Chapter 14: Butterbeer with Mum

Summary: It's summer break and over the full moon visit to Hogwarts, Remus and his mum make a trip into Hogsmeade where they run into a certain lovely Ravenclaw. It's an opportunity to learn a little more about the 'girl of his dreams'. But what will Remus' mother think?

The summer was sailing by. So far, things had been going very well. Remus missed his friends, but had enjoyed the time at home, especially working with his dad. He figured he had learned as much about Magical Creatures helping his dad over the years as he had from Professor Grubbly-Plank in class; considering she was an excellent teacher, Remus couldn't help feeling extremely proud of his dad for being so knowledgeable. Of course, Magizoology was Richard Lupin's specialty. Remus attributed his O on the Care of Magical Creatures O.W.L. to the hours he had spent tagging along with his dad.

Just a few weeks earlier, they had made a trip to the Isle of Lewis in the Hebrides to round up a small herd of thestrals. The mysterious creatures had caused a great deal of consternation for some of the Muggle residents in the outlying regions of Stornoway and an Obliviator from the Ministry of Magic had been sent in to handle the situation once the thestrals had been captured. His father didn't normally handle such a large job, since the Department for the Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures was responsible for things like this. However, they were low on employees who could see the strange beasts, and his father had been called in. Dad had been able to see thestrals since he was a teenager sitting at his grandfather's bedside when the old man breathed his last.

Remus knew his father had been paid rather handsomely for the thestral job, but more satisfying to his dad had been the knowledge that he had banked a favor to be called in if and when it might be needed. When you had a son listed on the Werewolf Registry, it had to be very comforting to know you were owed favors by the Head of the department that housed it and the Werewolf Capture Unit.

But for Remus, it had been an opportunity to travel with his dad and earn a little extra allowance. He didn't feel he had done much to earn the money since he was still blessed with the inability to see the creatures, which made it difficult to help round them up. He had been able to hold the ropes once his father had the thestrals secured, though, enabling his dad to examine them. His dad had been terribly excited when he discovered that one of the three females was pregnant. Remus was more than a little disappointed that the due date was after he would be back at Hogwarts, even though he wouldn't be able to see the new foal anyway. Throughout the summer, he found himself wishing he could see the beasts, then shivering and regretting it when he remembered the price one paid for the privilege. Still, the time spent with his dad caring for them had been one of the highlights of his summer.

Another highlight had been the fact that the plans for the full moon had worked better than Remus had dared to hope. Sirius had been given a bit of hassle by his parents at the beginning of summer, but now that he was no longer living at Grimmauld Place, he had no trouble making the monthly rendezvous.

Remus had to admire Sirius' courage. Not everyone would walk away from prominence and wealth for their beliefs. Sirius might come across as a bit of an arrogant git at times and rather reckless by some accounts, but he was a decent and fair-minded person. He had always treated Remus with respect when so many others would have shunned him if they had known what he was. Plus, Sirius had always been very embarrassed by the sense of superiority his family possessed, not to mention their outright prejudice towards any who were not blessed with a bloodline as pure as their own. Even though Sirius must have known none of his friends held his family's views against him, now that he had officially severed ties with the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, he seemed more at ease than Remus had seen him in quite some time. Plus, he hadn't exactly been left destitute. The Potters were more than willing and financially capable of providing him with a place to stay and he and James seemed to be enjoying themselves. In addition, his Uncle Alphard made sure he had a bit of spending money each week. All in all, Sirius was doing just fine and the Marauders managed to meet at the Shrieking Shack for Remus' transformations just as they had planned.

