It was two weeks after her date with Remus and she wanted to tell him everything that has happened in those two weeks, but she has yet to see him. Even if she had, she doubted she would be able to bring herself to talk to him. It would be awkward. Awkward and uncomfortable. He kept his distance from her and she kept her distance from him. She hated it, but what else was to be done?
In the two weeks that Aaron and Darcy have stopped talking, Remus and Darcy have grown closer. Though they could not be counted as dating or anything just yet, they were still very close and very “flirtatious” as Sirius and James liked to say. They would hold hands, share looks, and Remus was becoming a pro at one way conversations, since he knew that Darcy was not going to enter his mind again.
In truth, Remus was relieved that Darcy was not going to try and enter his mind again. He wanted to tell her of his lycanthrope himself. But Darcy was just as relieved that she could not enter his mind as Remus was. She was afraid of what she might found and was glad to have be able to get out of having to enter again. And she felt bad. She hated invading anyone’s privacy.
Darcy had left the common room, and Remus, to go visit Dumbledore. She had some questions for him and a lot of things to discuss. And she was taking Regulus’ suggestion up; finding a way to enter someone’s mind so they won’t know she’s there. Sirius knew when she entered and Regulus was sure he only knew because he was so skilled in Occlumens, but so was the Dark Lord and many other Death Eaters. Darcy did not want to risk it.
Climbing the steps to Dumbledore’s office, she reached the door and knocked three times. She waited for a moment when she heard someone call, “Enter.” She opened the door. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, his Phoenix watching him curiously. He smiled when Darcy shut the door behind her.
“Miss Brite, how nice to see you,” he greeted, “Have a seat. I was wondering when you would pay me a visit. Your powers much be developing well. Professor Slughorn had told me—with worry, I might add—that you and Regulus Black find it amusing to burst out laughing at the most random moments when nothing is funny at the present.” Darcy nodded, “I give you permission to enter my mind so we can talk freely if you are nervous.” Darcy blushed slightly and entered the vast, wide, intelligent mind of her Headmaster. It was so alien to her, she almost withdrew.
I have only spoken to Regulus and Sirius. I’m hoping that they will finally realize just how alike they are and that family cannot always be ignored Darcy explained.
“You have not talked to anyone else?” Dumbledore looked curious.
I have said a few things to Remus, but his mind scares me. It’s a wild mess that I can lose myself in. And I have spoken to Aaron, and we are no longer friends because he had revealed some affections to me that I cannot return. I don’t like entering people’s minds. It’s like I’m breaking down the walls of their only private spot Darcy explained. Dumbledore nodded.
“That’s good. You are not abusing your powers. However, I have noticed that your grades have sky rocketed since the accident. That cannot be helped though,” he said and then folded his hands, “Have you been able to possess yet? That is the most dangerous power you will benefit.”
No, sir. I have only sort of urged Sirius to talk to me. But not really possessing. I have also experience being able to see memories when I got deep into their minds. Darcy said. Dumbledore nodded.
“That is good. I had been doing research on the Silencing Curse and have read that though the curse may start out properly, it can sometimes be fatal,” Dumbledore said, Darcy felt fear take over, “Don’t be alarmed, Miss Brite, I trust Mr. Lupin performed the curse correctly. He had all he needed to conjure it properly; determination, fear, and reason. But I am sure that informing me of your power growth is not what you wanted to talk to me about?”
No, Professor. The first time I entered Regulus’ mind, he felt it and was able to hang onto me, preventing me from escaping his mind. He later told me that he was skilled at Occlumens and that he had sensed me. Sirius had also learned to know when and enter his mind and when I leave. Regulus suggested I learn how to make the mind I am entering numb to my presence, Darcy explained, slowly and carefully. Dumbledore sat back, frowning only the slightest bit.
“I believe, Miss Brite, that you may have to wait a bit longer before you can do that. Sirius and Regulus are under the influence of your minds quite often, I believe, and they will get used to the feeling. However, if you were ever to enter Voldemort’s mind or one of his more powerful Death Eaters, they may do exactly what Regulus does, and trap you. There for, I believe you may have to begin to learn Occlumens. That will block your mind from others and you would be able to search minds without having to worry about them entering yours.”
How does that keep me from being sensed or trapped? Darcy asked.
“They cannot sense a mind that is blocked. Therefore, they cannot trap you. I will give you some lessons, since I cannot recall any teachers that are skilled in it. Came back to my office next Thursday and we will begin; Unless, of course, you already have plans for then?” Dumbledore asked. Darcy shook her head.
