the_debt_of_time

"I am alone! I'm always alone!" Remus shouted and threw the empty phial across the
room. "I go out to the shack alone, I transform alone, and I tear myself apart because of
it! I wake up alone in the shack and start the long walk back to school alone before I usually
collapse outside of the Whomping Willow. Alone."
"I wish I could be there with you," Mia admitted, trying not to take his anger
personally.
Remus growled. "Don't be stupid, Mia. I'd kill you."
"I'll figure something out. I promise. I'll make this better for you, love. I'm... I'm
going to try and find a potion to help. I don't know how to make it yet, it'll take some
research, but I will."
"Nothing's ever going to get better, Mia." Remus sighed. "Just let me sleep. Leave
me alone. Please." He closed his eyes and covered his face with his hands.
Mia took a moment to wipe at her eyes before asking, "Do you want the Sleeping
Draught?"
"Yeah. Thanks." Remus reached out as she put the phial into his hands, but he
refused to meet her gaze before tipping the draught down his throat and letting sleep take
him quickly.
Madam Pomfrey approached with a frown a few minutes later. "He's out?"
"Yes."
"Poor thing. Breaks my heart every month. To think a sweet boy like that has to
endure so much pain all because some sadistic creature decided to turn a four-year-old boy
into a werewolf."
"He's never known anything but pain."
"I don't think so. You and those boys of yours show him love and friendship."
Madam Pomfrey smiled. "And, as much as it pains me to say, even a bit of fun and
mischief."
"He deserves better than this."
"On that, Miss Potter, I will agree with you. Are you staying longer?"
Mia looked up pleadingly. "If that's all right?"
"Of course, dear. I have to run some errands. If he wakes, you know where the
extra potions are," she said, gesturing to the cupboard in the corner before walking out the
door of the infirmary.