"It is so a date!"
"No it isn't!"
Marlene grins widely from her bed. "Remus and I are just friends! That's it."
She shakes her head. "You can't see it! You can't see how much he likes you. Or how much you like him."

Did I like Remus? I don't think I do. Did it seem that way?
"So, what are you wearing?" Lily asks from her seat by the window.
I look down at my black jeans, long sleeved white shirt and military styled boots. "This?"

Marlene jumps up from her bed. "You can't wear that! You have to make an effort on a date!"
And then the old argument resumes. "It's not a date!"
"Yes, it is!"

She huffs. "Well, at least wear a different top. It's so sunny outside!"
She throws me a red short sleeved top. "Put that on!"
Putting on the top, Marlene whistles. "Now, that is so much better."

"Aria, what is that on your arm?" Lily asks, looking at my left arm. I look down and that's when I see the scar the tree branch left. "Oh, I bumped into a wall." I lie. I had forgotten all about it.
I escape from the dormitory before they can ask any questions, picking up a cardigan on my way out.

-x-

I wait for Remus in the common room, and my palms are sweaty. Why my body is reacting this way, I don't know. Maybe it's because he was so intense.
I hear footsteps approaching, and I turn to see Remus walking down the staircase. My heart starts beating faster once I realise that there is no chance of getting out of this.

He makes his way across the room and stops when he is infront of me.
"Hi. Thank you for coming."
He motions for me to follow him, and he leads me outside and down to the lake. He then takes a blanket out of a bag I hadn't noticed he was carrying and smoothes it out on the grass.

He sits, and tells me to sit beside him. We sit there, and time passes slowly as no one speaks. Then suddenly, he says, "So, how do you like Hogwarts so far?"
I'm pretty sure he has asked me this before, but I answer anyway. At least we have something to talk about.

"It's good. I really like it here."
We sit by the lake for most of the afternoon, just talking about our lives and our dreams. I learn that Remus is an only child. I can't imagine being an only child. Not having Leah around. Not that I've seen her much lately. Remus tells me that he would like to be a teacher someday, but it probably won't happen.
When I ask why, he replies, "Unavoidable circumstances."
The tone of sadness in his voice makes my heart ache for him.

"So, have you been drawing recently?"
I shake my head. "There hasn't been time. I was thinking of drawing the Whomping Willow, though."

He stands, and pulls me along with him. "What are you doing?"
He continues putting the blanket back into his bag, and lifts it onto his shoulder.
"We're going to the Willow."
"I don't have my book..."

"Then we'll go back and get it."
"Why are you doing this? Why are you being so..friendly?"
He looks confused. "Do you not want me to be friendly?"
"That's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?"
I can feel myself becoming frustrated; I'm not very good at explaining things well.

"I don't know! Are you always this nice to people when you've only known them for little over a week?"
His mouth opens to speak, but I beat him to it. "I'm sorry. Lets go get my drawing book."

The walk back is silent. God, why did I have to say anything? He was being nice, and I threw it back in his face!
"Remus, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."
He shakes his head. "It's ok. You're in a new place, you are bound to be...emotional."

Did I seem emotional? I don't feel emotional. Arriving back at the dormitory, I gather my things into a bag and make my way back down the staircase. And there sitting next to Remus, is James, Peter and Sirius.

Sirius spots me on the last step, and he shouts, "Ah, here she is! Stop worrying, Remus!"
Remus gets up from the couch. "Shut up, Sirius."
We walk out the common room, but not before James shouts, "They're not even holding hands!"

-x-

Remus is silent while I draw the Whomping Willow. I try not to dwell on the silence and focus on my drawing.
"You know, you never did tell me your surname."
I place the drawing pad back inside my bag. I look at Remus and smiling, I say, "Haynes."

"Aria Haynes." He says my name aloud, as if he is testing the words. After a moment, he nods.
"So, how long have you and the others been friends?"
He hums, and then says, "Since we came to Hogwarts. James and Sirius were already friends, and we all shared a dormitory. I guess it kind of went from there."
"So, you're all pretty close?"

He nods. "Aria, I..." He sighs. "I'm just going to come out and say this. I really like you. I know it must sound stupid, and you've only been here for just over a week. But I can't help how I feel."

He leans closer, and my breath catches in my throat. He pauses, and I feel his breath warming my face. His lips press against mine, and I melt into the kiss.
For a moment, everything around us disappears, and it's just Remus and I.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here!"
We break apart, and I turn my head to see James, with Peter and Sirius flanking him on either side. "Sorry, Peter. You've got no chance now!"
_

Hello! So, I have 10 reviews! Thanks for reviewing!
Theta-McBride: I guess you'll have to stick around to find out :) I'm glad you like my story!
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