Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter or any related characters
One year had passed, and Constance and Remus were closer than ever. After Remus had admitted the truth about everything, things couldn't have gone any smoother for him. They had moved into their own little flat close to Sirius. It wasn't anything incredible, but it was theirs. It wasn't long into their relationship that the Wolfsbane Potion came out for public use. It seemed as if, with a girl and a potion, Remus' life was complete. He felt normal, just like he had always wanted to. He managed to maintain a healthy balance between his girlfriend, his friends, and his friends were incredibly supportive of his new relationship. They encouraged anything that made Remus happy, as they knew he tended to put others needs before his own. Their blossoming relationship showed that he was willing to let himself be happy, for once.
They were in that wonderful stage between childhood and adulthood that should always be treasured. They were old enough to do as they pleased, such as drinking what they wanted, and going to bed at whatever time they desired, luxuries that they were never granted at school. However, they were too young to be expected to take their lives too seriously. Their friends had no real work obligations, as they continued to study after school. Though that wasn't the case for Remus and Constance. They both worked tirelessly. Constance managed to keep her job at Flourish and Blotts, Remus often had very bad luck. He tended to take on mostly muggle jobs, to avoid anyone finding out about his illness.
At this time even the simplest of things caused them great joy. While James was always able to provide the best for Lily, the same didn't go for him and Constance. She insisted it didn't matter, and, a few months after moving next door to Sirius, they decided they wanted something more homely. Somewhere they could truly start their lives. Remus searched for somewhere appropriate that would suit them both, and when he took her to their first little cottage, she was overly delighted. Though Remus couldn't tell if she was being genuine, or trying to put on a brave face.
The cottage was tiny. There were two small bedrooms, one for them and one for Remus to use as his mini Hogwarts library. The living room was mostly taken up by the huge fireplace, especially suitable for flooing. The kitchen was little more than a box room, but it did the job, and Constance said she had never seen a more quainter kitchen. The view from the sink was in fact, quite spectacular. They had a stunning view of the Cotswold Hills, so when Constance said she loved, Remus was quite sure she wasn't lying.
When it came to the decor, Constance tried her best. She crocheted little throws to keep the couches looking neat, as they were mostly peeling by this stage. She covered every free inch with pretty cushions, vases with fresh flowers sat on every table. Photos of friends and family members stood along the mantlepiece. It made Remus' heart swell with pride when he saw the amount of effort that Constance always put into their little home.
It was a great cause for excitement among everyone when Lily and James decided to get married. Sirius was most vocal about his appreciation. He was named best man, and rightly so. Remus wouldn't have expected anything else from James. But it began to make Remus a little nervous. If James had decided to marry Lily at age nineteen, perhaps Constance would feel that they should be next. Marriage was just something Remus couldn't commit to. It was a legal bond, which meant Constance couldn't leave when being with a werewolf became too much for her. And realistically, that could happen. He didn't want her to feel stuck, he didn't want her to feel trapped, but, he could tell by the glint in her eye, she thought she wanted it. James and Sirius also began to push the idea of marriage on him.
"It'll be great!" Sirius insisted.
"If it's so great, why don't you do it?" Remus asked, unable to hide the annoyance in his voice.
"I'm different. I'm not built for monogamy. But you and Prongs here, you're the right amount of boring to enjoy it."
Remus couldn't help but roll his eyes. "I also don't see you nagging Peter."
"Trust me," Sirius said matter-of-factly. "If Peter managed to bag himself a girl, I'd encourage marriage within the first week-"
James began to laugh at Sirius' sincerity.
"Stop, that's rude..." Remus reprimanded. Peter always seemed to be the brunt of Sirius' jokes. He laughed along with his friends, but Remus was worried he might be near his breaking point.
"Ah, he's not even here. He's with his mother for the weekend. That woman worries like mad."
Remus wrinkled his nose at Sirius' words. It was a high possibility that Sirius was feeling the effects of an unloving mother since they'd left school. Peter did spend a lot of time with his mother, and Remus understood why. His mother was worried. The wizarding world wasn't exactly the safest place. Sirius was completely alone; all he had was James and Lily. They had quickly become his family, with Sirius spending most of his time at their home. It was understandable, as Sirius and James had always been close. Since the death of James' own parents, they had become closer than ever, and Remus often felt as if he and Peter were left out.
