Chapter 3: Friendlier
November clearly enjoyed employing her impressive ability to charm appearances. Each day it was a new absurd look for the two of them, anything ranging from Lupin with an afro to November with a unibrow. It always struck Lupin that whatever she chose for them looked completely natural, even if it seemed exaggerated.
The pair had been positioned in Diagon Alley, crossing into Knockturn often enough to see and not be seen. So for the most part their job involved loafing around outside. While the weather was nice this would be perfect but neither was looking forward to the bitter winter.
The questions 'game' occupied their time until the light questions were out of the way. Remus loved how odd and amusing November could be, while she enjoyed hearing his thoughts, which were often contrary to her own.
It was cooling off and November, wrapped in a kimono like top and currently sporting black hair and thick eyeliner, was quizzing Remus on the kinds of books he considered best for fall. Remus had retorted that it was not fall but late summer until she had pinched him and told him to stop stalling. Today she had done her best to make him look like a Weasley, mostly for her own amusement: bright red hair, freckles, and the sharp chin present in Ginny and Bill. His golden eyes looked even more catlike peering out of the shaggy red hair.
"I suppose plays seem fallish," he finally answered.
"Plays?"
"Well you know…The Elder Wand, Pemberly and the Persimmon…"
"Dark plays then?"
"Fall seems to carry dark with it. So yes."
"Refresh my memory on Pemberly and the Persimmon."
"Wizard falls in love with witch. Witch is engaged. Fiancé is dark wizard. Good wizard convinces her to carry on an affair. Witch agrees. They are discovered. Witch is killed and wizard is captured and forced to relive their relationship and it's end daily."
"Ah yes. Loads of fun," November teased. "But indeed very fallish."
"I always liked it actually."
"Well, that's the Gryffindor in you I suppose. Personally, it seems an awful mess."
"People would do a lot for love I suppose…" Remus met her eyes evenly. With a cough he changed the subject: "Poetry is also fallish, I believe."
He caught the face November made out of the corner of his eye and gaped at her. "You don't like it?"
She laughed. "I don't even read it! It's intolerable!"
Remus only stared at her for a minute before fishing wildly around in his pocket. A small blueish book was produced and November laughed again.
"You carry it with you?"
"This from the woman who until recently carried her great-grandfather with her in her pocket."
November laughed and did not argue with his point.
"I shall read to you my very favorite Muggle poems and you shall love them. That or I shall petrify you and read them to you while you can't run."
"Well under such duress I surly cannot resist," November returned, sticking her tongue out at him.
Remus coughed dramatically and began to read. His voice changed, becoming more sonorous and rich with each word. He was an excellent reader and November found herself paying attention in spite of herself.
The poem ran as such:
"There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse my the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!"
November smiled over at him as Remus closed the book and gave her an inquiring look.
" I must admit," she said hesitantly, "that was much better than I expected. And much shorter."
"'Not as terrible as I thought.' Well that's something. I felt it would be one you could identify with."
"Indeed it is. I love reading more than almost anything else."
An explosion from nearby interrupted the moment and both were on their feet in half a moment.
Tearing around the corner they were brought face to face with a glowing blue spell. There was only one moment to react and Remus did not have time to question his actions. Grabbing November close to him he pushed her up against the wall to her right.
Time froze for a moment as their eyes met. Her soft body pressed against his. His lean body holding hers tightly. Their faces so close their lips brushed together. November flushed slightly. The spell passed them but neither moved. Remus realized his hands had moved to her waist and the other was wound in her thick hair. November breathed in his special combination of smells: warmth, chocolate, old books, and something masculine and reassuring. But even while they savored this moment time picked back up and the fight was on.
The explosion had been from an odds and ends store. A Death Eater was fighting his or her way out of the ruined store with a bag of what appeared to be jewelry. Even as she saw it November did not believe it; these were Death Eaters, not jewel thieves. And in broad daylight?
A well placed spell by Lupin slashed the Death Eater's hand and he bag dropped, spilling it's contents. November sent the bag whizzing back into the store. The Death Eaters did not go back after the bag. Their aim had now changed to killing Remus and November.
"Block me!" Remus shouted to her. He did not remember tons about her from Hogwarts, but it had always stuck with him that she was the best charms student in her class. Her shields would surely be better than his own.