Thanks to the presence of his Animagi friends, Remus didn't suffer any more than he absolutely had to. By the end of the summer, his mother had actually learned not to dread the full moon so much. He knew it still broke her heart that her only son had to suffer the pain of transforming, not to mention the social stigma of being a werewolf. But the first morning-after that did not include disinfecting wounds and applying sterile bandages, much less the need for administering blood replenishing potions, must have seemed no less than a miracle to the woman who had borne the knowledge of the horrors inflicted upon her precious child each month. The nicks and scratches on his body were less than minor compared to what she had become accustomed to mending. Remus was as thankful for his mother's obvious relief as his own. He had always felt that, as much as he had suffered, somehow it had been harder on her, the person who loved him and was forced to stand by, helpless to ease his pain. She had always overcompensated by trying to protect him from everything else, including the normal bumps and bruises of childhood. It had always been so ironic that she could calmly clean and bandage the vicious tears and shredded skin from the ravaging wolf, yet become nearly frantic over something minor like the broken finger he had received when he was eight, and had fallen from a tree while searching for bowtruckles. But after experiencing one of his far less brutal transformations, his mother seemed at least a little less protective of him as the summer holidays drew to an end.

Remus found this to be a very pleasant side effect of his friends taking him out to play during the transformation. Since the wolf didn't ravage himself when he got to run with his Animagi pack, Remus' mum didn't seem to feel the need to babyhim so much. That made him feel more normal and that he was actually growing up. This was important if he was going to be able to enjoy the prospects of the rapidly approaching start of term. No matter how he tried not to get his hopes up, he couldn't stop thinking of Lindi. He had learned from James, Sirius and Peter that she was actually living in Hogsmeade and working at the Three Broomsticks over summer break. They had been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of her through the window while sneaking back to the train station after the first full moon of summer break.

Today, it was Remus' turn. The transformation had been particularly uneventful in terms of injury and after he received several hours of decent rest, his mother suggested they go enjoy a relaxing afternoon. She hadn't been into Hogsmeade in ages and, as long as he was up to it, she wanted a chance to visit. He had been more than willing to endure the painful twinges caused by the stroll into the village, since they would be stopping in at the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer and light supper before heading home. Remus couldn't think of eating, but he could nurse a butterbeer if it meant a chance to see Lindi. Of course, he was a little self conscious about letting Lindi see him looking so peaky. She thought it was caused by staying up late studying, but this was summer holiday. Maybe she'll think you were out late having fun…or even on a date, he thought, wondering at the impossibility of her actually being jealous. Or maybe she isn't even working today… He hoped she would be.

When he and his mum entered the pub, Remus noticed the atmosphere was different when the Hogwarts students weren't swarming the place. There was still a generous sized crowd, but it was mostly adults and the noise volume was more a conversational buzz as opposed to the dull roar provided by the students when they were present. He and his mother picked a booth tucked into a corner and he chose the side facing the room so he would be able to look for Lindi. It only took a minute. The sound of raucous chatter drew his attention to a large round table in the far corner of the pub. There she stood, her back to him, but he would recognize that dark hair, and he thought with a twinge of excitement, that body, anywhere. He watched, transfixed, as she turned and walked to the bar

She was dressed like the other girls he had seen working there: peasant blouse, skirt, corset and boots. Of course, she had her blouse pulled up higher on her shoulders and her skirt was full and loose compared to some of the form fitting ones on the others. Somehow, her attempted modesty just made her more alluring, Remus thought, as his eyes traced the lines of her figure. He had read descriptions in magazines about the delicate curves of a woman's body but, highlighted by the shaping power of that corset, there was nothing delicate about Lindi's curves. They were definitely bold…even without the corset…

"Remus? Remus, do we need to go back and let you lie down?" asked his mum, snapping him out of his reverie.

"What? No, Mum…I'm fine," he said feeling a bit dazed and warm.

"Well, you looked like you had fallen into a trance or something…and you're all flushed. I've been talking to you and I don't think you heard a word of it." She looked at him with mild concern. "What were you thinking?"

"Um…er…nothing, really. Just that I…er…really like this place. We…me and my friends, I mean…we have fun here." The heat was burning in his cheeks and he felt slightly guilty for some reason.

"Well, figure out what you want so we aren't here all night. We don't want to miss the train. We need to get you home so you can rest."

"I'm fine, Mum. Really. Let's just relax," he said, fighting the twinge of irritation that came with her babying.

