The one where it's ALL sappy
Ginny finished brushing her hair, looking at herself in the mirror. Her stomach was fluttering as if she had a Hippogriff in there. Remus would be watching the Gryffindor Quidditch team practice. Sirius was the new coach, after the team lost a mock game with Hufflepuff, and had asked them to see if they had any weaknesses. Not that Ginny or Remus were Quidditch experts. Harry was a frequent visitor on the pitch, giving advice and cheering them on.
'Hello Remus, lovely to see you,' Ginny practiced. She shook her head. It was too formal. 'Yo, Moony! How's it hangin'?' He would have no idea as to what she said. 'Hi Remus. Nice night isn't it?' Yep, that was the one.
She had not felt like this since she had dated James, but even then, she knew that he would marry her no matter what. With Remus, it was unsure and a bit scary. That was what she loved about it. Ginny walked out of the room and made her way to the Quidditch Pitch.
Sirius was on his broom, shouting tactics at the poor players. Harry had managed to escape the paperwork at the Ministry and was whizzing around, occasionally stopping to show a move. Much to her heart's desire, Remus was sitting with a book on the ground. She walked over there quickly and sat down. He raised his eyes from the pages and smiled. 'Hello Gins.'
She blushed and took the book from his hands. 'Hello Remus.'
'Did Sirius drag you out of the castle to see his Quidditch Team?'
'Yeah.' She lowered her eyes. 'Remus, why did you kiss me last night?'
'Birthday traditions.' Remus smiled and took the book back from her.
Ginny nodded, resting her chin on her knees. Her eyes followed the flyers in the sky. 'I'm so glad to have you as a friend, you know. Not many people would be as accommodating for someone who had time traveled, especially when the traveler was thought dead for more than two decades.' She sighed. 'I feel lonely, though.'
He put his book down so he could give her all of his attention. 'Why do you feel lonely, Gins?'
'Because everyone has changed, Remus. You're still the sweetest man imaginable,' she blushed at this, 'and Sirius is still crazy as ever, but you have more dimensions than I remember. You are smart and funny, and maybe I never fully saw that in you because of James. Sirius can be cold and reserved if you say something about Azkaban or Wormtail.' She sighed. 'I'm still the same old Lily Evans, the one that never grew up, the one that is still wondering what she will do when she grows up, the one--,'
'The one I fell in love with twenty years ago.' Remus interjected, taking her hand.
'And that brings me to my other point. Do you still love me?' Ginny could hardly breath because of the nervousness.
'Now, why would you need to know that? We were in school then, isn't it irrelevant now?' He frowned.
She closed her eyes, feeling tears trickling down her cheeks. He didn't love her, she was a fool. Her throat constricted and she stifled a sob. Remus put his arms around her, letting Ginny cry into his robes. His hands rubbed her back in soothing motions. 'Dammit Remus, I'm falling in love with you,' she managed to choke out.
He sat there, rubbing her back slowly, silent. She continued to sob, making his clothes damp. Soon the Quidditch Team was landing and it took the combined efforts of Sirius, Harry and the team captain to stop them from crowding around the two Professors. As soon as the team was in the showers, Harry and Padfoot ran over to them, their brooms over their shoulders.
'What happened? Ginny?' Harry asked, panting and worried.
'Nothing,' she said, wiping her face with her sleeve.
'Come on, I'll walk you back to the castle.' Remus said, standing up and helping Ginny to her feet. 'Sirius, Harry, you can fly ahead. Make sure there is a hot bath waiting in her rooms as well as dinner.'
The way he said it told them that if they didn't do as he ordered, there would be hell to pay. They mounted their broom and took off for Hogwarts. Ginny started walking, her head down and her arms crossed over her chest. She was wearing a cashmere jumper that Harry had given her for Mother's Day, a foreign holiday according to her Wizarding upbringing.
'Ginny, stop!' Remus called.
She turned back to see him, blinking away the tears that made everything blurry. He stood with his book in one hand, the other clutching where she had cried on his robes. Ginny bit her lip and stared at him. 'What is it Remus?'
He walked the distance towards her. Remus ran a hand through his hair. 'Would you like to know the answer that question?'
She narrowed her eyes. 'But...you said that it was irrelevant...'
'I didn't want to get hurt again, Ginny.' He sighed, taking her hands that had dropped to her sides. 'If you were just trying to find where our friendship was, I didn't want you to leave again. I'm sorry...I never thought you would react like this.' He brought her hands to his lips and kissed them. 'I love you, Ginny.'
Ginny's fist contacted his nose with a sickening crunch. He put his hand to his face, wiping blood away.
'Not exactly what I would have chosen, but effective none the less.' He grinned at her weakly.
