Chapter 51

Samantha Hart

Samantha Hart was sitting at the Ravenclaw table, eating lunch with a couple of her friends. Her black hair swished as she laughed at something her friend had said. Remus gulped. How could he have been so foolish? Samantha would never go out with him. And really, how could he expect her to? He was a monster.

No, he would not—could not—do that to someone.

Sighing, he took one last, longing glance at her, then turned and traipsed back down the hallway. He just couldn't do that someone.

~8)

Remus Lupin! He was walking out of the Great Hall, looking very dejected.

"Remus!"

"Hey, Alice."

Remus was looking so forlorn, rather like a lost puppy, that Alice felt she had to ask what was wrong, even if she was bursting with frustration and impatience inside to ask where Lily was.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing… nothing…"

Why did boys have to be so bloody annoying sometimes!

"Remus. Tell me what's wrong."

"It doesn't matter, really."

"Remus John Lupin! I'm having a really rough day here, and I would appreciate it if you would tell me what the bloody hell is the matter with you, so I can ask you what I need to ask you!"

Remus stared at her, his mouth agape. "I—uh—it's not—"

"I'm waiting…" Alice said, tapping her foot impatiently, and staring at Remus with a don't-mess-around-with-me look.

"Well… I wanted to ask Samantha out—"

"Samantha Hart?"

"Yeah…"

"But…"

"But, I can't."

"That's ridiculous! Samantha would be bloody lucky to be asked out by you, and if she knows what's good for her, she'll say yes when you ask her next time!"

"Next time?"

"Yes, next time! There will be a next time!"

"There will?"

"Yes, you better be bloody well sure there's a bloody next time!"

"Okay…"

"Okay!"

"Okay!" he said more assertively. Then, he took off toward the Great Hall, yelling over his shoulder, "Thanks, Alice!"

"Wait! Remus! URGH!" Alice huffed. Remus was no help. She couldn't believe it was coming to this.