He glanced back to the far table as Lindi approached it carrying a tray loaded with drinks. He recognized two of the six men sitting there. The very well dressed blond man was Lucius Malfoy, a Slytherin alumnus who had finished at Hogwarts at the end of Remus' first year. Remus didn't know much about him, but he knew the Malfoys were a very old and wealthy family. Lucius had earned a reputation as a cruel and prejudiced git, but due to his family's stature in the community, this was generally overlooked. Remus had learned that much from Sirius, whose own family was apparently quite friendly with the Malfoys. On more than one occasion, Remus had seen Lucius during Hogsmeade weekends and he always seemed to be surrounded by the same group of Slytherins. They were a rather nasty lot that included Severus Snape, Evan Rosier and, unfortunately, Regulus Black, Sirius' younger brother.

The second person Remus recognized was Ludovic Bagman, the new Beater for the Wimbourne Wasps. Remus knew him from numerous articles in The Daily Prophet and Quidditch Quarterly magazine. The older man at the table had to be Bagman's father, from the looks of him. Like his son, he was tall and husky, though not as muscular as the rising Quidditch star. Bagman Sr. had obviously indulged in his share of butterbeer or more likely, Firewhiskey, from the rosy glow on his cheeks and nose that was visible when he turned to watch Lindi as she started to set down their drinks. Remus didn't like the way any of them were looking at her.

"She's very pretty, isn't she?"

Remus was brought back again by his mother's voice. She sat smiling strangely at him.

"What?" he croaked as the heat rose in his cheeks again.

"That pretty waitress over there…The one you've been staring at since we got here? At least now I know what put you in your trance," she smirked maternally. "Is she the reason you and your friends like it here so much?"

His face burned but he was spared from having to answer when Lindi came up to their table looking slightly disgruntled. At first, she didn't seem to realize who he was, much to his disappointment.

"I'm so sorry to keep you waiting. Can I get you something from…" Then, recognition showed on her face as she finally looked at him. She seemed a bit taken aback at first but composed herself and smiled politely. "Hello, Lupin. How are you?" She turned to his mother, "Hello."

His mother smiled back and returned the greeting, though, from the look she gave him, she was clearly disconcerted by the fact that her son was known by the pretty waitress. Great, now she'll think I'm in here all the time.

"Hello, Dellington," he said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Mum, this is Lindinara Dellington. She's in my year at Hogwarts, but in Ravenclaw."

"Really?" his mum looked more taken aback. "I thought for certain you were older than sixteen, dear. I must be getting old."

Lindi flushed and looked apologetic. "Actually, I'll be sixteen in the fall."

This news shocked even Remus. He had always assumed she was older from her appearance and considering the age requirement was eleven for first years…Lindi must have seen him calculating this in his head.

"The cutoff is January first at Bukalara. Our school year started end of January," she explained with a shrug.

"So, that's why you had to see Professor Dumbledore about your year before you sorted?" Remus asked.

"Yeah! How did you remember that? I hardly do."

You don't generally forget anything about the first time you lay eyes on the most beautiful girl you'll ever meet, he thought, but decided it would be better to say, "Well, it was a bit unusual."

"I guess it was." Lindi shrugged.

"What year were you in at Bukalara?" asked Remus. If his math was correct, she wouldn't have started fifth year until January, when she transferred…but they were already halfway through fifth year by then…

"I had just finished fourth year. That's why he wasn't sure which class to put me with. He felt it was better for me to repeat part of fourth than skip part of fifth, but I begged him to let me start in fifth," she said.

"Why? Didn't it bother you to miss so much?" asked Remus.

"Not as much as it would bother me for people to wonder what's wrong with me when they found out I was still in fourth year," she said, smirking. Remus must have looked confused because she sighed. "Apparently, I look too old to be in only fourth year and people automatically assume I'm dim. You wouldn't believe the number of times I've heard people mumbling behind my back when they learn my year. I've started giving my age instead. It saves a bit of embarrassment, although…" She was interrupted by one of the other waitresses.

"Lindi, Rosmerta said you can visit when you take your break. Mr. Malfoy's table wants another round," said the young woman.

Lindi pulled a face. "Could you get it for me Janice? I'll split the tip," she said pleadingly.

