'Til The End

When Will Things Get Better?

Remus had quit school, but only under the promise that Minerva could visit him whenever she liked. Harry had come home with Remus, after he broke down in the middle of Defence class, covered by another sub. They hadn't even spoken to each other in the last three days, they'd barely been in the same room because Remus just couldn't bear it. He had hidden himself away, crying and crying and crying. He would go down the same route as last time, but he promised Sirius he wouldn't. But Sirius would never know. Besides, Harry would need him eventually, when he could get better. Harry needed him now, but Remus couldn't be there now. Harry seemed to understand that. Remus knew Ron and Hermione came over whenever they could, which seemed to be a lot seeing as it had only been three days. 'Remus.' Minerva was tapping at the door, like she did almost every day at about five, it was to make sure Remus ate, he might be grieving but he wasn't stupid. 'Leave me alone.' He mumbled, but opened the door with a flick of his hand anyways. 'No, dear. You need help.' Minerva bustled in, carrying a tray with some sort of food on it. 'Have you spoken to Harry?' Remus shook his head, taking a swig from his beer bottle. He'd gotten drunk two days in a row now. He knew this wasn't good, but he just couldn't help it. 'Please stop drinking Remus, it makes me worry, you've got Harry in the house too.' Remus didn't look at her, just took another drink. 'He has Ron and Hermione.' Minerva sighed, patting Remus' shoulder. 'And you have people too.' Remus slammed down his bottle and sighed loudly. 'Who have I got then?' Remus had Minerva, and he should've felt terrible for saying that, but he didn't feel an ounce of remorse. 'Oh yes, I forgot, the Weasley family are simply figments of my imagination, I deeply apologise. Did I dream up the Tonks', who also happen to be offering never-ending support, too? And of course Hagrid hasn't been banging on your door everyday, has he?' Minerva was right, obviously. The Weasley's had been checking in when Remus let them, and the Tonks' had been in touch and offered all kinds of support, and Hagrid had been standing on the street demanding to see Remus each day. But none of them made the pain go away. Alcohol did. 'They don't make it stop hurting.' Remus mumbled, letting his head drop slightly. 'Remus, dear, you can't expect it to stop hurting this early on. It's going to take time. Harry needs you.' Minerva placed a hand on Remus' shoulder, but he jerked away, too sad too care. 'Oh Remus.' 

It wasn't until the next day Remus heard it. He had been getting too drunk to be able to use his heightened senses, but he hadn't drunk anything yet, well, it was only ten in the morning, but he heard it. Remus opened the door a crack, he could hear Harry breathing shallowly, and then he said 'expecto patronum.' Remus listed harder as Harry conveyed a message to the Patronus. 'Hermione, Hermione, I- I think it's happening again, please- please come over here.' Harry's voice shook, and Remus heard him move across the living room. He still didn't go downstairs. 

He didn't go downstairs when he heard Hermione, he had no idea how she got there, and he didn't go downstairs until he heard Hermione soothing Harry. Neither of them noticed him as he stood at the doorway. Hermione had wrapped her arms around Harry and was rocking him soothingly, 'shh, shh, you'll be ok, it'll all be ok.' She repeated over and over again, while Harry just shook in her arms. Hermione eventually noticed him, and offered up a sympathetic smile. Harry noticed him too, but just carried on as if he wasn't there. Remus eventually approached the pair, and Harry hugged him, hard. 'I'm sorry.' Remus whispered to Harry, tears slipping down his own cheeks. 

This chapter is so short because not everything is as it seems! You're in for a shock the next chapter - and the chapter after that. We're almost to a proper breakthrough, so buckle up!!