Chapter 4

The sun popped up over the horizon signaling a new day. Nikki was walking to charms when she bumped into Dumbledore. He looked down at her, but she wouldn't look up at him.

"Sorry sir," she said.

"Are you alright Nikki?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Look up at me." Slowly she raised her head. He took her chin in his hand. "Is there something bothering you?"

"No sir. I'm fine. Really."

He looked at her skeptically. "I may be old, but I'm not stupid." He chuckled. "I'll be here when you're ready to talk." He released her chin and she continued to her class. He watched her turn into a classroom, and then he continued on his way.

The day had been hell for Remus. He found it extremely hard to concentrate all day. After dinner, he went to find Alexis. He bumped into her in the Great Hall.

"Hey Hun. Sup?"

"You're shoving it in Nikki's face aren't you?"

She ran her finger down his chest. "The bitch deserves it. Look what she's doing to you." Remus brushed her finger off him.

"It's over," he said. He walked away.

"WHAT! That bitch! Oh she's going get it! She stole my man!" She watched him leave and stormed off. Remus ran back to the dorms, caught up the cloak and ran back down into the kitchens. Nikki was already there. She was in the same spot she had been in the previous night. Periodically Dobby or another elf, presumably Trixy, would ask her questions. Her answers were short and she kept her head turned to the window. Finally, she stood. She handed Toby her cup and thanked him. She started toward the door leading outside. Remus followed her. She stopped at the edge of the lake. Remus didn't know how he should approach her, but he did know that he had to get somewhere private. He came up behind her and grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth. She screamed, but it was muffled. She wriggled about, but Remus' grip on her was too strong. He noticed how bony her body was and how fragile she had become.

"Shhh…" he hissed. He knew that she wouldn't be able to tell it was him that way. He draped some of the cloak over her and dragged her to the room or requirement, but she still struggled. He let her go and threw the cloak off to the side. Her eyes widened at the sight of him.

"We need to talk," he said.

"I thought we already did," she said as her eyes narrowed.

"No, this is different. What the hell happened to you?"

"What do you mean?"

"What did you do to yourself? You're a bloody twig."

"What's it to you? You've already moved on."

Remus sighed. He new this wouldn't go well. "I went out with Alexis in order to get over you."

"If I remember correctly, it was you who broke it off."

"I know it's just because…"

"Because what? Because of me? Because you found feelings for Alexis? I trusted you! You saw what happened to me. You were there when he did that to me. That was the most embarrassing moment in my life and somewhere, I found the courage to trust you." She took a deep trembling breath before continuing in a quiet voice. "Then you threw me away just like. Was I just another one of your whores? Was I getting to be too dramatic for you? Did I have too many problems that made me not worth it?" Her voice had been slightly growing louder. She took another breath, and then she quieted her voice yet again. "I guess I was already a damaged package to begin with," she said icily.

Anger over took him as he stepped forward and raised his hand. She flinched, but stood there.

"Hit me," she said. "Hit me!"

He stood there for a moment, and then he realized what he was doing. He had never hit anybody before, especially a female. "No," he said quietly as he lowered his hand.

"Why not? Hit me," she said through gritted teeth.

"No. I won't do it. I won't hurt you again."

She sank to the floor and let her head fall into her hands. Remus kneeled in front of her.

She looked up at him and sighed. "Why did you bring me here?"

"I need you to know why I broke up with you. I can't bear to be without you."

"Apparently you got along just fine with Alexis. She told me all about it."

Remus balled his hand up into a fist. "Alexis was lying. I broke up with her the moment I found out she was telling you lies. I went out with her in order to get over you, but it didn't work out like that. It made me miss you more."

"Why, then, did you break up with me then?"

"I'm a werewolf. When you told me that you would be afraid, I thought it was better to have you hate me than be afraid of me. I had no idea that it would have this kind of an impact."

He saw her eyes widen, but she didn't move. Then when she recovered, she replied. "Hate you! Hate you! You crushed me. I didn't hate you, I loathed myself for being so stupid."

"I'm so sorry! I hated saying that to you. Really, I couldn't sleep at night."

She was silent for a moment. "Are you…"

"Lily makes me a potion that keeps me sane, so no, I'm not like Greyback."

"How long have you…"

"Since I was three." Her eyes widened. "So now that you know, I hope that it will help you with the pain. But please, don't do this to yourself. I still care very much for you!"

"And you think I'm like this because I don't care for you?"

He smiled. He held out a hand to her. She hesitated, but then she put her hand into his. He stood and pulled her up with him, drawing her to him. He held her close to him, being very careful not to break a bone.

"Please come back to me," He said softly.

"Yes," she said just as softly.

His heart leapt. He felt complete again. "Let's get some food in you," he said with a smile.

"I'm not really hungry,"

"Oh don't give me that. You're going to eat something. C'mon." He draped the cloak over them and led her into the kitchens. Toby and Trixy were happy to see Nikki eating again. After about an hour, they crept back up to the common room. Instead of going to the dorms, they fell into a peaceful sleep on the couch, with Nikki encircled in Remus' arms.

Yes its short, next chapter up after our Finals so probably around Wednesday! Almost complete! One more chapter!

Phoebe and Sadie