And There Were Always Two... - oc x r. lupin & oc x s. black

- 9 -

Ashley was walking towards the Gryffindor dorms when she got cornered by Snape.

"What are you doing here, mudblood?" he snarled, taking out his wand.

He looked to be in a bad mood and Ashley really couldn't deal with it.

"I don't care if Lily doesn't like you. I don't care if the grease from your hair got in your food. I just don't care." she told him. "So just go away and deal with your own problems."

"What did you say, mudblood?"

He shoved her up against the wall and she had trouble breathing for a second from the impact.

She was going to say something when his wand got shoved up against her neck. If she breathed any deeper it would draw blood.

"Got anything to say now, mudblood?"

"You need a new word. Mudblood's getting a bit repetitive," she rasped.

He took back his wand and flicked it.

"Flipendo!"

Her ribs cracked as she smashed into the wall again and there was a sharp pain on the back of her head. She realised just how badly off she was when she tasted blood.

"Coward..." she whispered, collapsing onto the ground.

"You filthy muggle brat," he swore, grabbing her by the hair and shoving her further towards the ground.

She rolled over in pain, trying to laugh.

"You're going to get in so much trouble for this." she cackled.

"Not if they don't find out."

Before he could do anything else, he was pulled back and punched straight in the nose. The greasy boy let out an "agh!" as he ran away clutching his nose.

"I guess his weakness is physical combat," Ashley chuckled weakly.

Remus kneels beside her, examining the damage done.

She spit out some blood and looked back at him.

"I'm fine now, thanks, you don't have to stay," she told him, trying to prop herself up with her elbows only to wince.

"I may turn into a monster once a month, but I'm not soulless. Anyway, how are you planning on getting to the hospital wing by yourself?"

"Sheer willpower."

Remus smirked but that look quickly faded.

"Come on." He moved to lift her bridal style, but she stopped him with her hand.

"I'm not completely incompetent. The most you'll help is as a prop."

Remus rolled his eyes.

"Hold steady," she told him.

He didn't have time to steady himself as she grabbed his shoulder and started pushing herself up towards standing. His hand gingerly wrapped beneath her other arm, supporting her like a brace. It was obvious that he was trying to avoid touching her fractured ribs, and she was thankful.

But as soon as she tried to stand on her other leg, her still tender ankle collapsed beneath her weight. Remus grunted as he shifted to support her.

"The full moon was yesterday, you're in no shape to help..." Ashley realised.

"I'm in better shape than you, so stop whining."

With his help, she wrapped her arm around his shoulder and resumed a standing position. She hobbled down the hall, wincing and cursing, while Remus guided her along.