Fire and Water

Hiya butherecomesthefall. I don\'t mind Tonks either - just not with Remus (ick!) I hated doing that to Remus, but figured the Death Eaters wouldn\'t have been too nice. Was waiting to see if anyone was still reading this before I updated again. I\'ve posted ten stories on fanfiction.net if you want to check them out. I\'m remuslives23 over there. Still love AFF - I just get more feedback over there. :-( Cheers.



Chapter Forty eight



When Krystal finally opened her eyes that afternoon, she saw Remus staring at her, his dark blue eyes troubled. “Hi,’ he whispered.

“Hi,’ she echoed, giving him a small smile. He kept his gaze on her, frowning a little. “Are you alright?’ she asked, concern in her voice. He nodded.

“I don’t know what to say to you,’ he said, his voice uncertain and cracked. “Krys…I am so sorry. What I’ve done to you since I’ve returned is unforgivable. I’ve hurt you badly and I can never take that back.”



“Remus…..’ Krystal tried to interrupt him, but he shook his head.

“All I can say is that I love you. I love you with all my heart and, if you would consider giving me another chance, I swear I will never give you any reason to fear me again.”



Krystal saw the sincerity in his eyes and knew that he was sorry. Even at her most frightened last night, she had known that this man wasn’t really Remus. That the same darkness that she had allowed control over her all those years ago had overtaken him, and that, in it’s grasp, he did things that even he would never dreamed he was capable of. She appreciated his apology but she already knew how sorry he was; she’d already forgiven him.



Remus lay on his side facing her, watching her with trepidation. He hoped with every fibre of his being that she could somehow forgive him, because he couldn‘t bring himself to think about a life without her. When she raised her hand, he thought for one second that she was going to strike him, but she touched it gently to his face, running a finger along the scar on his cheek.



“You forgave me for what I did to you. I don’t know where you found the strength to do that, let alone ask me to be your wife.” Her hand cupped his jaw, her thumb tracing the line of his bottom lip. “I love you, Remus. I can forgive you anything.” With her words, she leant forward and kissed him very softly on the lips.



The kiss lingered and, almost involuntarily, his hand reached for her, running up her arm and feeling her shiver. He quickly removed his hand, thinking his touch had been too much. Krystal pulled away, looking at him with understanding in her eyes.



“I want you to touch me,’ she whispered.

“Are you sure? After last night…’ he began, but she cut him off.

“Forget about last night; make me forget about last night,’ she said, touching his chest, feeling his heart pounding.

She smiled when she saw his uncertainty. “I know that wasn’t you, Remus.” She took his hand and moved it to her breast, feeling him tremble. “Please?” she added, her eyes on his.



It was the beseeching ‘please’ that moved him, his hands rising to cup her face and draw her to him. Time seemed to stand still as they kissed; kisses that took them both back to their first in that very room so many years ago. Their hands moved slowly, taking the time to relearn each others bodies as the kiss was deepened and clothes were shed. Mouths moved, following the path taken by their hands as the air became thick with cries of pleasure and declarations of love. As they physically joined, their souls also touched and were forever altered; bonded. Breathing quickened as together they climbed to new peaks of pleasure; and they fell together, with each other’s name on their lips.



For a long time afterwards, Remus and Krystal lay quietly, arms and legs entwined, hands floating lightly over each others skin, raising goose bumps and causing the occasional giggle.

Eventually, Krystal mumbled into Remus’ neck, saying “I don’t really want to move, but I’m going to start gnawing on my own arm if I don’t eat soon.” Remus chuckled and kissed the side of her head.

“Don’t move an inch. I’ll go and grab something.” Krystal grinned.

“I was hoping you’d say that,’ she admitted, stretching as he slid out of bed and pulled on his pants.

“Any requests?,’ he asked, leaning back over to kiss her again.

“Anything that can eaten in bed,’ she said, her eyes dropping to his chest and stomach. He smiled broadly and hastily moved across the room. “Back in a minute,’ he said, hearing her reply as he reached the stairs. “Hurry!”



