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Chapter 6

Remus stood in the middle of his classroom and drifted off for what had to be the hundredth time today. He was very anxious for his date and he hoped it didn't show to his pupils, they he probably hoped in vain.

On more than one occasion a student would have to say his name multiple times to pull him from his stupor. When he finally looked at them they would be staring at him oddly. Then he would clear his throat and move on with the lesson.

At last the final bell rang and the room cleared out. All except for one person. His best friend's godson, Harry Potter, who also happened to be one of best and favorite students, was approaching him with a questioning look on his face.

"Professor Lupin? Are you alright? You don't seem like yourself today." Harry asked with concern.

"Yes Harry. I'm fine. Thank you." Remus said. He looked around to make sure all the other students had gone before sharing the rest.

"Truth be told, I have a date tonight and I'm quite nervous."

"It's about time. That's excellent news! Where are you going?" Harry asked excitedly.

"To dinner." Remus answered embarrassedly. He and Harry had always been good friends but he was still a little uncomfortable talking about his lack of love life with his student.

"Where are you taking her?" Harry prompted.

"Well....honestly I'm not sure yet." Remus said as he realized he hadn't even thought about it. He'd been so preoccupied with nerves about the date he hadn't gave any thought on where to take her.

"You should take her to Madame Puddifoots in Hogsmeade." Harry volunteered.

"Where is it?" Remus asked, not recognizing the name.

"On the edge of the village. It's a little café. Very romantic." Harry answered.

"Yes, well thank you Harry. I better be off. I have to get ready." Remus said kindly.

"Sure. Have a good time Professor. Don't forget to open the doors for her. Hermione says that's one of the first things girls look at." Harry said helpfully.

"Thanks." Remus said as Harry left the room. "Getting dating advice from a seventeen year old student." He muttered as he gathered up his things.

Ariana swallowed nervously as she glanced at herself in the mirror and ran her hands over the silky fabric to work out the imaginary wrinkles. Relax. It's just a date, she told her self. But dates lead to questions....that you can't answer, answered her nagging voice. Why did I even agree to this date?

A knock on her door pulled her from her revere and she forced herself to look calm as she opened it. She felt her breath catch as came face to face with Remus. Oh yeah. That's why I said yes, she thought as she took in his crisp khaki's and black sweater. When her eyes met his she found him grinning charmingly.

"Hey." She said as casually as she could.

"Hi. You look...wow." Was all Remus could manage as his gaze raked over her.

The slinky red dress was strapless, leaving her arms bare. Her matching red heels put the top of her head even with his nose. And her hair was piled on her head in a sophisticated chignon with little wisps that had escaped curling enticingly around her face.

"Funny. I was just thinking the same thing." She smiled back.

And there they stood. Each grinning stupidly until a noise in the hall brought them out of it. They both turned to look and found Tom carrying luggage with another witch and wizard in tow.

"Molly. Arthur." Remus called out as they passed.

The two stopped and turned at the sound.

"Hello Remus!" Molly said as she pulled him to her for a hug.

"Remus." Arthur said as they shook hands.

"Together night is it?" Remus said.

"Yes indeed. Who's your friend?" Molly answered.

"Sorry. Arthur and Molly Weasley this is Ariana Grant."

"Pleased to meet you dear." Molly said as she openly assessed her.

"You too." Ariana answered as she shook the red headed woman's hand.

"Well best be off. Good to see you." Arthur said smiling cordially as he steered his noisily peering wife away.

"They're one of the nicest couples you'll ever meet." Remus told her fondly.

"What is together night?" Ariana asked.

"They have seven children so they sneak off occasionally to be alone." Remus explained.

"That's lovely." Ariana said wistfully.

"Shall we go?" Remus asked.

"Yes. Let me just go get my wrap." She said as she disappeared into the small dressing room.

Remus glanced around the room and his eyes fell on a book that was laying on her bed. He picked it up, curious to know what she read. Basic Spells for Beginners by Rosalie Schenke.

Interesting, he thought, making a mental note to mention that to Dumbledore. When he heard her coming back he tossed to book down and tried to look casual.

"Ok. I'm ready now." She stated.

"Do you Apparate?" He asked.

"Umm...no." She said slowly.

"Ok. Then I'm going to Apparate us. I'm going to wrap my arms around you, as if we're hugging." He explained.

"Alright." She said, still not understanding.

But when his arms slipped around her it didn't seem to matter that she was confused. His embrace was safe and secure and she felt herself melting trustingly into him. Until she heard a loud cracking noise and felt the wind whipping wildly around them. He looked almost bored as they traveled at unhuman speeds through what appeared to be another dimension so she forced herself to not scream but she did close her eyes.

When she felt her feet finally touch the ground her eyes quickly snapped open when she heard Remus chuckling.

