Aimee
Within a week, Lily had agreed to meet Remus at the Leaky Cauldron, away from Severus, Sirius, and the children. At first glance, the two had instinctively looked away, both reminded of the events that had taken place between them.
"Lily, can we talk somewhere more private?" Remus asked quietly as he approached the table she was sitting at, surveying the crowd around them. Lily nodded silently and got up, leading him to a private parlor, complete with three sofas and a glass table in the middle.
"What is it you wanted to talk to me about?" Lily asked quietly, looking up at the man with tired eyes.
"I wanted to know how you were doing." Remus admitted, eyeing her swollen belly. "How far along are you?"
He didn't need to ask; he knew, down to the day.
"Nearly eight months."
Remus smiled, "Wow."
Lily smiled back, "Yeah, really." A moment later, her eyes widened in surprise as a true smile passed over her face. She grabbed Remus' hand and placed it on her swollen belly, looking up expectantly for his reaction.
His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open as he felt the babies kick. "What are they doing?"
Lily grinned; "They like you."
Remus' expression relaxed as he smiled. "They do?"
"Only person they've done this for is…." Her voice faltered.
"Severus?" Remus asked gently. Lily looked up at him and nodded. "How is he, by the way?"
"He's good." Lily replied, her eyes slightly downcast. "He loves being home."
"I can imagine." Remus smiled warmly. "And how are the Full Moons going?"
Lily sighed. "They still hurt."
"They always will." Remus said quietly, "The pain's always there. After thirty years, I like to think I've become immune, but that's not true… Not true at all."
Lily sighed, looking slightly deflated. Looking up at him once more, she spoke. "Remus, I have something to tell you."
"And I have something to ask of you." Remus said in return. "But you first."
"No, go ahead." Lily insisted.
"Can we still be friends? This silence between us… It's unbearable." Remus admitted.
Lily's face broke out into a smile. "Of course we can."
Remus grinned back, "Good, because I've missed you."
Standing up in front of her, he cleared his throat.
(Somewhere, off stage, the sound of music can be heard.)
"Must be the pull of the full moon that makes me feel so strange…I haven't been myself of late, I feel a bit deranged…"
The sound of Remus singing startled Lily, before she looked off at the director, who was smiling contently.
"Hello, why has the werewolf suddenly started singing?" Lily asked. The director just shrugged, and then started dancing with the lighting director.
"Must be the lure of the planets that makes me feel unhinged… Is that the cry of the Pleiades way out upon the fringe?"
Remus jumped up on to the table, continuing. Meanwhile, Lily started to bob her feet up and down in time to the music.
"Must be a vagrant moon… tossed like a lost balloon. The moon is on the rise. These aren't tears, it's moonlight in my eyes…"
Remus offered his hand to the woman, a grin on his face. Blushing, Lily accepted and hopped up on the table, and then started dancing with Remus, singing along.
"I think it's all such a mystery, I have a difficult history. I took a terrible fall you see… It's really nothing at all to me…. But on a night like tonight, and with the stars in my eyes, I could get lost in the undertow…"
Suddenly, the whole cast came out of their dressing rooms and watched with amazed looks at the two werewolves dancing on the table together. Both Severus and Narcissa rush forward, before a surely looking man stops them.
"Still many people surmise… That it's the pull of the full moon that trips you up when you fall. Still, I can say with some certainty… but no, I don't recall."
With the ending of the song, the two looked at each other, slightly flustered, the stepped off the table, Remus helping Lily. The crew and cast retreat back to their positions as filming continues.
"You have no idea how dreadful it is to be stuck in a house with six children twenty four hours a day in July… I could use a friend." Lily smiled. Silence once again fills the air, but this time, it's a comfortable silence.
"So what is it you wanted to tell me?" Remus asked, looking up at his once-again friend.
"I…" Lily's voice faltered once more. "I'm sorry."
Remus looked surprised. "What are you sorry for? None of this is your fault."
"Yes, it is." Lily looked up at him this time. "I made you do it."
Remus was now looking startled; "Pardon?"
"I… You know I can read minds, right?"
"No, I didn't." Remus was now wearing an expression of a deer caught in the headlights.
"I'm not right now, don't worry." Lily smiled. "But… Along with that comes controlling someone."
She allowed this to sink in before she continued. "I… Severus asked to see that… time… and I showed him… We can do that, transfer memories and such… He told me I was controlling you… You couldn't help it. I didn't know I was, I'm so sorry!"
Remus shook his head, "That explains a lot, actually."
"Are you mad?" Lily said quietly, looking down at her hands. "Do you hate me?"
"Hate you?" Remus asked, surprised. "Of course not! I'm sure you didn't want me to do that…"
"Yes, I did. Subconciously, though… I didn't want all of this to happen, but I guess a part of my mind did." Lily admitted. "I'm sorry."
"It's ok." Remus said quietly, "I don't blame you."
"You should." Lily said, "You biting me… That was my fault, too. I should have just Apparated from your house."