"Sorry, Lindi. They insist you bring it." Janice shrugged her shoulders and was off.

"Well, what can I get for you, Mrs. Lupin?" Lindi asked briskly.

"I think we'll just have a couple of butterbeers for now, won't we, dear?" she asked Remus. He smiled and nodded and wished his mum would stop calling him dear as if he were five.

He tried not to watch as Lindi walked over to the bar and placed their order then picked up the full tray for the Malfoy table. He didn't want to be accused of staring again. But as she approached the table, the men became more boisterous and even his mum glanced their way. He wondered how many rounds they had already imbibed.

"You're keeping us waiting, Lindi!" he heard someone say, but couldn't hear her response.

"A friend?" cried Bagman Sr. as she reached in and sat his drink on the table before him. "I want to be your friend too, Lindi," he said loudly as his arm flew around her and he grabbed her bum with a large meaty hand.

Remus watched in shock as she jumped away, losing control of the tray and the drinks still on it. She managed to save the tray, but not before a glass flew off and landed squarely in Lucius' lap. He let out a howl and Lindi winced when she saw what she had done. Instinctively, she grabbed the towel she carried and started to dab at the spill, apologizing as she did. When she realized what she was doing, she drew her hand back from his lap as if she had been scalded. Remus felt his jaw clench as Lucius stared at her with a wickedly twisted grin and said in a smarmy voice, "Don't stop now."

Remus started to pull out his wand and slide out of the booth but his mother hissed, "Sit down, Remus!" and before he could think, Madam Rosmerta was at Lindi's side.

"What's all this?" snapped Rosmerta.

"Your young waitress has spilled a drink on me and was just getting ready to blot it up," Malfoy said smoothly.

Rosmerta took out her wand and Remus could see the spot dry immediately.

"Lindi, apologize to Mr. Malfoy and get them another round," said Rosmerta calmly. "Bagman, you've had quite enough, and if you don't keep your hands off my girls, you're out. She's young enough to be your daughter."

As Lindi walked back to the bar, the men sniggered and made comments Remus couldn't hear. When she returned with the new drinks, Malfoy leered lustfully at her. She quickly sat them down and headed back to Remus' table. She started to set his mother's butterbeer down and noticed they already had some.

"Oh…did Janice bring those?" she asked. His mother nodded sympathetically.

"We were going to insist that you bring them but…" Remus said wryly and shrugged his shoulders.

Lindi rolled her eyes and started to apologize. Remus felt a small flutter in his stomach. He hadn't meant to embarrass her. He had hoped to make light of the situation, but she was so…sweet. It wasn't her fault; yet she was the one apologizing.

"I'm really sorry you've been waiting so long. Here…please have these on me." She set the butterbeer bottles down in front of them and insisted when his mother began to protest. They ordered sandwiches and Lindi got back to work.

"She seems like a nice girl," said his mother in a way that made Remus feel she was fishing for a reaction. This was territory he didn't want to tread with his mum at the moment.

"Yeah, I guess she is," he said as offhandedly as he could. "Sirius tried to get her to go out with him all last term," he added. If his mum thought Sirius liked Lindi, maybe that would throw her off of his trail.

"Oh, really? Didn't she go?"

"No, but it didn't stop him asking." His rather deceptive implication that Sirius liked Lindi seemed to work, and his mum busied herself watching the other patrons. Remus breathed a sigh of relief.

Shortly, the Malfoy party broke up. When Lindi went to clear their table, Lucius followed her back, and Remus could see him hold out his hand to her. She shook her head, looking embarrassed, but Lucius reached for her hand and pressed something into her palm. Then, he walked away in his superior fashion, disappearing out the door into the street. Lindi laid the coins on her tray and from where Remus sat, he guessed there must be at least five galleons. Big tip, he thought. She sure earned it.

Lindi returned to the bar and picked up their sandwich order and brought it to them. Rosmerta called for her to take her break and Remus watched his mum's face light up, making him a little nervous.

"Why don't you join us, Lindi? I can't possibly drink this other butterbeer," his mum said.

