Over the Edge [ Lupin x Evans ]

Chapter 4: The beginning of the end

Lily Evans awoke from a restless sleep only when she felt a tickling sensation on her nose. Startled, she opened her eyes wide and shrieked, trying to swat away the green intruder. In her frantic movements, she nearly lost her balance and fell from the tree. Focusing her eyes, she saw a cute, shy creature gazing at her with its distracted little eyes. Quickly, she smiled and gently grasped the eight-inch being.

"Sorry, little one," she whispered, studying it closely.

Thankfully, it seemed to be in perfect condition; none of its delicate green limbs resembling roots had been harmed. Lily set the creature down on a branch and watched as it began to explore a hole full of wood-boring beetles. She yawned broadly. The pain in her injured calf had subsided significantly. Without thinking much, she started her descent. She had little time before more shy creatures would view her as an intruder. From her Care of Magical Creatures lessons, she knew that bowtruckles could be quite aggressive when threatened, and she didn't want to end up with her eyes pecked out.

Once on the ground, she felt a slight discomfort in her wounded leg, but the unpleasant sensation was far from the agony she'd felt during the night. The magical trap set by Hagrid had left her unable to heal the injury with her wand. She had to endure. Looking up at the sky, she couldn't tell the time, but judging by the blazing sun, it must have been quite late. She intended to head toward the castle when, suddenly, it hit her that she wasn't alone.

She scanned her surroundings, but there was no sign of Potter's friend, who had, in a way, protected her twice that night. First, he freed her from the trap, and then he had the foresight to suggest she hide in the Wiggen tree from the dangers of the Forbidden Forest. She couldn't just leave him. She wasn't that kind of person, even if he was still one of those insufferable Marauders.

"Lupin!" she called as she wandered through the woods, but she couldn't find him anywhere. Her blood began to boil. It dawned on her that the Gryffindor boy had likely abandoned her and returned to the castle.

Just as she was about to turn back in anger, she heard a rustling, and from behind one of the oaks emerged a barely walking Remus. His clothes were tattered, and he bore numerous scratches.

"What happened?" she exclaimed in shock, rushing closer. "Didn't you manage to hide?" She covered her mouth with her hand at the sight of the deep wounds on his arms.

"Something like that. I was attacked by centaurs because I accidentally wandered into their territory last night," he replied, grimacing in a mock smile. He watched her reaction tensely. Fortunately, it seemed she bought it.

"You need to go to the Hospital Wing. You look terrible..."

"Sure, I'll go. You should head back now," he said, trying to downplay the situation.

"I'll help you," she insisted, extending a supportive arm.

"No need. I'll manage," he said firmly. "How's it going to look when you come back to the castle with a tatterdemalion like me?" He glanced down at his ripped clothing.

Lily examined him but didn't want to agree with that. He was hurt! She didn't care how his clothes looked.

Seeing the determined look on her face, Lupin added more sharply,

"Just get out of here!"

Lily bristled at those words and actually turned on her heel to leave. She wouldn't waste her time on him any more. If he didn't want her help, she wouldn't force it on him, even though she meant well. She reminded herself that Lupin was a Marauder, and they were all the same: rude and uncouth.