The Bet // Remus Lupin Fanfiction

10

A week later, I was finally out of the infirmary. However, Madam Pomfrey was still a bit protective and so, she made sure I don't attend any detentions till next week to avoid any extra exhaustion.

I skipped my way towards the hufflepuff common room but something else caught my attention.

"Lupin?", I called the brown haired giraffe-heighted-man in front of me, who was staring out to the Black Lake.

"I see you have discharged", he spoke quietly.

"Yes, thanks to you", I said to his back.

"I didn't do anything though."

"Oh yes, yes you did. If you haven't sent me flying into the wall, I wouldn't have ever been admitted which means I wouldn't have ever got discharged", I joked.

He didn't laugh.

Fucking shit!

"I am sorry", he spoke quietly.

"Oh no no it's fine. I-I was just kidding. It wasn't your fault and I don't blame you", I spoke in a rush trying to make him understand.

He nodded curtly, turned to his side and left. I mentally cursed myself.

I looked at his retreating figure and sighed.

I heard three other sighs.

I jumped.

"What the-", I turned around.

"When did you guys arrive?!", I ask the three marauders.

"Just now", Sirius replied.

"I didn't hear you though", I mumbled.

"Then it's a proof you need hearing aid Rose", Potter spoke.

"She has just been discharged. Her hearing problem might be the side effects of the injury", Peter spoke honestly.

I looked at him dumbfounded while Potter and Black laughed.

"True that Pete", Potter patted the guy on his shoulder.

I turned around and left. I had other important matters to think about than retorting to some imbeciles.

Matters like talking to Remus to make it clear that I don't blame him.

----

I saw Lupin outside the history of magic class with his friends.

I motioned Clare and Laura to go inside before me.

I approached him. He looked up.

"Lu—", he walked past me and entered the classroom.

----

I took the books from the shelves and sat down on one of the seats. I felt someone's presence on the table beside me.

I looked up and saw Remus.

Slowly and cautiously, I approached him. He was reading a Charms book.

"Lupin..", I softly called.

He took a deep breath. I took that as my permission to sit down.

As soon as I did, he stood up and left.

----

I waited for Lupin to answer Professor Flitwick's question.

I knew the answer but for the first time I waited for him to do that. I knew he knew the answer. I saw him reading the same page yesterday at the library.