Lindi looked startled by the invitation and hesitated. Then, she cast a quick glance at him, and Remus thought he saw her cheeks flush slightly before she turned back to his mum. Is she thinking about what Lily said? he wondered hopefully.

"I don't want to intrude on your dinner," Lindi said.

"Don't be silly! I seldom get an opportunity to talk to Remus' friends from school…other than those three hoodlums he lives with." His mum winked and Lindi grinned.

"Mum, you know they're not hoodlums," Remus said quietly.

"If you say so, dear." She smiled at Lindi and shot her another wink. Lindi gave a look that suggested she wasn't so sure they weren't all hoodlums and smiled back. "Come on and join us…unless you had something else planned for your break?"

"Alright, thank you," said Lindi.

She slid into the booth next to his mum and looked across the table at him. He got the feeling he was being appraised and felt a bit self conscious of the circles that were undoubtedly under his eyes. Then he remembered what she had said to Lily, and he looked her squarely in the eye. Her reaction made him a bit lighter headed than he already felt. She seemed to catch her breath and looked away nervously. So…he really did have intense eyes. Or are they dreamy? No, she'd keep looking if it was the dreamy thing. But, either way, Remus thought, Cool! He felt a surge of confidence.

"So Lindi, do you have to put up with that kind of harassment often?" his mother said, bringing him back to reality, yet again.

"Well, that's definitely the worst I've had to deal with, so far. But, there is usually someone who can't handle his Firewhiskey and gets…fresh. Fortunately, Rosmerta is very protective, and everyone knows she won't put up with it." Lindi shrugged. "I don't know why men think just because a girl works in a pub, she wants to be felt up!" she said with a note of anger. Then she looked at his mother and raised her hand to her mouth in embarrassment. "Oh Mrs. Lupin, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that; I didn't mean to be vulgar."

"Don't worry about it, dear. Sometimes the truth isn't pretty," his mum said.

Remus felt a wave of relief that his mother hadn't been offended. He had never considered her to be a prude, but she was always very proper and never mentioned anything remotely sexual in front of him. Thank goodness!

"But don't think all men are beasts, Lindi," said his mum. "Why, if I ever caught wind that my Remus treated a girl shabbily, I'd throttle him to within an inch of his life!" she finished, throwing him a stern look.

Crap! he thought miserably. 'MY' Remus…why is she dragging me into this? He felt his cheeks burn and thought of Lindi's conversation with Lily again. Lindi thought he had treated Darlene and Bridget shabbily, didn't she? He looked across the table at her, and from the look she gave him, he knew she was thinking the same thing. He looked down at his half eaten sandwich. What little appetite he had was now gone, along with some of his confidence.

"Anyway…Do I understand correctly that you started school in Australia then, Lindi," his mother asked, "because you sound British?"

Remus was thankful for the shift in conversation. He also got the feeling he was about to learn a little about Lindi and looked up.

"I am. I was born in St. Mungo's, and we lived in several places around the UK before my mum died," Lindi replied. "Then I went to live with my great aunt in Australia. I lived with her until she died, back in December."

"Oh, Lindi, I'm so sorry. How old were you when your mum died?" asked his mother.

"I was ten. It was the summer before I started my first year at school. Although, I suppose I wouldn't have started until the following year if she hadn't died, since I would have gone to Hogwarts and missed the age cutoff."

"Ten is so young. I'm truly sorry," his mum said and Lindi nodded appreciatively.

"Thank you. I really miss her sometimes, but at least it was around the time I was ready to leave for school, when I would have missed her anyway…not like if I was a small child, still at home. Luckily, I was old enough to remember her, and I have really good and vivid memories. I suppose things can almost always be worse." Lindi was being very strong, but Remus saw her eyes starting to glisten. Apparently, so did his mother, as she changed the subject.

"So, how did you end up in Hogsmeade? Do you have family here?"

