Chapter Sixteen: Some Other Girl
I took in a deep breath, managing to control my sobs. The warmth Lupin's arms held wrapped around my body quickly disappeared as he backed away. An icy chill ran down my spine, and I peered up at the looming quarter moon, turned away from Lupin.
"I shouldn't have kissed you," I rushed, feeling annoyed at the permanent blush on my cheeks. "I shouldn't have done that, and I'm sorry. I'm also sorry you had to see me like this. My actions were uncalled for."
There was a long silence. And then I heard it. A snort.
I turned around, "Excuse me?"
Lupin's head was low, but I could still make out a small smirk on his lips.
"What you think is so funny?" I snapped.
Silence.
"Lupin!"
He raised his head, staring into my eyes. I froze. "Nymphadora. This isn't you."
"Huh?" I replied stupidly.
Lupin couldn't resist a smile, but only for a moment. "This isn't you… 'uncalled for'? Nymphadora, the only time you've ever said that before was when you were doing an impersonation of McGonagall. Nothing from you has ever been uncalled for. This isn't you."
"If you haven't noticed, I've changed a bit," I snapped back, feeling thoroughly annoyed with his forward comments. "I've kind of had to, you know, on account of having my heart ripped out!"
Lupin sobered for just a moment. "I know…Nymphadora…and I suppose my words would be wasted to apologize –"
"Yeah, they would!" I shot back, feeling strangely hotheaded.
"You haven't changed," he continued. "Not deep down. You, Nymphadora, could never change."
"Oh? And how would you know that?"
"Because I know you." He stepped forward.
"No, you don't. Not anymore." I stepped back.
"You haven't changed." A step forward.
"Yes, I have! I've changed into a lonely, bitchy, silent, damaged, sorry excuse for a witch!" A step back.
"Well, you've matured, I'll give you that."
"How dare you – wait, wait – you cheeky cow! You're toying with me, aren't you?"
"I daresay no one's ever called me a cheeky cow before."
"Shut up! How dare you play with me like this? Haven't you done enough? How dare you! I can't believe I've wasted all this time on trying to apologize to you! It's you that owes me one!"
"I'm sorry."
"Shut up!"
"But you said apologize…"
"But you don't mean it! You're only saying it because I told you to! It's insincere!"
"Maybe I'll surprise you with a sincere one when you least expect it."
"Damn right you will! But – now look what you've done! Now I'll expect the unexpected!"
"I'm sorry for everything I've put you through. I hate myself for hurting you, and I understand you if you never forgive me. I don't expect you to. I don't even know if I want you to – I deserve your hatred. But whatever happens, I'd just like to let you know. I'm sorry, Nymphadora."
My breath was labored, and I suddenly realized throughout our whole conversation he had been edging nearer to me. Now, our faces were barely inches away.
"W-what was that?" I tried to control my voice, but I was slowly losing all sense of reality.
His chiseled dark eyes slowly met mine, and I tried to not get lost in their oceans of colour. "It was an unexpected sincere apology." I noticed his voice was shaky too.
"Sincere?" I blabbed, my tongue feeling lose, and my body feeling numb.
"Yes. I'm sorry."
"So am I," I replied, my eyes never leaving his. I slowly felt his hands rise, and cup my chin delicately. The lines on his face seemed to disappear, as did the grays in his hair, and the worry in his eyes. He was ageless.
I closed my eyes, and fell forward, pressed my forehead against his cheek. He sighed deeply. "You do know what we're getting into," he said slowly, his breath warm and lingering against my face.
"Yet again," I replied, and smiled. I lowered my lips to his, teasing him. His eyes opened, and met mine, unsure. "I guess you're right…I haven't changed."
His thumb brushed against my cheek. "I'm glad." He said, and slowly kissed me.
He always seemed to be right in the end.
A/N: Yes – it's the end. Sadly or not, depending on how you think of it. Hugs and thank you's to EVERYONE for reviewing:
moony07, Santiva Potter, xtotallyatpeacex, Rachel452, sora kinomoto, ishandtwofourths, asli, gryffgurl88, mariyana, krumfan, Sophinna, Wishing For A Love Like This, kokiri fairy, Kara Adar, ansheika, Rogue-aka-Nettie, mystery of the night, Chrysanthemum3, eleen, AvengeTheDead, Bardlover, jerrica, GrednForge101, Linguna and Dani-32.
You were wonderful reviewers! Also, I'd like to thank everyone who put this story on story alert or favorites, but didn't review (and yes, I know who you are )
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Thank you so much!
Oh, and I'm writing an epilogue/sequel like thing later, so keep your eyes peeled!
