Stale Candy

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I do own this lovely, lovely angst though. Ha ha!

Remus found himself nearing his apartment. He'd taken a side trip around the park and now it was almost eleven thirty. He stopped at a small flower stand and then made his way up to his small apartment, trying to remember if he there was food in his cupboards.

When he arrived, hung his coat up and made his way into the kitchen. After rummaging around for several minutes he found three bags of extremely old Honeydukes candy, four boxes of tea bags and a microwave dinner that he planned to nuke that night. Sighing, he dumped the candy into the trash and put water on to boil.

Checking his watch (it was almost noon) he hurried to change his clothes, hoping she would be 'fashionably late'.

Ginny grinned at her boss and hurried out into the cold. Looking at her watch she realized it was already twelve. Oh damn, She thought, I remember Remus was always a stickler for being on time. She sprinted off down the street hoping to find an Apparation Spot along the way.

When she finally arrived at Remus' apartment it was way past noon and she was breathing hard, still in her waitressing outfit. She leaned against the wall of his apartment building and tried to catch her breath. Finally cold won out over nerves and she entered the slightly shabby building. She was directed up the stairs (the elevator seemed to be 'out of order') to Number 67. Biting her lip she slowly knocked on the door.

Remus nearly had a heart attack as a soft knock rang through the building. It had taken him ten minutes to decide what to change into, opting in the end for a pair of comfortable beige slacks and a beige sweater that he had worn many times before. He knew that he looked 'nice' in this outfit and he felt 'nice' in it so it couldn't be bad.

Slowly, gritting his teeth, he started for the door. As he neared it, he paused. I can't tell her… He thought. Then I have to. He opened the door.

Ginny plastered on a smile over her nerves as the door swung in. Remus stood there, a small smile on his face as well though his shaking hands betrayed the same feeling she was feeling. Oh, he looks heavenly. She sighed inwardly.

"Uh… Do you want to come in?" Remus' voice was a little breathy. Ginny nodded and stepped inside. She'd never seen his newest apartment. He'd only told people that he had moved, only once revealing the location and only in passing. Ginny had filed it away, just in case.

"Um… I have tea." He offered from behind her.

"And…?" Ginny prompted, looking over her shoulder.

"Just tea. And stale candy." Remus shrugged.

"Remus, I hate tea." She stated, trying not to laugh at the surprised look on his face.

"How can you be British and hate tea?" He questioned, soundly like she had uttered an awful blasphemy.

"Easy. Can I have some of the stale candy?" She raised an eyebrow at him, expecting him to laugh. He sighed, instead.

"Sorry. I didn't know you hated tea. We can just go into the living room." He looked suddenly downtrodden and disappeared through a door. Ginny followed, feeling strangely guilty.

"Remus…?" She began. Remus flashed her a small smile.

"Just sit, okay? I have something to tell you and if I don't do it in the next two minutes I'll loose my nerve." He motioned to a seat.

"Sure…" Ginny sat.

Here I go. Remus thought.

"Ginny, I don't know how else to say this so, I'll just put it bluntly. I love you." Remus stared at the red head girl, no woman, who just sat shocked.

"Remus, I…" She stopped. Suddenly Remus realized, his worst fears had been brought to life.

"Oh… I get it." Remus bit the inside of his cheek.

"Remus, wait…" Ginny began.

"No, it's alright. I just… I have to get some air." His voice sounded falsly cheery, even to himself. He hurried out.

"Remus!" Ginny shouted after him.

To Be Continued…