RUNNING WITH WOLVES remus lupin

O36. 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐋𝐔𝐂𝐊

𝐓 𝐇 𝐈 𝐑 𝐓 𝐘  -  𝐒 𝐈 𝐗

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AFTER BEING CAUGHT WALKING INTO CLASS LATE. Professor Snapes' attention seemed to be laser-focused on her and Penelope. Which was extremely embarrassing, especially when she didn't answer questions correctly. After potions, the rest of the day seems to draw out. At the end of class, the girls split up. Potions were the last class that had together that day.

Finally, she finished her last class. Elodie made her way to the almost empty common room and hit the books. Figuratively speaking, of course, though the literal alternative was looking quite tempting by the time I had started on Snape's essay ("Discuss the essential properties of different potions that can be used to control, treat or kill vampires".) If it weren't for the fact that he often used garlic in class, I would have said the man was a vampire himself.

About an hour before dinner time, students started returning to the common, and, consequently, Elodie was finding it harder than ever to concentrate. Then, when Penelope and George, and a few minutes later Fred, finally arrived in the common room, all pretense of study was abandoned.

Penelope sunk deep into the armchair beside Elodie, smiling broadly, her cheeks rose red from the cold.

"What a day," she sighed. "You can say that again."

"What a day." Fred and George reply at the same time, with identical grins. Elodie and Penelope just groan.

_______

Friday evening. Valentine's Day is here. A day that's been on Elodie's mind for a while. Which is probably why she couldn't stop herself from writing Remus. Even though she had no idea where Remus was currently. But this is a private letter. So she wants to be alone. Slipping out of the common room unquestioned was the easy part; Penelope was busy 'celebrating' Valentine's Day with George. So Elodie did not have to offer her any excuse.

The library was nearly deserted when she arrived, except, of course, for Madam Pince and a few other students. Elodie breezes by Madam Pince to find a corner to sit in. Once she's on the ground she pulls out some parchment to begin writing.

Remus,

Where are you? It used to be able to feel like I could feel your presence everywhere. But now it feels like you're not even on the grounds. How could you leave me like this, with all these questions? Why won't you face me? Look, it may be just the bond but I just wanted to tell you that I love you. I think? It's all your fault that I can't focus anymore, and I thought you deserved to know. Although you won't actually know, because you might not ever see this letter. I might not actually see you again. I hope that's not true. Because despite what you may think is best, there's no running away from this. I know you may feel otherwise but this bond affects me quite a lot! Which is quite infuriating. I care for you, I worry for you, I wonder about you. All. The. Time! I don't even want to imagine how you'd feel reading this. Would you be disgusted? Would you be ashamed?

Elodie paused, her quill hovering over the last word, and she took a deep breath.

How do you affect me this way? I barely know you. I try to read books on werewolves, but there aren't really any. I search for answers. But it's like it's a dead end. I wish we could talk just once. Because I need you… So wherever you are, Happy Valentine's Day from your mate. I miss you and I hope you come back.

"Um, hello Elodie."

Elodie is instantly brought out of her concentration. She is frozen. Hoping the voice is not who she thinks it is. She finally looks up to see Stefan, and she is completely at a loss for what to say. "Um, Hi, Stefan right?" He nods in reply to her awkward response. "Is it- uh, alright if I sit down here?" He asks just as awkwardly. Elodie then quickly folds up her letter and shoves it next to her.

"Sure."

He smiles sitting next to her, and for a moment they stay like that sitting in silence. Stefan then took his hand from behind his back and produced a single, somewhat squashed, daisy. "For you," he said, handing it to her. She takes it with a small smile. It's sweet, but she still had an aching feeling in the back of her mind. Making her feel like she's betraying Remus.

"Where did you find one?" She asks hesitantly. He gains an embarrassed look. "It took me hours to find one, they're not normally found in such a magical area. One of my professors told me it's rare to find one in our world. Even for such a simple plain flower it being rare makes it beautiful. Especially when you find one. And I think you're very beautiful Elodie."

Elodie's flattered never having a boy at this school give her something so sweet. She also feels bad, especially that she has no feelings for this boy. If her life wasn't going as crazy as it is now. She might have asked him to Hogsmeade.

But it wasn't that life. She's going through what she's going through.  So she couldn't possibly accept, "I- I'm sorry, Stefan, you're really nice and this is very sweet. But I just can't-"

"There's someone else who holds your affections?" He asks, cutting her off.

She is silent, but nods slowly. Worried she offended him in some way. She nervously looks up at him and he is smiling at her. "That's all right, I understand..." He trails off for a moment in thought, before looking back at her hopeful. "If we see each other at the ball… would you save a dance for me?"

"I'd like that and if you wanted we could be friends." She replies offering a smile.

"Yes, friends."

__________

Elodie and Stefan ended up spending time in the library getting to know each other. Of course, she didn't tell him about Remus. As she doesn't know him that well, yet. But she's glad he took it well, glad that she'd made a new friend. After they finished talking, she tried to do some research on her mother. Which turned out to be a dead end for now.

She was on her way back to the common room. She felt wary as she walked through the Halls. Feeling slightly panicked, hoping Orin wouldn't show up. She was so caught up in worry she didn't pay attention to where she was walking. She bumps into someone. Funnily enough, she also slips on their robes? Who's robes are that long for me to slip on?

"Well, Ms. Ashcombe, it seems you can't tell time as well as paying attention to your surroundings."

She slowly looks up to see Professor Snape. She inwardly groans, she's usually good with Professor Snape, being good at potions and all. But today was not her day. The man is looking at her with a scowl.

"You even managed to just break curfew. I hope you like scrubbing cauldrons because you will be having detention with me. Return to your sleeping quarters now." She inwardly groans again, picking herself up off the floor.

She must have accidentally drunk liquid luck unknowingly.