THE BEST OF ME
Chapter 9: THE BEST GIFT OF ALL IS BEING TOGETHER
Previously:
Every part of his body felt heavy, like heavy shackles had bind his arms and legs; then, followed by a long chain attached to a heavy metal ball.
"..."
He felt his head throbbed at the memories of his old pack, the metallic smell of blood purged his nostrils and he almost puked his breakfast. 'Bury them, bury them!' He chanted over and over in his head, as flashes of corpses of his old pack appeared in his mind and a man stood in the middle of those bodies.
"..."
"Buggers, are you okay, mr. Wolfie?" They said and by the softness and pitch of their voice, Remus confirmed it was a young girl. "Don't worry, I'll get you out of there."
..."You're safe now, mr. Wolfie."
"..."
Remus look thoughtful for a minute, "You're telling me, because of this Super Moon, my furry side had gotten a little active." He hypothesized which the old wizard nodded and he paled a little bit at that thought, "Don't tell me that kind of moon will enhance the wolf more?" He questioned wincing a little bit, clearly bot fond of that idea.
"..."
Suddenly, a frown had suddenly appear in her face, "You're a little pale…" She said, "Are you feeling alright?"
"..."
"Hey, are you busy later?" She asked, tilting her head and something flashed in her eyes which he eventually identified, hope...why is she feeling that?
"..."
Shaking his head, he leaned down and whispered in a quiet voice, "The answer is C." He said and he receive a grin from the redhead which he couldn't help, but snort.
"..."
He saw the young Hufflepuff still smiling brightly despite of the harmful gossips surrounding her. Her aura had never stop releasing its joyful energy, but he knew there was something wrong with her. Even if she wasn't showing it, he can somehow feel her sadness that was buried underneath this jolly facade.
..."Hey, Tonks, how about, I read you a book." He suggested with a grin, hoping the young girl would agree and she did.
"..."
Sighing, he opened the book and begun to read, but a fond smile was present on his face. 'I glad that my suggestion cheered her up a little bit.'
"..."
The wolf followed the scent through the forest until it reached the end of it. He could see the castle at the distance and the wolf realized that he'd reached the school grounds. Why had the scent brought him there? His ears twitched up, catching the sound of footsteps and out of a sudden, a dark hooded figure sat down a few steps from him. His first reaction was to get defensive.
The wolf bared its teeth and growled in warning; he was ready to jump at the newcomer anytime, but then he caught the scent. That strange fragrance that felt so familiar and...attracting.
"Who's there?" a soft voice asked in a whisper.
"..."
"Thank you." She whispered, pulling away from him and a genuine smile appeared on her face. What the—before, he could even speak, she walked away, but not before bidding him goodbye first.
She left him there, with his thoughts swirling in his heads, as many question marks appeared in his mind. But, one question stand out from the rest, 'What is she thanking me for?'
"That enchanted door prank will be a buzz!" Tonks exclaimed, but her voice was suppressed by her laughs. Bill who was with them gave a quiet cackle and Remus shook his head in amusement at the displayed gaiety of his friends' laughter.
In the early evening, Tonks showed the two Gryffindor boys a package of enchantment tags. She explained that his father's foreigner coworker gave it to him, as an early Christmas present; not knowing what to do with them, her father send it to her.
Oh, Mr. Tonks didn't know what he just released.
That's why when dinner rolled around, Tonks sat with them at the very end of the table. At first, they received a lot of glares, annoyed and odd looks, but eventually his fellow Gryffindors ignored the three of them. The Hufflepuff girl begun explaining her plan, when everyone is asleep, the three of them will sneak out in their own dorms and—her explanation was cut short when Bill interjected the obvious question in the Hufflepuff girl's plan.
The redhead asked about Filtch and his cat, on how they'll sneak past him and the same can be said to the painting or staff members.