None, sir.
“Then you will come at seven thirty, right after dinner. Farewell till then,” Dumbledore smiled softly. Darcy stood and smiled too, extracting herself from his mind and nodding a goodbye before leaving.
As she walked back to the Gryffindor common room, she found she was relieved that there was an explanation in the matter. She had been doubting there was and it worried her. She stopped in the middle of the corridor when she sensed a familiar presence touch the edges of her mind.
Where are you, Regulus? Not hiding, are you? she sent out towards the presence.
“I thought you were Filch,” Regulus said, coming from the shadows, “You were shuffling.”
Was I really? Darcy laughed. Regulus nodded.
“What are you doing out so late?” he asked.
What are you doing? Darcy countered, grinning slightly. Regulus smiled, though he was not humored. He stared at Darcy for a moment and shrugged.
“Taking a walk,” he said. Darcy nodded, sensing his truth.
I had gone to see Dumbledore. He’s going to help me learn Occlumens so no one will sense me when I enter their minds, Darcy explained. Regulus grinned again.
“That’s great!” he said making Darcy nod and smile, too, “So. . .has Remus asked you out for real yet?”
Regulus!
“What? The whole school wants to know when you two are going to be official,” Regulus said and Darcy noticed the truth behind his words again. She sighed.
He likes to make things slow, it seems. I wish he would try and kiss me again, though. It would be amazing.
“Yes, and I would have to listen to you for hours in my head as you talked about it in detail,” Regulus laughed, “You need some girlfriends, Darcy, someone to talk about Remus’ ‘amazing’ features with.”
Maybe I’ll have some girlfriends one day, but I’m good with all my guyfriends. Darcy said, laughing.
“I would keep talking, but I have to go,” Regulus said, “Filch will be looking for me. He had chased me up here to begin with.”
Take the secret passage from the mirror on the fifth floor, down to the ground floor and then another passage by lifting the torch slightly out of it’s holder and slipping through the wall down to the dungeons. Darcy suggested. Regulus stared at her.
“You hang out with the Marauders too much, too,” he said.
Bye! She went into the Gryffindor common room, laughing silently.
Remus and the other were Marauders were still sitting in front of the fire. They had finished their homework long ago and were now just sitting and talking. Darcy let herself stare at Remus for a moment before she went over to him and greeted the Marauders. They returned her greeting enthusiastically and Remus made room for her to sit next to him.
She did so, smiling at the amazement that she had finally gotten Remus. James and Sirius shared a look and then laughed at one another.
“We are still up for tomorrow, right?” Remus asked, confirming his and Darcy’s date for tomorrow. After that, he would go to his sick mother. Darcy nodded, trying not to look to excited incase it scared Remus off.
“How was your visit with Dumbledore?” Sirius asked. Darcy shrugged and nodded. She brushed Sirius’ mind and told him about Occlumens. Sirius nodded, smiling slightly.
I’m going to bed, Darcy then said and stood smiling at each of them in turn and then going up the girl’s dormitory. She changed into her pajamas and then crawled into bed.
For a while, she restlessly stared at the ceiling. She could not sleep and excitement of having another date with Remus. Her parents would probably not be too happy. They still hated Remus because of the accident. But Darcy honestly did not care what her family thought. She wanted Remus to be hers and she was getting closer and closer to having that wish granted.
After a long time, Darcy fell to sleep. Her dreams were filled with Aaron’s confession, her parents forbidding her from seeing Remus, and then some sort of large wolf with saliva dripping from the sharpened fangs. The paws were huge and the snout longer, the golden eyes staring at her dangerously. And as the monster raised his paw to swipe at her, Darcy woke up. She was sweating slightly, her heart beating quickly and her mind racing.
She did not know why she would dream of a werewolf. It was so real, even though she had only seen pictures of a werewolf in her text books. Darcy opened her bed hangings to check the time. She was surprised to find it was nine thirty in the morning and about time for her to get up. Pushing the bed hangings all the way open, Darcy grabbed some of her bathroom supplies and got into the shower, letting the steaming water wash away the memory of the dream the night before and remind her of the date she had with Remus later tonight.
Once she was cleaned and dressed, she brushed her teeth and put a drying spell on her hair. Then she slipped on her shoes and left the room. The common room was empty, a few people cutting through to the portrait hole to go to breakfast were here and there. Darcy joined the group and started down the corridor. She was glad it was Saturday.
