A/N: Phew, how am I gonna end this? D'you wonder too? Well, the only way is Essex, they said... :p Wait, was that even - okay, I'll just shup it up...

Oh, and before you say so or think so, I know, my title sucks... :)

26. Waking up.

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was nothing. The world was a blurred dark. And then it turned greyer and greyer, until the colours entered my vision again.

Of the pain, nothing left, apart from the taste of it in my mind. Had that even been a real pain? I'll never know.

As blue, green and red slowly made their way to my mind, I tested my ears. I could hear my own breathing, of course, and a thumping noise that could only be my heart, pacing calmly within my chest. And then, another breathing, and another again.

One, two, three, four people were gathered around me. And, lying on my back as I was, I couldn't see them yet.

As I tried to make a move to sit down, I heard a huff. Like, a concerned huff.

I decided to test my tongue too.

"Is anybody going to help me up, please?" At first, my voice was lower and graver than usual, and by the end of the demand, it had gone back into its usual tone and shape. I was relieved. That, at least, was still functioning.

I felt a pair of strong arms snaking under my back and pushing me up. I didn't recognize the touch at first, and then it all made sense.

"Rem'? Is that you?"

I heard a small chuckle and I knew it was him. I widened my eyes in search for a better light, but my vision was still blur as hell.

"Madame Pomfrey, are you there too?"

"Yes, little darling, I am here. Do you-"

"Why is it that I can't see a thing without seeing spots everywhere?"

"Oh, sorry, Vala. Here." I felt a pair of glasses being pushed to my nose, and I could see.

I turned on my spot. They were all standing at the right of my bed. Remus was the closest, of course, then came Mme Pomfrey, who had just given me glasses (let me think about it later), and then Helen and John.

I smiled a wide smile to my parents, and they landed in my arms. Hugging, kissing every part of me they could reach. And Remus' laugh, the one I loved so much.

"Calm down, please. Vala needs rest." My parents gave up on me with a smile, and I was empty again.

I knew it was coming.

"So...how long have I been out?"

Mme Pomfrey exchanged a sorry look with Remus, and then turned back to me. "Two weeks, little darling, two entire weeks."

I narrowed my eyes.

Oh my God. Two entire weeks. That meant we were at least the 8th July. Bugger. I really had no chances left to pass my seventh.

o°o°o°o°o

After a long-awaited breakfast (thanks to the House-Elves), I finally was able to walk a little in the Hospital Wing, at first with the support of Remus, and then on my own. But no one wanted me to step in front of a mirror yet. That frightened me.

I came to sit on my bed once more. "So, how much am I wolf still?"

Mme Pomfrey giggled. "Oh, that had been taken care of days ago. I can honestly say you weren't a wolf after three days."

I lifted my eyebrows. "Then why have I been out so long?"

"Dr Almish believes it was your inner wolf personality trying to stay some more." Remus sat next to me. "But I think it succeeded in some way." He giggled and took my hand. "Now you really are my sister." He kissed my cheek, and I pushed him away.

"I really want a mirror, now, please."

Helen nodded at Mme Pomfrey, and John went to sit on my other side. "This can be a chock, my dear. It started a week after the treatment started. But this isn't bad at all."

"How much in trouble am I? The glasses I can manage, but-"

"Oh, the glasses suit you really well." Helen giggled a little. "And you look thousands more seductive like this."

Mme Pomfrey came back with a hand-mirror, and I slowly pulled it up to my face.

"Oh." That was the only thing I could say.

My hair hadn't changed, that went well. It was my eyes. My eyes all over. And my cheeks. And ears. Gosh, my ears!

My ears, first, were completely elf shaped. Or wolf shaped, I suppose. They were pointy, but round, a paradox and yet something really suiting. I still looked like my old self. My cheeks were higher, that made me look older. I could manage those two.

But my eyes had changed colour. I never thought that was possible, but it was. My eyes were now amber! Amber with a touch of green. Nothing like their old blue.

Remus squeezed my hand. "See? Now we look like real twins!" And he pushed his face to mine so both our figures appeared in the mirror.

And it was true. We looked the same. His cheekbones were as high as mine, his eyes a faint amber, melted with brown, and his ears were little less pointy than mine.

I pushed the mirror down and locked my eyes with Mme Pomfrey's. "How?"

"We don't know yet. But we're sure nothing wolfy lives in you anymore. Apart from these...features. Do you want-"

"No, I like it. The eyes are the strangest, but I'll get used to it. Why is it that I need glasses?"

"Usually, teenagers discover they need glasses by the time you were bitten. We all guess your pathology prevented you from needing them until now."

