A/N: Just to let you know this chapter is really a bit superfluous, but I deemed it somewhat vital to the overall quality of the story.
Chapter Two:Of Bludgers and Beaters
Mina
"Remus!" she was gasping desperately for air as he pulled her along behind him. She could barely remain upright she was shaking so hard from the gales of laughter that threatened to overcome her.
"We...must look...ridiculous..." she managed between gasps and giggles. Finally, his pace slowed considerably as he led her deliberately to a solid brick wall. Upon seeing the wall she gave Remus a quizzical look, but said nothing, as she was trying to regain her breath. A smile still gracing her features, Mina saw Remus reveal his wand, and mutter an incantation. At his word, the brick wall wavered and appeared to become slightly liquid-like.
"Ladies first." he explained, bowing low at the waist.
Mina curtsied, "Why, thank you Remus." She knew they were both being a tad bit imbecilic, but she relished the opportunity to forget her woes, and engage in childish behavior.
She walked confidently into the warm, liquid-like barrier with Remus following close behind. When she stepped into the warm, dry room and got her wits about her, she took in the midnight blue decor and furnishings in one long, appraising look. The room smelt faintly of french vanilla and she suspected that this was Remus's doing.
"This place is amazing! Did you decorate it yourself? I know this may sound a bit peculiar, but does it have a name? And if I also may inquire, how many people know if this place?" she asked excitedly. She had never seen anything like it at Hogwarts, nor anywhere else and was immediately intrigued and eager to learn everything about this room that appeared to be behind a solid brick wall and summoned into existence with a mere flick of the wrist and whisper of words. Any topic that wasn't concentrated on her or on her vacation was adecent subject in her eyes.
Remus
He smiled as she turned her back to him, inspecting one of the magical oddites artfully displayed about the room. "As a matter of fact, I did decorate it myself. Precious few people know about this place and..." he bit his lip as he let her other inquiry go unanswered. Alas, being curious and wishing for Remus to divulge to her the secrets surrounding this peculiar place she noticed that he had left her question unanswered, for a second later she asked airily, "Does it have a name?" He faltered, knowing she would not like the answer that was forthcoming.
"Well, Mina,...welcome to the Marauders Lair." He knew he did not need to tell her why it was dubbed as such and instantly felt like a prat for bringing her to this place. He saw her tense up briefly, then as she turned to him, he was surprised to see that she looked more concerned than angry.
Mina
She was more than a little bit shocked that Remus had brought her to this place, but was suddenly worried.
"Remus, won't your friends feel angry and a bit..." she paused thoughtfully, searching for the right word, "betrayed?" She would have loved to stay with him and talk about everything, particularly her mother and her own growing hysteria, but decided that being sent to the hospital wing due to some vicious malady James Potter had inflicted on her for walking into his scared clubhouse ( tastefully decorated by Remus ) was a very unattractive offer. She immediately became weary of the situation and patiently remained where she was waiting for Remus to say something.
Remus
She looked at him with trust-filled eyes, waiting for an honest answer, and regrettably Remus could not give her one.
"I...um...well...no girl has ever been in here before so..." he felt himself blushing and hated himself for it. "I can't give you an honest answer, but I'm sure everything'll be fine." he expelled in one breath. He didn't want her to go and felt relieved when she relaxed. Feeling awkward and a bit self-conscious, Remus sat down on the remarkably comfortable sofa, and summoned up some hot chocolate.
"Shall we?" he asked in a mocking English tone.
Mina
"We shall of course!" she exuberantly proclaimed, while gracefully falling down on the comfy sofa. She gently gripped the warm mug of hot chocolate in her hands, and gingerly took a sip. She closed her eyes, and absorbed the smell and the taste of the delectable concoction, though it wasn't before long when she suddenly felt Remus's stare upon her and opened up her eyes. He turned away, while at the same time turning a brilliant shade of red. Mina smiled at him, while fiddling with her cup of hot chocolate. After several awkward moments of silence, Remus cleared his throat and ventured a question.
"Um...I know that this is kind of a personal question and forgive me for proding...but are you sure you're alright?" Remus asked tentatively, while stuttering in an effort to explain himself, "What I mean is that...when I asked you how your vacation went...you seemed kind of gloomy." he sat there patiently, amazed at his own words and daring.
She sighed. The topic was always deverted back to her whenever Remus was concerned, but unlike before she didn't feel anxious, but nor did she feel extremely grateful. She hesitated and almost told him, before switching the subject to something more agreeable...like Quidditch. Remus took the hint and joined her in a spirited conversation, in which they talked about everything ( or rather anything ) Quidditch related: bludgers, beaters, chasers, and seekers. Soon after discussing the vast merits of the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor teams, Remus bashfully muttered something to the floor.
"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that." she replied to the mumbling, while leaning in closer in the hopes of hearing an audible sentence.
"I can' t fly!" he muttered miserably into his hands.
"Can't fly?" Mina repeated.
"I'm terrified of heights, but at the same time..." he sighed dejectedly, "It's like an actor getting stage-fright." He loved feeling the wind against his face, loved being up in the high Astronomy tower or Quidditch stands, but only when his feet where touching something solid. James and Sirius teased him mercilessly, as seeing they were both prominent Quidditch players. Sirius was the Gryffindor beater, while James took the proud title of the Gryffindor seeker. Remus longed to be up there in the air with them, cajoling and goofing off before practice, but his persistently annoying fear kept him grounded, as he looked on with envy before every practice at the careening figures above him.
"I could teach you, Remus." she said full of excitement, while at the same time putting an arm around his shoulder, wishing to comfort this poor boy, who was clearly torn between fear and fate.
Remus
"Really? That'd be terrific!" he proclaimed, aware that her arm was around his shoulder, comforting him. As if able to read his thoughts, Mina quietly withdrew her arm.
"How about tomorrow at the Quidditch pitch?" she asked lively, full of energy and life. "What time works for you?...Is ten o' clock alright?"
He nodded, "Of course."
She stood up, while looking at her watch. "I had best be going..."
"Oh! Right." Remus replied, begining to stand. "Just walk through the barrier."
"Thanks ever so much for inviting me..."
"Don't mention it!" he called back after her. He saw her give a nod and with one final swosh! she was gone, leaving him standing there, alone with his thoughts.