In the Great Hall, she once again ran into Regulus. He looked like he was waiting for someone and Darcy knew it was Anna Sacher. Regulus had asked her to Hogsmeade a few weeks ago and since then, they have become a couple, according to the gossip in the girl’s bathroom. Anna was a Slytherin, but Regulus insisted she was not like other Slytherins. Darcy had not argued, she knew Anna was trustworthy and was glad that Regulus was happy. Even Sirius seemed a bit happy for Regulus.
Looking for Anna? Darcy said coming up to Regulus. He nodded.
“She said she’d meet me up here.” he said.
You guys are cute, Darcy laughed. Regulus just smiled, and that smile widened as Anna appeared from the dungeons. Darcy laughed again and walked away.
She entered the Great Hall and saw that the Marauders were already there. She headed towards them and sat down next to them, aware that Aaron was only at the end of it.
“Darcy!” the Marauders greeted. Darcy smiled.
“It’s Saturday,” Sirius said.
Really now? Darcy said, pretending to look surprised to hear it.
----
Darcy was dressed in a black skirt, the only on she owned, and a white top with a belt around her upper waist. Her hair was down around her shoulders and held back with a ribbon that was being used as a headband. She had on a pair of black flats and a black, cropped jacket. She felt good and felt she looked good. She also felt like she could throw up all over her outfit, but she refrained from doing so as she pulled her cloak over her shoulders.
Darcy did not understand why she was so nervous about this date because she had been on a date with Remus already. It seemed that just the thought of being alone with him made her nervous and excited. She could no decide which one she felt more. Checking the time, she saw it was time to go. She headed towards the door and descended down the stairs to the Gryffindor common room.
Remus was waiting for her. He smiled as she walked slowly towards him. She couldn’t help but smile, too.
“You look amazing,” Remus said truthfully. Darcy blushed her thanks as Remus led the way to the portrait hole and helped her through it, though she is not need help, it was just polite and Darcy liked being able to reach for his hand.
Remus didn’t say anything as they walked down to the Great Hall. Darcy then wondered where the were going and tugged on Remus’ sleeve. He grinned at her.
“This way,” he said, pushing open the oak doors and holding it open for Darcy. She walked through, but immediately turned around to ask Remus what they were doing. Remus ignored the look and led her to a horseless carriage that was usually used in the beginning of the year. Darcy frowned, not understanding.
Remus helped her into the carriage and then climbed in himself, shutting the door and sitting himself beside Darcy. The carriage then began to move and Darcy looked out the window to see that they were still heading down towards Hogsmeade. Again, Darcy sent a curious look at Remus, but he still ignored it, now looking throughly amused. Shivering slightly from the cold, Darcy sat back and just waited to see where they would be going.
The ride was silent and long. After a while, the carriage was slowing to a stop and pulling up in front of a nice looking, cozy restaurant. Remus opened the carriage door for her and held out a hand. She looked at the small restaurant. It was lit up with white curtains on the windows. The path leading to the door had bits of ice on it and the bushes had fairies in them to light them up. Darcy smiled as she took Remus’ hand and he shut the carriage door behind her. It went off.
“Come on,” he said, Darcy sensed his mind was a bit tamer. She looked around to find that the Shrieking Shack was closer here. She dared to entered the edges of Remus’ mind.
What is this place? I’ve never seen it before, she said.
“Of course you haven’t,” Remus grinned, “Not many do. But I had gotten Dumbledore’s permission to come here tonight. You’ll like it.”
It’s cute, Darcy smiled as they entered the restaurant. Remus gave his name to the hostess and she immediately led the way to a table for two, looking surprised that they were only sixteen and seventeen.
Remus pushed Darcy’s chair in like a perfect gentleman and then sat himself across from her, smiling. She looked around. The tables were far apart, yet closer together. The waiters and waitresses wore white tops with black slacks and black shoes. The walls were a dark wood while the floor beneath them was a deep maroon color. The candles on the tables added to the dim light of the individual chandeliers above each table. The chairs were comfortable and the cushions matched the table cloths. There was more forks then Darcy knew she would need, two spoons, and one knife. The napkins were folded in a unique fashion between the utensils.
Never before had Darcy eaten in such a nice restaurant. Never before had she even pictured it. She could no afford one appetizer and she was doubting that Remus could. But she did not argue or mention money problems, for Remus seemed at ease and did not seem to bothered about price.