A glowing blue ball lept around him and November dove out of the direct line of fire. She could maintain the shield but not while firing her own spells.
Remus's dueling abilities were formidable and with the aid of November's shield he burned and cut up several of the Death Eaters. The Death Eaters quickly decided they had had enough. The people who had tried to hide nearby were of no concern to them and protecting these people divided November and Remus's attentions. Ducking into a cluster of people, there were three loud cracks and they were gone.
"Hell!" Remus gasped, panting for breath.
November let the shield drop and sunk to the ground. She was out of practice and told herself to work on shields more at home.
Remus held out a hand to her and she accepted it. She was brought face to face with him and a smile flitted across his hard features. They both began to climb through the rubble that had once been the shop. Other witches and wizards nearby helped them now that the Death Eaters had gone.
The shop owner was finally discovered under the battered counter. He was pulled out and November began to check him for injuries as Remus soothed him. The poor old wizard who owned the store was badly shaken but alive and almost unharmed. Cuts were easily mended and his broken arm was placed in a splint, with November preferring only to mend bones if there were no other options.
When he regained his voice the man was hysterical. "They wanted to run off with me rings! It's took me long enough to find them and they are all quite magical! So I's told 'em no!"
"As well you had every right to." Remus could not suppress a smile at the man's rather stupid but spirited response.
"And they blew up me store!"
"Did they say what ring they wanted?"
"No. They looked at them all though. Put them all up t' their eyes, too close to actually see the ring I would think."
"Odd…" murmured Remus. They must be looking for a ring that would perform a specific action. But what and why their eyes?
Sound of running feet and whistles reached their ears and November grabbed Remus's arm. "That's our signal! Bye!" she chirped at the man and the two Apparated to the other end of Diagon Alley. They watched the man being helped until they were sure all would be well before exiting quickly into the Muggle world. It would be safer to take a bus home than risk magical means. Neither was really in a position to be questioned. After all, November was dead and Remus was less than human.
When Harry arrived at Grimmauld Place, November aimed to be well out of the way. It was Sirius's moment, as well as Remus, and she really had nothing to do with any of it. Her interaction with any of them was limited to hexing Sirius a number of times and Prefect duty with Remus.
November was well hidden away in the kitchen when the stampede told her he had arrived. The windows were open, letting in a breeze in the suffocating London heat. For about half an hour there was talk and laughing far from where she was and she wrongly assumed she would be left alone.
Voices drew closer to her and November heard what she assumed was Harry and Sirius.
"So it's just you and Professor Lupin here?"
"Ah! No, November's living here too. Where is she, Lupin?"
"Hiding in the kitchen."
November swore out loud as she heard the amusement in his voice. A group bustled in and she lept off her stool in the corner, making sure her papers were closed and out of sight.
It was the first time she had ever seen the Boy Who Lived. She didn't really know his parents but she swore if he turned to the side he could have been the obnoxious boy three years above her from all those years ago…
"I'm Harry," he said, holding out a hand to her.
"November Cadougan. A pleasure, Mr. Potter."
"You mean like Sir Cadougan?" The excitement in his voice surprised her.
"Yes. He's my great-grandfather. How do you know of him?"
"He helped us find the Pink Lady when Sirius broke into Hogwarts!"
"He helped?" Noevmber grinned, looking at ease for the first time. "Usually it's 'he tried to help.'"
Harry laughed.
Sirius swept his godson away to show him around while Molly insisted Harry get settled. November returned to her corner before she realized she was not alone in the room. Looking over she saw Remus smirking at her.
"You know he wouldn't let you hide like that."
Novemebr gave him a cocky look. "So you decided to help?"
"I am a very helpful man."
"I was unaware of this," November laughed.
Remus leaned on the counter, his face close to hers, glowing with his usual half smile.
He is so hot. The thought flicked into November's mind before she realized what it was. Really? Lupin? Her eyes took him in and she could not say she disagreed with the subconscious thought. Sleeves rolled back to the elbows, shaggy brown hair, that playful smile, and a thin trim body…add a book and he really was the ideal man.
Remus noticed he was being looked over and blushed without knowing why.
