A great big thank you to TrinityDD for your reviews, I'm glad you're enjoying it. Be warned, this story is going to turn quite dark from the end of this chapter, especially chapter 10. I really didn't want to put the characters through this but it seems I didn't have a choice. You know what old Voldy's like, he cant bear to see anyone happy. But do not despair; there is light at the end of the story however dim it may appear from here. Like I said in my last chapter, I have had to re-write this after loosing it to a virus so I hope I haven't missed anything out.

All thinking is put in brackets.

Loved and lost

Chapter 8

Kate loved weddings, and this one was no exception. It was May. Spring. So the couple had opted for an outdoor affair. Lily looked radiant in her white flowing gown and James looked his handsome self in robes of dark blue. They made their vows of everlasting love and devotion in front of friends and family. Lily's sister refused to show up, saying that she wouldn't come to the wedding if Lily were going to marry 'one of them'. A few tears were shed and a lot of wine was drunk. Everyone was having a wonderful time.

"Who's that talking to Sirius?" Lily asked coming over to her new husband and giving him a kiss.

James looked over his shoulder. "Oh Gods, it's Lucy," he said. "I'd better go before he does something stupid."

"Padfoot, you could charm the hairs off a unicorns backside." He said casually walking up to his friend.

Lucy snorted, her mouthful of wine spraying the grass in front of her.

"If you will excuse us?" James said politely, placing his arm round Sirius' shoulders and steering him away from her. "And here I was thinking you were going to behave yourself today." He chastised.

"I was behaving," Sirius replied, looked very much put out.

"Hitting on my cousins' girlfriend is not my idea of keeping out of trouble." James said trying really hard to keep the smile from his lips.

Sirius grinned, "You know I can't resist a pretty girl mate."

"Obviously you haven't met my cousin yet, or you wouldn't be saying that."

"If he looks anything like you I think I'll be safe," Sirius said with a wink.

"Why don't you see for yourself? He's standing just over there," James said indicating with his head.

"I can't see anything, there's a guy the size of a troll in the way." Sirius complained.

"He is the troll." James said, and then burst out laughing at the look on his friends face.

"Erm… I think we should get another drink," Sirius said.

"I think that's the best idea you've had all day," James replied as they made their way to the drinks table.

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Remus knew that Kate was quite happy without an engagement ring, but he had decided to get her one anyway. It had taken him months of searching to find the one he was after but to no avail. In the end he decided to wait until Lily was back from her honeymoon and ask her for her help. She agreed straight away and after looking at every ring in the shop they finally found the perfect one.

"I don't remember seeing this one before," Remus said.

"You didn't have me with you before," she replied with a wink.

The ring they chose was a white gold solitaire with a tiny diamond on each of the shoulders. It was simple yet elegant.

"Do you think she will like it?" he asked her.

"She is going to love it," Lily replied with a small sniff.

"Hey," he said putting an arm around her shoulder. "Come on, I hope you're not getting all soppy on me."

"I'm sorry," she replied. "It's just that you're one of my best friends. I'm glad you have finally found happiness. You deserve it. I can't believe you're getting married," she said giving him a hug.

"In case you haven't noticed werewolves are forbidden to marry." He replied pulling away slightly.

"You wouldn't have bought her that ring if you didn't think there was even the smallest chance that things might change." She said looking him in the eye.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," he replied with a smile that said he wasn't entirely convinced.

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Remus had called Kate by floo the day before to let her know that he would be coming round that evening. He picked the ring box up from the kitchen table and looked inside one last time before putting it into his pocket. What if Kate didn't like it? (Don't be stupid) he told himself, (Lily said that she would love it.) Taking a few deep breaths he picked up his broom and opened the door that led him outside. Mounting it he kicked off from the ground and headed off in the direction of Kate's house.

The 10-minute flight passed a lot quicker than he hoped it would. Not because he didn't want to see her, on the contrary, it was because the closer he got to her the more the flutters in his stomach seemed to increase. He hovered above her house for a moment or two before landing and leaning his broom against the wall next to the door. He took a deep breath and rang the bell. The moment the door opened and he saw the smile on Kate's face all thoughts of being nervous disappeared.

"Remus. Why didn't you floo here?" she asked.

"Because I have something to show you," he replied. "Come with me."

Kate took a moment to tie a ribbon around her hair before she locked the door and climbed onto the broom in front of Remus, holding on that little bit tighter as her feet left the ground.

"Close your eyes," he whispered. "I don't want you to see where we're going."

Kate shivered slightly as she let her eyes close. It was exhilarating, the feeling of flying through the air when you couldn't see where you were going or the broom you were flying on, it was almost like they had sprouted wings. Remus pressed close to her back and rested his chin on her shoulder as his hands wrapped themselves around hers on the broom handle. He kept looking at her out of the corner of his eye and couldn't help but smile at what he saw. She had her eyes closed and her bottom lip was clamped tightly in-between her teeth. The sun was starting to go down and as the shadows danced on her face he thought she had never looked more beautiful.

