The Prince's Love

Chapter 21: A Moment of Happiness

Story Note(s):
As the last time, press play on the above song when I tell you to! You of course can read it without the song, I have the lyrics written down, but I just think it's more fun that way. Whichever you prefer!

Also, the rights to the song "Best Part Of Me" go completely to Ed Sheeran, not me! I do not own it, I did not write it! And I am not trying to take credit for it!

Severus' POV

I woke up to see Lupin looking at me worriedly. I immediately tried to sit up and back away, but the moment I pushed myself upright, I felt my head spin.

"Woah, Severus, don't move too much. You passed out, you need to sit down for a bit," Lupin said, stabling me against the wall.

Once my head stopped spinning, he stood up and walked over to my desk and picked up the plate Isa had given me.

"Did you eat any of this?" he asked me, sighing.

"Clearly, I did not," I grumbled back at him.

He raised his eyebrows at me and questioned, "May I ask why?"

"No, you may not," I answered.

"Well, I am anyway. Why are you not eating, Severus? It's not healthy," he said, quite rudely in my opinion.

"Don't talk to me about being healthy. At least I don't eat chocolate all day," I responded.

Lupin chuckled and countered, "Hey, I'm not the one who just passed out."

I stayed silent, not having a comeback to that. He had gotten me on that one, and I growled, not liking that he beat me.

"Really Severus, I just want to help you. But you have to tell me what's going on," he tried again.

I stayed silent for another minute, but eventually spoke, just wanting to get this over with. "I don't have time to eat."

He thought about my answer, and then suggested, "Why don't I take some of your papers for a bit? I have the time-"

"No," I interrupted.

"Why not?" he asked, staying calm.

"It's my job, it's my responsibility. Besides, I certainly don't want to owe you anything-" I answered, but Lupin cut me off.

"You won't owe me anything Severus, think of it as part of me making up for not stopping James and Sirius from bullying you. You need a break, Severus. I know I'm not the only one that sees it," he told me.

I listened to his words, but couldn't find anything that wasn't true. Begrudgingly, I finally said, "Fine."

Lupin smiled and passed me the plate that he had been holding, and said, "Eat. You'll feel better."

I did so, finally accepting what I had been denying for days, that I was starving.

When I had finished, Lupin took the plate and set it back on the desk, then walked back over to me.

He helped me up, struggling a bit under my weight while I regained my balance. He didn't comment on it, however, and we walked to the door together in silence.

When we reached the door to my chambers, he stopped me, and spoke again. "Don't worry about teaching tomorrow, I'll cover for you. Get a good night's sleep, Merlin knows you need it."

I nodded and turned to open my door. Right as I was turning the handle, he said, "I really am sorry for everything, Severus. I hope one day you can forgive me, I don't want to be your enemy."