A/N: Sorry it took me so long for this chapter, I really appreciate everyone writing me and telling me to get my ass in gear : ) I've sort of entered into a crossroads with this story, so I'm really just feeling around where I want to take this.  I just hope this chapter was worth the wait….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the third morning, Remus woke up to find he was in his human state again.  He looked down at the figure lying next to him, wondering what to do about her.  She had stayed with him the entire three days, never leaving his side.  They'd played and nipped and roughhoused around the cellar like puppies during the nights and slept curled up against each other, noses pressed together during the daylight hours.  He'd never had someone stay with him like that; James, Sirius, and Peter always had to leave during the day so no one would suspect…and ever since then, he'd always been alone. 

He knew she had most likely figured it out during her masquerade as Mrs. Figg, and she was always excellent in Transfiguration, why she even tutored him in it!  But Remus didn't like how he seemed to have this effect on his friends, turning them into unregistered animagi.  He ran his fingers through the silvery fur, marveling at the soft texture.  He watched her stretch, slowly opening her gray eyes as she looked up at him.  He watched, fascinated as she transformed.  She was so beautiful, no matter what form she took.

"Good morning," she said huskily, kissing him.  He was so weak, it was all he could do to muster enough strength to kiss her back. 

She leaned back, looking him over. "You need rest," she told him firmly, pulling him up to his feet as she rose.   He couldn't speak and so he nodded, and leaned on her as she led him back up the stairs.  She sat him down in a chair in the kitchen and fixed something for him to drink. 

"Here, drink this," she said after a few minutes of throwing some ingredients in a pot on the stove, giving him a goblet filled with a dark potion that smelled wonderful.  Remus drank deeply, feeling the warmth of the liquid seeping into his bones, energizing him. 

"What is this?" He asked gruffly, his voice having not been used for days.  "It's wonderful."

 

"A bit of something I found in an old book.  It's an energy drink," she said.  "Do you  want something to eat now? I can fix a bit of toast."

"Belle," Remus began hesitantly.  "You stayed with me.  The entire time."

She smiled down at him, buttering bread.  "Of course I did, Remus.  Did you think I'd let you go through that alone?"

"I never wanted you to see me like that," he replied dejectedly, watching her as she placed two slices of bread on a plate and waved her wand over them. 

"I know you didn't.  But I did." Her gray eyes flashed.  "You aren't ever going through that alone again," she stated firmly, setting a plate of toast before him.  "Now eat this before it gets cold."

"I don't want you doing that again."

Belle stopped buttering her own toast and looked at him sharply.  "Too bad."

"Belle, I'm serious—"

"Actually, he's Sirius," Belle said, grinning.

A deep chuckle came from behind Remus.  "I never get tired of that," Sirius said coming in the kitchen and pouring himself some tea.  "How are you feeling, Moony?"

Remus gave his friend a weak smile.  "Fine, Padfoot."

Sirius pulled out a chair and sat down, staring at Remus intently.   "Belle," he asked, "I'm going to pick up Harry this afternoon.  Will that give you enough time to get things read here?"

Belle bit her lip.  "Yes, but did Dumbledore say anything—"

Sirius cut her off, "He sent an owl while you were downstairs.  He said he will be stopping by tonight."

Belle smiled, "Good, everything should be in order then."  She then turned to Remus, ordering, "You need to get to bed.  I'm going to need your help later on."

Belle rose from her chair and waited for Remus to take the hint.  He felt like a little boy again, being sent off to bed for being bad.  Strangely enough, he realized he liked the feeling.  Exiting the kitchen with Belle right behind him, he heard Sirius chuckle.

" 'Night Moony!"  Sirius called after him.

Belle leaned against the bedpost, arms crossed as she waited for Remus to change and get into bed. Tucking in the sheets around him, she leaned over to kiss him.

Remus stopped her by placing a finger of her lips.  "Belle, are you sure about this?"  He had to ask just one more time, just to make sure.

She smiled and gently pressed a kiss to his finger before removing it and covering his lips with hers.  "Positive.  Now go to sleep.  I'll wake you when it's time."  Placing one last kiss on his forehead, she left, softly closing the door behind her.

Remus sank back into the pillows with a small sigh.  He knew it would do no good to fight her, her mind was made up.  She wasn't going to leave him.  It felt wonderful, not having to be alone anymore.

**********************************

Belle spent the rest of the day working on the different spells and incantations in order to make the house safe for Harry.  In between, she would go and check on Remus.  He looked so peaceful, so beautiful with his hair fanned out on the pillow, eyes closed in deep slumber.  Even in sleep he could sense her presence as he rolled towards her and arched his face in her hands when she leaned over him to brush the light brown hair out of his eyes.  The energy potion she had given him erased the traces of exhaustion and pain that had lined his features from his ordeal, no longer was he thin and gaunt and his complexion was restored to its normal appearance.  The new Wolfsbane potion she had developed couldn't completely take the pain of transformation away, but it did lessen it some.  During her exile on Privet Drive, she had learned everything she could about werewolves, reading both wizard and Muggle books on the subject, sorting fact from fiction.  She'd studied the various treatments and potions available and had managed to add to them, making the Wolfsbane potion more potent, more powerful.  One of these days, she vowed, she would find a cure.

