Rebecca slowly stirred her potion and tried hard not to glance over her shoulder at the Healer testing her. She had never been nervous at making potions until now. It might have been because she had never been making them towards a career; it also might have been because if she screwed up she risked being kicked out of the program, unable to apply again for another year. She stirred another potion quickly and tended to another while keeping an eye on the other, she could only ever remember having to tend to two potions at a time but never three at the same time, three different timers, three different cauldrons, three different possible mistakes. She looked across the room at Lily who by only knowing Lily knew she was freaking out as she kept her completely calm demeanor yet tapped her foot lightly under the table. There were 6 other girls and 2 boys who had been accepted in to the healer program, during their orientation they were told only 5 of the 10 of them would actually make it to becoming healers and in order to stay they had to perform every task the best they could, which meant they would have to perform everything perfect or to the satisfaction of the Head Healer.
Rebecca looked in to the far potion and saw it was a dingy green color. The healer raised an eyebrow at her and she quickly searched the ingredients she had and threw a handful of parsley in to the cauldron and turned up the heat and stirred it for a moment before it turned back to the light blue it was supposed to be and she turned the heat back down.
"You got lucky with that one Miss Walcott." The healer said and wrote something down and Rebecca nodded and continued with the potions until she finished and she sat down as the Healer checked them and wrote something down.
"Alright Miss Walcott you may go." She said and flipped the notebook close and Rebecca let out a sigh as she waved her wand and the table started to clear off.
"Would you mind stopping by Madam Marcy's office and dropping this off?" She asked as she held up an envelope.
"No problem." Rebecca said with a shaky nod and took the letter and cast Lily a hopeful look before walking out of the room and heading to the elevator. She stepped in to it and pressed the 6th floor and the doors were almost close before a foot stuck between the doors and they opened back up. A young man walked in, long blonde hair tied back with a black ribbon wearing fancy expensive robes. He looked at the floor light and stood back as the doors started to close. She stared at the floor, running her fingers over the letter and saw him look at her from the corner of her eye. He turned away and looked back at her and she glanced at him, his ice blue eyes piercing her and she faced forward.
"Do I know you from somewhere?" he asked curiously and she looked at him.
"Um I don't believe so." She said and he turned and faced towards her.
"I'm certain I have seen you somewhere." He said and turned back around. "You're American correct?" He asked and she nodded.
"Ah." He said and gave a small nod.
"Please excuse me." She said and they both went to step out and stopped.
"Please, after you." He said and motioned her to go and she gave a forced smile and walked down the hall, she glanced back as he waited outside the elevator watching her and she got a shiver down her spine until she turned down the hall towards the Head Healer's office. She knocked and waited for a moment.
"Please come in." Madam Marcy said and Rebecca opened the door and poked her head inside and saw the elderly nurse sitting at her desk.
"Yes what is it?" She asked and Rebecca held up the letter.
"Oh right, just set it here on the desk." She said and went back to some papers.
"You're Rebecca Walcott correct?" She asked as Rebecca set the letter on the desk.
"Yes ma'am."
"Albus said you were very promising." She said and looked up from her papers.
"Oh?" She asked curiously.
"I do hope you live up to what I have heard about you."
"I can only hope I do ma'am, will that be all?" Rebecca asked and Madam Marcy gave a small wave and Rebecca nodded and walked out of the office and closed the door behind her. She waited a little while, hoping that if she waited long enough she might be able to avoid the man from the elevator all together. She took a deep breath and glanced down the hall and saw it was clear. She hurried over to the elevator and pressed the button a few times and tapped her foot impatiently as she waited and finally the doors opened and she walked inside and pressed the 2nd floor and leaned back against the wall and waited. Suddenly the man walked in and gave her a small smile and pressed the ground floor.
"I see we meet again." He said and she gave a forced smile and a nod.
"How rude of me for not introducing myself. I am Lucius Malfoy." He said and held out his hand to her.
"How appropriate." She said under her breath and took his hand. "Nice to meet you." She said and turned back and faced the door.
"I'm afraid I didn't catch your name." He said as the doors opened and she nodded.
"I didn't give it, have a good day." She said happily and stepped out of the elevator and headed down the hall quickly. She waited outside the potions room for Lily, taking up counting the tiles on the floor down the hall until Lily stepped out and looked at Rebecca surprised.
"Oh Becky, hey." She said and Rebecca got up and followed Lily down the hall.
"How did you do?"
"Alright I think, Judy blew up her cauldron just as I left."
"Oh that's what that smell was. So I met this really creepy guy in the elevator today." Rebecca said quietly as they got in to the elevator. "He said his name was something Lucy Malloy or something-."
"Lucius Malfoy?"
