A/N: Completely spur-of-the-moment Christmas stuff. I just wanted to write something.
Disclaimer: Professor Reah is the only following character that is mine. Anyone other than that belongs exclusively to J.K. Rowling. By the way, if Katrine Potter-Lupin is reading this, please don't flame me! I know not what I do.
"Madeline?" She looked up into the warm brown eyes of Remus Lupin and her heart gave an odd jump.
"Yes, Remus?"
"Merry Christmas." He handed her a gift wrapped in sky-blue paper.
Blushing, Madeline Reah took the gift and opened it. Inside was a delicate silver necklace with an ornate star on the end. "Oh, Remus...this is beautiful! You really didn't have to."
"But I wanted to," he said, drumming his fingers a little nervously on the High Table. "You've been nothing but supportive...er...since Dumbledore left to fight Voldemort and everyone wanted me to be Headmaster...I wasn't cut out for it. But you took over as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and you helped me out. Thanks, I suppose."
The hopeful smile faded a little from her face. "Oh." Just a reciprocation, then. She sighed and turned to the dance floor. All the students were gliding around, some looking happier than others. As Ron Weasly crossed the floor to where Hermione Granger was sitting, ears red with determination, Madeline gave him a supportive smile. Now, had she called that one or what?
Remus's hand glided back and forth next to his plate on the table. Then, he picked up his hand and hesitated for just a second before gently reaching over to Madeline's and taking it up. She tore her gaze away from the red-headed 5th year boy asking Hermione to dance and instead looked with painful hope in her eyes at Remus. "Yes?" Her voice trembled with anticipation.
"Would you like to dance?"
Amazing, she thought. Life can turn on a dime in a matter of five words. "Yes!" It was definite, it was jubilant now. She allowed him to lead her onto the floor and took on the dancing position. As the slow waltz played on, she saw it happening in his eyes, and she was sure it was happening in hers, too. They were both falling in love; the inertia of it taking their spirits on a roller-coaster ride. Madeline felt saltwater pearls rolling down her cheeks as the song stopped.
They were still dancing.
From the doorway, Albus Dumbledore gave Lupin a supportive smile. Had he called that one or what? He walked over to the High Table and took his seat as guest of honor. Picking up his golden fork, he paused for a minute. "Madeline Lupin...yes, it works," he mused quietly.
Even if he had shouted it, Remus and Madeline still wouldn't have heard. They were in their own blissful universe, forever and ever.
Disclaimer: Professor Reah is the only following character that is mine. Anyone other than that belongs exclusively to J.K. Rowling. By the way, if Katrine Potter-Lupin is reading this, please don't flame me! I know not what I do.
"Madeline?" She looked up into the warm brown eyes of Remus Lupin and her heart gave an odd jump.
"Yes, Remus?"
"Merry Christmas." He handed her a gift wrapped in sky-blue paper.
Blushing, Madeline Reah took the gift and opened it. Inside was a delicate silver necklace with an ornate star on the end. "Oh, Remus...this is beautiful! You really didn't have to."
"But I wanted to," he said, drumming his fingers a little nervously on the High Table. "You've been nothing but supportive...er...since Dumbledore left to fight Voldemort and everyone wanted me to be Headmaster...I wasn't cut out for it. But you took over as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and you helped me out. Thanks, I suppose."
The hopeful smile faded a little from her face. "Oh." Just a reciprocation, then. She sighed and turned to the dance floor. All the students were gliding around, some looking happier than others. As Ron Weasly crossed the floor to where Hermione Granger was sitting, ears red with determination, Madeline gave him a supportive smile. Now, had she called that one or what?
Remus's hand glided back and forth next to his plate on the table. Then, he picked up his hand and hesitated for just a second before gently reaching over to Madeline's and taking it up. She tore her gaze away from the red-headed 5th year boy asking Hermione to dance and instead looked with painful hope in her eyes at Remus. "Yes?" Her voice trembled with anticipation.
"Would you like to dance?"
Amazing, she thought. Life can turn on a dime in a matter of five words. "Yes!" It was definite, it was jubilant now. She allowed him to lead her onto the floor and took on the dancing position. As the slow waltz played on, she saw it happening in his eyes, and she was sure it was happening in hers, too. They were both falling in love; the inertia of it taking their spirits on a roller-coaster ride. Madeline felt saltwater pearls rolling down her cheeks as the song stopped.
They were still dancing.
From the doorway, Albus Dumbledore gave Lupin a supportive smile. Had he called that one or what? He walked over to the High Table and took his seat as guest of honor. Picking up his golden fork, he paused for a minute. "Madeline Lupin...yes, it works," he mused quietly.
Even if he had shouted it, Remus and Madeline still wouldn't have heard. They were in their own blissful universe, forever and ever.