Chapter 4: Of Balls and Rebecca

A/N: Okay, I know. I'm sorry.

Be warned: Some of Remus' actions may seem out of character. But that's just for now. You don't know why any of this has happened yet, so don't get ahead of yourself. There is a reason Remus broke up with Elizabeth, and there is a reason behind each and every single one of his actions, so just chill out till it happens. If you have a theory, feel free to mention it!

Updates will be changed to Tuesdays.

Thanks to geekchic8428, 42-Worlds-Apart, RosesInJamJars, and Person!

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"I don't like him," I said with a shrug, crossing my arms over my chest.

Lily raised her eyebrow. Damn her.

"And why not?" she asked, giving me a look.

"He's stupid."

"And why is he stupid?"

"Because he has stupid opinions," I said, avoiding her eyes.

She let out a loud, exasperated sigh.

"Why did you have to bring up werewolves?" Lily groaned.

Hey, how did she know that is was werewolves?

"I was talking about my work." I responded, blushing a little.

"Lizzie, Lizzie, Lizzie. I understand the whole werewolf thing, I do. And I think it's great that you're doing it. But, Liz . . . If it's just for Remus, then you really shouldn't," Lily said, putting her hand on my shoulder comfortingly.

"I'll admit, Remus got me interested in the field. But that's not why I kept it up, Lily. I kept it up because it's interesting. And I really think I've got a lead!" I said the last part excitedly. "Wolfsbane. Or monkswood, whatever. They're the same thing. And while the werewolves aren't quite in control, they're much more subdued! Some people even remember the night!"

Lily's jaw dropped, the subject of Paul completely forgotten.

"You're kidding!" she exclaimed, a smile taking over her face. She pulled me into a tight hug. "Oh my god!"

"Yeah, I know! But I can't go out with someone who can't even respect my work." I said sternly. Lily rolled her eyes.

"I'm not asking you to go out with him. I'm asking you to go out with him one more time. If you still don't like him, then okay! But just one night, Elizabeth. One night."

I sighed.

"Okay fine. One night."

Lily gave me a beaming grin.

"One night."

XXX

Elizabeth Moore's Pro/Con List of going to the ball thing with Paul

Pros:

1. Remus would most likely notice

2. It would make Lily happy

3. It would show I'm Moving On

4. I kind of have to go anyway

5. If it's not with Paul, it's by myself.

Cons:

1. I shouldn't want Remus to notice

2. It wouldn't make me happy

3. I haven't moved on

4. I'd see Remus there with Rebecca

And that is why I have to go with Paul. . . Dammit.

So, I would do it. Despite how much I didn't want to.

XXX

Lily had decided that leaving my hair curly was acceptable, thankfully. Merlin knows how much Lily likes to torture me with 300 degree metal. She did, however, make me do my makeup, but I guess that's better than the metal. Except for eyelash curlers. Those are death traps.

On the bright side? I loved my dress. Lately I've been taking any excuse to wear red, now that I don't have a fear of being lynched by the Ravenclaw quidditch team. So, my dress was a dark red, contrasting with my pale skin and black hair quite nicely. It had a nice, fluffy skirt, ending just above my knees, as expected by these things. I figured, the fluffier, the more they'll except the fact it isn't full length. I mean, it is a ministry ball. So, ya know. And Lily had forced me into short black heels. Luckily she pitied me, and didn't shove me into stilettos or something. We both know that would not have ended well. But, the heels of my shoes were still awfully skinny.

And Paul? Well, at least he cleans up nicely. Too bad he doesn't have the personality to go with it. The entire way there, I was bored. I mean, he was trying and all, but still.

"Lizzie!" a bellowing voice called from the entrance. I smiled brightly.

"Sirius!" I called back, smiling at him. Next to him was James and Lily, who was rolling her eyes at us.

"Who is that?" Paul asked distastefully. Great, he hates Sirius, too. What doesn't he hate?

"Sirius Black." I responded curtly. "Come on." I said, pulling him towards the group.

Sirius grinned and pulled me into a big hug, and James joined right in.

"Help," I said, giving Lily a desperate look. She just shrugged, grinning. "Traitor."

Paul just stood there, watching.

After they finally let me go, Sirius turned to him.

"Who are you?" he asked bluntly, giving me a look.

"Paul Green. I'm Elizabeth's date." He said, emphasizing the word date. What the mushroom?

Sirius gave me another look, like it was my fault. Sigh, I guess I'll have to explain it to him later.

"Huh, that's interesting. Well, Elizabeth's last date to this shindig should be here soon." Oh merlin, Sirius. I lifted my foot, digging the sharp heel into Sirius' foot. Sure, I didn't like Paul, but he was still being rude. Sirius glared at me, and I matched his gaze.

"Oh, well that doesn't matter after all. How long have you been broken up?" Paul asked, looking down at me. Shit.

"3 weeks now." Sirius supplied. Oops. Paul raised an eyebrow. Cue awkward silence. Great. I mean, I obviously don't care because Paul, but at the same time I didn't want to make him think badly of me. That makes sense, right? I mean, I don't want anyone to think badly of me, especially someone I'm on a date with.

"Uh, hi everyone. Hello, Elizabeth."

