Given the times, no one was surprised that James and Lily decided to get married so quickly after their graduation- What nobody counted on was that James' father would be so apprehensive of the situation. Charlus had a brilliant legal mind, the most successful law firm in magical English history, and was known for being able to think four steps ahead from his opposition. The older wizard was very fond of Lily, there was no denying that- but he knew a storm was coming, and his only job left on the planet since his retirement was to keep his children alive and safe. This gave little room for him to think about what they may want, and he was having a hard time getting this idea through to James. Claire could hear their argument from her swing in the garden where she was curled up reading- their voices carrying down from the open window.
"You're only saying these things because her family are muggles!" James insisted, his voice a broken mix of sadness and rage. Something smashed against a wall, and Claire assumed it was probably a crystal glass half full of gin, which are almost always sitting on the left side corner of their father's desk in the study.
"James, Seriously-" Charlus said with exasperation obvious in his voice. Claire almost laughed as she thought of his normal "No, Jamesly" reply to the statement. This did not follow. however. Charlus continued... "I'm just asking you to slow down, son."
"Why?" James demanded. "What good does it do to wait in this time?" James pleaded. "I love her!"
"Yes, I know. But you need to stop and use your head, boy. You're a pureblood, James!" Charlus reminded him.
"And you're who raised me to know that doesn't matter!" James fought back.
"I never said it was wrong for her to be of muggle birth, James. I just want to remind you that these... people who are doing these acts- they're separatists. You'd paint a target on her back that could never be washed away." It was obvious to Claire, and she hoped to her brother as well, that their father had been thinking about this for a lot longer than James had.
"A target on her back?" James was screaming now. Claire closed her book. This was not her business, sure. But how was she supposed to pay attention to Joseph Conrad when this was going on?
"James, I am just trying to look out for your safety-"
"Maybe I'm not the one you should worry about, dad." His voice was bitter. "You're ignoring the fact your other child is dating a fucking werewolf. Maybe you should worry about her." It was obvious by the silence that James had realized what he had said after it had already fallen from his lips. Claire however, felt nauseated. It broke her heart to hear James say such a thing- even though she knew it was out of anger, and a fairly solid argument in all reality. There was no other sound from the window for a moment before a door slamming, and she knew James had stormed out. It wasn't long before she saw him coming through the garden, on his way to leave- probably to go meet Lily. But he caught her eye as he moved toward the gate. She blinked a few times, pushing away tears of hurt, and she knew he knew she had heard. James however, only looked away and kept walking.
It took Claire longer than normal to get ready that next evening, her brother's word still ringing in her ears. But there were only three weeks away from returning to school, and time with Remus was hard to come by since he had taken up with the Order. She wanted to make sure she had completely let the worry go before the last date she'd probably get before Christmas, or possibly Easter, or even worse the following summer. With one last look at herself in the mirror and a spin to watch the fall of her dress, she exited her room and headed down the stairs. Remus had already arrived, and was talking with Charlus at the door. Before Claire came into sight of the landing, she stopped to listen in once again- Mentally noting that she really should stop eavesdropping.
"I do hope you're taking care of yourself, my boy." Her father said. She heard Remus give a breathy chuckle.
"When I find the time, yes, sir." He replied. Claire figured they had been talking about the war. The silence that fell after this was a bit heavy, and Claire realized that she had missed most of interesting conversation. She straightened herself out and continued down the stairs. Both men turned to face her. She smiled at the very sight Remus- who, while he appeared exhausted and underfed, beamed at her so brightly in return everything else faded into the background. She launched herself at him, arms around his neck and held on for dear life itself- that is, until Charlus cleared his throat and the couple separated, even though Claire felt like she could hold on forever.
"Keep her safe, Remus." He said sternly. Remus nodded stiffly.
"Always, sir." He said quietly as he moved back to open the door for Claire. She stood up on her tip toes and gave her father a kiss n the cheek.
"Don't-" She started to say.