Remus hastily put together some sandwiches and, on his way back upstairs, grabbed a couple of Butterbeers. He was in the hall when he heard the clicking of the lock on the front door. He quickly put the sandwiches down and reached into his pocket for his wand, feeling only air. Damn! His wand must have fallen out upstairs. He moved back into the kitchen, grabbing a poker from the fireplace.



He hid behind the door, watching through the crack as a black caped figure walked slowly towards his hiding spot. He held the poker high, ready to strike. When the intruder moved into the kitchen, Remus stepped out and swung at him. The man quickly turned and ducked, the poker just brushing his untidy black hair.



“Remus! Stop! It’s me, Harry!” Remus stared at the young man.

“Harry?’ he said warily. “Prove it.” Harry smiled.

“You’re half naked, unarmed and your aim is terrible. Are you really in a position to demand proof of identity?’ he asked, with a broadening grin.

Remus raised the poker again threateningly.

“Alright, calm down,’ Harry said. “Let’s see....um…..ok. The morning of Bill Weasley’s wedding, I caught you and Krystal making out on the landing at The Burrow. Do you want me to remind you where your hands were? I can tell you - the image has been burned into my retina.’



Remus turned a little pink at the memory. “No, I think that will do.” He grinned. “Harry, what are you doing here?”

He dropped the poker and moved to hug the young man. Harry’s smile had faded a little by the time he pulled away.

“Krystal asked me to come and see her before I continued. It’s time. Is she here?”

Remus turned from pink to red now as he admitted that Krystal was in bed. Harry laughed and shook his head.

“God, don’t you two ever stop?” His cheek earned him a light punch on the arm, as Remus strode past him.

‘Eighteen years, Harry,’ he said with a grin. ‘We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.’



“Your timing really sucks, Harry,’ Krystal began as she walked into the kitchen five minutes later. He laughed and she smiled at him, pulling him into a hug.

“So,’ she said, letting him go and jumping up to sit on the counter. “What’s up?” Harry sat on a chair and looked up at Krystal.

“You asked me to talk to you before we tried to get into Hogwarts, so here I am.” He held his hands out.



Krystal frowned. “You’re sure about this? You’re sure that’s where it is?”

Harry nodded, saying, “ I know what it is, I have to get into the castle to find it.”

“There are Death Eaters in the castle, Harry…’ she began, but he interrupted.

“I know, but there is no choice. I have to get into Hogwarts or I fail. We‘re still trying to figure out a strategy, but we won‘t be able to wait too much longer.”

Krystal stared at him for a moment, then said, “I’m going with you.” Harry shook his head.

“No,’ he said firmly. “We have to do this ourselves, you know that. Besides, I get the feeling you’re needed more here.”

Her face, still bearing the signs of an emotional night, had given her away.



She was startled and Harry gave her a faint smile. “Just an instinct - am I right? Is everything ok with you and Remus?”

Krystal nodded. “It’ll be fine. We do need to be with each other for a little while though. You’re a very insightful child, you know,’ she said a little grudgingly.

Harry laughed. “Not usually - I guess I just know you both well.” His smile faded.

“Is Remus alright? After……everything.” His face was concerned.

Krystal’s jaw clenched a little. “I think he will be,’ she answered quietly.



Harry stood. “I have to go. Ron and Hermione are waiting for me.” Krystal slid down onto the floor, and moved to stand in front of the young man, her hands holding his shoulders.

“You have to promise me something Harry. No, seriously,’ she said, her voice urgent, as he opened his mouth. “Promise me that before you confront the Dark Lord that you will contact me. Harry, there is something you need to know before you go to him.”

Harry looked startled. “Why can’t you tell me now?”

She shook her head impatiently. “I can’t. I don’t have the answers. But I know who does. You must promise me, Harry. You have to swear, on Ron and Hermione’s lives, that you will wait.”

Harry felt a little surge of fear at her intensity. “Alright,’ he promised. “I swear, I’ll contact you.”



Krystal’s tension seemed to fade a little at his words. “Good. Thank you, Harry,’ she whispered, as she hugged him again.

“Look after yourself, and Remus,’ he said, his voice cracking a little as he put his arms around her.

