the_debt_of_time

"Does Dumbledore know about that one too?" Remus gestured to the scar on her
arm, the one that had caused their fight.
"No." Mia shook her head and sighed. "That one was my own fault. I wasn't paying
attention, and I ended up duelling some Slytherin piece of crap in the corridors." Twenty
years from now. And oh, by the way, it was you who saved my life. "I didn't see who he was, just his
robes."
"Then why didn't you have Madam Pomfrey take care of it?" he asked, running the
pad of his thumb over the mark. "Mia, you use Dittany on me every month to prevent me
from scarring too badly."
"I wanted the scar," she admitted sadly. "I need to remember to always be on guard.
Remember that not everyone can be trusted. Remember that Hogwarts isn't always safe."
He frowned. "That's a dark way to look at life."
"It's the truth. Jamie almost died. Sirius would have if my brother hadn't stepped
in. And Lily was attacked just last month. It's going to get worse, Remus. I c-can't―" She
tried to speak, but the words stuck in her throat, and she inwardly cursed Dumbledore for
silencing her this way. She frowned and stifled a sob when Remus leant forward and pulled
her into his arms. "I was only trying to help. Now, I realise I can't. I can't do anything."
"I just wish you'd have told me," he whispered into her hair. "You've barely been
existing lately."
"I know, and you've been taking care of me."
"It hasn't been easy," he complained.
"I know. I'm so sorry, Remus." She turned her head up and stared into his eyes.
"Can you forgive me?"
"Are you done keeping secrets?" he asked bluntly.
"No." Mia winced, praying that he would not let her go now. "Dumbledore is
preventing me from saying more, but I will find a way around it because I want—I need to
be open and honest with you. I promise you, I will tell you all of my secrets when I figure
out how."
It was the how that was becoming problematic. She had a few thoughts, of course,
but considering how delicate their relationship was after this fight, Mia was not certain it
was time to tell Remus the entire truth.
"Are you done spying on Slytherins?" he asked, raising a brow.