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This chapter does have a little language in it.

Chapter 16

Remus waited in agony for what seemed like hours outside the hospital wing, Madame Pomfrey had shooed him out when he had attempted to follow her.

He went to get Dumbledore but it seemed as if he already knew, as he had met him on the way. Remus really shouldn't have been surprised, Dumbledore seemed to know everything anyway.

So now Dumbledore was in with Poppy while Remus paced back and forth. He didn't understand it. Just because Albus is headmaster he gets to be in there? That's my true love in there dammit, he thought somewhat bitterly.

He stopped pacing long enough to run a frustrated hand over his face. How can something that was going so wonderfully turn to such shit so quickly, he wondered.

The minutes ticked slowly by until finally Albus emerged. Remus dashed over to him quickly.

"Well? How is she? Is she...?" Remus was silenced by the hand that Dumbledore had raised.

"She's fine. A little battered, bruised and sore but she's awake. Poppy has already mended her leg. Good as new." Dumbledore assured him.

"Can I see her now?" Remus asked eagerly.

Dumbledore looked at him with something akin to pity before speaking. "She doesn't wish to see you at the moment."

Remus hadn't really expected her to want to see him but it still hurt hearing the words spoken out loud.

"Oh." Was the only reply he could manage. Flashes of how happy they had been before ran through his mind. The conversations, the laughing, the kissing, the dancing. He missed it. He missed her, dreadfully. He vowed to get her back, he loved her with everything he was. He realized Albus was talking and snapped back.

"Listen Remus, why don't you go home and take that sleeping draught? It's been a long trying day. You can start out fresh tomorrow. Poppy's keeping Ariana for a couple of days. Just to make sure she's getting on ok." Dumbledore prompted him.

"No. I'm staying right here with her." Remus said stubbornly. "In fact, until she'll see me you'll have to find someone else to teach my classes for me because I'm not budging."

The pity shining in Dumbledore's blue eyes turned to one of respect. He came forward and clasped Remus' shoulder lightly.

"Very well. I shall inform Madame Pomfrey to set you up a bed." And he disappeared back into the hospital wing. When he reappeared he strode past Remus and bid him a good night.

"Headmaster?" Remus called tentatively.

"Yes?"

"I just wanted you to know I appreciate your understanding." He said.

"There are some things worth fighting for. Obviously you've one of them. Who am I to stop it? Congratulations and good luck." Albus said before disappearing.

Remus stood alone in the hallway, suddenly nervous. He took a deep breath before pushing open the door. He strode down the corridor, locating Ariana quickly, and stopped at the foot of her bed. Her eyes widened in shock at seeing him and she quickly averted her gaze, ignoring him.

Relief flooded him at seeing her indeed alive but it was short lived when he took in her appearance. Her normally soft, flowing brown hair was now tangled and untidy. She had several scratches on her arms and face, along with a black eye to go with it. His felt his heart squeeze as he glanced over her.

"All right there?" He asked timidly.

She turned her head away even further and crossed her arms over chest.

"I know you don't want to talk to me. But you're going to have to eventually. Because I'm not leaving here until you do. And you're not leaving either. So you might as well know that right now." He said.

She whipped her head around and looked at him with fury in her wide eyes but refused to speak to him.

"When you're ready to listen to me, let me know. I'm going to be right over there." He said softly, pointing to a bed across from her.

He turned to walk away but then spun quickly back around, facing her.

"You have to know how sorry I am. I miss you. There is nothing more important to me than repairing the damage I have caused. Nothing." He said in a desperately pleading voice.

She chanced a glance at him and bit the inside of her cheek. Was it wishful thinking or was that hope flaring in her eyes, he wondered before she turned away again.

"Good night Ariana." He whispered as he strode away, hoping for the latter.