They were flying for 15 minutes when Remus whispered that they were nearly there. A minute or two later Kate gasped as they flew lower.

"Open your eyes," he told her.

It took a moment for Kate's eyes to adjust to the changed light as she opened them, but when they did the sight below her took her breath away.

"Did you do all this?" she asked twisting in his lap to face him.

"With a little help from my friends," he replied with a smile.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

"Not as beautiful as you," he answered.

Below them on the grass was a blanket, and in the middle of the blanket were 2 glassed and a bottle of wine. All around them were hundreds of candles. Some were on the ground but most of them were floating in the air. Remus flew lower and landed gently on the blanket. He rested his broom against a near by tree before taking Kate's hands in his. He looked down at their linked fingers for a moment before speaking.

"You know I love you don't you? My life changed the day we met. I changed. I had no idea things were going to work out his way. Looking back at Prongs' and Lily's wedding 2 weeks ago I realised that that was what I wanted too. Not just because you want it, but because of what it would mean. If the ministry turned things around it would give me the chance to be something I haven't been since I was 6. I would be accepted. Before I met you I had gotten used to the way my life was. I had gotten used to being called a freak, an animal. But then you came along. You treated me like a man. I will always love you for that, amongst other things."

As Kate pressed her lips against his she felt spots of water on her up turned face.

"It seems I planned everything but the weather," Remus said looking up at the sky.

"I love the rain," Kate replied.

And it was a good job she did because just then the heavens opened and the rain came pouring down, drenching them in seconds. Remus laughed out loud as he picked Kate up and spun her around. The only thing that was keeping the grass beneath them from turning to mud was the blanket they were stood on. She pulled him into a kiss as he lowered her to the ground.

"I could kiss you forever," he said smiling down into her face.

"What are you waiting for then?" she asked grinning.

And she wrapped her arms around his neck claiming his mouth as hers and hers alone.

"What a touching scene." Came a new voice from close by. "Such a shame I must interrupt."

Remus' head snapped up. He wouldn't have heard the stranger for the rain if it weren't for his lycanthropic hearing. There was a figure in a dark cloak standing near by, the hood hiding his face. His wand was aimed at the two of them. Remus took Kate's face in his hands and said, "run, take the broom and go, you have to get out of here." He then turned to face the figure, his own wand drawn in protection. The Death Eater leaned to one side trying to see behind him. Seeing what he was doing Remus shouted, "leave her alone, it's me you want not her. Come any closer and I swear to Gods I will kill you."

Suddenly a light shot out of the end of the Death Eater's wand and Remus found himself flying across the field, his wand falling from his fingers. As he stood he saw the figure turn to Kate. "NO," he yelled, and broke into a run yelling for Kate to do the same. She didn't move, fear keeping her rooted to the spot. His feet had trouble gripping in the wet muddy grass but still he pushed on. He had to reach her. The blast had sent him a fair distance but he had to try. Lightening lit up the sky as once again a beam emerged from the cloaked mans wand, only this time it was aimed at Kate. Remus pumped his legs even harder as he saw her lifeless body fall to the ground. "Stay away from her you bastard," he yelled. He knew he would be next if he weren't careful but he didn't care. All he cared about was getting to Kate in time. Suddenly he lost his footing and he skidded across the wet ground. Pushing himself up on his hands he lifted his head and shook the rain from his eyes.

"I wouldn't come any closer if I were you wolf," the Death Eater shouted. "And you were wrong, it's not you the master is after, it's the woman he wants." He bent down and scooped Kate up with his free hand and with a pop he vanished.

"KATE," Remus screamed getting to his feet and racing over to the place where she was laying only seconds before. He couldn't breathe. His face was twisted with pain and anguish. He grabbed fistfuls of grass in the desperate attempt to hold onto something. He had never felt the wolf as close to the surface as far from the full moon as he did at that moment. Taking in a huge gulp of air he raised his face to the stars and he howled. Finally, unable to fight it any longer, Remus gave in to the darkness that was threatening to overcome him. Sweet oblivion took him before his head even hit the ground.

The ring in his pocket went forgotten as the rain continued to fall around him.

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"He's waking up. Don't crowd him Peter, give him some space."

Remus awoke in St. Mungos. The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes were his friends watching him, but he was no longer as pleased to see them as he once was. He lay still and quiet. He didn't wasn't to talk about it. He didn't even want to think about it. He just wanted to go back into that world where everything made sense again. Why did he kill her? Why not him? He just didn't understand. Feeling his eyes prickle he turned his head so they couldn't see him. He didn't think he could do this. He didn't think he was strong enough. Turning back to his friends he looked each one of them in the eye silently pleading with them to understand if he fell apart.

He knew that if he was going to get through this he was going to need them more than ever, and he hoped to Merlin that it would be enough.

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To be continued…