Chapter 10

Remus wandered about in the undergrowth, desperately searching for the gray bundle of clothing he had tucked away earlier that night.

"Where, in the name of Merlin, did I put those damn clothes?"

So far, he wasn't having any luck. Finally, about fifteen minutes and a great deal of cursing later, he found his tattered collection of robes under a fallen down log next to a small stream.

He didn't remember putting them near the decomposing log, but a moonstruck werewolf on the verge of transformation is liable to forget some things. Besides, particularly shabby robes would only need to last him for his trip to Godric Hollow and back.

A pensive look fell over Remus's face as he thought about Godric Hollow. Why would Sirius summon him there? Was something wrong? Had something happened to the Potters during the night? How could anything had happened to Lily and James after Dumbledore AND the Marauders had so painstaking fought to keep them safe?

Lyca stretched her arms up towards the starry sky, feeling her muscles extend and contract (sometimes accompanied by a dull pain) as she moved.

Her thighs seemed to hurt the most. She stumbled every few feet on her way to the abandoned owl's nest where she had hidden her stuff.

She gasped quietly when she discovered traces of blood on the inner portions of her thighs.

She examined herself quickly, noting the extreme lack of the usual cuts and scratches that accompanied such bleeding.

How did that happen, she thought to herself. She wasn't due to have her period for another two weeks. What if we... Lyca threw a furtive glance at Remus, who was bent over a small group of ferns, searching frantically for his robes.

He was still naked and the sight of his naked behind pushed out into the wind made her giggle. It was as if the full moon had come out all over again. Apparently, she thought, I had a very interesting night.

Sirius was probably over reacting; playing a vicious prank on him. They wouldn't risk doing this to Wormtail; he was edgy enough as it was with the weight of being the Potters' Secret Keeper on his shoulders, but what about their good ol' werewolf friend?

James is probably on in on this one too, Remus thought. He had better be prepared for anything once he got there. There's no telling to what length those two would go for a good laugh (even if it was at someone else's expense).

Remus' only regret was that he was going to have to leave Lyca so soon. Their reunion would have to be cut short, but he would be back as soon as possible.

He loved Lyca with all his heart. He wanted to marry her. He wanted to ensure that they would never be parted again.

Remus turned around, pulling on the last of his clothing, only to find Lyca grinning at him seductively. His cheeks flushed a deep crimson and he cleared his throat as he walked towards her.

The vast array of naughty images running through his brain made it very difficult to concentrate. She was leaning against a nearby tree, arms crossed under her breasts, making them bulge out of the old school robes she was wearing.

They were too small for her now, dirty, and in desperate need of repair. The frayed edges barely reached bellow her knees and the sleeves were patched in more than a few places.

Despite her extreme grunginess, Lyca never felt sexier than when Remus pressed up against her, pinning her against the tree, and began kissing her with a ferocity she fought to match.

Her stomach did flip-flops and the heat of his body made her shiver uncontrollably. They clung to each other with the strength born of years of pent up emotion. It culminated in a delirious passion that made them drunk on each other's presence; neither wanted to let go; neither wanted to admit to the other that it was time to go.

Finally, it was Lyca that half-heartedly broke their passionate embrace. "You should get going," she reminded him blandly, pushing lightly on his chest. "It could be urgent."

"You're probably right," Remus sighed. She was right; there was no 'probably' involved. He had a responsibility to Lily and James that he couldn't ignore.

But he loved Lyca too much to leave her so soon. His heart began to ache. He was being forced to choose between his best friends and love of his life.

In the end, his sense of honor and duty won out over his libido. This letter was a very serious business, he would investigate the situation thoroughly, but even that wouldn't stop him from getting back to Lyca as soon as wizardly possible.

Lyca looked up into Remus's face. He was seemingly deep in thought, as if considering something or trying to solve a difficult problem.

She let her eyes wander over his face, tracing and memorizing ever line and every curve. She brought her fingers up to his face and traced the deep furrows of his forehead, the bumps on his nose, the scars on his coarse, unshaven cheeks, and the dry, cracked skin of his lips.

She gazed into his eyes with all the patience and understanding she could muster; she had to be strong, as much for herself as for him. Parting again wasn't going to be easy.

She squeezed his hands tightly with her own, brought them to her lips, and kissed them softly before planting a soft kiss on his parched lips.

Lyca turned as if to walk away, but found she was being pulled back into Remus's arms. "I will come back for you," he said with more than a hint of sadness. "I know," Lyca replied, forcing a smile. "Because if you don't I'll have to hunt you down myself. And it won't be pretty when I find you."

Remus chuckled and kissed her again...and again...and again. After more minutes of goodbye kisses and feeble attempts to depart, Remus yanked himself away from the raven-haired girl of his dreams.

Remus smiled and continued to smile as he made to make his way to Godric Hollow. There were still so many things left unsaid; so many plans for their future that he wanted to share...Remus shrugged. Eh, there would be plenty of time to discuss everything and anything; they would sort out everything together once he got back…