Redamancy - R. Lupin

Chapter 7 - Nepenthe

Nepenthe - (n.) something that can make you forget grief or suffering.

Author Note: the picture above is Evangeline's outfit in this chapter.

E V A N G E L I N E

Just when she thought she was getting through to Remus, he pulled away.

The past few days, he holed himself up in his room, only coming out for dinner and briefly for breakfast. Evangeline had tried talking to him on multiple occasions, but he'd brush her off, an irritated look in his eyes that made her pull back. She figured he might just be feeling off, so she let it go.

Yesterday, he hadn't come out at all. Molly brought his meals to his door and ignored Evangeline when she'd ask if he was okay. This confused her since if he was sick, she was the best person to go to.

She'd thought her and Remus were finally getting along when the rest of the day was spent in each other's company, getting the cake for Sirius and the others, and then hanging out and chatting when them into the early hours of the morning. But, he pulled away the next day and Evangeline was left confused.

She was confused about a lot of things these days. She was confused about why be pulled away so often, if he liked her, if she liked him. Overall, her head was a mess.

But, she pushed the many thoughts from her head as she finished getting ready. It was rather warm today, so she opted for a silk, cream shirt with roses printed on it, tied it so her midriff showed, a medium brown, high waisted skirt, and a pair of cream colored, platform Mary-Janes. Lastly, she added a gold heart-shaped locket with a picture of her, Charlie, Tonks, and Bill inside.

It was September 1st, the day the teenagers in Twelve Grimmauld Place were to head back for their fourth, fifth, and seventh years at Hogwarts. She was on assignment to make sure Harry, as well as the others, got onto Platform 9 3/4 safely.

She was filled with the same excitement as usual as she skipped down the stairs, her heels clicking against the wooden floors as she went.

Entering the kitchen, she smiled widely. "Good morning," she hummed, picking up a strawberry and popping it in her mouth. There were a few Order members seated at the table, Moody and Shacklebolt, as well as Tonks, and the usual bunch.

Most everyone echoed a morning in response, some sending her smiles as she made her way around the table, grabbing a lemon poppyseed muffin she'd baked yesterday with the twins, an apple, and a glass of orange juice.

She quickly headed back out, heading back up to the stairs, but instead of stopping at her door, she went to the next door over.

Floating the muffin and apple in the air, glass in her left hand, she knocked twice against the wooden door with her knuckle, rocking back and forth on her heels.

When she didn't get an answer, she knocked again, "Remus, I brought you some breakfast."

When she didn't get a response again, the other side of the door completely silent, she figured he was out around the house, so she gently opened the door, intending to set the food and glass down on his nightstand.

But, that's not how it ended up going.

When she pushed open the door, she nearly lost her concentration on the floating food at what she saw. Sat on the floor, back leaning against the side of his bed, dressed in a pair of loose plaid pajama pants, was an exhausted Remus. He had some shallow, some rather deep cuts on his bare chest, smaller ones dotting his upper arms and shoulders. Bruises littered his body as well, varying shades of purple and blue.