Hey all sorry for not posting in a long long time. Life got busy and I struggled a lot with writing but here I am back with a chapter. Hope this chapter is decent enough and makes you feel warm and fuzzy because I couldn't help but smiling when I wrote it.

Christmas morning came and Remus was finally able to relax. When he, Sirius and Liz weren't in Hogsmeade they spent most of their time in the library working through the mounds of homework they'd been set. Remus knew that 5th year would be busy because of the O.W.L.'s he just hadn't been expecting it to be as exhausting as it was. He was just thankful that Christmas day would bring some respite.

Sirius and he had been lounging in their room when there was a soft knock on the door. The two looked at each other confused, not sure who'd be coming to the room at 8 am, "I'm not getting it." Sirius smirked and rolled himself up in his duvet. Remus scowled at him before hopping off his bed, looking an absolute mess, hair all over the place and pyjamas a mess.

When he opened the door, he found a pyjama-clad Elizabeth smiling up at him, a stack of presents in her hands. Remus suddenly felt incredibly self-conscious of how he looked, He cast a glance towards his room, Sirius and he had left quite a mess. Elizabeth on the other hand looked perfect.

"Mind if I come in?" Sirius appeared behind Elizabeth and smiled, pushing Remus out of the way, and letting her enter.

Elizabeth blushed as she entered the boy's room. She'd never once been into the boys' dorms. She'd never had a need to. She wasn't even sure why she'd even decided to come to their room. She easily could've given them their presents in the common room. But she found her feet taking her up to their room. Without much thought she made her way over to one of the beds, depositing the presents on it.

"Merry Christmas boys." She beamed up at them, pulling each boy into a hug. Remus hugged her tightly. Their hug lingered a little longer than necessary. Elizabeth went back to the beds and sat down on the one she'd left the presents on. Sirius smirked at Remus. Elizabeth had chosen Remus's bed to sit on. Remus smacked Sirius's arm before joining Elizabeth on the bed. She handed out their presents. Elizabeth had Remus and Sirius rolling around with laughter when Sirius unwrapped a dirty muggle magazine, she'd bought him.

"Thought this might help with keeping your cock out of our classmates."

Remus was wheezing by the time she'd moved on to handing him his presents. As expected, He received a mound of chocolate from Elizabeth. At this rate, between all his friends he was going to have enough chocolate to last a lifetime. She gave him some of her favourite books. A few of them he'd read but others were new to him. He smiled gratefully. He was excited to have more books to read.

They spent the rest of the day in the boy's room playing games of exploding snap and gobstones. Sirius found himself sprayed one too many times by the foul liquid of the gobstones. They only emerged from the room when it was time to eat. They would've tried to go outside and play in the snow, but a strong storm had set in, and it was unbearably cold. The common room was buzzing with life, like themselves those that remained hung out with each other.

When dinner arrived the three hadn't been expecting just how awkward the dinner with the teachers was going to be. Both Professor Flitwick and Professor Slughorn had had a little too much to drink and their jovial singing had the students cringing. Dumbledore on the other hand joined in song with them. McGonagall looked just as mortified as the students.

Despite all that Remus had enjoyed it. Even the Slytherins that had remained for the holidays seemed a lot less hostile towards the other students. The food had tasted even better and by the end of the feast, Remus wanted nothing more than to just lie down. He should've stopped eating sooner but the Christmas pudding had been to die for.

Remus and his friends slowly made their way back up the endless flights of stairs to the common room. Elizabeth trudged behind them, "Leave me, I can't make it back. Just leave me to lie down. I'm too full.".

Remus and Sirius went back and hoisted her up, "It's not that far." For the rest of the walk, Remus had to listen as Elizabeth complained about how full she was. By the time they made it to the common room all three were exhausted, Elizabeth lay in a heap on the sofa, groaning from her discomfort.

"Why did you let me eat so much?" she groaned into the pillow, Sirius and Remus couldn't help but laugh. Slowly students began to trickle in indicating that it was time for them to move. Their housemates would not appreciate the fact that the three of them had commandeered the sofas.

