p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;" align="center"December 24th, 1993 (Christmas eve)/p
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p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Thick streams of holly and mistletoe lined the corridors, mysterious lights shone from inside every suit of armor and the great hall was filled with its usual 12, huge, Christmas trees glittering with golden stars. A powerful and delicious smell of cooking pervaded the corridors./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Good evening, Professor." McGonagall smiled warmly at her "Good evening to you, Miss Price." Seren smiled back, "Are you attending the Christmas feast tomorrow? We'll all be meeting in the staff room about 7 p.m."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I had planned to, though I don't exactly have anything "black tie" ready to wear. I should have thought to pick something up at the last Hogsmeade trip but I was focused on Christmas shopping." McGonagall merely smiled again, "Why not just transfigure something you already own? Your textbook should have a chapter on formal wear."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I didn't think of that. Thank you, Professor." Seren beamed as the elderly witch started on her way again. Seren made her way to the Owlery to send Tarryn her Christmas gift, watching the owl fly off into the snowy sky before heading back to her room./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"She'd finally gotten used to the small bedroom and it had finally filled up with books and other strange finds from around the school. Opening the door, she noticed the small box sitting on her bed./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Oh?" it was neatly wrapped with blue paper and a silver bow. Picking up the card on the top she flipped it open./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"span style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"'Blue for Christmas and Champagne for New year's. See you soon.'/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"span style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"Yours,/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"span style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"R.J. Lupin./span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Setting the card down she lifted the lid on the box, curious about the cryptic card and stopped, staring at the dresses in the box, her fingers trailed softly over the fabric of both as she lifted them one at a time and held them in front of her, her eyes falling to the pair of black ballet flats at the bottom. She carefully refolded the gowns and tucked them neatly in the box, turning to look at herself in her mirror./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Staring back at her was a healthy young woman. Not the emaciated, sallow skinned girl from 6 months ago. Her hair had mostly grown back now, sitting in messy ringlets just above her shoulders. She turned her back on her reflection, Grabbing her book on beauty charms from the bookshelf before flipping to the table of contents and searching for something to hide the few scars that would be visible./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Dinner had been a considerably small group of students and teachers and as they all sat around the two pushed together tables, chatter shifted from topic to topic, "You didn't have to get use anything." Hermione commented as Seren pass the small boxes around the table./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Hermione opened hers first to see a secondhand copy of Advanced charms, "You sounded excited when we talked about N.E.W.T's the other day so I thought you'd like a head start." The girl beamed at her, she had gotten Ron a small wizards poster she had found in Dominic Maestros' music shop and Harry a book on Quidditch she'd found at the tomes and scrolls shop./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Brilliant! Thanks, Seren." Ron looked at the Image on his poster, watching the quidditch player fly around as Harry immediately opened the book./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""That was really thoughtful of you, I didn't think to get you anything though."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""That's alright." She smiled as the dinner chatter continued, "Next Hogsmeade trip." Hermione promised with a sincere smile, "You really don't have to." But the third year was having none of it, giving her a serious look before Seren finally gave in with a laugh./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Fine. Just stop giving me that look." She laughed and Hermione's expression shifted and she joined in./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As dinner ended everyone excused themselves for the night and Seren found herself wandering the corridor back to her room./p
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p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;" align="center"December 25sup style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 13.23px; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 0;"th/sup, 1994/p
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p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Seren wound her way through the familiar corridors towards Remus' office, wondering if he had come back late last night through the Floo or if he'd be returning sometimes later today. Climbing the small spiral staircase, she walked down the hall and stopped outside his door. Did she knock? Was the door even open? Carefully she tried the handle, finding it was unlocked she pushed, stepping into the room./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"There were some papers scattered on the desk, typical of Lupin and she wondered briefly if they were next terms lesson plans but she knew better than to look at them. The fire wasn't going so she knew he was either still sleeping or not back yet as she tapped the familiar rhythm on the wall, waiting for the door to appear./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Carefully opening the wooden door, she stepped into the small bedroom, smiling at the scent of cedar that seemed to linger anywhere Remus had been, jumping when she realized a pair of mischievous blue eyes were watching her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Merlin!" the man in the bed started laughing, "I loathe you…" he continued to laugh as he sat up, running his fingers through his bed head, "And to think, I came all this way to give you your present." He stood from the bed, stretching his arms over his head as he stalked towards her, "You got me a present?