DAMASCUS GATE

CHAPTER EIGHT-THE SURPRISE

I sat in the Gryffindor common room after we came from Dumbledore's office and just stared into the fire. Lily and Sirius had headed off to bed.

Remus sat down next to me.

"Penny for your thoughts?" he asked gently.

"I just can't believe that Peter did what he did," I said sadly staring at the crackling fire.

"I know," Remus agreed quietly. "I'm just as surprised as you are. What on earth possessed him to do such a thing?"

I shrugged.

"Maybe because he always looked up to James and Sirius and worshiped them?"

Remus raised an eyebrow.

"Why would that cause him to join You-Know-Who?"

"Maybe because he felt like he could be great too," I said thoughtfully. "I really don't know."

Remus sighed also.

"James is going to want to kill him when he finds out. Mark my words,"

"Can you blame him?" I demanded angrily. "He kidnaps me and then his 'master' threatens to do me in unless you joined them!"

Remus stared at me.

"You were in no danger, Kelly. I wasn't about to let You-Know-Who harm you,"

My stomach flipped as though I missed going down several steps.

"I know you wouldn't let anything happen to me," I said softly as I got up and stood in front of the fireplace. I leaned against the mantle piece and just stared into space. "But what if V," I said not really saying the word just the letter. "Really killed me before you said you were going to join him? That would've forced you over for sure."

Remus exhaled and stood up, coming over to me and standing in front of me.

He peered into my face.

"Then I would've made it my life's ambition to hunt him down and kill him for doing that. I would never turn to him," he said softly.

I smiled and lowered my eyes to his chest. I stared at his tie.

He took a step closer to me.

My heart began pounding loudly in my chest. I kept my eyes on his tie.

He was so close I caught a whiff of a mild cologne he always wore.

"Nothing's going to happen to you," he said quietly. "I promise."

He gently touched my jaw and tilted my head up so we were eye level.

My heart was still pounding in my chest.

"Okay?"

I nodded and smiled.

He lowered his face closer. I shut my eyes.

REMUS.

I lowered my face even closer. Kelly shut her eyes. My lips were just barely inches from hers when I pulled back.

"Um, I'm tired," I stammered. "I've got to go to bed. I'll see you in the morning?"

She opened her eyes.

"Sure," she said.

I nodded and stepped around her, heading to the boy's dorm.

I laid down in bed and stared up at the ceiling.

I had really wanted to kiss her, but that would mean that our friendship went to the next level. I was really scared and didn't know how to go about approaching her or even how she would feel about that.

I decided to talk to Sirius in the morning.

I changed and slipped under the covers. Shortly, I was fast asleep.

The next morning, I went down to the Great Hall.

Kelly, Lily and Sirius were already at the Gryffindor table. They were talking amongst themselves.

I sat down beside Lily. Sirius and Kelly were sitting across from us.

"Hey, sleep okay?" Lily asked brightly.

"Sure," I said smiling.

Kelly avoided my eyes and kept her attention on her breakfast.

"Sirius? Can I talk to you for a moment?" I asked, moving my eyes onto him.

"Sure mate," Sirius said as he put his fork down and got up.

I pulled him aside and began talking to him. Over his shoulder, I saw Kelly and Lily talking as well.

"What's up?" Sirius asked watching me.

"Last night, I almost kissed Kelly," I said, swallowing.

"Awesome," Sirius grinned. "Why didn't you kiss her fully?"

"Got nervous," I admitted. "I'm really worried that if I kiss her, that means that I want to take the friendship to the next level and I don't know how she would feel about that. Suppose she just wants to remain friends? I would feel like a complete moron."

"Moony, you are the nicest guy I know," Sirius said. "I don't know why a girl wouldn't want to go out with you. Can I ask you something?"

I nodded. "Sure,"

"Why haven't you?"

"Haven't I what?"

"Gone out with a girl," Sirius said.

I sighed and shrugged.

"Dunno. I guess I really haven't liked anyone like that,"

"I'm sure girls have asked you out right?" Sirius ventured.

"Yeah," I said. "But they really didn't seem my type."

Sirius raised an eyebrow.

"Your 'type'? What's that? Hairy and they lick themselves for a bath?" Sirius joked.

I scowled at him.

"No," I said. "They were…what's the word…ditsy?"

Sirius laughed.

"I got your point,"

Sirius and I looked over at Kelly and Lily whispering close together.

"So Kelly is your type?" Sirius asked.

"I think so," I said softly.

"Then I think I shall have a talk with her," Sirius grinned.

"No!" I hissed grabbing the sleeve of his robe. "Suppose she doesn't feel the same way? I'd feel like a complete loser!"

"Moony, how are you ever going to find out unless you ask? You're going to be going around wondering the entire time and not act," Sirius said.

"Fine," I grumbled. "Just don't tell her how I feel okay? Just see how she feels about me alright?"

"Gotcha," Sirius said nodding.

We headed back to the table. Immediately, Lily and Kelly stopped whispering.

"Everything okay?" Kelly asked worriedly.

"Fine," Sirius replied cheerfully.

We continued to eat breakfast.

Lily and I sat together at Transfiguration. Sirius and Kelly sat behind us. I could hear Sirius whispering to Kelly behind me.

I tried to concentrate on my puppy that I was supposed to transfigure into a mini pony but I couldn't.

