Disclaimer: I don't own anything so if you sue you get half of nothing!

AN: More new reviewers! Yeah! Welcome to the wild world of my imagination. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

Chapter 41 Accept Me

You are my soul, unique

My dream that's come to me

You know I can't change you

But then again, I don't want to

You seem to understand

When I say I need a loving hand

My dream who only loves me for me.

Janet Jackson "Accept Me"

Alexis was leaning on a chair holding her sides laughing at Remus. When she finally caught her breath, "I can't believe you asked that."

Remus shot her a dirty look as he continued to clean apple pie off of his left hand, "You can't just spring news like that on a guy and expect him to actually be coherent at first."

"Yes, but 'how the hell did that happen?'," Alexis burst into a fresh bout of the giggles,

"Remus do we need to have 'The Talk'?"

Remus threw the napkin he had been using to clean his hand down on the table, "If you are quite finished?"

"Wait just a sec," Alexis wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes, took a deep breath, and burst out laughing again, "nope not finished."

Remus stalked off muttering to himself.

Alexis still chuckling followed him to his office.

Once they were both seated Remus wasn't sure how to begin. Finally deciding just to spill it all out, "Alexis, I am very attracted to Amber and I believe that the attraction is mutual. However, I don't feel right pursuing a relationship with her unless she knows the truth about me. You're her friend, how do you think she will take the fact that I am a werewolf?"

"Remus, I don't really know Amber all that well. But what I do know of her I like and admire. She is continuing her healer training to specialize in magical bites, so I don't think she would be afraid of you. Also, with her Animagus form being a wolf, I would think that would give her a certain affinity for you as well. I know that you have to be careful who you reveal your condition to so if you would like, I can feel her out about it?"

Remus gave her a grateful look, "Thank you."

Alexis smiled back at him, "I want to invite her to the wedding this Saturday, so I'll ask her to meet me and I'll see if I can't work it into the conversation then."

"Great. What wedding Saturday? Who's getting married?" Remus was still distracted by thoughts of Amber so he was a little slow on the uptake.

"Filch and Mrs. Norris are getting married this weekend," Alexis teased.

"Oh that's nice it's about time the two of them made it official….what did you say?"

"I just wanted to see if you were paying attention," Alexis smirked, "Severus and I are getting married this weekend. Albus is performing the ceremony and I would like you to be there."

"Congratulations. I'm sure you and Severus will be very happy together. Although I am having trouble picturing him as a father."

"I think he is having the same trouble," Alexis admitted wryly.

Before Alexis went back to the dungeons she stopped by the owlery and sent a message to Amber asking when they could get together.

Slipping into the classroom so as not to disturb the students, she was just in time to prevent a fourth year from adding apocyrum instead of asphodel which would have had the whole class in the infirmary being treated for projectile vomiting. Alexis shuddered to think of all the cleaning spells that would have been needed.

Snape lifted an eyebrow at her in silent inquiry. Alexis just gave him a smile and took a seat in the back of the room where she could keep an eye on things. Halfway through the class, Snape caught her dozing off and insisted that she go to their rooms and lay down.

When Alexis woke up from her nap she found Amber sitting at the foot of the bed leaning back on one of the posts. She was nibbling on some Huneydukes fudge while staring up at the canopy. Seeing Alexis awake, Amber held out the tin of fudge and with another look at the brown stain Slinky hadn't been able to get out yet, "Do I even want to ask?"

Alexis blushed and grinned, "You're probably too young to know."

"Wait just a minute…I think I'm actually older than you are," nudging Alexis with her knee, "so spill."

"Well you know the Wronkski Feint?"

"The quidditch move?"

"Yes, well you ," Alexis stopped as Snape came in the room, "I'll tell you later. Hello Severus," Alexis moved over to make room for Snape to sit down.

Amber held out the tin of fudge to Snape with a wicked grin, "Come on Severus, sit with us. What more could a man want, a big bed with two beautiful women in it and a tin of fudge?"

"Is this my belated birthday gift?" Snape smirked to Amber's delight.

"Now I can tell that you have been hanging out with Alexis to long you naughty boy," Amber purred.