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I did." She pulled the shrunken box from her pocket, letting her wand slip out her shirt sleeve, tapping it twice and watching it grow to full size before handing it to him./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Merry Christmas." He looked at the box, wrapped neatly in plain silver paper with a red bow on top. Taking the box he lifted the lid, looking at the inside contents./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I noticed your coat was getting torn and frayed in a few places so I thought this might be a good gift… y'know, so you don't have to keep patching the old one." He smiled as he lifted it out of the box, watching as the gloves tucked into it fell./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""It came as a set, Coat, gloves and a scarf, the Lady gave me a good deal on it." he turned to face her with a smile, "It's wonderful, thank you. did you get my gift to you?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I did, but I'm a bit afraid to wear them…they look expensive." He shook his head, "They're from one of the consignment shops back in London so they weren't that expensive at all. Though it would seem we both had the same idea when it came to gifts. How was dinner last night with the rest of the staff?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""It was…comfortable, everyone seemed calm, and I think I even saw Snape smile about something, and he never smile sunless he's made someone miserable in class." She grinned, "Sounds like a fun night. My father and I did a bit of catching up. He asked me if I'd found a nice girl to settle down with yet. Caught me quite off guard." Seren looked at him as he picked up the fallen set of gloves, setting them onto of the coat before he pulled the scarf out./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""What did you tell him?" Seren made her way over to the bed, taking a seat on the edge, "I told him the truth, excluding the fact that you're still a student of course. He seemed happy with the news and he invited me back for new years but I had to inform him I had plans that night." She gave a small nod, watching now as he tucked everything neatly back into the box, setting it aside./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""He wants to meet you." this made her breath catch in her throat, "Don't worry, I thought you might react that way, that's why I told him it wouldn't be possible just yet. Thought it best to wait until the summer holiday." She felt the sudden weight lift, "Thank you. It's not that I don't want to meet him, but I do think waiting is for the best. Did you tell him?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""That you're a werewolf? I did, but only because he asked." She gave another nod, "Harry is really eager to get started on the Patronus charm, he kept asking questions over dinner."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Of course, he did, just like his father. James was one of the top students in our year."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Funny. I figure you'd have taken that title." Remus nudged her gently, "I was right along with him at the top of our year, I did make Head boy our final year. Something I'm sure you may have achieved had your circumstances been different."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Hmm, I'm not sure that's true. I told you, I was always really quiet, I preferred to keep my head down and stay to the back of the class. I thought it was better if I didn't have friends, that way no one got hurt." She fidgeted with her fingers, "Head boy and Head girl is an important job and it's a lot more responsibility than I would be willing to take on, no to mention someone would have to fill in on full moons. How did you Manage it?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""James or Sirius would take over in my absences."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As the Hours ticked by the two talked about anything and everything they could think of, "I never knew you sang. Were you in the frog choir?" Seren shook her head, "No, it was something I picked up in public school, though they mostly sang old hymns or silly, non sensical songs. Whatever the teacher had found, really. There was this old folk song he had us sing the year my mum pulled me, it was called the Humor of Whiskey."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""They taught a song about drinking to children?" she couldn't help but laugh at his confused expression, "We all thought it was hilarious." Her eyes flicked to the clock, "I should probably go if I'm expected to be…presentable at this Christmas party. I'll be the one in blue." She smirked, teasing him a bit climbing off the bed as his hand caught her wrist, pulling her back and onto his lap./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Remus!" she smiled softly as he placed a soft kiss to the side of her neck, "If this is a ploy to get me to stay longer…"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I just enjoy your company, is something wrong with that?" she smiled again, "No, not at all." She turned her head, kissing his cheek, "But I really do need to get ready, especially if it's half 5 now. That only gives me an hour and a half." Her hands rested atop his at her waist, carefully prying them loose and slipping from his grasp./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I'll see you soon."/p
