Remus did eventually apologize for his thoughtless words. Unfortunately, the apology did not come without strings. At first, it had seemed as though he sincerely wanted to apologize by buying Harry dinner. Unfortunately, the clueless young Defense Instructor agreed. Only while they were out did he realize what a fool he had been.

"Isn't this nice, Harry?" Remus asked innocently.

Harry smiled. "Yeah, Remus, it is. I can't believe I never tried this restaurant before. I didn't even realize it was here."

"Well, you know, Harry, I know of a lot of nice places we could visit together," Remus suggested nervously.

Harry frowned slightly. "That could be fun, I suppose." He said carefully.

Remus grinned. "Really? Because, I was thinking, if you haven't got plans for the summer, maybe we could get away, just the two of us. I've spent some time in Paris, and I think you'd-"

"Remus," Harry interrupted, scowling. "We've discussed this. I'm not interested in you that way."

"I-I know," The older man stammered nervously. "I just thought, that, perhaps if we spent more time together, without any distractions or anything, maybe you could-" He reached across the table for Harry's hand, which was pulled out of reach.

"No, Remus." Harry said firmly. "It's nothing against you, but I won't ever feel that way towards you. You're like my dad, I could never feel romantically for a man I see in such a light." He stood, dropping his napkin onto his plate. "Thank you, for dinner. I'll see you back at the school."

Harry turned to leave, but turned when a strong hand gripped his wrist. "Harry please, just…give me a chance?"

"I said, 'no', Remmy," Harry said in a low voice to stop the other diners overhearing. He pulled his arm free and left the restaurant. Out in the dimly lit streets of Hogsmeade, he shivered slightly. Despite it being spring, the wind carried a chill in the light of the setting sun. Wrapping his robes more tightly around himself, Harry started towards Hogwarts.

The walk was a long one. The restaurant had been on the other side of the village, far from the lane of shops frequented by the students of the school. He'd just made it past the boundary wall of the little wizarding community when Remus caught up to him.

"Harry, wait, please!"

Ignoring his instinct to keep walking, Harry turned and waited as his godfather jogged after him. He scowled when the man caught up.

"What, Remus? I think we've both said enough tonight."

"I'm sorry, Harry, I really am. Can I-can I just walk you back?" The werewolf asked almost pleadingly.

Harry rolled his eyes. "I think we already did that once." In spite of these words, which were really more of a veiled warning, he turned back towards the school.

They walked together in silence towards the gates of Hogwarts. When Remus finally spoke, as Harry knew he would, it was with barely concealed anger.

"It's Snivellus, isn't it," The man spat. "That's why you won't even give me a chance. He's poisoned you against me, in revenge for all the shit your dad, Siri, and I put him through when we were kids.

Harry scoffed. "From what I've heard, he'd have every right…but, no, he hasn't said or done anything to turn me against you. And I'm not 'against you' I just don't want to date you. I'm perfectly okay being your friend."

"How do you even know you don't like me if you never give me a chance?" Remus demanded. "I'm better than Severus, and I could show you a really good time, if you just gave me a chance! You said yourself that there isn't anything going on between the two of you, so what's wrong with giving me a shot?"

Harry scowled and sped up, walking ahead of the man. "I'm not getting into this again, Remus. You have my answer, and that should be enough for you."

Remus surprised him by grabbing his arm again and swinging him against a nearby tree. "Just give me a chance, Harry!"

Harry, growing angry, struggled against the hold Remus had on him. He didn't want to use his magic, it was still very sporadic without his wand, but he could already feel his animagus form deep down, preparing to jump to his defense. Without thinking, he turned his head and bit at the hard hand pressing against his shoulder. Remus retaliated to this with a howl, and a backhand that sent Harry sprawling into the grass. Immediately, the tension of the moment vanished.

"Oh, geez, Harry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean-Why did you have to struggle? I just wanted to- Oh Merlin, your eye. I'm so, so sorry, Prongslet, I never-"

Harry looked up through his swelling eye and spat blood from where he'd bit his cheek. "You know, Remus," He pushed himself to his feet. "The first time, it was sort of humorous in a 'he's just being a drunken idiot' kind of way." He slowly drew his wand from his sleeve. "This time? Not nearly as funny." Casting a serious of spells, he watched as his honorary godfather was flipped upside down, a magical rope binding his ankle to a branch of the tree Harry had been slammed against. Harry deliberately walked over to the man and plucked the wand from his dangling sleeve as Remus stammered a protest.

"You can collect this," Harry said, waving the wand in the man's face. "From the Headmaster's office, where you can also resign from my class. I think I can handle the Seventh Years on my own from here on. Once you've given up on this foolish idea of me ever going out with you, you can apologize, and we'll talk about me maybe taking you back as my friend. For now, I bid you adieu. The spell will wear off in about an hour. That should give you plenty of time to think about your actions."

The werewolf had enough sense of mind to look properly ashamed and remain silent as Harry walked away.