Bonding Reception

[m4moony]

Date: Saturday, 5 April, 2002
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: King's Road Inn, Scotland
Characters Involved: Remus Lupin, Severus Snape, and invited guests
Rating: G - it's a wedding, folks. Hankies optional for the tearfully sentimental.

Comments

Dancing, 7:30pm

[m4moony]

At the other side of the room, the space had been left clear for dancing. After the meal was over, a small pub band with fiddle, harp, guitar, and drum set up in one corner of that area, leaving plenty of space available for guests to make good use of the polished wood dancing floor. Their repetoire would include some of the more traditional waltzes and reels, as well as some of the more modern, rock influenced tunes.

Re: Dancing, 7:30pm

[subtle_simmer]

There had been a moment where he was actually in danger of over-eating. He'd been so nervous the last few days that his appetite had been off. When the food was set before him, he felt absolutely ravenous.

But there had been too much downright jovial conversation and too much smiling until his cheeks actually physically ached from the unaccustomed exercise, and in the end he hadn't eaten himself ill.

Though the cake had made it a near thing.

The point was, he had finally stopped being anxious, nervous, apprehensive or any of the other plethora of unpleasant emotions that had somehow seasoned the Bonding anticipation into something forever memorable - though more pleasantly so now that it was over. He was Bonded to Remus and this entire reception was for them, to celebrate that fact

Re: Dancing, 7:30pm

[m4moony]

Remus, on the other hand, despite being aided by lycanthropic metabolism and an appetite to rival a teenaged male's in the middle of the worst growth spurt, had hardly touched his food, so busy had he been in alternating between carrying on several conversations with the friends seated around them and simply watching Severus in silent adoration. He'd never seen his mate so vibrantly happy and he found himself entranced by the sight.

When Severus rose from his seat and offered Remus his hand, there could be no room for embarrassment or nervousness. How could there be when he was finally going to get something he'd wished for at every social function they'd been forced to endure over the last year -- dance with Severus Snape-Lupin. That the requet following was phrased as a demand only made Remus' smile broaden. Everything about Severus made Remus smile today.

"Well, if I get to lead," he teased gently, taking Severus' hand in his and rising to join him. "I suppose I can be coerced into dancing with you, Mr. Snape-Lupin

Re: Dancing, 7:30pm

[subtle_simmer]

Severus actually laughed out loud as he was pulled into Remus' embrace. He loved the quiet strength of his husband's movements. The curse which controlled or at least coloured every aspect of Remus' life - of their life, now - had given him preternatural strength even when the moon was at its lowest.

Severus, never formed for physical combat at the height of his youth, could not but find that raw power enticing.

Accustomed to leading, he was surprised how easily he slipped into the submissive role here. Not merely easily, but proudly gave control of his movements into his lover's graceful steps

Re: Dancing, 7:30pm

[m4moony]

Gods, how Remus loved to hear Severus laugh, a rare, beautiful sound, rich and warm opposed to the usual wry amusement the other man usually allowed himself. It was a brief glimpse into the man he might have been years ago, had two wars and numerous heartaches not hardened his heart for so long. It was the man Remus loved and he wished, in that moment, for the ability to give Severus this sort of happiness every day from that day forward.

"It was designed by the man who knows me best in all the world." Remus squeezed Severus' hand gently, simultaneously turning them smoothly with the steps of the dance. "And he just happens to be the most beautiful man in this room."

Taking advantage of a quick ritardando, he leaned forward the scant few inches separating them and captured Severus' lips in a gentle, brief kiss. This was their day and he was going to take advantage of every opportunity to indulge in displays they usually avoided in public, like kissing his husband just because he wanted to, when he wanted to

Re: Dancing, 7:30pm

[subtle_simmer]

No matter how much he liked to hear such things - and who wouldn't? - it was still difficult for him to easily or gracefully accept the effusive words.

"It is to my advantage, as always, that you see me as such, Cariad," he teased. "Though, alas, I must correct your error on one very important point - you are the most attractive man in the room this evening."

