Hagrid was a little confused when Remus dropped off the burlap bag of knotgrass with no further word, but then he saw Ginny and him holding hands and became instantly teary eyed. They were adorable together, and his heart warmed at the thought that they'd made up from whatever had been keeping them apart for the last few days. He knew Remus had been miserable though he'd said nothing. Hagrid couldn't imagine Ginny had been much better though she'd offered small smiles when he'd seen her in the halls. He was just glad that they'd found happiness in each other.

"You said Hermione is watching William, right?" Remus asked as he put his arm around Ginny's shoulders while they walked, feeling her arm around his waist. "Think she'd mind watching him for just a bit longer?" He was desperate to make up for their first mishap and show her he could be a sensitive lover.

Ginny blushed as they approached the castle, glancing down at the grass before looking at him. "No, I don't think she'd mind," she answered with a smile. "I'd say she'd be pretty happy actually."

"Shall it be your place or mine then?" he asked. "I kind of need to straighten mine up." His bedroom, in particular, was a disaster.

"Me too," Ginny said, but then remembered something she hadn't thought of in a few years. "I think I know where we can go though." She hoped that she could find it and that it would still work.

"Where?"

"You'll see."

Fifteen minutes later after reaching the seventh floor and locating the tapestry that depicted the attempt of Barnabas the Barmy to teach trolls ballet, Ginny walked past the opposite wall three times. She imagined a beautiful romantic bedroom and then pictured her and Remus on the bed, hoping it would be enough.

When a door appeared and opened for them, Ginny entered the room with a huge smile on her face while Remus' mouth dropped. "What is this?" he asked, mind racing. "Wait…is this…the Room of Requirement?" He couldn't believe what he was seeing. It was perfect! Why hadn't he thought of this?

She nodded. "Yes it is," Ginny answered, glancing around. "I haven't been in here in years. This is where we used to practice spells for Dumbledore's Army. You remember me telling you about it." She proudly recalled one Reducto spell that had silenced the room of students when she'd performed it. She often missed those days.

"I do remember," Remus said, reaching for her hand. "Good thinking."

The Room of Requirement provided them a perfectly decorated bedroom in which to consummate their love. A four poster bed made of dark walnut wood was to the right, covered in a beige satin duvet that was sprinkled with red rose petals, as a sheer netting hung from the ceiling above the center and hugged each poster in a spiral that reached the plush carpet. There were multiple pillows of all shapes and sizes in red and gold, representing their house colors. On each side of the bed were small tables, also made of dark walnut wood, each with a glass-etched vase containing a dozen red roses sitting atop it. To the left side of the room across from the bed was a small buffet table of the same dark wood with plates of fruit, cheese and pastries along with a bottle of red wine and two crystal glasses.

"Remus, look in here," Ginny said, pulling him by the hand. Off to the side was a bathroom, complete with a drawn bubble bath in a huge, oval shaped porcelain tub, soft music playing and lit by at least twenty candles, some around the tub, some on the counter across from it and some spelled in the air. "The room really outdid itself this time."

"We have robes as well," he noticed, swinging the door halfway closed so she could see the thick plush crimson robes hanging there. "This is absolutely amazing." He was astounded. It couldn't have been better if he'd had days to plan it himself. Actually, he had to admit that this was probably better than what he would have come up with.

Ginny was smiling and couldn't stop. Remus' gaze met hers and he couldn't stop either. "This is so much better," he said. "Not to take away from the other night of course, but…if I were to plan something for us, it would be more like this."

"That's why it's here," Ginny explained, reaching for his hand again. "The room combined both of our wishes." She winked. "I say we pour some wine."

"By all means," Remus agreed as they walked back out to the small table with the wine and food. He quickly uncorked the bottle and poured the dark burgundy colored liquid into the crystal glasses, handing one to her. "To us," he said, lifting his glass.

