UNDER THE MOON, Remus Lupin

lxiv.

BLACKHOLE
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Alice felt sick to her stomach walking into that damned classroom. Zeph was with her, muttering encouraging, positive words. She wasn't listening. Avoiding being sad around Remus was proving to be difficult enough already. Alice quickly took a seat. Remus wasn't even here yet.

A brisk glance from Zephyr alerted her to look at him. "What?" She asked.

"You need to relax," Zephyr said, his eyes dashed to her hands that were folded on the desk, shaking rapidly. "Its just a few more days, Alice. Then you never have to see the idiot again."

That was true. Just a few days where she had to act fine. It couldn't be that hard, could it? Alice straightened her back and nodded. "You're right. Thank you."

Two footsteps behind her at the entrance to the classroom. They halted. Then proceeded, a long sigh dragging from the lips of the walker. Alice closed her eyes as he walked by. It was him. Same scent. Faint cigarette smoke, chocolate, old books.

Alice opened her eyes again and turned to Zephyr, chewing nervously on her lip. "Have you and Aria talked yet?" Anything to avoid Remus.

"No. It's somehow easier to talk to Clint than it is to her," He said. Zephyr wasn't looking at Alice, he was glaring at Remus. It was obvious. "I don't know if you want to hear this or not, but he can't stop glancing at you."

"Well, good for him," She rolled her eyes. "Hope he's enjoying the sight more than I will."

Zeph chuckled. "Venomous. I like it."

Alice didn't. She hated acting like she was cold, when really she'd already melted.

This morning she'd written a brief letter to Sirius, asking him if it was still okay she stayed with him after school. She was Harry's sister and everything, but maybe Sirius would be uncomfortable having her there after everything. Alice hoped that wasn't the case. Otherwise, she'd be out of a home. Her being homeless never seemed like a plausibility until now.

Throughout the entire class, Remus didn't step foot near Alice, as if she were a poisonous flower, or something that wanted to do him harm. Alice wasn't sure what she expected, but it wasn't this. He never called on her, but then again she never raised her hand either. Still, it hurt. Because not a single thing was the same.

If Alice smiled, that'd probably be enough to convince Remus she was fine. She just couldn't bring the sides of her mouth to curve up. Down was the only way they'd go, as if a magnet were pulling them. Breakups had never felt so damaging to Alice. It wasn't just the breakup, it was the facing your childhood fear firsthand deal too. Two horrible things that were presently putting her through hell.

Class ended after what felt like an hour of eternity. Zeph waited for Alice as she pulled herself together, and he rambled on about the last quidditch game which was of course tomorrow. Alice hoped she'd be in a good enough state to play, considering she'd been too upset to pull a practice together.

"I think tomorrow will go great! I can let out anger, you can! We'll kick some arse, I'm telling you!" Zeph said excitedly, leading the way out of the classroom.

"Whatever you say," Alice rolled her eyes.

Her wrist was caught before she left the room and she jerked her head around. Remus was its holder. "Are you okay?" He hesitantly asked.

Alice was somewhat fine, no thanks to him. But she didn't tell him that. Her eyes narrowed slightly at him. Instead, she ripped her wrist out of his hands and walked away, indifferent. He was a fucking idiot to ask that question, and Alice hated him for even assuming that she might be fine.