"Claire Melodia, don't you dare tell me not to wait up." He warned. Claire smiled, even as Remus went pale.
"I was going to tell you not to wait, Daddy." She promised with a laugh. Charlus raised a suspecting eyebrow at his young daughter, but waved the young couple out the door. Claire all but bounced down the walk, her arm linked through Remus'.
"So- where are we going?" She ask, hoping she could finally know. From all the letters they had exchanged, he had kept this night a secret. They'd been together so long, she knew it was something special. Something she'd been trying to talk to him about for a while.
"Somewhere safe." Remus replied, and Claire didn't have to look to know he was smirking at her frustration, she could hear it in his voice.
"That could be anything from back at home to Hogwarts." Replied, pushing into him as they walked. He laughed.
"You shall see!" He promised. Claire huffed, but nodded. He laughed again. "I promise, darling, you'll love it." When they reached the edge of the protected grounds, Remus took her hands in his. "Deep breath!" He instructed her before disapperating them both.
"Is there a reason you took so long to let me know you could cook like this?" Claire ask as she laid back against Remus' chest and watched the ocean waves roll. Remus didn't answer, so Claire kept talking. "How did you find this place, love?" She ask, looking up at him. Remus didn't look back down at her, he just kept staring out over the rolling tide.
"My mother grew up near here." He replied quietly. He didn't talk about his mother much, and Claire knew that this trip was special indeed if he had brought her here.
"It's beautiful." She breathed and relaxed back into him. He hummed in agreement. They sat together for a long time in silence, enjoying the smell of salt and the cool breeze.
"Claire-" Remus spoke finally. "You know things can't stay like this, don't you?" He ask. Claire tensed up, afraid he was about to break up with her, yet again.
"Wh-"
"I just- I don't know when I'm going to see you again." He sighed. "Or if-"
"Don't you dare say 'if'. She scolded. "I won't survive if you don't." Remus smiled even as Claire got more and more upset.
"Claire, we're not kids anymore. You have to accept that possibility." He said gently. Claire shook her head.
"No." she choked. Remus moved her from his lap and scooted over to where he could face her, one hand laid gently on her cheek.
"Claire, I love you. And I'll do whatever I can- but that is just the way it is." He reminded her. "But that's not what tonight is about." He kissed the tip of her nose and dug deeply into his pocket, producing a small velvet box from his pocket. It was apparent to Claire that it was a jewelry box, but too large to be a ring- not that she had been expecting a ring.
"Rem-" she breathed, taking it from his hand. Claire had stated from day one trying to convince Remus that she didn't need to have gifts thrown at her, the way James always does with Lily. After all, Claire had plenty of money and jewelry already- those things didn't mean as much to her as a picnic on the beach or a poem, as Remus loved to surprise her with. She opened the box and found a small golden tennis bracelet, studded with sapphires. Claire covered her mouth with her hand. "It's stunning." She said, gently picking it up from the box. Her hands were shaking as she held it out for him to put on her wrist.
"It was also my mother's-" He explained, making Claire's heart swell more. "It made me think of you- it being such a good Ravenclaw color and all. Plus it shines the same way you do." He said with a grin. "I'm so happy you like it."
"I love it." She breathed, moving so close Remus could feel her words on his own lips. He gently stroked her cheek. "I love you." She added.
"And I, you." He replied before capturing her lips in his. There was something more to this kiss, she could feel it- starting at her toes and warming her soul through. They'd been pretty far before- that is, of course before Remus could pull away with giving some excuse about not wanting to pressure Claire into anything before she was ready- Though she'd been trying to convince him that she wanted him just as badly as she could see he wanted her. It was almost like magic how soft the ground under their blanket felt as he lowered her to ground and found his way atop her without the weight being anything more than the most comfortable presence, melting the two of them together.
This is the last chapter of happiness before it is all ripped apart by the war (and the best laid plans of fathers, too- but Spoilers...) so stay tuned! Anywho- Thank you all so much for reading- and please be sure to review! Thank you!
