Semper

25

It was one thing to be beside Remus when the others were around her, it was easier to ignore the fluttering of her heart around others as she was too busy laughing or getting scolded by Lily. Now she had no one to distract her.

Was this his plan all this time?

It's Remus, not a serial killer who wants to take you to the nearest washroom and kill you Aurora, get a grip.

Aurora struggled to come up with some topic to fill the awkward-but-not-awkward surrounding as both of them walked, no direction in particular. She swiftly took a glance at the scarred boy beside her, who was silent himself as he walked beside her, hands clasped behind his back, a serene expression on his face.

"Is there something on my face?" She didn't even notice that she had been openly staring, so Remus' question threw her off as she whipped her face forward as she shook her head, blushing as red as her wild mane.

"Nothing, it's nothing." She said, as she rushed a few steps in front of him – anything to create a bit distance so he didn't see her flaming cheeks – as she heard him a sigh.

"Aurora." Him using her full name was a new thing, as she came to a stop, eyes wide as she waited, but didn't turn around.

"Hmm?" She said, as she felt him come closer to her, as the hair on her neck rose up pleasurably at the welcome of heat radiating from the young werewolf.

"You and I both know we need to talk." He said, as he unclasped his hands and pushed them inside the pocket in his jeans – it was past dinner and they were allowed to wear muggle clothing – as he came to a stop in front of her, as she gulped at the intensity of his stare at her.

"About what?" She innocently asked, cursing the sudden confidence that had suddenly sprung up in the usually shy boy.

He gave her a look, "You and I both know what." As she sighed, knowing they did have to talk.

Nodding, she suddenly grabbed his hand and rushed to the nearest classroom, mentally thanking Merlin that it was empty. "You wanna talk? Let's talk." She said, crossing her arms across her chest as she tried to dial down the blush on her cheeks but to no avail. It seemed that as soon as Aurora had grabbed his hand and dragged them into the secluded classroom all the confidence had vanished from his face, as he too was sporting a bright red blush and was now awkwardly scratching the back of his neck.

"So... about." He started, as Aurora nodded, squealing inside at how cute he looked 'Stop it Aurora! You're a grown up woman, stop blushing like a tomato you creep!' as she kept a stoic expression on her face.

'What is there to talk about Remus? You consider what happened back at my home a mistake, so why talk about it now?" She said, finally having enough as she sighed, running a hand through her wild red hair as she turned around, missing Remus' incredulous expression.

"I never considered it to be a mistake Rory." He softly said, as Aurora froze. Spinning around, she took two steps close to him, as she looked up at him, noses touching. For a second, both said nothing.

"Then what do you call running away just after we kissed?" She whispered, noting the little distance between them as she gulped, willing herself to focus on the chocolate brown orbs of his, which were filled with varying emotion by the second.

For a second Remus didn't say anything, just kept focusing on the little distance between them and the hot breaths released from Aurora's mouth which was cool on his skin. He knew it was his fault, ever since they kissed the distance between them was his fault. But he couldn't bear to see her miserable, and whenever she tried to avoid him – she blatantly ran out of the room whenever he entered – it felt as if he was being stabbed in the gut.

"I-" he said, a ball of emotion stuck in his throat as he willed his eyes to stay dry , "I was scared." He finally whispered as he watched Aurora's eyes widen, filled with disbelief as he realized she took it the wrong way. Before she could step back, body rigid with hurt, he took her hands in his, noticing how small and delicate her hands were compared to his big, rough and scarred ones. Aurora struggled to get out of his hold as Remus swallowed.

"I can't take you down with me when we graduate Hogwarts Aurora." He whispered as Aurora stopped struggling, realization filling her eyes as she looked at him.

"Remus...." She started but once the dam is broken, all the water has to come out.

"It's a miracle Dumbeldore even let me study at Hogwarts. Most – if not all – of the werewolves are usually thrown out of society at the slight hint of trouble." Remus was babbling at this point, not noticing his eyes tear up as Aurora wiped the fallen ones from his face," I wouldn't be able to hold a stable enough job, have no money in my name. Even now many suspect about my lycanthropy and if it gets out you'll be dragged down with me. In good conscience I can't let you suffer for my crimes."

"Remus stop." Now he did, as he sniffed, noticing how both were in tears, as he unconsciously wiped them from Aurora's face. Aurora made his sit on a chair as she looked at him intently.

"You have done nothing to deserve what happened to you. You are one of the kindest people I've met in the world, one of the smartest and most dedicated to what you believe in. The world is lucky to have you in it, and you need to see it. If not for yourself, then for me. For Sirius, James and Peter. We all love you so much, and you deserve only the best. There is no crime you've done, a crime was done to you and there will be one day when the one who did this you will pay. And what about society? We'll face it together. But don't push me away Remus, not if you don't want me to." Aurora grabbed his face in her hands as she closed her eyes resting her forehead on his as she sniffed, willing the tears to stop as she realized how much pain the boy was going through.

"I want to go the next steps with you Remus, but I will stop if-" she stopped, not wanting to consider that possibility but knew she had to continue," but I will stop if you don't want me to." She whispered as she waited for his response.

"I want to." She heard as she opened her eyes, as happiness filled her entire being as she looked at him. Remus was smiling too, as wide he could as his tears disappeared as he looked at her. "I want to go the next steps, with you." He said he grabbed her by the waist as her hands rested on his shoulders.

Aurora was positively beaming, as she looked up at him , a sudden energy filling the room as both just looked at each other. "Oh fuck it." She heard Remus say as she felt his hands grab her face as he planted her lips on his.

To say this kiss was better than there previous one would be true. The fluttering in her chest expanded to unimaginable butterflies as Aurora's hands reached behind Remus's neck as his' trailed down to her waist as she returned the kiss with equal passion. Remus deepened the kiss as Aurora turned them around, her back digging into the table as her hands roamed and tugged at Remus' hair, making him moan as they kissed.

Remus's legs locked Aurora's as his hands tightened their grip on her waist as her's trailed to his chest as he started trailing kisses on her neck, making her moan as she tightly gripped his hair. He soon came back to kiss her lips as she kissed him back .

What felt like hours, was a few minutes, but soon Aurora broke the kiss, both panting heavily. "That was..." Remus said as he looked at her, happiness soaring inside him as he looked at her disheveled state.

"Long time overdue." Aurora spoke back as her hands went back to the nape of his neck as she panted slightly.

"I guess there's just one step left then." Remus said, smiling lopsidedly as Aurora grinned. "Aurora Olive Evans. Would you give me the honor of calling myself your boyfriend?" He said and if it were possible Aurora's grin widened as she nodded.

"Yes." And this time it was her who initiated the kiss as Remus smiled, feeling her lips smile against it.

"About damn time!"