"Yeah I think that was it, white hair with weird blue eyes.
"Its blonde but who cares, you saw him in the elevator what did he say?"
"He asked if he knew me from somewhere and then he tried to introduce himself, I left as fast as I could but what a creeper." Rebecca said with a roll of her eyes.
"He is said to be in league with you- know- who." She whispered as they walked out of St. Mungos.
"Oh really? Well with his creepy demeanor I can believe it." Rebecca said with a shrug and they continued down the street.
"I am so not looking forward to training tonight." Rebecca said with a sigh and rubbed her face. "Moody is going to work me like a dog. I don't like him much."
"I'm sure once you get to know him he is an alright guy." Lily offered and Rebecca rolled her eyes.
"No he is just a crazy paranoid jerk that gets his rocks off by torturing me." Rebecca said dramatically and Lily sighed.
"Becky I am sure he is just pushing you because he wants you to be the best you can be."
"Naw, I am sure he gets his rocks off by torturing me." Rebecca said with a smile and they turned down an alley and Rebecca glanced around.
"I'll see you at training."
"Alright see you." Lily said and apparated away and Rebecca apparated to the alley behind her apartment building and headed to the front and walked in as Randall was walking out.
"Hey Rebecca, how are you?" he asked with a smile as he held the door open for her.
"Fine thanks." She said and stepped inside.
"Hey, I was wondering if you were free tonight, some friends and I are getting together I was wondering if perhaps you would like to come."
"Actually I am busy tonight." She said and he nodded.
"Alright, perhaps another time." He said and she nodded and headed to the stairs to her room. She stepped inside and threw her bag on the couch and flopped down on top of it.
"Uh today is going to be a long day Kimba." She said as she felt Kimba brush against her hand and she picked him up and started to stroke his fur before setting him back down. She went to the kitchen and opened the fridge in search of something to eat.
"We feel like yogurt today." She said and closed the door and screamed and dropped her yogurt as she whipped out her wand when she saw Andrew sitting in one of the chairs.
"The place looks good."
"Damnit Andy why couldn't you just knock like the rest of civilization?" She snapped and pulled out her wand and cleaned up the mess on the floor and threw out the yogurt container.
"Jenny and I went and got some food, I put my left overs in the fridge, figured you might want them." He said and she sighed and leaned against the counter. "Who was that guy downstairs?"
"Who? Randy? No one, he is my neighbor."
"Do you normally go out to dinner with your neighbors?"
"You and I did."
"Yeah but that was different." He said with a roll of his eyes.
"Incase you didn't hear, I said I had plans."
"I don't like him." He said and picked up an apple off the table and bit in to it.
"Please help yourself." She said sarcastically. "There is nothing between Randy and I, he is just my neighbor."
"Your good looking neighbor?" He asked and she nodded and frowned and rolled her eyes.
"Not like that."
"Just remember Remus, do you really want to hurt him?"
"Andy, there is nothing between Randy and I, there never will be either, well he kissed me but that was something I couldn't help."
"Have you told Remus?"
"There is nothing to tell, it's not like I kissed him back."
"Becky." Andrew sighed and she sat down next to him.
"Do you think I should tell Remus? I mean him and I aren't technically dating."
"What do you think you should do?"
"What do I think I want to do or what should I actually do?"
"What should you actually do?"
"Well tell Remus but it was such a minor thing I don't really think it needs to be told, it could just start a whole bunch of nothing."
"Becky you will do what you need to do, I have to go, I am supposed to watch Jordan while my parents go out.' He said and got up.
"Alright, well next time give me a heads up alright?" She asked and he chuckled and nodded and gave her a kiss on the top of the head before heading to the fireplace and flooing away.
Rebecca leaned back in her seat and glanced at the clock, it was nearly 6, and she had a little over an hour before she had to be at headquarters for training, well she might as well get some rest before Moody beat her to a pulp.
Rebecca found herself exhausted after her and Moody's training session as she had expected, and relied mostly on her reflexes during the rest of the training. She had noticed Remus hardly even paid her any attention at all which Rebecca found odd, usually he was very attentive, well she couldn't expect to be pampered like a queen but it was very odd for Remus. She caught up with him after training and followed him outside.
"Hey is everything alright Remus?" She asked concerned and he gave a unconcerned shrug.
"Is something wrong?" She asked and he looked away from her.
"Alright well I'll see you later then." She said and turned to walk away.
"You lied." He said and she turned around.
"What?"
"When you said you weren't seeing anyone else."
"Remus what are you talking about?" She asked confused and he took a deep breath.
"Sirius saw you and some guy having dinner the other night."
"What do you mean Sirius saw me having dinner with some other guy?"
