A/N: For the purposes of this story, let's pretend that Lily and James got married a year after they graduated. I'm not too sure what JKR has said on the subject about how old they were when Harry was born.
GinnyPotter: I hope this answers your question. BTW, I have one for you. When are you going to post Chapter 24 of HP and the Dark Lord? (hint, hint) : )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Belle slowly slid down the bedroom door, shaking with fear, gingerly fingering her sore, bruised lips. Dear Heavens, what had she done! She squeezed her eyes shut in shame. She'd practically raped Remus there in the kitchen. It was so strange, she was getting up to go upstairs, anything to get out of that room with him, and the next thing she knew she was practically ripping his clothes off. He'd looked so shocked when he pulled away, the look of horror so plain upon his face. She ran like hell, too scared to face him.
She could still feel him against her, his lean, muscled body holding her as if he wanted to never let her go. She could still taste him on her tongue, the light scent of musk still in her nostrils. Belle opened her eyes, staring up at the dark burgundy room he'd given her. Like the rest of the house, this room seemed to have once been very grand indeed. Only now the drapes and bedclothes were faded from sunlight, there was a musty smell about as if no one had ever been in this room for a long time. The room was enormous, almost the size of the entire house she lived in on Privet Drive. A fire was softly burning, chasing away the slight chill in the air.
Wearily, she rose to her feet. She was suddenly exhausted and wanted nothing more than to lie in that soft bed and rest. Kicking off her shoes, she pulled the coverlet back and crawled under it, snuggling deep into the plush down filled pillow. Here eyes closed and Belle instantly fell asleep.
*********************
She was in Godric's Hollow visiting James and Lily's new baby with Remus. It was a beautiful autumn day and Harry would be almost a year old that very month. Although she'd never been really close with the Potters at school, she was there to be with Remus, who asked that she come with him. James and Lily were so much in love and it was evident that they were proud of the baby boy who smiled up at them with his mother's eyes and his father's dark hair. Sirius and Peter Pettigrew were there as well, and little Harry was passed around to each adult, blinking up curiously at the new faces. Harry finally fell asleep nestled in his father arm's, Lily and Belle went to put him to bed.
"Are you happy to be out of school, Belle?" Lily asked her.
"Oh, yes. I don't think I've ever been so happy," Belle smiled at the redhead.
"Remus talks about you all the time."
"Does he?" Belle blushed.
Lily grinned. "All the time. I'm so glad he's found someone like you. He deserves to be happy. Have you two made any plans? Oh, dear me, that's totally none of my business…"
"No, it's ok. Actually, we haven't. We don't see that much of each other, with him still at the manor and me about to head into the Ministry. My father got me a job at the Department of Magical Security."
"That's a pretty high position. Congratulations."
"Thanks, Lily. Anyway, Remus and I haven't talked too much about the future just yet." Belle felt her eyes grow misty as she looked down at the now sleeping baby. "I know Remus is going to make a great father one day, he was so sweet and gentle with Harry."
Lily giggled. "What is it about seeing men with babies that just melt our hearts? I nearly burst into tears when I see James with Harry."
Belle laughed softly. "I don't know, but it happens every time."
They went downstairs to rejoin the others who had all gone outside to see the new motorcycle that Sirius had just purchased.
"Now what is this thing again?" Remus asked.
"A motorcycle, Moony. Muggles ride them, sorta like a broomstick with wheels." Sirius revved up the engine.
"Sirius Black! You cut that out this instant before you wake up Harry!" Lily scolded, coming up beside her husband who wrapped an arm around her.
The love between the young couple was almost tangible. Belle glanced over at Remus, who was
watching the two as well. Would Remus
ever look at her like James looked at Lily? She knew he loved her, even though he'd only told her once, long ago
when she was but fifteen. She'd turn
eighteen in a few months, he's working on twenty. He seemed so distant lately, like he was thinking about a huge
problem or something.
As they walked out of the Potter's house, Belle finally asked Remus what was troubling him. He looked down at her, staring intently as if he didn't know her.
"You're so beautiful, Belle." Remus tenderly kissed her.
Belle felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Something was definitely wrong here. "What's wrong Remus? Tell me. Please."
