The next day was a complete blur for Maria. She got up and, not surprisingly, Severus announced he wasn't going to classes. When she walked into the great hall the first person she looked for, was the first person to catch her eye. Remus got up from his table and him and Maria walked out a side door into a not- so used corridor.
'Hey.' She said.
'Hey, how are you?' he asked.
'Good, not much happened between the last time I saw you and now.' She lied. It wasn't like she could tell Remus now, they were in the middle of the hallway, and anyone could be listening.
'So, what happens now?' asked Remus. True it was very upfront, no dilly-dally, but he couldn't take the suspense.
'I honestly don't know. I mean I guess that the houses can stand one mixed relationship, but two? I don't know. I mean… personally I say screw them, but what do you think?'
'I don't care about any of them, and it doesn't seem as if you do either. So what do you say, want to give this a shot?' asked Remus. It wasn't the most romantic thing, but they both felt like this wasn't a time for heavy romance so much as getting to the point.
'You bet.' Said Maria, her smile from ear to ear. Remus smiled too and leaned in and kissed her. Her pulled his head in a bit farther with her hand.
By the end of the day everyone knew about their new romance. And out of all of them not many were happy. They didn't like how all these "mixing of houses" would force them to be civil. But to the couples it didn't matter what anyone else thought. They were happy and couldn't be more content with each other. She knew his secrets, and he knew hers, and both of them accepted each other.
Even Severus had become lighter. Over the next few weeks there was a very obvious change in him. When he walked around, he seemed as if the world had been taken off his shoulders and that he was actually beginning to live.
He began to smile more, and occasionally you could hear him laugh.
'Hey Severus!' called Lily to him one day in the hall.
'Hey Lily.' He said awkwardly. They didn't often talk in public and he was worried for Lily's sake that one of his friends were around.
'How are you?' she asked.
'I'm fine why do you ask?' now he was curious.
'Well I dunno it's just that you've been acting very happy lately and I just wanted to try and make this little burst last as long as possible.' She smiled. It had truly made her happy to see him smiling.
Severus smiled a little sheepishly. 'Yeah well, there was something I thought I couldn't get away from, and well I got away from it. I suppose that's I cause for celebration.'
'Well, I think it's a wonderful improvement on an already wonderful person.' Giggled Lily.
'Why are you always so nice to me? I've never done anything remotely good for you but you still are kind to me.'
'I think you're just a good person who's had a tough life that he didn't deserve because he's better than it.' she smiled sadly. 'I hate how good people are the ones to get the bad lives.'
'Well thanks. No one has ever been so nice to me, except maybe Maria.' He smiled.
'Yes that is something that you deserved, Maria is a wonderful friend.' She smiled at him. 'Well I have to go, I have a herbology paper calling my name in screams.'
'See you around, Lily.'
'Bye Sev.' Said Lily going on her way.
Every time he saw her or spoke to her or just thought of her he felt a pang in his heart because he knew that she deserved better. He knew that however much he hated Potter, he would never try and take Lily from him. Lily deserved the best and deserved to be happy, and that was something he knew that Potter would make her.
At that very moment he was sure he would fight to protect her and if that meant helping Potter, the one person he loathed (though he had saved his life) than he would.
One night Maria and Remus decided not to go to dinner, but instead to stay in the Room of Requirement. They wanted to do their homework somewhere where they could help each other but not have to hush like in the library. Also they wanted to be somewhere where no one would bother them. So they had a little dinner and laughed in the room then began to work. As soon as they had finished Remus walked over to the long reclining couch that Maria was sitting in.
'We'll see each other this summer wont we?' he asked.
'What kind of question is that of course we will!' she exclaimed wondering why he would think any different. 'Why would you think otherwise?'
'I dunno. I mean this year has been great, wonderful, but I guess I'm always waiting for good things to end and the normal terribleness will occur.' He grimaced.
