I've always been a keen observer. The expressions that cross people's faces tell you a lot about their mood and the situation they're in. When I became aware that I could use metamorphosing to become other people, I employed my natural inclination to study others to make my impersonations more believable. That experience came in handy as Evan escorted me to the library. I brought everything I could remember about Elspeth to the front of my mind and entered the book-lined room with a trusting smile on my face, calling, "Terrence?" The chamber was empty. What a surprise. If I was being myself, I would've demanded to know why he'd brought me there. Instead, I said with a frown of confusion, "He's not here."

"No? Well, perhaps he was delayed talking to someone." Evan steered me toward the leather sofa. "I'll keep you company until he arrives."

Sharks probably smiled like that right before the weird membrane slid over their eyes and they started biting. Being Elspeth, I couldn't punch him in the nose. I just sat obediently on the edge of the sofa and smoothed down my skirt in a nervous gesture I'd seen the woman use before.

His fingertips trailed over my shoulder and down my arm. I fought the urge to scoot out of reach while he said silkily, "It's touching, really, how you and Terrence are so passionate about each other after years of marriage."

I looked down, as if shy. "Thank you."

Evan was staring at my profile. I met his eyes for a moment and saw that same cool, appraising expression he'd regarded me with when I arrived. He mused, "The last time you were here, that…embrace…of yours reminded me of something."

"Oh?" I said bewilderedly, as though I had no clue why he would discuss such a matter.

He leaned closer and murmured, "You reminded me of the fiancée who used to try to climb into my skin on this very sofa."

My cheeks burned. I bit my lip, not out of embarrassment, but because Evan was a liar, and I was sorely tempted to call him one. I'd only sat on his lap once, and that was sideways. He'd kissed me for a few minutes before rising to his feet and setting me away from him. I remembered being told that it wasn't the proper time or place for that sort of thing. Softly, I said, "I'm sure Priscilla would do it again if she thought you wanted her to."

He said, "I meant my ex-fiancée."

"Oh," I said, as if acutely uncomfortable, which was no stretch.

Evan chuckled. "You're even better than you were a year ago, Nymphadora."

Wide-eyed, I shook my head. "I'm Elspeth. Don't you remember? I'll go get Priscilla. She'll tell you." When I tried to rise, his hand curled around my bicep and kept me seated.

His head bent toward mine. "I don't know what you're up to, but I'll enjoy finding out."

I tried to lean away. "I…I don't understand!"

His free hand came up to hold my chin. "Cut the pretense. You've been playing a little game that you've just lost. Match point goes to me, because I remember that you don't wear—" Evan halted, breathed in, and said disbelievingly, "Perfume."

Clinging to my assumed personae by the tips of temporarily long fingernails, I whimpered. "I'm wearing perfume. I'm Elspeth, and...and you're scaring me, Mr. Rosier!"

"What's going on in here?"

My "husband" was striding into the library, looking dangerous. I gasped, "Terry, I…I don't feel so good. I want to go home."

I'd heard Elspeth use the exact same phrasing at another party where an influential wizard had tried to get off with her, and she'd obviously wanted to avoid creating a scene with her possessive spouse. The instant Evan released his hold I rushed over to Remus. He put an arm around me protectively and continued to silently demand an explanation from our host.

Evan drawled, "A misunderstanding, that's all. I didn't cause you any discomfort, did I, Mrs. Travers?"

Shaking my head the way Elspeth would've, I said breathily, "Oh, no, no, I…I just felt unwell and you kept me company, and I need to go home and lie down, that's all, really."

"Very well, darling, we'll use the Floo. Good night, Rosier."

Evan murmured his farewell with a small smile that remained fixed as we walked toward the fireplace. I realised why; we'd have to clearly state our destination and I had no clue what the Traverses called their home. Thinking fast, I clutched Remus's sleeve and implored, "Could we stop by the apothecary's in Diagon Alley first? He'll know which potion I should take."

"Of course."

I didn't look at Evan when I threw the Floo powder. Stepping out onto the pavement, I turned to see Remus exit the Floo. I hugged him tight and whispered, "We should visit the apothecary's, just in case he checks our story." He gave me an approving look. I thought he was going to kiss my cheek but he stiffened and pulled away. I asked, "What's the matter?" Remus shook his head without replying. I walked beside him down the alley, rubbing my arms and feeling cold.