"Well, Very Helpful Man, could you manage to help me haul water out to the plants?"
"Ah yes. Glad to employ my rippling muscles."
November laughed as was expected and filled two wooden buckets. Remus carried them out to a very full back porch. He had managed to construct a magical greenhouse of sorts and despite the drawing cold the plants would continue to grow, providing magical remedies and supplies for potions. Remus looked around the greenhouse. He loved it in here, where it was warm, green, and secluded. He turned back to November.
"See, I'm very…" He trailed off. November was watering the plants and something about her had caught his eye.
Maybe it was the way her long dark hair thickened and curled in the heat. Maybe it was the tenderness with which she treated each plant, even though she was really no good with them, or her soft humming. And maybe it was the very low scoop of her shirt, revealing two perfectly rounded breasts. Her thin and willowy form did not lend to huge breasts but Lupin noted they were divine all of the same.
Lupin shook his head reprimanding himself. She's your friend, he scolded himself. But a voice in his head piped up: How far, really, is friend from 'friendlier'?
November had finished watering the plants and smiled up at him. "I suppose you aren't totally useless after all….You alright?" He looked strained and pink. Must be the heat.
"Just a lot on my mind. I'll leave you to your work then."
"Alright. The alcove?"
He nodded. They didn't even need to say more. Now that there was a whole troop here the hiding place was essential to their sanity.
Taking the stairs two at a time, Lupin's distracted mind was surprised to hear November's name mentioned from Ron's room. He stopped, curious what the students could know that he did not.
"When he died Charlie was really torn up. November moved in for a while to help the family out, but it was mostly for her own sake."
"How did he die?"
Who was this mysterious 'he'? Remus wondered.
"Not sure. Dad says he stuck his nose in the wrong places. His line of work as an Auror was dangerous enough. But Charlie said he was working on finding magical objects that were supposed to be lost."
"But how can that get you killed?"
"Not sure. November took his notebooks when he died, so she would know if anyone would."
The conversation shifted to other things and Lupin crept away. This was news indeed. An unnamed man had been killed in pursuit of magical objects and November had inherited his notes. She had already told him that she believed the notebooks were connected to her own "death" so somehow it was all connected back to this unnamed male.
Lupin had finally finished the dishes, enough for about a thousand people, and made a hasty retreat for the alcove. He was looking forward to a calm evening reading with November.
When he entered a book flew at his face with a scream. Remus quickly threw up a shield and stared wide eyed at November. Her face was red and papers were flung around the room. An end table was kicked over and Sir Cadougan was in his painting trying to calm her.
"Did I…" Remus began.
"It doesn't make any sense! There's nothing there!"
November's fury was not wrath, but frustration at her own helplessness. She had kept copious notes on anything that passed through her hands or by her desk in all of her time at the Ministry. It had been a great risk to do so. But none of it, not a single sentence, was enough to get her 'killed.' Secrets, gossip, and dirt, yes. But mysteries, dark secrets, and unknown information, no.
"Please good sir," Sir Cadougan spoke to Lupin. "She will only listen to you. Help the fair lady."
Lupin's mind snapped awake at what the knight said. Shewillonlylistentoyou. He had noticed this in small ways but had never given it any weight until now.
"November…" he walked slowly to her as if she were a frightened animal and gently took her in his arms. For a few moments she remained stiff and angry but gradually she relaxed and allowed him to embrace her.
He inhaled the scent of her hair: warm pumpkin spice and cloves. He gently rubbed her back and she snuggled her head against his shoulder.
"Sorry my sleeves are damp," he murmured.
"'sokay," the muffled replay came back. He could tell she was crying but did not mention it. Not every tear needed address.
"November, I would like to assist you? Research is something I am rather skilled at. I also lack familiarity with the contents. Maybe something would strike me in a way it does not strike you."
November debated silently. It seemed to be her burden to bear and to unload it on Lupin…She often got after him for trying to carry too much alone, but her personality combined with whatever trauma lay in her recent past pushed her in the exact opposite direction of openness.
Without speaking, she motioned her papers into a pile and handed the stack to him. He took them, tucking them away into his robe pocket.