hr style="margin: 0.875em auto 1.2525em; border-style: solid; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; width: 359.25px; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.12px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"She flipped through the book, dog-earring the pages she needed before pulling her dress out, hanging it on the side of the mirror as she set about getting ready./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Seren had never been particularly great with make-up, but she knew enough to get by. Yet another purchase the woman at Gladrag's had been kind enough to help her with, she'd told her to start with a moisturizer, follow with concealer, then foundation and whatever eye shadow she thought would match her clothes, finish with eye liner, mascara and lipstick./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""oh, wow…okay." She looked at the contents spread out over her desk, "Which one of these is which?" she grimaced picking up a few small tubes and looking at them with a frown before just guessing and getting started, she didn't have much time./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Once she was satisfied with her make up she grabbed her wand, flipping to another page in the beauty charms book, "straight hair, short hair, pixie cuts…no…hair extension charms, page 212." She flipped to the page and looked over the wand movements, her hair was naturally curly already so the extension was all she would need as she lightly tapped the top of her head and watched her reflection in the mirror as her hair grew, it was a temporary spell and would only last about twelve hours, but that was long enough./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Finally, she carefully pulled the dress off the hanger and rested it on her bed as she peeled off her street clothes before carefully slipping the dress up and over her body, using a bit of magic to pull the zipper up in back, turning to look at herself in the mirror one last time as she slipped on the shoes./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Staring back at her was someone almost entirely different. Long, dark brown hair hung down just past her shoulder blades. Bright, jade green eyes were startling against the soft smokey eye she'd given herself and the pale red lipstick she'd chosen seemed to perfectly complete the look. And yet she looked like a complete stranger…an imposter in her own skin./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"She tucked her wand away into her desk and left her room behind, wandering up the stair ways and through the corridors to the staff room where muffled chatter could be heard through the wooden door as she opened it, peaking her head in incase she was over dressed, only to see others were dressed in formal or semi formal robes and dresses, the men and male students in suits./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Ah, welcome…Miss Price?" Flitwick and Professor McGonagall eyed her with surprise and she suddenly felt self-conscious, wishing she were anywhere else right now. "You look wonderful dear." A whistle from behind her made her head turn "50 points to Ravenclaw, who knew the werewolf would clean up so nice." Seren felt her skin crawl at the comment, "That's enough, Mr. Burgess." Lupin's voice cut the boy off as he turned to her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""You look wonderful." She could feel heat rush to her face at the compliment, still a bit self-conscious at the rude objectification from Johnathon Burgess. "Thank you." she whispered, "I like what you've done with your hair. It's a nice change, but I expect a short lived one?" He couldn't touch her in the way he was used to, not with both staff and students in the room, it could cause unnecessary problems should he get carried away./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I found it in a charms book in the library…I thought it might come in Handy when McGonagall mentioned there would be a Christmas party." She offered a small smile when he passed her a drink, "I wouldn't drink too much of that, though. Someone spiked the punch bowl." Carefully she brought the goblet up to her nose and sniffed at it, wincing, "Wow…" she whispered, drawing a laugh from the man in front of her, "That smells oddly like shoeshine…" carefully she brought the cup to her lips, taking a small sample into her mouth before cringing, "That…" a small droplet ran down her lips, drawing Lupins eye to the red liquid, similar in color to the lipstick she was wearing, "Is horrid…I think that's vodka."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""You've got something…" he gently swiped the liquid from her mouth while no one was watching, her lips parted at the action. "Thank you, Professor Lupin." Her smile was timid now as she slipped gracefully into formality./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Lupin…" two sets of eyes shifted to look at the dark robed man, "Good evening, Severus."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Merry Christmas, Professor." Dark eyes shifted from the Defense against the Dark arts professor to the young Ravenclaw, "Miss Price."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I hope the holidays are treating you well." Snapes face always seemed like it was fixed into a permanent scowl, "Quite." She couldn't help the small giggle at his dreary tone, "I merely came to tell you great work last term. I look forward to your return in the new year." Seren nearly dropped her beverage at the compliment./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""That was certainly uncharacteristic." Remus smiled as Snape turned and walked away, "I know, first I'm not completely incompetent, now he looks forward to having me back in class…perhaps it's simply because I'm not a Gryffindor?" she teased, following him further into the room./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Keep that up, see where it takes you." he teased back, "Enjoying the festivities, Miss Price, Remus?" Seren choked down another sip of the punch as Dumbledore approached, "Merry Christmas, Professor Dumbledore."