Oh hey there.
Disclaimer: Do not own anything except my characters.
Chapter 11 - Sleeping
No, I thought to myself, calculating dates and visualizing calendars in my mind. No, it's not possible. It's not tonight. What is he talking about?
I look up at him warily, tugging down the front of my shirt. "Tonight," I started, "isn't a full moon, is it? No, it's not for a few more days…right?"
Lupin had fled to the other side of the room, as far away as the bed, and me, as possible. He shuddered. "No. No, it's not a full moon. But it's just as dangerous. Even more so, perhaps. For you and me both."
"Wha-what do you mean? More dangerous how?" I questioned, standing up. I took a step in his direction when he suddenly cried out, as if in pain.
"DON'T!" he shouted, startling and stopping me in my tracks. He took a deep heaving breathe and continued, fractionally more calm. "Please. It's easier this way. Just…just stay over there. Please."
"Alright, alright," I said, backing up until the back of my knees hit the bed. "Will you please explain what is wrong?!" Lupin's back was slack against the wall and he was nearly clawing his face with frustration. "Professor…Remus. Please tell me what happened."
His head began to look up slowly at the sound of his first name. "I don't know if I even have the words to tell you this," he began. "But, I'll try. You know, there are more side effects to lycanthropy than turning into a wolf during a full moon."
"There are?" I asked. "But all the books I've read about your…condition, don't say anything about any additional dangers if you take Wolfsbane."
He gave me a disdainful look. "They don't write about these side effects in the books, Blake. And it's not particularly dangerous for the…typical person, I suppose. Oh gosh, I can't even say this."
I took another step and watched if he would flinch again. When he did not back up like he had been scalded by heat again, I walk across the room until I was face to face with him. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed my cheek to his chest. Lupin did not hug me back; he was shaking so much it scared me. "You can tell me," I whispered.
His hands on my shoulders, he gently pushed me back. "A few days before the full moon," he started, "I start feeling some other…urges. Desires." He looked down, ashamed. "Normally, I can control myself, but around this time of the cycle, my body is more powerful than my brain. And you're just so gorgeous. I couldn't help myself." He reached out and stroked the contours of my cheek with one lithe finger. My cheeks burned red hot at his touch, and I suddenly had the urge to jump on him. But I did not have the excuse of lycanthropy for my urges. I had teenage hormones.
As if reading my mind, he pulled his hand away quickly and said, "Not that it is any excuse. I should have known better – I do know better. It's just that I've driven myself crazy this couple of months. You don't know how irresistible you look, always sitting on my desk in your uniform."
A low growl let loose from his chest and I could suddenly see the wolf in his features. He lunged in for another kiss. His smooth lips crashed against mine with such urgency. My lips parted as his tongue forced its way into the caverns of my mouth. I felt his rough hands grab the back of my thighs and hoisted me up until I was straddling his waist. (He may look rather lanky, but he sure is strong!) It was as if I had suddenly come down with a raging fever – but it was the most blissful sickness I've ever felt. After a few minutes, I found myself within inches of the four-poster bed once again. And honestly, I don't know if I can – or want to – stop him this time. It was a blur of skin and fabric and somehow, both of our shirts lay forgotten on the floor. My fingers traced the deep scars on his back. Lupin had so many self-made marks, but he was still beautiful. Hidden beneath his shabby clothes was a lean and toned body covered in faint scratches. I'm sure that if the other girls caught a glimpse of him with his shirt off, I'd have a little competition…
Although he was much rougher than usual, Lupin seemed more in control of himself now. Feeling the sweat beginning to bead on my brow, he gave a sigh and reluctantly pulled his mouth away. He hugged me close to his warm body and whispered in my ear, "I'm sorry," and placed a kiss on the top of my head.
"Don't be," I murmured, suddenly hit by an overwhelming sleepiness. I snuggled into his chest, and before I could help myself, I fell into a dreamless sleep.
oOoOoOoOo
"Blake."
I felt a tickle in my ear. I feebly swatted the tickle away, feeling comfortable in my dormitory bed.
"Now, now, Miss Knightly. I've had you away from the school for far too long."
I opened my eyes to a bright rising sun in an unfamiliar window. An incredibly comfortable body was curled around mine. "Not now," I groaned. "I'm sleeping."
"Come on now, time to get up." Lupin slid off the bed and leaned over. He scooped me up, startling me. I clamored to his neck to get support.
"Okay, okay," I grumbled. "I'm up." I looked down to see only my gray bra and jeans. "I need clothes."