"Is everything okay? You seem awfully quiet," Lily whispered.

"Fine," I grumbled.

"I beg to differ," Lily said softly.

"It's just that Sirius was…well, is talking to Kelly about her 'possible' feelings toward me. I almost kissed her last night," I muttered.

Lily let out a squeal that caused the rest of the class to raise their heads up and stare.

She sheepishly grinned and pretended to concentrate on her puppy.

"Almost? What happened?" Lily whispered.

"I got scared," I admitted.

"Natural," Lily said softly.

The bell rang ending Transfiguration.

I got up and hurried out of the class, leaving Sirius and Kelly still talking.

I decided to take refuge in the library. For some reason it calmed me down a bit to be surrounded by books.

I took out a book called Modern Transfiguration and Its Warnings. I took a seat and flipped through the book, not really reading the words.

"Remus?" Kelly's voice asked cautiously.

I looked up. Kelly had just entered the library and was walking toward me. She stood by the table.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Can I sit down?" she asked gesturing to the empty chair across from me.

"Meh," I said shrugging. "Go ahead."

She pulled out the chair and sat down, tucking her skirt underneath her. She crossed her arms on top of the table and rested her chin on top of them.

"Sirius was just telling me something very interesting," she said.

I couldn't tell what her tone was…angry, amused or what.

"Oh really?" I said propping the book up and keeping my eyes on the words CHAPTER 3-TRANSFIGURATION DON'TS.

"He told me that you told him that you started to have feelings for me other than a best friend but you're terrified to tell me because you're scared that I wouldn't possibly feel the same way?" Kelly asked.

God Sirius! Did you tell her my whole life secrets? I thought with a touch of annoyance.

"Well," I began nervously clearing my throat. "There…"

"Because if it's true," Kelly continued interrupting me. "I just want to tell you that I feel the same way."

I froze.

"What?"

"I want to be more than friends, but I was scared too," Kelly admitted softly. She gently reached over and lowered the book down so we were able to look at each other one on one. "So I know how you feel."

I felt a bit of relief spread over me.

"The question now is," Kelly said as she leaned forward out of her seat and put her face close to mine. "What do we do about it?"

She was grinning.

I had to grin back.

"I don't know," I said. "What do you suggest?"

She inched closer.

"See if this is just right," she said as she moved even closer until our lips met. She kissed me gently and softly. I returned the kisses the same way.

I felt like I was in heaven.

After a few moments, she pulled back and sat down in her seat.

"That's about right," I grinned.

KELLY.

Remus was grinning at me.

I was so relieved that everything was out in the open now.

"Come on," I said, checking my watch. "We've got Charms now."

Remus put the book back and we headed to class.

Sirius grinned at Remus and slapped him on the back. Lily squealed and gave me a hug when she saw me.

I guess they saw it all along.

Remus and I sat next to each other in class.

Professor Dawes began teaching us the Yennlar Charm, which was supposed to repel the Stupefy charm.

About a half an hour into the lesson, a first year came into the class.

"Professor Dawes? I'm looking for a Remus Lupin?" the first year said nervously.

Professor Dawes pointed to Remus next to me. The first year was carrying a parcel.

"Who's this from?" Remus asked curiously.

"Not sure," the first year said. "Some guy dressed in a cloak. I couldn't get a good look at his face."

The first year placed the parcel on the desk and turned and left the classroom. Everyone was watching curiously as Remus opened the parcel.

He opened it and I screamed.

It was a dead puppy from the Transfiguration class earlier with a note attached:

THIS COULD BE YOU ON A FULL MOON

I leaned over the aisle and vomited.

We were ushered out of the classroom and right to Professor Dumbledore's office.

I was given a Vasix Potion to calm my stomach. Lily was shaking and Sirius was comforting her.

"And the first year had no idea who gave it to her?" Professor Dumbledore asked curiously.

"No sir," Remus said swallowing.

I sat hugging myself.

"All she said was that some guy was dressed in a cloak and that she couldn't get a good look at him," Sirius said.

"Most odd," Professor Dumbledore said. "But I have a feeling this is the work of You-Know-Who."

"Why would he do this?" I asked.

"Because Remus tricked him," Dumbledore said calmly. "Now he's going to torture Remus into joining him. If he failed once to get him to join, he'd most certainly try again."

"It won't work," Remus said firmly. "I would never join him."

"This might just very well be the beginning," Dumbledore said seriously. "I really think you four should be careful. Things could get more violent and worse possibly. You-Know-Who doesn't give up that easily."

"Sheesh," Sirius said shaking my head.

"We'll be careful, Professor I promise," Lily said nodding. "Has there been any word from James?"

"He's doing well," Professor Dumbledore said softly. "He's looking forward to getting out though."

His lip twitched at that.

"As I said," Dumbledore continued gravely. "Be on the lookout for anything. Don't accept any more parcels, owls or anything from anyone that you don't know."

We nodded.

"You're dismissed,"

We left the office and headed back to the common room.

"Seems like poo boy is pissed off," Sirius said flopping down on the chair.

"Yeah," Remus said vehemently. "But its not going to work."

"Remus," Lily said suddenly. "Suppose he goes as far as hurting one of us? Or worse?"

"Then I will make it my business to make him pay," Remus said simply. "He isn't going to win this."

"We should just be careful," I said.

We all looked at each other.

"Definitely," Sirius agreed.