Chapter 21: Moments In Time

Accalia paced her bedroom. News had just come from of Lucius Malfoy's conviction.

Remus had owled her to say he would be back at Hogwarts soon.

Remus had left just over a month ago and it was now only a week until Valentine's Day. She had missed him so much. It didn't seem stupid at the time but looking back

Accalia smiled as she thought about how she had slept in one of Remus's jumpers he had left in her room and how she inhaled the scent of him as she fell asleep.

Accalia stared out of the window at the sky. She crossed her arms around herself as she watched a star shoot across the sky.

Suddenly the bedroom door creaked open behind her. Accalia closed her eyes in hope before slowly turning around.

A familiar silhouette stood in the door, a suitcase in each hand. Accalia breath hitched in her throat.

"Remus..." breathed Accalia.

Remus dropped the suitcases as Accalia rushed up to him throwing her arms around him.

"I missed you so much!" whispered Accalia feeling a tear fall down her face.

Remus pulled back from Accalia brushing his thumb over her cheek.

"I've missed you like crazy," whispered Remus.

Suddenly Remus claimed Accalia's lips in a burning kiss. Their tongues met in yearning frenzy as the rush of emotions engulfed them.

Remus kicked the door shut behind him as Accalia pulled the robes of his shoulders.

He picked Accalia up causing her to wrap her legs around his waist.

They never made it to the bed.

--

Accalia and Remus lay on the couch in front of the fireplace, bodies wrapped around each other with a blanket covering them.

"I think I should go away more often," smiled Remus resting his forehead on Accalia's.

"Don't you dare," whispered Accalia.

"Anything happen while I was away?" enquired Remus resting up on one arm.

"It's been quiet actually. Even Draco Malfoy has been quiet," said Accalia.

"Makes sense really. His father has just been sent to a fate worse than death," said Remus.

"You can't help but feel at least somewhat sorry for him," stated Accalia.

"I would if he was slightly less like a younger version of his father," sighed Remus.

"I'll tell you one thing. People have not been enjoying DADA as much since Severus has been teaching it. I've never seen Neville Longbottom so pale!" smiled Accalia rubbing her toes on the base of Remus's spine.

Remus let out a low chuckle, which turned to a throaty moan as Accalia circled his nipple with her fingernail. Accalia smiled as goosebumps spread over Remus's chest causing her skin to react in the same way.

"I need you... now!" whispered Remus stroking Accalia's waist.

"I've needed you all month," whispered Accalia her hand disappearing under the blanket.

--

"Remus!" smiled Harry the next morning as Remus made his way to the DADA classroom, "You're back!"

"Yeah. I got back last night. I would have come to see you if it hadn't been so late," smiled Remus.

"That's all right! I'm just glad you are back. I don't think I could take another lesson with Snape!" stated Harry.

"Surely he's not that bad!" said Remus.

Harry looked at him dubiously.

"Okay maybe not!" chuckled Remus.

"So how's your aunt?" enquired Harry as they continued walking.

"Um...She's fine now. Just fine," smiled Remus.

"That's good," smiled Harry as they entered the classroom.

"Where are Ron and Hermione?" asked Remus while made his way up to his desk.

"Off snogging somewhere probably," said Harry, "Remus?"

"Hmmm?" murmured Remus looking up from Snape's class notes.

"It really is good to have you back," smiled Harry as other students entered the room.

Remus had thought it was a really good returning lesson if he hadn't felt Draco Malfoy's eyes on him the whole time.

--

At the end of the day Remus was sorting the essays the class had done during his absence when the door clicked open behind him.

When he turned to face the visitor it wasn't whom he had assumed.

"Mister Malfoy? Wh...What can I do for you?" smiled Remus uneasily standing up.

Draco Malfoy stood in the doorway but didn't say anything as he made his way up to the front of the classroom. Malfoy didn't stop walking until he was face to face with Remus.

"Are you happy now?" spat Malfoy.

"What are you talk..." began Remus.