"He said he walked past some restaurant and saw you and another guy having dinner. He said…you guys looked….cozy."
"Oh." She said and nodded.
"So you are seeing someone?"
"No, that's my neighbor. He was going out to get dinner and I had just gotten home from training and he asked me if I wanted to come, I only went to be nice."
"So you guys weren't like on a date or something?" He asked and she took a deep breath.
"Well he kissed me." She said and she saw hurt written on his face.
"It was completely unexpected and I didn't kiss him back, Remus, he doesn't mean anything to me." She said and took his hand and he pulled it back.
"You can do whatever you want you know, it's not like we are going out or something." He said and pulled his jacket around himself.
"Remus it isn't like that-."
"Do whatever you want Becky-."
"Remus please listen to me, Randy means nothing to me alright? He is just some guy that lives in my building; you're the one that matters to me alright?" She said as she stepped up in front of him and took his hands and he looked up at her.
"Do you want to have dinner Saturday night? I'm cooking." She said and he dropped her hands.
"Friday is the full moon." He said sharply and she sighed.
"Alright, well if you aren't up to it, I completely understand if you aren't feeling that well."
"We'll see." He said and turned to leave.
"Hang on a second, why the hell was Sirius in my neighborhood?" She asked and he turned around.
"He lives in that area; he has a house from his great uncle."
"Oh, right, well owl me if you change your mind." She said and pulled out her wand and he nodded and she apparated to the back of the apartments and came around the front and headed up to her apartment, passing by Randy on the way.
"Hey Rebecca." He said and she glanced up at him.
"Hey."
"Everything alright? You seem a bit down." He said and she shrugged and gave a small wave.
"It's nothing." She said and saw a duffle bag over his shoulder. "Going somewhere?"
"Yeah, Hammersmith, photo shoot." He said and she nodded. "It will be just a few days."
"Have fun." She said and started up the stairs.
"Hey Rebecca." He said and she turned around.
"I'm going to a little get together with some friends at this place called The Dive when I get back; I was wondering if perhaps you might want to come, one of my friends owns the place. What do you say?"
"Thanks but no thanks." She said with a small smile. "Have a good trip." She said and continued up the stairs to her apartment.
Remus walked up the stairs of Rebecca's apartment complex. He had no idea what he was doing here, it was obvious that Rebecca had interests in other guys, he probably should have listened to Sirius, after all, Sirius was his best mate and he had known him for 7 years, he probably should have listened to him. But there was something about Rebecca, she made him feel incredible, she made him happy, but she also made him feel jealous, angry, sad and confused but as he walked up the stairs of her apartment complex the only thing he could figure was that the happiness made it all seem worth while. He walked down the hall and saw someone walking the opposite way as Remus reached the door.
"Who are you?" Remus asked the young man standing before him dressed casually in jeans and a white t-shirt and leather jacket thrown over it.
"Randall, who are you." He said and Remus felt his stomach drop. How could he ever compete with this guy?
"Remus." He said as confident as he could.
"Oh." Randall said and glanced around. "Are you her boyfriend?" Randall asked causally and without even thinking Remus spoke.
"Yeah, I'm her boyfriend." Remus said as he straightened out despite his aching body and Randall chewed on his bottom lip and nodded.
"Alright well I was just stopping by to say hello, tell her I said hi." He said and continued down the hall and Remus glanced back at Randall walking down the hall and Remus turned back to the door and shook out his hands before knocking. He heard her inside and soon the door opened and she looked at him surprised.
"Remus, what are you doing here? I didn't think you were coming."
"Sorry." He said and rubbed the back of his neck, now this all seemed like a bad idea.
"Is it a bad time? I could come back-."
"No come on in, I was just debating on whether or not to go out to dinner. Please come in."
"Well if you had plans." He said as he took a step back and she sighed and smiled.
"No please come in." She said and stepped aside and he walked in and looked around her apartment.
"I like your place."
"Oh you haven't seen it since I moved in have you?" She asked and he shook his head and she closed the door behind him.
"So what are you doing here?" She asked leaning against the back of the couch with her arms crossed over her chest.
"I'm sorry for the way I acted; I shouldn't have made a judgment so quickly."
"No, I probably should have said something." She said and he walked up to her.
"Can we just forget the whole thing?" He asked and she smiled and nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in to a kiss.
"Now what do you say to dinner?" She asked and kissed his nose.
"Are you cooking?" He asked and she nodded, her nose gently brushing against his and her smile grazed his lips.
"Alright." He said and she pecked his lips and took his hand and brought him in to the kitchen.
"Would you like to help?" She asked as she washed her hands.
"Yeah sure." He said and walked over as he pushed up his sleeves and washed his hands.