The three of them squeezed onto one of the sofas. Elizabeth rested her head in Remus's lap, legs thrown over the armrest. Remus absentmindedly played with one of Elizabeth's braids as Sirius and he discussed potential upcoming pranks they could pull. Once the holidays were over and James and Peter were back there was much they had to do. Elizabeth was soon lulled to sleep by Remus's gentle caresses of her hair.

By the time Elizabeth woke up she and Remus were the only 2 left in the Common Room. She sat up with a start, taking in the empty room.

"Why didn't you wake me." Elizabeth flushed, hiding her face in her hands. She'd fallen asleep in Remus's lap leaving him unable to retire to his room.

"I didn't want to wake you. You looked so comfortable." Remus smiled. He pulled his now free legs up to his chest, resting his cheek on his knees as he smiled at her. "Seriously don't be embarrassed, I may have passed out myself." He chuckled a hint of pink gracing his cheeks.

Elizabeth smiled at him, leaning back against the sofa, "You know this was probably one of my favourite Christmases. Don't get me wrong I love Christmas with my family but something about being surrounded by friends just makes it better. I really loved getting to spend time with you and Sirius. It's nice to get you away from the others." She grinned before leaning into Remus, "I really love spending time with you."

Remus wasn't entirely sure what made him reach out to brush his thumb over her cheek. He most definitely hadn't been expecting her to lean into his touch. Remus's breath hitched. He couldn't believe this was happening. He retracted his hand suddenly embarrassed for the way he touched her. Elizabeth didn't allow him though. She pulled his hand back towards her, threading their fingers together. Before resting her head on his shoulder.

"You don't have to be embarrassed, Remus. I like it…I like you." Elizabeth smiled, although she avoided eye contact. She leaned over to press a light kiss on his cheek. Remus whipped around to look at her, completely taken by surprise.

"What?"

"I said I like you. Have had for a while I suppose." She let out a hearty laugh before finally looking at him a brilliant smile gracing her face.

Remus did the only thing he could think of, and he closed the gap between their faces. Before gently kissing her back. His hands cupped both sides of her face. The kiss was slow and gentle. Remus had never kissed anyone, but it felt right. He was trying to put all his feelings into it. He wanted the kiss to convey his feelings. Remus liked her but he was scared, and the kiss conveyed that exact sentiment. They finally broke apart and Remus rested his forehead against hers, "For what it's worth. I like you too Lizzie."

It was Elizabeths' turn to deepen the kiss. She sensed Remus's apprehension but tried to push it to the back of her mind, instead choosing to enjoy the moment they were sharing. She was kissing her oldest friend. Someone that meant so much to her. Elizabeth wasn't entirely sure what came over her, but she moved to straddle his lap, chest pressed against chest. Remus gripped her tighter and the butterflies in her stomach grew in intensity.

"I really like you Elizabeth…but I'm scared. I don't want to lose what we have." Remus pressed a light kiss against her forehead.

Elizabeth brushed the hear out of his forehead. Her eyes softened as she gazed at the boy in front of her, "Let's just take things slowly. No rush. Well go at your pace."

"I'd like that."

Elizabeth extracted herself from his lap and stood up adjusting her clothes, "Goodnight Remus." She squeezed his hand before leaving him alone in the common room. Remus remained where he was in complete disbelief over what had just happened. When he'd finally gotten his bearings, he barrelled up the stairs to his room.

"PADFOOT!" Remus ran to Sirius's bed shaking him awake. Sirius woke with a start.

"Merlin Moony, are you trying to give me a heart attack."

"I kissed Elizabeth!"

If Sirius hadn't been awake he was now. Everything had gone to plan. He had hoped leaving the two of them alone would've resulted in something. He caught the gentle looks that Remus gave Elizabeth as she slept in his lap. "Moony that's fantastic. How was it? Was it everything you'd hoped? Did you tell her you like her?" Sirius was bursting with questions. He couldn't wait to tell the others about the new development.

"It was better. Sirius, she's just. She's amazing. I told her. She told me she liked me and that's when I kissed her. Then I told her I liked her back. Then she was in my lap."

