Third year is about to end, and I'm sorry to say that the next chapter will be awfully short as it will get directly to Voldemort's rise from the Horcruxes... You can shoot me killing glance if you'd like!

I've started another fan fic, if you want to check that one is about Sirius... ;)

Disclaimer: Stop asking! No, I don't own it! Unless you want to publish it, of course... :p

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Chapter fourteen: Strangers not knowing.

Arleen got on her feet the moment birds started singing. The sun wasn't up yet, but she could see it wouldn't take long. She turned to Remus, who was already starting to turn back into his normal self. She put the blanket over him and cast the ropes away.

He moaned and growled and scratched himself during the process, but soon after he was panting on the floor. She knelled beside him.

- Remus? she asked concerned. Are you alright?

He turned quickly and looking chocked at her.

- You? You are... How? When? he asked slowly.

- Would you like some tea? she proposed.

There was no way she was going to talk this over in the middle of the forest.

She took his hand and helped him getting up, his other hand trying as much as possible to prevent the blanket to slip over and reveal his nudity.

They got to her office quite quickly, trying as much as possible not to get spotted by Mrs Norris. But as much as the sun was now risen, it was still early. 6.30 could be read on her clock.

She made him sat in the couch, relit the fire and prepared tea. She also summoned one of the elves to go fetch some clothes for Remus.

When she handed him the cup, he caught her wrist.

- Would you tell me, now?

His almost pleading voice made her lose her resolutions. She sat beside him with her own cup and looked right in his eyes.

- You see, I've always told you to trust me on Sirius, and I had a good reason to...

She started her story, leaving some blank spots where she didn't want him to know things about Severus.

- So, you are an Animagus, then... he said after a while. It never occurred to me, he added looking at her with eyes that looked ten years younger.

She got up and started tidying up a bit. She didn't why but suddenly the excruciating pain she felt in her stomach started punching again. She made a paper-wall appear next to her bed.

- Get dressed, Moony. I guess you're going to have a tough day.

He got up and walked to her, still looking younger than ever.

- You saved so many lives tonight. I should have listened to you.

And before she could answer, he kissed her cheek.

-o-o-o-

- Mr Lupin? Are you seeing-able? asked Pr Dumbledore.

He had knocked on the door as soon as Remus started to get dressed. The old wizard didn't look angry, nor did he look gentle. He looked more... Annoyed, or bored. He saw Arleen staring at him.

- Don't worry, Miss Lucas. Your secret is safe, and Severus has explained many things tonight. I suppose you'd like to see those you saved?

She looked at him her eyes wide opened.

- Harry and Hermione? I...didn't think about visiting, no.

- I really think you should. They really are grateful.

She nodded. Remus chose that moment to get back from behind the paper-wall.

His clothes were his usual old and scratched teaching robes, but she didn't know why, she thought he looked stunning. Maybe the glow that came from his eyes took her away.

- Well, now, Remus, if you may follow me, we have to talk. Miss Lucas, have a nice day.

- You too, Professor. See you, Remus.

He nodded sadly. Arleen immediately thought that he was thinking he was going to have a hard time. He still believed Dumbledore didn't know about the illegal Animagi. He was so wrong...

-o-o-o-

She headed to the hospital slightly afraid of the kind of welcome she would receive. Hermione, she knew, would be as lovely as usual, but Harry was still a mystery for her. And strangely, a certain kind of motherly affection had appeared in her. As if she was almost hoping Harry would be her son...

She opened the door silently, and immediately saw Harry, Hermione and Ron taking their breakfast, all sat on Ron's bed. His leg was plastered. So this is why he didn't use the Time-Turner.

Ron was the first to notice her standing awkwardly before the door she had closed.

- I think you have some visitors, he said to the other two.

Hermione turned around quickly and got up as a lightning blot.

- Professor! she yelled before landing in Arleen's arms. Thank you, thank you so much! Without you, we were done!

Harry approached shyly.

- Yeah, well, thanks Miss, he said.

Hermione shot him a angry look.

He put his hand out his pocket and shook hands with her. It made her giggle.

Harry asked a silent question.

- The map, Harry. Remus had forgotten it on his desk.

It all lit up in his green eyes.

- Thanks again, Ron then said. I wouldn't have lived long without those two, he mumbled, almost unwilling to admit it.

- You're most welcome, Ronald, she answered smiling a little. Keep them safe, friends are the closest to a family you'll ever get.

And she walked away, letting them alone in all their gracious friendship. She had almost forgotten about her own best friend, probably up in Dumbledore's office with Remus. She also didn't know what she would become without him...

-o-o-o-

Not so long after, Arleen heard voices in Remus' office. She thought she might visit and see how it had gone with the headmaster. Surely nothing harsh had been said...

When she climbed the stairs to his door, that door opened and showed a sad-looking Harry, shaking hands with Remus.

- Well then, goodbye, Remus, he said before bumping into her. Oh, sorry Miss.

- No harm done, Harry, she said before entering the room after him and closing the door behind her. Why the hell is Harry saying you goodbye? s asked turning to Remus.

His eyes darkened.

- I resigned, Lin.

The world fell to her feet. Not again. Not two in a row. Not when she had just recovered them!

She fell on her knees. Remus was at her side at once, putting his cane aside.

- What is it? he gently asked while crushing her hand.

- I just thought...I hoped I could keep you a little longer, she admitted.

And why was it? The pain showed again.

He got up and helped her up too.

- I can't stay, Lin. People will talk.

- People? You can handle people! And so can Dumbledore!

She was angry now. Angry that even once in her life, she couldn't have friends like everyone else...

- Not like this. Parents would take their children out of the school. Don't be sad, Lin, we'll see each other again.

- In a million years, she whispered, sounding like a little girl.

- Not in a million years, no. The sky in getting darker, and Peter has escaped. I'm sure he knows where to look, and when he finds him, Voldemort will rise again. We'll need you in the Order.

- The Order is dead...

- The Order relives thanks to what you have achieved all this year! Sirius told me you provided him food and warmth and kindness while he was hiding. All this time you haven't given up!

His eyes were glittering again, but the pain was clouding everything again.

Movement was then heard. The castle was awakening.

- I have to go, Remus said.

He grabbed his cane and walked to the door. Arleen turned to him to say goodbye, but he decided otherwise.

He turned on his heels and kissed her gently on her lips. She closed her eyes, her stomach aching, and felt the world lighter by the second.

-o-o-o-

When she opened her eyes, he was gone. All left of him was the map he'd let on his empty desk, and the strange taste that lingered on Arleen's lips.

She really needed to talk to Sirius.

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If you want an idea of how I get these ideas, just make a playlist with "Courtyard apocalypse" from Harry and the Deathly Hallows part 2 OST, "Steel" by Charlotte Martin and "Losing your memory" by Ryan Star...

Review please!