Well that was an unexpected hiatus! Sorry about that. Thanks for your reviews though! I appreciate them.

Chapter 18

Remus woke slowly and stretched his long arms over his head as he yawned. His sharpened ears listened to Ariana's steady breathing as she slept on. He glanced at his watch and started when he realized classes would begin in fifteen minutes.

He jumped out of bed and grabbed his wand from the bed side table before turning to go to his classroom but stopped when he got to the door. He jogged back over to where Ariana was sleeping and looked down at her, feeling his chest constrict as he took in her colorful bruises and prominent scratches.

"Orchideous!" He whispered and watched as lovely orchids burst from the tip of his wand and rained down on her bed. Another wave of the wand and they were arranged next to her in a message he hoped she'd see.

"Immobulus." He whispered again so she wouldn't disturb the note if she rolled over in her sleep.

He distantly heard the warning bell ring but Remus couldn't help but tuck a wayward piece of hair behind her ear before setting off for his class, wishing for the day to be ending instead of beginning.

Ariana woke to a sweet smell filling her nostrils and rolled over gingerly until she found the source. A soft smile came over her and she felt her blood warm as she focused on all the brightly colored orchids lining the bed.

She reached out to finger a soft petal before trying to pick it up. She pulled hard on the flower but she couldn't get it to budge. Puzzled, she sat up to get a better grasp on it. Finally she noticed that the flowers were arranged in words. She leaned back to read the message spelled out in bright yellow, rich purple, creamy white and soft orange blooms.

Till later beautiful, she read and felt tears prick her eyes.

How did I think I was going to fall out of love with him, she wondered idly. Even battered and injured he thinks I'm beautiful.

She stood up and walked over to the window, gazing out at the expansive grounds. Puzzled and searching, for what she wasn't sure. How much different would her life have been if she would have attended Hogwarts? She wouldn't even be the same person.

She would have had friends and would have never been alone. I would have had fun, she stood there thinking wistfully.

"Ariana?" came Dumbledore's kind voice.

"Good morning Professor." She said as she turned around guiltily.

"How are you feeling today?" He asked.

"A little stiff but surprisingly well."

"Good. Madame Pomfrey is quite excellent at patching people up. I just wanted to check on you. Well, I'll let you rest." He said.

"Thanks." She replied distractedly as Dumbledore began to leave.

"Is there anything else bothering you?" He asked as he stopped and turned back to her.

Ariana met his bright blue eyes and weighed if she wanted to tell him or not. He's very kind. He wouldn't laugh, she thought.

"I was just wondering how different my life would have been if I would have got to attend Hogwarts with the rest of my peers." She answered slowly.

His eyes filled with understanding. "Ahh. That ,I'm sorry, I cannot tell you." He said slowly then ironically added. "The events from the past have made you the woman you are today and the choices you make in the present will make you the woman you will become tomorrow."

Ariana ran those words over in her mind.

"Thank you Albus." She said.

"Also, I don't make it a habit of interfering in others private lives but I feel obligated to speak." Dumbledore said and noticed Ariana visibly stiffened.

"I've never seen Remus happier than the time he's spent with you and I dare say you haven't been happier either." He continued and watched as she shifted her eyes uncomfortably. "Those are things to consider. Well, good day Ariana."

"Good day." She finally said into the quite hospital wing after he'd gone, feeling more confused than ever as she processed what Dumbledore said. The choices I make in the present will shape who I am tomorrow, she thought resolutely.