She sighed heavily and met his eyes, looked every day of her age. Through the open window, the next door Muggles' music floated into the room. She looked so forlorn and she felt so perfect there in his arms…
November did not resist when Remus began to box step around the room. Indeed, a smile broke through the weary expression.
Crossing that bridge with lessons I've learned
Playing fire and not getting burned
I may not know what you're going through
But time is the space between me and you
Neither noticed the clever smile on the knight's face in the painting behind them; both had forgotten he was even there. "Good luck, granddaughter," Sir Cadougan murmured with an elaborate bow before creeping out the painting.
They had shifted to a better dance frame, their hands meeting with a feeling of rightness.
There is a light through that window
Hold on, say yes
While people say no
Life carries on
The song rose to a crescendo and Remus spun her out from him. Laughing, November spun back to him.
When nothing else matters
I just don't know what's got into me
It's just a prayer for the dying
For the dying…
The song ended and November became aware of how very close they were. Remus had his arm wrapped around her waist and the other held her hand. His cheek rested against her temple, his breath ruffling her hair. She shifted her head so she was looking up into his face.
Remus looked down at the woman who had worked her way into his life and fear pricked him. The look she was giving him…He was too old, too poor, and too dangerous. He dropped her hand and moved away from her quickly. He could read the surprise in her face.
Remus had to this point gone along with whatever feeling had taken hold of him; November inspired that in him. But he had never imagined that it would go this far. That she would want more. He could not allow it.
"I should get started if we are to get anywhere," Remus forced an explanation and hurried out of the room. The door swung shut behind him.
Slowly, November sat down on the couch. What on earth had that been about? Yes, there had been…feelings. But he had run off as if she were on fire. Could there really be something there? She had never seriously considered this possibility and ironically Lupin's sudden distance gave it away more distinctly than the dance itself.
Within the confines of his room, Lupin was berating himself repeatedly.
"Oh, yes! Keep your distance and then ask her to dance. Hold her close to you and then…"
He slammed his hand on his desk, ignoring the stinging this caused.
"This must remain platonic. You, Remus John Lupin, have no right! You must protect her. If you care at all, you will keep her from you."
Lupin ran a hand through his thick graying hair, and sighed. What he needed was a plan. Something he could do or say when the time came for it…
Despite his enforced physical distance, their emotional proximity only increased. His new avoidance of touch stood out starkly and drew attention to his motivations. To everyone but November it was already obvious how he felt about her.
November discovered apple trees in the Black backyard one fall afternoon. The kids were getting ready for school and Molly's bustling had driven her outdoors.
Remus was informed of this discovery when his book floated out of his hands and he found November's face directly behind where it had been.
"What do you know about bee keeping?"
Sirius was curled up nearby and looked at her as though she were insane. "What the hell…?"
"Apple trees. But they don't bear fruit without bees. And we have no bees. So we need bee keeping."
Lupin tried to get his mind to kick in again but honestly he just wasn't feeling her 'abruptness' today. He had worked at her notes as well and he was faced with the uncomfortable truth that there was nothing in them of any real weight. Her panic made more sense now and the stress was starting to carry over to him.
Lupin sighed loudly and rubbed his temples. "I don't know, 'Vember."
"But you know everything…" Her voice was pleading and it annoyed him.
"I don't, actually. There are some things I don't know and some things I just don't care about."
His voice sounded sharper than he intended, but he did not apologize. November only looked at him before putting his book down on a side table and leaving quietly. Lupin could feel reproach rolling off of Sirius and he snapped at him. "What?"
"You know it's just the way she is. Don't need to crab at her."
"Maybe I just want to be left alone once in a while…" Remus mumbled, burying himself in his book once again.
Remus did not see November again until dinner and then it was too late to talk to her. With what felt like half the wizarding world in the Black House there was not much he could do until they were alone.
After the dinner was over and the kids were packing up their purchases from Diagon Alley Remus began to seek out November. But she found him first.
"November, I would like to –"
She waved him off. "Whatever you are going to say I say no. I know what the problem is and intend to fix it."
Remus felt annoyed at being cut off but a deeper part of him was amused. This could be very interesting. "What would that be?"
"We're going out! Hogsmeade! I have not had butterbeer for far too long and you are turning into a shut in."
"But you can't be seen."
