div class="chapter preface group" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.5em 3em; padding: 0.643em 0.643em 0px; float: none; color: #2a2a2a; border-style: solid initial initial initial;"
div id="notes" class="notes module" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.643em; position: relative; width: auto; float: none; clear: right; min-height: 5em;"
blockquote class="userstuff" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 1em; line-height: normal; font-family: 'lucida grande', 'lucida sans unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0.643em; padding: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px auto 1.286em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"AN: So I am really happy with this chapter in Particular because i'm finally getting into what i've been researching and I think it's a very sensual and romantic chapter near the end, despite all the teenage angst and hesitation./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Starting in the next few chapters I'm going to really start exploring the more mature side of Seren and Remus' relationship and I hope you continue to follow this story as it /br /Also, it's worth mentioning that this story does contain triggers that some readers may find sensitive, I will go back and mark those chapters with (TW) after the chapter title once the work is completely proted over to Fanfiction . netbr /br /_/p
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div class="userstuff module" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 1088.64px; float: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; color: #2a2a2a;" role="article"
h3 id="work" class="landmark heading" style="border-width: 0px 0px 0.25em; border-image: initial; outline: 0px; font-weight: 500; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0.125em; overflow-wrap: break-word; line-height: 0; opacity: 0; height: 0px; clear: both; color: transparent; border-color: initial initial #333333 initial; border-style: initial initial double initial;"Chapter Text/h3
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;" align="center"September 20sup style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 13.23px; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 0;"th/sup, 1993/p
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p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"There was an unusual chill to the usually warm autumn air today, due to an incident in transfigurations earlier Professor McGonagall had cancelled their lesson and Seren found herself with a double free period before her next class. Pushing the large oak doors open she stepped out into the school grounds and started down a well-worn path towards the black lake./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"There had been several incidents revolving around students and Grindilow's over the years from Slytherin pranks to first years just getting too far into the water. Personally, she had made it a point to avoid the lake and its inhabitants all together. She still kept her distance but took a seat on the grass letting her eyes drift to the horizon./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Ms. Price?" snapping out of her thoughts she turned to see Professor Sprout, "Oh, hello Professor."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Don't you have a class right now?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""There was an incident with some second years so McGonagall cancelled our class until it could be resolved. Something about a duplication spell." The plump woman gave a nod, "Ah yes, one of my students did mention that." She had always enjoyed professor Sprouts classes, the woman was practically the embodiment of everything Hufflepuff, always offering advice and kindness./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Well, it's a perfect day for lounging about then, isn't it?" turning her attention back to the distant mountains, Seren gave a nod, "I've got to teach about Mandrakes today. If you've got some free time would you perchance be interested in aiding me?" her ears perked up, "Are you sure you want me to help you? If I recall my grades in your class were less than stellar."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Professor sprout offered another kind smile, "For botanical theory, yes, but your practical's were always outstanding, even if you didn't get to take your O.W.L.'s. You're a brilliant young witch, Ms. Price. I was quite surprised you didn't sign up for my class."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I decided that I want to become an Auror when I graduate, even if the odds are against me."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""An Auror? You know, given your proclivity for spell work, I think you'll be quite successful, may even change a few opinions at the Ministry." There was a mischievous glint in Professor Sprouts eyes, "Well, my offer is still on the table, I'll set aside some equipment for you should you decide you'd like to assist me." with that the stout woman turned and walked away./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Seren watched the woman go, curious to what her intentions were…had she sought her out on purpose or was she just doing what Dumbledore had asked of the staff, either way she supposed it was an opportunity to dispel some of the rumors. Pushing herself to her feet she followed professor Sprout at a distance./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"There was some hesitance as her hand hovered over the handle to the greenhouse, "Ah, I'm pleased you chose to accept my offer. There's a set of dragon hide gloves for you, earmuffs are in the bin in the back." Professor Sprout handed her a pair of gloves before wandering off to her office. Seren quickly grabbed a pair of earmuffs from the back of the room as a few second years entered./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""You're not Professor Sprout." Seren turned, eyeing the young girl. Slytherin house…it figured. "You're that werewolf girl everyone's talking about. My mum says filthy Half-breed's should stay in their place." Seren's face fell, ignoring the girls comment, "That's quite enough, Ms. Bettencourt. Any more out of you and it'll be house points." Pomona had re-emerged from her office, "Seren will be assisting my class today and I'll not have any off handed comments, am I clear?