'Remus, look at me.' She said softly, forcing him to look her in the eye. 'I am not going anywhere. You will have to wait a very long time before you are rid of me.' She joked. 'But there is something I want to tell you, and you have to swear on my life and our relationship that you will not tell anyone before they must know, alright?'
'Of course.' He said.
'Severus is staying at my house for as long as he needs to. I cant tell you why exactly because it isn't my place to tell you, but I am telling you he will be living in my house because he must, because it is the best thing for him and I want him to be safe. Now don't worry there has never been a "thing" between us and there never will be. You are more than welcome to come to my house and stay as long as you want even over the full moon. I have a safe house that is more like a dungeon and if I say it, it wont open.'
She said all of this very slowly trying to let him process it as slow as he would need to. But the next thing that he said surprised her more than anything he could imagine.
'Okay.'
'Okay? Your not going to be weird about this?' she was shocked.
'No I trust you, and as much as I may not seem to, I trust in Snape. I don't trust him but I trust in him.'
'Remus, I think I'm falling in love with you.' Said Maria. 'How can I not?'
'Well that's too bad.' Said Remus and Maria felt so incredibly hurt. 'Because I'm in love with you already.'
Maria smiled more truly than she ever had. He loved her. Her. She thought briefly into the future and the only thing she could think about was Remus.
'I love you.' She said, and she meant it. She could never imagine being with anyone but him. And on that night they proved to each other how much they truly did love each other.
At the same time
Liv and Sirius were witting under a table in the library. It was dinnertime so there was no one around. For the first time in his life Sirius wasn't hungry for he was so nervous. He wouldn't show it but his hear was thumping so hard that if they stopped talking they would easily hear it. He was going to propose to Liv. He couldn't wait any longer he longed to show her that he had meant every word he said to her at the ball. He loved her completely. He didn't think any one person could have the capacity to adore and love someone as much as he loved Liv.
'Sirius, what do you think will happen to us in the future? This Voldemort character, he scares me.' Said Liv. They had been talking casually like old friends about current issues, and of course Voldemort was a large issue.
'Don't worry love, while James, Remus, Peter, and I are together nothing bad will ever happen to you. No one from the outside would can tear us apart.' Said Sirius.
'How do you do that?' she asked.
'Do what?'
'Even if it may be the most cocky, foolish, and sweat thing that you say, and I know that it is unlikely, you make me trust it is true.'
'Because you know I will never let anything happen to you.' He said. He leaned in and kissed her. Not a hungry passionate kiss, but a gentle romantic kiss. 'I love you.'
'I love you.' She said sincerely.
Sirius finally felt it was the right time. He pulled out a little black velvet box. 'Liv, will you marry me?' the ring was small, like her finger but strong like her will. It was a platinum band with red rubies lain into it and then three princess flawless diamonds. The silver was to represent Slytherin, and the ruby was to represent Gryffindor and the fact they were truly merging into one.
'You never even needed to ask me.' She said kissing him and smiling so widely it was beginning to affect her kissing him. She slipped the ring onto her finger. 'I love you, so much.'
'I think the only thing that could rival your love is that of mine for you.' He said.
Months before the end of the year, no one could be happier. Maria and Remus were now totally, mentally and physically, devoted to each other. Remus had decided that he would propose to her and for once he wasn't worrying about harming her because he knew they would make it work.
Meanwhile Liv and Sirius were totally ignoring all the stereotypes of being stressed about their wedding. Liv knew exactly what she wanted and surprisingly so did Sirius. She knew what dress what bridesmaid dresses which cake, when and where she wanted everything to be.
Sirius was in charge of the guest list. He invited all his favorite relatives including his cousin Andromeda and his favorite Uncle whose health was failing, but he still would hold out long enough to come. His parents were not invited but they probably wouldn't want to come anyway. He wanted to keep it small and so did Liv. Small, but extravagant. All their teachers were invited and Dumbledore had said he would be honored to assume the role as "minister" to the wedding.