Snape glanced over at Alexis who was watching him with carefully hooded eyes, "What if I just settle for a kiss?"

Amber decided to see how far he would go, "You are the birthday boy," she kneeled on the bed and leaned toward him.

Snape walked up to her and gently cupped her face in his hands. Leaning down he watched as her eyes opened wide in surprise, and then he placed a brotherly kiss on her forehead, "Thank you for a wonderful birthday gift," before going to sit next to Alexis at the head of the bed.

Amber grinned at Alexis, "He is definitely a keeper."

Alexis just smirked and reached for another piece of fudge. Before she could get it to her mouth, Snape had taken it from her, "You need to eat something more than fudge for dinner," he chided as he ate the candy.

Amber looked at Alexis and noticed that she seemed to have a glow about her. She then watched how Snape was treating Alexis as if she was made of spun glass and watching what she ate. Being a trained healer she quickly added it up, "So when are you due?"

"Due for what?" Snape smirked.

"When is the baby due?" Amber smirked right back at him, "I am a healer after all."

Alexis leaned against Snape as she answered, "Poppy thinks the babies will be here at the end of July or the first of August."

"Babies?" Amber gasped, at Alexis' nod she squealed and launched herself at the startled couple to give them a big hug, "Congratulations. I'm going to be an aunt. I am so excited. You will let me be an aunt to your rug rats won't you? Boys or girls or one of each? Or is there more than two?"

"Of course you can be Aunt Amber," Alexis laughed, "Boys and only two."

"There is so much to do. We have to have a shower. And you have to get up a list of the baby things you will need and who you want invited to the shower," Amber was off and running.

Alexis and Snape exchanged looks of surprise.

Finally Alexis interrupted, "Amber, I think we have time for all that. After all it is only January. What I was thinking the first thing that Severus and I needed to do was get married."

Amber stopped in mid-word and squealed again, "A wedding!" You will need a dress and attendants, and flowers…"

"And there she goes again. Severus, why don't you order us some dinner? I think this is going to take a while."

Snape just nodded and headed into the sitting room.

Alexis cast a silencing charm on Amber. It took Amber a moment to realize that while she was still talking there was no sound coming out. Giving Alexis a filthy look she started shaking a finger in her face and mouthing all sorts of obscenities.

Alexis smirked, "Small wedding, this Saturday, Dumbledore officiating, you and a very few others invited."

Amber's face fell as all her plans for the wedding of the century went up in smoke.

"But we will have a large reception later in Draluck Manor that you can plan for us if it will make you happy," Alexis offered her crestfallen friend as she removed the charm.

Amber perked up at the promise of a big party to plan.

"Now on to other items of interest," Alexis smiled, "How did things go with you and Remus Saturday after the game? I didn't see him at dinner."

Now Amber blushed, "I really like him Alexis. He is sweet and nice and smart and handsome," with a sly smile, "and a really good kisser."

"Details woman," Alexis demanded.

"Well it was only the one real kiss at the end of the evening, but my toes curled," Amber confessed.

"That is usually a sign of a good kisser. Severus still makes my toes curl," with a sigh.

"Do you still get the butterflies in your stomach," Amber questioned.

"Yes. I hope I always get butterflies and curled toes. If it ever stops I am going to kidnap him and lock ourselves away until it comes back," Alexis vowed.

"Good plan," Amber agreed.

Alexis was trying to think of a way to introduce the topic of werewolves when Amber surprised her by bringing it up, "Alexis, have you ever known anyone who was bitten by a werewolf?"

"Just one person," Alexis replied carefully.

"You know I am studying to specialize in magical bites for my healer training," Amber continued at Alexis' nod, "Today we studied werewolf bites. They had case studies of actual victims," Amber was looking at the wall behind Alexis, "The records are supposed to be confidential and the names of the patients are never to be revealed. Not even to the students. Of course the ministry doesn't really care if people find out who has been infected so usually there is at least one place in the records where they 'forget' to erase the patient's name. Luckily most healers who chose to specialize are not as prejudiced as the general public. Can you guess whose record I studied?"

