Turn on the lights - Remus lupin comfort fic

Chapter 10

Willa was released from the hospital wing a few days before the end of term. She was terrified of seeing anyone after finding out it was Lavender who found her 'she must think I'm proper psycho'. Although she didn't have to face returning to the dormitory just yet, the teachers had set up a small side room for her next to professor Lupin, and professor McGonagalls rooms, this was equally embarrassing Willa had thought but at least she didn't have to face the others. This situation did however mean it had now been two weeks since she had last had a chance to hurt herself. 

This was a blessing and a curse. Instead of shouting abuse at her constantly her head now took breaks and thought of extravagant ways she might be able to sneak away and get away with hurting herself. She was allowed her wand and books but that was just about it. The morning of the last day of term Lupin was the one who came in and checked on her. " morning Willa, how are you feeling today?" He quizzed. Willa nodded and smiled a fake smile, it was too early to really conjure up a response. "Everyone will be preparing to get the train back home at lunch time and I have no other responsibilities for today so I had thought we might take a wonder into hogsmeade if you feel up to it? I understand if you don't but I think we need to get you out of this room you've not been outside the castle since you were in the hospital wing my dear" Lupin waited with baited breath to see what she would respond with; "I don't know professor, I really don't want to see anyone I'm perfectly happy staying here thank you sir" this was half a lie. Willa wanted nothing more than to go out and breathe in the fresh air or sit by the lake and see the squid, but she didn't want to see anyone and she really didn't want to be seen as the wierdo who needed a teacher stuck to her side at all times.

Lupin jumped in before any more could be said and started again "Willa I understand where you're coming from but I promise it'll be worth going for a walk. I shall let you get dressed whilst I go down to the dining hall and fetch us some breakfast, what would you like?" "Marmite on toast please." He nodded and went off to get the food.

Willa stood alone in the room, it was one of the first times she'd been properly alone in the last couple of weeks. Even at night McGonagall checked on her every hour, making sure she wasn't doing anything stupid, often times Willa had thought how stupid they were she couldn't do anything stupid if she tried. At that moment as she pulled a jumper on over her pyjama top, it seemed pointless to properly get dressed, she noticed Lupin had left his door open. She argued with herself for a moment debating wether to go in or not but decided to just have a little nose whilst he was well and truly occupied.

She squeaked the door open and had a quick look around, overall it was pretty bare he didn't have very many belongings but he did have piles of books everywhere, it was evident he loved to read. She scanned the room further and had a look at his bedside table, wondering for a few fleeting seconds if he might keep anything worth looking at in there, she opened it. There was a little picture book, it was opened on a page where Lupin was obviously only a teenager, surrounded by friends, they all looked so happy. There was a tallish black haired boy who looked exactly like Harry, it must have been his dad she thought scanning the photograph further, another boy stood next to lupin with his arms across Harry's fathers shoulder and Lupins. He was a good looking boy long black hair and enchanting eyes, Willa couldn't help but notice his killer jawline too, then there was a smaller rounder boy who seemed equally as happy and a ginger haired girl, stood with a pretty blonde haired girl and another curly haired girl with darker skin who had her tongue poked out of her mouth. They all looked so happy! Summer 77 someone had written at the bottom. It was a muggle still photograph but it seemed to hold the same lifelikeness as a wizarding photo. The plain expressions of happiness were so clearly written across the film.

Willa snapped back to reality after the clock ticked and put the album back. She slid back into her room and pulled on some jeans. These had got considerably tighter than the last time she had worn them. But they went on. 'One more thing to think about then' it wasn't long before Lupin had re-entered the room. He carried a plate filled with sausages, bacon, eggs and toast and another with just toast on it. Willa was handed her plate and they both sat at a small table. Lupin was quite animal like in the way he ate. But when he'd finished he began to talk again. " Hermione has been asking after you Willa, as have your other dorm mates" this made Willa want to cave in on herself and turned her stomach. "They just want to know you're okay they don't mind what happened dear," 'hard to believe but whatever he wants to say I guess' "I say we finish here and head off to Hogsmeade, I have a few things to do for the headmaster so I thought if you feel up to it I might be able to let you explore for an hour then we could meet again at the three broomsticks, only if you feel ready to be alone for an hour, I don't want you to hurt yourself again" he dipped his bread in some leftover egg yolk as Willa replied. "Yes, I think I'd like that professor." They finished up and made their way out of the castle. Carriages waited for students already, but they continued on and down to Hogsmeade.