Aw, shit.

"Hello Remus." My group chorused, except Paul and me. I nodded at him, avoiding his gaze.

Paul smiled at him, and held out his hand.

"Hi, I'm Paul Green. Remus, I take it?" he laughed slightly. That was when I caught a glimpse of the girl standing next to Remus. She was tall, with long, stick straight blonde hair. How could hair that color be even natural? Her eyes were cerulean blue, and I didn't like it. What, was she wearing colored contacts or something? And her heels were high stilettos, boosting her up even higher. And I could tell she was tall even without them.

"I'm Rebecca." She piped up, smiling at me.

"Elizabeth."

Her lips formed an O, but she didn't say anything. Remus glanced at her, but that was it.

"Paul is Elizabeth's date." Sirius said, looking straight at Remus, and ignoring Rebecca.

Rebecca and Remus. It's even alliterated. Sounds better than Remus and Elizabeth. Ugh. And Remus didn't even react. Um, okay. Really? I reacted horribly to Rebecca, and I don't even get a nod for Paul. Not a frown, not a twitch, nothing. And I'm upset about this? Mushroom.

"So, let's go." I piped up, motioning towards the door. Might as well break the awkward silence. I walked away, grabbing Paul's hand and pulling him behind me. Let's get this over with, shall we?

"Who was that?" he asked, putting his arm around my waist. Ugh.

"Who do you think?" I responded, giving him a look.

He chuckled, smiling at me.

"Hm, I'm guessing your ex-boyfriend." He said, leading me to the dance floor.

"Obviously." I would say no shit, Sherlock, but that usually doesn't translate well to no mushroom, Sherlock. That is, unless you know me well, like Lily or Sirius.

"Let's dance, then." Paul said, moving me in front of him.

Well, why not?

XXX

I wish I could say that I never touched alcohol after the Sixth Year Incident. But, that would be a lie. Alcohol and I have become pretty good friends. I mean, I don't get full out drunk but I am legal, so I have a drink here and there, and it's nice. But after having about ten heavy males trod on my feet and the prospect of more, I feel like it's not the worst idea right now. And after having conversations with even more than those ten guys, I'll need it. James and Lily have been dancing in the same spot on the dance floor the entire time, so that conversation source has been depleted. Paul has been dragged off by his coworkers. He said he'll be right back. Half an hour ago. I mean, it hasn't been completely boring with him. I mean, it's been almost fun. Sirius has been dancing with every lonely female in the entire ballroom. Except me, that is. So I'm standing against the wall, nursing my firewhiskey.

"So, you're the famous Elizabeth."

Woahhh where did Rebecca come from? I didn't want her here.

"I would hardly call myself famous." I snorted. She raised her perfect eyebrow. No, I'm not kidding. Her eyebrow is like . . . Perfect.

"I would." She said, standing next to me, and picking up a glass of some fancy fruity drink. "And most call you a threat too."

I rolled my eyes.

"Please. Remus broke up with me." I said, taking a long drink. I was going to need it.

"That's not how I hear it." She replied, looking me in the eye while taking a sip, clearly measuring my reaction. My jaw actually dropped.

"What?" I yelled. Her eyebrow went up again. I downed the rest of my drink, locking onto my target. "Someone is getting murdered tonight." I said, storming to Remus, Rebecca trailing after me. I pulled him to face me, pulling my wand out in the same movement.

"You asshole." I hissed, the tip of my wand pressed against his forehead. He looked vaguely alarmed. "What did I ever do to you?" I asked.

Remus' eyes caught Rebecca's. Ugh, he disgusts me.

"I think you're an asshole, and I can't believe I ever dated you. If I knew who you really are, I never would have. I regret every moment." I hissed. "What the hell?" I asked, putting down my arm, and walking away. Sure enough, Remus didn't follow me.

I was furious. I can't believe it.

"Elizabeth!"

Ugh, Paul. Great. I really didn't want to deal with him. I swung open the doors to outside, and he caught them, rushing behind me.

"Hey, Elizabeth, what's going on?" he asked.

"Can you take me home?" I asked, facing him. And that was when I saw Remus standing just outside the doors, watching us. Waiting for Paul to leave.

So, I went stupid. I went on instinct, just wanting a moment of revenge. So, I wrapped my arms around Paul's neck and kissed him. Honestly, it wasn't great. His lips were a bit too moist, and a bit cold, like he had been eating ice or something. They were smooth and all, but a little too much. His lips tasted like waxy chap stick. He was just . . . Meh. But when I pulled away, Remus was gone.

"Well, Elizabeth. I'm glad you really do like me." Paul said, staring at me. Not smiling.

"Um, yeah," I said, staring at the doors.

"And I'm sorry I have to do this." That got my attention.

"Do what?" I asked, snapping my gaze to Paul. A white cloth was coming at me, covering my mouth. I let out a muffled shriek, the black dots covering up my vision, and I felt myself falling, still screaming, Paul's arms wrapped around me, holding me close to him as he apparated away. And everything went black.

XXX

A/N: Reminder, updates moved to Tuesdays.

I don't know if I'll update this Tuesday, but I'll definitely try!

Please review!