Previously...

Ana noticed Remus' eyes- only for a second- flicker down to her lips.

She was still leaning in, closer and closer, and finally, they were closer to each other than they had ever been before.

Only an inch apart...

Ana's heart was pounding out of her chest. 

Just a single inch...

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Remus noticed how close they were and slowly closed the gap between them by gently pressing his lips against Ana's.

Ana melted into the kiss, and their dancing slowed for the long moment in which their lips were connected.

When they finally pulled away, neither of them knew what to say.

Remus' hands fell to his sides and he began swinging them awkwardly, palms sweating.

Ana shoved her hands in her pockets. "Er-"

"Ana," Remus cut in. "I- I don't know why that happened, but we can't do this."

Ana wanted to protest, saying that she had been wanting to do that for the past 2 years. But she didn't.

"If we do- er- this, then you'll be in danger," Remus said, furrowing his eyebrows. "I could hurt you. You've seen me lash out before during those days."

Once again, Ana wanted to argue, but her vocal cords had simply shut off.

"Ok," Remus said quietly, unsure of what to do next. "I'm gonna go back to Gryffindor Tower. See you in the morning."

He ran off, leaving Ana still standing in the same spot.

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"Morning!" Ana said cheerfully to Ivy and Sage.

"Well, someone's chipper," Sage noted, pouring herself a glass of orange juice. The Great Hall was bustling with people and several Gryffindors had already started a food fight. "Have a dream about marrying Remus?"

Ana's stomach dropped, but she waved off the feeling. In truth, she felt like her heart was shattering. It seemed dramatic, even for Ana, but that was how she felt. "Oh, shut up," she grumbled.

"Bacon?" Ivy asked, holding the platter of bacon in her hands with a couple of pieces stuffed into her mouth.

"Not really hungry today," Ana admitted, pushing away the limp piece of toast on her plate.

Ivy and Sage exchanged a nervous glance.

"You okay?" Sage asked.

"I'm fine," Ana lied. "Just not really hungry. Oh my goodness, we have Transfiguration in 5 minutes! Hurry!"

Ivy and Sage weren't tricked by Ana's obvious attempt to avoid the subject, but they dropped the matter... for the time being.

"What's up with your hair?" Ivy asked, swallowing her bacon. "No plait today?"

"Too lazy to make one," Ana said, playing with her napkin nonchalantly. Instead of her usual intricate plait, her hair was simply tied into a loose ponytail.

"You're lazy every morning," Sage said. "But you still tie it." 

Ana just shrugged. "You ready for class?"

Ivy and Sage nodded slowly, taking a small glance at each other. 

"Alright," Ana said brightly, clutching her bag to her side. "Let's get going, then."

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The rest of the week passed by normally, and Ana and Remus were acting like nothing had ever happened.

All of their friends were suspicious of their slightly distant behavior, however, and were determined to find out what was going on. Ana and Remus' odd behavior still hadn't stopped, and Christmas was approaching steadily.

Their attempts to discover Ana and Remus' secret, however, were halted by a school-wide event that placed everyone's attention on something else.

IK IK WHAT A CLIFFHANGER

I'm sorry for the short chapter but the next one'll def be longer

thanks for being so patient with my weirdo updating schedule :)

Love, Jui Weasley