Now & Then

Fifteen year old Lorelei had been sitting in her room, waiting. A moment later, a tentative knock sounded at her door. In these moments, she was grateful to have her own room, seeing as Lily was a Prefect and had her own. She stood, grabbing her robe as she went, and walked toward the door. She opened it and saw Remus Lupin leaning against the door frame, looking positively sickly.

"Remus? You look dreadful," she said slipping an arm around his waist to help him to a chair.

She walked over to close the door, hearing Remus snort.

"Hello to you too."

Turing back to face him, Lorelei smiled, but tried to look stern. "Why didn't stay another night in the Hospital Wing? You don't look well at all."

"Because I knew you were waiting," he said, holding up a hand to stop her from interrupting, "And because I have to tell you something."

Lorelei looked at him expectantly, wondering what on earth he could possibly have to tell her that was so important to endanger his health. Their relationship had been odd since third year and Lorelei had never quite understood the thought pattern of this particular Marauder. He always stayed in her room the first few nights back from the Hospital Wing because he said that her bed was more comfortable. Lorelei didn't mind because, well, frankly they were both of such a lean stature that they didn't take up much room on the double bed, and could sleep far from each other.

Remus sighed, shaking her from her thoughts, and Lorelei changed her expression to that of a concerned friend.

"You alright?" she asked hesitantly.

"I think so. But I need to just say this before I lose my nerve, or Sirius and James will tell you tomorrow anyway, and I don't want that-" he said beginning to ramble.

"Whatever it is, I can handle it," she said smiling mischievously, "You've found a more comfortable bed haven't you?" she insinuated.

"No!" Remus answered quickly, too quickly in Lorelei's opinion, "I just- I don't want things to change. And I know they will if I tell you this."

"I promise I won't let things change," Lorelei said pulling a chair over to sit in front of Remus.

Remus ran a hand through his hair, and looked up at Lorelei, eyes full of worry. "Ok, here it goes. I- Well, you see I-" he said stuttering, "Merlin, this is harder than I thought."

Lorelei reached over and took his hand in hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Remus seemed to relax under her touch and looked at her appreciatively.

"Alright. I- I care about you, Lore," he said hastily, grasping Lorelei's hand as if afraid she'd pull it away, "More than a friend. I think- No, I know. I'm in love with you, Lore. And if you don't feel the same, just tell me now and save me further embarrassment, please."

Lorelei sat there stunned for several moments, before looking at Remus straight on, tears in her eyes. "I do feel the same. I just- I didn't think you'd ever like me like that."

Remus leaned forward in his chair and placed his free hand on Lorelei's cheek. "Lore, would you- Can I-"

Lorelei smiled nervously and nodded. Remus smiled quickly before leaning in and pressing his lips softly against Lorelei's. Feeling a spark run through her, Lorelei lifted a hand and moved it to rest at the base of Remus' neck. He leaned forward further, deepening the kiss and Lorelei kissed back with passion. Remus pulled away, gasping for breath. He watched as Lorelei slowly opened her eyes and smiled.

"Remus, I-"

But anything Lorelei had planned to say was thrown away as Remus placed his lips over hers again in a sweet kiss.

****

It was clear to anyone that saw them the next day that they were now a couple. Remus had always been the gentlemen out of their group of friends, but he took it to extreme's to impress Lorelei. He opened doors, carried her books, pulled out chairs. Which left Lorelei to be the one to push him against the wall in a shadowy corner between classes to get to kiss him. But Remus wasn't complaining.

At dinner that night, James looked sulky and Sirius look pleased.

"Hello, lovebirds," he said as they sat down, "Lovely day, isn't it?"

"Oh, sod off, Sirius," James said, arms folded across is chest, "Quit gloating."

"Gloating?" Lorelei said, narrowing her eyes at Sirius, "I detect a lost bet."

Sirius stopped smiling and grew serious. "We just had a little wager over whether Remus would be man enough to tell you or not."

Remus looked at James with mock offense. "James! How dare you think I'm not man enough."

This bought James out of his stupor as he began to laugh. "Never doubted your manliness, Remus. Just your guts," he said smiling, "But I'm glad everything's sorted out now. I just miss my five Galleons."

