Part 2

The next week, Ginny arrived at the address Nicholas had given her, finding a small terrace near the apartment building. She knocked, and again was greeted by Nicholas. 'Hi!' he said. 'Nice to see you again.'

'Nice to see you too,' said Ginny, stepping through the door into the lounge room. Caitlin, dressed in a billowing red dress and black ankle boots, was standing in the middle of the room. She was singing a loud, breezy piratical song, and waving a big shiny sword.

Ginny stood watching flabbergasted for a few moments before Nicholas tapped her on the shoulder. 'She's always singing when she arrives,' he said.

'What's with the dress and the sword?' asked Ginny quietly.

'It's pirate night,' he said, shrugging.

Caitlin, hearing them, whirled around, skirt swirling. 'Lily!' she cried. 'You came.' She shunted a large bag of crisps off the couch and gestured towards the space. Ginny sat down. 'What movie do we have?'

'Muppet Treasure Island… Muppet Treasure Island?' Thomas, flicking through the videos, shot an accusing glare at David. David, watching the popcorn machine, shrugged sheepishly. 'Hey! It's got pirates in it!'

'And singing,' said Caitlin. 'And Miss Piggy. I like that movie.'

'Where's your stuff?' asked Thomas. 'Aren't you staying over?'

Just outside Ginny's line of sight, Nicholas slapped himself in the head. 'I knew I forgot to call someone. Would you like to stay over?'

'Er… all right,' said Ginny. 'I haven't got any clothes, though.'

'I'll lend you something,' said Caitlin, eyeing Ginny critically. 'I always pack too much, and I think you're just about my size.'

'That's settled,' said Nicholas. 'You don't need to call your parents?'

'No,' said Ginny. 'They won't mind as long as I call in the morning.'

'Tea, people!' trilled Alistair, handing round teacups. He also passed a large bowl to David, who filled it with popcorn.

'Let's check we have everything,' said Thomas. 'We have people, we have a video, we have food, drinks, popcorn-'

'Tea!' cried Alistair.

'Indeed, tea,' said Thomas. 'I do believe we have everything we need. Let's get watching, lads and lasses.'

As the credits were rolling on the movie, David turned to Ginny. 'I brought the laptop, by the way. Do you want it?'

'Yeah, thanks,' said Ginny. David left the room, returning with a black case.

'I warn you, the repairman couldn't fix it,' said Thomas.

'Don't worry,' said Ginny. 'My repairman's a real wizard.'

Lupin choked on his tea.

'So what now?' said Caitlin, standing up. 'We've got all night and one video. What can we do?'

'Sleep?' suggested David.

There was stony silence.

'Sleep?' repeated Alistair incredulously.

'At a sleepover?' said Thomas.

'Obviously you've not had much experience at this, young feller-me-lad,' said Nicholas, who was still wearing Caitlin's eye patch.

'Let's play Truth or Dare!' squealed Caitlin. 'That's what we traditionally do with new recruits, remember?'

'Hmmm,' said Nicholas, stroking his chin thoughtfully. 'All right. Caitlin, go and change. I don't trust you when you're dressed as a pirate.'

'Oh, okay,' she grumbled, slouching out of the room.

'And remember to leave the sword!' he called after her. Caitlin yelled an obscenity from the other room. When she returned, the five teenagers and two wizards sat in a circle. 'Here we go,' said Caitlin. 'We'll go clockwise. Nicholas- truth or dare?'

'Truth,' he said quickly.

'Do you like Caitlin?' asked Thomas, a Weasley-like grin splitting his face.

Nicholas went red. 'Erm. Uh. Er, yes, actually.'

Everyone cheered. Caitlin, pink in the face, smiled at him and gave him a hug. Nicholas looked thrilled.

'David,' said Thomas. 'Truth or dare?'

'Dare,' he said bravely.

'Sing The Court of King Karacticus all the way through with no mistakes.'

David accomplished the task with a flourish, bowed, and sat back down. They continued to work around the circle, until they came to Ginny. 'All right, Lily. Your hour has come,' he said dramatically.