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"The dark haired girl lowered her head, "Yes, Professor." Professor Sprout turned back to Seren, "If you wouldn't mind, could you set up the diagram for class? I have to go gather our specimens, shouldn't be more than a few moments." Giving another small nod Seren began a detailed drawing of a mandrake and its roots, leaves and other usable potions parts as the rest of the young Gryffindor's and Slytherins took their seats, idle chatter echoed in the space./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Settle down now, settle down." Pomona began, "I can see there's some hesitation amongst you all, however I want to assure you that Ms. Price here is quite skilled with practical application so I've asked her to assist as we'll be covering Mandrakes." The woman took up the flower cart, passing out potted baby mandrakes to the students./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Who in here can tell me what Mandrakes are used for?" several hands shot up, "Yes, Ms. Paston."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Mandrakes are a restorative plant, Professor, they can be used to return petrified or transfigured people back to normal."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Well done, Ms. Paston. five points to Gryffindor." She set a mandrake in front of each student before returning to the front of the greenhouse. "All we'll be doing today for the practical part is repotting these little guys. Ms. Price. Perhaps you can tell the class why Mandrakes are considered dangerous plants?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Green eyes shot open in panic; however, Professor Sprout gave her an encouraging look, "U-Um…well…"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""What's wrong, mongrel, cat got your tongue?" there were a few snickers as the older Ravenclaw took a deep breath. "Mandrakes, as Ms. Paston informed us, have incredible magical properties, they are however, incredibly dangerous to human ears. Baby Mandragora's such as those in front of you all right now are practically harmless, their cries will simply stun you or make you pass out but as they get older and mature their cries can be fatal and result in death. That is why we wear earmuff's"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"A timid looking boy in the back of the room rose his hand, "Yes?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""And what about you? I mean…we read about werewolves in Care of Magical Creatures…so um…" All eyes flicked between the shy boy and the seventh year at the front./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Ah, well…" Pomona gave her another encouraging look, "I had to wear these little foam earplugs as an extra precaution when I was in Professor Sprouts class, it was just an extra layer of noise protection." The boy nodded, scribbling something down on a sheet of parchment as a few other hands carefully reached into the air./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Uh…Yes?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""How about smells, I bet you've got a good nose for potions ingredients?" there was a small bit of laughter as the young girl asked her question, "Well…" She could feel herself start to relax a bit, "I'm in Professor Snape's N.E.W.T.'s potions class right now, and I suppose one could surmise I have an affinity for it. However, we're here to learn about Mandrakes and I don't feel it's proper to take up Professor Sprouts time."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Not at all dear, I think these questions are good. As long as they stay in the realm of learning about plants and ingredients I have no problems with you answering them. I'm actually quite interested in the answers myself."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"The young Gryffindor girl looked on expectantly, "If you're certain." All eyes were suddenly on her again and she did her best to swallow her Anxiety./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Please." A timid sort of smile worked its way to her face, "Alright. You wanted to know if my Lycanthropy was beneficial in any way, yes? Well, to answer that is quite complicated as my senses are actually not unlike your own during the weeks leading up to the full moon, though the closer a werewolf gets to the full moon the more their sense are heightened. I'll use our mandrake friends as an example." She picked up one of the spare plants, setting it on the table in front of her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Normally I'd only smell a hint of fruit given that Mandrakes are a flowering plant, but given that next week is a full moon, the smell is considerably more clear and our baby mandrakes smell a bit more like a Honeycrisp apple, sweet but with a slightly more pungent aroma." The sound of quills scratching on parchment was all she heard as she continued explaining./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Any more questions?" she kept her head up, trying to retain her confidence, "If there are no more question I'll hand the class back to Professor Sprout."