"Well, I would have preferred to have them from the beginning. My vision really is awful."

They all giggled.

That's when they entered the room.

o°o°o°o°o

Pr Dumbledore was smiling, as always, and his piercing blue eyes were soft on my face.

We shook hands. "That's quite nice to see you in good shape, Miss Eme-"

"I'd prefer if you called me Miss Lupin, Professor. Don't you think that's more appropriate?"

He nodded and winked. "Indeed. Do you feel well?"

"Never better, thank you."

I then turned to face Pr McGonagall, standing a few steps behind her Headmaster. I nodded to her, and she shook hands with me too.

"Miss Lupin, nice to see you."

"You too, Professor."

"Well, now that we are all gathered, Vala, I have news for you." Pr Dumbledore handed me a piece of parchment, which bore his own handwriting. "I had to write it myself this morning, when I heard the news of your awakening."

I ran my eyes on the paper. I quickly felt myself urging to hug my headmaster, but I stopped myself halfway and just nodded.

"Is it true? I can pass my three exams again?"

He giggled a little. "Yes, it is true. Your professors are all ready to work one more day when you feel prepared for it."

"Oh, thank you so much, Sir, you really don't know how much it means to me." And I smiled a real, real smile.

"I do know, actually."

They both shook hands with me again, and then they parted.

Remus and I danced around the room, and Helen and John giggled all the way.

I really was happy.

o°o°o°o°o

A week after I woke up, I had resumed my life at home. I had officially become Vala Lupin, as signed in the Ministry few days before, and I had passed all my exams. I still waited for the results, but that much didn't stress me out.

I had had news from Lily, who was on holidays in France with James' family, but still nothing from Sirius.

Rem' had told me that, on that day, he had effectively arrived at the same moment Mme Pomfrey needled me, and that he parted soon after, when I had started screaming in pain. He hadn't had any news of him after that.

So, that morning, I was prepared to do anything in my powers to find him, and either slap him or kiss him. Knowing me, I'd rather go with the second option.

I grabbed my wand and my jean jacket, and slowly Disapparated from home to Square Grimmauld. I had been there once, with Remus, the first time I had tried to get a grip. But it hadn't worked and we had ran away like two cowards.

This time, I fiercely walked up to the number twelve's door, and knocked.

I waited a little, but soon, a House-Elf opened the door. He really was the ugliest creature I'd ever seen, but still, I was going to be courteous.

"Hello. Is Regulus home?"

The Elf started mumbling something under his breath, but someone ran from the dark and didn't let him say whatever he'd have said.

It was Regulus himself, thanks Merlin.

"Hello, can I-" His eyes widened big time when he recognized me. "Vala? Is that you?"

I smiled shyly. "Yes. Quite a change, eh?"

"Yes, quite. Do you want to come in?"

"No. I mean, it would be a pleasure, but I'm looking for your brother, actually."

His eyes glittered and he smirked. The same bloody smirk than his brother. "Oh. Well, that's a shame, he just parted."

I couldn't hide my deception.

"But I'm sure he's not that far. He said he'd go to the park before going back to James'."

I looked up. "The park?"

"Yes, you take that lane" he pointed it to me "and then right, and you're there."

I kissed him on the cheek before quasi running in that direction. "Thank you so much, Regulus. See you soon!"

"Yeah, I'm counting on it, step-sister!"

I hadn't the time to sneer at him. I was running so quickly I might have tripped on any rock on my way. People were looking at me as I was passing, but I couldn't care less.

After eight minutes forty-six seconds (yes I counted) of running, I arrived in sight of the park.

I entered the small patch of grass and flowers, and tried as hard as I could to spot Sirius' long brown hair in the crowd.

And then here he was. Not five meters away from me. Turning his back to me, but still, it was him. I would recognize this jacket anywhere.

He had cut his hair. And it suited him.

He turned around slowly, as if he was aware of being stared at. His grey eyes met my amber ones. They widened.

I smiled big time. He just kept looking stunned.

I can't say what emotion crossed his face when I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Sirius? Please ask."

His eyes widened even more, and then his mind reached recognition. He smirked that smirk I couldn't resist much.

"Vala? Can I kiss you?"

And for all answer, I locked my lips to his.

…...

Hate me, love me, do whatever you want, but this story has ended.

I can, it's not impossible, post one or two epilogues, but not just now, you'll have to be patient.

Please tell me what you think about Vala's new look and this ending.

I loved writing this, and all I can say is I'm in love with Remus, I have a huge crush on Sirius and I'd love to have Regulus as a bro. Told you I was a Nerd! :p