Atelophobia (James Fleamont Potter)

TWELVE • Temporary Amnesia (Part Two)

     TWELVE • TEMPORARY AMNESIA

              (PART TWO)

AFTER HEARING JAMES' MEMORY, Remus hadn't wanted to go next at all. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to top that memory, as selfish as that sounded. He glanced at Kassandra, her eyes still didn't hold recognition, but she hadn't uttered a word, as if she were afraid that if she did, the stories would end. She also looked deeply confused, and her eyes crinkled with sadness because she could not remember. Before Remus began his own memory, he sent the girl a reassuring smile, to which she returned with a weak one. It was encouragement enough for Remus, though. Taking a deep breath, he began.

"My memory probably won't come close to James', just a warning," Remus began with a small chuckle to hide his pain. Because he, of course, loved the girl as more than a friend but that would always be a secret. "This one you won't understand without a little backstory, and I'm sorry if what I'm about to say runs you off."

He knew the memory he wanted to divulge into, but he was scared, because that means he has to reexplain his condition. Madame Pomfrey had made sure nobody would be able to interrupt them, so with that in mind, he took another deep breath, and began. Ignoring the looks of confusion on Kassandra's face.

"I.. I turn into a werewolf once a month, Kass," he blurted, Kassandra had let out a gasp, but she reached over and squeezed his hand, showing she wasn't afraid. He smiled. "You found out before the others did in our fourth year, just the year before last.. I was sitting in the common room by myself, because the others boys were off doing their own thing, when you came rushing down from the girls dormitories. You had a wild look in your eyes as they landed on me, but you still managed to smile at me. You had brought down chocolate, and you snuck tea inside from the kitchens. I must admit I was impressed," Remus chuckled at the memory.

"To be honest, it was the day after a full moon, and I was dead tired, and still Ill from the effects of it. We sat there, and that's when you blurted that you knew, and I was afraid you would think differently of me, but you proved me wrong. You said that you'd do anything in your power to help me and that I'm not a monster, and that you'll always be here for me. That's when I realized how true of a friend you were."

Remus glanced over at Kassandra once more, his eyes gleaming with tears.

"I hope you can eventually remember, because Kass, we all need you. That was also the day you told me you were researching how to become an illegal Animagi. I was against the idea at first, but you insisted, so I allowed it to continue. You're a jaguar you know?"

Remus watched as Kassandra let out a single tear, still no sign of remembering anything. But he had no more to say to his memory. But the memory gnawed inside of him, demanding to be remembered.

A YOUNGER REMUS LUPIN, sat perched on the couch in the Gryffindor common room. James was off in search of Lily Evans to pester her once again, Peter had followed James, and Sirius was off doing Merlin knows what that Remus just didn't want an answer to. Not that the boys didn't offer for Remus to accompany one of them, but Remus had declined, said he needed to study, but in reality the effects of the full moon were still in full swing, and he was just exhausted, and Ill.

His eyes swarmed the common room, when his eyes snapped up when Kassandra entered, a wild look in her magnificent grey eyes. She smiled at him, and his world stopped. His crush on Kassandra began in their second year, but he had not told her, and he wouldn't. He knew Kassandra secretly liked James anyway. It would never work.

Remus eyes than drifted to the stuff she was carrying, chocolate, and tea. She brought it over, and sat down beside of Remus on the couch, and he swears he didn't smile. Much.