When they pulled away from each other, he grinned. “You know, I told him he should make an honest woman of you last time I saw him,’ Harry teased, wiggling the fingers on his left hand. “I see he didn’t take my hint.”



Krystal felt a smile spread across her face. “Actually, he did,’ she said in a casual tone. “Christmas Day, he asked me to marry him.”

Harry shot a fist into the air and let out a whoop of excitement. Krystal laughed as he threw his arms around her.

“Congratulations!’ he said, happily. Remus poked his head around the kitchen door, a quizzical smile on his face.

“Is it safe to come in now?” Harry, seeing him, grabbed him in a bear hug.

“Krystal told me that you’re engaged! Congratulations, Remus.”



For the next few minutes, Harry chattered excitedly, making them promise that he would be invited to the wedding; getting a little bright eyed when Remus asked him to be his best man. There was a wonderful feeling of joy in the room, an emotion that had been little felt by any of them since the war began. When Harry departed, the feeling lingered.

“You still want to marry me?’ Remus asked, his voice held a touch of disbelief. Krystal put her arms around him.

“I’m only after your body,’ she teased, pressing herself against him. She saw his small smile and she frowned.



“Do you want to marry me?’ she asked, her voice serious. “Despite everything I’ve done to you?”

He shook his head, retorting, “It’s not the same….” She grabbed his face in between her hands and forced him to look at her.

“It is the same. We’ve both done things to hurt each other; things we never thought we were capable of doing. You forgave me. I’ve forgiven you.” She kissed him quickly. “It’s exactly the same.”

She kissed him again, this time the touch of his lips sparked a reaction in her and she stood on tip toes to get closer to him. He responded, feeling a similar flash of desire, his arms wrapping around her waist and lifting her a little so he could kiss her more thoroughly.



“You know,’ she said a little breathlessly a few minutes later. “I heard at school that Sirius’ parents caught him trying to have sex with Lindy Callahan in this very kitchen.” She slid onto the table, parting her legs.

“On this very table,” she continued, her eyes on Remus, who grinned and moved to stand between her legs.

“Trying?’ he asked, as he took hold of her hips and pulled her to him.

“Well, Sirius said he did; Lindy said he tried,’ she responded with a little giggle.

He laughed. “Hmmm. Well, I can’t let Sirius be the only Marauder who knows how to show a girl a good time,’ he said as his head lowered to her mouth.



Krystal and Remus spent the next week reconnecting with each other, both physically and emotionally. They talked a lot - about everything. They began to make plans for after the war, neither of them daring to give voice to their shared underlying terror; that one or both of them wouldn’t survive it. Remus eventually stopped apologising for his behaviour and Krystal found him in the kitchen late in the week, pouring bottles of Firewhiskey down the sink.



He saw her concerned frown as she watched, and smiled reassuringly at her. “Don’t worry, it’s not a problem.” He frowned himself, as he watched the amber fluid swirl around the sink before disappearing down the drain.

“But it could be if I don’t do something about it now,’ he added grimly.

She nodded and put her arms around him, resting her head on his chest as she watched him ridding himself of some of his demons.



Krystal heard from Harry and paid the teenagers a visit. She listened with mounting trepidation, as they laid out their plan for entry to Hogwarts. She advised them, offered suggestions and, once alone with Harry, reminded him of his promise to her.



Krystal hesitated before apparating. She sighed, realising that there was another stop she should make. There was something she’d been putting off, dreading what she might discover. But it was time to face the music - she had to know one way or another.



She appeared outside a familiar house, knocking on the door. When it opened, he was surprised to see her.

“I need your help with something,’ Krystal said, entering the house.

She spent some time there, and when she left, still felt a little shell shocked that her suspicions had been confirmed. Finally, after having worked up the courage to go back to face Remus, she reluctantly apparated back to Grimmauld Place.



She was distracted though, as Remus greeted her in a way that suggested she’d been gone weeks instead of hours, and who wasted no time in showing her just how much he had missed her. Krystal was interrupted again later, as they received a Patronus from Severus, telling them he would be there later that night for an update on Harry. Krystal was a little relieved, although she knew that she would have to tell Remus what had happened eventually.



