Chapter Three:

The First 'Date'

"So, what have you been doing?" Remus asked nervously, just in the forest.

"Oh, not much. I've been spending lots of time with my friends, planning my party."

To her surprise, Remus laughed. Answering her puzzled look, he said, "I remember when my two friends, James and Sirius helped me plan a surprise birthday party for our other friend, Peter. The plans were perfect. Except that we got mixed up to who was supposed to do what, and ended up with three times as much of most of the things that we needed. The only thing we got right was getting all the Gryffendors into our common room. Except, Peter, of course." Torie laughed too. "Needless to say, it was a disaster. And, to top it off, our head of house came, so James, Sirius, and I got a week's worth of detention."

Once their laughter had subsided, Torie said, "So, you go to a boarding school, right?"

"Yeah, Hogwarts."

"Interesting name."

"I know, everything there is a little weird."

"So, who exactly are the Gryffendors?"

"It's my house. There's four. Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. At the beginning of the year, we try-take a test. Then, which ever of the abilities the house prizes the most we go into."

"And, what are Gryffendors?"

"Brave and noble. Reckless and lighthearted, according to the Slytherins, our biggest rival. Now, my turn, what about your school?"

"It's a boring, public school close by. Nothing interesting about it, at least not compared to Hogwarts. It sounds so exciting."

"You don't even know the half of it. But, it's still your turn to talk. Er-who are your friends?"

Before she could answer, a deer on the trail walked up to them. It smelt Remus, then dashed away. Torie watched after it for a second, then looked at Remus. "You were right when you said you have a way with animals," She laughed, "But I don't think they like you."

"No, they don't. Every time I come in here, they run away. But, back to you. Your friends?"

"There's Lila, Jaime, and Georgette, who prefers to be called George. We're all completely different, and well, you know what they say, opposites attract."

"Not necessarily. My two best friends, James and Sirius, are exactly alike. You'd think they were twins-and people have even said that about them. They even look a lot alike. And, they're as close as brothers. When Sirius ran away from home for good last year, he went to James' house. The Potters took him in right away, and consider him their younger son."

"They're that close?"

"Not the families, just Sirius and the Potters. The families are polar opposites. But, James and Sirius are exactly alike. They even think alike."

"Well, there goes my theory. I guess we're still close because we're the only girls who have been at the two schools we go to since kindergarten. People have moved away, and moved in, but we're the only people who've been there the whole time. Another one was Lily Evans, but she left after fifth year. She was the one who stayed the longest."

"Lily Evans? Red hair and green eyes?"

Torie thought for a moment, then said, "Yeah, that's her. Why? Do you know her?"

"She's my friend at school."

"Ever dated?"

"Lily! No! She's James' girl-although she doesn't know it yet."

"How does she not know?"

"She hates him. He loves her. He would hex-beat anyone to a bloody pulp if they treated her wrongly. He's actually done it before. Got three weeks of detention for it too." Torie laughed. "Here we are." He pulled back two tree branches that crossed over the path.

"Wow," She breathed, "This is absolutely beautiful!" And it was. They were at the far edge of the forest, and you could see for miles out east. There was a big lake right there, it's water almost glowing in the sunlight. "How did you ever find it?"

"I've wandered though here a lot since I moved here. I wasn't really welcome in town, so I spent lots of my time in here, just exploring and reading."

Torie then felt immensely guilty. At school, she had always been told that she was the nicest person in the building-by students and teachers alike. Yet, for six years, she had never even acknowledged this boy, in anything other than insults, because his family was different.

"So, are you dating anyone?" He asked casually, "Because I need to know if I should be looking out for over-protective, jealous, boyfriends in the near future. Plus, it would be really awkward for you."

"No, no one. The guys at SHS are either jerks or perverts-"

"Harsh."

"-But true. They either want to date you because you're pretty or popular. Or, just to see up and down."

"Up and down?"

"Up your skirt and down your shirt. And, they want a good shag."

"Sounds like Sirius," Remus said, wrinkling his nose, "One of the only things he and James aren't the same in. According to you, James is a jerk and Sirius is a pervert. According to Lily, James is still a jerk, but Sirius is a man-whore." Torie laughed, yet again.

"So, we talked. And we ate. And we talked while we ate. What's next in this perfect date?"

"Er-I dunno. I hadn't planned his far ahead."

Torie giggled. "Why don't we go swimming?"

"I didn't bring my swimming trunks."

"So, you're wearing boxers, aren't you?"

"Well, yeah."

"Then, just use those. They cover up enough."

"I guess."

"Then come on in!" She pulled off her shirt and began to pull her shorts down. Noticing his red, turned, face, she added, "It's a bathing suit. I'm supposed to go swimming with the girls, but this looks more fun." She jumped in. "And it's much warmer."

Slowly, Remus stripped down to his boxers and went into the water as well.

"That was a blast! We have to come again."

"If you say so," Remus said, "But warn me when we go swimming, so I can be prepared. When?"

"Well, I'm leaving to go visit my grandma for a couple of days tomorrow, so how does Saturday sound?"

"That'll be fine. See you then."

"Bye Remus." They had reached his house. Torie turned to go, but hen stopped and came back. Quickly, she planted a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks for the great time. You've shown me that there are three types of guys: jerks, perverts, and Remus'."

Remus blushed and watched her walk away his gaze moving towards her slightly swaying hips, before heading into his own house.