"Never traveled that way, eh?" He teased.

"No and please don't make me do it again. That was the longest ten seconds of my life." She said feeling a little ill.

"You ok?" He asked with quick concern.

"I will be. Just a little dizzy." She assured him as she read the sign above the door. Madame Puddifoots Café.

"Come on. Lets go sit down then." He said as he guided her inside.

He chose a secluded table near the back and held her chair out for her. A kindly witch quickly swooped down on them and asked for their drink choice.

"Hot tea." Ariana said.

"Same." Remus told the witch.

"Do you feel better?" He asked when they had their tea and Ariana began sipping it.

"Yes. Thank you." She answered.

"Sorry about that." He said, feeling bad.

"Don't be. It just took me by surprise is all." She explained.

They sat in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes. Looking anywhere but at each other. Until the witch came back to take their order. When they were alone again Ariana forced a conversation.

"Have you been here before?"

"Never." He replied as he looked around for the first time.

There was no denying it was an intimate restaurant but it was very pink. Pink carpet, pink curtains, pink walls, even the chairs they were sitting in were pink.

"How did you find it?" Ariana asked.

"A friend recommended it."

"It certainly is pink in here." She commented.

"I was just thinking the same thing!" He said.

And after that the ice was broken. They enjoyed the meal and each others company as the conversation rolled freely. They talked about their interests and pet peeves. Remus was careful to keep the conversation light and not too personal. He knew if he wanted a second date, he couldn't blow it and ask everything he wanted to right now.

"Well, I can't say much for the decor but the food is fabulous." Ariana raved as she took another bite of her steaming alfredo. "How is your linguini?"

"Wonderful." He said honestly. "And I agree with decor. My retinas may never forgive me."

When they finished eating Remus looked at the soft lighting shooting through her hair and turning the strands to a fiery red brown. He realized he wasn't ready for the night to end.

"Do you like music?" He asked suddenly.

"Yes." She answered.

"Do you like to dance?"

"Yes." She said again.

"Excellent. I have just the spot then!" He said excitedly as he waived the kindly witch back over for the bill.

Ariana reached for it at the same time Remus did but she got there first. He grasped her hand gently and felt the attraction coarse through him like a wave.

"I asked. I pay." He insisted as he brought her hand to his lips and brushed a soft kiss over it. He watched as she shivered lightly but didn't release her hand instead he held it in his over the table until the bill was settled.

Remus helped Ariana on with her wrap and then led her to the door.

"There's a great place not far from here. They play music from the forties. Swing, big band, that type of thing. It's my muggle indulgence." Remus said as they walked side by side.

"Sounds great. I love swing music. I actually used to take lessons at home after my..." Ariana snapped her mouth shut when she realized what she said. Getting a little loose with those lips sweetie, she chided herself.

Remus was watching her curiously but did not press her for more.

When they got there Ariana decided it was more of a pub than a club. But there was no denying it's appeal. It had a distinctly forties feel to it, from the brown leather sofa and chairs to the black and white photos covering the walls to the gramophone that had been bewitched to play old records.

"It's absolutely charming." She told Remus, who was watching her reaction carefully.

"Would you like to dance?" He asked her.

"Love to."

He grabbed her around the waist and began swinging to the music. Ariana was surprised by how good he was and didn't hesitate telling him so. They danced for well over an hour until finally a slow song came on. Remus' glittering grey eyes met her sparkling blue ones as he pulled her to him.

He felt her wind her arms around his neck as she pressed closer. She felt so warm and soft. They swayed slowly as his hands settled at the base of her spine. His breath stirring her hair enticingly and her hands playing idly with his hair.

Without thinking he leaned down and captured her lips in a heated yet tender kiss. He felt her knees sink and he steadied her easily.

"We better go. It's late and I have an early class tomorrow." He said reluctantly.

"Ok." Ariana said dreamily as she forced herself from the haze surrounding her.

"Come on. I'll walk you home."

"No. We don't have to walk. I want to Apparate." She said.

"Are you sure?" He asked uncertainly.

"Yes. I'm prepared this time." She assured him.

He wrapped his arms around her and felt her snuggle into his chest, he couldn't help but smile as he Apparated. Too soon they were standing at the threshold outside her room at The Leaky Cauldron but they didn't separate until he felt her searching for her key.

He pried the key from her hand, unlocked and opened the door for her and waited until she stepped inside.

"Sleep tight Ariana." Remus said quietly as not to wake anyone in the neighboring rooms.

"Good night Remus." She whispered.

Then he tilted her head up by the chin and gazed into her eyes a moment before leaning down and pressing his lips to hers softly, almost like a butterfly kiss. It definitely had Ariana wanting more.

She tilted her head a little more to get better access to him but when she opened her eyes he was already on his way down the hall, whistling merrily.

Damn, that was a long chapter!