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George and Fred went back in the house and left Emily alone in the backyard. She pulled out her phone and dialed Remus’ number.

“Rems? Hey!” Emily said into the phone.

“Hey, are you guys back?” he asked.

“Yeah, we just got back. We’re at the Burrow, and Mrs. Weasley wants you to come to dinner,” Emily said.

“Sure thing. I’ll come over. See you tonight,” he said.

“Okie dokie,” she said. She clicked the phone shut and made her way to the living room.

“Hi,” George said from the armchair, holding his arms out for her.

“Hiya back,” she giggled as she snuggled up in his warm embrace.

“What did Remus say?” Fred asked.

“He said he’ll come,” Emily said with a frown.

“Are you not happy that he’s coming?” Fred asked.

“Of course I’m happy. He just seemed...distant or something,” she sighed.

“I’m sure everything’s fine,” George consoled as his fingertips ran up and down her arm.

“Mmmm,” she said. Emily snuggled up into his neck, kissing his silky skin.

“We’re in company, Ems,” George chuckled.

“We don’t have to be,” she whispered for only him to hear. He chuckled lightly. “Fine,” she sighed.

“It’s not like I want you to stop,” he whispered in her ear so only she could hear.

“I know,” she sighed. “Doesn’t change anything at the present though.”

“Unfortunately,” he added. They both chuckled while everyone stared at them.

“George! Emily! Mum said you were back!” Bill boomed as he walked in from the kitchen. He went over to the couple and shook George’s hand. He bent down and kissed Emily on cheek.

“Hey, Bill,” Emily said, smiling up at him.

“How are you two?” Bill asked with a grin.

“Perfect,” they said in unison. Chuckles were heard throughout the room.

“Any room for one more?” Remus asked.

“Rems!” Emily exclaimed, jumping up to give him a hug.

“Hey, Ems,” Remus chuckled.

Emily stepped back to get a good look at him. She noticed that his brown hair was streaked with gray and his clothes were more ragged than usual. She frowned at his gaunt and grim appearance. He looked around at the room, not meeting her eyes. She put her hands on her hips.

“Remus John Lupin—” Emily started. He tried to walk past her and sit down but she grabbed his arm. “I don’t think so. Outside right now,” she said with a huff. She led him to the backyard. She walked down a little ways and then rounded on him.

“Before you say anything—” Remus started.

“What happened?” she interrupted.

“I’ve just been busy with stuff,” he said.

“Too busy to take care of yourself? Too busy doing what?” Emily asked suspiciously.

“I’ve been doing stuff for the Order, for Dumbledore,” he said defensively.

“Like what?” she asked.

“Emily, I—”

“Don’t even try telling me you can’t tell me, Remus. I will go straight to Dumbledore,” she said, narrowing her eyes.

“I’ve been doing some things,” he said quietly.

“Doing what, Remus?” she asked, irritated.

“I’ve been running around with the other werewolves,” he mumbled quietly.

“I’m sorry, what was that? Stop mumbling,” she demanded.

“I’ve been running around with the other werewolves,” he said quietly.

Emily stared at him, horror struck. “And you kept that from me?” she asked quietly. He just stared at the ground, not meeting her eyes. “Great best friend you are,” she whispered before stalking back into the house.

“What happened? Are you okay?” George asked as she walked through the door. She didn’t look up from the floor or stop walking.

“Emily! Wait!” panted Remus as he ran after her. “Oh, come on!” he shouted.

“How dare you, Remus! You could have died!” she yelled at him, turning around.

“What was I supposed to do? Tell Albus no? I’m doing what I have to in this war, Emily!” he shouted back.

“So you can be ripped away from me too? So I’ll have no parents?” she yelled at him, tears welling up in her eyes.

“I made a promise to you when you were eight years old, Ems,” he replied quietly, breathing heavily. “I have no intentions of breaking it,” he whispered.

“You better not, or I swear I will bring your butt back from the dead and kill you myself,” she whispered.

Remus chuckled lightly as he moved closer to her. “I love you, Ems, and I will always meet you under the moon,” he said as he hugged her tightly. Emily’s arms wrapped around his torso and she played with her rigidly cut ring.

“I love you too,” she whispered.

“Emily, I’d like to talk to you and George alone, please,” Remus said quietly after a few minutes.

She leaned back to look at his somewhat serious expression. She cocked her head to the side, but agreed.

“Georgie, can you come join Remus and I for a chat?” she asked her husband.

“Sure thing, love,” he said as he came over to them. They went through the kitchen door and walked over toward the pigpen.

“Do you two have a place to stay yet?” Remus asked quietly.

“We were just going to stay in the flat above the joke shop,” George replied.

“Well, what would you say to a house?” Remus asked with a grin.

“What? You didn’t buy us a house,” Emily said in a disbelieving tone.

“Not exactly, I don’t have much use of the house, and I want you two to have it,” Remus replied.

“We can’t just take your house, Remus,” George said.

“I figured you’d say that. So, what about a different house that was under my name, but would have been transferred to Emily’s name when she was of age? I think you’ll like it,” he added.

“What house are you talking about? You’ve never told me about another house,” she accused.

“It was your parents’ house. The one you would have grown up in,” Remus said quietly.

“What? Why didn’t you ever tell me about it?” she asked.

“I didn’t know how to. And it was still pretty hard for me, but I know that both Amelia and Sirius would want you to have it,” he said.

“Wow, Remus, thank you so much,” George said as he extended his hand.

“So, do you want to check it out tomorrow?” he asked as he shook George’s hand.

“Yes, I do want to see it,” Emily whispered.

“Good, good, it’s a date,” Remus smiled as he kissed her forehead. He walked back inside to talk with Bill and the others.

Emily turned to George. “How are you doing?” he asked.

“I just can’t believe he’s kept so many things from me,” Emily whispered. George wrapped his arms around her.

“There’s a reason for everything,” he whispered against her hair.

“I don’t want to lose him,” she whispered.

“I know. You won’t,” George promised. “He’ll always be with you.” Emily nodded.


*Tell me whatchya think!