Author's Note: After a glaring error was pointed out in a review, I've added a little bit of Ava's POV at the end of the chapter, so this is the updated chapter.

Enjoy! :)

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I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters or anything else resembling what J.K Rowling introduced us all to. Just the plot and OC are mine.


Chapter 31

Remus woke, gradually coming to his senses, recognizing the scent of the Hospital Wing and his mate, Avalynn. Wanting to see her, he pried his eyes open and began to push himself up on his elbows, but felt his hand trapped. He glanced down and smiled, seeing that Ava had once again fallen asleep on the edge of his bed and was currently grasping his hand in hers. He left his fingers intertwined with hers and took several deep breaths, inhaling her pleasing and calming scent. I hope she knows how amazing she is, he thought. Remus could admit to himself that he would be eternally grateful if Ava was truly willing to accept a werewolf into her life, as he had never expected someone to care for him in the way that she had over the past few weeks. His friends were the best he could've asked for, but they were just his friends and Ava was his mate. And though his parents tried their best, he could always smell the underlying fear coming from them whenever they were in his presence. He wasn't sure he could bear to let Ava out of his life at this point. He might not have had much experience with girls besides some snogging here and there, but he was certain that someone else as perfect for him, someone as kind and strong, and equally snarky and stubborn, didn't exist.

The werewolf felt his magic agree with a flourish behind his ribs before rushing down his arm and into the hand that Ava was holding. His resulting smile dropped as his brows furrowed, realizing that his body wasn't aching as much as it usually did after a full moon. He shifted slightly in the bed, not enough to wake his mate, but enough to feel that his muscles weren't very tense or sore. Choosing to think over the discovery later, Remus peered down at Ava. The first rays of sunlight were trickling through the giant windows of the Hospital Wing, providing a modicum of light with his privacy curtains. He reached out and gently stroked her hair, enjoying the feeling of her silky mane against his skin. Like a lioness, he thought with a smile. Reflecting on the mutual feelings between the two of them, as well as his obvious happiness at finding Ava with him upon awakening, Remus decided that he wanted to explain the connection between them as soon as possible. He wanted to make sure that Ava understood their relationship for what it was before it grew any deeper. He mentally scoffed. Like I could pull myself back now. I can't resist her. His hand stilled on her head. How do I even start that kind of conversation?

Remus didn't have much time to panic as Ava stirred in her sleep before opening her eyes and lifting her head to look at him. "Remus," she whispered with a drowsy smile.

"Avalynn," he said, noticing that her magic sent a wave of delight tinged with pleasure through their connected hands.

"How are you feeling? Madame Pomfrey said you weren't too banged up."

"I actually feel pretty good. Not amazing, but better than usual." Though the worst of the aftermath from the transformation seemed to have lessened, Remus could feel the exhaustion deep in his bones.

She beamed at him and gave his hand a small squeeze. "I'm glad."

They held eyes, Remus unable to look away, drinking in her deep blue eyes. His gaze drifted downward, looking at her full lips demanding to be kissed, and her slender neck. Claim mate, Moony told him. The thought brought Remus out of his daze and he said, "I think we should have our talk now."

Ava's eyes widened. "Yeah? Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"Um, okay. Just—just let me make sure no one will hear us," she said before pulling her wand from her robes and casting a spell he didn't recognize. Muffliato. She must've read the curiosity in his expression because she said, "It's a silencing spell. It basically creates a bubble around us that makes anyone trying to listen in just hear a buzzing noise."

He nodded in understanding, realizing that she had definitely used that spell around him before. Remus rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. "So, you know that I'm a—a," he began before his voice escaped him.

Ava gave him a warm smile. "A werewolf? Yes, I know that you're a werewolf, and that doesn't bother me or anything just so you know. I don't think less of you for it. If anything, you've earned my respect and admiration for being able to handle the monthly transformations and continue going to classes on the days that you think you can manage around the full moon. You've got to be strong to do that. Mentally and emotionally." She glanced down at his chest and arms before looking back into his eyes. "And physically," she added with a wink.

