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Gryffindor party- 1979
"Shhh, you can't go around talking about the animagus thing! Even if you are pissed on fire whiskey, y/n." Remus whispers to me as he plops next to me on the sofa.
"You know I talk too much." I slur back. When I turned my head to look at him, our noses brushed a minute as he hadn't turned back straight from his whisper. "You could come put your lips on mine and shut me up. We could blame it all on...human nature or something." I giggle a bit.
Even though I was joking, I still find myself leaning back on the sofa as Remus slowly leans in. I turn a bit so that the arm of the couch supports the back of my head rather than the side of it, watching as Remus shifts as well. One of his large hands takes a firm grip on the top of the couch, balancing himself as he kneels in front of my tucked legs, the other hand planting itself next to my head, still leaning in. He stops just centimeters away from my face. I can feel his breath- hot, deep and steady. I'm sure he felt mine, much more shallow and shaken.
"Stay cool, it's just a kiss, y/n." He whispers again, though not taking any more action. My eyes flicker down to his lips, a smirk that seems quite enticing for some reason now.
"I was j-"
He interrupts me, closing his eyes and closing off the little space he'd left, connecting his lips onto mine. In no time I find myself kissing back, making the endearment last longer than probably either one of us had expected. He finally pulls back, just to the spot he initially hovered in.
"I-uh-I- '' Once again, I found myself being interrupted by a snog, a bit shorter this time but just as fiery. "Mer-"
"Why you gotta be so talkative?" Remus whispers again, that same smirk glowing on his face.
For some reason, I have butterflies in my stomach when I look at him. They must've been dormant for all this time, the flutter is much too strong to be brand new. Remus sits back up beside me, pulling his hand away from my face and back to his lap as if nothing had ever happened. He waits for me to sit back up as well, leaning to his side to talk low in my ear.
"Sorry about that."
"Don't be." I say breathlessly, surprising myself a bit. I turn to look at him, our faces centimeters apart again. "Just be prepared to do that a lot, you know. I talk too much."
"We talk too much." He says again, letting a hand hold my cheek and kiss me again. "By all means, feel free to never shut up. I could do that a few more times."
Remus has Lily walk me up to my room, declaring i’ve had quite enough ‘if im willing to kiss him’. I fell asleep almost immediately, having sweet dreams about what could happen at the next gryffindor party.
Lucky for me, the Gryffindors next quidditch match was only 4 days later. Tradition says if we win, we have a party to celebrate. If we lose, we have a party to lift our spirits. I counted down the days and started to plan out what I'd do and say. I used the days in between to get a better read on remus’ type. I’m positive that he thinks I don't remember, especially considering the smirk he couldn't hide when I asked him a bit more directly about girls. It was our favorite hobby to spend Wednesdays people-watching from the courtyard. As per usual, I brought him his much needed coffee and made small talk until we found someone interesting to comment on or make up a story for.
“Mmm, you have no idea how much this caffeine was needed.” he says after taking a sip of the hot drink. “How was your class?”
“Boring, as per usual. I promise you’ll be the first to know if Binns decides to get off his arse and actually do something.” I laugh. “Sky’s pretty today. Looks fake, almost.”
“I was just about to call this plastic weather. Too perfect.”
“Looks like you read my mind then, mr moony.”
Finally, someone comes around the corner with an interesting broche added to their backpacks. We decided that it was a gift from their great grandmother, and had a long story of the many men she used to date during the wars. We laughed and laughed after each person we discussed, and shifted the way we talk about them.
“Okay, okay. What about…her? You like her moony?” I say, pointing to a beautiful blonde wearing a prairie style skirt and peplum top. It looked a bit dated, like hand-me-downs, but was beautiful nonetheless. I owned some similar pieces in my own closet.
“I suppose she's not bad. Looks a little uptight, y’know?”
“I suppose. What about…her?” I point to another girl, her entire body adorned in black leather aside from her twisted sisters band tee shirt. She reminded me a bit of Sirius, and I knew it was an outfit I, too, could pull off.
“Sure, but if I wanted her that badly I'd just go snog pads.”
“Fair point. How about you point to a girl that you’re interested in.”