She watched Remus take a deep breath. "Nothing, Belle. I've just been thinking about us. When do you start work?"
Belle frowned. What did work have to do with them? "Dad says I can start anytime I want. Why?"
"I was just wondering. You'll be so busy there, you won't even have time to miss me," he said sadly.
"What are you talking about Remus? Of course I'll miss you. But I don't understand."
Remus turned away. "I know you don't, Belle."
"Remus, if you don't want me to work there, all you have to do is say so. It's not like I need the job. I'll do anything you want, just tell me," she pleaded. "I want to be with you. I love you."
"And that, Belle, is what makes you such an amazing person." Remus said, still turned away from her.
"Remus, what is it!" she demanded, hauling him back to face her.
Remus' eyes were haunted, his expression pained. "I can't give you what you want, Belle. I just can't."
"What are you saying?"
Remus cupped her face up to his. "I'm so sorry. I thought this would work out between us, I really did. I was wrong. I can't give you the life you want, Belle. I'm sorry."
"Remus!" Tears were now streaming down her cheeks, splashing down on the new cloak she was wearing.
"I'm sorry, Belle. I'm just so sorry," he murmured. Belle was in shock, this couldn't be happening, not now. Remus placed a kiss on her cheek. "You'll forget about me, I know it."
"Why are you doing this?"
"It's better this way, trust me." Belle stood there in the center of Godric's Hollow, and watched Remus walk away from her. She wandered around aimlessly, until hours later, Lily Potter found her, shivering in the rain that had started to fall. She told Lily what had happened, couldn't miss the look of pity Lily gave her. Belle stayed with the Potters for almost a week, hoping that Remus would come back, say he'd made a mistake. He never came.
*******************
Belle woke up the next morning, blinking at the flood of light that shone through the heavy drapes. She hadn't meant to sleep so long. Stretching, she left the bed and went into the bathroom. The bathroom was really stunning, Red Italian marble with gold inlay. Taking a long, hot shower, she dressed and went downstairs. Sirius was at the table, eating toast with marmalade.
"Morning, Belle," he greeted her, looking over his teacup. "Remus told us not to bother you last night, you must've been exhausted. Sleep well?"
Belle smiled. "Yes, thank you." She walked over to the stove and poured herself a cup.
"We got an owl from Dumbledore. He said he'd be here later on in the week. He's still settling things at the school."
"Do you know what he wants from us?"
Sirius frowned. "Something to do with Voldemort, of course. But I'm just not too sure."
Belle began going through Remus' shelves, looking for the ingredients she needed. Her bags were over in the corner and she rummaged through them as well, getting out the other things she would need. She added everything in the cauldron, in just the right amount.
Curious, Sirius came over to sniff at the potion. "What's that stuff?" he asked, scrunching up his nose at the smell.
"It's for Remus. He'll need to take this pretty soon." She stirred the Wolfsbane Potion and added a bit of mint to it.
"My God." Sirius' jaw dropped. Belle glanced at him to see him stare at her in amazement.
"Why so surprised? Severus Snape isn't the only potions master in the world you know."
"How did you find out? He never told you, he still thinks you—"
Belle shook her head. "I knew almost from the start. Anyone with a copy of Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them could've figured it out."
Sirius jerked her arm, getting her attention. "Why didn't you tell him then? My God, Belle, he's been under the impression that you didn't know—"
"I didn't know it mattered. I foolishly thought he wouldn't throw away what we had just because of that. I didn't realize exactly what it meant."
"I'm sorry. Maybe if you told him—"
"No, Sirius. I can't put myself through that again. I can't." Belle went back to stirring the now steaming potion.
Wanting to change the subject, Sirius asked, "Wolfsbane Potion is supposed to be very complicated. Where'd you learn to make it?"
"Dumbledore's assignment left me with a lot of time on my hands. I learned to do a lot of things."
"Right, about that assignment. I want to thank you for watching Harry. Especially when I wasn't there do it." At her look of surprise, he explained, "Dumbledore told me. I kept on badgering him about why he couldn't stay with the Weasleys instead of those Muggles. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, but I really do want to thank you."
Belle gave him a small smile. "You're welcome, Sirius."