Of course all their friends were invited as well as Liv's family. They were surprisingly accepting of Sirius as their future son- in law. They said though he turned his back on his family, that he was of good breeding and that they would come but they wouldn't walk her down the isle.
Liv didn't mind for she didn't want to be walked down by anyone other than herself. She had never been incredibly close with her family and she had already decided to giver herself away to him through and through.
Sirius wasn't even told, and he invited Severus and Lucius to the wedding. He knew that though he would always hate them that they were Liv's friends and that he would never even attempt to stop her from having the friends she had.
The whole thing may have seemed very complicated but they knew exactly what they wanted. Unlike most couples they could incorporate everything they individually wanted into the whole thing to make it all the better for everyone.
Sirius wanted to get married in the evening outside and Liv wanted to get married in Greece so it was settled that they would get married in Greece in the evening outside. They incorporated each others thought to create the perfect wedding.
The biggest surprise that they had was when a huge heavy package arrived to Sirius. It was from his mother. Inside was a load of galleons that would pay for at least half the wedding. In the letter it said that his father knew nothing of this nor would he care. Sirius was a horrible son but all the same he was her blood and she felt the need to at least show him that she approved of his choice. She didn't wan to come to the wedding and hoped they had a good life together but that Sirius would never hear from her till she died and he moved into her house.
Nothing could be happier for the couple.
Lily and James could never have been better either. They both had joined the Order of the Phoenix, which was a group that would stop at nothing to defeat Voldemort.
James still hadn't proposed but Lily knew he would. She smiled every time he came near her and he gazed upon her when she had fallen asleep in the common room.
Truly every couple was absolutely blessed.
Meanwhile, Maria was making preparations for Severus to come and live with her. She arranged for the master bedroom in the east wing to be made to what she thought he would like. A king sized four- poster bed with black and white sheets and black gauze curtains. White curtains that could be drawn during the day and heavy black ones that could be drawn so that the sun wouldn't wake him, all deep mahogany furniture with silver handles. A large white marble fireplace was on the wall opposite his bed and in front of it was a large black couch and two black squishy armchairs. There was a wall that had built in shelves and was covered with all sorts of books. There was a bathroom of black and white marble, and silver faucets attached to the bedroom. Down the hall were two rooms she had styled. One was full of books on defense against the dark arts, and the other was packed with every potion ingredient imaginable along with a huge cauldron in the middle. She was attempting to make his stay more cometorble and relaxed.
She knew that now he had no way of backing out after one thing that had pressed on his mind that he brought fourth one day.
'What if we start fighting?' he asked assuming that if they did that he would be thrown out.
'What would we fight about?' she asked, for they never fought. Before he began to list things she cut him off. 'If by the unlikely- hood we did fight, than I would yell at you, you would yell at me we would go to our individual rooms slam the doors fume for awhile than get over it. What did you think I would throw you out for your father to find you? No I would never do that.'
Severus just shrugged with the same embarrassed sheepish smile he gave to Lily.
The Quidditch team was also beginning to get nervous. In a few days they would play against Beaubatonx. Then they would play against Salem. Everyone was pretty positive on beating Beauxbatons, but Salem was a different story. No one had seen them play before except Maria, and she didn't even know who they players were. Apparently, Salem had anticipated that Maria would be on the team and changed all the players.
They practiced 4 days a week for 3 hours each. Sometimes on Saturdays they would practice for up to 5 hours. The closer they got to the deadline, the more worried they became.
Through this time Maria and James began to get closer. They had never been as close and she was with Sirius. Before she had always thought he was cocky and that he needed to grow up, but she was soon drawn to him just like everyone he talked to, and the same goes for him. It was considerably easier for them to work together because they had finally had the opportunity to bond.
They would walk together to their practices and then go and wander the halls afterward trying to (and successfully) find mischief. They would prank people who both of them could prank. Maria's favorite was to throw a dung bomb under Crumpguard's chair whenever she was madly trying to get into some guys pants'.
