ENIGMA

ENIGMA

Chapter 7-Back To The Beginning

Over the next few days, Lily, James, Sirius and Peter noticed an alarming change in Remus and Michelle. Neither of them had slept or even eaten.
During Charms, Michelle was sitting next to James. Behind them were Sirius and Remus and behind them Lily and Peter. Michelle was copying down the notes. James looked at her. She looked absolutely horrible. Her eyes were red and puffy; her hair which was normally soft and silky, was now oily and unwashed; her uniform which was normally neat was now tousled as though she was sleeping in it. Remus was just as bad. Remus’ normally cheery and bright green eyes were now dull and lifeless. His face was worn and they’ve noticed how depressed he was.
James had decided to talk to Michelle while Sirius talked to Remus.
After class, they had a 45 minute break. James had pulled Michelle aside while Sirius spoke to Remus in the common room.
“Michelle what’s wrong? We’re really worried about you,” James said with concern.
“It’s nothing,” Michelle grumbled.
“I beg to differ,” James said raising an eyebrow. “Both you and Remus stopped eating for 3 days nor have you slept. Lily told me all you do is stare out the window. Remus just sits up in bed with his nose into a book all night. Remus is also really depressed. What’s going on?”
Michelle sniffled and then broke down. She couldn’t hold it in anymore. It was eating away at her inside. Since Remus told her 3 days ago, she was so depressed as well that she couldn’t be bothered to eat or sleep. She stopped taking care of her appearance as well and didn’t bother to change her uniform.
“I told Remus that I loved him!” Michelle sobbed. “He told me he felt the same way!”
James opened his mouth to say that it was great news, but Michelle went on.
“He said he couldn’t be with me because he was afraid that he’d hurt me when he changed!”
James sighed. He knew Remus was just being protective but not at the risk of being unhappy. James made sure that Remus always stayed in line and he knew how much Remus loved Michelle.
“Sirius and I keep him in line,” James reassured her. “He was just protecting you. He would never hurt you intentionally.”
“But it’s not his fault!” Michelle cried angrily and emotionally. “We cant’ be together because of that stupid curse!”
Suddenly, Michelle was overcome with lightheadedness.
“Whoo,” Michelle said slumping against the wall and raising a hand to her forehead.
James rushed forward to help her. “Are you alright?”
Michelle just fainted.

