the girl who forgot the stars ; sb

𝑃𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑠

Ruby stirred, her head pounding with a dull throb as her eyes fluttered open. For a brief moment, everything around her felt unfamiliar—white curtains, sterile silence, and the faint scent of healing potions. Then it clicked.

Hospital Wing.

She groaned softly, pushing herself up with a slight wince, leaning back on her elbows. Her vision cleared just enough to see the bed next to hers—and her heart dropped.

"Remus..." she whispered.

Her brother lay there, unconscious, his body marred with deep cuts and fading bruises. Ruby's breath hitched as she stumbled out of bed and crossed the short distance to him.

She had always known—of course she had—that Remus suffered. That every full moon left him raw, torn, and barely stitched together. But she had never seen it. Never seen the blood, the scars, the reality.

Her fingers trembled as she traced an old scar along his arm.

"Oh, Remy..."

"Ms. Lupin. I'm glad you're awake," came Madam Pomfrey's warm voice from behind.

Ruby wiped at her face quickly, but not fast enough. The nurse's smile faded as she caught sight of the tears in her eyes.

"What happened, sweetheart?" she asked gently, stepping closer.

Ruby didn't answer. Her gaze never left her brother. "How—how's Remus?" she asked instead, voice tight.

"He'll be fine. Just exhausted, that's all. He needs rest, but he's stable," Madam Pomfrey reassured, looking over Remus's chart.

Then she turned to Ruby. "And how are you feeling?"

Ruby blinked. And slowly, the memory began to crawl back into her mind. The screaming. The cold. The overwhelming pain that hadn't been hers—but had torn through her like it was.

"I... I don't know," she admitted, confused and shaken. "What happened? Why am I here?"

"A fellow Gryffindor girl brought you in. You fainted in the common room."

Madam Pomfrey tilted her head. "Why did you faint, dear?"

Ruby hesitated. Her heart still raced at the memory. "I... I heard a scream. But not like, here. It was like—like it was in my head. Someone was in pain. I felt it. I couldn't breathe."

The nurse frowned. "Do you get these episodes often?"

Ruby shook her head. "No. It's the first time."

"Well," Madam Pomfrey softened, though concern flickered behind her eyes, "it could be stress, dear. You've had a rough time lately. Nothing to worry about. You're free to leave after lunch."

She walked off, scribbling something on her clipboard.

Ruby exhaled, her shoulders finally relaxing. She looked back at her brother, still unconscious, his chest rising and falling gently. She stepped closer, brushing back his hair with trembling fingers and pressing a kiss to his forehead.

"Get well soon, Remy," she whispered.

Then she turned and walked out.

⸻

Back in the Gryffindor common room, the fire was still burning low in the hearth. The tower was quiet—classes had already started. And on the couch, curled up like a child, was Sirius.

Ruby blinked.

He was asleep, hugging himself, his features soft and peaceful. The usual mischief had melted from his face, replaced with something... delicate. Vulnerable.

Without thinking, Ruby turned on her heel, went to her dorm, and retrieved an old, hand-woven blanket her mum had made for her. Quiet as a whisper, she came back down and gently tucked it around him.

Sirius stirred at the warmth, curling closer into it with a faint pout on his lips.

Ruby giggled quietly, heart softening.

And then, finally—finally—she allowed herself to rest.

⸻

The Next Morning

Sunlight streamed through the dormitory windows, and Ruby sat up with a yawn and a grin.

Today was going to be better. She was determined to make it better.

She got ready quickly, her mood lighter than it had been in days, and walked into the Great Hall for breakfast. As she entered, her eyes scanned the room—laughter and chatter buzzed from the Gryffindor table.

But across the hall, near the edge of the Ravenclaw table, sat Eleanor.

Alone. Quiet. Too quiet.

Ruby's brows furrowed.

She crossed the room in seconds and sat beside her friend. Eleanor looked up and instantly forced a smile. A fake one. It barely touched her eyes.

"Hey—"

"Don't hey me, Bingley," Ruby cut her off sharply. "What the hell is going on with you? You've been acting strange for days, and I've had enough of the vague answers."

Eleanor's shoulders trembled as she clenched her fists.

"You were right," she whispered.

Ruby froze. "What?"

"You were right all along..." Eleanor's voice cracked. "You told me not to trust him. And I—I didn't listen. I thought... I thought he really liked me."

Tears welled in her eyes.

"Eleanor..." Ruby murmured, heart breaking.

"He used me, Ruby. That son of a bitch used me."

The words landed like a punch to the gut.

"He just wanted me for my body. And when he got what he wanted, he dumped me. He—he said things, Ruby. Said I was a slut. That I'd sleep with anyone."

Ruby's jaw clenched. Her hands curled into fists on the table.

"I should've listened to you," Eleanor choked, wiping at her cheeks, "but I didn't. And now I just feel so stupid—"

"Stop," Ruby interrupted, voice low and seething. "Don't you dare blame yourself for his bullshit."

She reached across the table, taking Eleanor's hand in hers.

"That bastard doesn't get to break you."

Eleanor gave her a watery smile.

Ruby exhaled, slow and steady. Then looked her friend dead in the eye.

"Don't worry, El. We're going to bring that fuckface down. To. Hell."

⸻

A/N:

Badass mode: activated.

Don't be a silent reader—drop your thoughts below!
With love and fury,
Nanii <33