The young girl simply rolled her eyes at him and Lupin still remembers the mad glint in her eyes. She simply told them that the three of them will be cladded in clothings of black when she said that, the young werewolf teased her about reading too much spy and secret agents stories. He stop laughing and smiled sheepishly after the girl gave him a glare. Well, back to the plan. Tonks told them that she has possession of an invisibility cloak and nobody commented anything after that.
She begun explaining how the tags were used and how she already put different Christmas carrols both from Wizards and Muggleborn song genre. Tonks told them that you'll just have to trow them and said the word Akutib, for them to stick and set on the spell. She already enchanted a trigger for the tags to activate it and Remus couldn't help, but be impress.
The young werewolf politely asked her if he could see the box of tags of hers. Tonks happily obliged and when the box was in his hands, Remus pulled out his wand and muttered a quick spell. He adjusted a few things and when she asked about what he did, he would held out his pointing finger near his lips.
"A magician never reveal his tricks, Nymphadora." He grins, pushing the medium size cardboard box back to her, "Now, does that satisfy you enough? I had done a little trick, so you don't have to drag me out of my bed."
The young girl rolled her eyes at him when she took her box back from the young auburn lad, "I find it quite odd that the most mischievous one here in our little group is also the goody shoes one." She implied, crossing her arms in front of her chest, as she arched her neck to meet his eyes. Both stormy gray and forest green orbs met at a point, both stares stubbornly stayed put; not one had batted their eyes away because both of them knew that it meant defeat.
He watched, as a playful smirk appeared on her face. "Tell me Remus, what's your excuse, for not joining me?"
"Sleeping; also, I want to finish something that I've been working on." He answered; his eyes still gazing at her own and he felt confident that this young Hufflepuff girl will not be able to lock him with her spell.
"Are you sure?"
"Yup."
At his answer she went silent for a moment and he mentally let out a smile, thinking he might have a chance on this; however, her next words shocked him. She pulled back with a understanding look plastered on her face, "Ok." She simply said and it took him five seconds to organize his jumble thoughts.
..."Come again?" Did he heard things right? Tonks has a iron-willed mind, there's no bloody way that she gives up that easi—"Like, I said it's ok." She answered again, "You have things to do and I don't want to force you, so I respect your decision to not join me."
He felt his throat clogged up and he was about to speak again when the hooded girl turned towards their redhead friend who was sitting besides him.
"How about you, Bill," She begun with a grin on her face, "Would you like to join me?"
Remus swiftly twisted his neck to his friend's direction and he watches the way his friend's forhead squeezed in the middle, as he thought about the Hufflepuff girl's offer.
"I don't know..." At his uncertain answer, Tonks encourages him with a nod. "It's fine, Bill." She cuts in the redhead's line of thoughts, "You can say no if you want, my words with Remus applies to you too."
Bill begun rubbing his chin with his thumb and index finger, "Well—" Before he could finished his sentence, the young werewolf accidently grips his metal goblet to hard and the sound of metal being crumpled a little to bit was audible enough for his two friends to hear. He felt himself heating up at the stares he was getting from his two companions; although, despite his embarrassment...deep inside he was cursing his furry fella and his gifts.
'Great, now they'll know.' The tip of his ears must be red now from both making an utter fool of himself and for revealing who he is...a monster. Slowly, he let his fingers withdraw from the metal goblet and he winced at the five slightly deel bents that was marked by his finger.
There was a whistle from Bill, as he stared at his newly shape goblet, "Remind me to not get under your skin, Remus." He shuddered a little bit before letting out a nervous laugh, "However, I'm amazed."
He sighed in relief before turning to Tonks to see her reaction. The young Hufflepuff has both of her eyebrows raised, "For a book worm you're really strong..." She trailed off and it made him a little uneasy, "Are you working out or something?"
Seeing that it wasn't a lie since it's not, he nodded and his answer have satisfied them, but he gets the feeling that Tonks was still not convinced, but he was happy that she didn't showed her suspicion. The young werewolf let out a anxious laugh; although, at the back of his mind, he was happily smiling that they didn't questioned him any further.