He didn't have much time to dwell on it, however. His life had become far more complicated than it had ever been at Hogwarts. Remus was quite happy to keep to himself and see his friends every other weekend, but Constance insisted that he keep regular contact with his father. Since his mother had died, he had tried to keep his distance, believing his father deserved to have a quiet and peaceful life. Constance didn't see it like that. She tried to persuade him that his father would want to see him despite his lycanthropy.
He took her advice and sought out his father for relaxing walks in the woods and nice cups of tea back at the house in front of the stove. He always picked days that were precisely in the middle of the month, so his father could see him at his best.
"Would you look at you!" This was what his father said every time he saw him approaching. Despite himself, Remus grinned. "I swear every time I see you, you get taller!"
"I think I stopped growing a while ago, Dad."
"Ah, don't talk like that. You sound old." His Dad, Lyall, said as he put an arm over his son's shoulder.
"I feel old," Remus admitted, sounding a bit more honest than he intended.
"Been taking that potion?"
He nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, it's amazing! I have no reason to complain, really. The transformations have never been so easy."
"That's good, though, eh? We never thought there'd be a cure," Lyall said, trying to sound a bit more optimistic. He kept his eyes focused on the trees above, watching the little birds weave in and out of the branches. "And ah... How's Constance?"
Remus pursed his lips. "Good. Good."
He hadn't wanted to even mention Constance to his dad, at first. He'd eventually had to, however, as Constance had begun to take it as a sign he wasn't serious. Especially after she had introduced him to her parents. He had to promise her he'd set up dinner with his dad, so they could meet properly. Though he was dreading the idea of arranging anything. Her parents had been so proper. Not rich, but they had a comfortable life. He wanted Constance to see his dad as Remus saw him, but at the back of his mind he kept wondering would the Lupin's be a tad bit too simple for her?
"How's life living with a woman? You'd never be allowed to leave a tea cup sitting around too long, eh?" Lyall said with a small grin.
Remus couldn't help but smile slightly. It was nice, having a normal conversation with his dad. Perhaps one that any father and son could have. It was nice to pretend to be normal. For a while, at least. "Yea... Yea, she keeps the place good..."
"Something on your mind, son?"
"Actually... Lily and James are getting married."
"Wow... Bit soon, no?"
Remus snorted quietly. "Yea. I think they're panicked about the war. Plus James' Mum and Dad died recently, so I think they're worrying about having enough time-"
"They're nineteen!" Lyall chuckled.
"Yea... But, Sirius and James reckon I should ask Constance."
"Ask her what?"
"Ask her to marry me."
Lyall stopped dead. They had come to a pretty little clearing in the trees, where there were some small shrubs with pink flowers. The birds twittered in the silence as Lyall looked up at his son.
"And what do you want to do?"
"I wouldn't mind... It's just... I don't want her to feel tied to me."
Lyall nodded. "Yea... Marriage isn't something you rush into. Everyone's in a mad panic now, but when things settle down, who knows?"
Remus nodded. It was a typical answer for his dad to give. He wanted Remus to be happy, of course, but he also wanted him to remain realistic. He probably believed marriage wasn't the best option for Remus; not now, not ever. It didn't take Remus long to come to the realisation that it would never happen for him. No matter how much Constance would like to be married. James and Sirius eventually gave up on their goal to see Remus married. However, that was more to do with the fact that they had something important to celebrate.
Lily and James' wedding was a quaint affair. While they were always surrounded by people at school, only the closest friends were invited to attend. The people that had become more like family members than friends. Of course, all of the Marauders were in attendance, with Sirius being best man. Lily's close friend Marlene McKinnon also came along. Other guests included Lily's parents, and Sirius' younger sister, Capella. Unfortunately, Lily's sister made a big fuss over coming and refused to tag along in the Evan's car.
Of course, Constance was more than welcome. She could never be as close to Remus' friends as he was. She had missed out on too many vital memories. But, nevertheless, she was welcomed with open arms as the woman who completed their best friend.