Author's Notes: Edited 23/07/2009. Thanks to Peggy (Medieval Mystic: USER ID: 796384) for getting the beta'ed chapter back to me, which is now in place of the previously unedited chapter.
Chapter Twelve: Hard Work Gains a Greater Reward
Later on Monday evening – after we'd all finished dinner – Heather, Stephanie and I met the Marauders and Lily outside the library as Michelle went off to Quidditch practice.
As soon as we reached the fourth floor, Stephanie let go of my arms - which she'd previous linked her own around - and strode forwards to greet Sirius. When he placed his arm over her shoulder and she turned bright red, I let out a chuckle and walked forward to meet the others.
"See, they've got the right idea," James told Lily, nodding his head towards Sirius and Stephanie, then trying to wrap his own arm around her shoulder. However, Lily shrugged him off, and walked through the door to the library without him.
"Poor James," I giggled, catching up with Remus and taking his hand.
"Poor Lily, more like. If you'd smelt Prongs' dirty socks like I have, you'd be quick to brush him off too."
Letting out another laugh, I followed Remus as he went to sit down at the table Sirius, Stephanie and Lily had already occupied.
Soon enough, we all got started on our respective homework assignments. I huddled together with Stephanie and Heather so that we could work on our Inferi essay for Defense.
"Do you think we should make some notes for Michelle too?" I suggested, thinking of our friend who was missing out of valuable study time due to Quidditch practice.
"Already ahead of you," Heather replied, showing me two rolls of parchment that had identical writing on them; she'd obviously made double copies of her notes, so that Michelle would have something to base her homework on.
With an approving nod of my head, I smiled at Heather and then got back to work.
Thankfully, the Defense essay was relatively easy. All we had to do was use the notes we'd taken that day in class to write a piece on how to identify Inferi, their uses for dark wizards, and the best way to combat the magically reanimated corpses.
The thought of some evil wizard using the bodies of their dead victims in war sent a shudder down my spine and I couldn't help but think of the recent Daily Prophet reports of yet more people who had gone missing, as well as the Ministry's suspicion that it was at the hands of "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" and his followers.
Away from the safety of Hogwarts, it was a well-known fact that the dark wizard was gaining power and supporters; using both to strike fear into the hearts of Wizarding kind by kidnapping and murdering people. The Ministry of Magic had no clue about "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's" location, however, and thus far he had avoided capture by the Aurors.
Sometimes, with classes, homework, Quidditch and the various other things involved with school life going on, it was all too easy to forget that outside the castle there were innocent people disappearing, causing/making a lot of wizards feared for their lives.
However, none of us could go on forever pretending the threat of "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" didn't exist, as in just under two years we'd be graduating Hogwarts and living in the real world.
With that thought in my mind, I began thinking what the future would hold. I already knew I wanted to work as a Curse-Breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank and - with the grades I was expected to get in my N.E.W.T.s exams - should be able to do so. But what else? Did I want to start a family? Would I remain living in Hogsmeade close to my own parents? Or would I move further away, to London perhaps, or possibly even travel out of England altogether? It was a lot to think about and I soon realized, aside from working towards a career as a Curse-Breaker, I hadn't really given much thought to my life after graduation.
"Jenn, are you alright?" Remus asked, pulling me out of my musings. "You've been staring at that essay for the last ten minutes."
"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied hurriedly. "Just thinking is all."
"A Knut for you thoughts?"
"Take a walk with me and I'll tell you," I returned, putting my Defense essay in my bag and rising from my seat.
Together, Remus and I left the library – telling the others we'd be back before it closed to collect our belongings – and then found a bench in the deserted third floor corridor so that we could sit and talk for a while.
"So, are you going to tell me what's on your mind," Remus asked, putting his arm around me as I rested my head on his shoulder.
"I was just thinking what I'll do when I graduate," I replied simply, not elaborating on the fact it'd been brought on by my thoughts about 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named'.
"I thought you wanted to work at Gringotts as a Curse-Breaker. Or have you changed your mind?"
"No, no. I still want to do that, if I get the grades required. I just realized, aside from working out what I want to do as a career, I haven't made any plans for when we leave school."
"There's still plenty of time left for that though. We've only just started out sixth year, after all," Remus pointed out.