"Mistakes happen." Remus said. "You really couldn't
help it."
Lily sighed. "No matter what happens, though… You're
still my best friend."
Remus smiled, "Even over Severus?"
Lily blanched. "Severus is an excellent husband… he's excellent with the children, an excellent father, and excellent in bed, but he's not too friendly when we're not alone. I can talk to him and such about anything, really, but it's nice to have someone else to bounce ideas off of."
Remus smiled, "Friends then?" He stuck out his hand.
Lily smiled back and took his hand in her own pale
one. "Friends."
Sev, love… I'm home.
Lily arrived back at the mansion an hour later, after having one of the best conversations of her life.
I'm in the bedroom… How did it go?
It went much better than I expected.
Well, that's good. Did you tell him?
Yes.
And what did he say?
He immediately started making excuses.
Sounds just like him.
Lily opened the door and found Severus sprawled out across the bed, eyes close and shirtless.
My, my… What do we have here?
I'm tired.
It's only nine in the evening… It's barely even
dusk.
All the children are in bed… Harry and Ethan
are in their rooms awake, however.
Lily smiled and walked over to the wall connecting their room to Harry's. Knocking on it slightly, she waited and grinned when she received a knock back. (A/N: I used to do this with my Dad all the time… Still do, actually, but it used to be the wall my bed was up against was by the bathroom wall… 5 AM, each and every morning. But, then I moved… and moved again.)
Mind if I join you?
Of course not… But does this mean I'll have to move, love?
I could sit on you.
Ouch… I'll move.
Lily laughed as Severus rolled over on to his side of the bed, making room for his wife. She quickly changed into an extra large, long shirt and climbed in next to him, not bothering with blankets.
No shorts tonight?
No shorts for the past month… Don't fit.
So sorry, love.
It's not your fault.
Yes, it is.
Well… ok… it is. But you're suffering.
No sex for seven months now! How's a man supposed to survive?
Like he did before he met the girl of his dreams.
I haven't met Princess Diana yet, love.
Lily proceeded to take a pillow and whack him in the stomach as hard as she could. He laughed and poked her in the sides gently, making her squirm.
You're still the most sensitive creature I've ever slept with, love.
I should hope so.
I even threaten to tickle you…
Don't you dare. You'll be sleeping on the couch in the living room for a week.
Not that it would make much difference…
Shush.
You know I'm teasing you, love.
Lily smiled as Severus wrapped his around her, allowing her to rest her head under his chin. He kissed the top of her head lightly, his left palm rested against her swollen stomach.
Only a month more.
Then a pair of screaming babies.
Now, really, love. Only Ethan and Kaylee screamed loudly.
You didn't have to live with Harry until he was past the 'screaming loudly' phase.
True.
Yes… Very true.
Lily caught a jumble of thoughts not directed towards her, but before she could catch them, they disappeared, lost in Severus' mind.
Ever wonder how things would be if we never got together?
I'd be dead, for one.
Why do you say that, love?
I would have allowed Voldemort to kill me, protecting Harry. Without you, he… he's my life. They're all our children, I love them each dearly, but… I don't want to say I love him more, but I love him in such a way that tends to surpass the other children.
You trust him more.
Yes…
It's understandable. He's your first-born, the one you experienced so much with… He has a different father.
That doesn't matter, Sev.
Yes, I know, love.
Life would be horrible without you.
And I can say the same for you, love.
My life's been absolutely perfect with you.
(The candles dim and music starts from some unknown place.)
Now, love… listen. I've had the time of my life…
Sev? Baby, why are you singing?
Just listen and sing along, love… No I never felt like this before …yes I swear it's the truth… And I owe it all to you …
'Cause I've had the time of my life … And I owe it all to you…
That was lovely, dear… I've been waiting for so long … now I've finally found someone … to stand by me…
Thank you, Sev… We saw the writing on the wall …as we felt this magical … Fantasy….
Together now, love…
Now with passion in our eyes there's no way we could disguise it secretly… so we take each other's hand 'cause we seem to understand the urgency…
Yes, love… You're getting the hang of it… Just remember…
You're the one thing …
I can't get enough of …
So I'll tell you something… Together now…
This could be love because I've had the time of my life… No I never felt this way before… Yes I swear, it's the truth… And I owe it all to you…
How am I doing, Sev? With my body and soul …I want you more than you'll ever know …
Wonderful, love…So we'll just let it go.. Don't be afraid to lose control, no.
Yes I know what's on your mind … When you say, "Stay with me tonight"…
Just remember you're the one thing… Lily, love.
I can't get enough of… Sev.
So I'll tell you something… Together now…
This could be love because I've had the time of my life… No I never felt this way before… Yes I swear, it's the truth… And I owe it all to you…
That was wonderful, love.
Was it?
Yes, now we have to finish the song.
It's not over yet?
It's quite a long one, love…
Now I've had the time of my life, no I never felt this way before… Yes I swear it's the truth… And I owe it all to you
You're doing great, love… I've had the time of my life …No I never felt this way before …Yes I swear it's the truth …And I owe it all to you…. Now with me, Lil.
