The Walking Wounded

Chapter Seven –

“What do you mean she’s gone?” Lupin barks angrily.

Sighing, I fold my Daily Prophet and give him a pointed glare. He’s always grouchy when he wakes up, especially after a full moon.

“Did you say something to her?” he questions me. “Did you do something? Did you ask her to stay?”

My irritation of the interrogation grows, and I cannot help but roll my eyes. “In answer to your first question… She is no longer here. I have no idea where she has gone. She is an intelligent witch. She understands her responsibilities to you and shall return prior to the next full moon.

“In answer to your second question… No, I did not say anything to her, and I resent the implication that by doing so, I would somehow offend Miss Granger’s delicate sensibilities. I may not possess your couth when it comes to my dealings with the opposite sex, but do give me some credit.

“Third question… No, I didn’t do anything to her. I did not force her to come back to England to save your hairy arse. She came of her own volition. Nor did I do anything other than shag her senseless, which you condoned.”

I take a deep breath. “Lastly, no, I did not ask Miss Granger to stay. I was trying to save your life. In doing so, I did not have time to court her or woo her. I did not have the time to profess your undying lover to her. Nor did I have time to propose marriage. I had difficulty finding a Portkey from Jakarta to London. I would have made one, but that is frowned upon, and I’ve no wish to have any further dealings with the law.”

Remus growls his disappointment and scratches his furry chest. “Bollocks, Severus! Why didn’t you ask her to stay? You should have asked her to stay!”

I grip the armrests of my chair and resist the urge to smack Lupin silly. This is repulsive! He is acting like a lovelorn teenager! “By the time I woke up, she was gone.”

I omit the fact that she left right after our passionate tryst. That was and is her modus operandi.

She would always leave as soon as she was able. She never stayed long after enjoying my company.

Though Miss Granger has made great strides in overcoming her past, she still bears the emotional scars. The scars are sometimes worse than the anger.

I should know. I went through the same thing.

Though my circumstances as a young man were of my own doing, I traveled a similar path of apathy and pain. It was only through the help of Albus and Minerva that I was able to see through the thick haze that had descended like a shroud over my reasoning. It was through their dedication and caring that I recovered.

Poor Miss Granger… She only has Lupin and myself to guide her through the delicate reconstruction of her life.

I fear that she is doomed.

Disgusted with my responses, Lupin starts to pull on his boots.

“Where are you going?” I ask, knowing full well what he intends to do.

He gives me that disgusted, haughty Gryffindor glare. “I am going to find her.”

I click my tongue and shake my head in a manner befitting a most benevolent instructor. Lupin loves her. He’s loved her for some time now. “Are you planning on Stupefying her and dragging her back here?”

“I—”

“You’re going to make an arse out of yourself,” I retort. I need to make him see that Hermione is not going to respond to any emotional pleas or professions of love. They will only drive her away. “You’re going to do more harm than good.”

Lupin stares at me, his mouth agape. “I don’t believe this. You! Giving me relationship advice!”

I can see that he is beyond reason. Anything I say to him will only enrage him more. I stride toward the front door and grab my coat.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he snaps.

“Anywhere but here!” I bite off. “After you have calmed down and are ready to see reason, I shall return.”

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TBC

Author’s Notes – Sorry this is so short, but it was a scene that needed to be written and really didn’t fit within the context of the next chapter. Plus, I didn’t want to keep everyone waiting too long.