She Needs Help

She Needs Help

Ginny Weasley is twenty years old, three years out of Hogwarts, and she has a problem. She likes someone - a lot - and it's not her boyfriend.

Of course, she does like her boyfriend, Dean Thomas. But lately...he's just been annoying. And terribly boring. She knows he's very sweet and all; it's just not going to work out. But Ginny doesn't know how to end it without hurting him. And the fact that she's crushing on someone isn't helping. Niether is the fact that it happens to be one of her former professors.

Yes, folks, Ginny lurves one of her old teachers: Remus Lupin. And not just because he's handsome, although that doesn't hurt a bit. No, she likes his intelligence, his ability to stay calm in the most precarious situations, his bravery and loyalty. But what really intrigues Ginny is how he can manage to keep going after all of his losses.

James and Lily dying.

Thinking Sirius had betrayed him.

Thinking Wormtail was dead.

Finding out that Wormtail was the traitor.

Sirius dying.

She remembered him crying a month after Sirius's death, during summer vacation after her fourth year. Remus was staying at the Burrow for a few days. Ginny had been walking up the stairs...

***

She had just reached her own bedroom when suddenly she heard someone crying. Backtracking a few steps, Ginny pressed her ear to the door of the guestroom where Remus Lupin had been staying. Faintly, she heard a wail of anguish from inside. She knocked, then, without waiting for an answer, opened the door. Her eyes met a terrible sight.

Remus was sitting on the floor, his head cradled in his hands. Sobs racked his thin body as tears soaked his shirt collar. Ginny rushed forward, worried.

"Professor, what's wrong? Are you hurt? Please don't cry..." Ginny stuttered. Remus lifted his head, tears streaming down his face.

"I'm the last one, Ginny. I'm the only one left," he choked out between sobs.

"The last...I don't understand, Professor."

"Please don't call me 'professor' anymore," he whispered. "Just call me Remus." Ginny nodded, still confused. Remus wiped his face on the sleeve of his robes.

"I'm the last Marauder. I'm all alone now," he explained in a soft, heartbroken voice. Suddenly Ginny felt her heart ache for this poor, shabby man whom so many called a monster. Awkwardly, she hugged him.

"You're not alone. You've got the Order, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione. And me," she added as an afterthought. Remus gave her a grim smile.

"I suppose I do."

***

And that's when Ginny started seeing her old Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in a new light. Now, she realizes, she loves him. It's not sympathetic love that so many others feels. She really and truly loves him.

But what to do about Dean? She doesn't love him, she's starting to get rather irritated with him, but she still doesn't want to hurt him. It's all so confusing. Perhaps you have a bit of advice? Because this author can't give her any, and Ginny could sure use some.

*finis