Both of his two friends went back to their conversation, "Can you say you're answer again, Bill?" Tonks asked him and the redhead gaver her a small nod. "Well—"
However, before he could finish again. Remus let out a loud sigh, "Fine, I'll go with you." He said numbly; as, a result he received an amused and concerned smile from the hooded Hufflepuff girl.
"Are you sure?" She asked staring intensely at him and he nods with gritted teeth.
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"How sure are you?"
"Tonks, are you gonna interrogate me even if I had already said yes a lot of times."
"I'm worried, Remus. You shouldn't have force yourself if you don't wa—"
"I didn't forced myself because I happily obliged that I'll come."
"At first you—"
"Woman, how many times do I have to say yes, for you to understand that I had joined your little side quest."
"Well fine; although, what changed your mind?"
"I—" Now that he thought of it...why did he joined her again? Although, he should quickly answer right now since he might look weird with his mouth open for a long time, "I had already said yes, why would you still ask that?"
He watched her face lit up a little bit, "Alright, I get it, I will ask no more." She proclaimed first before turning back to Bill who watched the whole exchanged with a amused look. "How about you, Bill?"
As if nothing had happened, Bill flashed a smile at them. "Well, I'm in." He said with a shrugged, "Besides friends don't leave friends."
Then, his smile turned into a smirk. "Also, it might be fun." He said, turning to Remus. "Besides the first time I caused trouble was with you, Remus."
He raised an eyebrow at him, "Since when?"
Bill looked up, pretending to think for a moment. "Tonks is right—"
Said girl quickly chimed in, "Oh, thank you."
"You are the most mischievous one here." He continued not minding the young girl's interruption, while letting his eyes down that was gazing up at the ceiling to stare at him, "And also remember the time you asked me to steal some potions because Ceasar and his goons are bu—hmmph? Hhhhhhph!"
The redhead glared at his fellow Gryffindor, his hand had quickly flew out to cover the redhead's mouth. Remus met his glare with one of his own that translates to 'Tell her and I'll do something worse than threatening you!'
A satisfied smirk was drawn on his lips when the Weasley understood his message. Slowly, but surely, he turned his gaze back to Tonks, his features relaxing a little bit, as he adress her.
"Let's discuss pros and cons."
"..."
"You look ridiculous...hahahaha." The redhead Weasley quietly laugh, as he held his aching stomach and Remus gave him a annoyed glare. Good thing they are the only one who are occupying this room in their house's dorm because it might cause him more trouble if he interacted more with his other housemates.
He surpass a shadow at that thought. Is he getting a severe case of anxiety...no, that can't be it. He's just over reacting, but human interactions—he shudders again—might be complicated; also, count him lucky that he have got himself some friends and...
Both of them had done so much for him.
Sighing, he look down to see he was cladded in black garbs. He wore a fit black shirt and a pair of black baggy pants with patches sewed on the right kneecap of the cloth and near the thigh. As, he further observed his choice of clothing, he finds out that nothing was wrong with it.
He slowly narrowed his eyes at his friend, "I see nothing wrong in my style of choice?" He seethed, his face slowly heating up because of his awkwardness or anger. He doesn't know and the redhead in front of him isn't making it much easy.
Bill's laughter ceased, he heaved a lot of air before answering him. "Sorry, mate...it's just you're wearing that ridiculous mask." He pointed at Remus' black ski mask that he was already wearing.
At his answer, he rolled his eyes at him and just trow his extra ski mask to his face, and it hit him with a Splat. "In the books, raiders and thieves wear masks to sneak around." He remarked with a shrug, while watching the redhead pulled the mask down on his face.
The Weasley waved off his statement with his hand, "If Tonks laugh at us—we won't be hearing the end if it." He murmured under his breath; then, he went quiet for three seconds and Remus was about to turn his head to check what's wrong when—"Help me, Remus, I can't breathe, stupid muggle stuff!"
