Once Upon A Moon

Chapter 10

          Figuring out the best place to start was harder than she thought but Remus
waited patiently as she found the right words. He sat next to her on the couch
and pulled her close so her head was tucked into the hollow of his shoulder. He
stroked her arm in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. Her tears were
starting to subside as she got a hold herself.

“Take your time.” He said , his voice soothing and full of understanding.

“I’m sorry. Thank you. You are so wonderful.” She replied.

          He smiled at her enigmatically and began to rub her back as he pressed a
soft kiss to her temple. His curiosity was killing him but he knew she needed a
moment.

“I met Lucius Malfoy at a party. I had been hired as the entertainment.” She said
and watched his brows shoot up in surprise.

“Not that kind of entertainment Remus! I had a fortune telling tent set up. You
know, I read tarot cards and palms and crystal gazed. That type of thing.”

“Oh.” He said in relief.

“He didn’t want to see me but the host insisted that he have a go for fun. As soon
as he stepped in the room I knew his aura was black. I agreed to read his palm.
The minute I touched him, my suspicion was confirmed. He was evil. He’s going to
be a big problem in the future and I know what he’s planning. Well when I refused
to tell him what I’d seen he became enraged. For six years now I’ve been moving
around to get away from him. But he always hunts me down. He’s a very well
connected man. He turned my doorknob into a Portkey that brought me directly to
him. Tonight he actually threatened to kill me. He hasn’t done that before. He
used one of the Unforgivables on me when I refused him to give him the
information. He’s getting more desperate.” She finished in a distant voice.

“Lika.” He said comfortingly as she clung to him. “You’re safe now. I won’t let
anything happen to you.”

“You can’t promise me that Remus. That’s why I have to go. I can’t stay here and
endanger everyone around me. The students, the teachers, the school.......you.”
She said as she withdrew from his embrace.

          Remus was letting her words sink in as he watched her stand and felt a panic
in his chest. He rose quickly and blocked her path as he grabbed her hand.

“You can’t leave. He’ll find you even faster if you leave.” He insisted as he watched
tears fall from her eyes. His insides felt like they were being shredded.

“He’ll find me if I stay also.” She shot back as she tugged her hand free.

“But at least you’ll be safe with me.” He said.

“You can’t risk your life to keep me safe.” She replied.

“I have no life without you in it.” He said softly as he looked dejectedly at the
floor.

          Lika watched him as he made his confession and felt her heart squeeze
painfully in her chest. She moved forward to stand directly in front of him as she
reached for his hand. Palm to palm she gazed into his mesmerizing gray eyes as
she leaned forward for a passionate kiss.

“I love you Remus. That’s why I have to go. I’m protecting you. I couldn’t live with
myself if anything happened to you.” She sobbed.

“Love? How can you love me yet leave?” He demanded.

“It’s for the best.” She said sadly. “Remus, I’m sorry.”

“Just go.” He said angrily.

“I don’t want to leave with you angry. Please...” She started.

“No! Just get out.” He yelled.

          Lika began crying even harder as she turned on her heel and ran from his
house; her sobs trailing behind her. Her heart felt like it had been pierced with
thousands of glass shards.

          Remus waited till she was gone before sinking to his knees on the floor and
screaming in frustration. “I love you Lika.” He whispered to the empty room as
anguish surrounded him.