'Cause I've had the time of my life… And I've searched though every open door … Till I found the truth … And I owe it all to you….
That was gorgeous, love.
Thank you Sev… Now, please, can we get some sleep?
As you wish.
Narcissa awoke two days later to a pair of amber
eyes starring at her. She smiled and relaxed, the events of the night before
rushing back.
"Good morning." She greeted the man next to her.
"And what a wonderful morning it is." Remus smiled for a moment, but then a serious expression took over his face. "'Cissa, I have something to tell you."
Blinking, she nodded for him to continue.
"Has Draco ever mentioned something… strange about me?" Remus asked, his eyes glued on Narcissa. She shook her head after racking her brain for memories.
"No, I can't think of anything." She admitted.
Remus sighed, "'Cissa, don't hate me… promise you won't hate me."
Narcissa was immediately alarmed at his behavior; "Of course, Remus! I could never hate you… You know that."
Remus shook his head, "I've been keeping something from you… You need to know this, I trust you enough to tell you this. I've never told anyone… Everyone who knows, which is an extremely small amount of people, has figured it out after years of observations."
"I promise I won't hate you… I can't hate you." Narcissa said, moving herself closer to him.
"'Cissa…" Remus sighed, "I'm a werewolf."
Narcissa's blue eyes widened with surprise, but her expression quickly changed from that of surprise to relief.
"Is that all, dear?" she asked, a bemused look on her face. "I thought you were going to tell me you have a wife and three children running around somewhere."
Remus was shocked. "You mean… You don't mind?"
"I do mind that you didn't tell me this sooner… But
I'm not Lucius, Remus. I don't mind at all. You obviously can't help it."
Narcissa smiled.
Remus closed his eyes and grinned. Opening them
once more, he kissed her forehead and sighed.
"And I'd give up forever to touch you… Cuz I know that you feel me somehow… You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be… And I don't want to go home right now."
"That's so sweet!" Narcissa grinned, leaning back on the pillows.
"And all I can taste is this moment… And all I can breathe is your life… Cuz sooner or later it's over… I just don't want to miss you tonight."
"It'll never be over."
"And I don't want the world to see me… Cuz I don't think that they'd understand… When everything's made to be broken… I just want you to know who I am."
"I'm glad you told me…"
"And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming…
Or the moment of truth in your lies… When everything feels like the movies…
Yeah, you'd bleed just to know you're alive… And I don't want the world
to see me… Cuz I don't think that they'd understand… When everything's
made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am…"
"I know who you are now." Narcissa grinned and joined him, singing a song that wouldn't be written for a good two years.
"And I don't want the world to see me… Cuz I don't think that they'd understand… When everything's made to be broken… I just want you to know who I am… I just want you to know who I am… I just want you to know who I am… I just want you to know who I am…"
Remus turned around and rummaged through his robes before turning back around, a schoolboy grin pasted on to his face. Kissing Narcissa on the cheek, he revealed a velvet black box.
Narcissa gasped as he opened it; a gold band with diamonds the size of large pebbles was exposed.
"'Cissa… I love you. Will you marry me?"
"Yes!" Narcissa exclaimed, throwing her arms around
Remus' neck after he had placed the band on her left ring finger. "Yes!
Oh God, Remus… I love you too."
Late at night when all the world is sleeping
I stay up and think of you
And I wish on a star that somewhere you are
Thinking of me too
Cause I'm dreaming of you tonight
Till tomorrow I'll be holding you tight
And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be
Than here in my room dreaming about you and me
Wonder if you ever see me
And I wonder if you know I'm there
If you looked in my eyes
Would you see what's inside?
Would you even care?
I just wanna hold you close
But so far all I have are dreams of you
So I wait for the day
And the courage to say how much I love you
Yes I do
I'll be dreaming of you tonight
Till tomorrow I'll be holding you tight
And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be
Than here in my room dreaming about you and me
Corazón
I can't stop dreaming of you
No puedo dejar de pensar en ti
I can't stop dreaming
Cómo te necesito
I can't stop dreaming of you
Mi amor, cómo te extraño
Late at night when all the world is sleeping
I stay up and think of you
And I still can't believe
That you came up to me and said, "I love you"
I love you too
Now I'm dreaming with you tonight
Till tomorrow and for all of my life
And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be
Than here in my room dreaming of you endlessly
Dreaming of you tonight
Till tomorrow I'll be holding you tight
And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be
Than here in my room
I'll be dreaming of you tonight
Endlessly
And I'll be holding you tight
Dreaming...with you...tonight*
*Selena, Dreaming Of You
(A/N: Thank you SEEKER and Trepidatio [hope I spelled that right... sorry :o)] for helping me with this one...)
(Full Moon, Lisa Vroman - Unknown Show)
(Time Of My Life, Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes - Dirty Dancing)
(Iris, Goo Goo Dolls - City Of Angels)