Lupin lightly placed me on my feet and I wobbled a bit. Looking up, I saw a faint blush creeping across his face. He bent down and picked up my dark green pullover, almost in shreds. "Whoops," he chuckled. He pulled his wand out of his pocket and plucked the shirt off of the floor. "Reparo," he muttered, and my shirt mended itself. As he handed it to me, I suddenly became very self-conscious, and for an unexplainable reason, I turned the other way to slip my shirt on.
"Okay," I said, facing him again. "I'm ready to leave, I guess."
"Don't look so glum," he said. "As much as you might miss me, I'll be missing you ten fold."
"Doubt that."
"Listen, I have so many more things to worry about than you do," he chided. "How do I know you won't meet some devilishly charming young man when you're on holiday in France. Some dashing ski instructor, perhaps? My best friend was Sirius Black, and he was the biggest ladies' man I've ever known, so I know all the tricks guys use."
I frowned. "You're being ridiculous. That's not going to happen. And I believe that I have more to worry about. I keep on dreading the day you'll realize that I'm just a little, naïve girl who has a crush on her professor."
Lupin became angry at my last sentence. "You are not a little, naïve girl," he said. "And what I feel for you is much more than a crush, Blake. I hope you got that."
I fell quiet as he reached forward and squeezed my hand. "Let's go back now." He led me back to the doggie-door. "After you," he said, and I dropped to my knees and crawled through the little opening. When I emerged, the sun was peeking out over the horizon, and I figured it must be close to seven o'clock. The light glinted off of the freshly fallen snow and made for a very pretty sight. A few moments later, Lupin shimmied his way out. "I should make a bigger door," he muttered gravely. After brushing his hands on his pants, he walked over to me and grabbed me by the waist. "Good morning," he said and kissed me softly, like a shy little boy again. "Did I say that yet?" I giggled, and we hurried back to Honeydukes before anyone woke up in Hogsmeade.
oOoOoOoOo
We had said our goodbyes at his office door – thankfully, no one had been around, so he gave me a swift peck and hug. I was beginning to walk away when I head Lupin call my name.
"Blake! Wait! I forgot something!"
I turned around and walked back towards the door. "Wait here," he said, and slipped back into his office. He came out a minute later, holding a small box in his hand. Am I still sleeping? I thought to myself. This must be a dream. He handed me the box with a bashful look on his face. "Happy Christmas." I accepted the box, which was wrapped in silver paper, and ripped it open. I opened the box to reveal a silver necklace with a tiny paw-print charm hanging on it. "So you don't forget me," he said quietly."
"Thank you," I said, barely finding my voice. "It's beautiful…but I'll never forget you. I'm sorry, but I didn't get you anything."
He smiled. "You've given me more than you'll ever know, Blake." I grinned, gave him a last hug, and hurried off to the dormitory.
This castle was nearly empty – it was barely seven o'clock and the Hogwarts express didn't leave until eleven. Everyone was either sleeping or hurrying to pack their bags. I took my time getting to the tower, clutching the box in pure bliss. Until, that is, I opened the door.
"WHERE WERE YOU LAST NIGHT?" Sam exploded as I stepped through the doorway.
I froze. "Uh, what are you talking about. I was in my bed last night."
"No, you absolutely were not!"
"Yeah, Sam," I said, more composed. "Of course I was. You probably just fell asleep. I had late Prefect duties last night and I…fancied a walk around the grounds this morning."
Sam stared at me and shot, "In the same clothes you were wearing last night?"
Shit. "Uh, yeah. I just threw them on. I'm going to go change now."
"Blake," Sam started, rather tentatively, "we're best friends, right?" I nodded adamantly. "Then why can't you tell me what's going on? You know I won't judge you."
My confidence fell, and I felt terrible. "I can't tell you what's going on. But I promise that I'm okay. Everything is okay. I'm going to go change. Meet you for breakfast?" She nodded and walked out the door.
But everything was certainly not okay. Too many people were becoming suspicious. I could only hope that everything would be forgotten over the holiday. As long as I was not forgotten.
Author's note: Ohaithere. So, I feel really bad about never posting. I promise promise promise that I'll try harder. I actually wrote this chapter in a day, so that's good right? So, some things have changed. When I started writing this, I was fifteen. Now I'm seventeed, and realize that Blake is far too young for this story…Or perhaps I just want her to become more mature. Whatever the case, she will be turning seventeen very shortly, and seventeen is the legal age in the Wizarding World. I don't mean for this story to be creepy or perverted, just…taboo, if you will. So sorry bout my 15-year-old naiveté.
Even though I haven't posted in forevs, it makes me so happy to get notifications still. So, enjoy! And review, please! I'll post more soon! 3