Alexis nodded, "He wanted to tell you himself."

Amber smiled slightly, "With all I am sure he has been through, I don't blame him for not telling me. After all we have only really known each other a few days."

Alexis pulled her close in a one armed hug, "Does it make a difference?"

"That he is a werewolf or that he didn't tell me?"

"Both," Alexis squeezed her shoulders gently.

"The fact that he is a werewolf makes no difference to me. The fact that he didn't tell me, honestly hurts some. But I really can understand it, so it won't make a difference."

"Good. I think you two are perfect for each other," Alexis grinned, "Now let's go see if Severus has managed to get us some food. I'm starving."

The two women moved into the next room just as there was a knock on the door. Snape answered and let Remus into the room, "Lupin," Snape greeted him coolly.

"Severus, nice to see you tonight," Remus replied cordially.

"Remus, you are just in time to join us for dinner," Alexis invited.

"Alexis, Amber," Remus nodded at them in greeting never taking his eyes from Amber, "I wouldn't want to impose."

"It wouldn't be an imposition," Alexis assured him as she walked over to Snape, "plus it will give us a chance to talk about the wedding preparations."

"In that case, thank you," Remus smiled finally looking at Alexis.

There was a loud pop and Slinky appeared with dinner for four.

Alexis smirked at Snape, "Slinky is very efficient."

"Yes he is," Snape agreed without admitting that he had been the one to send Slinky to Remus' quarters with a message asking him to come by before dinner.

The two couples enjoyed dinner and finalized what plans that needed to be made for the Saturday wedding. Alexis wanted to invite Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny. Snape objected strenuously to that. Everyone was surprised when Remus agreed with Snape that no students should be invited. It would only cause resentment if only a few were included.

Snape did agree that a reception over the Easter holidays would be appropriate. He did compromise that maybe they would see if Albus would agree to a feast the last night before the break and announce it to the students then.

Amber and Alexis made arrangements to go robe shopping after Amber got off work tomorrow afternoon.

Amber looked at the time, "I had no idea it had gotten so late. I have early shift tomorrow so I had better get home. I'll see you tomorrow at four Alexis. Goodnight Severus," a quick kiss on his cheek, "Remus would you walk me to the gates?"

"It would be my pleasure Amber. Goodnight and thank you for dinner," Remus smiled in surprise as Alexis gave him a hug and kissed his cheek.

As Remus walked Amber to the gates she could tell he had something on his mind. She had her arm linked in his and was content just to walk with him. They were about half way down the walk when Remus stopped, "I know you want to get home, but I was hoping you could give me just a few minutes to tell you something?"

Amber nodded at him and walked with him over to a bench. Remus brushed the snow off the seat and cast a warming charm.

"I don't know how to tell you this, other than to just come out and say it. I like you to much to let us continue without you knowing about my condition," Remus looked off over the snowy landscape, "Amber, when I was a child I was bitten by a werewolf. I control the monthly transformation with the wolfsbane potion. If you don't want to have anything else to do with me, I will completely understand."

Remus felt a warm hand on his cheek turning his head, lifting his eyes to hers, he saw nothing but acceptance, "Well, good thing my animal form is a wolf and not a rabbit," she teased gently.

Remus pulled her into his arms and leaned down to kiss her hungrily. He caught Amber's gasp of surprised pleasure in his mouth and deepened the kiss. Slanting his mouth across hers and lightly tracing his tongue along her lips. She responded by gently sucking it into her mouth. Remus groaned as the sensations shot all the way to the center of his body. He could feel her smiling against his mouth as she released his tongue and began to trail kisses along his jaw.

Remus slipped his hands under her robes and pulled her even closer. Amber's hands were tangled in his hair as she moved back to his lips, catching his bottom lip in her mouth and sucking on it before letting it go to press more kisses down his neck. Remus' hands were roaming across her back and down her sides trying to pull her even closer.

Amber found his ear and breathed out, "Come home with me tonight."

Remus pulled back slightly and then lifting her into his arms he headed the rest of the way out of the school grounds. The still night was broken by the sound of a loud pop as someone apparated.