Call On Me
Chapter Thirteen-The Date
I was frozen. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"Y-you mean like a date?" I asked slowly.
"Yeah," Remus said as he still stared at his hands.
"I'd love to," I said smiling.
Remus looked up in surprise and broke into a smile.
"Wonderful," he said beaming. "We don't have to do anything quickly or anything. Just take our time."
"Absolutely," I agreed nodding.
Mum came up from the basement.
"Okay you two," she said. "What would you like for lunch?"
"Anything," I suggested grinning.
I was so happy now that he made the first move. I was nervous as to telling him how I felt so I was relieved he took the first initiative.
Mum made us sandwiches for lunch and then Lily met up with us and we headed off.
We were dressed in Muggle clothing and decided to just take a walk around the neighborhood.
Suddenly, I remembered something.
"Remus? When you changed did anyone see you?" I asked concerned.
He shook his head.
"No. I was in a dark alleyway behind a dumpster. I couldn't see a hand in front of my face,"
I breathed a sigh of relief. That was one issue I didn't want the Muggle world to get a hold of.
"Hey," Lily said suddenly. "Did anyone find out where those parasites came from?"
"Good question," Remus said thoughtfully. "The Ministry is still looking into that."
"I say it came from Romania," Lily said firmly. "That's where the drink originated from right?"
We nodded.
"But why put a parasite into a drink?" Lily mused.
We fell silent, wondering the same thing.
"Caitlin, did you tell Moony yet?" Lily suddenly asked.
"Tell me what?" Remus asked confused looking from Lily to me.
I glared at her.
"Actually, he asked me out," I said. "So there you have it."
Lily squealed and hugged Remus.
"Finally!" she laughed. "Cause Caitlin feels the same way."
"Are you finished dishing out my personal life?" I asked in a scolding tone, but I was grinning.
"Yip," Lily grinned.
I just shook my head.
"Let it go now okay?"
Lily just merrily bounced along as we walked humming to herself.
I just shook my head and snorted.
We finished walking around and decided to head back home. Lily told me she'd owl me in the morning and wanted me to let her know what happens on the first date. I playfully shoved her down the block. She was laughing and making obscene noises.
"Knock it off or I'm stuffing my foot up your behind!" I said laughing.
She retaliated by pretending to make out with herself.
"Lily? I want you to know that that is sending me horribly wrong images!" I called after her.
She laughed and headed off down the block to her house.
Remus was even laughing.
He walked me home.
We stood on my front door step and faced each other.
"So, err…when would you like to go out?" he asked.
"How about tomorrow night?" I suggested.
"Sounds good," he said nodding. "I'll pick you up around eight?"
I grinned.
He looked like he wanted to give me a kiss on the cheek but then thought the better of it and began heading off.
I entered my house completely happy.
THE NEXT MORNING.
I was so excited about tonight ….and very nervous.
I told Mum what had happened and she was happy as well.
I owled Lily and told her what was going on. She was thrilled that we finally told each other how we feel.
We just wished Sirius and James could be here. We missed them like crazy. Lily thinks about James and Sirius every day. She loved James so much.
After dinner I showered and washed my hair.
I pulled on a red plaid skirt that reached my knees, a white poplin and a black newspaper boy cap.
My hair was left down in gentle waves. I had applied light purple eye shadow and clear lip gloss. On my shoes were black Mary Janes with a slight heel.
"You look so cute!" Mum gushed ecstatically clapping her hands.
"Absolutely honey," Dad added beaming.
He comes home around 6 O'clock or so.
At promptly 8 O'clock, the doorbell rang. Mum answered it.
"Hello, Remus…come on in,"
I heard the door close and then Remus appeared standing in the doorway that led from the living room to the hallway.
He was dressed in a pair of black slacks, black shoes, a red button down shirt and a black pea coat.
"Don't you look handsome," Mum beamed.
"Mum, don't get all soppy now," I grinned.
Mum just continued to beam.
"Where are you kids headed off?" Dad inquired curiously.
"I've made reservations at Le Barouis Restaurant," Remus said clearing his throat. "I've adopted a bit of the Muggle lifestyle as well. I actually drive a car now. It's parked outside."
"That's fine," Mum said. "There's nothing wrong with having both the magical and Muggle life."
Remus nodded looking a bit relieved.
"We need to get going," I said smiling.
"Of course," Dad said winking at me. "Have fun."
Remus and I left the house. Remus hurried over to the car and opened the passenger side door for me.
"Thank you," I said politely.
I easily slipped into the passenger seat and he closed the door. He was driving a royal blue Ford Taurus. He came around to the driver's side, slipped into the seat and closed his door.
We buckled ourselves in and he put the car in drive. We pulled away from the curb.
"I have to admit, it's a bit weird not using magic all the time," I said peering out my window.
"I know," Remus said. "Are you going to go for the teaching license?"
"I think so," I said. "It sounds like a good idea."
We continued to drive and we pulled into the restaurant's parking lot. We climbed out and entered.
We got seated at a table. It was a really romantic atmosphere. Candles twinkled on each table.
Remus looked absolutely handsome. His blue eyes reflected the candle light.
REMUS.
Caitlin looked so cute. Her honey brown eyes reflected the candle light.
We ordered our dinner and then decided to talk for a bit.
"I wonder what's happening at Hogwarts tonight?" Caitlin whispered keeping her voice low.
"Dunno," I said. "It's probably the Sorting Ceremony for the first years."
