PART 2 Remus
I.
Days, weeks went by. Sam had her hands full with preparing the jubileƩ party - and with teaching. Lupin had been very satisfied with the job she had done until his return. So they made an agreement: Sam continued teaching on her own the half of the Defence Against the Dark Arts classes, Lupin took the other half.
They liked each other and soon found out that they had many things in common. Often they sat together after lessons and talked. Sam was fascinated of Remus' spontaneity, his energy and his adventurous travel years. He had worked with the curse breakers in Egyptian pyramids and taught on wizard schools worldwide. Lupin liked Sams enthusiasm, her cheerful nature and her creativity. Sam was a passionate painter. Sometimes they went together to Hogsmeade where he bought new books at Flourish & Blotts and she bought paint, brushes or canvas at "Paint & Brush - Accessoires for visual artists since 1470" which was owned by Jebediah Paint and Abraham Brush who was Robin's father. Since Sam mentioned that the young man in the doctor's coat, who once waved through the shopwindow, when she and Lupin went by, was her fiance, a situation like after the talk about Clara and Severus did not happen again. When they felt their talk became too personal, one of them quickly changed the subject to something harmless.
Nevertheless it was sure for both of them that something between them was more than just cooperativeness or friendship. Sam was scared how often she was thinking of Remus Lupin. Her drawings and scratches were full of wolves, lone wolves howling to the full moon. Little signs showed her that he thought of her, too. Books she talked about often appeared on her desk the next days. She mentioned once the anniversary of her parents ( both Muggles). When she wanted to ask for a holiday to spent this day with her family in London she got to know that Lupin was entered in the timetable for this day for all of her lessons since weeks. Her empathy only comfirmed her impression: Lupin felt more for her then just sympathy. And more and more she was sure that this feelings were not one-sided.
II.
It was a busy day for Sam. Tomorrow the jubilee ceremony would take place in Hogwarts. She spent hours with checking guest lists, planning menues and helping with the decoration of the Great Hall. The preparations for her lessons had to wait until the evening. Sam was very tired and couldn't harldy concentrate on the words in the book. But she had to get this work done. Tomorrow morning the band for the feast, a group named "The Gravestones" would arrive at the stations. No time for sleep.. no time she thought sleepily and yawned. Her eyes closed slowly.
A hard knocking sound woke her up. She raised her head from the desktop and blinked against the sunlight. Sunlight? "Come in." she moaned and rubbed her face. Remus Lupin entered the room. "Good morning." Morning? She looked on her watch. "Oh my God I overslept.. I have to .. The Gravestones!" She wanted to rush out of the room but Lupin stopped her, catching Sam at her shoulders. "The Gravestones are safely in their guest rooms. Me and Hagrid picked them up an hour ago" he said calmly. Sam couldn't avoid a relieved sigh. "Did you? Oh.. wow.. thank you, Remus". She recognized how near she was to him and lowered her eyes. He still held her shoulders with both arms. She lifted her hands to push them away but when her fingers met his they overcrossed. "Remus" Sam said softly, raising her view again. When their eyes met thoughts beat like flashlights through Lupins brain. She is so young. She is Snape's daughter. Merlin's beard, she is engaged. But Sam was so close to him. Again he could smell the rose scent. Remus lost his control. He pulled Sam gently towards him and lowered his head. As she did not turn her head away, Remus' lips touched hers. First a bit clumsy. But his second kiss was much more intensive.
Both were lost in a rush of emotions which had been so long surpressed. But after a while the face of Robin came into Sam's mind. She panted and freed herself. Lupin's eyes widened. "Sam.. what's up.. did I do anything wrong..?" he asked worridly and lifted a hand towards her face. "No.. you didn't make any mistake" Sam whispered and their third kiss was so passionate that Remus' didn't recognize the tear that dropped on the floor.
III.
