Sorry for keeping you waiting :) Here comes chapter 8!

Inspired by "Please don't stop the rain" by James Morrison, "Apologize" by One Republic and, last but not least this brilliant piece of fan-art: .com/?q=Tonks%20and%20Remus&order=9&offset=48#/dyc1ll

Enjoy!

The crack caused by my apparition was drowned by the thunderstorm raging around me as I reappeared. Rain was pouring down from the black sky, looking up I saw mountains of menacingly swirling clouds. The sky seemed to represent my thoughts at that moment.
I remember every detail of that night. The good and the bad…
I had splashed through the muddy lane towards the small house you lived in. I was drenched at the time I reached the back door. Banging my fist on it I yelled for you to let me in. But you didn't. I stood there for several minutes, waiting, giving you some time to collect yourself. Then I tapped the door with my wand and it swung open.
Quietly I stepped into your house, looking around. I was standing in a small kitchen, next to the cold fireplace. My eyes swept the room, when they fell on you. You were sitting with your back to me at the table. Your knees pulled up to your chin, your face hidden beneath your wet brown hair.
Your shoulders were trembling with sobs. I stretched out my hand, wanting to comfort, console you, but I hesitated. Inches from your shoulder I pulled my hand back, not knowing what to do. Standing there, staring at you, I wondered if you had even realized my presence.
I didn't want to scare you, trying to guess your reactions to possible actions I could take, uncertain what would be the best way.
Finally I decided to make you a cup of chocolate. My mother always did this when I was down, so at least once a month in my childhood. It had always helped. So I started to move through your kitchen in silence. Getting a cup and a pot… I knew you were watching now, but didn't turn to face you.
A few minutes later I put the cup down on the table in front of you and backed away, still waiting and watching you. At first you didn't move, so I kept waiting.
I don't know how long it took you to move your hand those few inches to the cup, but at last you did it, and I thought it was save to speak now.

I told you I was sorry.
You didn't reply.
I told you I just wanted to keep you safe.
You still didn't say anything.
I fell silent again, thinking. Finally I said the only thing I ever wanted to tell you.

'I love you.'

Your head snapped up.
You were glaring at me. Disbelieve and disgust edged on your face. It hurt so much to have you looking at me like that, I averted my eyes again.
I knew I was too late. I knew I had pushed you away for too long. I knew I had broken your heart too often. I knew I had missed my chance.
Disheartened I started to move to the door, but when I passed you, you suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist. I froze.
'Don't go.' You had whispered in a timid voice, so unlike your own, you said you didn't want to be alone that night. I had sighed and kneeled down in front of you, trying to look into your face. But again you had hidden behind your knees and hair.
Gently I had stroked your hair back, pushing it behind your ear. I suppressed another sigh; I missed the bright pink so much. I lifted your chin up, looking you directly in the eyes for the first time in months. With another pang of guilt I noticed that the usual twinkling was gone; your eyes were cold and absent. I wondered if I would ever see that smiling, carefree, young woman again. You had changed so much this past year. You had grown up, matured. You had been through so much pain and grief, just because of me.
But there was something good about the whole thing. It showed me, just how much you loved me.
And against all better judgement I pulled your lips to mine. I knew it was wrong, but I just couldn't stand seeing you like this, nor could I stand staying away from you any longer. I breathed in that sweet smell of yours, tasted the remnants of the chocolate on your tongue and then we were suddenly falling. You had thrown yourself into the kiss with so much enthusiasm that I had lost balance and keeled over backwards, with you on top of me.

I groped for my wand and with a flick of it, the curtains closed.

Let's give them some privacy now, shall we?

Don't forget to review! And thanks again for all the kind words :)