the_debt_of_time

to be in pain. But this was not Remus in pain; this was Remus trying to focus. Her heart
thudded a little as she wondered about the thoughts possibly moving through his mind.
"So," he eventually said, his eyes opening once more and pinning her to her seat.
"Where was Peter while Sirius was off confirming poorly constructed rumours and James
was being hexed?"
Mia frowned, and the thudding of her heart changed into an irritated staccato.
Remus's brows knit together in obvious concern. "What?"
"He'll be in detention all this week. Peter was caught nicking things from the
trolley."
"Stealing?" Remus frowned, his lips parting in surprise. "Peter's got plenty of money
to pay for things. Even if he didn't, he knows Sirius or James would lend him a few Sickles."
"Caught in the act. Looking for attention, I'm guessing. Let's not talk about Peter,
please." She laced their fingers together, relieved when he squeezed her hand instead of
pulling away. "How are you feeling?"
He smiled softly at her. "Pretty good right now."
"Really?" Her eyes lit up. "What's different?"
"Nothing. The transformation was the same as usual. The waking up part has been
good so far."
She smiled coyly at him and looked away, the intensity of his gaze strangely
intimidating. It had not always been so; Remus had always been comfortable, though the
change in his demeanour was not unpleasant or unwanted. "I thought you'd be mad at me
for coming here. You told Madam Pomfrey to keep me out a few years ago."
"I just didn't want you playing mediwitch for me." He sighed, looking embarrassed
as he scratched at his chest, startling when his fingers touched the new scar there. Tugging
on the sheet to hide his skin from her gaze, he cleared his throat. "I don't like you seeing
me like this. The only thing worse would be you seeing me actually transform."
Mia kept her face blank at his words, knowing that she had, in fact, once seen him
transform into a large werewolf. A large werewolf that had turned on her, Harry, and Ron.
A werewolf that had chased her and Harry through the Forbidden Forest.
"But you're okay with me here now?" she asked with trepidation.
"I'd be mental to say no to waking up next to a beautiful girl any day of the month."