Returning to his flat after purchasing a potion for headaches, I smiled lopsidedly at Kingsley when I stepped out of the fireplace. He looked surprised to see us back so soon. I said, "Rosier doubted that Elspeth was who she appeared to be, but I think I allayed his suspicions."

"Did you learn anything?" he asked urgently.

"No," Remus stated baldly, "we weren't there long enough."

"I learned there's going to be a Halloween Party," I said. "That would be the perfect cover for a secret meeting."

Kingsley grinned, his gold earring giving him the look of a pirate who'd just discovered treasure. "Excellent. We'll work on finding a way in."

I left him chatting to Remus while I went into the bedroom to change. Immediately metamorphosing my face back to normal, I stripped the dress off and put on my own top and denims. In the bathroom, I used a flannel to cleanse the makeup off my face. The reflection of a man with grey streaked hair and brown eyes materialized in the mirror. I whirled around, "You…you took a reversal potion?"

He shook his head. "I used an Illusion Charm to become Travers."

I said what seemed to be my word for the night once more, "Oh." I looked beyond his shoulder. "Kingsley still here?"

"No, he's gone."

I didn't like the way Remus was looking and sounding so distant. Bluntly, I asked, "What's wrong?"

The dangerous expression was back. Moving forward, he inhaled sharply and growled, "I can smell Rosier's cologne. Did you let him put his hands all over you for old time's sake?"

Defiantly, I held out my arms. "Why don't you use your big nose and smell for yourself?"

We stared at each other. Anger and something else hot sparked between us. My gaze fell to his lips. I looked up to see Remus close his eyes and shake his head. "I don't need to. I know you didn't ask to be put in that situation. I saw Rosier holding your arm, and I wanted to rip his off. I'm sorry."

I tried to joke, "Does this mean you're not going to sniff me?"

He smiled and pulled me close. "I'd rather kiss you."

I slid my arms up around his neck. I loved the way his lips were soft, yet firm and pressed mine apart so tenderly. Swaying against him, I barely noticed that he'd backed us out of the loo and into his room. My eyes were closed, so the floating, falling sensation was ascribed to the way he made me feel inside as we kissed. When I felt the mattress beneath me, my eyes popped wide opened. I rolled onto my side to make room for him.

"I just want to hold you close for a while, and I don't have a sofa, so…I'll be a gentleman," Remus promised huskily.

Feeling like a silly ingénue and yet relieved all the same, I traced his features with my fingertips and brushed my mouth against his. Several kisses later, he pulled away and asked with a smile, "You think I've got a big nose?"

I ran a finger down its length. "No, that was a figure of speech. I think you've got a classic nose. Roman, even."

"Roman, hmmm, I'm flattered." Rubbing his nose along mine, he said, "Yours is beautiful."

I changed it to a pig snout. "Really? How kind of you to say so." He chuckled. After metamorphosing my nose back into shape, I tickled him. "I'll teach you to laugh at my nose." His unrestrained laughter made me giggle. Remus grabbed me and began tickling my sides in retaliation. Shrieking with laughter, I lunged to get away. We rolled off the narrow bed and onto the floor. I exclaimed, "Oh, Merlin, I'm sorry, Remus. Are you all right?"

Sitting up and rubbing the back of his head, he grinned. "I'm brilliant."

I smiled and stood, giving him a hand up. Reluctantly, I said, "I'd better go home and let you catch up on your rest."

He inclined his head toward the window. "The moon is especially luminescent tonight, but it can't compare to the radiance of your smile."

I melted like hot fudge inside. "You're a romantic, Remus Lupin." Kissing him for being such a sweetie, I sighed happily and Flooed home.

.

The following week should've passed like a pleasant dream. Remus came over to go running and have breakfast with me before work each morning, and every evening we spent time together, even if it was just a walk in the park or a cuddle on a lounger under the stars.

Work, although October received twice the reports of suspected Dark wizardry as others, went smoothly. I got loaned out to Misuse of Muggle Artefacts again. Gulch was wicked about holding grudges. It was no punishment, because I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent assisting Arthur Weasley. He was like a big kid when it came to Muggle stuff. I brought him to Gran's for elevenses, and he didn't stop grinning for the rest of the day.

