Breathe Me ( A Bullied By The Marauders Era Fanfiction / Remus Lupin Love Story)

Chapter 5

Re-Written!

-Chapter 5-

Her fragile fame sat alone infront of the common room fire, as she stared directly into it absorbed in her thoughts. The fire crackled and popped. Each scarlet flame radiated heat. Claire drew the snug quilt around her body. It was the perfect time to curl up and read a book, but not before she slept in for a while. The frigid cold couldn't penetrate the barrier of wool and fabric. The air was rather dusty, making Claire's nose itch. She inhaled sharply before letting out a sneeze. Her eyes fluttered open. 'This is not the place to fall asleep.' The patch-work quilt was worn and the common room she lay down in was a moderate size. One wall was stone and the other walls were made of creaking wooden panels. A stone fireplace was before her, blazing and crackling. The floor boards she was on were creaky. As she tried to get comfortable, the ominous sounds of footsteps approached her from the nearby stairs. Claire didn't need this right now. Not after only just leaving the hospital ward.

"Claire?" A smooth voice called out towards the girl. She turned and her breath caught in her throat. Remus Lupin stood before her. One of the Marauders, yes. One of her Bullies, partially yes. He did nothing, but that was the point exactly. He did nothing. Claire's eyes widen as she flinches with each step he takes towards her. "I'm not going to hurt you." He murmurs as his eyes glaze over with guilt. "I find that hard to believe." She scoffs as she gets a grip of herself, slowly standing from the floor. Her gaze falls to the crimson liquid seeping through his shirt. "W-what happened?" She found herself asking. Remus was surprised, not only by how much she was talking to him. But also for the fact that even though his best friends bully her, she still cared for him. "I fell." He thought up the lie so quickly that even he knew how bad of a lie that was. "Down the 4th floor staircase. I-I'm alright. Just a few scratches." He explained to her, lying through his teeth. "Do," She coughed slightly as her cheeks flushed, "Do you want any help?" He rose a brow at her,  a shocked expression splattered across his features. He was confused as to why she would want to help, and quite frankly, so was she. Yet he still nodded and sat on a nearby two-seater sofa as she grabbed a near by first aid kid. His face softened as she pulled out a wound cleaning kit and began to swipe over his cuts. Silence gnawed at her insides and hung in the air like the suspended moment before a falling glass shatters on the ground. A small groan left his lips as she brought out a needle and enchanted magical thread. "Sorry," She mumbled as she concentrated on a large gash, "but I need to do this. It could get infected."

He gave her a small nod and bit tightly onto his lower lip. He knew it was all his fault. He hated himself for who he was - for what he was. The thread worked almost immediately and the skin started binding together. Just as he opened his moth to thank Claire, she quickly packed everything back into the first aid kit and rushed to the other side of the room to put it back in place. Her eyes wandered to the bookcase and flickered through the many titles; 'Beside her', 'Insomnia', 'Always for you' and 'Amor Lunam'. Choosing the last one, Claire made her way back to the pile of quilts and blankets on the floor and slowly descended into comfort. "What are you reading?" Remus asks, warily eyeing the book In her grasp. "Oh, its a great book, quite underappreciated. " She began to talk, whilst re-reading the blurb. Claire had read this book many, many times - each time she was captured by the fantastic detail and amazing story line. "It's about werewolves." She spoke opening to the first page. "Werewolves?" Remus asked, his voice breaking slightly, as his pale freckled cheeks flushed a rose colour. "Why werewolves?" His face paled ever so slightly and he subconsciously scratched his neck.

Clair rolled her vivid hazel eyes, "Don't tell me you're one of those 'All werewolves are bad' people, cause seriously that is an ignorant opinion. Not all werewolves are bad, it's stupid to think that. Because of something that happens on one night, that suddenly makes a person evil because of something which they cannot control?" Her previous sentence astounded him. Did she like werewolves? What would she think if I told her about- no nevermind. "I'm going to bed. Goodnight Remus." Claire mumbled as she grasped the book and quilt tightly in her arms and made her way up the stairs.

"Goodnight Claire."