(no subject)
TITLE: First Kiss
FOR: Maria Cette Lupin
SHIP: Remus Lupin and OC
WARNINGS: none
A/N: The story is set during the marauder’s sixth year at Hogwarts.
The Christmas holidays were starting the next morning and many Gryffindors had gathered in the common room to celebrate. The fireplace was roaring and snow was falling softly outside.
After drinking several butterbeers, James decided to organize a game of Post Office. “Come on everyone, bring your wizard cards over and we’ll deal out a game!” he said, grinning mischievously.
Quietly, Remus got up and began to head for the dormitories.
“Where’re going, Moony? This is just getting interesting,” Sirius asked, giving him a quick wink.
“I’m, um, tired. Think I’ll head up,” said Remus. He was tired, between tests and the full moon, it had been an exhausting week indeed.
Sirius gave him a nod and returned to the fun.
As Remus left the room, he saw Greta Catchlove trying to transform the wizard on her card; she’d been dealt Herpo the Foul but needed a Dumbledore card in order to be paired with Sirius. Herpo wasn’t being very cooperative.
Remus shook his head and headed for the stairs. If James and Sirius wanted to play silly snogging games, that was fine with him. However, after what happened last year with Hyacinth Pickford, well, he’d rather just avoid the whole mess. He’d really liked Hyacinth. They had been dating for about three weeks when the full moon came. After he returned from the Shrieking Shack, she’d broken up with him. She thought he had been with another girl and since that seemed preferable to the truth, Remus didn’t correct her. He hadn’t been out with a girl since; it was just easier that way.
As Remus approached the stairs to the boys’ dormitories, he changed his mind and turned towards a small alcove under the girls’ staircase. It was his favourite spot. Quiet and out of the way, the alcove had an upholstered bench recessed into the wood paneling and was hung with dark velvet curtains at either end. It had the familiar smell of wood oil mingled with the faint, musty odor of age that reminded Remus of the library; he found it comforting.
He had just settled in and was starting to read when he heard someone approaching. It was Suzanne Gilmour, a third year. He didn’t really know her.
“Oh! I didn’t know anyone was back here,” Suzanne said, surprised.
“Sorry, just doing a bit of reading...” Remus trailed off. He was equally surprised, in the six years he’d been attending Hogwarts he’d never encountered anyone back here before now. He was at a bit of a loss as what to say next.
“Why aren’t you at the party with your friends?” Suzanne asked.
“Well, as a prefect, it didn’t seem appropriate, I suppose.”
“Oh,” said Suzanne, suddenly very interested in her feet.
“Why aren’t you in there?” Remus returned.
“Oh, well, you know, I just don’t fancy snogging games-not that there’s anything wrong with snogging-I suppose,” Suzanne blushed and studied her shoes more intently.
“No, of course, nothing wrong with it,” said Remus, the hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Would you like to sit down?” he offered, scooting over on the bench.
“Alright,” she sat down nervously, perching herself at the edge of the cushion, “I’ve seen you around; you and your friends.” Suzanne glanced quickly at Remus and then resumed studying her shoes.
“Oh?” replied Remus. They looked at each other, the silence hanging in the air between them. “What are your plans for the holidays?” Remus asked, trying to fill the void.
Suzanne prattled on a bit about her family and her holiday plans. Then Remus chatted her up about the book he was reading. He had such a gentle, kindly way about him; she couldn’t help but relax. She scooted back further onto the bench and gradually turned her knees toward Remus’s until they were almost touching.
There was another lull in their conversation. They both chanced another glance at each other, then smiled and looked down, simultaneously. The giggles and hoots of their House mates could be heard faintly in the background; the game was apparently in full swing.
“You know, before, when I said I wasn’t interested in snogging games?” Suzanne began hurriedly, afraid she would lose her nerve, “That isn’t really true.”
Remus nodded and gave her a shy but encouraging smile.
“It’s more that I don’t really know how. I’ve never kissed anyone, well, except for my parents, which doesn’t really count-does it?” finished Suzanne. Suddenly she was thankful for the dim lighting in the alcove because she was sure every inch of her was blushing deeply.
“No, I don’t suppose it does,” said Remus with a small chuckle. “I could help you, perhaps.” Remus paused and looked into her eyes. “If you’d like,” he finished softly.
Suzanne looked into Remus’s eyes; she saw kindness, mirth and a hint of something else she couldn’t identify. Instead of answering, she leaned forward and closed her eyes. Remus gently caressed her cheek with the back of his hand and then he leaned forward and kissed her.