Her Single Rose (Remus Lupin)

One-Hundred & Twenty-One

"You seemed to have a good day today." Aries didn't need to look over her shoulder to know Remus was at the door watching her. He had been doing it ever since she returned.

He must've finished putting Estella to bed already. The rest of the party ended fairly early, but there was cake, and where there's sweets and toddlers, the sugar rush felt like it would never end.

Aries pulled her blouse off, making her way to the dresser, "I did, it was nice to see Molly and Meet Ron. I wasn't so sure about some of the other parents though, I don't think they liked our current relationship choice." Aries shook her head at the thought.

It wasn't any of their business anyway, what did their opinion matter. Aries proceeded to slip off her bra, pulling on one of Remus's shirts before going to pull off her jeans.

She was grateful they were long enough to end around her thigh, the thought of overheating in pants or even shorts made her feel claustrophobic and hot.

"I was thinking, even though we're supposed to be laying low, me anyway, Sirius is here. What if we went out for dinner? I don't know. I hate being here all the time, so maybe just this once we could-"

Aries words caught in her throat when she turned around. It was no wonder she had been talking so long.

Remus was already knelt on one knee, a box in his hand.

"I think that sounds nice. We could dress up too. You could wear that dress, the one with that open back you loved to talk about. I could wear a suit. I'm not so sure what Dumbledore would have to say about leaving the house though." Remus nodded along, as if he wasn't in the position he currently was in.

Aries couldn't help but stare at the box, her fingers playing with her promise ring, "Please don't bring Dumbledore into this." She asked quietly.

Remus closed his mouth, a smile taking over, "Whatever will earn me a yes." Aries scoffed out a laugh, her hands coming up to her face.

"Remus what is this?" She asked.

"I think it's pretty obvious, no?"

"If those are earrings, Lupin..." Remus chuckled at the threat, shaking his head.

"No, this is very much what you think it is, which is why I am humbly going to ask you to move that promise ring over to another finger for me so we can get started." Aries couldn't help but begin to tear up.

Andromeda was right. It was terrifying being proposed to. But the thrill and excitement of it all was just too worth it.

After their conversation and especially after Aries came back from her mission, being married to Remus just felt so natural, necessary.

The funny thing about marriage is that even when it all comes down to a ring and some paperwork, it just makes everything so much more real.

It's a commitment, it's signifying to every man than Aries may ever come across that she was happily and faithfully married.

Aries pulled off her promise ring, placing it on her right ring finger, "I think I tell you this so often it may have lost some of its meaning, but I just want to make it clear. I love you.

Every time I think I couldn't love you any more than I already do, you surprise me. I think I knew it before we even properly met. That day we all bumped into each other on the train. I was mesmerized. Again, when you first saw me with claws a fur. In the hospital wing when you patched me up.

Even after all the drama we bypassed, I didn't think it would be possible to love you more. But you surprised me again when you brought Estella into the world. I told you when I gave you that promise ring that I wanted to learn more about you. And I did.