"What I'm talking about?" spat Malfoy, "Did you enjoy sending my father to hell?"

"Draco..." murmured Remus.

"Don't you DARE call me by my first name! Did you really think my father wouldn't inform me who was sentencing him to the dementors kiss?" seethed Malfoy.

"Mister Malfoy I had no choice!" argued Remus.

"Right... 'I had no choice!'" sneered Malfoy backing Remus against a wall, "Well I 'have no choice' but to make you pay! You're gonna wish you were never born!"

And with that Malfoy turned on his heel and took off out of the door.

Remus let out a deep breath in release. What was he going to do? One thing for sure he wasn't going to tell Accalia.

He just couldn't!

--

"Are you all right?" asked Accalia that evening at dinner, "You've hardly touched your food."

"I'm fine," smiled Remus as he picked at his potatoes, "I'm just not that hungry, that's all."

"Sure?" smiled Accalia brushing her hand against Remus's.

"I'm sure," smiled Remus.

--

It had turned midnight on the thirteenth of February.

"Happy Valentines Day," smiled Accalia stroking the sparse hair of Remus's chest as they lay in Remus's bed.

"You too," whispered Remus kissing the top of Accalia's head as he pulled her closer into him.

"Just think, in a few hours, we're finally going to be telling Severus about us," sighed Accalia.

"Not to mention the whole school," added Remus.

"I'm just surprised Tonks has kept her mouth shut," laughed Accalia.

"Well, I've got a feeling that Molly has told Arthur," murmured Remus.

Accalia looked up at him slightly worriedly.

"Don't worry about it. I said I thought she might have told him. At Christmas he kept winking at me whenever you entered the room," smirked Remus.

Remus was silent for a second, contemplating on telling Accalia that Charlie also knew.

"Accalia?" whispered Remus.

"Mmmm?" murmured Accalia closing her eyes and resting her head on his chest.

"Somebody else knows," admitted Remus.

Accalia's eyes opened again and she turned her head to look at Remus.

"Who?" asked Accalia simply.

"Charlie," answered Remus.

"Charlie? What did he say?" said Accalia.

"He just said make sure you look after her," said Remus.

"That's all he said?" murmured Accalia dubiously.

"Along those lines," smiled Remus.

"Oh...Okay," smiled Accalia resting back in to Remus's body.

"Accalia?" said Remus.

There was no answer.

"Accalia?" repeated Remus.

Accalia let out a low, quiet snore.

"Goodnight my love," whispered Remus.

--

Accalia woke just as the sun rose into the sky. She got dressed into the clothes she had on the night before, scribbled a note leaving on her pillow and kissed Remus lightly on the forehead as she left the room.

She made her way down the corridor towards the dungeons. She went to her 'transforming room', as she had named it, and sat down at the piano.

Accalia had sat and played at that piano so many times, the mornings after her changes. She would always admit she was scared of her transforming but she had never been as scared as she was now.

Accalia wanted to tell her brother, she wanted to shout to the whole world about her and Remus but still she was nervous, terrified in fact but she knew how right it would feel once they had finally revealed the truth.

--

Remus woke to find himself alone in his bed.

"Accalia?" whispered Remus sitting up.

Remus glanced down and saw the note on the pillow.

Remus,

I've gone for a walk. Don't worry about me I will be back soon. I just need some time to think.

I love you

Accalia

The problem was Remus would worry. He's would always worry about her for as long as he lived. He pulled his clothes on and dashed out of the room.

Remus had just passed the dungeons when he heard a few notes of the piano being played. He crept into the Potion's classroom and noticed a door next to Snape's office that he had not seen before. The music seemed to coming from in there.

He cautiously opened the door to find a beautifully decorated room. Accalia was sitting at a piano and was lazily playing a few notes on the piano. Remus was about to speak when Accalia started humming and then played a few notes.