Ginny was beaming at the man in front of her. He brought her more happiness than she thought she'd ever feel again. "To us," she said as they lightly clinked glasses before taking a sip. "Mmm. Merlot. One of my favorites." Of course it is, she thought to herself.

Remus reached for a strawberry slice and lifted it to Ginny's mouth, rubbing her bottom lip lightly before watching her tongue dart out to taste the sweet fruit. He slowly slipped the slice into her mouth, but before he could pull his hand away, she kissed the ends of his fingers. In turn, she reached for a small piece of pineapple and placed it between her teeth. She leaned towards him so he could take it from her and moaned quietly when his lips sealed over hers.

They fed each other a few more pieces of fruit and some cheese before they found themselves bodily entangled in the other, tasting of wine and fruit, and forgetting all about the plates.

"Maybe we should try the bath," Ginny whispered, reluctantly releasing herself from his hold, but taking her wine glass with her. Remus silently agreed and reached for his glass, following her into the bathroom. He was more hungry for her than for food anyway, eager to feel her body against his.

They set their glasses down on the edge of the tub and moved the candles from the rim to the counter, not wanting to accidentally knock them off. Shadows danced in the warm orange glow of the room as the wicks from the many candles flickered against the marble, tile and dark wood.

Remus reached for her and slid his hands to her waist. "Forgive me for being so sensitive," he said quietly, searching her eyes, noticing how they reflected the fluttering of the many flames around them. "I didn't mean to ruin our…"

"Stop," she said gently, pressing a finger to his lips. "We were both at fault. It's done now. Relationships are not new to us, Remus. We know it's all about growing together and learning how to communicate. We've both been to hell and back. We'll figure it out." She paused to place a chaste kiss to his lips. "I love you."

Remus smiled at the woman in his arms. "I don't deserve you," he told her, shaking his head. "But I love you so much." He touched his lips to hers in what he'd initially planned as a simple expression of his emotion, but ended up in a scorching union of passion. He allowed his hands to trail over her body, taking her clothing with them, and succumbed to hers doing the same.

When flesh was writhing against flesh, when hands were caressing and sliding over warm, naked skin and when lips were locked in a maddening embrace, Ginny barely managed to whisper, "Tub."

They carefully stepped into the warm sudsy water that was just the right temperature. Remus sat against the tub while Ginny reclined to his chest. After taking a couple sips of wine, Ginny put their glasses back while Remus wrapped his arms around her.

"This is amazing," Ginny observed, breathing deeply, relaxing from the strength of his body supporting hers, the warm water easing her muscles and the wine coursing through her veins. "Just perfect."

"You're what's amazing," Remus corrected, kissing her neck lightly and enjoying how her body fit on his. "This is how it should have been. Romantic and sensual with roses and wine, not an alcohol induced romp." He couldn't help it. He still felt bad about that. The act itself had been acceptable, but not for their first time.

"It was my idea," Ginny reminded him. "It's not as if you forced me or anything." She paused. "Tell me more though. You mentioned something about the full moon."

Remus sighed. "The closer it gets to a full moon, the more…aggressive…my sexual appetite becomes," he explained, sounding as if he was apologizing. "I'm sure Tonks must have mentioned it at some point. The animal instinct grows stronger and attempts to take over. I try to fight it but…"

"Don't fight it," she told him, trailing her nails along his arm that rested across her body. "Just be you, whatever it is at the time."

"Gin, I could hurt you," he said quietly, giving her a gentle squeeze. "I did hurt you. It's almost as if I become oblivious to everything around me and…"

"I told you," she repeated. "Even if you had been gentle and slow, the same thing would have happened because it had been so long. It would have happened here, in fact, if this had been the first time. Besides, I don't always want gentle and slow, Remus." That was a misconception that men had about women and sex. They didn't always want to 'make love'. Sometimes they wanted to be completely and devastatingly ravished.