“How about you tell me why you're so interested in who I'm interested in?” he says, turning to face me rather than the many passersby.
“I'm always wanting to learn new things about you moon.” I lie straight through my teeth, smiling sweetly at him. “Maybe ill set you up with one of them.”
“Alright then.” He laughs. I watch him raise his arm, pointing to someone just beyond my shoulder. “Her.”
I turn, expecting to see some goddess of a woman I could never compare to. I brace myself for the impact of a girl that is better dressed than me with better hair and a better smile. Someone who would look better on remus’ arm. I'm caught by surprise when I turn and make eye contact with her.
“MADAM PINCE.” I shout much louder than I anticipated, hand shooting up to my mouth. Remus’ head falls into my shoulder, his laughter taking over his entire body leaving him unable to control himself. He slaps his knee a few times before sitting up and wiping the tears from his eyes. “Moon be serious!”
“What? I've always liked older women.” he says again, sparking another laughing fit. I just roll my eyes and accept defeat, knowing I’ll just have to put together the information he gave me about other girls to find out his type.
On game day, while others were searching for liquid luck, I was on the prowl for liquid courage. I spend far too much time getting ready, convincing myself it was all likely for naught and I shouldn't be so stressed about it. Still, every so often in the routine I found myself taking a half shot of fire whisky.
I waited for the loud cheering and the vibrations of the music before I made my entrance downstairs. I refluffed my hair, making sure the curls were brushed out and had plenty of volume. My shirt got adjusted to show just the right amount of cleavage, and the flare on my bell bottoms were straightened out so they didn't look so worn. Every girl I passed on the way down let me know that I looked good, but there was only one person I was in search of a compliment from.
Remus was nowhere to be found at this party. It was the let down of a century, and I decided to drink that feeling off. I somehow ended up making bets with everyone, and this last one had me tight walking on the edge of the table, which was transfigured to be about half a meter taller and a meter narrower. I stood on the ledge, finding my balance and accepting the extra shot from James’ hand before making my way across. As the show off I am, I decided to dance a bit to the music, too. The spin I added was a bit too much, and I found myself half-running to the end before I dropped. Luckily, my fall was cushioned by someone's arms, and I knew the cologne immediately. I stole remus’ drink from him once he set me down on floor level, ignoring the cheers and keeping my eyes locked on his. There was an unfamiliar fire in them that paired perfectly with his tongue in cheek expression. I pulled him in by the collar, talking directly in his ear so he could hear me over the other people trying to take the same bet I had just finished.
“I’m feeling extra talkative tonight. Don't think there's much I can leave unsaid.”
Remus immediately picked up on what I was trying to say, pulling me out of the middle of the crowd and pushing me up against a wall. He wasted no more time putting his lips on mine. Every kiss was hungry and hot, much different from last time.
“You look so good.” He mutters between bites, not spending much time on the phrase. I, on the other hand, couldn't be more thrilled.
“New top.” I replied, guiding his face back to mine and slowing him down just slightly.
“I noticed.”
Before we can reconvene, James is passing us with another round of drinks. Both of us accept a glass from him, snickering at the story he's telling while trying to subtly move Remus’s hand off of the curve of my hip. Most of our focus is on making sure it doesn't look like we were just eating each other's faces, so we just have to try to figure out at what points in prongs’ rambling to laugh. I was begging and praying that he would just leave so Remus and I could get back to business.
“James, I think Lily is waving you over.” I said as a last resort, knowing it would send James sauntering to the other side of the room as soon as he finished running his hands through his hair.
“Fucking finally.” Remus says, turning back to me and pushing the curled fringe from my face. “Now, have you learned to keep your mouth shut yet or…?”
“Oh no, I will definitely be discussing things I shouldnt with people who aren't on a need-to-know basis.”
“Perfect.” He says, assuming his previous position with one hand behind my neck and the other on my waist. He decides it's not close enough and pushes one of his legs between mine, our chests pressing together.
The rest of the night follows the same way- being careful of our proximity as the room starts to clear out and watching for our friends to pass us. Near the end of the night, we separate for the final time. I wiped the bit of smudged lipstick from his face, wondering if it was there when James was speaking to us earlier. Remus pets my hair back into place and adjusts his shirt back, making our whole time seem amiable and like two best friends normally hanging out at parties.
