A/N: Happy New Year from a very hungover me! The next chapter will be the final one of this story, and the next story is already written, taking place during the Goblet of Fire. Enjoy, and happy 2019!

'I feel very close to you although our meetings and communications have not been many. There is a vulnerability we share — the warmth, the hunger.'

Anne Sexton

"Harry's coming," Darcy says absently, following his dot on the Marauder's Map with her finger. He's walking quickly through the corridors alone, fighting his way through crowds of students on his way to Lupin's classroom. She looks up at Lupin, his back to her as he removes books from the bookshelves and places them into his trunk.

"I hoped he would," Lupin murmurs, struggling to fit the books in his trunk. He stands up straighter again, smiling at her before returning to packing his things.

"Do you want any help?"

"No, no," he says, with no indication of impatience. "Don't worry. Keep an eye on that map for me, my love."

Darcy smiles weakly back at him, looking down at the map again. Seated in his desk chair, Darcy brushes her hair back out of her face, sighing. She rubs furiously at her tired eyes, wishing Lupin had just let her sleep all through the day and all through the night, but she's privately very glad he'd woken her up. It had been so nice to curl up against his chest and fall asleep, one of his arms hooked around her. So exhausted was she that she hadn't even dreamt—not that she'd slept for very long. Lupin had kissed her for a long time, kissed her lips and her cheeks and her forehead and temples and nose, and when he had kissed every inch of her face, he'd pulled her to him again and Darcy had fallen asleep just like that, her arm wrapped around his middle, clinging onto him as if by letting go he would leave forever.

Now clad in clothing that fits him (the elbows patched perfectly thanks to Darcy), Lupin bustles around the office, still looking very much in need of a long rest. She admires him for a moment, this man that is hers, even if she would never admit it outloud to anyone. Lupin turns every so often just to glance at her, as if just to check Darcy is still there. Each time their eyes meet, their cheeks turn slightly pink, embarrassed and sad smiles gracing their faces. Most of the office is now unfortunately packed, the shelves emptied and his apartments cleared of all his personal effects, making the office and his room feel much less comfortable and safe.

Darcy continues to follow Harry on the Marauder's Map until his dot reaches the classroom, and a second later, the office door opens and Harry walks in. He looks around the empty office, frowning, a slight crease appearing between his eyebrows. Lupin pauses his packing to smile at Harry, but Harry turns to Darcy first, raising his eyebrows and preparing to deliver bad news, it seems.

"Madam Pomfrey is mad at you," he says bluntly, and Darcy can't help but smile a little. "Dumbledore told her you probably went back to your dormitory."

Darcy blushes furiously, looking back down at the map to hide her shame. "Dumbledore came to see you this morning?" she asks casually. "Did he say anything about Sirius?"

Harry hesitates, tilting his head slightly. "No, he—well, he wanted to talk to you."

This grabs her attention, and Darcy looks up again. Even Lupin stops packing once more to look at Harry. "Why does he want to talk to me?" she says, looking to Lupin in hopes he'll have an answer. Lupin looks slightly nervous, his face pacing as he clears his throat. "Do you think he wants to talk about last night?"

"Probably wants to talk to you about the way you yelled at Snape—"

"You yelled at Severus? You didn't tell me that," Lupin interrupts, narrowing his eyes at Darcy. "What about?"

"It was nothing," Darcy replies quickly, waving an impatient hand, not wanting to waste what little energy she has being mad at Snape. "He was lying about everything that had happened in the Shrieking Shack—he was lying to Fudge about you and Sirius."

"You should be careful," Lupin warns her, resuming his packing, albeit much slower. "He may decide he doesn't want you back next year."

"I wasn't going to sit there and listen to Snape tell lies about you and Sirius to the Minister of Magic. If he doesn't want me back because of that, then that isn't my fault," Darcy retorts, getting to her feet. Checking her watch, she turns to speak to Lupin's back. "I'll wait in the classroom for you."

