Remus' Relapse
The next few days passed in a haze, Remus had gone into the Ministry the day after Lyall’s death to arrange the funeral for the twenty second, other than that Mr Diggory was arranging his funeral.
Remus hadn’t left his room since, and that had been two days ago, and the funeral was tomorrow. Mrs Diggory kept on leaving trays of food outside Remus’ room, but they were left untouched.
Beth spent a lot of time in her room, only really coming out for meals, spending most of her time either sketching or reading.
Sometimes Cedric would join her in her room and do his homework or read, they didn’t really talk much though, he mainly just kept her company.
Beth was sat at the dinner table with the Diggory’s, Mr Diggory had just gotten home.
“Richard and Amelia Bones came to talk to me today,” said Mr Diggory, “they wanted to send their condolences to you and Remus, they’ll also be at the funeral tomorrow.”
Beth nodded slightly as she pushed her potatoes around her plate.
“They were wondering if you wanted Susan to come round?”
Beth shook her head and stared down at her food.
“You sure you don’t want to see Susan,” said Cedric, “she might make you feel better.”
“I’m fine,” muttered Beth pushing her plate away.
“Can I be excused please?” she asked biting her lip.
“Of course dear,” said Mrs Diggory.
Beth left the room and fled up to her bedroom.
Cedric looked slightly nervous.
“I’m sure she’s just tired Ced,” said Mrs Diggory.
“Maybe leave her for a bit,” suggested Mr Diggory.
After dinner Mr Diggory went upstairs and knocked on Remus’ door.
There was no answer.
He tried to open the door but it was locked.
He tried Alohomora and that didn’t work.
“Remus,” sighed Mr Diggory, “you can’t hide in there forever!”
“We need to talk, it’s about Beth.”
There was a slight click of the door and Mr Diggory opened it.
Remus was lying on top of his bed staring up at the ceiling, he looked like he hadn’t eaten or slept in days. This wasn’t the first Remus had been depressed like this, he had been like this when Lily and James had died, and when his mother had died.
“Remus,” said Mr Diggory sitting down on the bed, “I know you don’t want to hear this but you’ve got to pull yourself together.”
Mr Diggory didn’t want to upset Remus, but Remus had to snap himself out of this.
“What’s the fucking point?” muttered Remus staring up at the ceiling, like he had been for days.
“The point is, that Beth isn’t coping well, she already misses her grandfather, you holing yourself away in here doesn’t make the situation any better.”
“Yeah, well I’m not coping well,” said Remus stubbornly.
“She needs you,” he pointed out, “when you got upset when Hope died who looked after you?”
“Dad,” muttered Mr Diggory.
“Exactly, that’s what parents are for Remus, but Beth doesn’t have any of those. The closest thing she’s got to a parental figure is you.”
“I’m not James!” screamed Remus, “I’m not her father!”
“James is dead! Lily’s dead, Mum’s dead, Dad’s dead,” Remus ranted sitting up, sparks flying out of his wand.
“Everyone I care about is dead! What is the point about caring for people if they’re just going to die!”
“I know you’ve been through a lot Remus, but she needs you. She’s thirteen years old and has lost the exact same people as you have.”
“Just imagine what she’s going through,” said Mr Diggory trying to keep his temper.
“She’s confused, her family’s fallen apart. Her grandfather’s dead and her godfather the only thing she’s had even close to a father has disappeared for days. You cant fall apart like this anymore because she needs you.”
Remus took a deep breath and put his wand back away in his pocket.
“You’re right,” he sighed sitting up.
Remus felt slightly dizzy as he sat up, which is when he remembered that he hadn’t eaten since Friday night which was three days ago.
He put his hand up to his head.
“I think you might need to eat something Remus,” said Mr Diggory shaking his head and going to find some food.
As Mr Diggory left he noticed that Beth was sitting in the corridor outside the open door, she had heard the whole conversation, and had tears running down her cheeks.
“Why don’t you go talk to him hmm?”
“Ok,” Beth muttered getting up off the floor and going into Remus’ room.
“Hi Remus,” whispered Beth standing in the doorway.
Remus opened his eyes a fraction of an inch and smiled slightly.
“Come here little one,” he said patting a space on the bed.
“Are you ok Remus?” asked Beth snuggling up to him.
“I will be,” he sighed.
“I’m sorry about the last few days, I’ve been a terrible godfather.”
“No I get it,” muttered Beth, “your Dad’s died.”
“I still should have been there for my little girl, you’re all I’ve got left.”
“I missed you,” said Beth finally bursting into tears.
“Shh shhh,” he muttered stroking her hair, “it’s ok, I’m not going anywhere.”
“I know,” she sobbed, “it’s just everyone else has gone, you said so yourself.”
“Nobody lives forever sweetheart,” sighed Remus, “that’s why we’ve got to take care of the one’s who we love.”
Beth sniffled slightly as Remus held her close.
“Remus dear, you need to eat,” said Mrs Diggory.
“Thanks Celia,” said Remus taking a bowl of stew from her.
Beth sat up and sat next to Remus cross legged on the bed as he ate.
“Thank Merlin you’re feeling better Remus, I was starting to worry.”
“I had to sort myself at some point,” said Remus giving Beth a kiss on the forehead, “I need to look after my little Cariad.”
“Quick question,” said Mrs Diggory, “does Beth always sleep with her door open?”
“Yes, Gwen guards her doorway. She sometimes gets nightmares and then Gwen will come and find me to sort Beth out.”
Mrs diggory nodded and left the room.
“Remus, will there be loads of people I don’t know at the funeral tomorrow?”
“Quite a few yes,” nodded Remus, “but you will know a lot of them, the Weasley’s will be there, the Diggory’s, the Bones’, the Macmillan’s even some of your teachers.”
“Do you think they’re going to try coming up to me and talking to me?”
“They might do, but I’m sure they’ll understand if you’re shy, especially if you don’t know them.”
“Beth dear,” said Mrs Diggory as she came to collect the bowl, “Remus needs to get some rest, you’ve both got a big day tomorrow.”
“Ok,” she nodded getting off the bed and giving Remus a huge hug.
“Get some sleep Remus,” said Mrs Diggory getting the light.
“It’s late dear,” said Mrs Diggory ushering Beth towards her room.
Beth hopped on to her bed and Mrs Diggory tucked her in.
“Mrs Diggory?”
“Yes dear?”
“Why are you so nice to me?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well you hardly know me, but you’re so nice to me, looking after me and everything, the only other person that’s ever been like that are Remus and Lyall but they’re me family.”
“You’re a little girl, you need looking after especially when they’re upset.”
“Is that what Mum’s are supposed to do?”
“I suppose so yes.”
“It must be nice to have a Mum,” muttered Beth drowsily as she settled into bed, “I’ve never really had one.”
“Good night dear,” said Mrs Diggory getting the light.
“Night,” mumbled Beth falling asleep.
As Mrs Diggory went into the hallway she burst into tears, a little girl who couldn’t remember a Mothers love!
She couldn’t even imagine what that must be like!