Chapter Two

After seeing him a few more times everyday, I was drawn to him. His crooked smile, his amber eyes and his voice, so unique. I thought he wasn't interested, but there was no harm in flirting with him, after all, I could tell he'd never actually been hit on before.

"Hey Remus," I smiled as I walked into Grimmauld Place about a week from when we first met.

"Hello there, Nymphadora," he smiled back.

What the hell. Why would he even say that infront of all the other people, including the Weasley clan lingering behind. I looking up and was even more infuriated to see he was laughing. The bastard. I wasn't going to let him get away with this.

"So, did you have a good time on your date with Poppy last night, Remus?"

To my delight, everybody in the hall looked up questioningly at him. Serves him right.

"What?...I, well, she's a lovely lady, but.. no, I didn't….what?" He spluttered. I walked off laughing, feeling triumphant but slightly cruel. I realised he had probably never been on a date in general. I had always had a knack of going too far on things.

Later on that day, when it was just me and him alone in the kitchen, I sat next to him.

"Remus, I'm sorry about before, I didn't mean to upset you," I apologised. "I just really bloody hate that stupid name."

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow, and then flashed his crooked grin.

"I don't mind, although Poppy Pomfrey isn't much my type."

I decided to push the conversation further.

"Who is your type, then?"

He thought for a moment. I didn't even know why I cared so much, I just did. I wanted him to say someone like me. I leant back on the old black chair, and knew instantly what was coming.

I feel back, and lay on the floor for a moment, bewildered at my own amazing timing to fall off a chair. Then I heard him laughing. I got back up, blushing, and he was red too, but with amusement, not embarrassment.

"Well," he said, after finally composing himself while I scowled at him. "I suppose I like people who have a good sense of humour. And are intellectual. And let me pay for them if I ever took them out, not that I even have the money for it anyway. And are clumsy," he added, and we both giggled. His giggle mischievous, mine nervous.

Was this butterflies I was feeling? Why did he make me feel like this? He was just poking fun of me, not saying he was interested in me. But still, it gave me hope. From what Sirius told me when I casually asked him about him a few days earlier, Remus had been through so many setbacks and so much pain that it was a symbol of how strong he was to see that he was still sane and standing right now. It made me admire the man who was now staring amicably into space. I moved my leg so that it was touching his, and he suddenly turned to face me.

He looked upset ashamed of himself, and sighed.

"Erm, I have to go. Sirius wants me to tidy up seeing as I'm staying here for the probable year."

And then he walked away. My heart sunk. Had I actually crossed the line like I thought I'd done earlier? Had I ruined my chances of becoming closer to the man who was like the opposite end of a magnet to me even though I had known him for only days?

I left without saying goodbye, annoyed at myself. I looked at the top window in Grimmauld place and then it was engulfed by the opposite houses. The sun was shining down on the crumbling pavement, and it irritated me how the weather could be so happy at a time like this. I didn't know why I was suddenly so angry, so ashamed, but that's what he could do to me.

I was never going back to Grimmauld place again.