The Shady Groto

This old tavern is tucked away in a corner of Knocturn Alley. The sign hangs just above the door...half unattached and hanging crooked. All manners of dark wizards, witches and creatures come here. Inside you will find the place dark and dingy. Think of it as the bar in Star Wars, but one of the wizarding world.

Foul creatures as well as good creatures having drinks and conducting shady business. Death Eaters..like to blend in and Order members like to ease drop on the latest gossip here. But which is which and who is whom.

This tavern isn't for the weak or the young. The Ministry has tried to close this establishment down for years. But without success. What ever your business here...look over your shoulder often. It may be your last visit anywhere.

Remus had come in after leaving Number 12. He was seated by the log fire drinking a beer while tucking into a chicken and mushroom pie with mash potatoes. He dug in finding the drink and food eased his mind, making him relax more.

Pandora walked down the narrow alley..her robe pulled tight and her hood pulled down almost over her face. She walked slowly ease dropping on conversations as she passed. Picking up any gossip she could. When she reached the Groto, she hung her head down as she puched the door open.

Once inside, she made her way through all the shady wizards and witches and some magical creatures.

"A fire Whiskey", she said to the bar tender. She then turned scanning the room for de's...when she saw Remus there.

Once she got her drink she made her way over to him.

"Looks like we both had the same idea", she said with a warm smile. Lately their friendship had been strained because of Hunter. She hoped they could get passed the fact, that she was seeing Hunter...

"May I", she asked motioning to the empty chair beside of him?

Remus gave a slight shrug ".. if you want." he picked at his food slowly, just poking it with his fork before having some of his beer "Why are you here, thought you were staying at number 12.." he said quietly still not giving her eye contact.

"I Come here to eaves drop on converstations", she admitted. "What about yoursel..not the best place to have dinner", she laughed.

Her attention was then drawn to two tatrered looking wizards that had started arguing.

"Never short of action around here."

"..no." he said taking another mouthful ".. and the food isn't so bad, cheap too.. I don't get much bother here.. as long as I keep my head down.." he said before having a gulp of his drink ".. you said you needed to talk to me when we left the garden.."

"Well I do. I want to come some kind of understanding betwen us..peace and harmony. But I'm just not sure how..I'm confussed."

Just then a centaur jumped between the wizards breaking up the fight. She took a gulp of her whiskey before continuing.

"I feel like running away, unable to deal with everything. Just not sure what to do anymore. I'm failing at everything. I seem to not be able to do anything right or make those around me happy, but miserable."

"Well I feel the same as you, if that means anything, considered going to the ministry a few times, save us all the bother, as I caused it all by opening my mouth and heart, not wanted to open up for years.. in my late thirties.. got this far being alone.. just seems a lot harder to these days.. and seems like its going to stay that way till I die." he gulgedf some more beer down and order some more. "I can see why no one would choose me from someone else, I have no job, money, old a half breed, plump hated by many and full of self pity..." he took the new beer after the barman brought it over to him. He paid a few Knuts for the cheapest before looking back to Pandora "when someone could be with, someone young, working, getting money, well, human slim and well kept."

"Remus I am not that shallow. You being a werewolf..well none of that bothers me. I am not that way. I do not judge ones status or situation. Hunter could be a begger and it wouldn't matter. It was the connection..I felt not his position. Maybe I should just tell him it's not going to work and continue being alone. Have been alone most of my life anyway."

She sighed.."All I know is you hurting, is killing me. It's not in my nature to hurt those I care about." Her stomache growled.."I think i'll try out the food here. I haven't had time to eat yet and I feel weak, theres so much work to be done."

She motioned for a waiter and oerder and medium rare steak.

"Connection? you just met him and soon after you were there when he nearly had me destroyed.. If you can love him for those reasons, I must be terrible, especially if you rather be alone than be with me.." He looked away and down to his pint not feeling any better what so ever ".. you never even gave me a chance.." he said under his breath.

"of course not Remus I wouldn't rather be alone, than with you. I can't ecplain it it is odd though. I know I haven't known him for long...but when we touch i feel energy flow through my body...a connection, like we knew one another in a old life, maybe lover from another life. i think he is my soulmate...and he feels the same the connection is so strong...it's undescribale. I don't want to hurt you. I only tell you this, because I want you to understand why we are in love so suddenly. I don't want you thinking I chose a stranger over you. It's something more than I can even understand. Our fates have been waiting to be. i kow you think I sound mad. But I hope one day you will find someone that does the same...the one you are meant for."

She looked down a moment before looking back to him and kissing him gently on the lips...I do love you Remus John Lupin... But our fate is as best freinds...I'd give my life for you. I care for you like none other...but not in a romantic way anymore. I did once..but you didn't return it then. please dont hate me..for all this?", she asked sadness in her eyes.

