A/N- Sorry it took me so long…guilty expression…I kinda had a rough time thinking of what I wanted to write. Well, it's out now : )! I hope you all like it. Just a reminder that this story is 'Alternate Universe', therefore the 7th book doesn't really effect the way this story will run it's course. So without further ado... review and let me know what you thought!

Timely Affections

Chapter One: Here Without You
A hundred days have made me older
Since the last time that I saw your pretty face
A thousand lies have made me colder
And I don't think I can look at this the same
But all the miles that separate
Disappear now when I'm dreaming of your face

-Here Without You, 3 Doors Down

A frosted street-lamp buzzed and flickered eerily on the vacant pathway, flashing a dull yellow light into the white streets of the town. Snow fell heavily from the dark gray sky overhead. A figure cloaked in black waded through the deep snow, pausing to lean against the lamp.

Remus Lupin tilted his head back and squinted at the gloomy sky. A frown contorted his scarred features and he furiously muttered to himself. Frost stuck to the sandy strands of his head. He exhaled quietly and rested his temple against the coolness of the metal.

"I'm not happy." His voice was barely audible, softer than a whisper.

He had often bitterly reminded himself that he was alone in the world. As much as his friends attempted to drag him to their jovial outings and dinners, he felt misplaced. Alone.

Remus slowly allowed himself to slide to the snow-covered sidewalk. His empty gaze remained blankly upon the vacant road.

He was undeniably a shell of his former self. Laughs and smiles were habitually forced to placate those who cared about him. Little did he know, they all saw right through it.

Dumbledore was no help, either. What with all his constant badgering about what had happened in explicit detail, Remus would never be able to let it go. Not that he ever wanted to forget.

He slowly reached within his cloak pocket and absently fingered the cool metal. He pulled out the necklace and laid it on his palm. The stones glinted listlessly in the dim light.

"Moony?"

Remus jolted at the sudden disruption and quickly clenched his fist around the necklace. His nervous expression faded as a familiar face drifted into view. "Padfoot," he said.

Sirius Black loomed over Remus; his neck tucked into the confines of his trench coat and his hands buried deep within the pockets. His aristocratic countenance was gentle and composed in the shadow. "What are you doing out here, mate?"

"Nothing," Remus replied softly, his gaze returning to the sky.

Sirius sighed and followed his friend's lonely gaze. "It doesn't have to be like this, you know," he remarked, a puff of his breath appearing in the night air. He knelt down, resting on his heels. "We could help you, Moony…only if you'd let us."

Remus slowly met Sirius' concerned stare. "I'm fine, Padfoot." He forced a smile.

Sirius gave him a look that clearly shouted 'you are lying to my face right now'. "You don't have to put up a brave front for me." He clasped a comforting glove-clad hand upon Remus' shoulder and squeezed lightly. "If you ever want to talk, you know where to find me."

What if I don't want to talk to anyone? "Fine," he grumbled as he rolled his eyes. "I assure you, though, I am perfectly fine."

"Perfectly fine, eh?" Sirius grabbed his closed fist and pried the fingers away. He picked up the cold jewelry and it dangled from his fingers. "Yes, I believe this is 'perfectly fine'."

"I merely found it in my pocket. Don't instantly jump to conclusions," Remus said, slightly annoyed as he snatched the necklace back.

Sirius shook his head in comparison to an adult who had just discovered their child was hiding a cookie behind his or her back. "Let's go," he sighed tiredly, rising to his feet. "They are probably waiting and we must be crazy buggers to want to stay outside in this weather."

Remus stood off the snowy ground, dusting the white particles off his cloak. He pulled the hood over his head, his pale face disappearing in the shadow. "The meeting," he began as the two walked in the street, "do you know what it's about?"

Sirius caught the tinge of hope in Remus' quiet voice. "No, I'm afraid I don't."

"Hm," Remus responded distractedly. He became lost in his own world, everything around him vanishing into a nonexistent place that just didn't matter. As his eyes adjusted to the newfound light, a shadowed figure stood in the distance.

"Forget," an echoed voice requested calmly. "Forget."

"Remus?" Sirius nudged his companion on the shoulder.

Remus blinked and observed the changed surroundings. He turned to Sirius. "Yes?"

Sirius exhaled heavily and closed his eyes. "Come on," he instructed, opening the door without even knocking.

"PADFOOT, MY BOY!" James greeted him loudly, slapping a heavy hand on his head and ruffling his pristine hair.

Sirius glared at the offending hand. Nevertheless, he smirked and shoved his own hand in James' hair. "PRONGSIE! LONG TIME NO SEE!"

"Boys, do you honestly have to cause a ruckus once you walk in the door?" Lily came from behind James, a frown on her pretty face.

"Well, that's what we do best," Sirius answered cheekily. "Oh, how is my godchild?"

Remus faded into the background as they bustled over Lily's growing belly. He leaned back against the door and closed his eyes.

"Hey, Remus."

Remus opened one eye lazily and regarded his friend's fiancée.

Ariel was leaning her shoulder against the wall, her opposite hand on her hip and her expression clearly peeved. "Look at you!" she exclaimed, gesturing to him. "You are sopping wet!"

And…? "I'm fine, mother," he stressed the name as he peeled off his cloak. "A little snow isn't going to kill me."

