True Reflections: Scars Saga 3

New Beginnings

Well, here we go. It's my birthday so here's my gift to you. (It's Sirius' bday too. He'd be 58 today!)

Chapter 22

New Beginnings

22 June 1996

Remus paced around the little cottage frantically, cleaning as he went. While waiting at the train station to pick up Jonathan, Molly—having already been informed that he and Kate were getting back together and that Kate and Jonathan were moving in with him—had suggested to Remus that he send Jonathan over to the Burrow so that he and Kate could have some time to sort things out.

Jonathan and Remus had both agreed; Jonathan had agreed a little more enthusiastically. Remus thought that Jonathan's presence would make Kate more at ease, but he also knew it was a good idea for him and Kate to have the time alone.

Now, Remus was left in a frantic panic trying to make sure the cottage was perfect. He was nervous, really nervous. Like... a hundred lacewing flies buzzing around in his stomach, nervous. It had been a week since he and Kate agreed to get back together, and as much as he wanted this he really didn't want to muck it up again.

As the hours ticked on while he waited for her to arrive, he couldn't help but wonder: what if something happened to her on her way there? It was a ridiculous notion, he knew. She was apparating, and she was a brilliant witch who never had trouble with apparition. But...what if she decided to go somewhere else first and something happened to her there? Or what if she decided not to come at all?

"She wouldn't do that," Remus said aloud to himself.

"But what if she did?" his inner doubt argued.

"No! Get it together, Lupin."

The room was filled with a gentle buzzing noise and Remus whipped his head around towards the door. The perimeter alarm had been triggered; someone was approaching. Remus drew his wand and stepped out onto the porch.

Kate stood on the other side of the protective threshold, unable to move closer. She looked tired and perhaps a little nervous herself, but she was beautiful. Remus almost rushed forward and broke the protective charm, but she had her wand ready too and he knew that if he did rush to her, she wouldn't hesitate to hex him.

"You once said I gave you the greatest gift anyone could give. What was it?" Remus asked, moving forward slowly.

Kate's lips spread into a soft smile as she recalled that particular memory.

"It was my seventeenth birthday, and you took me to the Room of Requirement. You gave me the stars; you showed me skies I had never seen before, and I showed you the moon."

Remus lowered his wand and joined her outside the barrier.

"That was the moment I knew I loved you, but I was too afraid to say it."

"And I knew I loved you when you said to hell with James, let's do this. And then you gave me one of the best snoggings to date."

She laughed softly, and he smiled. He kissed her forehead and pulled her in close. He loved how her head fit so perfectly in the curve of his neck. As cliché as it sounds, they were like to halves which fit seamlessly together to make a whole. He heard her let out a content sigh as she melted deeper into him. He noticed, however, that she only hugged him back with her right arm.