Forever Yours

Smells

"Good evening ladies," greeted James as he opened the door for you and Gabrielle.

"Hi, James," returned Gabby happily before running to Sirius and bestowing him with a warm embrace and a radiant smile as if naught was troubling her.

You attempted to do the same (act like everything was all right, not embrace Sirius), yet you regretfully had not ever been as skilled an actress as Gabby and Remus instantly asked, "What's the matter?"

"Nothing," you lied.

Remus shook his head disbelievingly and guided you into the kitchen. The room was large, which contradicted the size of the small cottage. Before you had time to puzzle over this Remus repeated, "What's the matter?"

You knew you would have to say something, and deception was not one of your best abilities, thus you confessed something that had indeed been bothering you; it simply was not troubling you at that moment. "I know it was two weeks ago, but ever since the dance I've been wondering if you'll get sick again. I wouldn't want that to happen."

Remus gave you a warm, appreciative smile that promptly made you wish you had told him the whole truth. "Right not I feel fine, though if I ever did fall ill again it would not be something I couldn't handle. I promise." He hugged you and an aroma reached your nose. You could discern that it was not a cologne he was wearing, but the scent of his actual skin. It was subtle and sweet with a hidden, underlying smell that seemed stronger. The only analogy you could form in your mind to describe it was honey over powerful spices. You longed to bury your face in his neck and hair to intensify the experience of the dizzying scent, however, Remus pulled away ere you could decide if you would have the courage to do it or not.

Two weeks since your first date and Remus had remained affectionate yet had failed to even attempt at a hint that he wanted to kiss you. Was it Remus' shyness or did you do something wrong? You thought you should ask. "Remus?"

He held your hands and gazed into your eyes. "Yes?"

As usual, Remus' intoxicating eyes prevented you from thinking properly. Your mind went blank. What had you been about to say?

His gentle, calloused hands massaged yours in a relaxing manner. "What is it?" he coaxed with courteous interest.

The first phrase that popped into your head flew out of your mouth. "You smell good." The horror of uttering such a foolish statement awoke your brain from its stupour. "I'm sorry. I-"

Remus wasn't listening; he was laughing. It was a pleasant sound. "Thank you, milady." He bowed over your intertwining fingers. "So do you."

"Thanks." What do I smell like? Well, whatever it is at least he thinks it's good.

The others joined you both in the kitchen. In pretend offense Sirius demanded, "What's going on? There's laughter happening that I'm not a part of!"

Releasing your hands, Remus grinned at Sirius. "That's because we were gossiping about you."

"What? No! You're supposed to be the nice one. What were you saying?"

James swayed his hips and flipped his hair. "Like, oh my God, Sirius, what do you, like, think they were saying? They were saying how, like, deliciously dreamy you are and stuff."

All of you laughed at James' accurate impression of an ignorant popular girl.

Lily sat down at the circular table in the centre of the tiled kitchen. "Let's eat."

No one needed more encouragement.

As you buttered a freshly baked roll for yourself Gabrielle queried, "How does a house this small have such big rooms? It's almost magical!"

"Magical?" Sirius snaked his arm across her shoulders. "Everything is magical when I'm around." He kissed her long and deep until Lily complained, "Get a room!"

You couldn't watch them snog. It brought thoughts of Remus to your mind. The physical part of a relationship, you knew, was not the most significant, however, the complete lack of it caused you to feel undesirable. Yes, you had heard Remus tell his friends that he found you attractive; therefore you were aware that your worry was unwarranted. Unfortunately, you could not alter how you felt just because you knew it was illogical.

"All joking aside," Sirius continued, "the rooms expand because they are so full of germs."

Gabby scoffed, "If they're full of germs why aren't you all diseased?"

Sirius replied gravely, "I don't know about them, but germs look at my strong body and decide not to waste their time."

"So do women," teased James.

"You wish." Sirius rolled his grey eyes at James.

Lily got up from the table and returned with dessert, which was a chocolate pie.

"This is delicious!" you exclaimed in delight after your first bite. "Dinner was, too. Who cooked it?" You glanced at Lily. "Was it you?"

"Instead of answering myself I'll quote my mum. 'Oh, Lily dearest, you're such a clever, friendly, and brave beauty, but you're absolute rubbish in the kitchen.'" Lily smiled reminiscently, and then shrugged. "Nobody is perfect."

"Okay, so who cooked?" questioned you and Gabrielle in unison. Being best mates since early childhood enabled you to share thoughts at precisely the same moment. It did not happen often, though, since you two were very, very different people.

James responded, "The most feminine person here. The one, the only, Remus I-Don't-Know-his-Middle-Name-but-it-Starts-with-a-J Lupin!"

All of you chuckled and Sirius applauded.

You were going to ask Remus where he'd learned to cook when Lily announced, "Time to watch the movie!"