Her words surprised him, but he told himself they shouldn't. Tonks had appreciated his 'animal side' so why shouldn't Ginny? It was something he'd always been horribly self-conscious about though. "Really?" he said with a smirk that she couldn't see as he nuzzled her neck and hairline. No matter what phase the moon was in, his sense of smell was always heightened. Inhaling the combined sweetness of her skin and her arousal, he stifled a moan and began to writhe against her.

"Yes," she admitted, feeling him hardening against her back, knowing he was more at ease with their conversation. It was truth though. She was in no way humoring him. "I do like a bit of forcefulness once in awhile. Many women do, just most don't admit it. Now that I know how it works with the moon, I can keep that in mind. That could be fun." She laughed softly at her own thoughts. That could definitely be fun.

Remus pressed his hips to her, thankful for the words she was saying, and knew she was being truthful. She was right, it could be an awful lot of fun. Right now he wanted more than words and allowed his hands to slip and slide over her soapy body, hearing her moan softly as her nipples pebbled under his touch. They could talk later.

Ginny reached up to slide her hand to his neck and into the baseline of his hair, raking her nails against his skin. She squeezed his leg with her other hand in response to the fingers that had found her magic place. She closed her eyes and gave in to the pleasure he provided as he quickly found the small nub that was desperate for attention and slowly flicked her under the water. She lifted her knees up allow him better access as every muscle in her body began to tighten. She'd tried to pleasure herself the past few months, but it just hadn't been the same. This was heaven. She released his leg and moved that hand to join the other, gripping and raking her nails on his scalp. "Yes, Remus," she breathed.

He knew he was bringing pleasure to her, but also knew that every woman was different; that every one had a trick that only they knew. "Tell me how to make it better," he whispered huskily in her ear, followed by a quick lick on her earlobe. "Please." With no words, she released one of her hands, placing two of his fingers in a 'v', and then pushed them open while his other finger continued manipulating the fleshy nub back and forth.

He hoped it wouldn't be long. He could make it last, but he really wanted to hear her. The warm water engulfed them as his finger danced in between her legs while her knees rested against the side of the tub, her hands gripping the back of his head. Her moans grew louder, but shorter and more frantic. When she breathed "yes", he fought to keep contact with her as she bucked against him, cries of physical bliss echoing around them in the small room.

The center of Ginny's body throbbed and pulsed, as stars seemed to explode before her. She squeezed her eyes shut and, for once, didn't care about being quiet as she called out to whatever deity wanted to listen. Left a quivering, panting heap of muscle, she released her arms into the water and felt like a rag doll as she relaxed against him and leaned her head back to his shoulder. Damn he was good at that.

"Wow," she breathed as she stretched her legs out in the water and adjusted so Remus could wrap his arms around her again. She felt him kiss her cheek and smiled as they remained still for a few moments.

"I couldn't resist," he whispered in her ear. "Listening to you is one of my favorite things." There was just something amazing about hearing exalts of pleasure from someone he loved. He had to release his hold when Ginny slowly peeled her body from him. She turned around carefully, as not to slosh water too much, and placed a leg on either side of his body with a wicked smile on her face. "What are you…" he began to ask, but quickly realized what she was doing. "Dear Merlin."

As Ginny straddled him, rubbing the apex of her body against his erection, she leaned forward to his neck, licking and kissing, before moving to his ear and whispering, "I can't resist either," instantly sliding onto him and taking him inside of her, inch by inch. He gripped her hips as the wet, warm heat engulfed him, groaning and leaning his head to the edge of the tub, surprised at her action.

"Ginny," he sighed, eyes closed, feeling her grind against him in the water and her nipples graze his chest, unable to refrain from lifting his hips and pushing inside her further. "You're wicked."

"You've no idea," she agreed, clenching her muscles and watching as his mouth dropped and eyes flew open while a low, predatory growl rumbled from within his chest. "I think it's time we move to the bed. Don't you think? Much more and all of this water will be on the floor."