“So…” I start dusting myself off from imaginary lint.
“Yeah…” Remus responds in the same tone.
“Are we… you wanna do this next time too?”
“Oh hell yes. I mean- only if you want to obviously. And you know, this isn't going to…change anything…or whatever.”
“Right! Of course, yeah. We’re just two friends who like to snog people at parties. You're just the most convenient.”
“Right. Yes. so are you.”
“So…see ya later, bud.” I say, knocking my fist against his shoulder playfully.
“You too, pal.” he laughs back. As I turn to go up the nearby stairs, he grabs my hand and twists me back towards him. “Sorry, I just noticed you have a little…” He starts, getting in one last kiss for the night. “All set now, mate.”
We went our separate ways for the night, then, and I couldn’t have been any more giddy. I can only hope that Remus left with half the smile that I did.
The days after we ignored the situation completely. Carrying on as usual was much easier than I had initially anticipated. None of our friends seemed to have seen us, so the secret was only ours to keep. Our typical Wednesday people watching was the only time it was brought up, but that was really because it was the only time we were alone.
“Moony, my love.” I say, passing the cup of coffee I'd gotten for him and taking my usual seat to his left. “How’s your day been?”
“Better now that you're here.” He smiles back.
“Any interesting people with interesting stories yet?” I ask, starting our peruse for a lovely face. “I saw a girl wearing not one, not two, not three, but four different shades of yellow. Looked like the cutest sunshine you'd ever seen.”
“No people on my end. You know youre better at spotting them.”
“I know, I know. If it weren't for me you'd never be able to tell which one of those boys over there is madly in love with his best friend.” I pointed in the direction of the boys, but I could feel that remus’ stare had not left me yet. There go those butterflies, again. “Probably kisses her in secret, or at least thinks about it.”
“Like you, huh?” Remus laughs, finally looking towards the friend group I mentioned.
“What? No.” I scoffed, stealing the coffee from his hands. “No. very different from my situation.”
“Right, because you and I are just friends that enjoy kissing people at parties.”
“ We were drunk.”
“Not that second time.” Remus raises his eyebrows at me, a smirk playing across his cheeks. He knows he’s won with that point. “Just admit it, y/n, you like kissing me just as good when you're sober.”
“It's just the party atmosphere.” I lied. “Like how I wouldnt kiss you right now, but I'm expecting your full attention tonight at Peter's birthday bash…”
I probably should've left that unsaid, but there was something so satisfying about watching remus’ cheeks and ears grow into a deep shade of magenta, his hand coming up to scratch his neck. The way he had nothing at all to add, only speaking in choked coughing fits. I urged him to take another sip of his drink. He had no choice but to comply. I rubbed his back to soothe the last bit of the tickle in his throat, having him nod in appreciation.
“I’ve got to run, moony. See you tonight though, right?”
“Full attention.” He murmurs, looking down to his feet and waving a small goodbye.
I find myself holding my breath a lot as I watch the clock tick down. I helped James start to set up the party, setting out the cake table and goblets galore for everyone to start with party festivities. When I ran across Wormy, I went ahead and wished him a personal happy birthday, anticipating not seeing him for much of the night. With only an hour left before the majority of guests arrived, I took it as my cue to go ahead and get ready for the night. Remus seemed to enjoy my outfit choice last time, and I'm hoping the red velvet top I picked out for tonight would receive a similar reaction.
“Stay cool, it's just a kiss.” I repeated to myself. Even though it wasn't the first time, I still felt heat rise in my belly at the thought of Remus's pink lips and green eyes and blah blah blah. Distraction was key, here, I can't spend time reflecting too hard. “It’s just…a kiss.” I say one last time between swipes of my cherry lip gloss.
The last two times Remus and I decided that we were the kind of friends who made out at parties, we had a bit of time to ourselves first. That first night when I was completely pissed, it wasn't until the end of the party just before I was ushered up to my room that I decided I needed a peck here and there to complete the festivities. The next time, Remus didn't even show up until an hour after it had begun. Seeing as it was Peter's birthday, being late wasn't an option. And seeing as we’d already discussed things earlier in the day, there was no reason to prolong our waiting.