"What do you say to chicken pot pie, salad and seasoned potatoes?"
"Sounds delicious." He said and she pulled out an apron and threw him one as well and he frowned at the frilly pink apron as she pulled on a black one.
"Come on wear it proud." She said with a grin as she got out the food from the fridge.
Remus looked at Rebecca across the kitchen with her back to him as she stared out the small window to the street while chopping up lettuce for the salad. He walked up to her and slowly wrapped his arms around her from behind and lightly planted a kiss on her shoulder and she smiled as she turned her head and looked at him, placing her hands over his and she turned around and faced him as he rested his hands on the counter on either side of her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He looked at her as she smiled at him and hesitantly kissed her. He was about to pull away before she pulled him closer to her and deepened the kiss, her tongue lightly caressing his lips and he cupped her face as he deepened the kiss further as his tongue explored her. They broke only for a split second for breath before continuing, he pressed himself against her, pushing her in to the counter and she gave a small moan as she ran her hand down his chest and stomach, around to his back and she grabbed a hold of his butt and gave a small squeeze which made him jump and she smiled in to the kiss. They broke apart as he kissed down her neck and she gave a small gasp as he hit the sweet spot under her jaw. Suddenly the timer rang loudly and Remus jumped back from her and she looked at him with a smile and took a deep breath and grabbed the oven mitts and got the potatoes and pot pie out of the oven and set them on top of the counter.
"Uh." She said breathlessly as she looked around and pushed the small strands of hair out of her face. "I think we should let this cool off huh?" She asked as she looked at him and he leaned back against the counter and nodded.
"Alright, let me finish with this salad." She said and took a breath and went back to fixing the salad.
"I'll set the table." He said as he looked around.
"Place settings are in the drawer over there." She said pointing to a small set of drawers. He set up the table as she finished with the salad and put it in a bowl and set it on the table and grabbed the pot pie as Remus grabbed the potatoes and they sat down across from each other.
"This smells delicious." He said as he looked at everything.
"Go ahead, dig in." She said as she got herself some salad.
"Do you want some first?" He asked as he motioned to the pot pie.
"Actually I will let you try some first, I haven't made a pot pie in a while." She said with a small smile and poured some salad dressing on her salad.
"Alright." He said as he looked at the pot pie now hesitantly and she smiled to herself as he helped himself to a large helping and dug in to it.
"This is really good." He said and continued eating.
"Good, have as much as you want." She said and they ate in silence for a while. Rebecca looked across the table at him eating and he looked up at her and she looked back at her food.
"I got a job." She said blandly.
"That's great. Where at?"
"A small café down the street its whatever, at least it pays the bills." She said with a shrug. "How are things at the book store?"
"Alright I suppose, a little slow sometimes."
"I have no idea how I get anything done any more, St. Mungos, the Order, and this job. It just sucks because its going to take 5 more months to finish the training and that's if I don't totally fail the course, and then I have to test of my license, then another 6 months of shadowing and then they instate me as a healer there."
"Becky you are going to do just fine." He said and she stared at her food.
"It's just very stressful, I feel very pressured." She said and sighed and looked up at him.
"Sorry, you probably don't need me dumping this on you." She said with a light chuckle and he laid his hand on hers.
"Becky you can tell me anything, I'm here for you." He said and she gave him a weak smile.
"Thanks Remus."
They finished dinner and Rebecca magically washed the dishes and put everything back with help from Remus and she glanced at the clock.
"I've got to be at St. Mungos tomorrow at 6." She said and he nodded.
"Alright, I should be going anyways."
"You don't have to go." She said and he rubbed the back of his neck and looked off to the side.
"I have work tomorrow and my parents are expecting me home." He said and she nodded.
"Alright, let me walk you out." She said and threw the rag on the counter and walked out with him.
"Thank you for dinner Becky, it was really good." He said and she smiled as she leaned against the door frame and he turned back to her.
"I'll see you at training." He said and she nodded.
"Come here." She said motioning him towards her and he took a step towards her and she cupped his face and kissed him, before they could get any further he pulled away.
"God you are a fantastic kisser." She whispered with a smile and pecked his nose.
"Thanks, you too." He said shakily as he smiled and took a step back and she smiled as he walked down the hall.
"Good night Remus."
"Good night Becky.' He said and gave her a small wave and disappeared around the corner and she sighed and closed the door and walked back in to her apartment with a smile on her lips.
Thanks for the review whoever reviewed =) Next chapter will be out on Monday.
I am going to try and get a few chapters out before i leave for two weeks, going to Alaska! I am so freaking excited but during that time i wont be able to write which really sucks but until then keep up your reading and reviewing!