The Werewolfs Heart | Remus Lupin [EDITING]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟗

Autumn progresses.

Evelyn studies, eats, meets Remus, and sleeps, and then it starts all over again. After the first night with him, she spends the night more frequently—at first a few times a week, later more and more, until finally almost every night. She shares a dormitory with only Jennifer, Alice, and Fiona, who know about her and Remus, so she doesn't have to lie to them about where she is.

Evelyn gets to meet Remus as a werewolf for the first time. She keeps him company all night and pets him as if he were a dog, stroking his gray-brown fur. Then she decides to stay with him during every full moon so he doesn't have to be alone during his transformation.

It's harder than usual to concentrate in Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Remus and Evelyn, who usually see each other every day, haven't met for two whole days. Evelyn feels an extra strong longing for him and can't stop thinking about how handsome he is and how good he smells. Every time he walks past her desk, a waft of his pleasant scent fills the air.

Remus tells the class about inferi, corpses brought to "life" and used as puppets by evil wizards. There was a significant problem with inferi during the war against Voldemort. He glances at Evelyn, and a flutter begins in her stomach. She moistens her lips and bites them.

After the lesson, Evelyn lingers behind "to ask about an assignment." Everyone in the know understands what this means, but Sofia, Alice, and Fiona just nod and grin widely before leaving the classroom, laughing with the rest of the class.

"Hello," Remus says softly when they are alone and the door has closed behind the last student.

"Hi," Evelyn says, smiling. She steps forward and wraps her arms around his waist, and he pulls her into his embrace. Evelyn sighs contentedly.

"How are you?" Remus asks.

"Good. A bit overwhelmed with school, but I'm surviving. I've missed you," she murmurs against his chest.

"I've missed you too, my love," Remus says, stroking her hair. Evelyn takes a deep breath, enjoying his comforting, warm scent.

Then she lifts her head and kisses him. It's a tender, soft kiss. It feels wonderful to be close again after not seeing him at all for so long. Evelyn savors the kiss, and everything around her fades away.

"Hrmhrm," someone clears their throat loudly. Both Evelyn and Remus jump at the sound and pull away from each other. Evelyn's heart races, and she suddenly feels completely cold. Neither of them had noticed that the door had opened again; they had been so caught up in the kiss.

It's Snape. He shuts the door behind him and walks slowly toward them with a cold glare.

"Lupin. Here's your next dose of you-know-what," he says in a venomous tone, handing him a small green bottle. He glares at Evelyn.

"Thank you, Snape. You're too kind," Remus says, accepting the bottle and quickly tucking it away inside his clothing.

Snape stands there, looking grimly at them.

"You should be more careful. Not... be... doing that... anywhere," he mutters, turning on his heel, sweeping dramatically with his black cloak, and disappearing out of the classroom.

Remus and Evelyn remain, still dazed. They stare at each other, their pulse slowly returning to normal. Finally, Evelyn starts to grin.

"I thought we were done for there for a moment," she laughs.

Remus nods in agreement.

"But seriously, we need to be more careful from now on. For once, Snape is right," Remus says seriously. He quickly strokes Evelyn's cheek, and then they both head toward their next classes.