Four To The End (prev Shifting Lines) - Book One (Marauder Era)

Chapter Eight - What Kind Of Healer Kicks A Broken Leg?

He wasn't sure what was worse. Her seeing the self-inflicted wounds, or her seeing his nakedness.

Pomfrey eyed the deep chunk removed from his leg he had bitten out himself, the bloody mess, the muscles exposed. Her face tightened and then smoothed out. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up and taken back to the school."

"B--back?" he asked as she began wiping him down with a warm, wet washcloth. "B... but tonight... moon...?"

Pomfrey looked down into his gold-amber eyes. "You didn't expect to stay here all day, did you?" He just stared back in confusion as yes, that was exactly what he thought. "You're only eleven... you can't be left alone like this..."

"I'm... I'd r--rather st--stay here th-though." The thought of being smuggled in and out of the school every single night of the full moon was too much for him.

"I--well, I'm sorry, but that's not possible. You're a child." After she finished cleaning him off she conjured some bandages, wrapping them around his leg, and the gashes on his chest. She fetched his clothes from the wardrobe upstairs and he slowly got dressed, wincing in pain. Then she wrapped her own cloak around him and helped limp him into the passageway and back to the school.

*

Remus woke up, confused about the starkness around him. A lot of white, and light. He sat up, realizing he was in the hospital wing. A small room he hadn't seen the first time visiting. There was a window with gauzy curtains, a bedside table with a lamp and some flowers, a side table with a basin full of water, the metal bed he lay in, and a chair. He swung his legs out and winced at how tight his muscles felt. Why am I in pajamas? I don't recognize these either. He rolled up the legs of the loose pajamas and removed the bandages to see the wounds from his transformation time were almost healed, only a few pink scars that would fade after another hour or so. The spot where he had ripped an entire bit of leg out still hurt and looked open and rather nasty; it probably still had several more hours. He lifted his shirt and saw pink scars zigging down his sides. Finally he unbuttoned the top and pulled one side down to see the deep pink, puckered scar that ringed his entire upper left arm. Teeth marks that left indents. The scar that would never fade. He touched one of the tooth marks and then pulled his shirt back up.

Then the door opened and he jerked, looking in surprise at Pomfrey. "Oh, good, you're awake," she said, bringing in a lunch tray. "I didn't want to wake you, but I know you need food. You suffered a lot of blood loss..."

She made him lay back down then put the tray in his lap. Grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots. His stomach growled loudly and he began eating gratefully. "Wha' hime iffi?"

"Chew and swallow, Mr. Lupin."

He obeyed her, swallowing the delicious food, then repeated himself more clearly. "What time is it?"

"Almost two in the afternoon, you've been asleep since you got here at about seven-thirty. How do you feel?" She began doing diagnosis spells on his body while he continued to eat. "Please stop talking with a full mouth," she complained when he tried answering.

"Sorry," he said once done swallowing. "I feel... okay. Tired. Maybe a little more than usual but not much."

Pomfrey sat down in the chair and gave him a look. "We weren't sure what to tell your friends, by the way. They had no idea where you were so when they went to Professor McGonagall she simply told them you weren't feeling well. They were here this morning."

"I don't have friends," he replied before shoveling more food in.

Pomfrey's eyebrows arched. "Misters Black and Potter? They seemed quite intent on visiting you. Apparently they went to Minerva in great distress after breakfast since you never returned to your dorm last night and weren't in the Great Hall for breakfast. You didn't tell them anything?"