"She climbed into your lap? My, my, Moony, you work quickly." Sirius pat his best friend on the back, "I'm proud of you Remus." Sirius pulled Remus into a tight hug. He was very proud of his best friend.

Remus was unable to sleep that night. His kiss with Elizabeth on repeat in his mind. He'd had his first kiss and with Elizabeth no less. The fiery and friendly Elizabeth. The girl who had started a fight to protect him. A girl who'd unknowingly defended him during the werewolf lesson.

Remus left the room early the next morning. Sirius was still asleep, and he was resigned to the fact that we would not be able to sleep. He grabbed one of the books Elizabeth had gotten him for Christmas and headed down to the common room.

Remus remained in the common room until those who remained emerged bleary-eyed from their rooms. Sirius was among those to emerge late. His unruly hair pulled back into a ponytail, "you look exhausted." He threw his arms over Remus, plucking the book from his hands and setting it aside.

"Couldn't sleep." A cheeky grin spread across Sirius's face at Remus's reply. The shit-eating grin on Sirius's face grew even more as he saw Elizabeth making her way down. A perk in her step. She flopped down next to Remus, examining the book he'd been reading.

"Hey, I got you this." Elizabeth beamed at Remus. Before flipping through the book gently to see how far he'd gotten.

"It's really good. Can't wait to read the others you gave me."

Sirius watched the two with a bemused look. They looked great together. The way Elizabeth caressed Remus's hand, the way he looked at her. Everything was perfect. It didn't take a genius to see that they matched well.

"You two look great together by the way. It really was only a matter of time." Sirius let out a bark of laughter causing the two next to him to blush furiously. Remus wanted nothing more than to smack Sirius hard across the head. Elizabeth on the other hand thought her beater bat would do a good job. "Seriously though, I'm happy for you. Honestly, we've all been waiting for this for forever."

Elizabeth reached across Remus and thumped Sirius in the chest, "Thank you though." Sirius smiled before bidding the two goodbyes before exiting the common room. He had one destination in mind. The owlery. He needed to relay the news quickly to James and Marlene. He couldn't wait to see what they thought. James and Marlene had been hard at work trying to get them together and they had succeeded.

Sirius had taken it upon himself to leave the two of them alone for the day. They deserved to spend some time together and regardless he had his eyes set on one or two of the students that remained behind for the holidays. Both Remus and Elizabeth had appreciated Sirius leaving the two of them alone. They had a lot to talk about, they needed to figure out exactly where they stood.

The storm that had set in the day before had calmed down and Remus asked Elizabeth to join him on a walk outside. Elizabeth had happily agreed and together they'd made their way down to the flying lawn, both wrapped warmly in layers upon layers of clothing. Remus smiled as he watched Elizabeth skip through the thick snow. Her nose was red from the cold.

"Remus, join me." Elizabeth held her hand out to Remus who happily took it. Hand in hand they made their way deeper into the snow. Ahead of them, they could see the Care of the Magical Creature's professor tending to some creatures. Unexpectedly Elizabeth dragged Remus after her as she lay down in the snow. "I love Winter. Always has been my favourite season." Next to him, she began to make a snow angel. Her bright laughter filled the air.

"Elizabeth, about last night. I wasn't dreaming, right? Everything feels a little too good to be true." Remus asked. He joined her in making a snow angel, though rather clumsily.

"I meant what I said. I've liked you for a while just wasn't sure whether or not to say anything. Honestly, it was absolutely terrifying. If I'm honest with you Marlene had been pressuring me to tell you. Fought her on it. However, something just felt right last night." Elizabeth sat up; eyes cast towards him. She was a mess. Snow covered her from head to toe. "I'm glad I told you though. Although I hadn't been expecting you to kiss me. Not that I'm complaining." Her laughter filled the air. This was the Elizabeth he liked. The carefree one.

"I've liked you for a while. You've probably realised that I'm not the most outgoing of people. Honestly, I probably never would've made a move on you if you hadn't done it first. I'm glad you did." Remus took her hand in his and gripped it tightly. "I'm just scared that I'm going to mess things up."