Soon the day of the match arrived. There was no putting it off. Maria and James were very stressed. James had stopped eating anything but pasta and other carbohydrates. And Maria had taken to eating lots of liquorish.
'Remus.' She said the day of the match.
'Yeah?' he asked.
'Tell me that we'll win.'
'You're going to win.' He said.
'Okay.' She said smiling a bit more it was time for her to go and change into her Quidditch robes. They were black and had the Hogwarts crest on the upper left chest and on the back with her number 13 on it.
Remus gave her a deep kiss for good luck and so she couldn't help but smile.
Everyone dressed in silence, completely in their own thoughts. U Soon the time came and Wood decided to give one of his famous speeches.
'I wont tell you not to worry because I know you till will. I wont tell you good luck because you don't need it. I wont tell you to do your best because I know that every time you play you give it your all. We have the best team that any school could ever dream about. We have been able to come over a thousand years' worth of rivalry between the houses, and any team that can do that can definitely beat a bunch of pansy's from wherever.'
The team cheered. Wood was one of those people who didn't have to try very hard to motivate you. It wasn't his natural charm or his sexy Scottish accent because even James felt motivated.
As they filed out onto the field they heard their names being announced in French than in English by someone they didn't recognize.
After James' name was shouted into the stands the players from Beaubatonx came out onto the field. They were in Quidditch robes of swirly blue and came out looking very pleased with themselves.
Sooner than Maria expected it, the game started.
Angelina rushed foreword and grabbed the Quaffle, the chasers seemed intimidated by her rough flying, and half attempted to take it from her. However the beaters were a very different story. They were absolutely vicious. She dodged many Bludgers with some difficulty but it wasn't enough to stop her from scoring. She heard the keeper begin to swear in French.
The French took control of the Quaffle. Maria noticed that they had superb technique. They seemed to flow like water through the field. To her their only problem was that they weren't very aggressive so they didn't want to confront any of the chasers.
They threw the ball towards the Quaffle and Wood easily got a hold of it and tossed it to Angelina.
Angelina passed the Quaffle to Marci who was flying inconspicuously ahead on the left. She rushed to the left hoop then made a sharp turn to the right not giving the keeper enough time to register that she had put the ball through the right hoop.
The beaters were getting mad and were taking it out on the players. Unlike some people in Hogwarts, they played by the rules. When the Quaffle was in scoring range they began to pelt Wood with Bludgers. Maria decided it would be best to hit them back at the beaters who where two huge boys. The first one she took a swing at got hit in the side of the head and didn't attempt anything for awhile while he tried to force his vision from spinning. The next one she hit at she missed. So she hit another Bludger at the chaser who was rushing for the goal. A millisecond after she hit it, the beater who had regained his vision threw himself at her. Not even bothering with a Bludger, he hit her in the head. Maria felt herself slip off her broom and grabbed hold of it in the last second. Amos rushed and helped her onto her broom.
'Are you alright?' he asked.
'Yeah I'm fine.' She heard a whistle blown. They had a penalty shot. Many in the crowd were astonished. Of all the players the Beaters were the least likely to be beaten. Marci easily put it into the hoop. Maria felt her head. There was blood leaking through her hair and spilling down her neck. She wouldn't let it stop her. She looked over at the Beater who had hit her. He had a smug smile on his lips and he looked at her hungrily.
The game resumed. James was floating over the pitch looking and waiting. At the same time the French Chasers were becoming more and more violent. They would elbow the Hogwarts chasers in attempt to make them fall. Just then you heard all the crowd gasping. James and the other seeker were neck in neck. They were speeding upward into the clouds, and then plummeted down to the ground. Amos shot one well-aimed Bludger toward the other seeker, clearing the way for James to sweep them to victory.
