Hate Myself For Loving You - Chapter 3: That God-Like Face

Disclaimer: I don't own. Author's Note at the bottom, as I know you're all anxious to read...

As Remus looked around, he noticed a quartet in the corner.

I wonder how difficult it is to play the violin? He wondered. He often wondered odd things such as this, mainly caused by his books.

He glanced over at James, whose eyes were glazed over. This alarmed Remus, as he had never seen his best friend with such a weird expression. If Remus hadn't snapped his fingers in front of his face, he was sure James would've started drooling.

James, startled, looked at Remus.

"Isn't she beautiful?" James flashed a goofy grin in her direction, to which she furrowed her brow.

Remus had to admit she was a sight. Her flaming red hair was in an up-do and her dazzling green eyes shone brightly beneath the curls. Her dress was purple, trimmed with lace. She smiled at Remus, who had been somewhat examining her, showing her lovely smile. He smiled shyly back, unsure of how to act in such company.

When the young woman she had been talking to turned to see who she was smiling at, Remus examined her, too. She had brown eyes, much like those of his, only somehow colder. She had a horsey-face, and her hair wasn't done as nicely as the red heads'. Though about the same length, her dark hair looked slightly lop-sided, or at least to Remus. Her dress was the twin of the purple one, only blue. She smiled, as well, only it was unsurprisingly not as warm.

"Think I should talk to her?" James asked, blushing when they looked at him.

"Which one?"

"The red head, of course!"

Remus had to admit he was relieved. James didn't always have the best taste in women, but tonight seemed to be an exception.

"Of course you should. Now's as good of a time as ever. Go on." Peter had appeared out of nowhere. Or had he been there this entire time?...

"Yeah?" James asked again, looking at Remus, wanting the brighter man's insight. Though Remus wasn't sure it was the smartest thing to do, he never missed a beat.

"Oh, yes. It's not every night we go to a ball, now, is it?"

"You're right!" James was now convinced, and although that was all it took, it would've taken much more had anyone wanted to talk him out of it. Just as he was about to cross the room, a young man approached the two women.

Remus felt his jaw go slack and it would have hit his chest had his mother not taught him long ago it was impolite to stand there with your mouth open.

The young man was the most handsome Remus had ever seen. His hair was a bit longer than most in his social class. He had a God-like face, and that is just about the only way Remus could describe it. His blue eyes sparkled as he and the women laughed at something he had said. Any other gentleman would have dismissed these thoughts immediately, but Remus had had more eccentric thoughts than this and thought nothing of it.

"Well, how are we going to get rid of him?" James asked. Peter shrugged.

"I'll talk to him, you know, get him away from Green Eyes," Remus offered.

And with that, they strode across the room, leaving Peter by the kitchen. The trio stopped talking as James and Remus approached and Remus had never felt more uncomfortable in his life. Thank goodness the dark-haired boy broke the silence.

"I don't believe we've seen you gentlemen around before."

"Only just moved here," James smoothly replied. "The new bank? Father bought it just a few months back."

"Oh? So you are brothers?"

"One would assume that, I suppose, but not quite. This is my cousin. His parents wished for him to move to a better town, so he came along with us."

"Ah. Pleasure to meet you, both of you." They shook hands as he introduced himself and the girls.

"This is Miss Lily Evans and Miss Petunia Evans."

"Hello, Miss Lily Evans," James said, completely ignoring the other girl. Remus sighed in his mind and stepped in to keep them from looking foolish and rude.

"Hello, Miss Petunia Evans. I believe the two of you must be sisters?"

Lily nodded. "And you are?"

Remus blushed a deep crimson as he realized he hadn't thought to introduce himself or James.

"I'm Remus Lupin, and my cousin here is James Potter. Pardon me from not saying this sooner, your beauty left me speechless." Sappy much? Remus scolded himself. It wasn't like him to say things like that, but James was the smooth talker, not he. It seemed alright, however, as both of the women giggled.

James was about to say something, no doubt to Lily, when another young man joined the group. This time, Remus' breath caught in his throat. If the first man was God-like, no word in the English language could describe this man. He was like the first, only taller, longer hair, and gray eyes. Gray eyes that never left Remus' chocolate ones. He extended his hand.

"Sirius Black," he said, smiling broadly. Remus let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding.

"R-Remus Lupin." God, I hope he can't feel how sweaty my palms are.

"Yes, this is my brother." The first young man said, not at all enthused.

"Reg, mum wants you to meet some rich bloke's daughter," Sirius informed his younger brother as he discreetly wiped his hand on his trousers.

"Not again! I tell you, one more time..." He stalked off, muttering darkly to himself.

Acting as if nothing had happened, Sirius questioned Remus about James.

"My cousin, James Potter."

James and Sirius shook hands and nodded.

I should listen to my instincts more often. Talk about beautiful...

Author's Note: I know, you all hate me for taking so long to update. I won't bore you with long excuses -cough exams! cough-. However, maybe this chapter made up for it somewhat? I hope on adding another chapter this week, since it's finally Spring Break here. Can you believe we're only just getting it? Insane, right? Okay, I'm dying to ask this. Was the whole Regulus/Sirius thing okay? It wasn't confusing or ignorant, was it? Well, review and tell me! If I don't get many reviews this week, don't expect a new chapter before next week! Mwuhahaha! Oh, yeah, I was thinking about a name-change for the story. Maybe something like, "Too Much of a Good Thing"? Give feedback, as you're the reader!

Loves to all who aren't angry with me and are going to review-

LadyLupin