He stood there eyeing the redhead who was stumbling on where he stood and most of all he wore the ski mask backwards. Remus stared at him for four and a half second before he bursts out a laugh. "You're the one who look ridiculous now!" He pointed his finger at him.
When he had enough, he took a pause to conserve himself and besides his cheeks hurts, for laughing a lot. Taking pity at the redhead boy, he took a step forward; steady him and pulled the mask to the left, resulting it to turn. When the holes of the ski mask are on the right places, he clamped his hand on the shorter boy's shoulder.
"Come one let's go." He ordered seriously, turning around, for the Weasley to not see the joyful look in his forest green eyes.
Quietly both of them sneak out of their rooms, down the stairs, to the common room and out of the painting where they met a girl cladded in black clothes just like them, but unlike the ski masks both of the two boys were wearing, she wore a simple black mask that covered the area where her eyes are.
Remus saw Bill gaped at her, "You too!" He quietly shouted. Although, the mask had covered half of her face, the young werewolf could see her right eyebrow raising at the redhead in question.
"In the books, raiders and thieves wore masks to sneak around." She explained and at the same time rolling her gray colored eyes at their redhead friend. Her statement made the young auburn haired boy kind of proud which confused him at first. Shaking his head, he turned to Bill who wore an amused look.
He pointed both of his fingers at the two of them, "Your minds are in sync." He stated simply before fully turning to Tonks, "So where to first?"
"Well you have to follow me first." She stated, turning around and started walking away with the two boys in her trail. Remus quickly caught up to her, "Still wearing the hoodie?" He questioned and the young girl responded with a grin.
"It's style, Remus." She replied, but the young werewolf still pestered.
"I like your mousy brown hair, you look pretty." He shrugged and his words made her froze. Her eyes stared at a corner which confused him a little bit. Was she avoiding him? However, a big lopsided grin appeared on his face at her next word.
"Thanks." She replied before walking again.
"..."
"Really, Filtch's office?" He felt a bead of sweat rolling down on his face, as he stared at the brown door that separates them from their school caretaker's personal private room.
The girl besides him had a wicked glint in her eyes, "Hhhhmm." She smirks and he didn't questioned her any further.
Tonks brought out one of the tags from her satchel and throws it to the door. The paper quickly stick to the door, "Akutib." She wisphered and the paper emitted a yellow glow before disappearing.
"Cool." Bill gaped at the magic enchantment paper.
"..."
"I find it odd," Remus begun, facing the window; his mind clouded with questions. The other two who were in the divination classroom stared at him with raised eyebrows. He turned his head towards to the Hufflepuff girl, "That we haven't had seen Filtch, any adults or ghosts." He exclaimed which he received a disapproving sigh from Tonks.
"Foreshadowing is bad you know?" She clicked her tongue and scrunched up her nose, "Let's be glad that we aren't caught yet." She stated with a grin.
"..."
The three of them were already done distributing their mischiefs when Remus picked up the sound of thumping boots. He turned to his companions, "Filtch at ten o'clock." He informed them and Tonks understanding the situation quickly drape the invisibility cloak over them.
They watched; Filtch passed the spot where they stood; however, the old man paused and stared at them. Bill sucked in his breath, as the man's yellow tired droopy eyes examined them. Four seconds had passed when the man finally moved on down the hall with his cat following in his steps.
The redhead besides Remus let out the breath he was holding earlier, "That's a close one," He sighed and Tonks pulled her invisibility cloak off them. "Good thing you have this cloak, Tonks."
Said girl grinned, "Thanks, got it from a paranoid man."
Should he worry about that statement? Although, Tonks is a mysterious girl, so the young werewolf will let it be. "Looks like we had all doors in the castle tagged." He noted, eyeing the empty bag of the hooded girl; at the same time using his keen vision to observed the hallways.