It was nearly midnight as Krystal paced the study; Remus reading through some papers on the couch.

“Will you please stop?’ he said finally, looking up at her. “Wearing a hole in the carpet will not make him arrive sooner. Come and sit down.”

She stopped and sighed. “I know but I really need to speak to him tonight.” She moved to the couch, though and sat beside him. Remus put his paper aside and lifted her legs so they lay across his lap.

“He’ll be here,’ he said soothingly, rubbing her bare feet, smiling a little at her soft moan.

“That’s nice,’ she murmured, laying her head against the cushions. She closed her eyes, relaxing for a minute, enjoying the feel of his hands caressing her feet. A thought struck her, and she sat up abruptly, horrified she hadn’t thought of it earlier.



‘Are you alright? With Severus coming here? I know that he..,’ she stopped, unable to find the words that would hurt him the least.

“….quite enjoyed applying his own brand of torture to me?’ he finished for her, his hands stilling their movements.

He nodded, saying, “Yeah, I’m fine. I hate to admit this, but I see now why you defend him. He really did take a chance for you, despite the fact it meant helping me as well. I’m still not convinced he doesn’t have deeper feelings for you, but….‘ He shrugged.

“I know Severus did what he had to do. Although,’ he added, with a frown, ‘I don’t think he felt too terrible about doing it.”

He looked at her anxious face and smiled, rubbing her leg. “It really is alright. I’m not going to backslide seeing him again.”

Krystal smiled back at him. “Good,’ she said, leaning in to kiss him.



For a few minutes, they forgot where they were as their lips teased each other. Remus’ hand crept up the outside of her thigh and he pressed her back into the couch, shifting slightly so he lay across her. Their breathing quickened and Krystal’s hands slid under Remus’ shirt, feeling his skin warming under her touch. He moaned and moved his lips to her jaw and neck, nibbling gently, his stomach clenching in pleasure at the sound of her sudden, sharp intake of breath. Her back arched off the couch to allow him access as his hands worked to pull the bottom of her shirt out of the waistband of her skirt.



“Do you ever stop?” Came a low, disdainful voice from the doorway.

“Sev!’ gasped Krystal, trying to push Remus off her as she saw the other man.

“Your timing is perfect as always, Severus,’ sighed Remus as he sat up, pulling Krystal up with him.

“It looks as though I was fortunate I arrived now and not in five minutes time,’ retorted Severus, moving into the room and sitting on a chair opposite the couch.



He watched, his mouth twitching slightly as a bright red Krystal pulled her shirt down and tried to smooth her hair. Remus, on the other hand, made no attempt to straighten himself up, reclining back on the cushions with a grin on his face. Krystal looked from one man to another, seeing their amusement.

“God, you two really are as bad as each other,’ she snapped irritably, standing and striding into the kitchen, hearing Severus’ snort and Remus’ laughter as she did.



She returned in a few seconds with three Butterbeers. Severus raised his eyebrow at her as she handed him the bottle.

“No Firewhiskey, sorry.” She said the words lightly, but Severus noticed the sudden tension in Lupin’s shoulders and the twitch in his jaw.

‘Interesting,’ he thought, as he saw Krystal take the werewolf’s hand and squeeze it, giving him a reassuring look.

“So, give me news so I can go and enjoy a real drink in my room,’ he said, raising the bottle to his lips.

Krystal leant forward. “Harry is planning on entering Hogwarts tomorrow,’ she said, seeing Severus choke a little on his drink as she spoke.



“Tomorrow?’ he repeated, looking a little distressed now.

Krystal nodded in confirmation. “He believes that the last of what he searches for is there. Once he’s found it, he is going to face the Dark Lord.” He could hear the undercurrent of concern in her voice.

“I must see him before that happens,’ Severus said, rising to his feet.

“I know,’ Krystal stood as well. “He swore he would contact me before he sought You Know Who. Do you know where he is?”

Severus frowned and put his bottle on the small table next to his chair. “I know he has become anxious over the few days. There was some trouble at Gringotts; an item was stolen from the Lestranges’ vault. Something, I believe, that was of great value to the Dark Lord.”