"Oh, I know. It's just … well … I was thinking about 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named"'" I confessed, averting my gaze from his. "And that sort of made me realize how uncertain the future really is. If I don't know I'm going to be safe from evil wizards, I at least want to know where I'm going to live, and if I'm ever going to get married."
At the mention of 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named', Remus stiffened a little and let out a deep breath.
"It's scary, isn't it?"
"Yeah, really scary actually. You know, last year, after Fabian and Gideon Prewett were killed, Mum and Dad actually thought about closing up the shop and moving way so that Sarah and I would be safe."
"Well, I can't say that I blame them for wanting to protect their children," Remus told me, before turning his head to gaze into my eyes. "But I'm glad you stayed."
"I'm glad I stayed too," I whispered, brushing my lips against his.
For a while longer, Remus and I remained on the bench in the third floor corridor, sitting in silence whilst we mulled over our thoughts.
Even if I didn't know what the future held, I was glad I had the here and now – with Remus.
Finally, he broke the silence by turning to me and saying, "Do you still want to work on the 'Aguamenti' incantation? It might take your mind off things?"
"Yeah, okay then," I replied, drawing my wand from my robe sleeve.
As I practiced the flourishing arm movement needed to preform the spell, Remus conjured a goblet for the water to go into and placed it beside me.
"You're not going to make me go thirsty if I can't do it, are you?"
"No, I've got a much better idea than that," he told me with a wolfish grin.
Raising a questioning eyebrow, I concentrated hard on the incantation and I waved my arm around. To my great surprise, a small trickle of water spouted from my wand and dripped into the goblet Remus hand conjured.
Smiling at me approvingly, Remus cupped my cheek and pressed his lips against mine.
"Well done," he whispered against me mouth.
Stifling a giggle, I pulled away and tried the spell again.
With the prospect of getting another kiss from Remus for doing the incantation right, I put all my concentration behind the movement of my wand, and quietly said 'Aguamenti'. This time, the stream of water was a little heavier and the result filled at least a quarter of the goblet on the bench.
Expectantly, I turned towards Remus, and was delighted when he crushed his lips against mine; pulling me in for a passion filled kiss.
"Okay, now try again," he instructed me when he'd finally pulled away.
Hoping for yet another kiss, I flourished my wand and focused my mind on the spell. To my great pleasure, an even thicker stream of water than before spouted from my wand and filled the goblet up halfway.
With a grin, Remus took the wand from my hand and then pulled me to him. As the heat from our closeness coursed through my body, he brushed his lips against mine and run his fingers through my hair.
"Alright, give it another try. And this time, if you get a full stream of water, I'll do more than merely brush my lips against yours," he whispered in my ear, then placed my wand back in my hand.
Pulling away, I felt slightly breathless from the encounter, but I was determined to do the spell perfectly on this try; after all, the promised reward would be well worth it.
Mustering up all my might, I flourished my wand, and concentrated all my focus on the incantation; for the first time doing it non-verbally.
Within seconds, a steady stream of water poured from my wand and filled the goblet to the rim.
Grinning with delight, I turned to Remus.
"I did it!"
"Well done, Jenn. I knew you could."
"It's all thanks to your help though," I insisted.
"Not really. I knew you had the power to do it inside, you just needed a little motivation. So I provided that."
"Well, whatever the case, I really appreciate it."
"You're most welcome."
Then, drinking down the goblet of water I'd just conjured and vanishing it away, Remus took my hands and pulled me so close towards him that he almost crushed my ribs.
"And now for your reward," he said huskily, before crushing his lips against mine.
Even though we'd kissed a lot since our conversation at the lake after the Quidditch try-outs, this time was very different. Usually, when Remus kissed me, it was slow and gentle. However, this time, I could feel the burning passion behind the embrace.
It was like Remus was a hungry animal who couldn't get enough of me, and his kisses were devouring my being. Not that I minded; I quite liked being consumed by Remus.
"I hope you didn't reward Lily like this when you were helping her out in Transfiguration," I murmured against his lips.
"No, this is a special treat just for you," Remus replied huskily before capturing my lips for another kiss; all thoughts of collecting our belongings from the library forgotten.