It was nearly sunset.  Sirius would be here with Harry and Dumbledore would appear as well.  She had to do one final spell, and she needed Remus to join her.  She hated that he had no time to recover from his ordeal, he was still so weak, and would be weaker once the spell was complete, but there was nothing she could do.  Harry's safety came first.

"Remus?"  Belle gently shook him.  "Remus, wake up."  Remus merely snored softly and rolled over, grabbing her arm and tugging her down onto the covers with him.

"Remus!  It's time."  Belle tried to push herself up, but the man just rolled on top of her, immobilizing her.  He nuzzled her neck, lips leaving a moist trail as they roamed about.  She shivered.

"Mmmm, now where were we last?" He murmured in her ear, pressing his body against hers suggestively.  Oh, of all the times for him to start this!

"Remus…" Belle gasped between soul stealing kisses, "We….have…to…get….the final spell….in place….before Harry comes!"

Remus raised up.  "Now?"  he asked, his fingers just beginning to unfasten her robes.  Belle had to regain her breath before she could answer and even then, all she could do was nod.

"We'll finish this later then," he said, raising up and giving her one last kiss.

She shivered again, this time from the cold as he left her and began dressing.  She scooted from the bed and frowned, looking down at her wrinkled, half buttoned robes.  She smoothed the wrinkles out best as she could and refastened the buttons.  Running her fingers through her hair, she managed to make herself presentable.  She wouldn't have time to change once the final spell was in place and Dumbledore and Sirius with Harry would be here soon.

"Ready?" Remus asked her.  Belle took a deep breath.  She hated doing this last spell.

"Yes," she replied, feeling his hand close around hers, giving her strength to do what she had to do.  "We have to go outside."

************************

Remus let her lead him outside, wondering what this final spell involved.  It was clear from the expression on her face that it wasn't pleasant.  He watched as she swallowed nervously, pausing at the corner of the house.

"Belle," he said, "What do we have to do?"

She bit her lip.  "It's a really complicated spell, but it's very simple, if that makes any sense.  As the owner of this house and grounds, you have the power to protect Harry.  As his Guardian, I have to share that power with you."

Remus thought for a second.  That sounded simple enough.  "What then?" he asked.

She went pale.  "We…uh, have to let our blood run together and fall on the four corners of the house.  It forms a barrier."

Remus blinked.  Then he realized what was wrong with Belle.  She absolutely hated the sight of blood.  He smiled, "Are you still a bit squeamish about a few drops of blood?"

Her eyes narrowed as color flooded back into her cheeks.  "I'm not squeamish!" she spat.  "I just don't really treasure the thought of bleeding to death!  Why do you have to have such a big house?"  She handed him a knife.  "Just do it before I lose my nerve!" she ordered, holding out her wrist.

Remus felt himself pale at the thought of hurting her.  "Belle—"

"DO IT!" 

Remus took the knife and made a cut along the vein in her wrist, wincing as the crimson blood began to flow down her palm.

"Ok," she gasped.  "Now you." 

Remus wasted no time in cutting his own wrist.  Pressing his wrist against hers and holding it outward over the ground, he watched fascinated as their blood merged together and ran down their joined hands.

Belle still had her eyes closed.  "Now concentrate hard on the person we want to protect from harm," her voice was low.

Remus closed his eyes and focused hard on the image of Harry, the bright green eyes, messy black hair, the face that looked so much like James.  Another form appeared next to Harry.  Belle. Yes, she needed protecting too.

Three more times, at each corner of the house, they had to perform the spell.  Remus had to keep on reslicing his arm, since werewolves healed  quickly.  Belle was shaking fiercely by the time they had reached the fourth corner, and so weak that she collapsed in his arms when it was finished.  Remus carried her inside and quickly healed her arm.  She was colorless from the loss of blood.

"Thanks," she murmured when he sat her on the sofa and handed her a goblet of the energy potion.

"I love you," Remus said. 

She smiled weakly.  "I love you too."

A loud popping noise prevented him from kissing her.  "Ah, there you are!" said the voice of Dumbledore.  "You have finished the final spell then?" he asked.

"Yes, Professor," replied Belle.  "Everything is done, except for—"

"That last spell will wait for one more month, Belle."  Professor Dumbledore looked down at her and Remus over his half-moon spectacles.  Remus wondered what spell they were talking about.

Belle rose up in alarm, "But Professor!  Don't we need to—"

"In one month's time, Belle."  Dumbledore smiled kindly down at her.  "You'll understand then," and then the man winked at them both, his blue eyes twinkling merrily.  "I need to get back to my work, Harry and Sirius will be arriving soon."

Remus looked from the Headmaster to Belle, who was now staring at him in wonder.  What on earth were they talking about and why did they have to wait a month to find out?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N:  Ok, this looks like a good place to stop.  The next chapter will most likely be out later on this week.  And be sure to look out for the next chapters of "The Scar," "The Captain," and "Dear Tom," this week as well.  (am I biting off too much here?)  Thanks for reading! : )