Severus began to pace, his face troubled. “He has put Nagini in a protective bubble, as Dumbledore predicted he would.” He looked up at Krystal. “He must not seek out the Dark Lord yet.”

Krystal nodded, saying “I know. He swore to me…”

She stopped when Severus made an impatient noise. “His promise means nothing! He is undisciplined, impetuous….”

At this, Remus stood.



“Don’t let your low opinion of James influence how you treat Harry,’ he said to Severus, who was staring at the brown haired man as if he had never seen him before. “James earned your scorn for what he did to you; Harry shouldn’t suffer because of his father’s legacy.”

Severus was still looking at Remus as he replied, “But he is very much his father’s son.” Krystal stepped forward and laid her hand on his arm and said softly, “He is also Lily’s son, Sev.”



Severus turned away from Remus quickly, but not before the other man saw the pain that swept across his face at Krystal’s words. Sudden comprehension made him sink back into his chair. It was not Krystal that Severus was in love with. It was Lily. He looked at Krystal, who’s face unintentionally confirmed his thoughts, before she turned to Severus, speaking softly to him.



“He will contact me and I will bring him to you,’ she promised.

Severus nodded and glanced at Krystal. “You care for the boy?’ he asked quietly.

“I do,’ she answered, and was startled by the shadow that crossed Severus’ face.



“Why? Sev,’ she said, becoming alarmed by what she had seen, ‘ What do you know? What is it you have to tell Harry? Don’t tell me you can’t say!’

Her voice rose as a feeling of dread threatened to engulf her. “What is it that Harry can’t know before the end? What is it that he wouldn’t be able to handle till then?”

She stopped, as the truth hit her like physical blow.



“Oh my god!’ she whispered as she took a step away from him. Her body began to shake and tears of pain and anger filled her eyes. “He’s not going to survive this, is he?’ she said, seeing Remus stand quickly out of the corner of her eye. “That’s the thing he can’t know until the end - he can’t win?”



Severus turned and looked directly into her eyes. “That depends on your definition of winning,’ he said, his voice low, but his own distress was audible. “If Potter succeeds in his mission, and faces the Dark Lord with the information I will give him, everyone will win - the Dark Lord will be destroyed.”

“But Harry will be dead?’ said Remus, with an expression of horror. Severus did not need to say anything; the answer was evident on his face.

“No,’ said Krystal, desperately. “There must be another way. I’ll do it, why can’t I do it?”

But Severus was already shaking his head.

“It has to be Potter. It’s an ancient, dark magic, Krystal. There is no other way.” He walked over to Krystal and took her shoulders, leaning in to speak softly to her.



“Do you think I like this? After all these years, when I thought I was protecting him for her, to have it come to this? To have to watch the last reminder I have of Lily….”

He took a shaky breath and struggled to regain control of himself. “I don’t like this either, but it is the only way.”

He dropped his hands from her shoulders. “You must not warn him,” he said firmly. “It is not your responsibility.” He walked to the doorway of the room, looking back at the shell shocked couple.

“I am sorry,’ he said as he turned back and left the house.



For a long time there was silence.

“No.” Krystal was shaking her head. “It can’t be right, there has to be another way. There’s always another way. How can Harry kill You Know Who if he’s dead? It doesn’t make sense, Remus. There’s something missing.”

Remus too, was looking for another answer. “Snape’s mistaken. He has to be. Dumbledore would never betray Harry like this; he loved Harry.”



They stared at each other for a second, their eyes echoing the same sense of panic. “I have to go to Hogwarts,’ said Krystal. “I have to see him; I have to help him. Albus said that I had to teach him to survive. He wouldn’t have told me to look after him if he’d planned on letting him be killed.” Her voice had risen and anger started to take hold.

“He had to know; he had to know I wouldn’t just stand by and….” Her rage became too much and she threw the Butterbeer bottle at the mirror above the fireplace with a sob.



As the glass shattered and fell to the floor, Remus spun her back to face him and held her in his arms, his strength allowing her to be weak for a time. They stood in the middle of the room and held each other, not realising they were already grieving for the boy they both loved.