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"As the rest of the class period went on Seren set about helping students with repotting, cleaning up and repairing broken pots./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""That's all for today. Make sure you read the chapter of Mandrakes and turn in your twelve inch essay by start of class Friday. Class dismissed." With a quick flick of her wand Professor sprout cleaned up the greenhouse, giving a nod to Seren./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""You did well despite the rocky start, perhaps I'll have to borrow you from Minerva again. You really drew them in. I even learned something from you today."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Well…at least they seemed entertained, but it felt a bit like I was in front of a Care of Magical creatures class…don't tell Hagrid, he'll ask me to help in his class too." Professor sprout drew a line over her mouth, "Our secret. Now off you go, don't want to keep you from Defense Against the Dark Arts." grabbing her small satchel, she took off out of the greenhouse./p
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p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Defense against the Dark arts had been pretty uneventful, they'd spent the hour reading on the Patronus charm with Lupins promise to start diving into the charm itself when they met again on Wednesday. Seren had, surprisingly, managed to sneak out of the classroom before Lupin could hold her back./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"The Wednesday after they'd covered Boggarts had been incredibly tense and his eyes kept flicking to her as he went over Kappa's, something they had covered in third year and she recalled the creatures being particularly malevolent, drowning their victims in ponds not unlike the Grindilow's in the black lake./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""There's my favorite Lycanthrope!" she toppled over as Tarryn clapped her on the back, "Wow…you're like a leaf, you know that." The blue haired girl laughed, offering Seren a hand up, "How were your classes." Seren took the other girls hand and gave it a rough tug, grinning when the girl was flat on her stomach beside her on the cold stone tiles, "That good, eh?" they'd gotten close in the last week and now it was unusual to see the two of them away from one another outside of classes and curfew./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Professor Sprout had me assist in her class today since McGonagall had to cancel, was a rocky start with a second year Slytherin, however there were a lot of interesting questions about my... condition."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""And?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""And I answered them honestly, normally everything about me is human right up until the week preceding the full moon. Then my senses change. Last month was horrid, having two full moons on top of…" Seren trailed off as they walked towards the great hall, "On top of what? Don't keep me in suspense."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Sorry, it's…a bit private." Tarryn gave a slight nod, "Werewolf things, got it. So, is it really true you can get away with eating raw meat?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I mean…yeah, though I try to at least cook it a little, it makes people less uncomfortable when I do." Pushing the doors open to the great hall Seren at once locked eyes with Lupin, her face tinging red again as she recalled the last time they'd been alone. Quickly ducking her head, she followed Tarryn to the Ravenclaw table, noticing a few waves from some of the young Gryffindor's down the aisle./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I see you made an impression." Tarryn grinned, nudging her friend, "I also see Professor Lupin watching you. you didn't cause any problems, did you?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""No, at least not that I'm aware of." She knew she couldn't tell Tarryn about their relationship, it was already awkward enough that the staff was aware of it, "He'd have kept me back if there were any concerns, even if I had snuck out whilst he wasn't looking." Tarryn gave her a curious look./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""You snuck out of DADA?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Well, class was over, but I may have hid in a crowd of other students so I could get down to my last lesson of the day without being late. We're going to cover the Patronus charm starting Wednesday."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""That's the spirit animal thing, right? You'll have to tell me what form your Patronus takes." As the food began to appear the two fell into a comfortable silence, but as dinner progressed Seren still felt eyes watching her. Turning her head back to the front of the room she one again locked eyes with Remus. Perhaps she'd finally concede and seek him out after dinner again, ask why he seemed so fixed on her, though she had the semblance of an idea./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I'll see you tomorrow morning for Potions?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Are you heading to bed already?" Seren offered a small nod in response, "Yeah, I have some reading to do, I'll see you at breakfast." Standing from the table she knicked a couple of strawberries from the large fruit bowl and departed./p
hr style="margin: 0.875em auto 1.2525em; border-style: solid; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; width: 359.25px;" /
