Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Harry Potter. They are J.K.'s creations. I'm just borrowing them for a while. I don't make any profit off this work.
Spoilers: Up to almost the end of Half-blood Prince.
Too Old, Too Poor, Too Dangerous
A haggard man made his way through the steadily pouring rain and up to the front door of number twelve, Grimmauld Place. He walked silently through the hall and collapsed into a chair.
"Wotcher Remus," said a voice, "Welcome back."
"Nymphadora." He greeted her with a weak smile and slight nod, "How are you?"
She heaved a sigh. "This is as good as it gets, I suppose."
"Where is everyone?" He asked.
She looked around, as if having only just now realized that they were all alone. "Out, probably. Order business, I'd reckon."
"Of course. The work of the Order never ends." He agreed. "And that of an Auror, I thought." He added cautiously.
She gave him an empty smile. "I've been given a few weeks of leave to clear my head. It's for my own good, or so they say."
"What?" He asked, his eyes widening. "You're a great Auror. I don't understand."
She twirled the ends of her brown hair absentmindedly. "Oh, they were right to do so. I haven't really been myself lately."
He leaned forward in his seat. "What do you mean? Is this about Sirius? Is everything alright?" He asked, concern radiating in every word.
"No." She yelled. "No it isn't you prat. This is your fault."
His brow crinkled. "My fault? I don't understand. What have I done? I haven't even been here."
She shot to her feet. "You made me fall in love with you, you complete and utter prick! I fell in love with you, I gave you all my love and you won't return it." she said heatedly.
"Now Nymphadora, I never tried to make you believe that there was anything between us," he started calmly, "I'm much too old for you. Let alone the fact that I'm far too poor to support myself. And I'm dangerous."
She shook her head. "You kissed me." She accused.
"No, you kissed me. I th-"
"But you kissed me back," she interrupted, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Don't deny it Remus. You kissed me back. And you felt the spark too. I know you did."
He looked down. "Nymphadora,"
"Don't call me Nymphadora." She snapped before wrapping her arms around herself. "Just go away."
He ran his fingers through his hair. "Dora, please."
"No, Remus. I can't even change anymore because of you!" She screamed. "My powers are useless. My parents think I'm pathetic. No one at work appreciates me. I'm just this stupid little girl trying to make it work in the real world, and so far I'm a real fuck-up."
"You aren't a fuck-up." He said. "Why would you think that?"
She scoffed. "I can't even do anything right. I drop everything. I'm incredibly clumsy. I can't do my job right. I'm useless to the order. I le-"
Remus pressed his lips to hers, effectively silencing her ranting. The two moved together, the kiss becoming more and more passionate as both lost themselves in the embrace. Slowly, reluctantly, Remus pulled away.
"Dora, I'm sorry, I'm really truly sorry, but we can't be together. You're a beautiful young woman, but I'm an old man. Old enough to be your father, even. This just isn't right." He stood to leave, but then turned back. "I am sorry, Dora." He walked out the door without looking back and collapsed on the stairs, his head in his hands. The rain joining the tears on his face.