In the Gryffindor common room, Sirius and Remus were talking. Remus was pacing back and forth while Sirius sat on the couch, watching Remus as he paced.
“Remus,” Sirius was saying. “Michelle doesn’t care about your ‘furry little problem’. She loves you.”
Remus exhaled frustrated. “That’s not what concerns me! I’m scared Sirius that I’d hurt her! I couldn’t live with myself it I attacked her!”
“You’re hurting her now,” Sirius said gently. “You guys were meant to be. You must see it.”
Remus was about to reply when James burst into the common room breathless. He’d run the entire way from the hospital wing.
“Michelle...” James gasped. “Hospital wing.”
Alarms went off in Remus’ head and he and Sirius bolted from the common room. James stood a second to catch his breath again before tearing off after them.
Michelle was lying on a cot with the sheet pulled up to her chest and her arms lay at her sides over the sheet. Her hair was fluffed around her head on the pillow and her head was turned left.
Remus rushed over to her and crouched down beside the cot. Madam Pomfrey was fussing over another student across from Michelle’s cot. Remus gently took Michelle’s hand in his and stroked it with his thumb.
“What happened?” Remus demanded raising his eyes to James’.
“She just fainted,” James said looking upset. “Madam Pomfrey said it’s because she’s lethargic and emaciated. Don’t forget, she hasn’t slept or eaten in a few days. Her body was starting to shut down.”
“She isn’t going to die, is she?” Remus asked as he felt his throat aching.
“No,” James said. “Madam Pomfrey is going to set up an IV. It’s something the Muggles use to keep the body hydrated in emergencies.”
Madam Pomfrey came over to Michelle. She opened a drawer and pulled out a large plastic, clear bag filled with what looked like water. Then she put a tube in the bottom. A long, thin clear tub ran from the bottom of the bag to a small needle. Madam Pomfrey inserted it into Michelle’s hand in a large vein. James cringed and looked away. Once the needle was in place, Madam Pomfrey taped it in place. Slowly, the liquid dripped into the tube and was starting to flow into Michelle.
“We’ve slowly got to build her body up or else it will jump start her. I’ll keep an eye on her and the TV as well. She’ll be on a fluid diet and once she comes around again, I’ll give her solid food. You lot can stay for as long as you like.”
Sirius got a chair for Remus and he sat down. He was beginning to feel weak himself. Sensing this, Sirius rushed out of the hospital wing and came back with some food, light food like a sandwich. James and Sirius forced Remus to eat slowly, but to eat overall.
Little by little, Remus began feeling himself again. Being a werewolf caused him to be a tad bit more heartier than most. He refused to leave Michelle’s side and even slept there with her.
He was sitting close to the cot with his arms crossed on the sheet beside Michelle’s pelvis. He was resting his cheek on his arm and was fast asleep. He still had her hand in his, fingers intertwined with hers. Suddenly Remus felt her hand squeezing his. Madam Pomfrey had also put oxygen on her. A tube ran around her ears and under her nose where two little tubes were inserted into each nostril to deliver the oxygen. Remus quickly woke up and looked at her. Her eyes were fluttering open.
“Michelle?” Remus asked.
“R-Remus?” Michelle croaked out. Her voice was rough and dry.
“Oh thank God!” he cried genuinely relieved and he got up and sat down on the cot beside her. He leaned down and hugged her gently. “You really had us scared there!”
Remus released her and just looked down at her. He put one arm over her midsection and his hand rested near her pelvis. He was sort of looming over her.
“What happened?” she asked.
“You fainted,” Remus replied. “You haven’t eaten in a few days. Madam Pomfrey has got you set up on an IV.”
There was a silence before Remus spoke again. He realized that because he told her he couldn’t be with her for fear of hurting her when he changed, Michelle almost died from lack of food and water. Both he and Michelle had been so depressed they simply felt food was a nuisance along with sleep. He realized also that Sirius was right. They belonged together and he shouldn’t let this curse rule his life either. He wasn’t going to let Michelle get away. He took a deep breath.
“Michelle, I’m so sorry. This is all my fault,” he said seriously. “I love you and want to be with you.”
“I love you too,” Michelle said smiling up at him. “But what about the curse?”
“Screw the curse,” he said sharply. “I’m not gonna let it run or ruin my life.”
Michelle had to grin at that.
“So what does this mean?” she asked. “We’re now a couple?”
Remus grinned and nodded. Remus leaned down and gently pushed a strand of her chocolate brown hair out her eye and he slowly lowered his head. His face was inches from hers. Michelle closed her eyes and soon felt Remus’ lips on hers. Remus kissed her softly and gently. Michelle returned the kisses the same way.
Remus was so happy now and so was Michelle. Remus deepened the kiss slightly and Michelle responded. Her heart began to slightly pound in response to Remus’ weight. Just then, the doors to the hospital wing opened causing Remus and Michelle to jump apart and blush furiously. James, Sirius, Lily and Peter entered.
“Michelle! You’re okay!” Lily gushed as she rushed forward and hugged her.
Sirius hugged her next, followed by James and Peter.
“So, you love birds finally got together,” James said grinning.
Remus blushed.
“It’s about bloody time!” Sirius laughed slapping Remus on the back.
James just shook his head. Little did they know that someone close to them would do something that would be the end of most of them.

