the_debt_of_time

"Miss Mia Potter," Remus began, placing his hands formally behind his back and
standing tall. "I have sent you a Letter of Intent, have properly courted you for one year's
time, and I come now seeking your answer to my intentions."
Lily gasped and covered her mouth. Mary and Alice clutched hands tightly.
Everyone was ignoring the paling faces of James and Sirius, who were staring in
anticipation at Mia and Remus.
"Thank you, Mr Lupin, for your letter. I have an answer to your intentions. Here,
before the representative of the House of Potter, and my mother's family, the House of
Black," Mia said, gesturing to James and Sirius, "I give you my answer."
She gave him a sad little smile, and Remus nodded, smiling back at her.
"No."
"It's all right, love," Remus whispered, chastely brushing his lips against her cheek
before tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "Go ahead."
"Incendio." The envelope in her hand burst into flames.
"No!" Alice and Lily shrieked, reaching their hands out as though they could take
the burning letter away from Mia and stomp out the fire.
"Mia! You can't take that back!" Mary screamed.
Mia smiled at her friends. "I know. Remus and I discussed it all this morning, and
we're ending our courtship. Ending our romantic relationship," she added, slowly taking in
a deep breath before she took Remus's hand, "but not our friendship."
"But... what happened?" Lily questioned, frowning. "You're perfect together."
"Almost." Remus smiled. "Almost perfect, but not quite."
James walked over the blanket, stepping in between Mia and Remus to put his hands
on her shoulders. His stern expression told her that he was looking for any hint of
resentment between the two, likely trying to figure out if he needed to console his friend
or defend his sister.
"You're happy with this?"
"It was the right thing to do, Jamie. We got back together to figure things out, make
choices, and now we've made them," Mia insisted. She looked over her brother's shoulder,
where she made eye contact with pale grey as Sirius stared at her, mouth open, looking
mildly panicked.