Rebecca stared around the small room inspecting it. It could have been worse to be honest and for such a low rent she was glad to have a decent place to live even if it was only temporary. She set the newspapers and magazines down on the table and grabbed a red pen from a box and started to look through the apartment listings hoping to find a decent place with a reasonable rent. There was a knock on her door and she got up and walked over to it and peered in to the peephole and saw Lily. She smiled and opened the door and Lily grinned at her and pulled her in to a tight hug.
"Lily it's only been a week since we last saw each other." Rebecca said with a laugh and Lily pulled away.
"Yeah but after seeing you every day for a year it feels like forever." Lily said and walked in to the apartment and Rebecca closed the door behind her and Lily looked around.
"I would offer you something to drink or eat but I don't actually have anything to eat or drink so sucks to be you." Rebecca said and sat back down at the table and started to flip through the apartments and pushed a stack over to Lily.
"Wanna help?"
"Yeah sure, we are still on for lunch right?" She asked as she set her bag down and sat opposite of Rebecca.
"How much are you looking to spend?" Lily asked as she flipped through a newspaper.
"I don't know something cheap but not awful."
"Well you know they make them sound glamorous in these ads, you are going to have to go visit them."
"Yeah I know, and thank goodness I got my aparation license last week so that really helps."
"Well do you want me to come with you to go visit some places?"
"If you don't mind, I visited one place last week and the guy was seriously creepy. So company would be appreciated."
"Have you seen Remus?" She asked and Rebecca looked up from the newspaper.
"Not recently. Why?"
"I don't know, you guys used to talk all the time I was just wondering. What's going on with you and Remus? If you don't mind me asking."
"I don't know." She shrugged.
"Something is obviously going on Becky."
"I know, I know, it's just complicated, I mean I like him and all, he is a really sweet guy and he is really cute but." She said and stopped.
"But what?"
"I don't know, he feels sort of out of my league, he is such a sweet and smart guy and he is really cute and I don't know, I just don't feel good enough. Plus we are like total opposites, I mean I am like a total bitch and he is really nice."
"Becky you're not a bitch." Lily said with a small laugh and Rebecca gave her a stare.
"You just have a different way of dealing with things." Lily said and Rebecca laughed.
"That's the nice way to put it I suppose."
"Well he really seems to like you, of all the time I have known Remus he has never really been, well, close with any one, well except for James, Sirius and Peter, and girls have been an entirely different matter, I don't think I have actually seen him with a girl before. He has been on a few dates but only because James and Sirius pressured him in to it."
"So what are you saying?"
"I'm saying he likes you Becky, a lot, as if it wasn't obvious."
"Well if he really wanted to see me he knows where I am staying."
"Becky you know how he is, he is very shy."
"Yes I know Lily. Could we not talk about Remus now?"
"Oh, alright." Lily said and looked back down at the apartment listings and there was an awkward silence between them and Rebecca put everything down.
"Lily, its not that I don't like Remus, honestly I do, he is the sweetest guy I know and he truly is wonderful but honestly Remus isn't the kind of guy I end up with, in school it was all fine and dandy what we had going on, I don't even know what it was but now that we are out of school and aren't seeing each other all the time, I feel like things are going to change. He will probably meet someone more suited to him."
"What makes you think you two aren't suited for each other?"
"I already told you, we are two different people."
"Well have you ever heard of the saying that opposites attract."
"Like you and James?" Rebecca shot and Lily smiled and shrugged.
"Yeah like James and I. Who would have thought we would have ever been together the way we carried on these past few years but James he makes me happy and I am glad that I gave him the chance I did, you should give Remus a chance. You never know, it could work out." She said with a smile and Rebecca pushed the papers away from her and grabbed her jacket and wallet.
"Come on lets go eat."
"You don't want to look through these?"
"Not right now, leave it, let's go get some grub." Rebecca said and walked to the door and Lily grabbed her coat and purse and followed Rebecca out.
Rebecca walked through the pet store looking at owls, something she desperately needed and dreaded getting. She hated having to go to the post office to have her letters owled out and she also hated the fact that there wasn't hardly an owl out there that didn't have it out for her. She looked at a large Great Horned owl which stared at her with its large amber eyes. She walked over to it and suddenly it went wild and she jumped back and bumped in to someone. She spun around with apologies and stopped when she saw it was Remus.
"Remus. What are you doing here?" She asked surprised and he looked at the owl which started to calm down and turned away from her.
"Uh I thought I saw you walk in here, I was getting a book." He said as he held up a book and she turned and looked back at the Great Horned owl and turned back to Remus.
"Oh, cool, I am unfortunately trying to find an owl. They all seem to hate me though." She said as she walked towards another one that started to screech and she stepped back from it.
"Maybe you should try getting something else other than an owl then." He offered and she looked at a raven across the store.
