Fic: Fragile (gen with Snupin subtext)
Title: Fragile
Author: drusillas_rain
Story Notes: gen with subtexty Snupin, partially set during HBP
Rating: PG-13
Wordcount: 640 words
A/N: Written for arionrhod who’s been having a shitty week. Inspired by “Fragile” by Sting.
Summary: Severus is tired, and seeks a quiet night at 12 Grimmauld Place, only to discover Remus Lupin and a guitar.
November
By the time the Dark Lord was done with him, it was far past midnight, and Severus dragged himself down the path from Hogsmeade towards the school. As he circled the castle walls to the entrance closest to his quarters, he slowed, knowing full well that Albus would be there, waiting for him to report. There was a time when even the tiniest glimmer of news was enough to send him to the Headmaster’s office and they would stay up all night planning and rethinking. But lately, the weight of his promises were too much, and Hogwarts was no longer a refuge from the war.
He walked back to the gate and Apparated to London, knowing there was only one place he would find an undisturbed night of sleep.
There would be no visitors to 12 Grimmauld Place, except perhaps Lupin who was likely asleep at this late hour. All the lights were off in the house, putting Severus more at ease, but as he crept up the stairs, he was startled to hear music coming from one of the second floor bedrooms. He made his way to the room and peered inside.
There, sitting on a floor cushion, was Remus Lupin, holding a guitar, strumming it softly.
Severus had never seen him like this. He was relaxed, unguarded. His long hair was pulled back, a few strands falling into his face, and he wore a soft linen shirt. When Remus began to sing, Severus’ breath caught in this throat. He couldn’t get over how different Remus seemed. The usual grief and forced control were gone, in its place a haunting voice and beautiful melody.
He remembered seeing him like this before when they were younger. Severus would hide at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, textbooks and parchment strewn about, Remus’ singing secretly keeping him company.
After everything changed, he no longer searched out spots close to the Gryffindors.
Leaning back against the wall, Severus closed his eyes and listened. His mind was quiet, the usual lists and plans always streaming through his thoughts, gone for the moment.
***
August
Music had always been Remus’ solace, but so many things had gone hopelessly wrong; his desire for escape and comfort seemed to have just dried up. Even his usual “pick-me up” songs sounded jarring, so he boxed it all up, shoving the collection unceremoniously under his bed.
He was patching up Harry and Hermione, leaving Ron to his frantic mother. They had been ambushed and only narrowly escaped with the object they were hunting for.
“What’s that?” Hermione asked as Dora walked in carrying a small package.
“I don’t know. It was on the doorstep.”
“And you just brought it in?” Harry chimed in, struggling to get away from Remus.
“I checked it over,” Tonks said, annoyed at being thought of as incompetent. “It’s safe.”
She snatched the package back from Harry.
“And it’s addressed to Remus.”
Remus looked it over carefully, but the plain brown wrapping contained no postmark or return address. Just his name written in green ink.
Carefully, he opened it, and was completely surprised when it turned out to be a Muggle CD of Sting’s greatest hits.
“Fragile” has brought me much comfort in these difficult times. I hope you find the music again.
“A CD?” Harry asked suspiciously.
“The Best of Sting?” asked Tonks, wrinkling her nose at it.
“Does the note say who it’s from?” Hermione inquired, her injury keeping her from grabbing the parchment from Remus’ hand.
“An old friend,” was all Remus would say. He tucked the note in his back pocket, and put the CD inside the dusty CD player.
As the music played, he hummed along, finishing up with everyone’s injuries. And when “Fragile” came on, he dared hope that maybe things would turn out all right in the end.
Author: drusillas_rain
Story Notes: gen with subtexty Snupin, partially set during HBP
Rating: PG-13
Wordcount: 640 words
A/N: Written for arionrhod who’s been having a shitty week. Inspired by “Fragile” by Sting.
Summary: Severus is tired, and seeks a quiet night at 12 Grimmauld Place, only to discover Remus Lupin and a guitar.
November
By the time the Dark Lord was done with him, it was far past midnight, and Severus dragged himself down the path from Hogsmeade towards the school. As he circled the castle walls to the entrance closest to his quarters, he slowed, knowing full well that Albus would be there, waiting for him to report. There was a time when even the tiniest glimmer of news was enough to send him to the Headmaster’s office and they would stay up all night planning and rethinking. But lately, the weight of his promises were too much, and Hogwarts was no longer a refuge from the war.
He walked back to the gate and Apparated to London, knowing there was only one place he would find an undisturbed night of sleep.
There would be no visitors to 12 Grimmauld Place, except perhaps Lupin who was likely asleep at this late hour. All the lights were off in the house, putting Severus more at ease, but as he crept up the stairs, he was startled to hear music coming from one of the second floor bedrooms. He made his way to the room and peered inside.
There, sitting on a floor cushion, was Remus Lupin, holding a guitar, strumming it softly.
Severus had never seen him like this. He was relaxed, unguarded. His long hair was pulled back, a few strands falling into his face, and he wore a soft linen shirt. When Remus began to sing, Severus’ breath caught in this throat. He couldn’t get over how different Remus seemed. The usual grief and forced control were gone, in its place a haunting voice and beautiful melody.
He remembered seeing him like this before when they were younger. Severus would hide at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, textbooks and parchment strewn about, Remus’ singing secretly keeping him company.
After everything changed, he no longer searched out spots close to the Gryffindors.
Leaning back against the wall, Severus closed his eyes and listened. His mind was quiet, the usual lists and plans always streaming through his thoughts, gone for the moment.
***
August
Music had always been Remus’ solace, but so many things had gone hopelessly wrong; his desire for escape and comfort seemed to have just dried up. Even his usual “pick-me up” songs sounded jarring, so he boxed it all up, shoving the collection unceremoniously under his bed.
He was patching up Harry and Hermione, leaving Ron to his frantic mother. They had been ambushed and only narrowly escaped with the object they were hunting for.
“What’s that?” Hermione asked as Dora walked in carrying a small package.
“I don’t know. It was on the doorstep.”
“And you just brought it in?” Harry chimed in, struggling to get away from Remus.
“I checked it over,” Tonks said, annoyed at being thought of as incompetent. “It’s safe.”
She snatched the package back from Harry.
“And it’s addressed to Remus.”
Remus looked it over carefully, but the plain brown wrapping contained no postmark or return address. Just his name written in green ink.
Carefully, he opened it, and was completely surprised when it turned out to be a Muggle CD of Sting’s greatest hits.
“Fragile” has brought me much comfort in these difficult times. I hope you find the music again.
“A CD?” Harry asked suspiciously.
“The Best of Sting?” asked Tonks, wrinkling her nose at it.
“Does the note say who it’s from?” Hermione inquired, her injury keeping her from grabbing the parchment from Remus’ hand.
“An old friend,” was all Remus would say. He tucked the note in his back pocket, and put the CD inside the dusty CD player.
As the music played, he hummed along, finishing up with everyone’s injuries. And when “Fragile” came on, he dared hope that maybe things would turn out all right in the end.