Darcy forces herself to smile at Harry, ruffling his hair as she leaves her brother and Lupin to talk privately. She closes the door behind her, walking slowly down the stairs. The classroom seems very big without Lupin's things scattered among the walls and shelves. It seems uninviting and cold, and Darcy seats herself atop one of the desks, swinging her legs over the edge. For a moment, she thinks of seeking out Dumbledore, just to check in, just to see what he has to say to her, but she doesn't want to waste time, and she especially doesn't want Lupin to leave before she can say her final goodbye. The thought makes her incredibly sad still, and part of her aches with the idea that she won't ever see Lupin again once he leaves Hogwarts. At least, if he were to stay here, Darcy would know for certain he'd be readily available . . . what if he goes home and decides he wants nothing to do with her? What if he decides it's not worth it and refuses to speak to her again?

She doesn't have to leave the classroom to seek Dumbledore out, however. After a few minutes of sitting in silence, listening to the quiet and muffled voices of Harry and Lupin behind the door of his office (she hears Lupin laugh once and her stomach churns pleasurably at such a sweet sound, and she hears Harry's incredulous voice right afterwards), the classroom door opens and Dumbledore walks in slowly, his deeply lined face looking uncharacteristically serious. He sees Darcy at once and stops walking, holding his hands behind his back and approaching a bit slower. Dumbledore pulls up a chair at the desk in front of Darcy, sitting down and looking at her for a long time, making her feel incredibly guilty for reasons unknown to herself.

"Professor, I'm sorry I snuck out of the hospital wing," she tells him quickly, and this makes Dumbledore's lips curl upwards, his blue eyes twinkling behind his glasses. "I just couldn't bear to be there anymore, and I needed to get away and I know that Madam Pomfrey is probably furious, but she doesn't understand—it was a long night and I—"

"So you decided to wait for Professor Lupin to return to his chambers in the morning?" Dumbledore finishes for her, and Darcy nods in answer, lowering her head, feeling ashamed and blushing furiously. "And I'm very sorry for keeping him for so long, but I felt an explanation was due him after the events last night. He was very glad to know that Sirius was saved from fate that awaited him." There's an awkward silence, and Darcy feels that she knows what is coming. "Darcy, earlier in the year, I gave you some advice in regards to Professor Lupin and yourself."

"I remember, sir."

Dumbledore steeples his fingers together, elbows resting on the desk, and Darcy frowns. "The two of you explicitly disobeyed my warning, explicitly disobeyed my direct instruction not to cross anymore boundaries," he tells her in a low voice, and Darcy meets his eyes only for a second, only to show him her shame. "I had thought, of all people, Professor Lupin would understand the consequences of your actions. You, on the other hand, have always been one more inclined to ignoring rules set in place for your own protection—something both you and your brother share. I hope that you have learned a lesson here, Darcy, and I hope that you will not disobey me again."

"Professor—sir—you can't blame Professor Lupin for anything," she says, her cheeks burning with humiliation. Suddenly the things she and Lupin have done seem so stupid, and so dangerous and risky and reckless. "It was all my fault, but I—everything was my idea, I swear it—I'm so sorry, Professor."

"You could have been expelled from this school, Darcy," Dumbledore continues quietly. "Professor Lupin could have lost his job, which would have been a great loss for all of us at Hogwarts. The Ministry could have called for an inquiry, and it is hard for me to believe that the Ministry would be able to look past Professor Lupin's condition to make a fair and earnest assessment of the situation. But I have not come here to tell you what could have and could not have happened—I know how you must be feeling, and I have no wish to make you feel any worse now. There will be time later to talk about your severe breach of conduct."

Darcy feels a great surge of affection for Dumbledore, but her heart breaks all over again, and tears build in her eyes. "Will I ever see him again, Professor?" she rasps, looking pleadingly at Dumbledore. "Where has he gone? Why couldn't I have gone with him?"

"A life on a run is not a life for you," Dumbledore explains gently. "You belong with Harry, with your family."