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Albus." Remus gave a small nod to the Headmaster, Seren noticed the familiar twinkle in his eyes, "I dare say, you look quite stunning tonight, Miss Price." Her lips once again tugged into a polite smile. "That's very kind. It's a wonder what some effort can do for a person, isn't it?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Seren!?" She turned her head ever so slightly to see Harry, Ron and Hermione, "Hello you three. Funny, it's like you're always together." She laughed as Remus and Albus continued speaking./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""You look…wow." Harry's cheeks lit up with a blush, "That's very sweet, you look quite handsome yourself, her eyes briefly flicked to Ron who had stuffed a whole pastry into his mouth but nodded along in agreement./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""You know…it might last longer if you took smaller bites." The ginger boy rolled his eyes and stalked away as Hermione shook her head at him, "Just thought we'd come over and say hello. Didn't realize it was you until we'd gotten closer." Minerva had started the gramophone in the corner and a soft melody began to drift through the room./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Would you like to dance?" she looked over her shoulder, Remus was in a serious conversation with Dumbledore, "Sure, just need to um…set this down." There was a small set up of tables around the room and as she set her drink down she thought she had seen something from the corner of her eye./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Everything alright?" when she looked again, it was gone. "Yeah, everything's fine. But I should warn you, I am an atrocious dancer. Two left feet." She grinned. "Don't worry, me too."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"She couldn't help but laugh again as Harry led her onto the floor, copying one of the older boys who was dancing with his girlfriend./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""You're not terrible, I imagine with a bit more practice you'd be a natural on your feet." Harry blushed again as the two moved along the dance floor until the song stopped., "So, what's the real reason you asked me to dance, Harry?" there was a knowing smile on the seventh years face, "You can be honest."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"She watched him struggle with the words, giving him a knowing smile as she leaned down to place a soft kiss on his cheek, "I understand, and if I weren't five years older than you…" she smiled, not adding the continuation that she was a Werewolf and he gave her a sheepish look, "You're very sweet, Harry, and I know there's someone special for you out there. You just have to find her."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Thanks, Seren." He quickly found himself at a table with his friends as Seren rejoined Lupin amongst the other professors./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I saw you dancing with Harry, that was very sweet of you." Seren once again smiled, something she found herself doing a lot these days, "I think you've got some competition for my affection." She whispered, "Harry has a crush." Lupin looked at his best friend's son from across the room, "Well, I'd say he excellent taste in women if you caught his eye." A slight shiver ran down her spine as he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "But you're mine." There was a hint of possessiveness in his eyes as he straightened his posture./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Am I now?" she responded playfully, watching as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Sorry, just having a bit of fun." She felt a light nudge against her side, "You look quite handsome, by the way." She hadn't had the chance to comment earlier as the staff seemed insistent on formal greetings and catching up./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"The music changed once again as the two watched the students and professors dance with one another,br /"It's almost like another world, seeing how much everyone changed and how some haven't." Minerva and Albus were dancing as the sound of violins and piano filled the room, "But it's good." Her eyes fell to a Hufflepuff and a Gryffindor dancing closer than would be normally permitted, but as it was Christmas staff had allowed a small bend in the rules./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""December blunders in whilst Jack Frost kisses your skin, with gentle promises of life anew." She looked up, surprised by the line, "I found your poem in a dusty old tome in the library."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""It was my favorite poem as a little girl, it was how my mum taught me the months of the year."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Would you care to take a walk with me, Miss Price?" her hands fidgeted with the navy blue tulle on her skirt, eyes to the floor now. "And where would we be going?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I find the Astronomy tower is lovely if one wants a place to get away." Both of them looked up as Albus and Minerva spun past, Seren was unable to keep herself from giggling as he dipped the elderly witch, giving the two of them a knowing smile./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I'll head up first." Green eyes watched him go as she chose to linger for a while, opting to finish her second glass of the horrid, spiked punch. It burned almost as much as the Ogden's she'd had at the Hogshead if she'd had to make a comparison, but even so she'd still rather choke down the fire whiskey then ever be mouth to rim with this concoction again./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Setting her cup aside she excused herself from the party, bidding the staff and a few students good night./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As she wound up the moving staircases towards the astronomy tower part of her felt like a first year again, the castle seemed that much bigger with almost everyone at home. The tall walls and high ceilings loomed over her like the barriers of a maze and everything set in all at once that in a few months she'd never see Hogwarts again as a student./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As she rounded the corner she felt a hand wrap around her waist and was prepared to scream when calloused yet gentle fingers lightly tipped her chin up to look into steel blue eyes, "Tosser." Remus smiled down at her softly, leaning in to kiss her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Merry Christmas to you too." She smiled as he pulled away, a subtle tint of red on his lips. Taking her hand in his and leading her over to the balcony, "Should I expect the same surprise on new years eve?