The Hogsmeade trip rolls around fairly quickly, and since Lily agreed to meet the others at the Three Broomsticks, we're all very excited.
I had invited Leah to come with us, but she had said she was already going with someone.

I hadn't expected Hogsmeade to be as big as it was, and we must have entered at least ten shops. I didn't want to spend any money, but Marlene told me to splash out and treat myself. So, with that in mind, I had bought an A4 sized canvas, new pencils and paint tubes.

Then, I had to endure two hours of Marlene trying on new dresses for her dates, and I wondered if she had dated Sirius, James or Remus. When I asked, she laughed for about five full minutes before she said, "No way! Although, Sirius is a catch. Wouldn't mind getting to know him better." Then she winked at me. Winked.

Dresses bought, we all headed over to the Three Broomsticks. We found them in the corner of the bar, and they all already had firewhiskeys situated infront of them.
James spots me in the doorway, and shouts, "There you are! Remus was worried you wouldn't show!"

Remus whacks him around the back of the head, but he was blushing violently.
He makes room for me inbetween him and Sirius.
"So, how was your first trip to Hogsmeade?"

"It was great. I bought some art stuff, and then had to wait for two hours for Marlene to buy a dress."
Marlene overhears this, and says, "Hey, it's hard finding the right dress!"
Sirius groans and puts his head on the table. "You've been here five minutes, and we're already talking about dresses."

The barmaid comes over to take our orders, and when I ask for a water, James shakes his head at me. "No, get her a firewhiskey."
I try to tell the barmaid to get me a water, but she was already gone.
"Why did you do that? I wanted a water."
"No, you want a firewhiskey. Trust me."

Suddenly, Alice jumps up from the table. "Frank! Over here."
Just then, I see a tall, brown haired boy making his way over to our table. So, this is the mysterious Frank Longbottom. He kisses Alice on the cheek, and she smiles. I don't think I've seen her smile this much before.

"Frank! Haven't seen you for a while!"
James pounds him on the back, and Frank puts him in a headlock and messes up his hair. Everyone laughs when James shouts for help.

When Frank and James are seated, Alice introduces me. "This is Aria. Aria, this is Frank."
He nods at me, since we aren't seated close enough to shake hands.
"Nice to meet you."

The barmaid returns with the firewhiskeys, and I look into the glass hesitantly.
"You don't have to drink it if you don't want to." Remus whispers in my ear.
I shake my head. "It's fine," I take a tentative sip. "Or not. That is revolting!"

Sirius looks offended. "How dare you! It's ok, firewhiskey, I still love you."
Ok, that's normal.
We stay in the bar for hours, laughing and joking. I learn that James is a chaser on the Quidditch team and that Remus is a half-blood. In the corner, I spot Lily and James talking quietly, and she has a faint smile on her face.
I yawn, and Remus asks if I want to head back. I nod, and he gets up to walk me back.

It's snowing outside, and the streets are illuminated by the lanterns hung outside of the shops. Like they are guiding us back.
"So, Aria, how old are you, if you don't mind me asking?"

I smile. "I don't mind. I'm seventeen, you?"
"Same age. So, why did you come to Hogwarts so far into the school years?"
"I didn't get my letter until a few weeks ago."

He hums, like he is thinking. "Strange.."
"So," He says after he has stopped humming. "do you have any family here?"
"A sister. Her name is Leah, but she got place in Hufflepuff."

Even I hear the disappointment in my voice, and Remus gives me a sympathetic smile.
"So, what is your life like back home?"
"Why are you taking such an interest in me?" Well, I hadn't expected to say that.
"I'm sorry. It's just..there is something different about you. You're not like the others."

"What does that mean?" My voice is a whisper, and Remus steps closer.
"You intrigue me. I want to know more about you."
My breathing has increased, and my face feels flushed.
"Will you meet me tomorrow? In the common room, around twelve?"
I nod, and he steps back. We walk the rest of the way in silence.

But I felt happy. What has Remus done to me?
-x-

Does he like me? He can't. We've known each other for little over a week. He can't like me. He must have meant something else. Who would like me?

I'm brought out of my thoughts when James and Sirius sit either side of me on the couch. Sirius drapes his legs over me and James puts an arm around my shoulder.
"What are you doing?"
"So, what happened with you and Remus last night?"

They are both grinning widely at me. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, please," Sirius shifts into a more comfortable position. "I haven't seen him that happy in a long time. He likes you, you know."

I shake my head. "He can't. We haven't known each other very long."
"Doesn't matter. The fact is he likes you, so if you don't like him, please let him down gently."

Did I like Remus? He's nice, charming and a gentleman. Nothing like other people I've dated. It's times like this I wish I could talk to Leah. She'd know just what to say and how to make me realize what I feel.

She's like my personal therapist. Sirius and James leave, and I'm left with all these confusing thoughts floating around in my head.

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