"Those people are not my family. The Dursleys hate me—they hate me and Harry," Darcy snaps, suddenly very angry at Dumbledore and the way he is able to speak of the Dursleys so calmly. "I should have gone with Sirius—"

"And leave those who love you?" Dumbledore asks. His eyes flick past Darcy to look up at the door of Lupin's office. Darcy turns to watch the scene; Harry's opened the door for Lupin, whose hands are full with his trunk and an empty grindylow tank stuffed under his arm. The two of them look down upon Dumbledore and Darcy for a moment, and they both smile at her sweetly. She turns back to Dumbledore and he leans in to her, speaking quietly so neither Harry not Lupin can overhear him. "You and Sirius will meet again, Darcy, sooner than you think. But I believe it would have been an act of great recklessness and betrayal to have left everything behind just to go with Sirius last night."

"I don't want to go back, Professor," she whispers, turning back to plead with Dumbledore. "I don't want to go back to Privet Drive ever again—I could take Harry with me."

Dumbledore speaks to Harry and Lupin next. "Could we have one more minute?" he asks, and Darcy hears the office door close. Dumbledore sighs heavily. He reaches inside his worn and faded robes, pulling from them a sealed envelope. He holds it out for Darcy to take, and she sees that is isn't addressed. Darcy takes it from him, turning it over in her hands, examining the Headmaster's scarlet wax seal. "When you return home to Privet Drive this summer—and I promise you, one day you will understand why you must—I wish for you to give this letter to your aunt. Not your uncle, just your aunt."

"May I know what's in it, sir?"

"If she wishes to tell you." Dumbledore watches Darcy place the envelope beside her on the desk. "Darcy, I think an apology is in order."

Darcy raises an eyebrow, unable to think of any reason as to why Dumbledore should have to apologize.

"When I appointed Professor Lupin to the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, I knew that you would be enamoured with him the moment he revealed he was friends with your parents, the moment you found out who he is," Dumbledore continues, seeming very weary and apologetic. "I remember you as a little girl in your first few years, asking me questions about your parents, questions that pained even myself because I did not have the answers you seeked. But I felt I was never the person for you to hear such answers from. And I remember, just a few years ago, when you and Harry discovered the Mirror of Erised, and you did not have to tell me what you saw—I knew you would see your parents, alive and well, and Harry beside you. A whole and complete family, something you've longed after for so long."

Darcy doesn't answer. Dumbledore is absolutely right, and she's sure he knows it. She wonders what she would see now if she looked into the mirror—her parents of course, and Harry, but would Sirius be there, too? And Lupin?

"I know that you have not been shown the love you deserve—a cruel thing for someone with so much love to give. It is an admirable thing to be so kind when the world has not been kind to you," Dumbledore says finally, after Darcy has a moment to mull things over. "I know that you have waited a long time to be loved the way you have been this year. Professor Lupin told me everything this morning, save for some details I think he wanted to keep private. I do not blame you for holding onto that."

"I'm sorry, Professor Dumbledore," she says apologetically, her heart heavy. "I never meant any disrespect, sir." And with tears welling in her eyes, she asks, "Does he have to go? Why can't he stay here?"

"It was his choice to leave," Dumbledore replies. "We must respect his decision."

"I want him to stay."

Dumbledore doesn't answer her, but his last look at her makes her feel very small and childish. He takes his wand from inside his pocket and points it at the office door. It swings open, and Harry and Lupin—who are mid-conversation, their voices rather low—stop talking immediately and shuffle through the open door.

Darcy looks again at Harry and Lupin, these boys she loves so much, and she smiles at them. Dumbledore's words have such an effect on her, that Darcy feels foolish for trying to go with Sirius now—foolish for thinking she could ever leave Harry behind, alone at Privet Drive without her—foolish for thinking she could ever live without having Harry at her side—foolish for thinking she could leave Lupin after all that had happened in the last year. She and Sirius had only just reunited after years, and of course she loves him—how could she not after months of dreaming of him and waking feeling a sense of love that she hadn't felt in so long? But Lupin and Harry are here, already willing to love her.

Darcy gets off the desk, her legs working mechanically, bringing her up the few steps to the landing just outside of Lupin's office. With her heart suddenly very light at the sight of them, Darcy wraps her arms around them both, holding them very tight. They both tense, and Harry squirms a little in her grip.

"Darcy . . ." he mutters in her ear, still trying to escape her grasp. "Come on . . ."

Darcy pulls back just slightly, giving her brother a weak smile. "Just let me have this for a minute, Harry."