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Hmm, perhaps. Though, if you look anywhere near as beautiful as you do tonight, I may just kidnap you and hide you in my room so no one else can look at you." Seren feigned fear, "Oh no, whatever will I do? I certainly hope a handsome prince will come to my aid." Remus only shook his head at her theatrics. "You would be a terrible actress."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Then it's a good thing I'm aiming to be an Auror, isn't it." Silence fell over the astronomy tower as the two werewolves looked out over the grounds./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Have you given any thought to…where you might go once school is over?" Seren looked over at him, leaning against the railing, "Well, that was an out of the blue question."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""But it's one you should think about, you've only got 6 months and it'll go quick." She nodded, "I know. I've been thinking a lot about so many things, but that's the one I haven't been able to. I haven't got any family I can stay with and my only real friend is Tarryn and I know her parents would probably not be keen on taking a werewolf into their home. So, if I'm being honest, I don't know. I always thought once I was done with school I'd be forced to live among some wild pack somewhere in England. The idea of putting my mum out any more than she already was didn't sit well with me, even if she swore I wasn't a bother."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""We're quite a bit alike in that regard. I moved out of my fathers home immediately after my graduation, stayed with my friends until I managed to find a place of my own. I was insistent that I wouldn't burden him and he fought me on it tooth and nail before finally giving in."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""It sounds like he still cares a great deal for you though, seeing as you spent Christmas eve with him." Remus turned, resting his back on the stone railing, "I used to hate my father, blamed him for what had happened to me. but as I got older I learned, same as you did, that people make mistakes and you can spend your whole life being angry at them—"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Or you can move on." Seren's eyes watched with wonder as some snow began to fall from the inky blue sky above them/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""The only person you hurt by holding grudges is yourself." She shifted so she was almost mimicking his pose, "You know, you were the first person who ever told me it's alright to be angry? And you seem so ready to give others advice, and yet you can't seem to follow what you dish out. It's kind of hypocritical if you ask me." He huffed beside her, watching as a cloud of his own breath drifted up and vanished into the late night air./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Remus looked down at the young woman beside him, small flakes of snow had begun to catch in her dark hair. "Maybe it's time you start taking your own advice, Remus. A wise man once told me that time is a fickle thing, the world won't wait for you forever. You may as well enjoy what life you've got left because in a single blink of an eye it just…disappears."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Perhaps you're right…" Once more she looked up at him, hair littered with luminescent flakes of snow, he looked like he wanted to say something but was uncertain how to breach the subject. "What if…" she tilted her head to the side, as if encouraging him, "What if after graduation…You came and lived with me?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"That was certainly not what she'd expected and her mouth fell open a bit, "I couldn't offer you a great life by any means, but it would be a home. A safe place and if…" He looked down into her eyes now, trying to pluck up what little courage he had left, "If?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""If things continue to…" he stopped again and she reached up to gently stroke his cheek, "What is it?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""What I'm trying to ask is…do you…" she couldn't help but giggle as he fumbled over his words, "Do I see a future with you?" she brought her other hand up to his other cheek, drawing his eyes back to hers. "You always seem to doubt that any of this is real. But the fact is…" she gingerly moved her hair aside, revealing the small triskelion mark on her neck "You chose me," one of her hands moved down, lightly touching the identical mark on his neck, "as I chose you. So please, stop worrying that I'm going to just decide to walk out of your life one day." She watched the worry fall from his eyes,/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""If it truly worries you that I'll have no place to go, and you're certain that you want me there, then yes, I'll come stay with you. but don't think that means I'm going to become some domesticated live in." she joked, lightening the tense mood. In a sudden flurry of movement Remus had scooped her up, sitting her on the railing./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I don't think I could domesticate you if I tried. You're too headstrong now." Seren broke out into laughter./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Hmm, I'm not sure if that's a compliment or if I should be insulted." Remus chuckled and closed the space between them, kissing her as the snow fell over the grounds./p