Laughing again at the absurdity of him being in a situation to argue something so silly and nonsensical as who is more attractive than whom, he closed his eyes and leaned his cheek against Remus', giving himself wholly to his husband's easy guidance of the dance. "In a moment we will degenerate into arguing over who loves whom more like besotted adolescents, and then I will be absolutely forced to renounce my crown as Most Terrifying Professor.

"Let us not sink quite to such depths."

How the mighty have fallen? If this was the 'depths', Severus hoped never to ascend again. What was cold, lonely, isolated, miserable dignity in comparison with fun, silly, joyful,

Re: Dancing, 7:30pm

[m4moony]

"Very well," Remus laughed merrily, hugging his husband tighter for a brief moment. "I shall agree to a draw, and only a draw, if that will allow you to remain the Most Terrifying Professor."

Not that Remus would ever be able find the man in his arms remotely 'Terrifying', if he ever really had. Especially not when he was calling Remus 'Cariad'.

The love song continued to swirl around them and Remus fell silent, merely enjoying the feel of holding Severus close without censure. For this moment, there was once again no one else in the world but the two of them, cocooned in the music, the dance, and each other. Severus' breath fanned warmth against Remus' skin, his fine hair tickling along Remus' nose, as their cheeks rested against each other.

"I have been looking forward to tonight for a long time," he murmured softly in Severus' ear. "If it wasn't for being able to dance with you all night, I'd whisk you away as soon as this song is over."

Re: Dancing, 7:30pm

[yngstweasleybro]

Ron stood, their dinner clearly finished, and waited for her. He offered his hand to her, and helped her to her feet. Her hand in his, he walked towards the dance floor, weaving them through the tables to reach it. He stood with his arms outstretched, waiting for her to move into him, to take his hands.

He smiled at her; his heart lept slightly as she moved forward. All of this strange little moments he was noticing. It was so unlike him to be paying attention to these things; he thought maybe he had been alone too long. That time with the Muggles to return to an angry, hurt Hermione had kept him alone. Hermione was his past; he really thought he might have a chance with a future with Lavender. He took her offered hand in his, and put his other hand at her waist.

"This is nice," he said as he moved her to the music, "I've been waiting all evening to get you into my arms."

Re: Dancing, 7:30pm

[b_lavender]

Dinner had been wonderful. Lavender found it was so easy to just talk with Ron. They had never really done that back in school; they had always been to busy snogging each other senseless.

After dinner was over, Lavender eagerly joined Ron on the dance floor and felt content as they began to move. If only it would last forever. She had to be careful, though. Lavender knew she had a tendency to jump into things without thinking them through, but this time would be different.

"Yes, but this is about as close as we're going to get tonight," Lavender said, a playful smile on her face. "We're taking this slow, remember?"

Re: Dancing, 7:30pm

[yngstweasleybro]

"What?!" he asked with an innocent tone, as he spun her slightly to the music, "How do you know this isn't exactly what I ment?!

He chuckled slyly, as he leaned into her, pulling her closer in the turn.

"This feels right. Dancing like this with you. I never got to dance with you before, you know? At the Yule Ball, or anything. It would have been nice, Lavender, to get to know you better. But I'm glad we waited. I was pretty much of a prat back then."

This time, he spun her away to the music, and then pulled her back, close to him, his hand on her lower back as he pulled her close, "Dancing. What a brilliant invention!"

He said this as his head was close to her ear. He wanted to pull her closer. He wanted to kiss her but held back.

Re: Dancing, 7:30pm

[b_lavender]

"Because I know you, Ron," Lavender replied in a wry tone. She liked teasing him like this. All the while, she had the biggest smile on her face.

Lavender sighed when Ron pulled her close. It did feel right.

When Ron mentioned the Yule Ball, she had to laugh. "If you recall, I had my eyes set on Seamus back then. He was very handsome for a fourteen year old boy."

Ron was actually a very good dancer, contrary to what Lavender had previously thought. "First you cook, now you dance?" she asked.