Disclaimer:  I own nothing.  She owns it all.

Chapter 5

Violet hadn't seen Remus for a few weeks.  It seemed as if he was avoiding her.  She couldn't help but think of Vanessa's words. She had told her that Remus wouldn't be interested for long, but Violet had thought she was bragging.  Maybe Remus was beginning to want that tramp back.  If he does want to stop seeing me, I won't cry.  I refuse to shed a tear in front of him. 

Remus was also thinking of Vanessa's comments.  That's all he could think about.  The weeks following the party dragged slowly, mostly because he couldn't go see Violet.  He had realized within a few days of knowing her that she was the one.  The big ONE, the person he wanted to share his life with, have children with, and grow old with.  But alas, he was a werewolf and she was completely innocent.  Even though Moony knew this, he didn't have the strength to stop seeing her.  At the moment, he was sneaking out of the castle to go visit the bookstore.  He was trying to disillusion himself into believing he needed another book to touch up his knowledge for class.  But it didn't work.  He only wanted to see Violet smile, laugh, and watch her nose crinkle up with the pleasure of seeing him. 

Walking down the street, towards the bookstore, Remus saw Harry and Hermione leave, hand in hand.  They looked supremely happy, laughing at a private joke of some sort.  Harry leaned down to kiss the top of Hermione's head, and Remus smiled.  It was nice to see a couple so in love, a love that wasn't doomed. 

The couple was entranced with each other, so much so that they didn't see Remus walk by into the bookstore.

Violet's back was turned to him, and she was putting books on the shelves.  "Guess who."

Violet spun around, the pleasure in her eyes completely visible. "Remus!  I've missed you so!"

"Sorry, I've been busy."

"Were you off with…?"

"With who?  Vanessa?  You can believe me when I say that as you mature, people like that suddenly don't appeal.  She's beautiful, but that's all.  I have no wish to see her anymore."  Remus replied.  But inside, his heart was screaming. That was the perfect excuse.  You could have said that seeing Vanessa again made all the feelings resurface.  You would have let her down gently, and had a great reason to break things off before it gets too painful.  But all I want is just a few more weeks to bask in her loving nature.

Violet was beginning to think she was being silly.  She should trust him; know that he wouldn't be interested in someone like Vanessa because she knew him as well as she knew herself.  Jealous hags aren't attractive to a man, she told herself, so stop acting like one.

"Are you able to close the bookstore for one day and come out on a date with me?" Remus asked.

I'd swim across an ocean just to be with you.  "Yes, I don't mind closing shop for one day.  Where are we going?"

"How about I dust off my broomstick and sweep you off for a romantically mysterious day?"  Remus grinned.  "I can't guarantee, though, that we'll fall off my broom.  I haven't ridden in ages."

Her eyes sparkled with merriment.   "Well, if we do fall off, I'll just have to land on you."

"Give me half an hour, then I'll be back with my broomstick."  Remus ran out the door and to Hogwarts to grab his stuff.

An hour and forty-five minutes later, Violet was still waiting.  She was pacing the room wondering if he was ever coming back. 

As Violet was thinking of him, Remus was thinking about her and wondering if she was upset that he was running late.  At Hogwarts Snape had dragged him into his office because he needed to talk to him.  Ever since Voldemort was defeated, Snape was beginning to become a nice person, no longer a slimy greasy haired teacher.  Remus decided it was best to hear him out before joining the lady who owned his heart.

Severus surprised him with his first comment.  "Remus, I'm sorry.  I rarely apologize, but this time I think it's your due.  You're a decent teacher and even though you're a werewolf, I think you're better than most. So, I'm sorry."

Remus was stunned.  Severus Snape offering him not exactly friendship but an apology.  It had to be a trap, but surprisingly it wasn't.  For the next hour they talked and began a guarded friendship.  Snape wasn't such a bad person anymore.  He couldn't wait to tell the others.  Sirius would be hard to convince, but perhaps everyone could forget their differences and become friends once again.

"Severus, I've got to get going.  Violet's waiting for me."

"You don't mean Violet the Gryffindor?  The one who's just opened the bookstore in Hogsmeade?"

"That's her.  Sirius introduced her to me and we hit it off.  We're just good friends though.  I've got to go Severus.  Goodbye." With that Remus ran off to join Violet.

Breathless, Remus opened the door to the bookshop and spotted her right away.  She was sitting on the counter reading a book about werewolves.  Remus knew that she hadn't found out about him yet because there hadn't been a full moon recently, not until next week.  "Sorry I'm late.  Something came up that I couldn't ignore.  Ready?"

"I've been ready for hours.  Let's go."  Violet grabbed the sleeve of his robe and dragged him out the door.  Minutes later, they were walking hand in hand through the dense forest near Hogsmeade.  "So where's this field and lake Remus?"

"We'll be there in about a second.  You're like a child, impatiently waiting for a treat.  It's adorable."  Remus smiled, thinking that she looked beautiful. 

They finally reached the field.  Remus sat behind Violet wrapping his arm around her waist so she wouldn't fall as they took off from the field.  Flying high, both were laughing as Remus rolled and dived on the broom. 

"I haven't had this much fun in years!  There's the lake Remus."  Violet gasped as Remus dived down and flew across the water's edge.  Both were damp from the water when they stopped beside the lake to sit and watch the sunset.

"It's beautiful."

"Yeah, it is."  Remus was looking at her as he said it, making her blush.  He pulled her closer and kissed her softly on her forehead.  She didn't protest, and he moved his way down the side of her face to her lips.  They embraced passionately, neither wanting to stop until both were breathless. 

"I never want this day to end.  I wish I could be by your side always."  Violet said.  She looked at him to see his reaction to what she was telling him.  But he only smiled and didn't reply. 

Gripping her hand, Remus tugged her to her feet.  They walked back to the bookstore in companionable silence. 

Remus unlocked her door and kissed her on the cheek as she was passing by.  "Until next time, sweetheart."

Remus was shaking as he walked through the Hogwart's hallways.  Violet had all but confessed that she was in love with him.  He had no right playing with her feelings and needed to break things off with her as quickly as possible.  He rather have her hate him for that instead of her knowing about his other form. 

Sighing, Remus knew he could never have what he wanted most in this world…. her.