He pulled back when she kissed him ".. it is things like that that gave me the wrong idea.. made me feel there was hope" he looked down at his hands ".. I can't make you love me.. and I wouldn't want you to love me through pity.. I just don't like that man... he nearly had me killed.. I am sure you can understand why I feel like I do...it's jsut going to take me some time.. to feel, confortable around him after all of this.. it broke my heart.. I didn't know what to think or do after that.." he slowly got up from his chair ".. you do what you want to do and I will do what I think is best for me..."

"I know Remus..but he didn't. He was new and didn't know you as I do. But he understands now and is sorry for it."

She punched the table in frustration. "Can't I love you too?, she said closing her eyes.

"Don't you dare do anything foolish...I'll never forgive you, if you do", she said referring to the ministry.

She gulped down her whiskey. "So much for telling him the truth", she mumbled.

"You said you love me like Family.. I don't want to be.." Remus tried to think of a polite phase " a dish on the side.. sorry couldn't think of a better example.. just you love him, then it's him.. not me, keep it at that.. I am sure he wouldn't like it either.."

"I know", she said running a hand through her hair. "I'm just trying to please everyone and failing miserably. Just scared you may end up hating me, or something and that scares me. Been friends for to long. Always there for one another...I don't want to lose that", she said sadly.

"..who said we wouldnt be friends..you will have always meant something to me, and I would have gave up my life for you, but my heart is broke.. you can't please everyone.. you have done that for years, but you need.. to please yourself for once.. and that is what you are doing.."

"Yeah well, why I do feel so horrible then? Maybe why I never indulged myself before..I always felt guilty for it. Think I'll stay here and get drunk. Forget I have feelings.. and forget i'm a lousy friend, who hurt the only person thats always been there." "Not sure I like myself right now."

She motioned over a ratty looking witch who worked there. Ordering herself a whole bottle of whiskey. "Just feel a little self destructive right now. Might take a walk in the Riddle grave Yard when i'm done here."

"I really want you to be happy", she said looking down and shaking her head..feeling like she ruined his chance. "You deserve it more than me. Made more sacrifices than anyone..your selfless and wonderful and deserve someone better than me anyway."

"Someone maybe like Tonks...sweet, caring and not so messed up maybe."

"You are not messed up and you deserve to be happy like anyone else.. just didn't need this after I bit a student.. was my worst fear coming true and the for Hunter to come out of nowhere.. felt lost and scared.. hurt.. still feel that way.. nearly lost the plot last night... with all that booze, I want you to be happy Pandora.. but I don't see Tonks liking me.. we are nothing alike.." he chuckled ",, and I am going to walk you back home, if you want me to.."

"Thanks Remus..your the best friend anyone could ever have. She couldn't fight the urge to hug him, as she put a arm around him and kissed his cheek.

"Thanks for not hating me either. "But your wrong about Tonks..I see the way she looks at you and how she acts when your around. She truly likes you...and I think if given the chance, she would love to spend more time with you."

She frowned at his statement. "You don't have enough confidence in yourself."

".. No I don't but I am sure you can think of why that is.. seeing as you have known me since school.." He looked tired from the lack of sleep and stress. He winced as she hugged him, breathing in as he did so. " I don't know..she is too young.. I look like I could be her father."

"Lets get you back to head quarters Remus...you look exhausted and in much need of rest. I'll stay with you...hate you being alone. Or you could come to Godrics Hollow...alot more comfortable there. Rest up and start anew tomorrow."

She frowned again after taking another drink of her whiskey. "Stop being so negative. She's not that young and your not ancient..you just feel it", she said with a wink. "What happens when you go without slep for days. Come on lets get out of here before we're hit by a stray spell", she laughed.

"Rather not go back to the HQ just yet, just want to go somewhere more quiet and somewhere to relax.." He looked around at the others in the pub ".. before something happens.."

"Then it's settled lets go to my house...it's very quiet there. We can relax and get some much needed rest. She finished off her drink. 'I'm ready when you are", she said ducking a flying spell..meant for the wizard at the table behind her.

She laughed..."The sooner the better it seems."

Lupin gave a nod in agreement ".. might be best to just disapparate there... safer too.." he said too ducking from a stray spell. ".. Merlin's sake." he huffed, looking to the wizards.

He leaned over and took his plate off the table that still had some food left on it ".. be best if you can take us there,.. not been there for sometime.."

"Sure", she laughed. never a dull moment here. She looped a arm through his...why not just leave from here she thought. Know one would think nothing of it..it was however a wizarding tavern.

"Are you ready then...? You can always banish the plate back here when your done", she said with a smile.