He slid his wet hands up to the back of her neck and pulled her to him, hungry for her kiss, holding her until near breathless from their embrace. "I agree," he told her, instantly missing her when she broke their union. They stood, accio'd the robes and stepped out of the tub. After wrapping themselves in the softness, they walked hand in hand to the rose petal covered bed waiting for them while music still played around them.

Ginny walked over to the roses on the table beside the bed, leaned over and inhaled deeply. They were perfect. Remus slipped his arms around her waist from behind and rested his head on her shoulder. "I'm so glad I remembered this room," she said. "This has been wonderful." In her mind, she knew she'd always consider this their first time, though the other was certainly not without merit.

"Yes it has," he agreed, stepping from her to pick her up as her arms slipped around his neck. "But we're not done just yet." With one knee on the bed, he gently placed her in the center of the petals, her red hair fanning out and contrasting with the light color of the duvet under her. He lowered himself and slid his arms under her. "This is how it should have been," he whispered, his lips grazing along hers.

"I don't regret the other," Ginny told him truthfully, brushing strands of graying brown hair from his eyes. The two couldn't be compared and it wasn't fair to try. "That was fun too. Just in a different way."

"I'm just always afraid of hurting those I love," he murmured, dipping his head to kiss the skin visible between the fold of her robe. "It's why I've never married. I just couldn't bear the thought…"

When he didn't finish, Ginny placed a hand on either side of his face. "You don't have to worry with me," she assured him. "If I can handle my son, I can handle you."

Remus searched her eyes and then smiled slightly. There was so much he wanted to tell her and explain to her, but he knew now was obviously not the time. He chose, instead, to lower his lips to hers and allow his kiss to profess his desire for the woman that gave him another chance at happiness.

The slow, languid kiss quickly escalated like a match dropped upon a stream of firewhiskey. Hands frantically grasped and pulled at material until the plush robes lay crumpled at the end of the bed. All was forgotten except the longing to be one as Ginny wrapped her legs around Remus and pulled him close.

He lifted his head for the briefest moment, just long enough to hear Ginny breathe his name with a need that overwhelmed both his human and animal nature. With a groan, his lips seized hers as he slid himself into her wet passage easily, growling when her walls clenched around him once more. She would positively be his undoing.

As their bodies gently rocked together, Ginny was relieved there was no discomfort and allowed herself to submit to her pleasure completely. She sensed on immediate difference between the first time and now. He was more aware of her and didn't seem quite so oblivious like he did previously.

They took their time with each other, savoring every touch and kiss, and were in no hurry. When their eyes met, Ginny saw love reflected in his, not a carnal longing for completion. It was precious and beautiful for she'd thought she'd never feel that way again and allowed Remus to carry her away to a world that she'd feared was lost forever.

"Ginny."

She stirred slightly when she heard her name.

"Love, we should go," Remus whispered, rubbing her arm. "We've been asleep over an hour."

Ginny reluctantly opened her eyes. She was comfortable and hated to move from their entwined embrace.

"What time is it anyway?" she asked, slowly lifting her head to see if there was a clock around.

"Must be near dinner time," Remus answered, smiling at her. "Did anyone know where you were? You said Hermione had William."

She nodded. "Yeah," she answered, running a hand through her hair. "She knew I was going to talk to you."

Remus reached for her hand to kiss the top of it. "Even though she probably hasn't been looking for you," he prefaced. "I suppose we should retrieve your son."

"Yeah," she agreed, climbing from the bed and pulling him with her. "Let's get cleaned up first. I think we'll need to have a little chat with him."

"I think you might be right," Remus concurred, knowing he would be spending future nights with Ginny and that an age appropriate explanation would need to be given to the child about their "special friendship" moving to the next level.

"Well, well," Hermione teased when she opened the door to see Remus and Ginny standing there with both spent and embarrassed smiles plastered on their red faces. "Look what the chimaera dragged in."