Harry and Lupin exchange a quick glance, and she falls back into them. Darcy feels one of Lupin's arms wrap around her waist, and one of Harry's around her neck, and she closes her eyes, relishing the feeling of having a proper family for the first time in what feels like forever. Warmth floods her, warming her bones and healing her broken heart, and the three of them break apart far too soon for her liking.

After exchanging several handshakes and hasty, last minute goodbyes with Harry and Dumbledore, Lupin allows Darcy to carry the empty tank for him as he walks quickly through the corridors of Hogwarts towards the entrance hall. Lunch is still going on in the Great Hall, and the two of them barely set foot over the threshold when someone calls their names.

"Hey! Professor Lupin!"

They stop, turning to see Gemma running towards them. She's smiling, which is a good sign to Darcy, and approaches them. Lupin urges them to keep moving, to move away from the crowd of students, and Gemma follows them into the sunlit courtyard, holding a hand up to her face to shield her eyes from the sun.

"I see you found her," Gemma grins at Darcy. "I've been looking everywhere for you, Darcy."

This makes Lupin give a small laugh. "I found her pretty easily on my own, funnily enough," he replies. "Seems she was waiting for me to return."

"You're really leaving, huh?" Gemma asks quietly, crossing her arms over her chest and giving him a sad look. Lupin nods slowly. "I'm sorry it didn't work out for you, but listen—I'm doing classes this summer for a position at St Mungo's."

Lupin looks at Darcy and smiles again, looking back to Gemma. "That's wonderful."

"Right, I know, I'm really excited and—well the point is," Gemma continues, still grinning cheekily. "I may be able to scrape together some ingredients for your potion if you'd like. I know it's not very accessible, but . . . I'm feeling generous . . ."

Darcy looks at Gemma incredulously, feeling a great rush of affection for her friend. Even Lupin seems taken aback by this offer, and he stammers for a moment, looking desperately to Darcy for backup. "Gemma, I—that's—I would never expect you to—I couldn't accept—"

"It comes at a price, of course," Gemma adds, and Lupin looks at her warily. "You don't think I'd just give things away out of the goodness of my heart?" Her tone is light and playful, and Darcy has a feeling that Gemma is enjoying toying with Lupin far too much.

"What's the price?" he asks her slowly, but curiously. "Or do I want to know?"

Gemma smiles sweetly. "If you were interested," she says dramatically, holding her hands behind her back and rocking backwards and forwards on her feet. "I've noticed there aren't a lot of studies done on werewolves—understandable, of course, considering not a lot of people are willing to come forwards voluntarily—anyway, I've been thinking—"

"You want to experiment on me?" Lupin finishes for her, but he doesn't sound angry or offended. When Darcy looks at him, he looks exasperated, but certainly not angry.

"It would be less poking and prodding," Gemma explains with a laugh. "And a little more experimenting with potions. Like I said, if you're interested, I'd like to see if we could find something to ease the symptoms of lycanthropy. Not that we could cure it completely, and of course Wolfsbane doesn't ease symptoms preceding and following the full moon, but—"

"You wouldn't give me anything that could kill me, hopefully?" Lupin frowns.

"Kill the only person who would even consider entertaining my proposal?" Gemma balks, waving an impatient hand at him. "As long as you stay on my good side, you'll be completely safe, and who knows? We could really make a name for ourselves in the werewolf and medical community."

Lupin shakes his head, laughing again. "I'll think about it," he answers. "It was good to meet you, Gemma. Tell Emily and Carla I said goodbye." He holds out a hand to shake Gemma's.

"I will," Gemma says, giving Lupin's hand a firm shake. "Though it's unlikely Emily will listen. Goodbye, Professor Lupin. Think on what I've said. I'll make sure Darcy tries to convince you to accept. I'll write her about it when I've put everything together."

As Gemma runs back into the castle and Darcy and Lupin continue to the grounds, something occurs to Darcy. She turns to Lupin and asks, "Have you spoken about being a werewolf to Gemma before?"

