"And with the combination of the Murdock Root and the Essence of Belladonna, you'll...not pay attention to anything I'm saying." Remus says, sighing.
Your head snaps back to him and you smile apologetically.
"Sorry." You say, "I was just...thinking."
"You tend to do that alot. Can I ask what you're thinking about?" Remus says, and you see his eyes flicker to the book you've got under your arm. "What's that?"
You hurry to cover it up, but explain, your cheeks becoming red. "It's...it's just a book. I...I write songs sometimes."
His eyebrows raise, and you can see he's shocked. You can't help but laugh.
"What? You had me figured for some Quidditch obsessed girl who thinks of nothing else?" Remus smiles apologetically, and you laugh again.
"Could I...maybe...?" Remus says, and after a moment, you nod slightly. You've never shown your book of songs to anyone, and you're wondering why you're letting Remus. But you know that Remus isn't like most people. He wouldn't look at you funny, or laugh.
You sit apprehensively for a few minutes, watching him read your thoughts, your emotions. You bite on your lower lip as you see him look up at you in surprise.
"They were...excellent." He says, and you breathe out.
"You really think so?" You ask, and he nods fervently.
"I had no idea you were so...lyrical." He says, and you laugh.
"You sure know how to embarass a girl, Remus. That's the first time anyone's called me lyrical before." You say, your cheeks turning steadily redder.
"It won't be the last." Remus says, looking like he had no idea how that came out of his mouth.
You both turn back to your potions texts, trying to concentrate on your work. It becomes apparent after fifteen minutes that your mind won't stop wandering. And it seems like Remus' is as well. He keeps misreading the text, and you're finding it hard to pay attention. Well, finding it hard to pay attention to your work, anyway.
You both admit defeat for the day and pack up your things. At the door to the library, you wave and say, "Bye Remus."
He smiles and replies, "Bye, Lyrical."
~ ~ ~ * * * ~ ~ ~
As you walk towards Hogsmeade, you can make out Remus standing near the entrance. He's talking to Peter, and a smile stretches across his face as he sees you approaching. You try to ignore the butterflies in your stomach, and manage to smile back.
"So." You say as you reach him. "Ready for your acting debut?"
He laughs, and the three of you head into Hogsmeade, Peter grinning at both of you. He raises his eyebrows at Remus, who rolls his eyes.
"Oh, be quiet, Peter. We had to do this. Otherwise-"
"Remus would've become part of the majority at Hogwarts." You cut in, laughing. "Chang was just about to maul him after the game."
"My hero!" Remus says, in a high pitched voice.
You all laugh, and head off towards the Three Broomsticks. The warm air from the bar waves off the cold as the three of you hurry inside and find a table towards the back.
"Look at ickle Remmie!" You hear behind you, and see James and Sirius wending their way through the crowd toward your table, laughing. They squeeze in next to Peter and grin across the table. "Well, better a late bloomer than never, eh, Remus?" Sirius says, waving at Madam Rosmerta.
"Shut up, Sirius." Remus says, and you can see his cheeks are turning pink.
You can't help but laugh. 'He looks so cute when he's embarrased.' You think to yourself, and sigh. Seconds later, you berate yourself for sounding like a love-sick twelve year old.
"Hey!" Remus cries, looking at you. "I thought you were supposed to be on my side!"
"I bet Chang will be on your side," You say, and raise your eyebrows.
"No thanks." Remus says, grinning.
After drinking your butterbeer, Remus suggests a trip to Honeydukes. You nod, but Sirius and James shake their heads.
"We've gotta get to Zonko's. There's a new sweet that makes you recite Shakespeare. We're gonna slip it into Snape's food." James says with a smirk.
"Besides, don't the two lurve-birds want to go off by themselves?" Sirius says, batting his eyelashes.
Peter sniggers, but then squeals like a mouse as you lift your foot to kick them under the table.
Dodging your kick, James, Sirius, and Peter jump up from the booth, leaving you and Remus alone.
You try desperately to think of something to say, but your mouth won't seem to move.
"Um, should we...go then?" Remus says, looking just as nervous as you feel. You nod, and the two of you make your way out of the noisy bar. You head down the street, your cheeks icy from the chilling wind.
Just as you're about to turn into Honeydukes, you hear a voice screech from inside.
"Remus!" It's Gretchen!
"C'mon." You say, grabbing Remus' hand and heading the opposite direction as Gretchen emerges from the shop. You quickly turn into a tiny alleyway.
The alleyway is hardly big enough for a rubbish bin, but somehow, you and Remus squeeze in. He has to put his arms around your waist in order to fit, and your hands are clutched on his cloak. You can hear Gretchen calling up and down the street, obviously confused at how you two disappeared so quickly.
Trying to take a breath, you try not to notice how close you and Remus are, or how warm his hands are on your back, or how inviting his lips look...You thought that your stomach was doing flip-flops before, but it's nothing compared to now. Your stomach could probably win the muggle olympics, with the way it is acting.
You look up into Remus' eyes, to ask him if he thinks it's safe to go out, and see him looking back down at you. You can no longer hold yourself back any longer.
Taking a deep breath, you stand up on your tiptoes and kiss him.
A/N: There you go! How happy are you? I'm sorry, I just had to spoil you guys with another chapter. I'm in a major good mood, because school will be starting soon, and I can't wait!!!!
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