When It Rains

Disclaimer: Hum dee dum, if I owned Potter I'd buy some gum. But I have neither Harry Potter nor gum. And that makes me sad.

Author's Notes: This is going wonderful, you guys just keep me inspired and writing. If it weren't for you, I'd probably quit. So thanks to all my reviewers, readers, and anybody in between!

'Is it love tonight
When everyone's dreaming
Of a better life
In this world
Divided by fear
We've got to believe that
There's a reason we're here
Yeah, there's a reason we're here.' --Our Lives --Song continued at bottom, cause I love it--

Insert Stupid Werewolf Pun Here

"It all started during the hottest part of the Summer, when I was about five years old. We were vacationing in this small log cabin near a pond…" he began..

::REMUS'S FLASHBACK::

Remus giggled as his father started tickling him, his mother smiling at the two from over her book.

"You're going to break the lamp," she said seriously, though she couldn't disguise the wide grin she still held.

"Aw, mama!" Remus said, sitting up as his father stopped the tickle torture. "We was just having fun!"

"It's 'we were having fun' dear," his father corrected, "and your mother is right. We'll break something. So I win."

"Nuh-uh!" Remus gasped. "That's no fair, you're big."

"That's because he eats his vegetables," his mother chuckled.

"She's right, you know," his father patted his healthy looking stomach. "It's all spinach and carrots for me!" When his mother turned back to her book, his father leaned over to him, "I hate vegetables!" he whispered. Remus snickered mischievously, putting a hand to his mouth as if he'd been told a big secret.

His mothers eyes peered over her book and she straightened her glasses. "What are you two up to?" she asked.

"Nothing, mama," Remus said, smiling widely and giving his dad a look. His dad returned it and nodded at his mother.

"Well Remus, Rebecca, I think I'll go fix us up some lunch," he said.

"Picnic!" Remus shouted, jumping up onto his knees. Rebecca looked at him.

"That's a wonderful idea," she approved. "Patrick and I will go fix some things, Remus, why don't you find us a basket and a blanket that we can use?" The three got to work, finding everything they would need to have a nice picnic. When Remus had found suitable objects, he walked into the kitchen and placed them on the table.

He had gotten a small, tan picnic basket. It was woven together and looked sturdy, yet antique. The blanket he had gotten was a soft, woolen green cover. It was perfect to sit on, it was magicked so it wouldn't get dirty and it was comfortable.

"Good job, son," complimented Patrick, patting his son's straggly, brown hair.

"Thanks papa," Remus grinned. Patrick and Rebecca finished their work on the food and they placed each thing carefully in the basket. Folding up the blanket, Rebecca placed it on topand then slipped her arm through the handle.

"Off we go!" she said, leading the way outside the door.

The spot they had chosen to vacation was magnificent. It was sunny outside, no clouds in sight. And there were wildflowers everywhere. Meaning plenty of butterflies and rabbits. It was a picturesque place, like it was taken straight from a fairy tale. Surrounding the area was a small forest, not too overgrown but just enough so it looked enchanted. There lay a small path, winding its way into the forest with little orange stakes pegged into the ground to mark the edges.

"Are you sure it's safe?" asked Rebecca, looking over the forest warily. "What if there are monsters?"

"There's a spell on the path so that nothing can harm anyone on it,"Patrick explained. "And those little orange things are there so that you know where the path is and you don't go off it."

"Oh," she said, relieved that there were safety precautions taken on the forest. "Let's go then." Remus led the way with Rebecca and Patrick following, hand in hand.

"It's so pretty," Remus said, eyes sparkling as they darted back and forth, looking at everything they could find. They walked mostly in silence, admiring the nature around them with only a few comments here and there from the little boy. At about one, they had reached their destination around the pond. By then, they were all hungry and hot, excited that they now had time to relax.

The pond was as beautiful as the forest. The water glittered in the afternoon sun and it was the clearest water this side of England. Small weeds and tall grasses grew around it, waving in the light breeze that passed by. A frog hopped into the water from a lily pad, making a small splash as it came in contact with the cool liquid.

Patrick laid out the blanket and Rebecca, the food. They sat in a triangle and munched and sipped happily on their meal.

"Only five more years until you go to school," Patrick said, striking up a conversation as his bit into his sandwich. "You're growing up so fast."

"I'm already growed up!" Remus said, taking a sip from his water bottle.

"You're already grown up, you mean," his mother revised. "And yes, you're my great big boy!" She held out a finger and wiped some dirt from above his eyebrow.

"Ah!" he yelled and he ran off away from them, chasing another frog that found its way out of the pond.

"Don't venture too far!" Patrick called out. "Don't go past the orange marks!"

"I won't!" Remus called back, scaring the frog into the water again. Patrick and Rebecca, sure that their son would be safe, laid back and rested their eyes, bathing in the warm light of the sun above. Remus squatted down near the pond, gazing around. Some tracks from a rabbit caught his eye and he stood up again, following them slowly. Soon enough, he had gone far away from the pond, his parents, and the orange markers. He found himself in another clearing, this one darkened by a canopy the trees made overhead. It was colder there and Remus wasn't sure where he was. He couldn't even see the tracks anymore.

