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

- 15 -

Ashley sat in her little nook as she watched Remus and the Marauders disappear into the tunnel beneath the Whomping Willow. She sipped hot chocolate and waited for the night to be over. Sometimes she could hear faint howls of pain and it made her want to curl up and die. She didn't sleep at all that night, knowing Remus wouldn't either.

As the sun rose, Ashley saw a limp Remus being carried out by his friends. She immediately shot out of her climbing space and ran across Hogwarts to meet them in the hospital wing.

By the time she got there, Remus was already tucked into a cot. Madame Pomfrey tried to keep her out but to no avail.

"Remus..." she murmured, pressing the back of her hand against his forehead.

He was paler than usual and shining sickly sweat. There were great gashes across his face stitched up by Madame Pomfrey. There were bruises up his gangly arms along with minor cuts. Ashley stayed by his side the entire day, falling asleep in her chair.

It had been a couple of days since the full moon now, but all the Marauders and Ashley were still tending to the sickly and mildly irritable Remus. Mavis sounded selfish when she asked everyone what was so important, but they ignored it knowing her oblivion.

Remus stirred and Ashley immediately woke up.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I was sleeping, but then you woke me up," she snapped wittily. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I was waiting for you."

"What about class?" he asked, propping himself up on his elbows. Ashley watched a strand of his mousy hair slip onto his forehead as he changed in reclination. "Didn't you miss anything?"

Ashley shrugged. "I don't mind."

Remus' face changed to that of disappointment, he slowly blinked and lowered himself back into the cot.

"Bloody hell," he muttered, sighing. "I can't stay here forever..."

Ashley leaned back in her chair to glance behind the curtain separating Remus from the rest of the hospital wing. Pomfrey was nowhere in sight.

"Well..." she started to say, looking back at Remus. "If you're feeling up to it we can leave."

His eyes lit up.

"Yes, please!"

"Shhhhhh!" she whispered, giggling to herself. "Now quickly, get dressed and follow me!"

Her satchel was on the ground beside her. She reached down to grab it and walked a couple of strides to give Remus some privacy. Glancing back, she saw Remus hopping on one foot after her as he attempted to pull his shoe onto the other. Ashley bit back a smile.

"Come on," she said, motioning to the exit with her head and reaching out her hand for him to take.

Clinging onto each other, the two sped out of there. Ashley and Remus raced down the stairs and out the doors to the Quad. The clock tower chimed thrice. They sat down on a bench, out of breath.

"Do you think Pomfrey will figure out I'm gone soon?"

"Oh yes," Ashley said with a falsely serious tone. "And I bet she'll be furious."

She leaned her head sideways on his shoulder. Being so close to him made her feel lighter. He smelled like chocolate and books.

"I could still make it to Charms," Remus mumbled, thinking aloud.

Ashley huffed a laugh and turned to kiss him on the cheek, but his head turned to look at her, as well. Her lips landed sloppily on the side of his mouth. Ashley withdrew and blushed. Remus looked at her for a second and then ducked in to peck her on the lips. She gasped.

"Too soon?" he asked, suddenly sounding scared.

She shook her head, smiling coyly.

Remus' eyes lingered on her cheeks, which had turned a rosy red colour.

"Wanna go to the lake?"

Ashley glanced in the direction of the lake, sighing. She let her face cool for a second as she faced away from Remus. The cold November gale tossed her hair around. Her nose scrunched up to push up her glasses and she looked back at Remus.

"I don't see why not."

They both stood up. Ashley adjusted the strap of her satchel on her shoulder. Remus' hand brushed against hers. It felt right as she slid her hand into his. They ran back to their favourite tree and sat there until curfew summoned them back inside.