Spells and Handcuffs (Remus Lupin)

Dragons and Ex-boyfriends

When the night was over, Remus regained his human form. Sometimes the pain was invisible, sometimes - not. I could feel his pain and suffer from turning to normal to the marrow of my bones. My heart was bleeding. Sometimes I thought the reaction a person has to another's pain told more about that person than they'd like. After the transformation, his body was cold as ice and I almost couldn't tell if he was breathing or not.

Sirius apparated the three of us to Remus's house. He was so helpless that my uncle had taken almost all of his weight on his. We went inside, with a little help from me, we managed to get him upstairs to his bedroom and put him on his bed. He fell asleep almost instantly from exhaustion. My soul was torn to look at him like that. I wanted to snuggle into him and take his pain away.

"Let him sleep," my uncle said softly. "And we are tired, we must sleep too. I think we will be able to fit on the couch. "

"He has several wounds from the time when he tried to injure himself. I will tie them carefully and go down to you. "

"Okay. Old age obviously affects me. I can't keep my eyes open. "and with these words, he left the room.

I sat on the edge of Remus's bed, watching him. His face was contorted with pain even in his sleep. We couldn't help him with the transformation itself. I hoped we would at least make his night easier. I carefully pulled a few strands of hair from his eyes and lightly stroked his cheeks. His face seemed to soften slightly. If only I could take at least some of his pain. I took a small bottle of Dittany from my pocket, which I had prepared in advance. I put some on his wounds. He shivered but did not wake up. With a few swings of my wand, I managed to tie them very carefully. That was the least I could do. I couldn't leave him. I couldn't sleep because I knew he was in pain. 

I kissed his forehead very lightly. He was burning. I took a small washcloth and dipped it in water. I gently wiped away the dirt from his face. He had a few cuts on his cheek and I was tender not to cause him more pain.

When my fingers lightly stroked his cheekbones, he opened his eyes slightly.

"Ash?" He said softly.

"Shhh, rest." I put a finger on his lips for a moment.

"You were the wolf." a slight smile appeared on his face, his features softened. Then he fell asleep again.

I felt tired, I had hardly slept for two days, but the adrenaline was still keeping me awake. His room was warm and the scent of herbs filled the air. I glanced around me. To my surprise, even though it was small, it had everything you needed. It was modestly furnished but with taste, which surprised me a little bit. I was expecting a typical bachelor house – few practical furniture, without unnecessary decorations and objects. But it was different here. It was cozy. The room had a lived-in comfort, the colours were warm and vivid, there were few plush furniture, and a generous scattering of accessories that display the life of the person that lives here - many books, strange artefacts. I smiled when I imagined Remus sitting in thе armchair with a cup of tea and a book. I pulled the chair next to the bed. I dabbed his forehead with a cold cloth and took his hand in mine again. Regardless of how warm the room and bed were; his hands were still icy to the touch. I cupped his hand in mine and kissed his fingers.

I must be asleep, carried away by the rhythm of his breathing. I felt a light touch on my cheek. Deja vu. The room was brightly lit by the atypical November sun. Remus was standing next to me. He still looked tired, but the colour returned to his face and he didn't look in pain.

"How are you?" He asked, still stroking softly my cheek. I leaned to his touch and closed my eyes for a moment.

"I think I should ask you this. "