A wolf. Her patronus was a wolf. What was he doing? Remus paced the length of his room, thoughts rushing through his mind without reprieve. He was breaking her heart. And his own. He was pathetic. He loved her, but he could give her nothing. If he told her how he truly felt, he would condemn her to the life of an outcast. If he didn't, he would have to watch as her lively eyes grew ever more tired and pained, her favorite bubblegum pink hair giving way to a mousy brown to a dingy gray. He sat down on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands.
He had tried, a small voice in his head finally spoke up. He had tried distancing himself. He had tried pushing her away. It was only extinguishing her. No good was coming of it, and after seeing her sprightly jackrabbit patronus become a shabby wolf, he didn't think it ever would. Her patronus was a wolf.
A knock at his door brought him to his feet. He opened it to see Dora, her natural dark eyes bloodshot, her expression miserable. Her face was flushed from the cold, and snowflakes were melting on her head. The remnants of his resolve started to crumble.
"I'm sorry, Remus." She was what? "I've been thinking. It's not your fault. My patronus is not your fault. My feelings are not your fault. It's not your fault I'm such a mess."
"Yes it is. I reckon it's because of me you've been crying."
She chuckled softly. "Anyway, I'm sorry I've been obnoxious. I realize I can't make you feel anything. I'll -"
"I love you, Nymphadora."
"Don't call me -. Wait. What did you say?"
He pulled her to him, and murmured into her pinkening hair. "I love you."
"I don't think I heard you quite clearly. I'm going to have to ask you to repeat yourself."
He pulled away to look at her. "How about I show you?" He bent his head to kiss her, driving any doubts from her mind.