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""You're not avoiding me, are you?" Seren whipped around, she hadn't even heard him come up behind her. When had he left the great hall? "No, I'm not avoiding you, I was going to wait for you by your office, but it seems you followed me." Remus scrutinized the young woman in front of him, his eyebrow twitching precariously upwards in its usual inquisitorial fashion./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""A little lion told me you answered some question on Lycanthropy today in Professor Sprouts class. Now, whatever could have possessed you to do a thing like that?" Suddenly the floor was very interesting, "Well, I…um. P-professor sprout asked me to help her with th-the lesson on Mandrakes but you know…how rumors get around."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""No need to be anxious Seren, I'm not angry, if anything I'm quite impressed. Pomona said you handled yourself quite well despite a bit of a rocky start." She could feel his hand rest on her shoulder, her nose picked up the scent of smokey cedar and she felt her tension dissipate./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""How does some tea sound? I've got a few essays to mark but we can still chat, hmm?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""If I won't be any trouble." She mentally scolded herself, clearly she wasn't going to be any trouble if he'd invited her, Remus chuckled as he started to walk beside her. Now and then their hands would brush against one another and she couldn't help the blush that would rise to her cheeks./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""First full moon of the term is next Thursday, have you given anymore thought to my proposal?" she nodded, "I think…" the rounded the corner into the deserted corridor, "What I mean is, I liked not being alone for transformations when we were at the leaky cauldron. So, if it's all the same to you I'd like to keep spending them together."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Remus' mouth twitched into a smile, "Well, not just with me but together, how forward of you, Ms. Price." He chided, drawing a deeper blush to the girls cheeks as he opened his office door, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're still running on adrenaline from Herbology, Seren." The inside of his office was just as warm as it had been last week. With a quick flick of his wand, he started the fire./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""You…You're teasing me, aren't you?" it was like his whole personality shifted whenever they were alone, "Ah, as perceptive as you are alluring. Please." He motioned to the large armchairs as the scent of firewood filled the office. He set the kettle on to boil over the open fire and she watched the orange flames dance./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"As he dug some paper sout of his desk drawer, he spoke again./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I'd like to know why you hurried out of my class earlier, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were avoiding me." Seren shook her head, "No…well, maybe a bit."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Can I ask why?" he took a seat in the armchair opposite her, folding his hands in his lap, unmarked papers on the table beside him. "I just…I didn't want the other students to think that—" She paused, "You didn't want them to start a rumor about the two of us, is that it?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""You said yourself this was the first decent job you've gotten in a long time, and I don't want to be the reason that its taken away from you. Even if Dumbledore and the staff know that we—" when she looked up there was a warm expression on his face, "it's very sweet that you care so much, Seren, truly. I'm not the least bit concerned with the staff, as you've said, they're aware of our relationship even if span style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"certain members/span disapprove. While I care a great deal about my students as well as my position at this school, I also care a considerable amount for you." He stood from his seat and strode towards the fire as the kettle began to screech, chuckling again as she averted her gaze./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Always so timid when it comes to affection, Seren. Is it so difficult to believe someone could care for you in such a way?" he made quick work of preparing two steaming mugs of tea, "if I recall, you take two sugars and just a splash of milk." She finally peered up as he handed her the cup, returning to his seat./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Perhaps you're still of the mind you're underserving?" His own eyes watched the gentle orange glow of the fire dance over her face, mesmerized by the wisps of amber gold in her eyes as she rested her gaze on his face./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I—" Remus had set his cup on the smell table beside him, leaning forward, "What then? You can be honest." There was a sharp intake of breath from the young woman before him,/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I don't deserve your affections, Remus. You deserve someone who isn't…" the word caught in her throat./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Isn't what?" her eyes dropped to the steaming mug of tea in her hands, and he'd have missed it entirely if he'd been anyone else,/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Dirty." Remus felt his hands clench and unclench as he released a shaky breath he hadn't known he was holding, "I ask you if you think you're underserving of affection and you respond in turn by calling yourself dirty, how do you think that makes me feel, Seren?" every urge he'd been fighting back since that day in the Leaky cauldron was proving more and more difficult to restrain. First term had been going for just shy of a month now and in that time he'd made absolutely sure he fought back absolutely all of them./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""It still upsets me a great deal to hear you talk about yourself in such a way when all I see when I look at you is perfection." He pushed himself out of his seat again, moving to stand in front of her, his hands tucked into his pockets to hide white knuckles. She looked up from her tea, catching the dark glint in his eyes,/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Perhaps words just don't work with you. what was that muggle expression again? Ah yes, actions speak louder than words?" Unsure of where he was going with this she felt herself shrink into the chair as her heart hammered in her chest and her stomach seemed to flip around./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""If you're not willing to take my words at face value, perhaps my actions will better aid the message."