Naturally, the word spread of Michelle’s fainting as well as the fact that she hadn’t eaten in a few days.
“Hey Michelle,” called a 7th year Hufflepuff as they walked down the corridor. “Look at the bright side-you lost weight!”
Peals of laughter ran through the corridor along with several guys ‘oinking’ at her.
“Shut the hell up,” Sirius snapped and gave the Hufflepuff boy the middle finger. Remus was walking next to Michelle and scowled in the boys’ direction. She had to endure the taunts like this since she had been released from the hospital wing.
“I thought the teasing and tormenting would stop,” Michelle said angrily. “What the hell did I do now to deserve it this time?”
“I seriously think it’s a result of INBREEDING!” Sirius called loudly enough so the Hufflepuff could hear him.
Remus put his arm around Michelle’s shoulders. “Don’t worry. We’ll protect you,”
They headed to Transfiguration. Remus and Michelle were partners. Professor Carter gave them a 20 minute break to talk amongst themselves. Everyone was talking animatedly.
A 6th year Slytherin named Mary Garris, got up and walked around the desk to stand in front of Remus and Michelle’s. Michelle looked up at her.
“Hey Matthews,” Mary smiled. “Can I give you something as a ‘glad you’re okay’ gift?”
Michelle eyed Mary warily. She never trusted the Slytherins as far as she could throw them.
“Suree,” Michelle said slowly.
Mary reached into the pocket of her robe and pulled out her hand. She placed a thin, white long object onto Michelle’s desk. A tampon. She smiled cheerfully.
“Just in case,” she said brightly. “I mean we wouldn’t want a repeat of last years ‘incident’ now would we?”
The Slytherins roared with laughter while the Gryffindors scowled and they glared at them.
Michelle picked up the tampon and as Mary was walking back to her seat, Michelle threw it at the back of her head. It bounced off and Michelle glared at her.
“What the hell is your problem?” Michelle demanded angrily. “What did I ever do to you?”
Mary’s amethyst eyes filled with malice. “You’re breathing,” she said cruelly. “You’re a waste of perfectly good breathing space…vapor.”
“Hey,” Remus snapped coming to Michelle’s defense and he stood up sharply. “Lay off her alright?”
He was angrily glaring at Mary.
Mary moved her eyes onto Remus. “Sticking your nose into other people’s business, are we wolf boy?”
Remus’ face went pale.
“That’s right,” Mary cooed. “Severus told me his little theory.”
Remus slowly sank into his seat and swallowed, but then cleared his throat.
“Severus is mistaking,” he said keeping his voice hollow and firm. “I’m not a werewolf.”
“We shall see,” Mary smirked then turned her eyes back onto Michelle. “Why don’t you do us all a favor and blow away? No one wants you around.”
Michelle heard James and Sirius crackling their knuckles. Michelle’s anger began hitting the boiling point and it began mounting. Her eyes narrowed and she stood up. She clenched her hands into fists at her sides. Mary was snickering. Michelle’s hand uncurled from the fists at the same time all the windows blew in.
Girls screamed as the glass pieces blew in and showered everyone. Guys covered their heads while girls dove under their desks.
Glass shards were everywhere. Michelle remained standing through the whole situation. She had no pieces of glass near her.
Students scrambled to their feet and dusted off the glass. Everyone made sure that they were alright before they began whispering to one another. That’s when they saw Mary. Lily screamed. Michelle seemed to snap out of the stupor she had gone into.
Mary was lying on the floor on her back in the center of the aisle. A large shard of glass was lodged in her throat. Her eyes were wide open and a pool of blood stained her uniform and robe and pooled around her.
Remus was gripping the end of the desk and was also pale white. James, Lily and Sirius were silent. No one made a sound. Michelle was confused. The last thing she remembered was snapping at Mary. Then her mind was a blank. The Slytherins were in an uproar. The girls were sobbing and some of the guys had vomited. One of the Gryffindors ran to get the teacher.
Michelle turned to Remus uncertainly. He just looked at her.
Professor Carter ran and got Dumbledore. Mary’s body was taken to the hospital wing. Professors Dumbledore, Carter and McGonagall began questioning the students. They all saw Michelle and Mary arguing, and then the windows blew in.
Michelle was questioned, but no one knew what really caused the windows to implode like that. The rest of the classes had been suspended for the day.
Michelle, James, Remus, Peter and Lily were all sitting around the Gryffindor common room. The atmosphere was really subdued. Michelle felt really scared and confused. Suppose she had caused the windows to implode? Strange things seemed to happen whenever she was scared or really angry, but mostly angry. She just stared into the fire and felt her hazel eyes filling with tears. She began to sob.
Remus got up and sat down beside her. He had been standing, leaning against the fireplace. He sat next to her on the couch and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. None of them had blamed her. They knew there was no way she could’ve done that. Of course, the Slytherins had their own theories. They called her a ‘witch’. (“Duh!” Sirius snapped. “What do you think you lot are?”) They had meant a ‘dark witch’. Michelle pressed her face into Remus’ chest and cried. Remus just held her tightly while she cried.
“Don’t listen to those miscreants,” Lily said softly to Michelle, meaning the Slytherins. “You are not a dark witch or a freak.”
Remus just held onto Michelle tighter. Michelle shut her eyes against the gentle darkness of his rob.
“I swear I’m gonna get those Slytherin bastards,” Sirius snapped as he clenched his right fist and punched it into his right palm. “They deserve it for what they’ve been saying to Michelle.”
“I know,” James said agreeing grimly.
“Calm down,” Remus whispered putting his face close to Michelle’s ear and whispered in it. “We don’t blame you.”
“Of course not!” Lily scoffed, overhearing Remus. “There was no way you could’ve done that. Besides, it was probably a Potion exploding.”
But they all knew that wasn’t the case. Everyone would’ve heard the explosion and felt it. Remus didn’t know what else he could say to make Michelle’s pain go away and to make her feel better. He hated seeing her so upset. He wished he could perform some kind of spell to take away the pain. He cuddled Michelle close to him protectively. He also wished that James, Sirius and Peter had been much nicer to Michelle early on so that they could’ve been friends long ago.
But naturally, James and Sirius had decided to torment her for no reason. They just loved picking on people that were ‘different’ from themselves, or people whom they didn’t see as ‘normal’. But Remus had to agree with them tormenting the Slytherins. They certainly were pessimistic and regarded people that were different as ‘freaks’.
But he had no idea that things would get worse…much worse.