Lupin clears his throat. "I didn't want to tell you, Darcy—I didn't want you to worry, but I suppose you'll find out eventually . . ." He sighs, setting down his trunk at the foot of the stairs that lead to the castle. Darcy lowers the empty tank in her arms, watching the thestral pulling Lupin's carriage toss its head almost impatiently. "I found Gemma at breakfast to ask her to look for you, and—well, she told me . . . Severus had told Slytherin House that I'm a werewolf."

Darcy frowns, anger at Snape rising again in her. "That's terrible," she growls, thinking of Snape's triumphant smile only last night when he had thought the dementors would get Sirius. "He had no right to do that!"

"The truth would have come out eventually," Lupin says, looking at Darcy for a long time. "It took longer than I had expected, but please don't say anything more to Severus. You've done more than enough for me, Darcy, and I cannot thank you enough. I would hate to see him turn you away next year because you couldn't hold your tongue." Lupin grins at her, quickly brushing a few strands of hair out of her face and glancing towards the door of the entrance hall. He lowers his hand reluctantly, looking very sad.

"She's known for months," Darcy confesses. "That you're a werewolf."

Lupin only smiles, but gives no answer. "I've given Harry the Marauder's Map back and the Invisibility Cloak. I'm sure they'll be of use to him in future years. I certainly have no need for them."

"Thank you," Darcy replies. She wishes suddenly she was back in bed, curled up against Lupin, sleeping soundly. "I can still see you over the summer, can't I?"

Lupin smiles wider. "Yes—! I mean—yes," he answers breathlessly, his voice slightly higher than it had been five seconds ago. "I'll—I'll write to you about it. Yes—I'd like that very much."

She smiles sheepishly, blushing. "Me too."

Darcy helps Lupin load his things into the back of the carriage, but he doesn't get in right away. They stand behind it, hidden from the castle's entrance doors. "I hope Dumbledore didn't give you a hard time," he whispers. "I wanted to tell him myself before he found out in some terrible way. I promise I left out the dirty details. Saved us that humiliation, at least."

"He didn't give me too hard a time," she shrugs, very sad to see Lupin fidget uncomfortably before here. "Don't worry."

"Listen, my love," he says, taking her hands in his and kissing her knuckles before letting go. "If your aunt and uncle are—if they hurt you or anything—I want you to tell me, do you understand?."

Darcy nods. "I will."

"And take care of Harry—"

"That goes without saying."

"And don't drink too much tonight—"

"How did you know about that?"

Lupin closes his eyes, looking as though what is going to come out of his mouth will physically pain him. "And no broom closets."

Darcy laughs. "No broom closets, I swear." Lupin opens his eyes and smiles. "You know—if you need anything, please let me know. If there's anything I can do for you . . ."

"I wouldn't ask that of you, but it is very sweet of you to offer."

She sighs softly. "I'll miss you. Must you go?"

"Unfortunately, yes. The time has come, and I shouldn't linger much longer." His eyes rove over her face, as if committing it to memory. "It is . . . much harder to leave you than I anticipated."

Lupin leans in to kiss her, but hesitates halfway in. He looks into her eyes briefly and settles with a quick kiss on her cheek. Darcy blushes as his lips touch her skin, and he pulls away from her very slowly. Her fingers jump to her cheek, to the place where his lips have caused electricity to spark beneath her skin.

"Goodbye, Remus."

A smile reappears on his face at the sound of his name. "Not a goodbye," he tells her. "I'll see you soon, Darcy."

Darcy helps him into the carriage, and he holds up a hand in farewell as the thestral begins to move, pulling carriage away from her. Darcy watches the carriage roll farther and farther away, and halfway down the lawn, Darcy finds herself praying for the same thing she had only last night as Sirius left her.

Please look back. Please look back. Please.

And he does. Lupin turns in his seat and sticks his head out the window to look at her again, smiling all the while. Darcy smiles back at him, putting her fingers to her lips and blowing a subtle kiss to him. This makes him beam even more enthusiastically, the corners of his eyes crinkling before he retreats back into the carriage.

Darcy continues to watch until the carriage is completely out of sight, and despite the fact that Lupin is leaving and all hopes of being with him at Hogwarts next year are completely dashed, Darcy can't help but feel a little less lonely.