Chapter 1: Night of the Kiss

Author's Note: I found this story that I wrote several years ago. I don't think it's my best, but it is one of the few I actually finished, so I decided to post it. Have fun. –Andromeda

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"Where are you off too at this hour?" James looked up curiously from a chair where he sat reading a copy of Advanced Transfiguration.

Remus was standing in front of the mirror brushing off his robes and desperately trying to fix his hair. He looked over at James and smirked.

"Remus's got a date!" Exclaimed Sirius, looking up and laughing. "Haven't you?"

Remus rolled his eyes at him. "Oh, what's it to you if I do?"

Sirius was still laughing. "Who is it?"

"None of your—"

"WHO?"

"I said—"

"Tell me!"

"No!"

"Who is it?"

"I won't—"

"Come on!"

"No!"

"For God's sake, Moony—"

"Fine!" Remus exclaimed, startlingly exasperated. "Caia Grass."

Sirius burst out laughing like a maniac, and Peter, who was sitting in the corner with a large star chart on his lap, was biting his lip to keep from laughing.

Remus was looking irritably at them both. "I don't see what's so funny."

"Well, I mean…she's a…er…" Sirius said, still snickering.

"Hufflepuff!" Peter exclaimed, and they both collapsed into roars laughter.

Remus dropped himself into a chair, blushing furiously.

James rolled his eyes at them. "Oh, shut up Sirius, it's not like you would ever have so much as half a chance with someone as classy as Caia Grass."

Sirius immediately straightened up and stopped laughing. "You're right James, I was being very immature," he said stiffly. He looked at Peter, who snorted, and they both started up again. James chucked a pillow at Peter's head.

Sirius wiped his eyes, his laughter beginning to cease. "No, but seriously, Remus, good for you," he teased.

Remus gave a very sarcastic smile and rolled his eyes.

James closed his book and grinned. "How long have you been seeing her?"

He looked up and licked his lips. "Er…three weeks?"

Sirius stared at Remus incredulously. "Three weeks?"

"Yes, that's right…"

"And you didn't tell us?"

"So?"

"Oh, big deal, Padfoot, it's not like we ever asked." James said, twiddling his wand between his fingers in a bored fashion. He raised an eyebrow at Remus.

Remus seemed to know what James was going to ask, for he shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

"Does she know?"

"Well…I…" He bit his lip. "No."

"It's been three weeks and she doesn't know? She's going to find out somehow, you know, that, surely?" James said.

"I know. It's just that—things have been going so well! I don't want to ruin this." It had taken him five years of Hogwarts to get a girlfriend. He didn't want to screw this up.

"But—"

"I don't care. I have to go." Remus said, quickly pulling on his cloak.

"Have fun."

Remus walked out of the dormitory and shut the door behind him.

He hurried down the hall, his hands jammed deep into the pockets of his cloak, his head full of the words that James had just said.

Remus was heading for the astronomy tower, where he and Caia were going to meet. He climbed the winding spiral staircase, but he had little time to think, for he when he opened the door, there she was, leaning over the side of the balcony.

Remus was, not for the first time, taken by her beauty. Her emerald robes sparkled and a large golden clip held up her red-brown hair. She didn't seem to notice he was there. He sneaked up behind her and put his hands over her eyes.

"Guess who," he whispered.

Caia pulled his hands off of her eyes and turned around at Remus. Her thin, dark scarlet oval glasses twinkled in the moonlight. They hugged each other tightly.

"You're late," she said, smiling.

"I know. I'm sorry."

"I forgive you," she laughed. They both looked up at the velvet night sky from the tower.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Said Caia. "This night is so perfect. I'm so glad I'm spending it with you."

Joy surged through Remus's heart. He put an arm around her shoulder. "So am I."

"Oh, look, the moon is nearly full. Too bad it isn't, that would be so lovely."

Though it must have been forty degrees outside, Remus began to sweat. He gave a nervous shudder.

"Is something wrong, Remus?" She asked, peering at him. Her eyes were full of tender concern.

"Er…no, everything's fine. It's just, I…I have to go visit my mother tomorrow. I've found out she's ill..."

Brilliant, Remus thought sarcastically. Mention it right when you're talking about the moon.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Anything I can do?"

"No! I mean, no, thanks anyway. It shouldn't be more than a few days." Horrified, Remus kicked himself inside.

"All right."

They sat down on a bench at the top of the tower, gazing at the stars for what seemed like an eternity. Caia laid her head on Remus's shoulder and he stroked her hair quietly.

You don't have to know.

Remus reached for Caia's hand and they held each other close. He noticed she had her eyes closed, but he knew she wasn't asleep.

"Cold?" He asked softly. She opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"Never with you."

Remus took off his cloak and wrapped it around Caia, still resting on his shoulder. Remus glanced at her, smiling, and then up at the waxing moon. He looked out onto the grounds at the distant Whomping Willow. He suddenly didn't feel as warm. Caia seemed to notice, for she opened her eyes and took her head off his shoulder.

"Are you sure everything is okay?" She asked, looking him in the eyes.

Remus lowered his eyes. He hated to lie to her.

"Yes. Absolutely. What makes you ask?"

"You just seem…well, incomplete. Like something is missing…you're not yourself." Caia said sadly.

Remus was staring at her, looking alarmed and crestfallen at the same time. "No, really. Nothing is wrong."

Caia shrugged. "I'm just saying that if there was, you know you could tell me, right?"

Remus wanted to hug her and tell her everything. He didn't want to have to lie. He hated making her wonder. But he had to.

"I know." He gave a hideously fake grin of assurance. I hate this. Remus looked at his watch. "Oh, it's nearly midnight. We really should be getting back, I suppose."

Caia sighed. "I suppose."

They stood up and Caia handed Remus back his cloak. They hugged each other tightly one last time.

"I'm sorry about your mother. I hope she is feeling better soon. Send her my best regards," Caia said.

"What? Oh, oh yes…thank you, I will."

They started back toward their common rooms, but had to split at one corridor. They both stopped and glanced at each other.

"Well, good night," said Remus quietly.

"Good night."

Caia looked up at him and averted her eyes down. She wrung her hands in front of her nervously; expectantly. She looked up at him again. Remus marveled at how perfect and beautiful her misty grey eyes were. He looked into them and gave a small smile.

Moving toward her cautiously and stealthily, without realizing what he was doing, he bent his head low until their faces were an inch apart. Caia closed her eyes, and as their lips touched, Remus felt nothing could ever be wrong in the world.

As they pulled apart, Remus still had his eyes closed and lips slightly parted. He opened his eyes slowly and gazed into hers. He could feel himself blushing. They both stood for a moment in astonishment, and then hurried off in opposite directions.

His first kiss!