The young Hufflepuff girl grinned victoriously, "That went fine." She commented while fixing the strap of her satchel. "Come on, let's go back to our rooms."
They were walking down the stairs when Remus heard it...a voice, calling out to him, slowly whispering his name; each syllables echoing, making him shiver. Turning his head, he tried to seek out those whispers, but they quickly seized.
"What the—" But, before he could finished his sentence, something grabbed him. His eyes widened at the black long fingers that wrapped their selves around him. He begun calling for help, as he struggles in the binds. He searched for his friends; only to not find them there.
He twisted his whole body, trying to shake off this unknown black substance that was trying to strangle him. That's when he heard it, the voice calling out to him.
"Remus..."
"Remus..."
"Remus..."
The voice became louder and he recognized it, the voice...it was his brother's. He felt the hands that was holding him, gripped tighter, as he heard his brother's voice next words.
"Find it..."
"In the room..."
"Remus..."
"Remus..."
"Remus!" His eyes widened at the familiar voice that wasn't his brother's. Looking down, he saw Tonks shaking him and Bill standing behind her. Both kids were wearing a worried look on their faces, but the girl in front of him stare anxiously at him. Her grip tightened on his shoulders before pulling him in a hug.
"Merlin, I was so worried about you." She whispered, her lips are near his right ear and he felt his face getting warm at the close proximity of her lips on his skin.
'Pull yourself together, Remus.' He thought, 'I need to know what happened earlier and Tonks is a little distress.'
Seeing that he wasn't gonna get any answer from her, Remus turned to Bill. "What happened?" He questioned, staring intensely at the redhead who still wore that concerned look on his features."Bill?"
The red haired boy in front if him gulped, "You were staring at the painting for a whole two minutes, mate." He explained; then, shakes his head to calm himself. "You weren't responding, so we freaked out and tried to snap you out of it."
At his answer, Remus squinted his eyes at him in confusion. The color in his forest green eyes darkened, as his mind filled itself with questions, he was puzzled that's what he understood. So slowly he asked, "What painting?
Bill pointed his finger to his right and Remus tried to turned his head when Tonks quickly tugged his shirt, "No, don't!" She warned, but he didn't heed her warning since he had already stared at the painting and nothing happened.
The image in the portrait was a wolf feeding two babies, basically Remus and Romulus. "Huh, did my brother Romulus tried to call me." He joked; although, Tonks was clearly not amused at his silly antics. "I'm fine, really."
However, something in his joke made him realize something. 'Did he really—no that can't be it.' He thought with a frown; then, looking down, he saw Tonks still embracing him, her arms still wrapped tightly around his neck.
"I'm fine, Tonks, you can let go now." He reassured her, but the girl stubbornly refused. Sighing, he rubbed circles at her back to ease her, "Thank you, Tonks." He murmured before turning to Bill, "You too, Bill."
The young girl wasn't sure at first, but slowly, she removed her arms that was hugging his neck. "Come on let's go back to our rooms." He told them with a smile.
"..."
"Are you sure that you'll be fine on your own, Tonks?" At his question the young Hufflepuff girl smiled at him, "Oh, does Remus Lupin wants to be my escort." She teased and something in him wanted to answer yes, but he remained quiet.
Seeing that he wasn't responding to her tease, she quickly spoke. "It's okay, Remus, I have my invisibility cloak with me..." She trailed off, biting down on her lower lip. "Is it me who should be asking that, Remus."
He quirked an eyebrow at her, "What do you mean?"
"That you'll be fine?" She blurted out with a straight face, leaving him speechless and flustered. His heart fluttered in joy, "I'm okay, Tonks," He begun, taking a breath before going. "Besides, I have you guys here with me, so I'll be fine." He confessed, pulling his ski mask further down, hoping to hide his embarrass face.
Trough the eye holes of his mask, he saw Tonks softly smiling at him. Then, he heard Bill calling out to him, "Come on, Remus!" He shouted, but not loud enough for other people except them to hear. He told him that he'll be on his way before turning his gaze back to Tonks, "See you at class tomorrow, Tonks."