"Mama?" he called out. "Papa?" When he realized they weren't going to answer, he grew scared. "Mama!"

Everything got ten times more frightening. The rustling of a bird in a tree would make him spin around. His heart was beating fast enough to give him away to any carnivore that may be lurking in the shadows, right outside the clearing.

"Papa…" he whispered, his eyes fogged up with tears. Then there was the growling. He whimpered and backed away from the noise as much as possible, cornering himself into a tree. He stared avidly into the darkness ahead of him, seeing glowing yellow eyes. "Mama…"

Out it stepped, so he could see it much more clearer. He didn't want to. He didn't want to at all. Where were his mother and father? Surely they knew he was out here? Wouldn't they come soon? He was lost and afraid. He wanted them there. They'd know what to do. Maybe the doggie in front of him was nice. But then why was it looking at him like that...

It pounced. It's huge paws hit his chest, knocking him sideways onto the ground. It stood on him, growling down at him. It's face was mere inches away from his own and he could smell its putrid breath. It's teeth were slobbery and stained with blood. It growled menacingly, it's wet nose almost touching his own. He tried to roll away but he suddenly felt a very sharp, agonizing pain in his right leg.

"Agh!" he screeched out, trying to swat the thing away. His hand didn't come in contact with the werewolf, but with his own leg rather. He pulled his hand back up and saw it covered with crimson blood, the pain spiking up and through his entire body.

"Remus!" he heard his father shout before everything went blurry and then faded into nothing…

"Dumbledore got the Ministry to let me come here on account that I'm not a danger to anyone," he said, chewing apprehensively on the side of his mouth. "He grew the Whomping Willow. Under it is this path that leads into Hogsmeade and into what's now known as the Shrieking Shack. I go there and spend the night, not hurting anybody. Well, except myself that is. James, Sirius, and Peter already know. They're trying to become Animagi so that they can come with me when I transform. I know it's dangerous, but maybe if they come, I won't be so bad off. I don't have any sick relatives, at least not that I know of. I'm sorry I had to lie to you…it's just…I hate it. Everyone outcasts me when they know and look at me as if I have a disease or something. And it hurts… I didn't want you to think I was some kind of freak."

When he stopped talking, he looked at Kiora, expecting her to say something. He was a bundle of nerves, but she didn't help that much. She was staring straight ahead, past him and off into space with her mouth hanging open. She didn't blink or move at all.

"Kiora?" he asked meekly. "Kiora…please say something…" It wasn't that she didn't want to say anything, it was just she couldn't. She couldn't believe this. He was a werewolf? There was nothing wrong with that…it was just the shock of it all. Learning that your best friend is a werewolf wasn't an everyday thing. She kept on staring straight ahead, thoughts swarming her mind. This was awful. She could never guess how horrible he must feel, every time he changes…she didn't even know what to say. "Kiora…" She turned her head finally and looked at him. Her mouth was still hanging open and there was deep hurt mixed with confusion and madness in her eyes. Why did he even have to consult Dumbledore to come to the school? People and their prejudices, she would never understand. And a part of her was scared. She couldn't deny that. What if one day he wasn't so careful and he bit her? She wasn't sure she could handle that. It was all too much. She finally closed her mouth and blinked, looking away. She stood up and, giving him one last look, walked out of the room.

She walked down the halls, slowly and silently. She wasn't even paying attention to where she was going. She felt like she was going to cry. She felt like she was going to scream. She just felt…something. As she walked, she came upon two red-heads and they were…er…deeply distracted with each other. When they noticed Kiora, however, they stopped their antics and blushed the color of their hair.

"We were just…" Arthur rubbed the back of his head.

"Um...Kiora, this is Arthur Weasley. You know him, right?" Molly explained. Kiora nodded and gave a polite smile.

"Sorry to interrupt," she said and she began walking again.

"No…we were…studying!" Arthur called after her. She kept on walking, her mind always trailing back to Remus. Whatever she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about him. 'Why'd he even tell me?' she pondered. 'But it is nice to know…has he lived with this secret for six years?'

She absentmindedly bumped into Professor Dumbledore. She looked up in surprise and stammered.

"I….sorry…room….story….was going to….Remus," she babbled.

"That's not even a sentence," Professor Madrid scowled, coming up behind her. She gulped and lowered her eyes to the floor.

"Now, now," Professor Dumbledore said. "The poor girl looks about in tears. What's wrong, Kiora?" She looked up at Dumbledore and he held a hand to her back, pushing her along lightly to walk with him. She was just thankful she got away from Madrid.

In tears, she started to explain about what Remus told her. She figured it was safe to tell Dumbledore, so long as she was sure no one else could hear. Dumbledore already knew anyway.

"I just don't know what to do," she sniffled.

"Ah, I see your predicament," Dumbledore said. "But answer me this: what would you do in Remus's spot? He's experienced many a thing with people judging him, turning their backs on him when he needs them the most."

"He is my friend…" Kiora nodded.