Both Remus and Moony were stunned. No one had ever presented his curse to him like that before. Not a curse, Moony growled. No, maybe not. She doesn't seem to think so, Remus said to his wolf. He reached out with his other hand to hold both of Ava's small ones in his own. "Thank you for being so kind to me. I'm not sure that I deserve it, but thank you."

Ava pursed her lips, appearing ready to argue.

He interrupted whatever she was about to say. "And don't think I missed that last comment either, Ava." They gave each other a heated look and desire coursed through his entire body. He smirked. "Glad to hear you admit it aloud though."

She raised a brow. "What? That I want you?"

His smirk dropped, feeling his heart race.

She leaned closer. "I can admit that your touch drives me wild and all I want to do is get you naked and see if I can do the same."

Remus let out a low growl as he reached forward and pulled Ava onto the bed, sitting her sideways on his lap, and pulling her lips towards his with a hand on either side of her face. She let out a needy whine and pressed her chest against his, spurring on his actions. Merlin, he thought. The noises she makes. He coaxed her tongue with his and nibbled on her bottom lip just as she covered one of his hands with her own and slid it down so that he was cupping her breast.

Taking the hint, he worked his hand inside her robes and squeezed her gently through her shirt, forcing a soft moan to fall from her lips.

"I adore the sounds you make when I touch you," he said, breathless.

She continued to kiss him fervently as she shifted on his lap, moving to straddle him.

His hands stilled on her breast and back, embarrassed that she would feel the obvious hardness in his pants. But that thought disappeared instantly, as Ava ground herself down onto him. The hand on her back slid further down to grip her ass, going along with her movements, pressing her warm core against himself. He pulled away from her mouth, needing air, but peppered kisses on her cheek, moving to her neck.

Claim mate, Moony urged and Remus began to comply, nipping at her neck in preparation and soothing it with his tongue, as one of Ava's hands held onto the back of his head.

"Remus," she pleaded. "I need you to touch me."

He growled, leaning forward onto his knees and laid Ava back on the bed, with her legs cradling him.

Her eyes were wide and cheeks flushed.

Mate with her, Moony demanded.

Remus stilled, glancing down to see Ava waiting in anticipation. His thoughts flew rapidly. This isn't right. I can't claim her. We didn't even finish talking! She doesn't know that she's my mate. He blinked a few times and shook his head, as if he could rid himself of the desperate need to be with Ava.

She frowned. "Remus? Is everything okay?" she whispered, reaching out a hand to cup his cheek.

"Um, yeah. I mean, no. Not really."

Ava pulled away and sat up on the bed as he did the same. "What is it?" she asked and he could hear the hurt in her tone.

He quickly grasped her hand. "It's nothing you did. I just think we were getting a little ahead of ourselves there. I mean, we didn't exactly finish our conversation."

Her eyes widened briefly before she frowned. "We didn't?"

"No, there's more than just me being a werewolf."

She nodded. "Okay, so let's finish talking then." Her eyes glanced around them before she broke into a smile. "I guess it's a good thing one of us was still thinking straight. We almost had sex in the Hospital Wing."

The corners of his mouth twitched, wanting to smile, but he was too busy fighting the urge to pick up where they had left off. Apparently, Ava just mentioning sex turned him on.

"Oh my god!" she whispered. "Could you imagine if Madame Pomfrey had walked in on us?"

He gulped with wide eyes. "No."

She laughed and gave his hand a soft squeeze. "Well, when we do decide to have sex, I have a much better place in mind."

He quirked an eyebrow, but she shook her head with a smile.

"You'll find out soon enough," she told him with a smirk.

He let out a huff and clenched the fist that wasn't currently attached to Ava's hand, concentrating on the fact that it was not okay for him to take her right there on the hospital bed.

"Anyway, what else did you want to discuss?" she asked.

He swallowed his desire and focused on her voice and face. "Well, you know I'm a werewolf," he began hesitantly. "Do you know anything about werewolves?"

She nodded. "A bit. Is this about the connection we have?"

