Please."/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"He carefully sat next to her on the sand, minding his arm. She watched his every move./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Where were you today during class?" she asked him, and he met her eyes to find them alight with bold curiosity./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Felt a bit ill this morning. I was in the hospital wing," he divulged./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"She searched his eyes, looking for a lie no doubt. Seemingly satisfied, she relented./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Well, you should know that Professor Snape completely diverted from our lessons!" she exclaimed hotly, "He introduced a brand new topic, and completely skipped chapter two!"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus blanched. If that were true, then the seventh years must have been introduced to the topic of werewolves. What must've gone through her mind as she read the text?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Suddenly she became bashful, averting her eyes, and her blush deepening. "And… Well, he said that you were incapacitated. I… was worried after you," she admitted./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Moony's heart soared. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus was rather flattered himself. He did not deserve her worry or her kindness. However, if his theory was accurate–and gods, he hoped it wasn't–then the panic he felt in the hospital wing was not his at all, but Claire's./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Incapacitated you say?" said Remus, "Do I rather look incapacitated to you?" he finished with a grin./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""No," she smiled back at him, "you look well,"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"He felt his cheeks grow hot as hers did. His chest swelled with affection for her. She was too sweet for his own good. Almost painfully so./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"If only Sirius could see him now, blushing like a teenage boy. He'd laugh and shove him in the arm and tease. But Remus was no teenager. No, he was a man of 32 years old, blushing over a student thinking that he looked well./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Claire," he tested her name on his lips anew, "would you like to walk with me around the Lake?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Her eyes widened in surprise, and… was that pleasure? Remus stood and held his elbow out to invite her to join him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"She eagerly scrambled to her feet, and took his arm. At his wince, she glanced up at him in concern./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Just a bit banged up," he reassured her, "all is well."/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"But she did not seem convinced, and withdrew her hand for fear of hurting him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Whether it was his own courage or Moony's untempered desire to maintain touch between them, he did not know, but almost of its own accord, he snatched her hand in his before it fell to her side. They shared a blush. Remus returned her hand to the crook of his elbow, and led her to the very edge where the shore met the Lake's water./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""You know, Professor," began Claire, "before now, I wasn't sure you liked me very much,"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus winced, although this time for a different reason./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""I like you just fine, Miss Frye" He tried to play it off, but she was no fool./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""It's Claire. I had thought you were avoiding me. Is that not true?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus was struck by her candor, and although there was a blush high on her cheeks, seemingly permanent, he could see her courage./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Well, Claire, it's not fair of a professor to show favoritism is it?" he countered, but he feared his blush betrayed his confidence./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Oh," she said lamely./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Remus attempted to recover, "But I've had enough of that nonsense, haven't you?" she nodded, with delicious hope in her brown eyes, "Would you like to spend some time with me?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Some time?" she asked./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Erm, yes. Would you indulge an old professor in keeping him company from time to time?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire laughed, "Well, alright then!"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Moony was over the–well, moon with her. He was delighted by her every word, the sound of her voice, the feel of her hand at his elbow, and her smell, oh her smell. Gosh if only Remus could bottle it up and take it home with him. He was enamored, enraptured, completely captivated by her, and all she'd done was walk with him along the banks of the Lake. Something so simple, became something so delicate and worth protecting. Was this the magic of a soulmate bond? Remus cast the thought away, for fear of being wrong. Whatever it was, Remus intended to cherish it at least until the end of the year./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Perhaps Dumbledore was right. Perhaps all he needed was just a small taste of what it might be like to be with her or even simply be near her. But that was all he would allow himself. He would not allow himself to forget–he was a professor, and she was a student!/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Even now, although content, Moony yearned for more. He desired the feel of her tightly and safely wrapped in his arms. He longed for the chance to twirl a loose curl around his finger, or perhaps bring her knuckles to his lips. But this is all they would be; a cordial walk around a lake./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"strongIV. Return to the Tower/strong/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire seemed to glide as she made her way back to Gryffindor Tower and the girls' dormitory. She had relished the feel of Lupin's jacket and the warmth of his body. What a treat to be so near him, to have her fears and insecurities assuaged by him. She would rather like to spend some time with him, whatever that would look like. She would take whatever he would be willing to give her./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"She let herself fall onto her bed, and heard a loud yelp./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""Oh, Merlin!" She said, "Snuffles, you poor dear,"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Snuffles wriggled out from beneath her to continue lounging on her bed. He lifted his head to her neck and inhaled deeply before perking up with a start. He wagged his tail and let his tongue hang out of his mouth./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire, overwhelmed by his cuteness, opened up her snack drawer by her bed. Snuffles began to help himself./p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;""You know," Claire's roommate, Elena Edgewater began, watching Snuffles gobble Cauldron Cakes with wary eyes, "Oliver was telling me that Harry was in need of a new broom this season, otherwise he's not going to be able to play quidditch this year!"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"Claire lazily threw her arm over her eyes, "Did you hear that Snuffles? Someone needs to get Harry a new broom. Do you know anyone who might be able to do that?"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"But Snuffles was already halfway out of the door when she turned to look at him./p
hr /
p style="margin-bottom: .14in; line-height: 100%;"strongAfter about a billion years since I posted the first chapter, I decided to pick this back up! I hope you enjoy :)/strong/p
