selenophobia [r. lupin.]

twenty-six.

viewer discretion is advised.

"She said come on baby, I got a license for love, and if it expires, pray help from above because in the midnight hour, she cried more, more, more."

***S.D.K.***

A lot happened before the students returned for classes.

The entire staff celebrated New Year's Eve together. Albus had yet another party in his office with lots of champagne and brandy to go around. Remus and I took a trip to Hogsmeade that day to buy some enchanted fireworks from Zonko's. As soon as the clock struck midnight, we set off the first firework bundle, and then shared our first New Year's Kiss.

We didn't even have Pomona's nor Filius' giggles of encouragement this time. It was all on our own.

Venus wrote to me the next morning, and from what my hungover brain recalled, she decided to stay the remainder of the winter holiday with Angelina and her family. She also told me the two of them shared their own first New Year's Kiss as well. How cute is that?

Remus and I ventured around the school grounds some more. He showed me different corridors and passageways that I never even knew about; must be how he and his friends got out of so much mischief back in the day. He even showed me the Room of Requirement. In my ten years of teaching, I have never been able to find it until he showed me. Since it's able to transform into anything you need in a specific moment, the room was entirely empty save for the Mirror of Erised in it.

We each took turns standing in front. When I stood in front, I saw myself and Remus, his sapphire promise ring replaced with a wedding band, two dogs by our sides along with Bean in my arms, and a grand house behind us. I had a small bump in my stomach as well, showing that we were about to take our next big step as a family.

He told me that in his reflection, I was standing next to him in a white dress, a large bouquet of daisies, and Sirius, James, Lily, and Peter all surrounding us on our special day. Of course, that moment led to a steamy session of lovemaking.

It was nice to be able to freely roam about Hogwarts with him, but now the students are back, and classes start this morning.

I was brought out of my nostalgic daze by Remus' stirring next to me, his arm around my waist tugging me close so my back was pressed against his chest. He peppered a few lazy, open-mouthed kisses on my neck, and I giggled softly at the feeling, trying to disregard the chills that went down my spine. I was going to miss mornings like these.

"Happy first day back," he mumbled against my skin before pulling away and rolling out of bed.

I groaned at the loss of his presence, rolling onto my back to watch as he made his way to his wardrobe. "I don't want to get out of bed," I protested with a small whine.

He chuckled at my child-like behavior as he lay his suit for the day on top of the bed. "You need to. We have to tend to our students, and then we have an hour of free time all to ourselves," he looked at me as he raised his eyebrows, a small smirk playing onto his lips.

I knew what he was insinuating. I rolled my eyes as I climbed out of the bed as well. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever," I strolled next to him, standing on my tiptoes to plant a smooch on his cheek. "I'll see you at breakfast, love," I bid him goodbye before making my way out of his room to get myself ready for the day.

Once I got to my room, I gave Bean a small pat on the head and shifted over to my wardrobe, my cat circling my ankles as I decided on my outfit for the day: a burnt orange maxi skirt with a white button-down top. I tied my hair back in a bun and used my wand to hold it in place. After slipping on my black flats, I gave my cat one more quick round of scratches behind her ears before I made my way to the Great Hall for breakfast with the rest of the staff and the entire student body.