- Never knew... I could feel like this,

It's like I've never seen the sky... before,

Want to vanish inside your kiss -

- Seasons may change...winter to spring

But I love you... until the end of time -

- Come what may, come what may,

I will love you until my dying day -

- Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place,

Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace,

Suddenly my life doesn't such a waste,

It all revolves around you -

- And there's no mountain too high,

No river too wide,

Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side,

- Storm cloud may gather and stars may collide,

But I love you until of time -

- Come what may, come what may,

I will love you...-

Accalia stopped immediately as she heard the door creak open behind when Remus accidentally leaned forward.

"Remus?!" gasped Accalia in surprise as she turned around, "You made me jump!"

Remus didn't say anything as he shut the door behind him. He still made no sound as he crossed the room and sat next to Accalia. Remus smiled at her as he cupped Accalia's face in his right hand.

"Remus...?" whispered Accalia only to be silenced by Remus placing his thumb over her mouth.

Remus tilted his head to meet Accalia's lips with his. Accalia whom was surprised for a moment began kissing him back with the same fervour.

"What was that for?" gasped Accalia feeling rather out of breath as they pulled out from the kiss.

"That song... It was beautiful," breathed Remus resting his forehead against Accalia's.

"It's just how I feel," smiled Accalia modestly lifting her head to look at Remus.

"Everything about you is beautiful," smiled Remus, "I can't believe how lucky how I am to have found you."

Accalia just smiled before the tears came to her eyes.

"I mean it! Don't cry," chuckled Remus pulling Accalia into his arms, "You silly woman."

Accalia playfully thumped Remus's arm.

"Ow," murmured Remus rubbing his arm.

"Like that hurt!" laughed Accalia kissing his cheek as she rose from her seat.

"It does when you do it!" laughed Remus grabbing Accalia's hand as he followed her out of the room.

--

Accalia glanced at herself in the mirror. She wore a long dress that flowed down to the floor. The sleeves flowed over her arms. The main colour was red, which faded into orange and yellow making the dress look like it was almost on fire. She also wore matching red shoes.

Her dark hair had a slight hint of red to it as it shimmered in the light of her room. As she brushed a stray hair away from her face there was a knock at the door.

"Accalia?" came Remus's voice, "Art thou ready?"

"Art thou ready?" whispered Accalia confused as she grabbed her red clutch bag and opened the door.

Remus was kneeling, his gaze only falling unto the floor, his hand offering a red rose up to her. Accalia promptly took the rose from his hand smiling.

"Why thou not look upon me gentle sir?" said Accalia playing along with Remus.

"Thy is not so worthy to look upon such beauty of my fair lady," stated Remus.

"Is thou not gentle sir allowed if thy lady permits so?" whispered Accalia lowering herself to look at Remus.

"Does thy lady permit so?" whispered Remus.

"Thy lady demands it," said Accalia lifting Remus's chin up to look at her.

"Wow," murmured Remus breathlessly as stood up together, "You look beautiful."

"You don't look too bad yourself," smiled Accalia as she tiptoed up to kiss him.

Remus wore a black suit with a Gryffindor red tie and a sophisticated black robe with red piping around the lapels and sleeves.

Remus pulled her closer to him as he snaked his arm around Accalia's slim waist pressing his lips harder against hers.

"Couldn't we just give the ball a miss?" whispered Remus huskily pushing Accalia against the wall.

"As much as I'd love to...we can't," sighed Accalia as Remus softly kissed her neck.

"All right. So, are you ready?" smiled Remus holding out his arm to Accalia.

"Ready as I'll ever be," smiled Accalia giving Remus her arm.

--

"Where is Accalia?" murmured Snape scanning the elaborately decorated hall.

"They'll be here soon," said Tonks absent-mindedly as she sipped her drink.

"Who's they?" asked Snape.

"Err...well...um," stuttered Tonks realising her mistake.

"Who are they?" demanded Snape making Tonks look straight at him as he grabbed her upper arms.

"Accalia and, um...Remus," smiled Tonks nervously.

"Lupin?" murmured Snape slowly letting go of Tonks's arms.

"There they are now," sighed Tonks almost in relief, "Wow. Doesn't Accalia look lovely?"

