the_debt_of_time

sat permanently. Unable to spare a moment to acknowledge the fact she had almost been
killed, Death Eaters descended upon them all. Shortly after, everyone was too busy trying
to get an injured Bill Weasley to the hospital wing, so Hermione postponed taking care of
her own injuries. By the time she was able to reflect on the day's event, she concluded she
needed this scar to remind her what happened in the war, and how she had almost lost her
life to Death Eaters—again.
The scar was a reminder of Moody's words: Constant Vigilance.
"You know," Remus called to her from the door of the tower. Mia turned around
in surprise at his sudden appearance. "It's after curfew, and as the honourable and
constantly rule-abiding prefect I am, I should have no problem taking away points from you,
Miss Potter."
Mia snorted, turning back and resting her forearms on the railing as she stared up
at the sky. "Taking points away on my account won't even be noticed at this point.
Sometimes, I think Jamie and Sirius are purposely trying to lose the House Cup every year,
just for the sake of continuity." She smiled softly as she felt Remus's arms winding their
way gently around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder.
"Hey, Peter and I do our part," he said, sounding offended, "but I think you're right.
Winning the Quidditch Cup but losing the House Cup is tradition now. Who are we to put
an end to it?"
Mia turned and smiled at him. "You're especially cute when you're sarcastic. Did
you know?"
"I did know that." Remus grinned, and Mia felt a warmth in her heart at the sight,
wishing he could always be this confident. "However, I like to keep you around to remind
me from time to time, in case I ever forget. You going to tell me why you're up here?"
"Needed some peace and quiet. Can't find that anywhere else."
"Are you ever going to tell me what's wrong?" Remus asked with an irritated sigh;
clearly, the past month had been wearing down on him more than he had let on. Suddenly,
that confidence he so recently displayed was gone. "You've been... I don't know, distant
all month. Have I done something wrong?"
Guilt dropped into the pit of Mia's stomach. "No, absolutely not. It has nothing to
do with you. I just need to work some things out in my head. I've been distracted."