Final score:
Beauxbatons- 110
Hogwarts- 300
The cheering was deafening. It was what Maria would expect coming from the fans at a professional match.
In the spirit, Dumbledore had a party set up for the students in the great hall. There were kegs of butter bear, and pumpkin juice, and heaps of what seamed like half of Honeydukes. There was also real food like pastas and roasted chicken with mashed potatoes, and candied yams.
Maria went in with the rest of the team but soon broke off to find Remus. She had narrowly escaped the clutched of Madame Pomfrey who had wanted to keep her overnight. Wood and James tried for a moment to back her up, Wood saying that they needed her in full strength, and James putting it mildly that she was no good to them half dead but Maria pointed out that they needed all of them for the celebration or that would just be horrible. Eventually after much coaxing and half running away, Maria got away.
She ran into the great hall and immediately saw Remus standing with Sirius waiting for her. She ran over and jumped into his arms kissing him deeply.
'You were amazing!' he exclaimed. 'But how's your head? I saw that hit it didn't look very good.'
'Don't worry about me, Madam Pomfrey fixed me in a heartbeat.' Maria smiled. 'I'm just so relieved we won!'
'Yeah I think that Sirius and Snape are preparing the destruction of that Beater. You might want to watch out for them, I think that given the proper motivation that they may work together.' Joked Remus.
Remus still had his arms around Maria and she had hers around his neck. She pulled him down into a kiss again. 'You are the greatest.'
'Thanks.' He said. She just laughed. She walked over and gave Sirius a hug. She told him not to worry about the beater. It would only have been appropriate to kill him if they hadn't won. Sirius just said he wouldn't kill him but might be forced to hex him into oblivion if he ever saw him again.
After talking to Sirius she went out in search of Severus. He didn't seem to be in the great hall, so Maria went looking for him in the dorms. She found him in the common room looking in the fireplace.
'Hey.' She said.
'Hey. Wicked game, we're very lucky you came this year.' He smiled at her.
'Are you okay?'
'I think so.' He said somewhat unsure of himself. 'I don't know I just have a bad feeling.'
'About what?'
'I dunno, something.'
'Well don't worry too much. Nothing too bad can happen while we're here to protect each other.'
'That's just the thing, what if I'm not around? Or worse, what if you died?'
'Than you would live your life all the fuller, not taking for granted how short life is.' She was still smiling at him.
'I'm just thinking about you-know- who and I just cant shake the feeling that not all of us are going to make it.'
'If we do than we do and if we don't than we don't. There isn't anything we can do about that.' She said. Maria reached over and gave Sev a hug. He was rigid at first just like any other time she tried to give him a hug but he soon returned it.
The whole school was still gloating in the fact they won but they didn't have many people to gloat to. The Beauxbatons students had left late the night of their defeat. In Hogwarts, the Quidditch team was treated like royalty.
Wood was driving them harder than ever. He said they did a great job but that they needed to train extra because this whole tournament could be over for them is Salem beat them.
So Wood worked them he would have them practice up to 7 hours every Sunday. And up to 10 hours on Saturdays. Then on the weekdays they would meet 4 times and practice for 3 hours.
Maria was completely exhausted from all the practicing, but thankfully the teachers were going a bit lax on the work. The year was winding down and so they didn't give as much homework, but the classes were still very hard.
Maria looked foreword to Fridays, which were the only days she didn't have practice. She liked to hang out with Liv or Lily or Sev. But what she really looked foreword to was spending time with Remus.
Soon, all the 7th years began to seriously think about what they would do for jobs. After dinner, Maria was with Liv, and Severus and they were planning on what to do with their lives.
'So Liv, after you and Black get married, what are you planning to do?' asked Sev.
'I don't know actually. Back when we had career counseling I had expressed wanting to become an Auror but I'm not sure now.' She smiled. 'But mark my words I'll never become a housewife. What about you Sev?'
'I want to teach.' He said firmly.