"Friends," Dumbledore smiled warmly. "Friends are our trust and our hope, in living form. They save our lives. Without trust and hope, you have nothing to work for, nothing to believe in. Without friends or family or someone you can confide in, you become an unmitigated empty shell. Some people even say that friends are angels without their wings."

"I guess I understand," Kiora thought on it. "Actually, I do. Before I met all my friends, especially Remus, I never talked to anyone. I was all alone and so quiet. I still am, I suppose. But now I can actually talk to someone, let them know how I'm doing. And it makes me feel so much better…" And she realized, that's really all Remus wanted. That's why he told her. Besides the fact that he probably thought she should know.

"You're a very smart girl," Dumbledore beamed before leaving her for his office. 'I've got to apologize to Remus…' she told herself, running the other way to go find him.

When she arrived at the Room of Requirement, she couldn't see the door anymore. But there was a painting nearby of a stern looking wizard, a large purple feather in his hat.

"Excuse me," she asked, tapping his portrait frame softly.

"Hmm?!" he asked in a very squeaky yet poetic voice.

"Have you seen a boy around here? He has brown hair and kind of golden colored eyes," she said. The portrait blinked widely and looked around.

"Aye, I suppose I have," he said.

"Could you tell me where he went, please?" she asked. The portrait looking a little befuddled again before nodding his head.

"Indeed, mm, I can tell you. Mmhmm," he said. He seemed to drawl on, it slightly annoyed Kiora but she dealt with it.

"Where?" she repeated.

"To…mm…" he looked around sharply again, his eyes bugging out. He was an odd person. Or portrait, for that matter. "The library, mmhmm. That is where he went, indeed."

"Thank you so much," Kiora smiled. The portrait nodded, his feather bobbing up and down.

"Aye, thank you! Mm, I haven't talked to a student in…um…mm…five years or so. Mmhmm."

"It was nice talking to you!" she said as she rushed off in the direction of the library. When she reached the entrance to it, she let out a deep breath and walked inside. She looked around, spotting a few students reading and doing assignments. In a far corner, she saw Remus sitting with a book in his hands, staring down at it. She could tell he wasn't really reading. When he read, his eyes get this look in them and his mouth twitches. 'How do I know that?' she wondered.

She approached him and smiled. "What are you reading?" He looked up and a flash of stupefaction crossed his face.

"Just….nothing," he said, replacing the book on a nearby shelf. "I thought you hated me." Kiora shook her head.

"I couldn't hate you," she said, eyes watering up again. "You're the best friend I've ever had Remus. You actually get me when nobody else does. I don't care if you're a werewolf or if you turn into a turtle every time someone says the word, 'Lemonade.' You are who you are and I'll be darned if anyone ever wants to change that."

Remus now had a glint of tears in his owneyes as he smiled at her. "You really mean that?"

"Blimey, I've never cared about anyone more than I do you," she said.

Did she just say that out loud? She blushed and quickly looked away. She really liked Remus. There wasn't anyone else like him. She felt good around him and safe. She knew everything about him and she was still finding things out. He didn't care that she wasn't so good looking and that there were so many other girls that were better at sports and at being girly. He liked her and she liked him for that. But did she really have to say it out loud?

Her thoughts were washed away as she felt a warm hand on the side of her face.She grew hot and her heart felt like it was about to thump out of her chest and run away. She looked up at him and he leaned into her.

Holy glory hallelujah, he was kissing her! At first she felt strange, like she didn't know what to do. She blinked at his closed eyes and then she finally just went with it, closing her own. His lips were really soft and light… Before she could think anymore, he pulled away.

"You smell good," he said. 'What a weird thing to say…' she thought. Of all the movies she had seen and the books she had read, people usually said, 'I love you' or something to that effect after kissing. But Remus was an original person. That's what was best about him.

"Thanks," she grinned. They stared at each other in silence for a minute, though it wasn't so much of an awkward silence as it was an understood one. "Did you know…" she finally spoke up, "that your eyes are golden?"

He smiled at her and took her hand, walking with her back to the Gryffindor common room. Butterflies were flying all through her stomach but she felt right… Like this was where she should be.

It was like she was flying.

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Katie: Really? Hehe, that's so cool! I didn't know that!

Schnebz: The couch always seems like a good hiding place for anything. And good job with your fic, like I said in the review. Update!

Kayhera: I LOVE INUYASHA! That's my favorite show ever! The only three anime cartoons that I watch are Inuyasha, Case Closed, and Full Metal Alchemist. But Inuyasha is the best. I like Sesshoumaru…hehe, Fluffysama!

Pepsigirl: Yay for favorites! I love being on people's favorites. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I was in the Christmas spirit when I wrote that, I had just gotten finished watching some Christmas shows on television.

A/N: I noticed that this may seem like the last chapter of the story, it's not…Hehe. I promise that there will be a lot more to come. And as I said, here's more lyrics to that song:

'Cause these are the days worth living
These are the years we're giving
And these are the moments, these are the times
Let's make the best out of our lives
See the truth, all around
Oh, our faith can be broken
And our hands can be bound
Oh, but open our hearts
And fill up the emptiness
With nothing to stop us
Is it not worth the risk?
Yeah, is it not worth the risk?'