"Yes," mumbled Snape as he eyed his sister and Remus entering the hall.

--

"Are you okay?" whispered Remus.

"I'm fine. Just a bit nervous I suppose," smiled Accalia anxiously.

"It'll be all right. I promise," assured Remus.

"I hope so," whispered Accalia as she spotted her brother heading in their direction.

Remus followed Accalia's gaze and gulped apprehensively.

"Accalia," smiled Snape, "You look wonderful."

"Thank you Severus," smiled Accalia.

"Lupin," stated Snape impassively.

"Severus," smiled Remus.

There was a very awkward silence.

"Severus. I have something I need to tell you," sighed Accalia breaking the silence.

"Yes?" said Snape.

Just at that moment the high-pitched feedback of an enchanted microphone resonated throughout the hall. Everyone turned to face the stage.

"Um...Hi...Sorry...Um, I'm Ginny Weasley. I helped organise this night so I hope you all enjoy it. So without further ado please welcome The Weird Sisters," announced Ginny.

Once the first song began Snape turned back to face Accalia.

"Accalia, what did you want to tell me?" enquired Snape.

"Oh... It's nothing important," smiled Accalia.

"Are you sure?" asked Snape.

"Honestly... It's fine," smiled Accalia, "Come on Remus. Let's dance."

"Um...okay," said Remus as Accalia pulled him onto the dance floor.

"Accalia! Why didn't you tell him?" whispered Remus as they danced to the slow song.

"I couldn't. The moment was there but then it was gone. Don't be angry with me," explained Accalia.

"I'm not angry with you Accalia," said Remus softly, fighting the urge to kiss her.

"I love you," smiled Accalia stroking the hair on the back of Remus's neck.

"I love you too," smiled Remus, "Accalia?"

"Mmmm?" murmured Accalia resting her head on Remus's shoulder.

"If I don't kiss you now I think I'm going to burst," whispered Remus.

"Well we don't want that do we?" smirked Accalia leading Remus off the dance floor and out on to a deserted balcony.

Before Accalia could say a word Remus sealed his mouth over hers. Remus felt his excitement grow as Accalia moaned into his mouth. Remus growled as Accalia's hand un-tucked his shirt and slid up his firm stomach. Accalia chuckled as the muscles flexed under her touch.

Accalia sighed when Remus deepened the kiss, well that was until Remus was pulled off her by...

"Severus!" exclaimed Accalia as Snape grabbed Remus by the collar and punched him straight in the face.

"Severus! Get off him!" exclaimed Tonks as a crowd began to form.

Snape hit Remus again.

"That has got to hurt!" grimaced Ginny holding onto Harry.

Accalia knew Remus was strong but he would never fight back. He wouldn't use his strength on another human being, it really wasn't in his nature

"Fight, fight, fight!" chanted Ron and some other boys.

"Ron! That is not helping!" exclaimed Hermione

Snape had Remus on the floor was ready to throw another punch when Accalia seized Snape's pulled back arm.

"If you hit him again I'll never, ever forgive you," hissed Accalia.

Snape tried to pull his arm from her grip but she did not let go.

"Don't try me Accalia," snapped Snape.

"No Severus," snapped Accalia, "Don't try me!"

Accalia tightened her grip and pulled Snape roughly off Remus causing him to stumble backwards. Accalia helped Remus onto his feet.

"Are you all right?" asked Accalia concernedly.

"I'm fine," said Remus even though his nose and his lip were bleeding quite heavily.

Accalia pulled her wand from the inside of the sleeve and performed the scourgify charm on Remus. The blood disappeared as the bruises began to form on Remus's face.

"Have you completely lost your mind?" came Snape's voice from behind Accalia.

Accalia turned around to face him.

"I didn't want you to find out like this..." said Accalia.

She suddenly she felt Remus's hand clasp around hers.

"How long had it been going on?" demanded Snape.

"Since the end of October," admitted Remus squeezing Accalia's hand tighter.