'Why, you don't strike me as the type that is taken to kids.' Said Liv.
'I'd like to be able to stay in Hogwarts, really. It's been my home for so many years.' Said Sev. 'What about you, Maria? Any plans?'
'I think I might want to be an Auror. Or maybe even work in relations between Magical creatures and wizards. One of the biggest problems with our society is that no one gives magical creatures the correct respect.' Said Maria. 'Maybe I could work in changing laws so that more intelligent creatures have better rights.'
'You mean like werewolves?' asked Severus keeping and hints from his voice. Though Maria knew perfectly well that he meant Remus.
'Yes, like werewolves.'
The next day Maria and Lily were sneaking to Hogsmeade for a butter beer when they began to talk about future professions. When Maria told Lily about her idea Lily thought it was a great idea.
'Remus would be happy.' She said. 'That's such a good idea though. There are so many people who are against werewolves when all werewolves are, are people with a condition really. It doesn't make them any sort of person it just hinders them from some things.'
'What are you going to do?' asked Maria.
'I honestly don't know. I'm leaning toward being a healer. I love helping people.' Said Lily. 'Another thing though,' said Lily in a hushed tone. 'Do you know anything about The Order of The Phoenix?'
'You mean the group working against the Dark Lord? Yeah I reckon I've heard of it.'
'I want to join after we leave Hogwarts.' Said Lily. 'James has already said he would, and he knows better than to try and talk me out of doing it. Are you going to join?'
'Maybe. It's not like I want him to gain in power or anything, but there are some things I'd need to settle before doing that.' Said Maria. A part of her was thinking so Severus and another part of her was resting on the looming threat that she may not live so long.
'Well I know that Sirius is joining. So that'll mean that Remus and Peter are giving it a good thought.' Said Lily. They kept walking until they got to the Three Broomsticks.
'Have you seen the dresses that we have to wear for the wedding?' asked Lily.
'Yes, oh my god they are beautiful.' Said Maria. 'I had always heard of horrible stories of horrible bridesmaid dresses, but these are so pretty.'
Liv had shown Maria a few pictures of the bridesmaid dresses. They were a light green color with a spaghetti strap square- cut neckline. It was satin all the way down and was tight till the hips where it had a sort of bell shape. It was an open back with strings that you could tie instead of a zipper.
As odd as it seemed Sirius and Liv had decided to have a wizard wedding except all the women in the reception would wear muggle dresses including a muggle wedding dress. Liv had insisted that they were prettier than wizarding robes and Sirius was smart enough to know not to complain.
After talking about weddings for a while it came up.
'So are you and Remus going to get married?' asked Lily.
'I don't know!' cried Maria in a shocked way. Sure she had pictured herself with Remus forever but she had never really thought about marriage.
'Well would you?' she asked.
'Of course I would.' Said Maria. 'I love him.'
'Good.' Said Lily. 'Remus deserves the best and I think that that's you. You'll take good care of him, I know it.'
'Thanks.' Said Maria.
After a few more drinks, the pair headed up to the castle. Maria looked up and sighed. In two days, the full moon would be up. She had decided to spend tomorrow (since it was her only day off from school and practice) with Remus. Every time the full moon came around Maria just felt so helpless. There wasn't anything she could do to stop it, and she hated that feeling.
In the morning Maria had gone up to the library to finish the homework she hadn't done the night before with Lily. It was there that Remus found her. He plopped into the chair next to her and put his head in his hands. He didn't look so good.
His usually cheery face was pale and sullen. His eyes didn't have the twinkle they usually help, but were tired and worn looking. He had bags under his eyes as if he hadn't slept in weeks, but Maria knew that it was because his transformation was so near.
Maria pulled her chair over as close to Remus as she could get them, and put her arm around his shoulders, resting her head on his shoulder.
'Hey.' She said.
'Hi.' He responded.
'How are you feeling?' she asked knowing how stupid the question was. Remus just gave a hollow laugh.