"The same can be said to you," She nods; then, turned to Bill. "See you, Bill." She yelled, loud enough for the redhead to hear. The Weasley returns her goodbye, "You too, Tonks!" He exclaimed before entering their house.
Remus was about to follow him when Tonks pulled him in another hug, "Goodbye to you too, Remus." She smiled, pulling away and covered herself with her invisibility cloak.
He watched her disappear, listening to her soft footsteps until it ceased; even though, she's gone, her jasmine scent still lingers. Sighing, he turned back to the open portrait that leads to the Gryffindor's common room where Bill was waiting.
"..."
It was hilarious, whenever somebody comes in to the room, Christmas carols from both muggle's and wizard's begins to play. However, it became more funny when a Santa Claus' deep voice would come after the end of the song.
"Hohoho, Merry Christmas!" Tonks gave the young werewolf a sweet smile and a thumbs up for that.
Nobody was spared from this hilarious prank because every door in the castle were rigged with Tonks' enchantment tags.
The harmless prank was fun at first, but a lot of wizards and witches quickly got annoyed. Remus and Bill watched, as their potion professor's face turned crimson red from annoyance. Everyone could clearly see the steams sprouting out from his ears. In the background, the song "Jingle Bells" was still playing.
"Dashing trough the snow—" Bill was quietly laughing while Remus wore an amused grin. This was really funny, he admits. He begun thinking about the young Hufflepuff girl and what's her reaction to this.
'She might be laughing her head right now.' He mused, turning back to professor Snape who begun shouting threats.
"Who did this bloody nasty trick!"
Christmas morning was as festive as it could ever get. Remus woke up to find a small tower of presents lying at the feet of his bed and his owl staring at him. He tried to ignore the pinch of grief that hit his chest when he remembered his loneliness at times like this. Then, he remembered his friends and a small smile twitched upwards on his lips.
He turned to his roommate who was already up and opening his presents, but before he could rip the red wrapping, he turned his gaze first at the young werewolf. "Open my present first, Remus." He stated bluntly before grinning, "And marry Christmas!"
Sighing, he turned to his presents. There were four in total. Like his friend's request, he opened Bill's gift first. Gently removing the paper, he found himself staring at a medium wooden sculpture of a owl. He was impressed at the art work that was in his hand. Turning it, he found something written at the bottom below.
It was the date of where he asked Bill for help in his first prank here at Hogwarts. Smiling, he set it down on his stand and begun opening the remaining gifts.
A book about dragons with a picture of a Hungarian Horntail on the cover was from Hagrid and new robes plus honeydrops from Dumbledore. Then, he paused at the present that was from Tonks, so slowly he opened it. It was a book, but when he opened it, all the pages were blank and when he turned the book upside down, a bookmark fell from the pages.
What a likely coincidence, he gave her the same gift too. Besides the chocolate that came with the gift, but what of the odds.
He picked it up and the scent of lupines where present on the paper. Although, what surprise him was the picture on the bookmark, it's a wolf. Dread filled him, but before he could jump to the clouds, he saw something written on the paper.
"I am a wolf:
It is in my nature to be kind, gentle. and loving.
My loyalty is everlasting and my strength is endless.
When it comes to matters of protecting my friends, my family and my heart.
Do not triffle with me, for I am the most powerful and relentless creature that you will ever face.
Let the wolves run free!"
Something in his heart ached whether from joy or sadness. He felt tears building up in his eyelids and he'll really look stupid right now for crying. However, horror filled him—does she knows?
Don't get him wrong, he likes the quote, but he's worried on how the young Hufflepuff girl will view him now. He was muttering under his breath, out of habit, when he heard Bill called his name.
"Remus!" Turning to the redhead, he found Bill wearing the new claw earring he gave him as a present. "This earring is better than my metal one!" He exclaimed and Remus was glad that the redhead liked his present, it brings joy in his heart.
