Chapter 4: Golden Names Are Accompanied By Shaking Arms in This New Autumn Fashion

HOLY CRAP! I'm not giving anything away.

…

Ok so that's a lie.

Elle must thank her saviors (but was she really saved from anything?), but has a challenge even greater than that…She must make SMALL TALK.

…yes, that was supposed to be said in a very intimidating voice. (You: Really?) Yes, if you just look around the corner, you'll see Elle cowering in the alcove and Addy hiding her face in Elle's shoulder…

Anyway, read away!

"What are you doing to her?!" Remus exclaimed, eyebrows raised.

Black quickly released her elbow and she noticed that his eyes had turned a shade lighter, more like clouds before a storm, and not the actual storm itself.

"Talking," was his simple answer. It was one that Remus could not contradict.

Elle looked gratefully to her saviors. She noticed that Remus' usually honey eyes were more of a tan-ish brown, while James' showed his disapproval.

"Talking? Is that all?" James asked, looking pointedly at Elle's elbow.

Sirius rolled his eyes, "It's not like I was going to do anything to her. You say that like I'm capable of doing something".

With that, the three shared a significant look which caused Sirius to have a grey flame in his eyes.

Peter was left out of the loop, but he looked to Elle and saw that her arm- the one Sirius had grabbed- was shaking.

James' hand clamped on to Sirius' shoulder and started to walk him to the Great Hall, Peter in tow.

Elle stared after them, trying to restart her voice box, rather looking like she was gaping after the three.

"Listen, Elle," Remus said, looking a bit uncomfortable and rubbing the back of his neck, "I'm so sorry about Sirius".

Elle just sort of stared at him, still unable to talk.

Her arm was still shaking, and Remus took note of this.

Her heart was pounding and she was still trying to make light of what could have happened.

"Er, um, where are you going? I'll help you. You look frightened."

Elle took a deep breath and finally regained her wits.

"Ha, probably more like I look a fright."

Remus cracked a smile and unconsciously looked to Elle's shaking arm. She looked down with him and sighed.

"Really, I'll help you."

"No, it's alright. I'm just going to the library; it's not too far away."

"It's two floors up from here."

"Yeah, like I said, not too far away."

Remus rolled his eyes.

"Come," he said, then held gently to her shaking arm.

Elle had no choice but to walk with him, his grip firm.

Goddamn you, Arm, stop bloody shaking. Then Remus can go on his merry way, Elle commanded Arm.

Arm was being stubborn and refused to stop trembling.

"Listen, don't take it completely personally."

"What?"

"The Sirius incident before."

"Oh," was all she had to say.

Remus looked apologetic. "It's just that he's a little stressed out currently, and what he really doesn't need right now is someone to challenge him and ruin his reputation."

Elle didn't quite know what to say. Black had always seemed as though he was someone untouchable, unbreakable. So her standing up to him didn't seem like a big problem to her.

"I…I'm sorry. I didn't know. I was just...standing up for what I thought was right," she said, referring to the two Banter Battles before.

"I hope you don't think that I am defending what he said and did, because I'm not. I'm just trying to explain that he's not truly like that."

"It's alright, Remus. You're a good friend."

He colored slightly at the comment.

"Wouldn't any friend do what I did?"

"Not all," she said quietly, though Remus heard her. He made no comment, in the case that he wasn't supposed to hear the two-worded answer.

It was silent for awhile, and Elle noticed that she'd been around many awkward silences in the year so far.

He broke the Awkward Silence.

"So…"

"So…"

"What is your favorite color?"

"We're playing this game now?"

"Well, what else can we talk about?"

Elle paused.

"Point taken."

"Mine's kind of cerulean blue, but a bit greener."

"Mine is a rich, dark red, like the color of blood, but make it about 13 shades darker, and you've got my color. Anyway, my turn. What's your favorite book?"

"I don't have one. I read a lot and there are just too many brilliant books out there. You?"

"Same."

"Alright hm…what's your middle name?"

Elle smiled. "Sunhera."

"Sounds lovely. What does it mean?"

"It's Hindi for 'golden'. Your turn."

"Wow, talk about your coincidences. My middle name's Aurelius, meaning-"

"Gold," they said in unison.

"Huh," Elle said amusedly.

Elle was silently in awe and wonder. She'd usually be freaking out right about now. She didn't do this. Elle Sunhera Camberlin never did this. She never ever made small talk. It was like one of those things, like you only floss at night or you never ask a certain teacher for help, or you never sit 6 seats in at the Ravenclaw table or else you would be dragged into the disputes about religion (that Ravenclawers argued about religiously). It was one of those things that you just didn't do. She was usually one to shy away from people she didn't usually talk to, just to avoid the awkwardness of having to make small talk. But Remus made her feel at ease. And that in itself was disconcerting.

So if you will care to understand this idea in simple terms, this is how Elle felt:

She felt uncomfortable because she was feeling so comfortable.

Do you get it?

No?

That's to be expected. Only Addy would understand.

Remus, having been a gentleman and allowed Elle to explore her thoughts, silently looked on at her. He was concerned. He would have to thank the Fates later for having James think of a brilliant prank, the reason for which they went looking for the final member of their quartet in the first place. Remus still wasn't sure how Elle was feeling though. Positively scared, he was sure. Her arm was still trembling slightly, though not as violently as it had initially.

"Er…Remus?"

He quickly turned his attention to her. "Hm?"

"Could you, er, let go of my arm now? We've arrived at the library."

"Oh, yes. Yes, of course," he responded, shaking his head at his uncharacteristic absentmindedness.

He released her arm and she gave him a small smile.

"Thank you, Remus. Walking me to the library was very diplomatic of you," Elle said, with a laughing lilt in her voice.

Remus, grinning slightly, bowed and responded cheekily, "Every lady needs a diplomat to remember her birthday, but never her age."

They both grinned, amused.

"Well I'll see you later, yeah?" Remus asked.

"Sure," Elle answered, and walked into the library as Remus waved a farewell while walking away.

Right before she set foot in the library, she heard him call to her, "Try to stay away from scary big guys that make your arms shake from simply touching them, even after ten minutes of being released."

That was when Elle realized that Arm had stubbornly continued its quaking manner.

Elle stuck her tongue out behind her even though Remus couldn't see.

Surprisingly, she heard him laugh.

Maybe he knew her well already.

Hm.

Freaky.

Gah! I have so many ideas for stories, but I never know what to do with them…

Oh, and hoped you liked this chapter. I did, personally. Please review (though you probably see that after every chapter you read…)!