'You have to choose dare,' explained Caitlin. 'Now, huddle.' The six others huddled together, arguing. There was a small cheer, an indignant voice, and then a groan of defeat. They broke apart and sat back down in the circle. 'Lily,' said Thomas, 'Your dare is- kiss James!' He grinned triumphantly. Lupin looked mortified.

'On the lips!' said Alistair.

Oh, god thought Ginny. I have to kiss Lupin. There's nothing wrong with him, but he's old enough to be my father! And if those teeth of his draw even one drop of blood…

Ginny, knowing there was no way she was getting out of it, stood up. Lupin, standing as well, looked utterly terrified. They stood and looked at each other, a silent apology in his eyes. Ginny shut her eyes, leaned in and kissed him.

Wow, she though. For someone so old, sad and tired-looking, he kissed, well, amazingly. His arms curled hesitantly at her sides, uncertain whether or not to hold her. They broke apart. Ginny grinned nervously. 'So am I in?' she said, trying to hide the excited quiver in her voice.

Thomas looked at Nicholas, who looked at David, who looked at Alistair, who looked at Caitlin. Caitlin gave a meaningful nod to Lupin, who shrugged, and went into the next room, followed by the rest. Ginny stood in the middle of the room.

The other six returned after a few minutes. Again, they looked at each other in turn. 'We've discussed it,' said Caitlin dramatically.

'And we've made our decision,' said Nicholas. He took Caitlin's hand, and smiled.

'You're in,' said Thomas.

'But there's one condition,' said David.

'You have to kiss James again!' said Alistair with obvious glee.

'Properly,' said Caitlin.

'You know, it's nice to finally be able to be affectionate with you,' Nicholas said to Caitlin. 'You're extremely nice to hug.' He hugged her again.

'We'll leave you two in peace,' said Thomas. The other five trooped out, leaving Lupin and Ginny alone together.

'They'll be watching, you know,' said Lupin.

'What happens if we don't?' asked Ginny.

'You'll go home, and never see any of them again,' he said. 'And I'll never… oh, never mind. Let's just leave, shall we?'

'Never what?' said Ginny sharply.

'Oh, god. You leave me no choice, you know,' sighed Lupin, rolling his eyes. He slid his arms around her waist, pulled her close and kissed her.

This was different. There was no doubt this time; he held her in his arms and kissed her firmly. When he broke away, he smiled at her.

'You know, you actually smile after you kiss,' said Ginny, still somewhat dazed. 'We should do it more often.'

Suddenly the door opened, and Caitlin, Nicholas, Alistair, David and Thomas poured into the room, stumbling all over each other.

'That was-' began David.

'Amazing!' finished Thomas.

'I hope you kiss like that,' said Caitlin, curling against Nicholas.

'You two appear to have gotten awfully friendly awfully fast,' commented Alistair.

'We've been friends for years,' said Nicholas breezily.

'It just followed on naturally, I suppose,' said Caitlin. She looked at Nicholas. 'Do you still have that odd subtitled French pirate movie?' she asked him.

'You know, I think I might,' he said.

They arranged more popcorn and such, and watched videos all through the night.

Ginny woke to find herself curled tightly in Lupin's arms. She poked him awake.

'Lupin!' she hissed. 'Wake up and let go of me.'

Lupin stirred, groggy and bleary-eyed. As she pulled herself free, Ginny looked around the room. Nicholas and Caitlin were curled up together. Thomas and David were snoring soundly, back to back. Alistair, however, appeared to have pottered off into the kitchen to make a pot of tea.

'Good morning, everyone!' he sang as he breezed into the room with a steaming pot and seven cups. Slowly everyone awoke.

Later, they all sat around the table in the kitchen, eating cereal. Ginny, wearing a t-shirt of Caitlin's, coughed. 'Look, if I'm coming every week, can I get all of your addresses?' she asked. 'It'll make things easier.' A piece of paper was handed round, and addresses were scribbled on it.

'Thanks,' she said. 'I'd better go.'

'Yeah, me too,' said Lupin.

'I'm going to stay here,' said Caitlin. Nicholas grinned.

Out on the street, looking his age again, Lupin slid a casual arm around Ginny' waist. 'So what happens now?' he asked softly.

'I'm not sure, Remus,' she said, kissing him gently. 'I'm really not sure.'

END

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