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Wh-What?!" her hands clasped the hot mug tighter as he reached to take it away from her, setting it on the other accent table. "R-Remus…" his hands left this pocket's, taking hold of hers and pulling her out of the chair./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Relax, I'm not going to do anything, I'm not a complete monster." Once she was on her feet he drew his wand, flicking it at the gramophone in the corner, A soft melody filled the room. "Seren, what do you know about wolves?" the question had come completely out of left field and she could feel his hands move up her arms to her shoulders before slowly sliding down to sit at her waist,/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""W-Well. I know that despite c-common muggle belief's, wolf packs are actually a family unit and… they raise their children who eventually break off and start packs of their own."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""And?" she wasn't sure what he was looking for as he began to sway their bodies to the music, "And?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""What about mates?" her stomach flipped again, "M-Mates?!" she could hear him chuckle again, she had recalled the chapter on werewolves from her third year that wolves, even werewolves, had similar mating customs starting with a need to be physically close to one another prior to and leading up to full moons and mating cycles./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Swallowing the lump in her throat she looked up at him to see that familiar mischievous glint, "Do you mean…"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Much like wolves in the wild, Werewolves have a specific mating culture." She watched as he leaned down towards her face, "It begins with a type of courtship, the need to be physically close, protective and possessive behavior…" they stilled as the song came to an end, his warm breath dusted across her face, and his eyes trailed from hers to her lips "I hadn't intended for things to turn out this way, I was perfectly content with the thought I'd be alone until Dumbledore sent me on your retrieval mission."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"'not just with me, but together…how forward of you.' /spanthere was a strange feeling between her legs as he got impossibly close, one hand tipping her head slightly to the side./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""The final part of werewolf courtship is marking our mates, a sort of gift from one to the other." His hot breath on her skin made her head swim, "I'd almost done so last month…" the tip of his nose trailed along her skin, welcoming the addicting scent of Lilacs and Vanilla as he came to rest just below her ear, "but I knew it had to be a choice you made yourself."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Another song began to play but both were too caught up in the moment to hear, "Why me?" her voice was barely a whisper as he pressed a soft kiss against her pulse, drawing a soft yet pleasant gasp from her that made his lips twitch into a smile, "I am…inexplicably and overwhelmingly drawn to you. but inevitably, it is your choice as much as mine and I am firm with my decision." He pulled away from her to gauge her reaction, her face was still that shade of pink he loved and her chest rose and fell the way it had the day they'd first kissed./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I—" that feeling between her legs was annoying and paired with the sudden admission that he'd chosen her as…his…on top of such a blatant display of dominance was enough to fry her poor brain./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"'His.' /spanThe word echoed and the wolf inside of her easily admitted the idea was appealing. Remus was a kind man, despite their occasional disagreements, and even with his temper he was still sweet and patient, he looked out for her and was even leaving the final decision up to her despite the fact he could just claim her next Thursday whether she wanted it or not as they would be spending the full moon together./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Remus was safe, he hadn't judged her and he frequently reprimanded her for belittling herself, he'd been nothing but open with her since their first meeting, would being his be so bad? If she were to say yes to his proposal it meant she wouldn't have to suffer through heat cycles alone anymore or seek out a pack once she graduated in June./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I…" there was nothing but adoration in his eyes as she searched them for any malicious intent,/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""If you are absolutely certain that…that I'm who you want." taking another deep breath she tried to calm her nerves and racing heartbeat, "Then—" there was another long Pause as Remus stared hopefully down at her,/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I accept."/p
/div