"Yes, Rosmerta is my second cousin. Her mum and my grandmotherwere sisters. After my Aunt Ronnie died, I didn't have anywhere to go, so she agreed to let me come and stay here during school breaks. She lets me have one of the rental rooms and board, and I get to work during holidays. Plus, it gave me the opportunity to go to Hogwarts. With Hogsmeade right next door, it made sense that I try to get accepted there, instead of going all the way back and forth to Bukalara."

"Well, did you enjoy living in Australia?" his mum asked brightly.

"Yes, it's quite beautiful…but I am glad to be back in Britain. It was a bit warm where we were and don't even get me started on the creepy crawlies!" Lindi gave a dramatic shiver. Remus smiled. Not only was she stunning, but she was cute as well. He found himself liking her more by the minute.

"They have some fairly nasty snakes down under, don't they?" he asked and laughed at her reaction. Just the thought made her wince.

"Aunt Ronnie used to find them in the cellar." She shivered involuntarily that time. "Let's not talk about them please."

"Alright," he said.

Lindi smiled thankfully and took a drink of her butterbeer. He watched her as she pressed the bottle to her lips and swallowed. He had to stifle a groan. Ohh, Merlin, you are gorgeous…I'll talk about whatever you want. Look at those lips…lucky butterbeer, he thought. He swallowed hard as she lowered the bottle back to the table and he noticed his mother looking at him, frowning as if she had heard his thoughts. He felt his ears go hot. He didn't know what was wrong with him…he had liked girls before, but he wasn't usually so…stupid about it. Mum is sitting right there! Get a grip, Remus!

"Well, what do you think of Hogwarts, Lindi?" his mother asked, glaring at him before finally looking away. Lindi's face lit up with a smile.

"Oh, it's fabulous! I had wanted to attend Hogwarts since I was a little girl. I can remember being at King's Cross when I was ten and watching the students board the Hogwarts Express…This one girl was crying and holding on to her mum. I couldn't understand why she didn't want to go…I was so jealous!"

Remus thought back to his first trip on the Hogwarts Express; he had been so excited to be going to Hogwarts. He realized that Lindi must be referring to his own first year. He remembered the day so clearly. He too, had watched as a girl cried in her mum's arms…Suddenly, Remus remembered watching a girl…a pretty, dark-haired girl who had watched the same scene enviously. Goosebumps sprang to life on his arms. How many chance encounters could be considered coincidence? Remus mentally catalogued his past brushes with Lindi. He saw her his first year at King's Cross, then two years later at the Three Broomsticks, and finally on her first day at Hogwarts. It was almost like... kismet, but Remus didn't believe in destiny. He was in control of his own life. But when Lindi smiled at something his mother said, and his ears burned a brighter shade of crimson, Remus suddenly wished he did believe in fate. He almost blurted out that he had seen Lindi on the platform, but she was still talking.

"I couldn't wait to go. I always heard it was the finest school in the world and I believe it. The library alone is spectacular! Bukalara was good, but it just wasn't up to Hogwarts standard. I learned that pretty quickly. I don't think I would have been so keen to jump in midway through fifth year if I had known what I know now," she said.

"I have to admit, I'm a bit surprised Professor Dumbledore would agree to it," said his mum.

"I was, too. But I think he realized how desperate I was and must have felt sorry for me. I didn't think he was going to agree for a while. He just stared at me…it was like he was trying to read my mind to see if I knew enough. I think I must have subconsciously tried to convince him I did. All of a sudden everything I'd ever learnt came flashing into my head…even things I don't even remember learning. It was strange." Lindi shrugged befuddled.

Remus thought briefly about a form of magic he had read about. Some wizards could sort of read minds. He would bet that if anyone could, it was Albus Dumbledore.

"But, next thing I knew, he was letting me join fifth year," Lindi continued briskly. "I was thrilled, until I realized how behind I was, once classes got started. Well, actually…I'm still behind," she said as she glanced at Remus, looking embarrassed. "I guess it just goes to show that anyone, even Professor Dumbledore, can make mistakes. He should have put me in fourth year. I'm afraid I made quite a mess of my Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L. practical," she admitted quietly.

"Did you pass?" asked Remus delicately, though he already knew the answer. Lindi gave a little snort and shook her head.