Snape whom already looked absolutely livid started to shake with anger as a wave of whispers swept over the onlookers.

"Get away from my sister," ordered Snape.

Remus didn't move, gazing at Snape defiantly.

Snape let out a ragged breath at Remus's insubordination.

"Severus, please calm down," whispered Tonks.

"Keep out of it Nymphadora," muttered Snape turning his head to Tonks.

"Maybe you should listen to her, Severus," said Remus.

"Didn't you hear me Lupin? I said get away from my sister," hissed Snape his head snapping back to face him.

"No," said Remus.

Snape started toward Remus.

"Severus, don't!" pleaded Accalia tearfully as Snape pushed her out of the way and grabbing Remus by throat, slamming him against the wall.

"Severus, I'm in love with him," declared Accalia.

Snape seemed to stop breathing and lose the power to move as he took in what his sister had just said. His grip loosened around Remus's throat as he turned to look at her.

"You what?" whispered Snape.

"I love him," said Accalia clearly sending another wave of whispers over the watching crowd.

"How?" uttered Snape letting go of Remus's throat.

"How?" asked Accalia.

"How can you love this...werewolf?" spat Snape.

"If you haven't forgotten... I'm one too," said Accalia.

Snape glanced around as gasps spread through the spectators.

"You said you didn't care but so obviously you do. You tried to forget what I was, what I am," said Accalia feeling the tears in her eyes, "Well I can't forget, I don't want to forget because it's who I am. And it's who Remus is."

Snape did something nobody expected.

"Do you love my sister...Remus?" asked Snape almost unemotionally.

Remus who was stunned for a moment answered in the only way he could,

"I love her more than anything in the world," said Remus.

"Then you'll let her go," said Snape.

"What? No!" whispered Remus utterly confused.

"It's either me, her brother, or you..." stated Snape.

"You can't make her choose!" exclaimed Remus.

"What will be your choice Accalia?" demanded Snape ignoring Remus.

Accalia looked at her brother and then at Remus. She could see the tears in Remus's eyes. She closed her eye letting the pent up tears ripple down her cheeks.

Accalia opened her eyes and walked towards her brother. Accalia slapped him across the face, hard.

"How dare you make me choose!?" snarled Accalia.

"A Snape is loyal to their family," stated Snape holding his face.

"You forget...I'm not a Snape," said Accalia, "I love you Severus, more fool me but... Remember you made me do this... I choose Remus."

Accalia turned back round to look at Remus as he let out a shallow breath.

"I love you Remus," whispered Accalia pulling Remus into her arms.

"Accalia are you sure about this?" whispered Remus.

"I love you more than you'll ever know. It's Severus's fault that he made me decide. He should have known I'd choose you, it'll always be you. You're the only thing that matters," whispered Accalia.

"I think we should leave," said Remus glancing around.

"So do I," said Accalia.

Accalia looked at her brother, his face to the floor. She felt almost sorry for him but remembered what he had made her do. She knew in her heart she would let him back into her life at once if he accepted her and Remus. Whether he ever would she did not know.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this," murmured Accalia lifting Snape's chin to look at her.

Snape didn't even blink.

"Accalia?" came Remus's voice.

Remus held out his hand to her. Accalia smiled lightly and slipped her hand into his.

"Come on everyone," announced Tonks ushering people out of the way.

"Thank you Tonks," smiled Accalia as her and Remus walked through the crowd.

"I'll talk to him Accalia," said Tonks.

"Do you think it will do any good?" asked Accalia.

"I really don't know," sighed Tonks as she watched Accalia and Remus leave the hall.

--My longest chapter yet. God, I hate the last part. Snape is so infuriating! Hopefully it will all be all right. Let's just say it will take A LOT to make Snape see the error of his ways. And Draco...well, he's just despicable! I know it's taken me a while to update but like somebody said I have been busy. My summer job has just started giving me more hours but I will keep writing so I hope to update soon. --

--Please read and REVIEW!

Helen88UK--