The waiter came and brought them their drinks and menus before walking off and leaving Darcy and Remus alone to read through the menu. Five minutes later, he returned and took their order. Once he walked off again, Remus smiled at Darcy.
“Too much?” he asked. Darcy grinned.
I wouldn’t saytoo much. It’s nice, Darcy said honestly. Remus grinned again.
“I somehow knew you would say that,” he said making Darcy smile widely again.
They talked, Remus trying to make the conversation sound as one-way as possible incase someone working for Voldemort was around. It was about fifteen minutes later when Remus tilted his head to the side, “I feel bad. I feel like I was the one that ruined your friendship with Aaron.”
What? Darcy gasped, Remus, you have nothing to be sorry for. Aaron and I would never have lasted long after he confessed. It would be much to confusing and weird.
Remus shrugged, “He can offer you so much more then I can.”
What are you talking about? Darcy asked, confused and frowning. At first he hesitated and then he took a deep breath.
“It’s part of the reason my mind is ‘untamed’ as you put it,” Remus began quietly. Darcy leaned forward slightly to hear better, “When I was. . .young. . .about four, I would be turning five that month. . .something. . .something happened to me. And I’ll understand if you—”
“Here you go,” the waiter interrupted, causing both Remus and Darcy to jump back as he put their meals in front of them. Remus thanked him, looking relieved from the interruption. After the waiter checked that they would not be needing anything else, he turned and strolled off to check on another table.
Darcy wanted to asked Remus what happened. She wanted to know what he would understand. But he did not show any sign that he was going to continue his story and Darcy did not want to press him. She knew that Remus would tell her what had happened in time. And until then, she would force herself to wait. Taking a deep breath to control herself, she looked up and smiled at Remus.
Can I taste yours?
Remus looked up and returned her smile.
----
After they finished eating and Remus paid for their meals, they went for a walk around Hogsmeade. Their breath was visible in the air and Darcy noted that it would probably start snowing again. Remus held Darcy’s hand in his gloved one and their other hands were in their pockets, cowering against the cold.
When they reached the center of Hogsmeade for the second time, the carriage was waiting for them. They headed towards it, grateful for the shelter from the cold. However, the cold had not killed the romantic atmosphere of the walk and they both enjoyed themselves. Just as they reached the carriage and Darcy reached for the door, Remus grabbed her wrist and had her face him. He was smiling nervously.
Darcy cocked her head to the side curiously. They were too far away from the Shrieking Shack now and Darcy could not enter Remus’ mind again. Remus tightened his grip around her hand and laughed quietly, before looking up into her face.
“I like you Darcy. I like you a lot. I might even be falling in love with you,” he said, Darcy felt her heart catch and Remus continued, “And I was hoping. . .I was hoping you would be my girlfriend. . .”
Darcy let her smile spread across her face as she nodding, wishing she could tell Remus exactly what she wanted. Remus smiled, too, laughing slightly as he hugged her tightly. Then he opened the carriage door for Darcy, joking about the cold, and letting her go on inside before him.
This time, the ride seemed shorter. Remus talked to her silently, telling her stories of him and his friends and what a relief it is that it’s almost Christmas Holiday. He even invited Darcy to a Christmas party that James and Sirius started throwing in their third year and soon became annual. Darcy knew she would need permission from her mother and father and then probably have to have Remus come and meet them, but she promised herself that she would go to the party.
The carriage pulled to a stop in front of the school and Remus again helped Darcy out. They entered the school grounds again and slowly walked to the oak doors, savoring the last moments of their date. They took the long way up to the Gryffindor common room, only passing the Ravenclaw Prefect, where Remus showed him the pass that Dumbledore had written for them, and then they continued on their way.
In the common room, a few people were still up. Remus did not kiss Darcy, much to her disappointment, but Darcy was also somewhat glad. She had been expecting it and it had been making her nervous. Not to mention, people were watching. She did not want people to see Remus kiss her. Not for the first time. The first time was a special thing.
“Good night,” Remus said, kissing her on the forehead instead.
Darcy nodded to him and then went upstairs, not able to keep the happiness out of her. She was Remus Lupin’s girlfriend!!
A/N: FINALLY! I got this chapter up. ^_^ I hope it was worth the loooooong wait, that I'm really sorry for.
Please review telling me what you think!!
xoxo
Carolyn!
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