Chapter 14

They wrote letters almost daily. Violet was lonely at the Goblins Gore and Remus was as well at Hogwarts. With Remus gone and an incompetent bartender to replace him, she realized just how hard it was to work at her job.

Maybe she was so tired she didn't realize that it was her birthday until she woke up late, at 11. She hastily stuffed all her things into a worn cardboard box and pulled on jeans and Remus's sweater. She grabbed her purse and box, marched downstairs, and left a note for Mr. Chapwell that she was leaving before apparating to Hogsmeade.

She went to the Owlery there and wrote Remus a quick letter

Remus, I really need to talk to you. I'm in Hogsmeade, meet me in front of the Shrieking Shack as soon as possible –Violet

And after paying and sending an owl off, she went to wait.

She had arrived at 12, but it wasn't until 4 that Remus apparated there. They were undoubtedly some of the worst 6 hours of her life.

He ran over to where she was sitting on a dead log in front of the Shack.

She stood up to face him, tears already streaming down her face.

"What's wrong?" He said, out of breath. "I didn't get your letter until half an hour ago, when classes let out, and then I had to leave Hogwarts grounds before apparating-"

"I have to go" She said.

"I know I'm late, but you could probably stay a bit longer-"

Then she sobbed very loudly.

"NO! I have to leave, I don't have a choice, and I don't know how to explain it. I'm leaving for good, forever it seems"

"What do you mean?" He choked out.

"I mean, I came here for one year only. And my only way back home is if I leave in about one hour. It doesn't matter if I want to stay or not" She looked at him, still sobbing. "And I really want to stay" She added.

He was dumbfounded. "I don't understand, but I won't try to. But if your leaving forever, I need to tell you how I feel"

Violet cried harder, and tried to turn away. He clutched her shoulder and made her face him.

"Please, listen to me" He pleaded, and she nodded silently.

"I love you, Violet. I love you more than as a friend, or a coworker, or a sister. I can't imagine me without you, you're part of me now, even though you're so insufferably closed off from me. And I understand if you're still in love with your husband, but you have no idea how happy I would be if you could somehow love me back . . please" He broke off awkwardly.

And of course, Violet let out a few fresh sobs.

"Remus, I – can't – love you like that" He nodded sadly, looking at his shoes.

"But I do anyway and I'm leaving in mere minutes" He looked at her, hopeful and crushed at the same time.

"I've loved you for so long, but I never acted on it because I knew I'd be leaving so soon. I'm always leaving you alone, Remus. But I promise you; you'll find someone who won't. Who won't leave"

He instead hugged her (definitely a romantic hug, though)

"I won't find anyone better than you" He whispered into her ear.

"Remus, I feel so old, and I'm not whole anymore. I can't make you wait for me" She whispered back.

She broke away, brushing aside some tears.

Looking at him intently, she said, "Promise me you won't try to wait for me"

She thought of how happy he and Tonks had seemed before she had refused to be near Tonks anymore. Tonks loved Remus and she couldn't ruin that for either of them.

"But, Violet-"

"Please, just do it" She looked down. She couldn't keep eye contact again…

"I promise" He vowed unhappily.

Violet cried new tears. "I'm going to miss you so much."

Remus sadly gazed at her. He stepped closer, so that their faces were almost touching.

"Remus, don't do this-" She attempted, trying to pull away. Instead, he kissed her, and she knew she'd be happy if she could just spend her whole life kissing Remus. She started to feel herself fade away, but didn't break off the kiss. Maybe she would just stay there forever if she never let go.

That tactic didn't work, and she found herself alone in twilight outside of the Shrieking Shack.

Ten years apart, two very much in love people stood, wondering if it was just a dream. Remus looked at a worn cardboard box sitting next to a decaying log and realized it hadn't been. He picked up the last remnant of Violet Guinness and walked back to Hogwarts.