Everyone gathered around Peter at the small table, handing him drink after drink as we prepared him. I had the honors of crowning him this year, lily helping me lay the sash across his waist and fix the crown atop his head. Sirius got to lighting all 18 candles on the cake, a big year for Pete. We all resumed our typical positions and waited for James’ cue to conduct us on He’s a Jolly Good Fellow. Mid-song, however, I felt Remus shuffle into the spot directly behind me, his hand carelessly attaching itself to my waist. A bold move for the man that couldn’t hold himself together when all I said was that I wanted his attention. We finish the verse, toast our friends, and immediately go to get lost in the crowd.
“Why are you in such a rush?” I giggle, noting the speed at which Remus is dragging the two of us further and further in the room. “Take your time, hun.”
“Oh dear lord, please don't call me that.” he groans, pushing open a door to a secluded hallway, drowning out the music and laughter almost completely. Still, he takes us further down the corridor and moves a tapestry, of course revealing one of his infamous hiding spots.
“Am I allowed to ask what exactly we’re doing out here?” I ask, not really caring too much about the answer as I follow him in the cubby hole.
“Youre allowed.”
“Okay. What exactly are we doing out here?”
Remus does not answer immediately, instead slumping against the wall and just staring at me. His eyes wander from each of mine, to my lips, to my blouse, and back up. Still, no words. He lifts two fingers, curling them to motion for me to step closer to him.
“You have some excessive charisma tonight for someone I had speechless in the courtyard.”
“Caught me off guard, is all. Usually I have to make all the moves.”
“Mhmm.”
“It's true! Human nature and what not.”
“Still haven't answered my question yet.” I roll my eyes, going back to the odd location.
“Wanted somewhere more private to test out my theories. Why? Are you bothered by it?”
Instead of sounding concerned, Remus seems to know that he’s bested me. He switches us around, holding me against the wall with his arm above my head. I gulp, my chest heaving with my heartbeat and unsteady breaths. It’s eerily like the first time, but both of us are much more aware of what's happening this time around. I have no control over my body. My knees are weak and wobbly beneath his gaze, and I take a fistful of his shirt for stability. The hand that's not fixed on the wall beside my head snakes up to my cheek, tilting my gaze up towards him. Still, no words, no other action. He just stares.
“You know what I think, y/n?” he whispers, never leaving my gaze. “C’mon, give it a guess.”
I'm back to holding my breath, feeling completely intoxicated without a drop of alcohol in my system. My mouth is dry and i stutter the beginning of a word I don't intend on finishing.
“I think that you were lying to me earlier today. I think that you really, really want me to kiss you right now, even without a party all around us. I think you wanted me to kiss you in the courtyard, maybe projecting a bit onto that poor boy just trying to enjoy time with his friends. I think you-”
“I think I'd like you to shut up.” I mumble, the words coming out hoarse.
“Make me.” he says back, leaning in closer to me, taunting me.
As golden as silence is, it's much better interrupted by shocked gasps and hungry growls. Just as I'm about to bobble over, Remus stabilizes me with hands on my waist, holding on fiercely and keeping my body pressed firmly against the wall. He pulls back for a breath of air, snickering at me.
“I'll take that as I was right?” he mutters, unable to keep back a winning smile.
“You know, you talk too much.” I say, mocking his previous statement. all the noise has left the cubby, leaving only the residual muffled sound of peters birthday. “Should we go back?”
“Please don't make me.” He kisses me again. “I much prefer it here.”
“Someones bound to notice that we’ve both disappeared, it'll be suspicious, honey.”
“I told you not to call me that.” he says, pressing his finger against my lips. “You're going to start something you really don't want to.”
“And what’s that?”
“I won't be able to keep my hands off of you…and I'll talk too much…and it'll be up to you to shut me up. No matter where we are, or who we’re with.” he says, pushing my hair behind my ear. “You ready for that kind of commitment? Or do you still want to be friends that make out sometimes at or around parties? Up to you.”
Now he’s got my hopes up. I contemplate, no hesitation in looking over the several different ways this could all blow over. Probably no issues. What are we waiting for?