Chapter 8
Alyssa was in her first class of the day. In potions, and unluckily for her, who did Professor Slughorn assign for her partner?
"Alyssa Phoenix and Remus Lupin."
Alyssa tried her hardest not to let out a groan. She could tell with one look at Remus that he was blushing, because he refused to look at her. How is it that Lily and Brittney became partners, yet Alyssa got stuck with her long-time crush? It wasn't fair!
"Alright, class. Quickly move to sit with your partner. They will be your partner for the rest of the year!"Alyssa quickly picked up her bag and slid into the empty seat next to Remus. She smiled shyly up at his handsome face, and he too blushed.
How was that every time she was around Remus, she got all tongue-tied like Alaina? Though, Alyssa had to admit, the comment Alaina had made that morning had not gone unnoticed by her friends.
Slughorn stood up in front of the class again, his mind traveling over his class of Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. "All right, students. Your potion is on the board. I think after six years, you all know where to find potion ingredients. You may begin." Slughorn turned around and wobbled to his desk where he would sit the entire rest of the class.
Alyssa stood up to go a get the ingredients, but Remus waved a hand gently. "No, no, Alyssa." He whispered, as he pushed her back down, gently. Alyssa's shoulder tingled from his touch. "I will get the potion ingredients, you sit."
As Remus left to go and get the ingredients, Alyssa automatically missed his presence. It had always been like that, especially when Alyssa had first gotten to know him in forth year. Whenever he was close, she got nervous and wished him to leave so she could act normal again and her stomach would untwist itself. But once Remus left, Alyssa would always hope that he would return as quickly as possible. She had been forced to deal with these unanswered feelings for Remus for the past three years.
"Lyssa, are you okay?" Remus had returned quicker than Alyssa thought possible. She nodded her head and grinned at Remus.
"Yeah, just feeling a little nausea." She whispered in a weak tone. This defiantly was not a lie.
The two of them worked in silence, and Remus kept looking over at Alyssa, looking slightly worried. She tried her best to ignore these concerned looks as they became more and more frequent. Suddenly, Remus let out a low sigh.
"You don't like me very much, do you Alyssa?" Remus asked, as his head hung in the air. "If you want, I could ask Professor Slughorn for a different partner so you can work with one of your friends." Alyssa was shocked that Remus could ask such a question.
Alyssa not like Remus? Why, she was mighty well on her way to being in love with the poor bloke. Sure he had slightly shabby clothes, and he sometimes had a very pale look about him. Yet, Alyssa liked it about him. Remus was so loyal to his friends, and just had this charm about him, even when he wasn't trying. He got the cutest mischievous look in his eyes when he was with the Marauders, making him such a lovely sight to look at.
Remus looked so dejected, that Alyssa felt terrible. She summed up all of her nerve and gently placed a soft hand on his arm. "Remus, of course I like you!" Alyssa whispered. Remus looked over at her and smiled weakly. "You are one of my friends, it is just a little awkward to be your partner since we never really talk much. Don't ever think I don't like you!" There was much more to this than Alyssa let on.
Remus' face lit up and Alyssa felt a tingling sensation in her stomach knowing that she had caused him such happiness.
"Thank, Lyssa," Remus said as he straightened his posture. "Now lets get down to business."
The rest of the class, Remus and Alyssa worked hard to finish their potion. Brittney and Lily were having a fair bit of trouble, as they were not the greatest potion makers of all time. Remus and Alyssa laughed as the two girls squabbled over which potion went in a the correct time. Alyssa was shocked that their cauldron hadn't exploded yet.
"Alright, class! I am coming around to check your potions. Hurry and put the final touches on them." Remus and Alyssa grinned at each other. Slughorn walked up to Lily and Brittney.
"Hm, girls...unicorn hair first, not crushed beetles." Slughorn said as he stopped in front of their cauldron. Lily shot Brittney a glare that she weakly returned.
"What?" Brittney asked as she shrugged her shoulders. "I told you it was unicorn hair!" Lily rolled her eyes and slapped her forehead.
"Well, well, well! Great job Ms. Phoenix and Mr. Lupin! I think an O for today is called for!" Alyssa beamed at Remus who pulled her into a hug in rejoice.
Her heart must have started beating 90 miles an hour at his touch. They both let go rather quickly, and they were both red in the face.
Maybe Potions won't be so bad at all.