Finally they let go each other, both breathing heavily. Sam mumbled "He must not know it.." She didn't know if she meant Robin or Snape. Or both. "No worries." he whispered, stroking her smooth black hair and enjoying it's rose smell. "I want to stay alive, you know." She looked up to him, letting the emerald glow. ~ Then you have to get used to this kind of conversation, Remus J. Lupin ~ - ~ Oh, I think it's quite useful, Samantha Maria De Escobar..~ His mouth searched again hers but they were interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. Scared they made both a step backwards. Sam rushed to her armchair and grabbed a book while Lupin tidied his robes and ran his fingers through his shaggy hair, then he opened the door.Severus Snape, carrying a smoking goblet which obviously contained the Wolfsbane Potion, entered Sam's office. "Here you are .. Lupin.What are you doing here?" he gnarled and looked suspiciously from Sam to Remus. Sam lowered the book she pretended to read - holding it upside down. "Miss Escobar and me are planning the next week's Defence lessons" Lupin explained friendly to Snape who seemed as if he didn't believe a single word. At the same time only Sam heard Remus' voice ~ Turn around..~ She looked at him, puzzled, and turned her head around. ~ Not you, the book!~ Lupin's face didn't show his amusement. With a bang Sam closed the book and put it hastily aside. Snape watched her and his eyes narrowed. "Anyway.." he said drawling. "Here's your Potion, Lupin. Next time I won't run after you through the whole castle just to serve it." After another fierce look he left the room. "Phew." Sam fell back in her chair. Lupin laughed and kneeled in front of her. "He searched you? As if. He observes me. Since I am here." she grumbled. Remus took her hand and played with the silver ring. "He can't help it. Snape's a spy with heart and soul." Sam sighed "I have the impression that he has the personal mission to ruin my life and the lives of the ones I .. like" she added quickly and avoided the word "love". Remus light eyes searched hers. They kissed again. After a while he mumbled: "Sam.. I know I don't have any rights to claim something but... you will talk to Robin someday, won't you?" She froze in his arms. "He is on a conference in London. He'll come back today, I won't see him again before the feast tonight, and that's not really a good opportunity to talk." Sam said cooly. He looked at her, a bit frightened. "I can't join the feast as you know.. Full moon." Remus looked sadly towars her. She saw it and closed her eyes "I am sorry." "It's ok.. you are a bit confused at the moment, it's my fault, I kinda overran you." He smiled weakly. "I can't give you what he does but I can't help it.." Remus stroked her cheek. "I fell madly in love with you." Sam bit her lip. ~ I love you, Sam. See, how useful this is? I have ... problems to pronounce this word, I prefer this way ~ He watched her beautiful eyes who were now filling with tears. "Robin .. I have knowed him nearly all of my life, and I believed I love him.. and you, you come back and within a few days, weeks you turn everything upside down.." He reached Sam a tissue. She dried her face and sobbed "But I can't help it.. I love you, too.." Remus eyes gleamed. He hugged her while she still cried, covering his shoulder with her tears.
IV.
In the evening Lupin stood at his office window and stared into the twilight. Snape had been suspicious and watchful the whole day. Sam and Remus had played their roles as good collegues. After work she had brought him to his office and they had kissed desperately a very long time in the empty corridor, always looking around if somebody would come. It had reminded him strongly of his adolence years in Hogwarts. When Sam had finally left him to get ready for the party she had promised to visit him later.
As he saw the last rays of sunlight fading in the red coloured clouds he started to undress himself. He had torn a lot of robes and clothes during his transfigurations. Remus got rid of robe, coat, pants, shirt and underwear. Completely naked he watched the moon rising and felt the transforming begin.
Remus' body shook heavily when his limbs stretched with croaking noises and crucial pains. Remus panted and screamed. His voice turned into howling as his head lengthened and the fur began to grow everywhere. Lupin's hands curled into clawed paws, a tail grew at his back. The wolf fell on his feet and blinked. The Potion had worked, kept his mind. But he was very tired. Remus walked under his desk, curled up and fell asleep while the full moon shone through his office window.
V.
At the same time Sam stood in front of her dressing mirror. She had changed her everyday robe and clothes with a long, black, strapless velvet dress. Except of her ring she wore no jewellery. Her hair was held back from the face with a slight knot in the neck. She sighed and sprayed a bit perfume on her tanned neck. Although she never needed long with dressing and makeup she stood here since one hour. "Vanity? No, my dear. You are just a damn coward, Samantha!" She streched out her tongue towards the mirror.
She didn't want to go to this feast , she didn't want to see anybody now. A decision had to be made tonight which seemed impossible to her. Behind the masquerade of an everyday light-hearted young women she had to wear today, her thoughts had been circling just around Robin and Remus and Robin and Remus. In Remus' arms the conclusion seemed so easy, so logical and clear. But she knew exactly that in the moment she would see her fiance again everything would change. She didn't want to lose one of them. Robin was a part of her life since she had been a child. With Remus everything was so new and thrilling. Sam sighed and turned the rose in her hand Remus had given her when they had parted. "It reminds me of the smell of your hair.." he had whispered and her heartbeat had stopped for a second. Sam put on her long black gloves and fixed the red flower next to her left ear.
