𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. ʀ. ʟᴜᴘɪɴ

sixteen

For Remus to say he was tired the next morning was an understatement.

Normally, the night before New Moons, he was in bed by 8 and asleep no later than 8:30. That helped him out slightly the next day.

Evangeline woke up at around 10:30, and she laid in bed snuggled up to her boyfriend until he finally woke up some 40 minutes later.

"Morning, love," he groaned.

"Morning. Sleep well?"

He sighed, "I did. Still bloody tired, though."

"Hm... I wonder why that is."

He sighed and the two laid there for a few passing minuted until Remus spoke up again, "I'm sorry, for last night. I wanted to be able to push through, celebrate the New Year with everyone and then take you home and make passionate love to you–" she cut him off with a giggle. He continued, "– and then have the best sleep of my life despite knowing I'll feel like shit the next day. I really didn't want to just fall asleep on you last night."

"It's all right, Remus. I was shot as well, and besides, we've got plenty of time to make... passionate love."

"Just not today."

"Not today," she agreed.

"At least the New Moon is on a day we don't have to work," he whispered, "Those are the worst."

"Indeed they are. You know... despite New Moons being exhausting, silver cannot kill us when the Moon is at zero percent."

"Really?" he asked.

"Really. I mean, silver can't kill me, but it certainly is unpleasant, as you know. As for you, pretty boy, you're safe from the big bad silver today."

He chuckled, "I feel very safe now, thank you."

She ran her fingers delicately over his chest, tracing over his scars, "I don't want the holiday to end."

"Neither do I," he replied, "But we'll still be around one another, you know."

"I know. Just, we'll get busy and we'll be dealing with problems of our own..."

"Then that will make seeing one another all more exciting," he assured gently.

She sighed lightly, "I suppose you're right."

He the arm that was draped over her waist up, bringing his hand around her face and tilting her chin up to look at him, "It won't change anything, at least not what I want; with you, with us. We might be a bit busier but... I want this to work," he said quietly.

"So do I."

Just two days later, the two were back at Hogwarts unpacking in each other's respective chambers.

Evangeline was feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety due to her new relationship. She worried school would come in the way, she worried about Harry's safety, but she was excited to finally have someone.

She just prayed it was something she wouldn't regret.

She heard a knock at her door, "Come in!"

"Professor Vandeleur, I was hoping to find you in here," Igor said.

Evangeline whirled around, "What do you want?"

When he took a step forward, she took one back and leant up against her desk, resting her hand on the edge of it where her wand was. Igor looked around her office, walking to the statue of Selene holding the Moon.

"I wanted to... apologize. I think I have made you uncomfortable, giving you a grande toast like that in front of everyone."

"It's fine."

He took a few steps closer, pulling out the locket he gave her from his pocket. He held it up to her, "You dropped this."

She didn't take it. His lips curled upwards in a smirk and he laid it on her desk next to her, his body inches from hers, "Tread carefully, Professor, or you might get burned," he lowly said.

He stepped away from her slowly and left without another word. She looked down at the locket, picking up her wand and levitating it out the window for Igor to most likely find again.

Later that night she arrived in a hall specifically for staff dinners at 7 p.m. sharp. All of the staff were taking their seats at a large round table. She saw Remus sitting down, sipping wine from his goblet as he watched everyone talk around him.

He lightened up when he saw her, flashing her a warm smile. She sat beside him, "Evening, love," he said quietly.

"How was unpacking?"

"Not too bad. Spent most of my time getting lessons together. I'm nearing the great Patronus lesson. That's always a hoot. What's your Patronus?"

She sighed, "I've never been able to cast it," she quietly said.

"Really?"

"Really. What's yours?"

"It's non-corporeal. Perhaps I could teach you, if you want. Maybe you just had a bad teacher."

She smiled lightly, "You think you're better?"

"I have other methods I could use with you."

She struggled to hide the rush of blood to her cheeks, "Is that so?"

"I'm being serious. I'll help you out."

"We'll see, Professor."