"Yes, but—"

"Oh, pookie, leave him alone," Sirius said, slinging his arms around her waist and wavering them both on the spot.

"How are you doing, Moony?" James asked quietly.

"Fine," Remus answered, neatly folding his scarf and placing it on the coat hanger beside his cloak. He straightened his sweater and walked past the group into the dining room.

The Order of the Phoenix all sat around the Potter's table, congregating amongst themselves about everything and nothing.

Remus ignored their idle chatter and slumped to an empty seat. He fell back into the wooden chair, slouching and folding his arms across his chest in a resigned fashion. He quite plainly was not in the mood to hear people drone on about how they wanted to change the world.

Nothing can change what is meant to happen, he thought sourly. He personally had nothing against fighting Voldemort and his followers, though people were just talking about it rather than taking any course of action.

"Is everyone here?" Dumbledore asked from the head of the table.

"Yes, we're all here," James announced, walking into the dining area. He plopped into the unoccupied chair next to Remus. He laced his fingers behind his messy black hair, eyeing the crowd around him with disinterest. "This meeting is nothing exciting," he mumbled out of the corner of his lips.

Remus looked to him. "Why?"

James shrugged discreetly. "It's same old same old. This is basically a prep talk. Nothing is really going on right now," he said, glancing to the head of the table where Dumbledore began speaking.

"Where's Peter?" Remus questioned, arching an eyebrow.

"I don't know," James answered, seeming to realize himself that the fourth Marauder was not present. "He's probably coming later. Too late to stop the meeting now."

Remus smirked slightly at his friend's indifference. "Indeed."

The tedious meeting droned on for an hour. After about twenty minutes, Remus completely tuned out everything and resorted to fiddling with the fuzz on the tablecloth. Every so often he would glance up to make it appear as if he was retaining every word out of Dumbledore's mouth. It pained him to think of how apathetic he reacted to the Order and it's cause. Quite frankly, sometimes he was simply not in the mood.

"So, are we still on for tomorrow night?" Sirius asked as the last of the Order of the Phoenix dwindled out the Potter's front door.

"Sure," James shrugged, "fine by me."

"Are you going to join us, Remus?" Ariel asked, eyeing him sadly as she wrapped a scarf around her neck.

"I've got some stuff to take care of. I don't think I can," Remus said, guiltily scratching the back of his head. "Thank you, though."

"Oh, all right…" Ariel responded quietly.

Goodbye kisses were exchanged as well as a few quick jokes before the house fell under silence.

James sighed heavily and rested his back against the door. "What could Moony possibly be doing tomorrow?"

"I don't know, James," Lily replied sadly. "I just don't know…"

17 Years Later…

His fingers created a rhythmic pattern against the hard wood of the kitchen table. All were silent under the dusty roof of number 12 Grimmauld Place as they were absorbed within their thoughts or activities.

A loud, resounding crash echoed throughout the desolate house and seemed to break everyone's trance.

Mad-Eye Moody rolled his mechanical eye in aggravation. "Tonks is here," he announced with a grumble, jutting his head curtly to the empty doorway.

Remus looked up from his wrinkled copy of the Daily Prophet. The drumming of his fingers paused as he gazed at the doorway. Black underlined his faded amber eyes. Lycanthropy seemed to catch up to him for he appeared thoroughly dilapidated. Silver strands decorated his unkempt light blonde hair.

After a pause, Tonks' footsteps hurried heavily along the corridor. "Death Eaters!" her voice shouted before she even reached the kitchen.

Everyone seated at the table rose from their seats fluidly and shuffled around their pockets for a wand. Moody pushed off the wall, his wand ready and his expression alert.

The disgruntled witch appeared in the doorway.

"Just tell us where, Tonks," Remus said, his expression darkened.

Whispers echoed through the otherwise silent street, accompanied by the light scuffling of shoes. The night wrapped itself tightly around the quaint muggle town, easing the darkness with dappled stars. Balmy air of summer whistled through tree branches and crept through open windows.

"What would they want over here?" a young man asked quietly, his glasses glinting eerily in the dim light.

"Probably planning to put their grubby hands on something," another voice snorted.

"Ronald, be quiet," a female voice scolded harshly.

The Order cautiously made their way down the street, avoiding the light of street-lamps and making unnecessary noises.

Remus carefully peered around the block and his eyes widened at the sight of black-cloaked figures huddled around in a circle. What on earth…?

A red jet shot up unceremoniously from within the condensed Death Eaters. The hooded figures stumbled backwards.

"Now!" instructed Moody.

In an organized group, the silent figures ran into the street, shooting spells left and right. The shadowed figure in the midst of the chaos seemed to scramble to his or her feet hurriedly.

Remus ducked into the crook of his arm as a Cruciatus curse flew over his head. His heart thudded furiously against his ribcage. "Stupefy!" he shouted, pointing to a random figure of death.

"Look out!" a voice shouted frantically.

Suddenly a heavy weight collided into his side and he plummeted roughly to the ground. A green spark of light spiraled over their heads and made a hefty dent in a garbage can.

Remus slowly opened his eyes and stared up at the person who had saved him. An unfamiliar feeling flooded over his whole body. His eyes widened and his mouth fell open. "Melissa?" Her name escaped his lips in the softest whisper.