My awareness of Remus's presence went from faraway to observer to full-on watcher. Before I would notice him when he walked down the hallways or if he was near me in class, and I would spare a moment to think about how attractive he is or how good of a taste in books he has. Now, when I see him, I'm constantly reminded of our brief interaction and how his hands were as soft as an infants bum. He didn't seem effected at all by our interaction, not like I expected him to be. But I swear one day during lunch I saw him smile ever-so-slightly in my direction. However, I was so taken aback and didn't know what to do I panicked and shoved my face into my plate of potatoes.
Gwen was following my every actions from now. But lately she'd been distracted, this boy from Hufflepuff had been paying attention to her as of the late and she was less consumed in my life and for once entertained by her own.
It had been three days since my first interaction with Remus and he seemed as indifferent as ever. I was growing frustrated but when it came to him I was much too shy to actually act on anything or show any attention towards him so I kept to myself, watching him hopefully from time to time.
Because of the lack of interaction between us Sirius had jokingly suggested we do the typical makeover, and I start wearing stiletto heals everywhere and coat my eyes in eyeliner. However, he did give me a bottle of perfume that smelled of chocolate. I wasn't used to receiving gifts from guys though and the action was slightly awkward, I had yet to wear it I felt sort of weird putting it on and was slightly afraid it would turn out to smell like hippogriff dung or something. I didn't understand why Sirius was so invested in getting Remus and I together that the dedication to the project was slightly unnerving.
Late Friday night I was in the library, curled up in a plush chair, reading one of my favorite books Pride and Prejudice I felt like a cliché reading that book but it was one of my favorites and despite the fact that every girl says it's their favorite I feel like I've grown up with the book, and that everything that Jane and Elizabeth go through I've gone through. Heartbreak, family problems, unrequited love. Of course they get their happily ever after, and I'm still waiting.
A shadow cast over my book and I looked up and almost feinted when my eyes locked with a familiar set of soft amber eyes. Remus was looking at me sheepishly, the crooked smile on his face. "Ella, right?"
I hardly noticed he was talking, I was watching his lips carefully as they formed into letters. His lips were a light shade of pink, his bottom lip larger than his top, and they were cracked ever so slightly. I followed his lips up, taking in the brown scruff that decorated his face, the smallest batch of freckles on his nose that could hardly be seen, his amber eyes that glowed, and his dirty brown hair that stood up on the side, the scars that litter his face.
"Hm?" I asked, not having heard what he said.
Remus smiled at me and I felt myself melting. He looked so genuine and innocent when he smiled. "Ella, is it?" I nodded my head, "do you mind if I sit down?" He asked, gesturing towards the chair next to me.
"Of course!" I said a little too enthusiastically. If I had been too loud Remus made no indication and only smiled at me.
"What are you reading?" He asked, pointing at the book laying in my lap.
"Oh, Pride and Prejudice, one of my favorites." I said, hardly able to believe that so far I was having a relatively normal conversation with Remus.
"Classic," he agreed. "Speaking of books," he said digging into his backpack and pulling out a piece of parchment. He held out the parchment to me and looked nervous as I did so.
Oh my Merlin is this a love letter?
"Sirius suggested I should do this," Remus said tentatively as I grabbed the paper from his hand, making sure my fingers brushed against the back of his hand as I did it. I tried not to seem too eager while opening the parchment and gingerly unfolded the piece apart. I could feel Remus's eyes on me the entire time I did so and I tried not to blush.
Inside I was shaking, I couldn't imagine what it could be. When the final piece unfolded I opened it and my eyes scanned the piece of paper. They were books, a long list, of at least twenty. I looked up at Remus who was looking as embarrassed as I felt. It wasn't a love letter but it was definitely thoughtful, even if Sirius had been the one to suggest it. He could've easily just written down a book or two and thrown me the paper, instead it looked like he put a lot of thought into the list.