"Birds in general and I don't get along. When I go to the post office I have to have someone attach the letter usually, I guess it's just something about me that they just don't like." She said as they continued walking through the store.
"I'm sure you will find one." He said as he followed behind her. "So uh how have you been?" He asked as he stuck his hands in his pockets and she picked up a kitten and cuddled and scratched it behind the ears.
"I've been alright, how about you?"
"Alright I suppose." He said and looked at his shoes and she put the kitten down and continued around the store, eyeing the birds and trying to find one that wasn't giving her the evil eye.
"You aren't glaring at me, let's see how we do." She said as she walked up to a small looking hawk. It opened its eye at her and closed it and turned away from her as she approached.
"Well it's a start." She said and walked up closer and stood in front of the cage.
"Aren't you a beautiful girl?" She asked with a smile and the hawk opened its eyes and gave a small screech and she looked at the sign.
"Oh handsome young man." She said and the hawk closed its eyes again. She looked at Remus who was looking around the store and she nudged him.
"What do you think of him?" She asked and he looked at the hawk.
"Yeah, very good looking." He said and she ran her fingers along the cage and it looked at her interested.
"What would you say to coming home with me?" She asked and it cocked its head and ruffled his feathers.
"Just promise you won't try to take my face or hands off and I think we will be good." She said and carefully picked up the cage.
"Well he isn't too fond of me but at least he didn't try to take off my face." She said with a smile and brought him up to the counter and paid for him before walking out with the cage in her hand and Remus following her.
"I think I am going to name you Jasper." She said and he ruffled his feathers as he looked at her and she smiled. "Where are you headed?" She asked turning to Remus.
"No where in particular, I am meeting with Prongs and Padfoot for lunch in an hour. What about you?"
"I need to go pick up a few books, I start my training in two weeks and they gave us a list of books we need to learn inside and out before we start so I am going to get those." She said and he nodded and looked around.
"Would you like to come Remus?"
"Are you sure?"
"No, Remus, I am not but would you like to come in case I get sure?" She asked sarcastically and smiled.
"Uh, alright." He said and they walked down the street to the book store.
"So uh are you looking forward to training?" He asked as she looked through the shelves of books and pulled out the ones she needed.
"Yeah, it's why I am still here and not back in New York."
"Oh." He said softly and she looked at him.
"What have you been up to?"
"Just looking for a job."
"Any luck?"
"I have a job interview tomorrow morning so I am hoping I get the job."
"I am sure you will." She said and nearly dropped the books in her arms and Remus took them from her.
"Thanks." She said with a smile and pulled down another one.
"You have to read all of these?" He asked as he looked at the 7 books in his hands.
"Yeah, plus this one." She said as she held up a thick book. "I am pretty much set potion wise, I know basic healing but apart from that I have a lot to learn, they also wanted us to read a few books on muggle diseases so that's what this one is for." She said as she motioned to the large book in her arms.
"Have you found an apartment?"
"Been looking at a few places, Lily and I are going to go visit this place just outside of London tomorrow and it looked pretty good on paper so I am hoping that its actually as good as it sounds." She said as she walked to the counter and set the book on top and took the books from Remus and the sales clerk rung up the books.
"That will be 3 galleons and 15 sickles." The sales clerk said and Rebecca took out her wallet and fumbled with what was what.
"Damn wizard currency." She muttered as she dug through her wallet finally got out 4 gold coins and set them on the counter and the clerk gave her back 7 silver coins. Rebecca threw them in to the wallet as the clerk bagged her stuff and she grabbed the bag and thanked the sales clerk and walked out of the store with Remus and she looked at her watch and sighed.
"I have to run, I am looking at furniture with Andy today, he is flooing in so I am afraid I must go." She said as she looked at Remus and he nodded and she bit her lip.
"I guess I will see you later."
"Do you know when the first Order meeting is?"
"6 o'clock next Thursday at Hogwarts, just apparate to Hogsmead and walk up to the castle."
"Right, thanks Remus." She said and gave him an awkward hug and gave him a peck on the cheek and he smiled weakly at her.
"I'll see you later." She said and turned to leave.
"B-Becky." He stuttered and she turned around and he looked around nervously before walking up to her.
"Uh, are you seeing any one?"
"What do you mean?"
"Like, you know, seeing any one?"
"Like dating?" She asked and he nodded.
"No."
"Really?"
"Yeah." She said blandly and he scratched the back of his head.
"Well, uh would you like to go out to dinner sometime? That is if you want to and you're free, of course you don't have to if you-?"
"As in you're asking me out on a date?" She asked amused.
"If that's what you want it to be."
"Do you want it to be a date Remus?" She asked and he went quiet.
"If you want it-."
"Fuck what I want. Do you want it to be a date?"