Elizabeth flopped back down scooting over so that she was right up against Remus, "Then we take out time. I also doubt there's anything you could do that would make me feel differently. Honestly, Remus, you're too damn perfect." Remus leaned over and pressed a soft kiss against her cheek. Remus had truly found a wonderful woman. There was no doubt about it. For the first time in a while, he truly felt happy. They spent the next hour making snow angels and snowmen until the cold became unbearable and not even a heating charm could warm them. They were grateful that the fires were nice and warm when they entered the Great Hall for lunch.

They did not see Sirius for the rest of the afternoon. Instead, they holed up in Remus's room. Various textbooks were scattered around the beds and floor. Their one study-free day had gone and it was back to reality for them. The O.W.L.s were unforgiving. They found comfort in each other's company and Remus was always able to calm Elizabeth down when she found herself getting too stressed.

"I bloody hate 5th year. I wish I was like you or Lily. You're both so academic. I on the other hand not so much. If I like a subject I'll do well but if I don't it's torture. What possessed me to pick divination I will never understand, absolute codswallop it is. Pure and utter crap." Elizabeth huffed throwing her Divination book to the floor. She was going to go stir-crazy if she had to spend another minute studying it.

"You are academic, and Divination is codswallop. Not even Lily's all that great at it. Look you're stressing yourself out so how about we take a breather?" Remus shut his own textbook and placed it on the windowsill. As he looked at Elizabeth he realised that he really wanted to kiss her. He was nervous though. They were alone in his room on his bed.

"You're right. I'm letting myself get worked up over nothing. How about a game of exploding snap?"

Instead of answering Remus bit the bullet and gently rested his hand on her cheek, drawing her lips to his. Remus felt Elizabeth relax against him, the tension leaving her body. As Elizabeth had done the day before she straddled Remus, pulling him closer to her. The hand that wasn't against her cheek held her firmly in place, his fingers playing with the hem of her jumper. Remus allowed Elizabeth to push him further back against the headboard. It was at that moment Sirius had decided to grace them with his presence. He watched in amusement as his two friends disentangled themselves from each other.

"We'll talk later Remus," Elizabeth spoke quickly as she gathered up her books to make a swift exit. Too embarrassed to face Sirius.

"You dirty dog. When you told me about your kiss last night I wasn't expecting to walk into my room to find you two on your way to stripping each other of your clothes." Sirius smirked when Remus readjusted himself after his encounter with Elizabeth. He threw himself down onto his bed. "Padfoot it's not like that."

"I know. Take your time and enjoy this. Both of you deserve to be treated with the utmost respect. Should you both decide to take things further make sure you use protection." Sirius's face softened as he patted Remus on the shoulder.

"That'll never happen. It can never happen Padfoot. I can't put her at risk like that." The gravity of Remus's situation came crashing down. They would never be able to have sex for fear he infected her. He could hug her, kiss her, touch her but he'd never be able to have sex with her.

"Moony don't say that. If you're safe it'll be fine. I know this is super new between the two of you but should you be interested in having sex with her you might have to tell her about, well, Moony." Remus's expression looked completely pained as he looked at his best friend. "I can't. I'll lose her forever. I can't lose her."

"Remus, remember when she stood up in front of our classmates to argue that werewolves deserve equal rights and to be treated with the same respect as everyone else? If there was one girl who would not react negatively to finding out about your lycanthropy it would be Elizabeth. Hell, she'd probably like you even more. Whatever you do. Don't push her away now that you have her. Enjoy every moment together and when the time comes talk to her."

Remus said nothing instead pulling his DADA's book towards him. He automatically flicked to the chapter on werewolves. The way the book talked about those like him was cruel. The textbooks made them out to be vicious beasts yet Elizabeth had argued against that view. She'd defended those with lycanthropy fiercely during the lesson. He wondered if she would still feel the same way about him if she knew. That was a thought for another day and Remus did his best to focus on the textbook in front of him.