Disclaimer: All ideas are based on characters and events belonging to J.K. Rowling. I own nothing.

Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 8: Closing of the Year

That night, after supper Remus excused himself to an early bed. He laid on his side, staring at his bed hangings. What had he been thinking? He just got so caught up in the moment that it came out before he could stop it.. and she said yes. The 'yes' part is what he couldn't get over. He liked Kiley, he had for a while now, but he never dreamed that she actually liked him back. He was excited for Hogsmeade for the first time in a long while, and he had to try and plan something extra special for her.

"Moony? You ok?"

Remus pulled his curtain back and sit up to see Sirius walk in and close the door behind him. "Yea, I'm fine, Padfoot. Just got too many thoughts in my head."

Sirius walked over and sat on the edge of the bed across from Remus and faced him. "So, you and Kiley, huh?"

Remus couldn't help but smile, "We're not dating Padfoot, just a date."

"Mhm. Well, I'm happy for you. It's about time you found someone you like and Kiley's a good one to choose. How come you didn't tell us you like her?"

"I don't know. Just afraid I guess. I mean, who'd of thought she'd ever like me?"

Sirius chuckled, "Come on, Moony, what girl doesn't want you? You have them practically hanging off you."

"Those are all fakers though, they don't know me. I know you feel the same way about the fifty girls that asked you to Hogsmeade already." They shared a short laugh together at their inside joke. All the Marauders had girls chasing after them, maybe not hardly fifty but quite a few, and they enjoyed a good laugh about it regularly because not one of the girls really knew any of them, they just liked their reputation. "So, what're you and Scarlett going to do this weekend?"

"I don't know. Talk a nice walk, shop around, and then lunch at the Three Broomsticks I guess. Something like that anyway."

"I don't know what to do for Kiley."

Sirius thought about it for a while, "You could always make a dancing letters banner with you names on it and take her to Madame Puddifoots..."

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The day of Hogsmeade finally arrived. After breakfast Olivia met up with Lucius and walked to Hogsmeade hand in hand with him while James, Peter, Remus, Kiley, Sirius, and Scarlett walked together. James, like the first time, continued to stare a hole through Lucius and this time, Sirius was giving his glare a run for its money but after they reached the village, Lucius led Olivia off away from the wandering eyes of the others.

Lucius put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed, "So, Olivia, this is our last Hogsmeade visit together. What would you like to do."

"How about we do some shopping and then maybe a walk?"

"Anything you want, love." Olivia gave a small smile, the day was bitter sweet. She hated that Lucius was leaving Hogwarts. She'd miss him horribly. Things had been going so well ever since Lucius had apologized for that one awful night. He had been trying to be extra special to her and she had been eating the attention up. She loved the way he wouldn't settle with just apologizing but had actually been putting himself forth to prove it. She was worried, though, about how things would be between them after he left Hogwarts.

They made their way into Honeydukes where Olivia went from shelf to shelf examining all the tasty looking chocolate. Lucius laughed, causing her attention to turn from the chocolate to him. "Your so excited over candy?" She shook her head enthusiastically causing him to laugh again. After fifteen minutes, she was loaded down with an armful of chocolate that she unloaded onto the counter. Hey, she couldn't help if she was a chocoholic. As the witch at the counter added up her purchase Sirius arrived out of nowhere and paid for it all for her.

"Sirius! You don't have to do that!" He just grinned and winked before he turned around to continue shopping with Scarlett.

Her chocolate was loaded into a bad, which Lucius took to carry for her, and they left to decide what shop to hit next. "What was that about?"

Olivia looked at him. He was trying hard to be nonchalant about it but she could tell he was upset by the display from Sirius. "He was just being nice, Lucius."

"I would've paid for you."

Olivia gave him the sweetest smile she could muster. She knew he was jealous and she thought it was cute but knew it wasn't needed. Her and Sirius were just friends. "I know you would have, love. But come on, I want to visit Zonko's."

For the remainder of the day, Lucius carried her bags and paid for everything. She couldn't help but feel like the only reason he was doing any of it was to top Sirius' impromptu gift and though it was sweet, she found it slightly annoying at the same time.

