Disclaimer:- I do not own anything relating to Harry Potter (except my o/c).
Long Time Love.
Chapter 1.
It was about 7.30 in the evening and Professor Remus J Lupin was sat at the desk in his office grading papers, his foot tapping to the gramophone playing quietly in the corner. Suddenly there came a knock at the door.
"Come in", Remus called out. The door opened and closed slowly then Remus heard footsteps move quietly up to his desk and a small voice that said "Professor Lupin?"
"Be right with you", he said not looking up, raising his left hand slightly to show that he acknowledged the person that had entered his office and he wouldn't be a moment. "Right", he said putting down his quill, "what can I do…" his voice trailed off as he lifted his head to meet the eyes of the woman standing in front of him.
Remus grabbed the edge of the desk. His fingertips turning white, the colour drained from his face making him look ashen, taking with it every bit of heat in his body. "What's the matter Moony?" said the woman, "you look like you've seen a ghost".
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
20 years earlier the very same Remus Lupin was stood in James Potters bedroom with a bottle of butter beer in his hand. Sirius Black was there too. "You know," said James, "I don't know why you bother coming out with us Sirius."
"What do you mean?" he asked sitting up from where he was sprawled on the bed.
"He's right you know Pad" chipped in Remus grinning. "You always get a girl 10 minutes after we get there so you might as well save your money and time and get there at the end, same result."
"And miss out on all the fun Moony old boy, not on your life". Remus laughed.
"Speaking of fun Moony" James said, "Don't you think it's about time you had some?"
"I have fun," said Remus indignantly. "No you don't" agreed Sirius. "You spend all your time making sure we don't get into trouble". "Well someone has to", Remus said feeling a little uncomfortable.
"Well tonight you don't", James said placing his arm round Remus' shoulders and steering him through the door and down the stairs. "Tonight you look after you".
"Yeah but…" Remus said. "No buts Moony," said Sirius. "Tonight is your night".
They walked into the kitchen to find James' mum making tea. "Don't get into too much trouble tonight will you boys?" she said smiling. "When do we ever get into trouble mum?" James asked. "Let me see," she said ticking off on her fingers, "there was last week, then there was the time you…" "Sorry mum, gotta go," James said shoving his best friends out of the door. "Night mum".
"Goodnight Mrs Potter" Remus said.
"Night mrs P," Sirius yelled waving his hand in the air in her general direction.
"Goodnight boys", she called after them. Unable to keep the smile from her lips she shook her head and went back to making the tea.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
An hour later found Sirius on the dance floor surrounded by his usual group of giggling girls. James was talking to Lilly who had come in with her friends about 5 minutes after they did, and Remus was standing with his back to the bar resting on his elbows.
Whatever happened to 'tonight is Moonys night'? He thought.
"Moony, hey Moony", a voice called out to him. Remus looked up to find Sirius waving frantically to him. Remus pushed himself away from the bar and made his way over to Sirius.
He certainly has good taste, Remus thought, these girls are really pretty.
"Moony?" said one of the girls, "that's a strange name." Not very bright though. "It's a nickname", said Remus.
"Yeah" said Sirius, "I'm Padfoot, this is Moony and over there is Prongs. Moony, this is Andrea, Lucy and…" he screwed up his face in concentration, finally lifting an eyebrow silently asking for a prompt. "Kate," the dark haired girl finished off for him. "Kate," Sirius exclaimed throwing up his hands in triumph.
"Pleased to meet you," Remus said. "Now if you'll excuse me I have a spot at the bar that's getting cold", and he turned and walked away.
Sirius frowned as he watched his friend leave but it soon turned into a grin as he saw Kate follow him.
"Are you always this sociable?" Remus turned to see Kate standing beside him. "Sometimes," he replied. "Shouldn't you be giggling over Padfoot with your friends?"
"He's not my type." Kate replied. "I only stood there because I didn't think there was anyone better to talk to. I was wrong." Remus looked down at his feet.
"So," she said catching his attention again, "what's your real name?"
"Remus," he said. "Remus," Kate repeated trying the name out for herself, "I like that. So Remus, can I get you a drink?"
The rest of the night passed quickly and Remus was surprised to see the lights come up. "I guess time really does fly when you're having fun," Remus said smiling. "You might be right there," Kate replied placing her hand on his.
Just then James came over. "I'm going to take Lilly home," he said, his arm draped over her shoulders. "Who's taking who home?" Sirius asked wandering over to them. "Prongs is taking Lilly home," Remus said.
"And who's taking this lovely lady home?" Sirius asked nodding his head in Kates direction. "I think I'm a big enough girl to take care of myself," Kate said with her arms folded. "Nonsense," Sirius cried, "Moony can walk you home," and he practically pushed the pair through the door.
Out on the street Remus pushed his hands firmly into his pockets and studied the cracks in the pavement. "I will if you'd like," he said. "Walk you home I mean. It's no trouble."
"Actually, that would be nice," Kate replied linking her arm through his and leading the way.
After a few minutes silence Kate said, "I've had a really good night tonight. Usually I'm left on my own while my friends fall over themselves over the nearest guy in tight trousers".
Remus chuckled, "yeah, I saw. Look, I'm sorry I was rude earlier, I wasn't having much of a good time, until you turned up that is." Kate squeezed his arm, "don't worry about it, I know how it feels to be left on your own."
A few minutes later they were stood in front of Kates house. "Well, this is me." She said with a hint of disappointment. Remus looked down at her. "Can I see you again?" he asked, the words came out of his mouth before he could stop them and he mentally kicked himself. "I'd like that," she replied smiling.
"I can call you by floo tomorrow if you'd like." Remus said a little nervously. "I'd like that," she said again. "My full name is Katelyn Parker.
"Well Katelyn Parker," Remus said in a soft voice, "you should go in, it's getting cold." Kate just nodded suddenly unable to speak and looked up into his eyes. Remus placed his hand under her chin and closed the gap between them. He saw her eyes flutter closed and heard her breath quicken. Gingerly he touched his lips to hers in what he had planned to be a chaste kiss but when he felt her lips part beneath his he couldn't do anything but oblige. Cupping her face with one hand he slid the other around her small waist, the ends of her long hair tickling his fingers.
Reluctantly Remus pulled away. "I should go," he said breathlessly, "yes," Kate replied. "Until tomorrow" he said, "tomorrow," she agreed. Then pulling him close she kissed him once more before turning to go into the house. She stood in the open doorway and whispered "goodnight Remus". "Goodnight Kate" he answered.
He waited until her door had closed firmly behind her before he walked away. Pushing his hands into his pockets he couldn't help but smile at the nights events.
-
-
-
-
-
To be continued…