Strange Connection (A Ron Weasley Love Story)

Chapter 20 - Lupin

Ron's POV:

I sat on alert in the Hog's Head, my leg shaking subconsciously. My eyes kept darting around the room, every movement in my direction putting me on edge. The pub was dimly lit, and I felt as if I everybody knew I didn't belong. I had my gaze on the door when I saw my Professor walk in. I stood up and extended my hand to him. Lupin refused and embraced me. I was taken aback, but only for a moment before I reciprocated.

We sat down at an old oak table across from each other.

"I've missed you and Harry dearly. How have you two been?" Lupin opened with. My hands were shaking and my eyes felt heavy from emotional drain,

"We've been doing well, Professor-"

"Professor? Nonsense, it's Lupin to you. But speaking of, have you all been keeping your marks up and staying out of trouble?" he chuckled. I didn't even smirk.
"Ron, is something wrong? Is there something you wanted to talk about?"

"Yeah, that's why I asked for you to come. It's about someone we both love and care about who needs your help."

"Who is it?" Lupin asked anxiously as the waitress came up to the side of him and asked,
"Would you fellas like anything to drink?" Lupin didn't take his eyes off of me, and I slowly said, "Brooke" Lupin went pale, and slowly turned to the waitress.

"We'll take Two fire whiskey"

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Lupin turned back to me once she had left, "I... I didn't know you knew... Brooke..." he stammered. I had never seen Lupin look so... aged. It was as if the wrinkles under his eyes, and the creases on his forehead had deepened, and his shoulders had slumped.

"Yeah, I do. I... I fancy her quite a bit," I admitted, tilting my head downward and feeling my ears burn. Lupin's eyes shot up to mine, and my voice caught in my throat. He straightened his back up, which made me shut my mouth.
There was a thick silence, until he finally spoke.

"Well, I'm glad it's someone I am already familiar with..." Lupin trailed off. I suddenly felt awkward sitting there, as if the man before me had turned from my friend into her father. I know she told me he looked after her, but he does a good job of it. He must have noticed my discomfort because he quickly loosened up, saying, "Ron, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be gruff. You can understand, can't you?"

"Yes... I can," I smiled weakly, "but listen, we don't have this time to talk," Lupin nodded as the waitress placed the glasses of whiskey in front of us.

"What is this about?" he pressed.

"Brooke is in a lot of trouble. She is in the hospital wing, and..." I didn't notice that I had my fist clenched. I loosened up a bit, and said, almost in a hoarse whisper, "...she's dying, Lupin..."
Lupin knocked over the whiskey as he stood up.

"I knew this was going to happen eventually. I should have never let her leave home in her condition,"

"Lupin, I'm not here to tell you to visit her on her death bed." I said, slowly. He sat back down, and listened very carefully.

"You can save her life. I've done all I can, but I can't give her a blood transfusion. She needs you." He looked a bit taken aback. I was confused by his reaction.

"How did you know?" I assumed he was asking about her being an animagus. He sounded defeated.

"She told me. But since you are like her, you may be able to help,"

He paused and thought about it.

"I didn't even think she knew..." his gaze hit the ground. Before I could console Lupin, an owl flew in through a open window of the pub. No one payed particular mind to it as it landed in front of me, extending it's right leg towards me. Once I had gotten the scroll off of his foot, he flew back out the window. I slowly opened the letter and was in horror as I saw Madame Pomfrey's chicken scratch sprawled quickly on the parchment.

It's too late to find a donor.
Please come back, I can't let her be without a loved one at this time.
It's not what she would have wanted.