Disclaimer:  Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 6

Violet couldn't help daydreaming the next few days.  Remus had been so sweet, taking her for a ride, watching the sunset with her, and kissing her senseless.  She was surprised she could even remember her own name. 

But two weeks went by, and there was no Remus.  She couldn't help but be disappointed.  The days weren't complete without talking to him, laughing with him, or seeing his gorgeous smile.  She truly was in love, but she couldn't think of why he wasn't visiting.

Even though she was selling more books each day, she wasn't happy. 

Remus was in his office, still recovering from his last transformation.  At least the potion Snape had made him helped him keep his mind.  Violet was still all he could think of though.  She wasn't exactly pretty, but she seemed beautiful to him.  He had fallen hard and there was no chance of recovery.  With little effort she had stolen his heart which was going to make it all the more painful to break up with her.  He had decided to go see her tonight, not exactly sure about what he was going to say.  Dreading the moment, Remus left for Hogsmeade.

Minutes later, he was knocking on her door.  The sight of her face nearly made him forget his intentions.  To his shock, Vanessa was there.

"Darling, it's great to see you.  I was just explaining to this bookish girl about how we met and fell in love.  She doesn't believe me though.  But since I know your secret, I also know that you'll tell her you're still in love with myself."  She smiled frostily and arched one eyebrow.  Leaning close, she whispered in his ear.  "Unless you want her to know that is.  I should enjoy seeing her run."

Remus looked disdainfully at Vanessa and turned his gaze to Violet.  She looked sadder than he had ever seen her.  Goodbye to the happiest days of my life.

"Violet, we need to talk.  Vanessa how about you leave while I explain things to her."

"Of course darling."  She grinned nastily at Violet and kissed Remus's cheek as she walked out the door. 

Remus could barely resist trying to rub the devil's kiss of his face.  "Listen Violet…."

She interrupted him though.  "Remus, is what she said true?  It is isn't it?  That's why you wanted to speak to me."  Her eyes filled with tears, and Remus looked guiltily away.

"I'm sorry to say this.  You're a great person and deserve someone better than myself.  I can't see you anymore.  I know that you think it's because of Vanessa, but it's of another matter.  I know you don't believe me, but it's the truth, I swear it.  I didn't want to lead you along and manipulate your feelings.  I hope that when everything's over with, we can still be friends, but nothing more than that."

"Remus, you know I love you.  I've loved you since I've first met you.  Sirius told me about you and I was intrigued, but after meeting you, I've come to realize that you're my soul mate.  I'll never be complete without you.  Don't you trust me to tell me your true reasons?"  Violet was trying hard not to cry but wasn't succeeding.  A single tear slid down her cheek and landed on the ground.  More were following the path of the first. 

"Violet, I'm so sorry."  Remus wrapped his arms around her and let her cry.  This is torture.  I never wanted to hurt the one I care about most.  But being with her day after day is tearing me apart. He told himself over and over that he was doing the right thing. 

She pulled away and looked at him, her eyes red from crying.  "Remus, I don't think we can be friends.  It'd be torture for me seeing you day after day knowing that we've no chance.  Please leave before I disgrace myself further."

She got her wish.  He gave her one last look and walked away, not looking back.  Wrapping her arms around herself, Violet gave in to the pain.  She collapsed to the floor crying her heartache.

A week later, she was still miserable.  Everything she looked at or anything a customer said reminded her of her lost love.  She knew that Vanessa was the reason he broke up with her, or at least one of them.  One could never forget their first love and she knew that she never would.  Sirius and the others hadn't been to see her yet, but she knew they would as soon as they heard.  The shop was still open but even looking at her beloved books didn't soothe her pain.  Nothing would except for him.

Remus was just as miserable.  He thought of her all the time, her still in tears.  He felt as low as a Slytherin and guilty as hell.  Sirius had called him an ass for breaking up with Violet.  He had visited the others when he went to Hogsmeade the other day.  When Sirius and him were alone, he had explained what happened. 

"-So I left."

"You're an ass Moony.  The best thing that's happened to you was Violet and you left her.  Did you ever stop and think that maybe she wouldn't care that you're a werewolf?  I know her and I know that she loves you.  She wouldn't care.  You'd still be Remus, the dimwit she's fallen in love with.  I'll admit that I tried to set you two up.  Thinking you'd be perfect for each other and that she'd bring sunshine and happiness into your life, I foolishly introduced the two of you.  Hell, you're miserable without her.  Admit it, you need her.  So how about you go over there and apologize.  Get down on your knees and beg her forgiveness.  She loves you so much that you and I both know she'll take you back.  Remus, you think you're worthless, but you're the only one.  You're a wonderful friend and you deserve to be content.  Go out and get your happiness back."  With that, Sirius left the room, leaving Moony to his thoughts.

Remus leaned back in his chair in his office, thinking about what Sirius had said.  Severus rudely interrupted him.

"What's got you down Lupin?"

"Listen, say you were a werewolf and you broke up with someone you cared deeply about because you thought she'd look at you with disgust if she knew.  Would you tell her or would you just try to get over her?"

Severus obviously wasn't expecting that.  "There's no such thing as love, but if you're stupid enough to believe in it, then grab hold with both hands and don't let go.  If you're her soul mate, then she's yours.  Both of you will never be happy apart.  Before you start speaking again, I'm leaving.  This kind of talk makes me sick."  With that, he left.

Both Severus and Sirius had been able to get him to understand what he'd been too stupid to know for himself.  He was going to get her back.  They belonged together and if she loved him, she would accept him for who he truly was.  A smile came to his face as he thought about when he would see her next. 

Whistling, he scribbled down a little note and went to the owlery to borrow an owl.  He had to get his special girl something to prove what was in his heart.