"No one will be looking for me. I'm dead."
Remus wanted to object that he should stay in as well but he did not want to explain why that might be. And she was right as usual. He hadn't been out in a very long time. The house seemed to be closing in on him and it made him very irritable.
November's face lit up. She could tell she was going to win this one. He had a weakness for her schemes. "Get a sweater!"
A Floo burst later and they were in the warm wood walls of Hogsmeade. Rosmerta jumped, Floo not being the usual means of arrival. "'Ello! Can I help you?"
"A pitcher of butterbeer!" November exclaimed raucously, grinning and sporting her fire red hair.
"A pitcher? There's two of us!" Remus was disbelieving.
"I can hold my butterbeer. Can you?" she teased.
Remus sighed but his usual smile was there.
The pitcher was brought with a pair of mugs. They agreed on a corner booth, by the street view window but out of sight from the street itself.
November was unusually silent as she drank her butterbeer. Her eyes took in all of the street view they could get. She had begun to feel as though she had memorized every knot hole in the Black House. New scenery was so welcome…she could feel the effects of getting out in her soul.
"I wish Padfoot were here," Remus murmured more to himself. He was surprised to see November nod, understanding.
"You know?"
"Enough. You forget, I work with Mad-Eye who's worse than a yenta and I was in school with you. You guys weren't exactly discrete."
Remus blushed, wondering just how good her memory was regarding his own nickname. "I see."
"Must be hell. Being stuck in a place you hate. In some ways," November's voice lowered, "I'm almost glad the flat was exploded."
Remus was curious about this but he assumed she would volunteer the information when she wanted him to know. "I was looking for old pictures of you."
November's attention was immediately caught. "Oh really? Hoping to see the former glory?"
Remus smiled and blushed again. She had been one of the many pretty younger girls. Seeing the pictures of her had reminded him of a few moments with her here and there.
"It jogged some Prefect memories. Do you remember the sludge fiasco?"
"Merlin!" November laughed. "Of course I do! You and I got stuck moping down someone's attempt to glue their friend to a wall."
"And you slipped-"
"Because you yanked me down! Some Head Boy!" Her expression softened. "I had forgotten about that until now…I used to have the biggest crush on you. From a distance obviously."
Remus was stunned. It never occurred to him that someone would ever have been interested in him, past or present. He knew of a few girls here and there who had fancied him but he assumed it was limited to them alone. It also occurred to him that this was the conversational opening he had been hoping for.
"Well, you escaped fortunately."
November was surprised. "Why fortunate?"
"Well, for starters it never could have gone anywhere."
November felt a bit sick. Could he really be serious? After all the time together and the dance?
Remus continued, not able to meet her eyes anymore. "I find that I am a poor match for any woman. And now I'm too old and too poor to start a love affair." He tried to lighten the mood. "I find close friends to be much more satisfactory and more valuable than words can express. Like you."
November forced her face muscles to smile, deliberately trying to hide her disappointment. But what was she upset about? He had never promised her anything and she and never even seen him with a woman who wasn't married or a student. Maybe this was normal Lupin behavior? She distinctly remembered Sirius and James being that way. But she remembered Lupin so differently. That was what she had liked about him…
"What else did you remember?" she asked, hoping to lead into different territory.
The night passed calmly and after initial awkwardness of Lupin's 'confession' they settled into the now comfortable, if not repressed, roles of very close friends. The butterbeer soaked through to what felt like their bones.
It was very late before they returned to the Black House, tipsy and cozy feeling. The troll leg umbrella stand was immediately knocked over, which elicited loud shushing and giggling from the pair. When they had finally righted everything and crept upstairs, Lupin stopped at November's door to 'see her off.'
"It was a good idea, 'Vember," Lupin murmured.
"Glad you liked it." She was giving him that look again and it made the warmth in him increase.
November knew that after a statement like what she had received from Lupin that night she should not provoke him. But in her less-inhibited state she could not resist one push against the walls he was trying to build between them. Stepping close to him she slowly kissed her fingertips and gently placed the fingertips against his own lips.
"Good night, Remus Lupin."
The door closed and she was gone.
Next chapter: the identity of our mystery man and the appearance of Lucius Malfoy and his role in all of this!
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