She nodded and took a sip of her red wine. I was drinking Coke. Werewolves don't really drink alcohol too much. Our systems can't tolerate it.
"I miss everyone though," she said sighing. "We had such good times…and bad."
I nodded.
"Lily's a panic though," I said chuckling. "She's a great friend."
Caitlin grinned.
"I know,"
We fell silent and just enjoyed each others company.
When dinner was over, we headed back to the car.
We climbed in and closed our doors.
"It's only 9:00," Caitlin said looking at her watch. "What do you want to do now?"
I thought.
"We could park somewhere and talk some more? Or would you rather go home?"
"I say the first suggestion," she grinned.
"Okay,"
We parked along side the park where Caitlin was hit by the car.
"Oof," she said shivering. "I never want that experience again…of getting hit by a ton of metal coming at you at full speed."
I looked over at her sympathetically.
"I know," I said quietly. "I was so scared that you were dead."
Caitlin smiled as she looked at me. Her eyes suddenly moved over my shoulder.
"Remus? Look at those dogs," she said.
I turned around and followed her gaze.
A pack of dogs consisting of German Shepard's, a Border Collie and several Labradors were all growling and fighting with one particular dog. It looked like a small Yorkshire Terrier.
"That poor little dog," Caitlin said sounding upset. "What's going on?"
"I'm not sure," I mused watching them.
The Yorkie tried to escape, only to be cornered by two Shepard's. We watched in horror as one of the Shepard's clamped its jaws around the Yorkie's neck. The whelp of pain echoed through the park. The Shepard roughly shook the little dog and from inside the car we heard the sickening crack.
Caitlin let out a little scream and went pale. The dogs continued to attack the little Yorkie's body. Caitlin opened her door ajar and vomited.
The pack heard the car door and all heads turned toward us.
"Caitlin? Close the door," I said alarmed as panic filled my chest.
I heard her retching.
"Caitlin? Close the door," I repeated alarmed and fully alert.
The pack began charging our car.
"CAITLIN!" I shouted.
Finally she settled back against the passenger seat and closed her door just in time. The pack reached the car and threw their weight against it, rocking it.
Caitlin screamed as the Border Collie reared up on his hind legs and clawed at the glass. Foam lined the dogs' jaws and smeared on the glass.
She scrambled closer to me.
The dogs were jumping on the car, and pouncing on the windshield, trying to get at us.
I protectively wrapped my arms around Caitlin as she buried her face into my shoulder. I turned the ignition key but the engine sputtered.
"Damn you!" I hissed pounding on the steering wheel, accidentally setting off the horn.
The horn didn't even scare the dogs. They continued to try and get at us.
I kept trying the ignition, but no such luck.
After a while, the dogs stopped but they stayed close to the car. Some were lying on the hood, while others were lying on the ground near the tires.
"Looks like we're stuck here for a while," I muttered taking the ignition keys out and placing them on the dashboard.
"What happened to them?" Caitlin asked staying close to me.
"I'm not sure," I said. "They're certainly aggressive and look almost rabid."
"We can't use magic, can we?" Caitlin asked.
"It's too risky," I said. "How would you explain a Stunning spell to animal control?"
Caitlin nodded and hugged herself, looking out the window.
"What I don't understand is…how'd these dogs get like this?"
"Remind you of something?" I asked serenely.
Caitlin continued to look out the window and then she slowly turned her head, looking at me.
"The parasite?" she asked slowly.
I nodded.
"How on earth would that get into the Muggle world? I mean, did they ever conclude where those drinks originated from?" Caitlin mused.
"Well," I said unbuckling my belt. No sense wearing it now if we were parked here for a while. "Word around the Ministry is that The Three Broomsticks dealt with this dealer in Romania and was paid 9000 galleons to distribute the drink with no knowledge of the consequences."
"Meaning that he was bought?" Caitlin asked.
"Sort of," I said. "He didn't know exactly what he was handing out."
Caitlin shivered.
"Apparently, the Ministry stepped in and discarded the drinks. I mean this could just be an isolated incident, but we can't be sure," I said.
Caitlin continued to peer out the window.
"Remus? There are collars on those dogs!" she said excitedly pointing to the nearest Shepard.
"What?" I asked stunned.
I peered out the windshield. Sure enough, the Border Collie had a white collar around its neck as well as the other dogs.
"Could they be controlled?" Caitlin asked.
"I don't know," I said picking up the ignition keys again. "But we're not staying around to find out."
I put the keys into the ignition again and turned it. The engine purred to life.
"Yes!" Caitlin cried happily. The dogs leaped out of the way and tore off down the block.
I put it in drive and pulled away from the curb.
CAITLIN.
Remus dropped me off at home. We stood on the front steps and faced each other.
"I had a nice time," I said softly.
"Me too," Remus admitted nodding. "Do you think we can go out again?"
I broke into a grin.
"Absolutely,"
He grinned back.
There was an awkward silence that followed for a few moments.
Remus cleared his throat.
"Well, good-night, Caitlin," he said.
"'Night," I said smiling.
He seemed to hesitate as if making his mind up about something.
He stepped closer, lowered his face so that our faces were inches apart and I shut my eyes.
Our lips met. He kissed me softly and gently. I returned the kiss the same way.
He pulled back.
"I-I've always wanted to do that," he stammered.
"Well, I'm glad you did," I grinned.
He grinned and headed back to the car. I opened my front door, stepped in and locked the door behind me. I pressed my back against it and broke into a huge grin.