"Yes I would." He said and she smiled.
"Alright, when are you free?" She asked and his slightly surprised face recovered as he searched for words.
"Tomorrow night, 7?"
"Yeah that sounds alright."
"Can I pick you up?" He asked, his words tumbling together and she nodded and he smiled.
"Alright, see you then." She said with a smile and turned on her heel and headed up the street to the Leaky Cauldron. Remus stared after her, his heart pounding in his ears and his fingers tingled and butterflies fluttered in his stomach. He had a date with Rebecca tomorrow night! He smiled to himself as he straightened out his clothes and looked around before heading down the street to the café that James had specified to go wait for them to arrive.
"Black, or blue?" Rebecca said as she looked at Kimba sitting on her bed with two dresses laid out in front of him. He looked up at her and blinked and started to lick his paw.
"Come on I need a little help here, Remus is going to be here in half an hour." Rebecca said and Kimba got up and laid down on the blue dress and she picked him up and set him aside.
"You could have just simply pointed or something." She said as she brushed off the cat fur and held it up to herself in the mirror.
"Alright it will do." She said and slipped on the blue spaghetti strap dress that fell to her knees and she dug through one of the boxes and pulled out a pair of silver flats and slipped them on. She combed through her hair and threw it half up with a clip and stood back and looked at herself in the mirror.
"Alright, decent enough." She said and looked at the clock; she still had 20 more minutes. Well perhaps she could try to tidy up the room a little.
She stared at the clock waiting for 7 to roll around; Remus would be here any moment. She rummaged through her boxes for lack of anything better to do and sat down on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She heard footsteps down the hall, due to the unnaturally thin walls which allowed you to hear anything in the hallways and the rooms around. There was a knock on her door and she rushed to the door and flung it open and caught the door before it hit the wall and Remus looked at her surprised.
"Hey." She said as she pushed the hair out of her eyes.
"Hi." He said and she looked him up and down in his khaki pants and dress shirt.
"Am I underdressed?" She asked as she looked at her semi casual dress.
"Oh no, no, you look…great." He said and smiled and she looked in to the room and looked back at him.
"Did you want to come in?"
"Actually we have a reservation in 15 minutes." He said as he looked at his watch and looked up at her.
"Alright." She said with a shrug and grabbed her keys and purse off the table and stepped out of the room, locking it behind her.
"Where are we going?"
"You do like Italian right?" He asked and she shrugged.
"I am not that picky of an eater." She said and he looked at her with a unbelieving look on his face and she started to laugh.
"Yeah that's sort of a lie, but I am alright with Italian. I had Andy bring me a nice big cheese burger, fries and Coke when he came here yesterday, it was heaven." She said with a sigh and they headed downstairs.
"How is Andrew doing?"
"He is doing pretty well; he is working with his mom at the restaurant and trying to get his real estate license so he can go work for his Uncle in California. Andy always loved going to California." She said with a sigh.
"That's great." Remus said with a smile and she shrugged and frowned as they stepped outside.
"Its not?" He asked confused.
"I just miss him; I am used to seeing him every day, now that I don't it gets a little lonely." She said and he looked around awkwardly and she looked up and smiled.
"Alright so are we going to go? I'm starving." She said and he held out his arm.
"I hate side apparition." She muttered as she took his arm.
"We can-."
"I just hate apparition in general, let's get on with it." She said and closed her eyes and took a deep breath and suddenly she felt herself spinning and being squeezed until her feet hit the ground hard and she nearly fell over but Remus grabbed a hold of her and steadied her.
"Thanks." She said as she looked around the ally and he held out his arm and she took it and he led her out and down the street.
They came up to a small Italian restaurant and Remus gave his name and they were taken to their booth. Rebecca sat across from him and the waitress gave them their menus.
"Can I get you anything to drink? Any appetizers?" She asked as she looked from Rebecca to Remus.
"Just water please." Rebecca said and opened her menu.
"Same thing." Remus said and opened his own menu.
"Alright two waters." She said and walked away from the table and Rebecca scanned the menu.
"So, uh how are you?" He asked looking across the table at her.
"Pretty good." She said with a shrug and a smile.
"So you said you were looking at a place today, how did that go?" He asked and excitement passed over her face as she laid her hands on the table.
"Its perfect, I love it. It's a loft apartment, not too expensive either, I am moving in next week."
"Becky that's great." He said as the waitress came by and dropped off the drinks.
"Would you guys like to order or do you need some more time?" The waitress asked.
"Want to order now?" Rebecca asked looking at Remus.
"Sure."
"Alright I will get the Fettuccini Alfredo with side salad and can we get an order of bread sticks?" She asked as she handed the waitress the menu.
"Sure thing, what can I get for you?" She asked looking at Remus.
"Spaghetti and meatballs and the soup of the day." He said and handed the menu to her.