'How do you think?' he asked.
'That good, hu?' She joked.
'Worse.' He corrected her.
'How about you go up to the Room, and think up a cozy little sitting room and I'll ask one of the house elves to bring us some chamomile tea, okay?' she said gathering her things.
'Why chamomile?' asked Remus.
'It should help you relax.' She said.
'Okay, I'll see you there.' Said Remus kissing her cheek briefly.
Maria watched Remus trudge out of the room, wishing she could do more. She walked down to the kitchens and was greeted by a group of very kind house elves, one of which was her friend Rosie.
'Miss, is there anything we can get for you miss?' she asked in her high-pitched voice, hoping to be of some service.
'Actually, could I get a pot of chamomile tea and two cups to the room of requirement when you get a chance? A friend of mine is feeling very down and I am trying to make him feel better.'
'Oh is it mister Remus, miss? Yes we often try and bring him thins around this time, he becomes very sick, miss. I has seen him in the hospital, miss, he isn't always looking so good.' Said Rosie.
'Well thank you so much Rosie. I'll come and visit the next chance I can.' Said Maria. She always liked the presence of house elves. Not because they would do whatever she asked, but because they held such an aura of innocence.
Maria retreated up tot he seventh floor to the Room of Requirement. When she went there she was that Remus had made a room with a very big, almost bed-like, squishy sofa a fireplace and a coffee table, which already had the big set of tea on it.
'Those house elves are very kind to bring us tea.' Said Remus pouring some into two mugs. Maria lay down in front of Remus on the couch who in turn lay down and wrapped his arms around her. At this time his senses were heightened and he breathed in her scent. She smelled like coffee and roses.
'You know I love you.' Said Remus.
'I know.' Said Maria. 'Are you going to join the Order?' asked Maria knowing that he would know what she was talking about.
'Yes.' He said. He hoped that she wouldn't fret over him like a mother, and he hoped she would respect his decision. 'Are you?'
'I don't know.' Said Maria. 'I think I might try having a job first.'
'What do you want to do?'
'I think I want to go into relations with other magical creatures. Try and get better laws and rights for creatures like goblins. Most wizards just think them less than us, but if we ever got into a war, I wouldn't be surprised if magical creatures would win. Also I would try and get better laws against the discrimination of people such as werewolves.' She said waiting for his answer.
'Thank you.' He said finally.
'For what?'
'No matter what it is you do, you always are trying to make the lives of other people better. May times you try and make my life better. But really, you don't need to. As long as I have you I don't think that my life could ever be too bad.'
Maria turned around so that she was facing Remus. 'I love you, and I will always do whatever I can for you.'
Remus pulled her closer and gave her a passionate yet gentle kiss.
They sat up, now that the tea had cooled and wasn't so scorching hot, and began to drink it. While it calmed Remus' jitters down, it didn't help the sick feeling he got while the hours till his transformation got fewer. After awhile Maria began to read to him, which was another one of the only ways he seemed to calm down. Awhile back they had learned that having sex didn't really help his feelings, it just made him feel less like a human and more like an animal.
Soon though Maria saw that the sun had begun to sink into the mountains, and led him to Madame Pomfrey, her fingers laced with his. Every so often he felt a spasm of pain and squeezed her hand, hard. Maria would just stroke the back of his arm with her free hand.
After Remus had been led to the Shrieking Shack where he would transform, Maria went back to her dorm to go to bed. She hadn't eaten anything in a very long time but couldn't bear to eat while knowing that Remus was going through more pain than most could comprehend.
FINALLY! Updated. Anyone that didn't read the authors note (which wouldn't surprise me, I never do), than they should cause it tells you how I'm not going to use everything from the new Harry Potter because I don't agree with some things, but the creative wheels in my mind have been reeling, and I think I might be able to work it.
Read and Review. CONSTRUCTIVE criticism is welcome.