Remus laughed and shook his head when Ginny glanced up at him. "Sorry we're a little late," she said quietly with a shrug, trying not to laugh herself.

"You'd better have a darn good reason," Hermione told her friends. "But I'd say from the glow on both of your faces that you do. Don't worry. William and Malachai have been playing "castle". All the chairs have been gathered and covered in sheets."

"Thank you for watching him so we could work some things out," Remus offered with a sheepish grin. "I think things will be a little different from this point forward."

Severus approached from behind Hermione cradling Sabine while giving her a bottle. "I trust you two have worked out your…miscommunications?" he asked carefully. "I was beginning to wonder if we'd adopted another son."

Hermione smiled and shook her head. "My husband is also very glad that things are settled between you," she paraphrased with a wink. "Do you want to take him now? I was just getting ready to start dinner."

"How about if we eat in the Great Hall tonight?" Remus asked Ginny. "We haven't done that in awhile. Then we could get dessert and go for a walk, maybe have our chat then."

Ginny was nodding in agreement. "Sounds like a good idea to me," she answered.

"Ah yes," Severus quipped, a sly smirk to his thin lips. "The 'why I'm spending the night with your mummy' talk. Should prove to be interesting."

"Severus," Hermione whispered, more in amusement than admonishment. "Why don't you go get William?"

When she offered a smile, he rolled his eyes and walked away towards his son's bedroom. He really didn't mind watching William as he was a well-mannered child (except for a couple understandable days before a full moon) and his son enjoyed playing with him. Severus also did enjoy goading Lupin every chance he could, and this had been a perfect occasion.

"William, it's time to go," Severus announced when he stepped into the room that consisted of six chairs covered by two sheets. The creativity of children did amaze him because he never remembered 'playing' and certainly not with another child. "Your mother and Remus are here."

"Remus!" William exclaimed, jumping up and running by Severus, who had to take a couple quick steps out of his way as not to be hit. The little boy bounded from the room and ran over to his mother and the man he'd been missing lately. "Hi Remus!"

Hermione and Ginny watched as Remus knelt down and picked up the child, hugging him tightly. "I bet you thought we'd forgotten all about you, huh?" he said, balancing him in the crook of his arm as he stood up.

"You done being busy?" William asked curiously. "I ask 'bout you all the time, but Mummy says you busy."

Remus glanced over at Ginny who was trying not to blush in her guilt. "Yes, William," he confirmed. "I think I will be less busy from now on. Are you hungry? Want to eat in the Great Hall tonight?"

William's eyes and smile widened. "Yes!" he answered enthusiastically.

"Don't you have your castle to clean up?" Ginny asked as Remus put him down.

"Oh, it's all right," Hermione said with a wave of her hand. "I don't think Malachai is finished playing yet. We'll get it later. You three go eat."

"You sure?" Ginny asked quietly.

"Would you just go?" Hermione insisted, winking at her best friend.

"Thank you," Ginny said and watched as William reached for Remus' hand. It brought tears to her eyes and hope for her future.

"How's that ice cream?" Remus asked William as they sat in the cool grass by the lake watching the sun set.

"Yummy," William answered, licking his lips that were outlined in chocolate. "Know what I can do?"

"No, tell me," Remus responded, catching Ginny's eye and winking at her.

"I can write my name," William told him proudly. "Miss Gonagall showed me."

"McGonagall," Ginny corrected quietly. She didn't nit pick with him on pronunciation, but wanted him to learn properly nonetheless.

"And she showed me numbers," William continued, licking ice cream off his fingers. "I can write to ten."

"That's great, William," Remus complimented. "I'm very proud of you."

Ginny wiped his chubby cheeks with a napkin. "We have something to discuss with you," she began, not wanting to wait any longer. "Remember when you and I talked about Remus being Mummy's special friend?"

William nodded and licked more ice cream.

