The Wolf's Den [Remus Lupin]

25 - The Unexpected Addition

CW: Contains smoking marijuana

-Alula-

"Can I say it now?"

"No."

"It's been days, Lula! ...'ow 'bout now?"

"No!" I was eating lunch with the girls on Saturday with a blinding headache. I hadn't slept very well. Mary interjected mine and Marlene's bickering as she sat down on the other side of the bench.

"What are you two arguing about now?"

I shot a look at Marlene and she sheepishly looked at the ground. "Nothing, I was just filling her in with the details about what happened–"

"About breaking up with Thorfinn?" Lily raised her eyebrows to exaggerate her comment and took a sip of pumpkin juice.

I nodded and Mary broke into a great big smile. "Oh, come off it! He's been minging since the start!"

"Yes! Oi, I didn't say it, she did!" Marly gave Mary a high-five and I sighed. I figured I was just going to have to get used to this for a while, but I still felt so stupid.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. It's just–I don't know what my mother's gonna say and none of you are helping so I'm going away now," I rolled my eyes and went to stand up but Marly grabbed my arm and screwed her face up at me.

"Oh, pish tosh! Let us cop it out, we've been 'oldin' it in for a wile now," Marlene joked and I gave her a snarky smile.

"I get it, I just wish I felt better," I snipped, making another cup of tea.

"Oh, c'mon it's the weekend, Lula! You can finally start on those books Inkwood got you for Christmas!" Alice suggested and I shut my eyes tightly.

"Ugh, I've gotta deal with her too," I groaned and threw my head down into my arm that was crossed on the table. "Just leave me here to shrivel up and die, then the house elves can deal with me," I whined.

"Cheer up, cherry bomb," a deeper voice spoke and my eyes shot open. I peeked through my arms and saw black boots on a larger pair of feet next to me. "Just imagine what the summer will be like with the wedding and everything and you'll feel loads better that you broke it off while you still could!"

"Sirius, that isn't funny," I groaned.

He put his hand on his heart and pretended to look offended. "I think I'm pretty funny," he chuckled and put his hands on my shoulders. "You're fine, and you got out alive," he whispered the latter half. That made me lift my head. He took that as the opportunity to lift my chin to the side so he could examine my eye. He cocked his head to the side smiling. "Good, it's practically healed." I was embarrassed that he knew everything now that I was sober.

I cleared my throat, hid my blushing cheeks, and caught Lily's eye. Her brow furrowed and she looked completely appalled. "Where are the others?" I asked quickly, motioning to the lack of his entourage, and desperately trying to change the subject.

"Oh, they'll come down soon." He motioned toward the doors and took his place at the table. He made himself a coffee and I went back to my tea.

When I heard the sound of owls from above us, my stomach did a flip. Sure enough, a letter dropped in front of me. The girls stopped talking and stared at me. "Is that from her?" Lily asked and I picked it up to look.

"No one else uses my middle name..." I grumbled and ripped the seal. It was a shorter letter than I was expecting.

Alula,
Darling, what am I supposed to do with you? Gabriella and I have spoken and we're both very upset with you. You tell me you're happy with this young man and you're committed to him and these things turn out to be horrible lies. So you've called off your courtship with this boy now I have to pick up the pieces? I've gotten 2 owls from his mother already! I don't ask much of you and now you've completely disappointed me. I never should have pushed you so hard to find a good match, look what it's done to you–made you utterly unstable! You're clearly too naive to be picking your own partner if this one failed so miserably! What did you do to make him hit you?! Act as foolish as you do at home?! If you think he hurt you just wait until you get home for the Easter holiday. Bella and I were lucky enough to get ahold of your recent letter to Miranda — as such, I've revoked her invitation so it will only be our little family, thanks to you. I'll be confiscating all of your privileges once you're home. There's no need for your reply.