Ad Infinitum (Remus Lupin X Reader)

XII • Simulo

XII • Similo • Pretend

I woke up a couple of hours later, my mouth dry and a dull throbbing in my head. I grabbed the glass of water off of my nightstand and chugged it, feeling my headache begin to lessen. It was likely from dehydration, not a hangover. Were two drinks even enough for a hangover?

I didn't know. I pushed myself out of bed and immediately brushed my teeth. My mouth tasted awful; stale and dry. After that, I took a cold shower.

I felt refreshed but queasy. I checked my clock and saw that the feast was supposed to begin in half an hour, which gave me plenty of time to get dressed. Once I was wrapped in a sweater and some comfy jeans, I shrugged on my robes, hoping that I would be able to take them off at the feast. As much as I respected the dress code, the robes were not as comfortable as I would have liked them to be.

Feeling like a complete mess, I made my way to the Great Hall to join the congregation of students and professors who were waiting for the feast to begin.

"There you are," Lupin said as I joined the rest of the professors at the table, taking my usual spot between him and Hagrid.

"In the flesh," I mumbled and settled into my seat, meeting his eyes timidly. "Sorry about earlier."

"Happens to the best of us," he said with a quick wink. "You know, you were very chatty."

"I know," I said and hid my face in my hands. "I wish I would have been drunk enough to forget, seeing as I managed to embarrass myself with only two drinks. A couple more and maybe I wouldn't have to remember all the stupid things I said."

"It wasn't too bad," he said with a shrug. "I've seen and probably acted far worse."

"I appreciate your kindness, though," I said, chewing on my lip. "And, once again, I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," he said, "although, I am very interested in the man who encouraged you to drink that much."

"He's-"

I quieted as Dumbledore gave a quick speech and commenced the feast. I was quick to grab some food that seemed to be light on the stomach. Despite my queasiness, I was starving. The feast passed by quickly, and I enjoyed it. The food that I managed to eat was good, and I had several nice conversations with professors, including Hagrid, Professor Sprout, and I even exchanged a few words with Snape, although he wasn't keen to respond to my formalities.

I was walking back to my room when I was caught by Professor Lupin.

"Come on," he said. "We've got to go back to the Great Hall."

"Why?"

"Dumbledore will explain," he said, leading me back the way I had come.

"You can't tell me?"

"I don't want to frighten you."

"Well, you're not doing a very good job then," I said and jogged to match his long, quick strides.

"Sirius Black was seen in the castle," he said.

"What?" I asked, feeling my stomach flip.

"He destroyed one of the portraits, the one that guarded the Gryffindor common room," he said.

"What?" I repeated.

"This is why I didn't want to tell you," he said. "Come on, we're expected to be there already."

Lupin led me to a group of teachers, who were waiting outside of the Great Hall, talking among themselves in hushed voices.

"We must search the castle," Dumbledore announced. "It would be best to go in pairs, and each pair should be assigned a specific area of the castle to search."