"Well, Baby," Ginny said with a smile. "Remus is going to be more than that. You know how sad Mummy was when Daddy died, right?"

William nodded. "Don't like when Mummy cries," he mumbled.

"I don't either," she agreed. "But Remus makes both of us happy, doesn't he?"

William nodded again. "I missed him," he admitted.

"Would it be all right if he spent more time with us?" Ginny asked, glancing at Remus. "Maybe spend the night with us once in awhile? He could make you breakfast in the morning."

"He makes cereal dance," William said, laughing at his memory. "I like that."

"So it would be okay with you then?" Ginny asked again.

William stopped licking ice cream for a moment to look at Remus and then his mother. "Daddy wants us happy," he said. "Remus likes us, right?" He remembered wondering if his mummy's special friend was mad at them when he didn't see him around as often.

"I like you very much," Remus confirmed. "I care about both of you an awful lot. That's why we wanted to make sure it was okay with you if I spent more time with the two of you."

"It's okay," William told them. "Maybe Mummy won't cry at night." He'd said it quietly, as if he wasn't supposed to tell.

Ginny was surprised at his statement. "You've heard me cry?" she asked.

He nodded slowly. "With Remus, Mummy won't be lonely," he said, more to himself than to them.

Ginny glanced at Remus, overwhelmed by her son's perception yet again. "No, I won't be," she agreed and reached for Remus' hand.

Twenty minutes later, they were walking into Ginny's chamber.

"You stay here tonight?" William asked, having held Remus' hand on the walk back into the castle. "I want you to tuck me in."

Remus looked at Ginny and lifted his eyebrows. "That's up to your mummy," he told the child, giving her a slight wink.

Ginny smiled and shook her head. "You two are something else," she said. "Go get ready for bed, William, and Remus will tuck you in. Perhaps he can make your cereal dance in the morning."

With a big grin, William ran to his room to change and brush his teeth.

"That went well," Remus concluded.

"He adores you," Ginny reminded him.

"So I guess I'm staying tonight."

"I guess you are."

Then they both laughed as he reached for her, slipping his arms around her waist. "I will enjoy waking up beside you," he whispered.

"I'll enjoy it as well," she replied.

They were still holding each other when William came from his room, having changed clothes and made an attempt at brushing his teeth. He saw them hugging and wrapped his little arms around Remus' leg to be included in the embrace.

"We family again?" he asked, his voice slightly muffled.

Remus and Ginny stepped back from each other to look down. He picked up the child and held him between them, but did not answer his question, looking instead to Ginny.

She smiled and smoothed his hair. "Yes, Baby," she answered with a slight nod, knowing his concept of a 'family' was having a mummy and daddy (or in this case a daddy figure), and also knowing that she couldn't explain relationship dynamics to her young son. "We're a family again."

Ginny watched with intense affection as Remus carried her son to bed and helped him under the covers, making sure William had his favorite stuffed animal. He told him that he would make him breakfast in the morning and then he could show him how he could write his name and numbers. She watched as he kissed the child's cheek and beamed at the immense happiness displayed on William's face when they said goodnight to each other. After she did the same and closed the door behind her, she couldn't stop the tears that cascaded from her eyes.

She turned away from Remus as they walked back into the sitting area, but she couldn't hide her emotion.

"Ginny?"

She waved her hand. "I'm okay," she whispered.

"But you're crying," he said, reaching for her hand.

"I'm just…happy and…relieved and…" she began, allowing him to pull her close. "I just never thought I'd…that we'd have…"

"I know," Remus said gently, understanding what she was trying to say. "I know." He brushed away a couple tears from under her eyes with the soft pads of his thumbs and touched his lips to hers, thankful her tears were happy for a change. "Come on. Let's go to bed."

Hope you enjoyed! If you'd like to see my idea of what Malachai, Sabine and William might look like, please click on the blog link in my profile.

Thanks for reading!!!!