Chapter 16 Bubbleblum Fish
Lupin had to endure an hour of random nonsense that apparently was considered to be music. He had to listen as they crowd shouted when the bands played Our Magic love, Charm Me, Back in Time, and how could he forget the awkward five minutes when one of the bands played I Wanna Hold you Magic Wand Hand (and everyone else around them mysteriously started to hold hand and cuddle).
Although this was their first so-called "date", being surrounded by crazy screaming lunatics wasn't exactly what he planned. He did not want to disappoint Tonks and let her know that he felt completely uncomfortable. Each note was contributing to his early on-set deafness, the guitarist chords were giving him a killing migraine, the constantly standing up and sitting down made him dizzy and nauseous; and he was quite upset that Tonks was paying more attention to the songs than him.
When Tonks asked if he would get some water, Remus was more than willing. It was great to get a few moments of silence and hopefully it would help alleviate his migraine.
However, when he arrived back with two bottles of water, he found Shiah sitting next to Tonks. Although he was few feet away, he was able to tell that the two seemed to be having a heated argument.
"You shouldn't be around him Tonks, he's not safe." Shiah whispered.
"Of course he's perfectly safe. What are you getting at?"
"Do you know why he stopped teaching at Hogwarts? My brother told me what he really is?"
"Shut it! Don't talk about him like that." Tonks sprung up, "You don't even know him."
Unexpectedly, Tonks ran up to Remus and said, "Do you wanna get out of here?"
"But the Strange Sisters haven't showed up yet?" Remus said confused, wondering if their date was going so bad that she wanted to leave.
"Let's go." She grabbed his arm to guide him away. She grabbed her blanket and they once again had to maneuver through the crowd.
They finally reach the back of the park away from all the chaos and could finally be alone.
"Did you wanna go home?" Lupin said sadly.
"No. Did you?"
"No."
"I just thought we both needed a breather. Besides I wanted some time with you." Tonks smiled.
"But aren't you going to miss your favorite band?"
"I'm sure I'll get another chance to see them again?" She said kindly.
"Didn't you want to meet your friend afterwards?"
"No!" She said firmly. They had arrived in front of a glowing blue pond and she sat down in front the edge, "Do you want to just talk?"
Lupin smiled and sat down next to her, "About what?"
"I don't know, anything really. I want to get to know you better. Why don't we take turns asking questions?"
"I guess." Remus let out a nervous laugh.
"I'll go first… Are you enjoying yourself so far tonight?"
"Ummm?" Remus wasn't sure if wanted to be honest.
"Oh, no! Were you having a terrible time back there? I knew it! I knew this was stupid place to bring you."
"No, it wasn't a stupid idea. Besides, I do enjoy spending time with you." He said confidently.
"Now it's your turn to ask me something."
"Anything?"
"Anything!" Tonks insisted.
Remus took a deep and ask, "Why do like me?"
Tonks raised an eyebrow as she was not expecting that kind of question.
"I," Remus took a deep breath, "I just feel you can do a lot better than me."
"You know my dad use to take me to this park all the time when I was a kid. I sure do adore him," Tonks had apparently ignored Remus' question; "He would come here and just look around. He would always like find something new he hadn't ever seen before. You see down there, deep in the pond. It's the Bubbleblum fish."
Tonks were pointing a huge ugly fish that was swimming in the middle of the pond. There were quite a few of them and every once and while they would glow a bright blue color. It was quite brilliant seeing flashes of blue randomly popping up in the lake.
Tonks continued on with her story, "I always did like how they glow. Despite what they look on the outside they always find a way to glow!... Remus," She took a more serious tone. "I don't care that you're older. I don't about your lycantropy. I care about you because I know deep down there something there. Something worth glowing. Why can't you see what I see?"
"Because your friend Shiah was right!"
"She's vile!"
"That's how everyone else sees me. The whole world sees me!"
"But that's not who you are! I don't see you that way, Remus! I see the kind, great, and brave man… who I think falling in love with you."
Remus shook immediately from her comment as his her heart rate increased drastically. She said that she was falling in love with him. Had he found someone who could look pass his flaws and truly love him?
Remus leaned in, and for the first time he had made the first move. He had kissed her. He kissed over and over again. And he was holding tightly, making sure that he wouldn't ever let her go.
Chapter 17 Preview: Will Remus be able to tell Tonks has he really feel?
