Hey all, just so everyone knows... this is the last chapter before the epilogue, so it's sort of the end. Thanks for reading!
Characters/settings from Rowling, lyrics from the band America.
The school was abuzz with the most recent news, like so-and-so's relative died or how Fergus Claudel had gotten in trouble with the Ministry for using magic outside of school while underage. But the many changes that took place among the students – more specifically among one group of students – was the most talked about. First, everyone wondered about Sirius and Calli's sudden yet amiable break up and then about Lily finally accepting James' offer and becoming his girlfriend. Everyone wanted to know the reasons behind both choices.
And I just can't live without you
Can't you see it in my eyes?
During breakfast and lunch, Calli finally noticed Remus' lack of communication to her and after catching Sirius' attention and gesturing her question, Sirius signed that he would tell her later. She would have asked during Defense Against the Dark Arts or dinner if Remus had not been right there.
After an entire day of waiting, Calli finally pulled Sirius aside to ask him, but only received, "Listen, I don't think I should be the one to tell you but trust me, you need to talk to Remus and explain things to him."
"Explain what though?"
Sirius hated being in the middle, "Your feelings… toward him and toward me."
"Toward you?"
Sirius only nodded and ignored her calls after him as he left her with that thought.
Calli had no idea what Sirius' cryptic message meant. Was it not obvious how she felt about him? She had broken up with him for a reason!
Realizing that the answer would not come to her standing in the noisy common room, she retired to the peace of her dorm.
She thought back through the Christmas break to pinpoint when Remus had decided to distance himself from her. The New Year's party had started off well but by the time she had woken up the following day, Remus remained quiet. She concluded that something must have happened during the half of the night that she did not remember, but she could think of someone – or some two – who would remember.
I been one poor correspondent,
And I been too, too hard to find
Pulling out two pieces of parchment, she wrote one letter to Camilla and one letter to Concordia, hoping the two of them could fill in the blanks for her. Knowing that was all she could do for one night, she got started early on her Potions homework before going to bed.
Camilla was the first to reply and Calli received her letter the next morning at breakfast. As James tried to peek over her shoulder at the rather long letter, Calli abruptly stood up and left the Great Hall to read in peace.
According to Cami, Calli had been caught kissing Drew by her two friends and then Remus, whose expression showed his growing anger. Camilla had directed Remus from the room, outside onto the balcony, after she had punched Drew and rescued Calli from him.
Camilla explained that Remus, who she assumed was usually quite calm and rational, was anything but as he took a number of deep breaths in an effort to control his emotions. She had wanted to pat him on the back, in a way of comfort, but was actually a little scared and decided against it. Camilla had tried to come up with an excuse for Calli's actions to soothe the boy, saying the Calli simply did not know exactly what she was doing or that she needed to get that out of her system.
After a commotion in the hallway, the two had followed the sobering Calli downstairs where she confronted Drew for (hopefully) the last time, telling him she had a boyfriend who loved her. Calli and Remus soon left and that was where Camilla's knowledge of that night with Remus ended.
Calli re-folded the letter and placed it on the inside of her Charms book as she rushed off for that class as not to be late but she barely paid attention as she sat beside Remus, who took over her thoughts, along with the letter.
But it doesn't mean you ain't been on my mind
It was either the incident with Drew or the comment about her having a boyfriend. Most likely the latter seeing as Sirius had not mentioned Drew at all… only himself and Remus. It made sense since Remus would not know who she was referring to as her boyfriend and since Sirius had been the most recent, he might have assumed (despite the break up) she had meant Sirius. How was he to know she was thinking of Remus instead?
She laughed aloud at her own stupidity, catching the attention of not only Professor Flitwick but the entire class.
Trying to save herself, she exclaimed, "Gosh, I do love Charms!"
Most of her peers chuckled at her cover up and Flitwick merely ignored it and continued on with his lesson, unsure if he should deduct points for the disruption or add points for the enthusiasm. Sirius gave her a sideways glance and a smirk and she shrugged in response as she decided it was best to focus on the work instead of her ongoing problems. She would wait to hear from Concordia before making any decisions and/or approaching Remus.
Cordy's reply came after Potions and dinner, when Calli had returned to dorm to fetch her Defense book. It too made her realize her mistake.
Sighing, she decided she would handle the problem head on. It was a Tuesday night and like every other Tuesday night before, Calli went in search of Remus, though not exactly for help with her homework. He was not in his normal spot in the library or any spot in the library, for that matter, or even in the common room. There was only one other place she could think of so she ascended the stairs to the seventh year boys' dormitory.
Will you meet me in the middle,
Will you meet me in the air?
Calli knocked but refused to wait for someone to allow her in and found the dorm with only two of its occupants – Peter and Remus. At the sight of her, Peter excused himself to find something. Remus instantly sat up and looked around for any possible escape but found none.
"So you're willing to let my Defense grade sink because you're upset with me for something you refuse to tell me about?"
She knew what he was mad about but figured she would pretend she did not so Remus could tell her himself.
"I doubt your grade will drop because of me," he replied coolly.
Calli placed her hands on her hips, "And if it did, I doubt you'd even care. I doubt you'd care if a Lethifold came, smothered, and then ate me too!"
Remus rolled his eyes, "There's no need for dramatics, Calli."
"Really? Then why are you avoiding me? Isn't that a bit dramatic?"
Calli knew she had won as Remus remained speechless.
Sighing, he finally spoke, "Okay, maybe you're right. I just didn't want to face more rejection."
"You think I'm rejecting you?"
Remus shrugged, "You said you had a boyfriend who loved you and you loved back. I knew we weren't dating so I knew I'd lost you once again."
Will you love me just a little,
Just enough to show you care?
He let his head fall in defeat and she moved closer and onto the bed, but did not touch him yet.
"Oh Remus, I'm so sorry. When I said boyfriend, it wasn't something that was official. Remember when I said that I felt like I was dating two people? Well, I had broken up with one of them when I realized I liked the other and so I still felt like I had a boyfriend. I was talking about you," she reached out and caressed his arm, hoping the affection would help him believe her.
Knowing Remus' lack of confidence, she continued, "You don't really think I was talking about Sirius, do you? I said my 'boyfriend' was sweet, considerate, and smart and though Sirius is very smart, he really isn't known for his kinder side. I adore Sirius but only as a friend, I realize that now. You have no fear when it comes to other guys because you're all I want, Remus, please believe me."
Well I tried to fake it,
I don't mind sayin',
I just can't make it
Letting the words sink in, he nodded as she squeezed his hand. Finally, he met her eyes and then moved forward, closing the space between her lips, kissing her hard.
As he pulled away, he looked at her again, "I'll only believe you when you agree that we are, in fact, official and you are my girlfriend and I truly am your boyfriend."
"I just told you I thought you were a week ago! It's about time you caught up, Remus Lupin!"
Both laughing, they fell back onto Remus' bed and tried to focus on Calli's Patronus so Lethifolds could never digest her. Ironically, when the mist finally took shape, it was a wolf pup.