Although, the truth is...that claw was from another wolf that he encountered in the forbidden forest while on a hunt. Let's just say that the two of them didn't get along and Remus fought him off to claim his territory. Wolves aren't kind, gentle or even loving. They're just nasty creatures...
Shaking his head, he snapped himself out of his pessimist head. However, one queation remains...
Does she knows that he's a fowl beast. With a sigh, he turned back to his redhead friend.
"Ah, glad you like it." He said, getting up to get dressed. "Come on, we'll be meeting Tonks in the Great hall."
Also, to ask her about the bookmark and if she knows.
"..."
The Great Hall was wonderfully decorated with fifty trees illuminated with fairy lights. Each tree had its own theme with colourful garlands, spheres, tinsels and crystals. The teachers were already sitting in their places at the end of the hall. Professor Dumbledore was cheerfully talking to professor McGonagall and Flitwick; Hagrid was laughing loudly at some joke that Professor Sprout had said and Professor Kettleburn was telling Madam Hooch a mad story about his encounter with mischievous pixies.
Everything is festive except for Professor Snape who sat next to Professor Dumbledore with a sneer on his face.
As soon as Bill and him entered the hall, he saw Tonks waving cheerfully at them. "Wotcher! Marry Christmas, guys!" She greeted them with a jolly smile.
Despite what transpired earlier, he pushed those thoughts back to his mind and smiled at her. Her presence alone lit up the entire room, maybe she was Christmas' joy itself. He was about to greet her when Bill beat him to it.
"Marry Christmas, Tonks!" He exclaimed; at the same time, showing a bag full of food to the young Hufflepuff girl, "I love it, Tonks! Dad will be happy if I sent some muggle sweets to him and also, you pack marshmallows!"
At the redhead's cheerfulness, Remus couldn't bring himself to glare at the young Weasley. "Glad to know you like it, Bill. By the way, I love the Zonko products that you gave me, oh when classes starts, they won't know what's coming!" She thanked him with a cheeky grin present on her heart shaped face.
Shaking his head on joyful annoyance, he finally greeted her. "Merry Christmas to you Nymphadora." He stated and as expected, a groan came from the hooded girl.
"Don't call me Nympha—" Although, before she could finish her favourite phrase. He quickly added in, "So, did you like my gift."
Ah that reminds him of something...
He watched with a smile when Tonks brought out a book and a bookmark. Besides him, he heard Bill laughing. "Your minds are really in sync, bookmarks and a empty book! Hahaha," He snorted and Remus slightly elbow him on his ribs.
Feeling the heat on his face, he turned his head to the right. "So, you like it?" He questioned, his face still not turning towards her; however, he almost double over when the young girl suddenly hugged him. "Like it?" She giggle with a raised eyebrow, "I love it!"
At her exclamation, his smile widened; however, it almost dropped at her next words. "What about mine, do you like my gift?" She asked him and he felt awkward.
"I love it too..." He honestly said, but her stare made him tell the whole truth, "But, why a wolf? Aren't they beasts? especially a monster?"
He expected disgust from her, but he had received a understanding; at the same time disappointed. "Wolves aren't beasts, they're kind, gentle and loving creatures." She explained, "They're loyal too, so what makes these beautiful creatures a monster?"
Remus gaped at her, "How would you know that?"
She held him tighter, "Because one had saved me." She simply answered before pulling away and a soft smile appeared on her face, "Come on, let's dine in!"
The heavy mood was gone and her jouyful aura filled the space again. To distracted with his thoughts, especially her statement earlier. He was surprised when Tonks grabbed his right hand with hers, just to drag him to the table where Bill had already sat and started eating. At the background, he heard Professor Dumbledore announcing, "Merry Christmas, young students! Have a jolly holiday"
At his two friends' joyful faces, a smile made its way on his lips, 'Jolly indeed.'