"Hardly!" she said. "I think they had to create an entirely new category of failure for me, S for Stinksap!"

"Sorry," he said, smiling sympathetically.

"Thanks, but it didn't come as a big shock or anything. I'm sure you know that, since we had class together. How about you? I could tell you're good at it."

"Yeah, I did alright."

"Alright?" cried his mum. "You got Outstanding!" She beamed proudly at him.

"Mum," Remus said softly as he flushed in embarrassment.

"Wow," said Lindi, her eyes wide with awe. "That's very impressive. You must be really gifted."

His face grew hotter. "I don't think it's a gift so much as really concerted effort."

"Don't listen to him, Lindi," said his mum. "He does work hard because he loves school, but he's also very talented. He always has been." Remus rolled his eyes as his mum practically glowed with pride. "If you're having trouble with Defense, Remus could certainly help you."

Thank you, Mum! But his mother must have realized from the hopeful gleam in his eyes, just how much Remus would love to help Lindi and she bristled.

"Of course, being in different houses, it would probably be very inconvenient," his mother added quickly. "It is much easier to have study partners in your own house. I'm sure Ravenclaw has some very good tutors you could use."

Thanks a lot, mum.

"Merlin's beard!" his mother cried. She was distracted by a group of women who had entered the pub. "It's Sophia Chambers. I haven't seen her in ages. You don't mind if I go say hello, do you?"

Lindi and Remus looked at each other. They were both obviously unsure about being left at the table alone, but Remus thought the conversation had been quite good so far, with the exception of the treating-girls-shabbily bit. Lindi stood to let his mum out of the booth and hesitated for a moment as if she were about to say she needed to get back to work or something. But after the moment's hesitation, she sat back down across from him and they shared an awkward moment of silence.

Come on, Remus, think of something to say…Don't just sit here like a stump…think…No, not the weather…come on… He realized his brain was a little sluggish. After all, it was the day after full moon. He suddenly felt a little better about getting caught staring at Lindi so much.

"So, have you seen anyone from school over summer holiday?" he finally asked.

She looked as relieved as he was at the benign conversation. "Yes, quite a few people have come in…You?'

"Yes. James, Sirius, Peter and I have gotten together a couple of times," he said.

"Oh really, and what sort of mischief have you lot gotten up to?"

Remus smiled and let out a small snort. The Marauders really did have a bit of a reputation, didn't they?

"Nothing too dastardly…they were pretty quiet visits actually," he said. If you'd consider running around the forest with a werewolf quiet…

"Why do I find that hard to imagine?" she asked. He shrugged his shoulders innocently and she smirked. There was a slight lull in the conversation and then out of nowhere, she said, "Well, have you heard from Darlene Wilkins?"

Remus felt as if he'd just been punched. "I'm sorry?"

"You know…Darlene Wilkins…in Ravenclaw," she said in a rather accusatory tone.

"Yes, I know Darlene. But, I don't know why you would think I was in touch with her?" He hoped he sounded casual and not as defensive as he felt. He wanted to get this cleared up right away, especially if she and Darlene were friends.

"Well, after you went out with her, right before O.W.L.s, she got the impression that…" But, her sentence was interrupted by the return of his mother. Remus looked away to hide his annoyance and then turned back and forced a smile.

"That was quick, Mum."

"Yes, she was in a rush. We're going to get together for tea next week when we go into Diagon Alley, while you and your father get your school supplies. She has to pick up Henry's things. Do you ever see him? He's in Hufflepuff, I think…second or third year."

"Not often, Mum," Remus said distractedly; he was too engaged in a staring contest with Lindi at the moment. It didn't last long. Lindi started to blush and looked away quickly.

"I better be getting back to work. My break was over a while ago," Lindi said as she stood to let Mrs. Lupin back into the booth. "It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Lupin. Have a safe trip home."

"Good bye, Lindi," said his mum. "You take care. Remus, we better get over to the station."

Lindi looked at Remus and barely met his eyes. "See you at school, I guess."

"Right," he replied quietly. CRAP! That didn't end the way it was supposed to. CRAAAP!