I looked up at Remus unable to hide my beaming. He was scratching the back of his head with a sheepish grin on his face. "I don't know if you haven't read some of them, but it's a list of some of my favorites and I figured I should share them with you."
"No, this is fantastic," I gushed. "I've been looking for a new book to read so this is really ace."
Remus visibly relaxed and sighed into his chair, looking more comfortable than he had before. "Great, I was afraid I was going to look like a complete tosser considering the two times we've met have been less than stellar moments."
"I don't know," I said safely tucking the piece of parchment into my skirt pocket. "I think Peter farting on you was a high point in my week."
Remus chuckled at the memory and ran the back of his hand along the scruff on his jaw. "That's Wor-Peter for you." Remus coughed and I couldn't help but notice he and Sirius had a tendency of saying people's names wrong. I wonder what's up with that... "Anyway, you're in our year right, Gryffindor?"
I nodded my head, I was surprised he knew even that much. However, Lily was in my year and her and James were always at each others throats -though not so much as of lately- so he was bound to see me around. "For seven years now," was my brilliant reply.
"I've seen you around, I don't know why we've never talked."
That's because you're a demi-god and I have one friend.
I shrugged and tried to appear nonchalant. "It's not like I made much effort either. Let us both say we're at fault and call a truce." Remus smiled at me, his eyes lighting up. I still couldn't believe I had been this normal so far. Usually any interaction involving Remus involved bodily harm or flatulence. "Hey," I said suddenly having an idea. "Would you want me to write a list for you? It seems only fair. I mean, you may have read every book that I have but in the event you haven't-"
"No, that would be great," Remus said interjecting. "So, I can't help but notice that you've been spending some time with Sirius. Is there something I should know about?" He asked raising an inquisitive eyebrow.
With a sinking stomach I realize that Remus thinks I like Sirius. He's asking me probably figuring he can set us up or hurry along the process. I guess I could see where he's coming from, Sirius and I had hardly ever talked before and for the past few days I've been sitting by him for meals, and stopping to chat with him in the hallways. I had heard girls gossiping over how we've been seen talking lately, but I didn't think that Remus would think the same thing.
"No," I said quickly. "I mean, we're friends, I guess. We've uh, been talking about," I racked my brain for a common interest. "Quidditch," I quickly said. Truthfully I'm not the biggest Quidditch fan, I enjoy watching our teams play but I get bored fairly fast and don't understand how James and Sirius could go on about it for hours.
"Quidditch," Remus repeats in not an entirely convinced voice. "Well that certainly would be the subject of interest for him. What position does Sirius play again?"
"Um, beater?" I answer hopefully.
Remus chuckles and leans forward, his close proximity causing the breath to hitch in my throat. "Sirius doesn't play Quidditch." He said with a surprising grin on his face, the grin could only be described as wolfish, and incredibly sexy. His grin almost made me forget my face was beat red from being called out on my lie. "The only reason Sirius goes to Quidditch matches is for James, otherwise he couldn't really give a toss." Remus stood up and at first I thought I had offended him but he still had the same smile on his face. "It's okay Ella, I won't tell anyone. It's not like you're the first girl to pursue Sirius Black." He swung his backpack over his shoulder and I tried to correct him but he cut me off, "I'll see you around."
I opened my mouth to call his name but no sound came out. I looked at Remus desperately, hoping he would turn around so I could explain myself and tell him I wasn't interested in his mate but into him. Unfortunately Remus walked out of the library without so much as a second glance back at me. I slumped into my seat agitated, I was farther away from Remus liking me back than before.
A/N: Okay, so what I'm really excited about is I've created the reason why Sirius wants Ella/Remus together so badly. Before I had a different reason but I've thought of something even BETTER and I'm really excited with what I can do with this plot idea which shall be revealed in the next chapter or so when I have it in either Remus or Sirius's POV. And I know James, Lily and Peter have yet to make an appearance so they shall be introduced into this story in the next chapter or so :) Thank you again to everyone whose reviewed I love you all! :)