Under the Silver Moon

Waning Gibious

Remus awoke with a gut feeling that something was terribly wrong; he glanced to his side to see Rosalyn wide awake and staring at him. She smiled at him, reaching for his finger. He groaned still slightly sore, but he arose with the infant in arm. Remus didn't even bother to put on a shirt as he entered his office to see nobody. As he entered further, he found Rue sitting in the classroom staring at the bogart cabinet. His eyes caught sight of a late blemish on her left cheek. Rosalyn ruined there hiding with a cackle; Rue glanced upward with a small smile.

"Didn't know you were awake. Sleep okay?"

"Yes, what happened to you?"

Rue rubbed her cheek and chuckled under her breath. She gently touched the wood before heading toward their direction; she took Rosalyn and kissed Remus. He stopped her before she could get too far.

"What happnened?"

"I was hit it the face by the cabinet door; it flung open." no stutter in her voice.

Remus saw her side glance, knew she was lying and rose a brow.

"What really happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it. Let it go. "

"Can I take a guess?"

Rue entered the office and sat on the desk edge as he leaned upon his cane. He saw the papers were in the trash and new potions on the far table.

"Judging by the potions over there I say that Severus dropped in for a unexpected visit."

Rue looked down. He felt anger boil into his gut when he knew that her own brother struck her across the face. She let him touch the bruise and try to conceal his emotions with no avail.

"No more by yourself, Rue. He is taking his anger out on you because of me."

"Okay." she whispered leaning into his warm body, " It close to dinner. I will cover this up and get Rosalyn and I dressed. "

"I can get rid of it. Come with me, love,then we will get dressed. "

The couple added a quick detour to their normal routine before heading to dinner. Once they had made it to their normal seat, Rue kept her head low as she ate in the middle of the two men. Remus kept his eyes closely on his brother-in-law; he knew Severus was angry at the world but not enough to hit his own sister. Was he wrong.

"Don't give him the power. Hold you head high. " He whispered, blowing air against her neck.

Rue laughed and started to loosen up, enjoying her meal as she returned to her average self. She knew her husband was right. Severus would never win; he had his chance. He wasn't about to ruin her life because his was a wreck. Rue brandished a large smile at Remus's goofy grin; his heart fluttered when he saw her smile like that.

"I think it is time to show you how much I truly love you." he mumbled into her ear.

Her face reddened, but she reacted positively to his undefined plans.