The tension broken, she managed a small laugh and fixed his nose with a healing spell. 'Sorry Remus,'
'I've been through worse,' He finished getting rid of the blood and put an arm around her waist. 'How about we go and stop Harry and Sirius from wearing a groove in the floor?'
'Excellent idea.'
They reached the castle just as the rain started to fall. Two very worried, very angry Marauders were waiting there. 'You are going to tell us what happened. You might be able to stop the students from finding out what you were up to, but we are your partners in crime. Tell us.' Sirius was holding his broom handle so tightly it looked like it was cracking under his grip.
'Oh, calm down Padfoot!' Ginny said, kissing his cheek.
'We are perfectly fine and happier than we have been in a long while.' Remus announced, pulling Ginny back so he could kiss her casually.
Harry and Sirius' jaws dropped. 'Aww, come on Moony! That's my mum you're kissing!' Harry said, turning a little green.
Cleaned, calm and very much in love with the werewolf currently serving her dinner, Ginny watched from the doorway as Remus lit a few candles. She took a seat opposite him, admiring the artistic way he had arranged her food. 'Thank you, Moony.' She said, smiling.
'Let's talk whilst we eat.' He poured some wine into her glass and returned the smile.
'Remus, how many girls have you been with?' Ginny asked, sipping a little from her drink.
'Three. The first one was the year before you turned up at Hogwarts. She was just a friend and we dated to be in fashion. The next was during your marriage to James. I met her at the hospital when Harry was born. She would have been good for me, she didn't raise an eyebrow when I told her I was a werewolf. Unfortunately, she left me when I became depressed over the deaths of you and James. The last woman dated me for six years. I was certain I felt something for her...but it could never match you, Gins.'
She was silent, moving food around her plate. 'You've been too good to me, Remus. After all these years of loving me with nothing in return...' Ginny quickly looked down at the tablecloth.
'Why do you think I kept loving you, Ginny?'
'I don't know...'
'Because you came back and needed someone to love you. Don't think you don't deserve someone's affections.' Remus gave her a quick peck on the cheek and returned to the meal in front of them.
'Anything you want to ask me?' She asked.
'When did you start falling desperately, madly in love with me?' He used a tone that was all too familiar with Sirius.
Ginny grinned. 'The night when we messed up Fudge's lawn with all those animals.'
'And who says giant slugs aren't romantic?' Remus laughed.
Author's Note: I apologize profusely for that piece of sappiness. Ah, anyway, I'll be true to my word and thank my reviewers in this chapter!
Iselin: Thanks dude! The whole Aunt Weasel thing was just thrown in there for ya! I think I'll have to do another version of this story like "What if James was reincarnated." I tried explaining it to my mum and she wanted all sorts of horrific things to happen to Remus (a.k.a, Sir Crig, LOL). My dad rocks though, seriousy (haha, pun pun are so stupid) And your reviews kick a$$ (other reviews kick a$$ too!) Thanks for the continual support
Chocolate Muse: Is it happy B'day yet? I made it a whole birthday special because I was in the mood. My birthday was pretty average so I hope yours rawked.
Sir Criggy!: Thanks dude, your reviews rock. I'm just gonna have the word rock in every reply!
Jen: Exactly my thinkin'! Anything can happen in time and space!
Iselin (again): Nah, I'm not showing any wrinkles yet, thankfully! I think I went a little overboard on the whole Birthday theme. Oh well, glad you liked it!
Jade: There aren't nearly enough GW/RL ships out there! It isn't exactly who Harry should be with, but more like who Hermione should be with (past lives, sould mates yadda yadda yadda...)
Darth Flirt: *in her "Quoting Black Books voice"* Exquiste gifts as always, Bernard! It is my birthday and I feel just like I did the other day. Thanks for the review!
Brianna Brantly: Yeah, but I'll make an "alternate universe" or some sorta thing like that where James comes back and there's gonna be a lot of angst and stuff. I hope.
Teri: I have not the foggiest idea who Harry should be with. But not with Hermione. Anyway, thanks for the song *wipes tear from eye*. When I write the AU, check it out. Angst, romance, maybe some death. Yuck. Ok, don't check it out! LOL
Tiger Lily: Thanks for letting me use your Remmy. I will do my damndest to keep up the great work :D
Turquoisetears: Ginny is a professor because she felt sad for Remus. I didn't write that into the story, it's on a need to know basis with those sort of details. Like the fact that James was seeker and that Lily's maiden name was Evans. And yes, Petunia is a weasel. Ginny isn't sadistic (that's my alter ego, dammit!) she just learnt a little from Hermione...
Bluegirl18: Thanks! I feel happy and birthday-y! Happy Birthday for yours (even if it is in 10 months. Today could be your un birthday!). Remus deserves happiness and all sorts of stuff!
Finally thanks to all those who read the story!