His eyebrows raised. "Can you feel it?"

"Yeah, our magic seems to like each other quite a bit," she said with a smile.

He ran a hand through his hair. "It's more than that though, I'm afraid." He averted his eyes, unable to say his next words to her face. "You're my mate."

He felt a tug on his hand, pulling his attention back to Ava.

She was frowning deeply. "Why do you sound disappointed? Are you disappointed?" she whispered. "Do you not like me that way? I thought you did."

His jaw dropped, mind not really processing her words until she began to pull away from him, moving to stand. "No! Of course not! I mean, yes, but no."

Ava snatched her hand from his and stood, hands on her hips.

"I'm fucking this up, aren't I?"

She gave him a sharp nod. "And I'll be leaving now if you don't explain."

"I meant 'no', I'm not disappointed. How could I be disappointed with you, Ava? You're incredible." He took the blush that graced her cheeks as a good sign and continued. "And I meant 'yes', I do like you that way. Very much so. You mentioned earlier that I drive you wild? Multiply that by a million, and that's how I feel about you."

She was biting her bottom lip around a smile. "Yeah?"

"Yes." He stood toe to toe with her. "I only sounded upset because I was worried about how you would feel about being my mate."

"Oh," she said, dropping her gaze.

He gently tilted her chin up to see her eyes. "Are you disappointed?"

Her eyes widened minutely before transforming into a glare. "Absolutely not, Remus Lupin. You're outta your damn mind if you think I'm not loving every second of this."

His brows disappeared into his hair line.

"I—I mean," she stammered, causing him to smile.

He leaned forward and cut off her words with a chaste kiss. "I love every second I spend with you too."

She smiled for a moment before furrowing her brows. "So, is this the conversation? You're a werewolf and I'm your mate and our magic made a connection?"

He nodded.

"Okay," she said, before giving him a quick kiss. "I know that you're in better shape than normal, but I think you should still get some rest. I know Madame Pomfrey will be checking on you soon enough."

"You're sure that you're okay with this?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Remus, I'm sure."

He dropped his hands from her face after nodding once. "I'll see you later, then?" he asked.

"Of course." She flashed him a smile before turning and slipping through the privacy curtain.

Climbing back into the bed, he repeated their interaction in his head. That actually went rather well. I can't believe we nearly had sex right in the middle of the Hospital Wing, he thought with a blush blossoming on his cheeks. The reminder brought his thoughts to a halt, realizing that he didn't quite know what having a mate entailed. I'll go to the library as soon as I can. Moony, I'll be needing your help with this. In the back of his mind, Remus could hear the wolf release a grumble of agreement. Thanks for the vote of confidence. Figuring that he should get back to sleep, he laid down and closed his eyes. It was quite some time before he succumbed to exhaustion, mind too busy imaging what his mate looked like beneath her robes.


Avalynn leaned against the closed doors of the Hospital Wing, smiling to herself. Remus really did want to be with her. Her nerves flitted like butterflies. Now it's my turn to tell the truth, she mentally grumbled, pushing herself off the wooden doors and heading down the corridor to the Great Hall for breakfast. Though she might come to regret wasting the opportunity just now to explain her side of the story to Remus, she wanted to have Sirius and James with her. To help soften the blow, she told herself, but there was a small voice that whispered "coward." Ava shook her head, as if to convince herself that it wasn't true. As she made her way to the dining hall, her new found elation transformed into guilt and fear, gnawing at her insides. Maybe I should've just told him. But what if he didn't believe me? That's why I need James and Sirius there too. So they can explain why everything happened the way it did. She bit her bottom lip in deliberation. What if Remus thinks being soulmates is too much? No, he wouldn't. He'd still be happy. Right? With a deep frown, she entered the Great Hall, eyes darting to the usual spot the seventh year Gryffindors sat during meals. Ava let out a relieved breath at the sight of the boys, wanting to tell them about her talk with Remus as soon as possible. As long as they agreed with her, she'd be telling Remus the complete truth in the Room of Requirement that night.