The only cloud in my otherwise blue sky was Remus's health. Even though he exhibited no shortness of breath on our runs, or any other physical symptoms, his face showed that all was not well. I deliberately kissed him goodbye early every night so he could rest, but he still looked tired in the morning. The lines on his face seemed to deepen. Sometimes the look in his eyes was so far away it frightened me.

Two afternoons before the full moon, I skived off the job early and went to visit my parents. Dad wasn't home yet, but Mum answered the door with a cool smile. "A visit from my only child. I'm honoured."

I had to admire my mother's flair for guilt trips. She made me feel like one of those rotten kids who only wrote at Christmas and didn't come round unless they needed money. I smiled ruefully and kissed her cheek. "Hello, Mum."

"Hello, darling, come have a cup of tea and tell me what you've been up to," she said with an arched brow.

The Blacks, in general, really had a way with eyebrows. I'd never seen a family who used theirs to more devastating effect, but then again, Professor Snape had never displayed a family photo on his desk. My mother's lifted brow implied that she knew what I'd been up to, and she was waiting to hear an apology and an offer to rectify the situation. Both my brows rose in unconvincing innocence. After being watched like a hawk while she conjured tea, I caved to her silent treatment.

"Fine. I brought Remus to meet Gran. They got on famously, and if you like I'll bring him over so you and Dad can meet him too," I said, exhaling heavily in the way only aggrieved daughters can.

She smiled like a cat. "I'll make dinner."

The date she proposed was the day after the full moon, which was fine by me. I warned her I'd have to clear it with Remus first. Mum agreed with another feline smile. After sipping tea and chatting about this and that, I asked, "Could I borrow Dad's record player and a few 45's?"

"Could?"

There went those aristocratic eyebrows again. I sighed. "May I borrow Dad's record player?"

Rising to carry her cup to the sink, Mum nodded graciously. "You may."

In the lounge, she removed the enchanted player from a cabinet while I rummaged through the record collection. I loved the round vinyl discs. They weren't the best Frisbees though: too breakable. I picked out a dozen different singles as Dad called them. I imagined swaying with Remus on the rooftop with faery lights glimmering softly around us and the moon overhead like a big pizza pie.

"That's Amore?"

I closed my eyes in chagrin over humming the tune. "Yeah, I love that song."

"What about the man you were thinking about?" my mother asked softly, searching my face.

Looking away, I confessed, "I care about him a lot, but it's hard to trust my feelings after…you know."

She smoothed my spiky pink hair. "Don't worry. If this Remus is the right man, things will work out."

Our slight smiles widened when we heard the front door open and close. Dad strode into the lounge, tossing off a cap. "Hullo, beautiful wife." He leaned her back over his arm in a dramatic gesture and kissed her thoroughly before turning to me. "Hullo, stranger, give the old man a hug."

I returned his bear hug. "Hullo, Dad, how are you? How's business?"

"I'd be better if you'd haul your boyfriend over for inspection. I don't mind being nibbled, but hen-pecked is another story. As for business, it's booming, luv." He went on to share about a new block of flats his company was currently working on. My parents were having dinner early, since Mum had a mah-jongg group coming over. Dad ordered me to stay and tell them about my job and "the mystery bloke you're going with."

While enjoying lemon chicken, I regaled them with my tube station bust, and then casually slipped in that Remus currently translated and authenticated Latin texts for a living, was a bit older than me, and was the most decent, kind, smartest, handsomest, most wonderful guy I'd ever gone with. I saw them share an amused look like they were mentally counting my past relationships on one hand and wiggling the fingers left over.

"How much older?" my mother asked.

I admitted, "He's . . . mid-thirties."

They stared. I resisted the urge to fidget or squirm while praying they didn't ask where we'd met. I didn't think "I picked him up in a pub" would go over well. Thankfully, they didn't mention the age difference or pry further. We finished the meal in peace. As I was preparing to Floo home with an enormous container of leftovers, because Apparating gave food a bad aftertaste, Mum said, "You haven't mentioned Remus's last name. He does have one?"

"It's Lupin. Remus John Lupin if you want his full name. Satisfied?"

Her dark gaze met my father's in that wordless communication thing parents do. She asked me, "Darling, did Mr. Lupin ever…teach?"