"Alright it will be right up." She said and disappeared and Rebecca picked up her water and took a drink.
"And it's really close to St. Mungos so that's convenient. It's in a muggle community which is kind of well- it's not something I can't deal with but I would much prefer the alternative."
"But still I think it's great, you getting your own place and everything."
"Thanks. Oh how was your interview?"
"It went alright I suppose, I got the job." He said and she smiled wide.
"Remus that's great." She said as she reached across and laid her hand on his and he looked down at it before smiling up at her.
"Yeah, it's nothing too special, just a muggle book shop."
"Remus don't be so modest, I mean you love to read, I don't think you get much better than a book store, this will be good for you." She said and slid her hand back across the table.
"Yeah I suppose it is." He said and reached for his water and took a drink.
They continued conversation all through dinner and dessert and sat around sipping on their drinks after dinner to let their food settle.
"That was a good dinner, I have been ordering take out for the past two weeks, I don't think I have had a real meal like this in quite some time." She said as she leaned back in the seat. The waitress came by and set the check down on the table and Rebecca went to reach for it but Remus took it.
"I got it." He said as he opened it up and looked at it.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I asked you on a date, you shouldn't have to pay." He said and got out the money and slipped it inside and laid it out on the edge of the table.
"Thank you Remus." She said with a smile and he looked around.
"Do you want to stay or do you want to go?" He asked and she glanced around the restaurant which was slowly being filled.
"Let's go. I want to go for a walk."
"There is a park not too far from here, want to go there?"
"Yes that would be lovely." She said as she got up and walked out with Remus following.
"It's this way." He said motioning down the street.
Rebecca shuttered at the cool summer breeze, only wearing a dress didn't shield her much.
"Are you alright? We don't have to go for a walk." He said as he looked at her.
"I'm fine Remus."
"If I had a jacket I would offer it to you." He said quietly as he looked at the ground. She took his hand and wrapped it around her shoulders and huddled close to him, wrapping her arm around his back.
"Problem solved." She said with a smile as she looked at him and kissed his cheek as they continued down the street.
"Remus, can you do me a favor?" She asked as she looked at him.
"What's that?"
"Please relax, you're all tense." She said and leaned her head against his shoulder.
"I can try." He said uneasily and she motioned to a park bench and they sat down and she curled up to him as she looked out to the pond.
"Have you ever just wanted to get a gun and go duck hunting?" She asked as she looked out to the ducks swimming in the pond.
"Uh…" He said and paused. "I can't say that I have. Uhhhh have you?" He asked sounding slightly concerned.
"Would you think me disturbed if I said I have and am thinking it right now?"
"Well I can't say it's entirely disturbing to be honest, at least coming from you." He said with a chuckle and she laughed.
"I guess it's not the oddest thing I have said."
"No its not." He said as he let his fingers brush across her shoulder, tracing circles and trailing down her arm lightly.
"You have really soft skin." He said as he looked at her.
"Yeah, I use lotion." She said blandly as she took his other hand and ran her fingers along the palm and up and down the fingers.
"You also smell really nice." He said and she started to laugh.
"I smell nice?" She asked humorously as she pulled away and looked at him with an amused look and he bit his lip looking embarrassed.
"Yeah, you smell like…cookies." He said carefully and she stared at him.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean-." He said she started to laugh again and she cupped his face and gave him a small peck on the lips.
"Oh you are adorable. I smell like cookies." She repeated humorously and leaned back against his shoulder and took his hand again.
"I'm really glad you decided to stay Becky." He said with a sigh.
"Really?" She asked as she looked up at him and he looked at her and nodded.
"Me too." She said with a smile as she looked back over the pond.
An hour later Rebecca found herself in front of her room with Remus.
"I had a really good time Remus.' She said with a smile as she looked at him.
"Yeah me too." He said looking at her and she got out her key and unlocked the door.
"I would invite you inside but there is no where to really sit or anything." She said and he shuffled his feet.
"Its alright, I actually have to get home, I have work in the morning."
"Oh alright." She said as she turned back to him.
"Well I guess I will see you later." She said and he nodded. "I'll owl you or something." She said and he looked up at her.
"Alright." He said and she stepped up to him and cupped his face as she kissed him. He laid his hands lightly on her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself close to him, running her fingers through his hair and trailing them down the sides of his face before pulling away from him.
"Good night Remus." She said and walked in to her room and looked at him with a smile as she closed the door and he smiled awkwardly at her, still dazed from her kiss and it took him a moment to realized that she was gone and he glanced around and headed down the hall running his fingers through his hair with a smile wide on his face.
Thanks for reading! Please Rate and review and thank you all for your reviews!
It feels good to be home, had a nice relaxing vacation in Denver, cant wait to go back.
Next chapter should be up by thursday