UNDER THE MOON, Remus Lupin

xxii.

CAN'T SPELL 'WOLVES' WITHOUT 'LOVE'

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Since it was Christmas Eve, Alice decided it was finally time to see Remus. She hadn't seen him the previous day at all. Even though she said she would see him yesterday, she got caught up in an intense game of hide-and-seek with Cedric and a lonely first-year Ravenclaw. So now, Alice was doing everything in her power to fix her hair, makeup, and choose just the right outfit.

Remus would find her attractive even if she wore shower curtains. But she didn't know that. Alice was overthinking everything, opening the dormitory door, then closing it. Then opening it. Then closing it again. What if he didn't want to see her? But what if he needed help?

Alice loudly groaned and slammed her head against the wooden door. Maybe the key to figuring this out was to stop thinking altogether. She took a few steps away from the door and pulled Remus' wrapped gift out from under her bed. Now she at least had a motive for visiting him. Or a better reason. All of a sudden, her shirt looked weird. So that lead to her changing it again.

The things she was doing for a man who probably would never kiss her. Alice almost left. Then remembered to put on perfume. It took her all of five minutes to choose which scent to use. She was more indecisive than her mother, who could never decide whether she was going to care about her children or not.

"I'm going!" Alice stated with her pointer finger in the air. "... to go back to bed." She gave up. "No, I'm not!" She corrected herself and stormed out of her dorm before she could change her mind.

Unsure of why she was suddenly so nervous about seeing Remus, Alice inhaled deeply. He was worth this. She just had to remember that. It was past curfew and the sun was nearly all the way set. Alice kept her wand tucked in her sweater and quietly walked toward Remus' living quarters. Avoiding Filch was becoming easier and easier as he got old.

When Alice reached the door to Remus' sleeping chamber, she gently knocked. "Who is it?" He asked, sounding very tired. It also sounded like he was in pain.

"It's me. Er- Alice," she waited for a response but didn't get one. "I wanted to check on you... I've been worried. I would've come sooner but I didn't want to bother you. May I come in?"

"I'm sorry, Alice. I don't think that's a good idea right now. I appreciate your concern." He cleared his throat on the other side of the door.

Alice sighed, looking down with a frown. "Please?"

"No, Alice," He said this time with more irritation in his voice.

"I'm not leaving until you let me in!"

The door unlocked, but Remus didn't say anything or open it. Alice cautiously entered and saw Remus standing weakly beside the couch, the only light in the room being the fire and moonlight. She shut the door and her expression faltered at Remus' appearance. He was wrapped in an old blanket, but shirtless with only pants on. Deep gashes were visible on his shoulder and throat. They were bleeding but looked a few days old.

Alice ran to him and placed her hands on the side of his face with clear worry written on her expression. Her hands were warm and smooth. But they were quaking slightly on the sides of his face. "Remus, what happened to you!? Who did this?" She was panicking, and that was clear as she looked him over for any more cuts, taking the blanket from him and throwing it onto the couch. There were loads more healed scars all over, but no fresh ones besides the ones she could see.

Remus softly placed his hands on Alice's hips. "It was... an accident, Alice. There's nothing to worry about, I'm fine."

"Don't tell me not to worry! Why haven't you seen Madam Pomfrey!? Never mind that, sit down so I can take care of these!" She wasn't sure if she was more mad or more concerned.