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Sirius and Scarlett were sitting in the Three Broomsticks having lunch at a table near the back for a little privacy. Sirius was having a nice time. He liked Scarlett, she was sweet and funny and he had enjoyed himself with her. The only rough part of the day was when he had paid for Olivia's Honeyduke purchase. He had thoughtlessly done it, just as a nice surprise because he knew she had ran up a nice little tab and he had more gold than he knew what to do with. Scarlett though, hadn't seen it like that. She hadn't said anything to him but he could tell that it had bothered her.

"So, have you enjoyed yourself?"

Scarlett laughed and flipped her brown hair over her shoulder. "I have. You certainly know how to treat a lady." Sirius smiled and she melted. "So, what about you? Have you had a lovely day?"

"I think that goes without saying, but yes, I definitely have." He sat in silence for a minute, enjoying the food in front of him. "So, Scarlett, what do you think about making us a little more permanent?"

Scarlett studied his face, trying to decide how sincere he was being. She was really starting to like Sirius. He was nice, and the sense of humor that she had previously saw as simply immature she was beginning to see as charming. She smiled, though she was trying to keep a serious face, "I'd love that, Sirius."

Sirius' face broke out into a huge grin. "We should probably be heading back to the castle soon."

They stood and, hand in hand, headed back toward the castle.

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Remus and Kiley made their way along the path toward the Shrieking Shack. Remus felt like he was on top of the world. His day had been wonderful and they had decided to round it off with a walk. He hesitantly reached over and took Kiley's hand, who in response gripped it tight and smiled. He didn't particularly want to see the shack but she had mentioned how interested she was in it so he lead her to the fence that bordered the property.

He leaned against the fence with his arms folded in front of him as she pulled herself onto the fence and examined the shack. "You know, some people are saying that its haunted."

Remus chuckled, "So I've heard."

She grinned down at him from her perch, "Do you believe them?"

Remus pretended to contemplate the question. "Well, what other explanation is there? A rowdy ghost probably thought it looked like a good haunt and made it home."

"I don't know. It's definitely possible but I think its something else."

Remus felt himself tense involuntarily. "Oh? Like what?"

"Oh, I don't know. I just don't really buy the haunting story. I bet whatever it is though is awesome. I'd love to find out."

Remus couldn't help but smile at the irony. "It's probably just a ghoul or something like that."

Kiley laughed and shoved his shoulder playfully, "No sense of adventure."

"So, Lupin, why don't you give her a little more detail about the shack?" They both turned to see Severus Snape standing a few yards away.

Kiley slid off the fence to stand beside Remus, "What do you want Snape?"

"Just wondering if your dear Lupin here is going to tell you the truth about the shack."

"Leave Snape, this is none of your business."

"What's he talking about, Remus?"

"Yea, Remus, what am I talking about?"

"How the hell should I know what goes on in that twisted head of yours? Now why don't you run along and play with all your other little greasy friends and leave us alone?"

"Just wait, Lupin. She'll find out."

After he made sure that Severus was gone he walked the few steps back to Kiley and took her hand. "You ok?" She dropped his hand and he a split second he felt his blood run cold, she'd rejected him. Then he felt her arms wrap around his neck and pull him to her into a hug. He immediately responded and wrapped his arms around her waist, burying his face into her hair. "Come on. Lets get back to the castle."

He squeezed her hand and started down the path back toward the village but she pulled causing him to turn around. "What was he talking about?"

Remus sighed, "I don't know, Kiles. He was just trying to start something."

"He's such a creeper."

Remus laughed, "That he is. Now, come on, lets get back."

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The remaining days of the school year seemed to fly by and before anyone knew it, they were boarding the train to head home for the summer. Olivia and Kiley decided to join the guys in their compartment since everywhere else was full. Kiley sat next to Remus, who immediately found her hand in his and Olivia squeezed herself between James and Sirius.

They took turns playing exploding snap and taking bets on who would get burned the biggest part of the ride. The trolley lady came and they passed sweets around. Olivia noticed that Sirius was paying a chocolate frog an awful lot of attention and was beginning to wonder if he was going to eat it or ask it out. She nudged him with her elbow, "You ok?"

He finished unwrapping the frog and ate it. "Yea, I'll be fine. Just can't believe how fast this year flew by."

"That it did. Do you still not think you'll be able to make it over this summer?"

He shook his head despairingly, "Not a chance. But don't worry, the summer will pass fast and before we know it, we'll all be back at Hogwarts."

She couldn't help but smile. Sirius was right. Soon, they'd all be back together again.

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Author's Note: Please, please review and let me know what your thinking. -PJ