Lily joined the table shortly after and the rest of the night was a blur.

****

Lorelei was just drifting off to sleep, when she felt someone slip into bed beside her. Opening her eyes, she came face to face with Remus. She smiled at him.

"Hey."

"Hey," he said back, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, "I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's ok."

Remus placed a kiss on her forehead and threaded and arm around her waist. "I just couldn't sleep."

Lorelei looked up at him, worried. "Everything ok?"

Remus frowned. "Yeah, I just have these dreams about think I could have done as the wolf. Like biting someone, or Merlin forbid, killing someone," he said shuddering, "I just hate the thought of it. I would never be able to live with myself."

Lorelei lifted a hand and ran her finger through Remus' hair soothingly. He leaned into the touch, and Lorelei realized, by that reaction, how much it really did worry him. She pulled his head towards her and pressed her lips to his. He tightened his grip around her waist and pulled them closer as he deepened the kiss. Lorelei pulled away, feeling breathless and laid her head against Remus' chest.

"Don't worry about that so much. No mater what they say about werewolves, I think that somewhere in the wolves brain is the human that they are twenty-nine days out of the month. And depending on that person, the actions of the wolf are reflected. Like you hurt yourself instead of hurting others," Lorelei said softly, listening intently to Remus' heartbeat.

Remus kissed the top of her head and held her tightly against his body. 'Which is why I love you."

Lorelei smiled and lifted her covers to cover Remus better. After the two got comfortable again, Lorelei sighed.

"I have to warn you. I may fall asleep very soon."

Remus placed another kiss on the top of her head. "That's fine. Sleep well, love."

Lorelei smiled and nestled against Remus, feeling perfectly content.

"Goodnight, Remus."

****

At the end of that year, Remus had told Lorelei that both of his parents would be picking him up at King's Cross, and he wanted her to meet them. Lorelei had felt sick to her stomach the entire train ride, and no matter how many times Remus reassured her, the feeling didn't go away. The stepped off the train, both of them spotting their respective parents right away. They decided to get them all together and have introductions all around. Lorelei approached her parents, taking deep breaths, as Remus bounded over to his, positively giddy.

Lorelei's mom, Lauren, smiled at her warmly. "Oh, dear, how are you?" she said hugging Lorelei tightly.

"Good, mum. I'm good."

She pulled out of the embrace and looked to her father, Joseph. Her father beamed at her. "Good year?"

"Yeah, really good. You both have to come and meet someone-"

"Too late, we're coming to meet you guys," Remus said smiling broadly.

"And who is this young lady?" Remus' father asked kindly.

"Dad, this is Lorelei Hayes. And these are her parents-" he said, stopping because he didn't know their names.

Lorelei's mother took over. "I'm Lauren, and this is my husband Joseph."

Remus' father smiled at them and shook their hands. "I'm David and this is my wife Sarah, and our son Remus."

Pleasantries were exchanged and the parents looked to their children, wondering why they were meeting. Remus took the initiative.

"Mum, dad, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes," he added, smiling at Lorelei's parents, "Lorelei and I are dating and we just wanted you all to meet."

Lauren was beside herself. "What a sweet boy," she said grabbing Joseph's hand.

Sarah looked Lorelei over and Lorelei smiled nervously. "You seem like a nice girl, but-"

"Oh, mum," Remus said suddenly, "She knows," he said purposefully.

"Oh, and you still," Sarah said and Lorelei nodded, "Oh, well that changes everything now doesn't it."

David smiled at Lorelei. "Feel free to come and visit over the summer. We'd be happy to have you."

"And Remus you too," Lauren said smiling, "We can trade off."

Remus beamed at Lorelei and Lorelei couldn't help but smiled back.

"Well, I hate to separate you two, but Remus, we need to get going," David said, apology lacing his words.

"Alright, dad," he said, turning to Lorelei, "See you soon. I'll owl you."

He leaned over and placed a small kiss on her cheek before waving goodbye and following his parents.

"What a sweet boy," Lauren repeated before ushering Lorelei in the opposite direction.