I nodded. "Yeah, Remus said he's taught before, I don't know what exactly, as well as having done research and several other jobs."

After nodding, she remarked out of the blue, "You don't read the Daily Prophets we send, do you?"

My face began to grow hot. "Well, erm, really…" I confessed, "I donate them."

Kissing my cheek, Mum said, "That's all right, dear. Tell Mr. Lupin we look forward to meeting him."

.

I was still puzzled over the grim tone in my mother's voice when I stepped out of the fireplace and into my flat. Placing my rucksack with the player and 45's on the floor, I crossed to the man reading a book on the sofa. "Wotcher, Remus. Am I late?"

He set aside the book and pulled me onto his lap. "No, I'm just fond of reading on your sofa with my legs stretched out." Even though he looked tired, a wolfish smile flashed. "That's not all I'm fond of doing on your sofa." His mouth melded to mine, and all thoughts except how scrummy his lips were vanished.

"Ow!"

Crap! I'd gone to twine my arms around him, forgetting that I held a wizardware container of leftovers in my hand! "Are you OK? Your poor head, is there a bump?"

"I'm fine." He grinned. "What did you assault me with?"

I smiled sheepishly. "Your dinner. Do you like lemon chicken?"

Remus loved it. I watched him devour the food and felt reassured. He couldn't be too ill and eat like that. I brought up Mum's dinner invitation.

"That's not a good day for me." His eyes weren't meeting mine.

"Why not?"

"I'll be out of town. Actually, I leave the day before."

Unable to believe what I heard, I spluttered, "But I borrowed my Dad's record player. I wanted to dance with you in the moonlight, like in one of those old songs. Now you're telling me I'll be doing the first half of Blue Moon? Standing alone?" He looked at me with sad eyes. I said, "I'll go with you. I've never taken a sickie before. I'm due for one, right?"

"That's not possible," he replied gently, but firmly.

"Is there someone else?" I asked, pushing to my feet and going to stare blindly out the window. If he said yes, I was going to throw myself out. I'd accidentally fallen out of a window when I was little, and I'd bounced, so I wasn't suicidal, just dramatic.

His arms encircled me. "No, Nymphadora, there's no one else. I told you I don't go for casual encounters or infidelity, and I meant it. Until you throw me over, I'm yours."

Turning in his arms, my smile was wobbly. "Watch what you promise, mister, because I don't plan on letting you go. I'm just disappointed because I'd built up this romantic fantasy and . . . I'm sorry, Remus."

He kissed my forehead, and then worked his way down to my lips, brushing butterfly soft kisses across my skin, saying regretfully, "I'm sorry too." Several kisses later, he said, "Why don't we go up and have our dance tonight?"

I smiled.

The moon was almost full, and I said softly while we swayed together, "You probably think I've got some moon fetish, but it's just that, since Dad's into Astronomy, and I grew up watching Mum and Dad dance By the Light of the Silvery Moon. . . ." His understanding smile gave me the courage to say simply, "I wanted to share that with you."

"I regret not being able to be with you more than you'll ever know."

Remus's bittersweet smile tugged at my heart. He didn't want to leave, so I'd stop making him feel bad about it. "It's a Fantabulous Night for a Moondance." I smiled up at him.

His arms tightened around me and his answering smile and hungry kisses made me quit crying for the moon and make the most of what I had, which was a lot.

.

A/N: Does everybody in her life know about Remus's 'furry little problem' except Tonks? Seems like it! If you've been wondering when her eyes would be opened, well, next week's the Full Moon…

Thanks to reviews that inspired, I wrote Touch of the Moon, a one shot from Remus' pov that corresponds with chapter 12. As always, I'm thankful for the people who take time to review! 40/16 Alaska Steele Astarte Katz Camillia Vincent Carnivalgirl cinderalex cupcakeswirl DarkSideoftheMoon devilish angel Distempered eleen ElspethBates Embellished Fawkes309 Flavagurl FNP Godricgal GraceRichie Gutter and Grace homestar-fan iamafairy ishandahalf kathaania Machiavelli Jr. NazgulGirl Quicksilver Foxx sany Slipknot-3113 sunny9847 Super Kawaii Lamb The Demonic Duo