A Full Moon
Remus's bad mood continued throughout the week. He was not talking to James or Sirius and had stopped going out too. He sat silently in lessons and rushed back to his dormitory afterwards. He knew that the full moon was near but couldn't face going into the whomping willow alone. If he wanted company, he was going to have to Apologise.
And apologising was something he really did not wish to do.
He thought long and hard about tricking them somehow, but knew that that would only give him more to apologise for. He knew his choices (apologise or go alone) but neither of those appealed. He decided to apologise. He decided to do it in the common room after dinner. He hoped that they would forgive him. They just had to.
He approached them cautiously, unsure of their reactions. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. He stood in front of Sirius and James like a goldfish until Sirius came to his rescue.
"You want to apologise and ask if we'll accompany you on another one of our most excellent adventures. Dont you?"
"Er. Yeah. Is that a yes then?"
"Well," said prongs, in one of his voices that warned you he was going to say something that you really wouldn't like. "I think you should make it up to us."
Remus was mortified. This could only mean a famous Potter dare.
"How?" he asked in a polite voice that said only too well that he was not going to do anything that he didnt want to do.
"I think that you should do a little dare, just to show us how sorry you are. I think the punishment should fit the crime after all." the seeker replied, proving Remus's worst fears to be correct. "What do you think Pad?"
"I'm staying well out of this one mate. You go right ahead though, don't let me stop ya." said the tallest of the three, who was finishing a set of potions lines for slughorn.
"Ok!" James leapt to his feet "Lets see!"
"Oh God please dont let it involve worms." Remus said remembering a dreadful dare from a year ago, "I can still imagine the wriggling there sometimes."
"No worms, I swear. Right then. Lets see. I think that we should dare him to kiss this girl he likes so much. I pressume thats not a problem is it?" he said knowing full well of his friends true sexuality.
"No." said Remus defiantly "I'll do it."
He left and took refuge in the library. He was supprised to find that 10 minutes later he was the joined by his boyfriend.
"You don't have to do the dare you know. I could talk to James for you." He kindly offered.
"No," repeated Remus in the same deffiant voice he had used on James "I want to do it."
He got up, returned his book to the correct shelf and spoke once more.
"In fact, I'm going just now."
This was easier said than done. He had just left the library when he realised the enormity of his task. Not the kissing part, no that was easy, but actually finding the girl he knew so little about.
He set off for the main hall. There were still a few people enjoying a late dinner, he might just catch her. To his dismay, he did not see her silvery blonde hair was not among the duller colours. He set off back to his dormitory. Half way back, he remembered that he had a paper to give to Professor Downing, the charms teacher, so changed directions. Outside the office he heard a rapid conversation. It seemed like a young girl was pleading with her head of house.
"No! Sir, I beg of you. Please." she cried.
"I'll do as I please you ungrateful litttle girl." said a louder male voice "You are mine to use as I wish."
A sob rang through the air. Then a sound as though someone behind the door was getting up off the floor.
"That will do for tonight. But if you ever stop in the middle of it again, you know what will happen to your sister." bellowed form the man "Go. Now. Tell no-one where you have been."
A teary girl ran sobbing from the office. For a moment Remus forgot what he was doing there. Then, deciding it was more important (and being scared of disturbing a teacher in such a rage) he followed the girl. She had settled herself in a dark, disused classroom to mop herself up and heal her wounds with her wand. Remus knocked on the door and entered. He was startled to see her flich at the noise. It was definately the girl he had seen before. He looked tactfully away while she mended the holes in her clothes which were uncovering some very indecent places.
"Erm." He began awkwardly. "Are you ok?"
"Er, not really." she said in a quiet voice.
"Anything I can do?" he said regaining his confidence "Can we talk?"
"Well I would say no, but I'm guessin you heard what happened in the office?"
"Yeah," He apologised. "Sorry, I didn't try to but it was very loud."
"That's ok. I guess I'm actually glad someone knows now. I'm glad it was you Remus Lupin, you're a nice guy."
"How do you know my name?" asked a puzzled Moony. "And find out what?"
"I've been watching you. I know what you are and who you are always with."
"Oh." he said as his hope ebbed away. "So why arent you running away from me?"
"Because, your a nice guy. It's not your fault you were bitten."
"Wow. I had no idea anyone would be so understanding. I mean, my friends are of course, but if you've done stuff like I have with them you're not allowed to say anything." A rare grin emerged on his face. He had completely forgotten about her troubles. "Erm, if you know about that, do you know about my dare?"
"Yes."
"Erm, so, will you halp me?"
"Yes." And with that she kissed him. But it was a kiss more special than anything he had ever felt before. It was soft and gentle, yet passionate and ferocious. He didn't like to admit it, but he never wanted it to end. They walked back to Gryffindor common room (he said the password) still in a tight embrace. They continued kissing as passers by wolfwhistled and cheered. He suddenly pulled away.
Sirius was stood in the corner watching them.
