**Please don't hate me…. I'm so sorry… I'm a bad person, I know. But in my defense, I recently saw Les Mis, and for those of you who have seen it, you must understand my obsession. So then I had to read the book, which is rather massive, and that took a while, and then I got a really good idea for a fic of that so I had to outline it! I promised myself I wouldn't start writing it though until this one is done, so that's motivation to finish this one (and reviews can't hurt either)! And I promise I won't be hasty or sloppy. This will be finished to the best of my ability by summer. Promise. Even though we've got a ways to go. Anyways, I'm just gonna jump back into this now…**

Chapter Seven

It didn't take me five minutes this time to figure out why I felt how I did when I woke up—I mean I would've been a little worried if it had—considering that today was Saturday, i.e. Hogsmeade weekend, i.e. my date, if one can call it that (and believe me, I am so calling it that), with Remus. I sprung out of bed, any trace of tiredness gone in an instant, and rushed to shower. I then hurried to get dressed and make myself look presentable while still dressing warmly, seeing as an early frost had seemingly covered the world overnight, freezing everything it could lay its spindly hands on.

Finally deciding on a pair of brown corduroys, a cream v-necked jumper, and rain boots (which were the only boots in my possession, leaving me quite unprepared for the imminent winter), I grabbed a coat and headed down for a quick breakfast.

As I hastily scarfed down porridge of some kind or another, Remus appeared beside me, causing my eyes to grow large as I stared at him, embarrassed at the unflattering amount of food crammed into my mouth.

"I take it you're ready to go?" he asked with a smile.

I winced as I managed to swallow the immense portion in my mouth before replying, "As ever." Damn that had sounded better in my head—sort of a cross between 'As always' and 'Ready as I'll ever be.' I'd thought it'd sound witty, but now that I'd said it I just sounded confused. Remus didn't seem to mind though, and he offered me his arm. I blushed and took it, walking out of the hall with him and heading off to Hogsmeade.

"So what does one usually do on a date with Remus Lupin?" I asked as we walked along the now icy path leading into the village, attempting to sound nonchalant but probably failing miserably.

"Wouldn't know— I haven't been on a date with him, now have I?" he smirked. He was a lot better at this bantering thing than I was. So to save myself from words, I just punched him in the arm. "What was that for?" he protested.

"You know what I meant."

"Do I?" he flashed his lopsided smile. I just shook my head and laughed at him. "But we could go to the Three Broomsticks and warm up a bit—you look cold." I hadn't noticed earlier, but my hands were shaking with cold, despite my face being flushed.

"Sounds good," I said, now realizing just how cold I was. I let out a small nervous chuckle and wrapped my arms closely around my body. Remus slung his arm around my waist, and we walked the rest of the way in silence.

We entered the tavern, both of us seeming to have forgotten about Remus's arm on my waist, and were quickly reminded of that fact as nearly every head turned in our direction. Whispers of "She's not with Sirius?" and other things of that nature reached my ears, and I nervously dropped my eyes, letting my hair fall in my face as I hastily dropped into a seat near the door. Remus took the second seat at the two-person table, and, brushing my hair back from my face with his hand, gave me his signature smile—my smile.

"I'll go get us drinks," he offered politely, standing and making his way towards the bar. I sat back and waited all of five seconds before Remus was again at the table sporting two Butterbeers.

"How'd you get those so fast? It's so crowded in here!" I said in astonishment.

"Rosmerta likes me," he said with a shrug, setting down the two steaming glasses. I raised my eyebrows at him—of course the thirty-something bartender would like him. "Not like that." He rolled his eyes, a faint smile still on his face.

I shook my head, smiling and, out of the corner of my eye, saw Chris a few tables away. Of course. I wasn't sure if he had seen us yet, but seeing as this was my date with Remus, that wasn't an interaction I was willing to chance. "Maybe we should go," I said, glancing from Remus to Chris and back again.

Remus understood. We left without much of an issue, then proceeded to wander aimlessly through the village, talking about everything and nothing.

"Remember that Halloween in fourth year?" he was saying.

"Is that the year the pumpkins exploded?"

"No, that was third year I think. Fourth year was the year the bats were charmed to dive-bomb James and Sirius," he said with a chuckle. "McGonagall thought they'd done it to themselves to get a Slytherin in trouble."

I stared at him in disbelief, anticipating what he was about to say.

"They never did find the culprit," he said thoughtfully.

"Let me guess," I said, tossing my head dramatically to the side to glance at him, "because it was—"

I suddenly slid on a patch of ice and let out a yelp, squeezing my eyes shut as I felt my feet fly out from under me. I braced myself for impact on the hard ground and waited for my fall to end, but the ground never came. I opened my eyes cautiously, wondering why I hadn't hit the ground, and felt the strong arms wrapped around my waist. Remus helped me up, and I turned to face him, realizing now just how close we were.

"—you," I finished my sentence from before my fall. I couldn't stop myself from gazing into his eyes, from examining his perfect flushed cheeks: Our faces were so close. His breath was warm against my chilled skin, and my heartbeat tripled as I waited in anticipation for one of us to close the distance between us.

"I'm sorry," he breathed, his arms slackening form around my waist. "I can't do this." He backed away, then turned and nearly sprinted away from me, leaving me to stand in shock and wait for the reality of what had just happened to set in.

**A/N: Don't hate me (again, I know—I just feel as if it's necessary here, seeing what just transpired) I didn't mean for it to happen! Actually that's a lie, it fits in with my master plan. What I meant to say is that I fully intend to… ah that might give away the story. So you'll just have to keep reading to find out what I planned to do! And if you're in a particularly giving mood, (or just really want to know what happens) a review just might speed up the process. Lots of love!**