Forever Yours

Chapter 16 Sentiment

You were aware that since Gabrielle's parents were away on a business trip, as usual, she would most likely spend the night with Sirius doing things, so you phoned Lanette once you arrived at home on time.

"Hullo?" she answered sleepily.

"Did I wake you?" you inquired, fervently hoping you had not done an act so inconsiderate to your favourite cousin. Actually, your only cousin.

"Well, yeah. Sane people go to sleep around eleven."

"We both know I was never sane," you chuckled, "but even normal people stay up late on weekends."

Lanette yawned, choosing not to reply.

"Wanna know why I rang or should I talk to you tomorrow?"

"Go ahead. Tell me."

"Remus and I snogged!"

"What?" she gasped, all traces of weariness gone. "I want details!"

"We were standing close together on the way home, so I pushed myself against him and he kissed me, and I swear I almost saw fireworks!"

Lanette laughed. "Then what?"

"We walked home holding hands. The snog didn't laugh as long as I would've liked, but I think it's better that way. After all, if a five-course meal was given to a person at once they'd never be able to eat all of it."

She laughed harder. "I'm happy for you."

"I'm happy for me too! I need to write this in my diary."

~

"Fantasy," Sirius said to you the next time you had history. "Remus seemed really pleased after he walked you home, but he wouldn't say why. Care to enlighten me?"

"Enlighten? What a big word for you, Padfoot!" quipped James, coming to Sirius' side.

Sirius elbowed James forcefully in the stomach, causing both a pained cringe and a triumphant chuckle. Sirius continued your conversation as if his self-proclaimed brother had never interrupted. "Was he so pleased because you took your relationship to the next level?"

You shrugged, inwardly straining with the effort of keeping the blush from your cheeks. Naturally, you did not care if Remus' friends knew that you had kissed, yet you realised that if Sirius discerned it now the result would be a dramatic scene during class, which reserved Remus would not appreciate.

Your lack of reaction seemed to encourage Sirius to make a bolder attempt. He leaned forward so that your faces were inches apart. You were aware that he had done that so you would be unable to inconspicuously tear your eyes away from his grey ones, and consequently he would know if you were lying. He whispered softly, imploringly, "Did he wrap his arms around you? Did you run your fingers through his hair? Did your lips meet for the first time?"

Searing heat burned your face and neck, making the answer apparent.

James and Sirius clapped and declared, "We knew it!"

"Knew what?" Marge demanded.

With obvious pride, the ebony-haired duo stood atop a desk and announced, "Fantasy and Remus are now officially a couple!"

Everyone stared at you, and you knew that the news would be all over school by the end of the day.

At the moment of the divulgence Remus entered. You thought an embarrassed expression would grace his handsome features. Instead, he looked only mildly surprised. He took his seat behind you with his composure completely intact.

You swiveled around in your chair and told him, "I guess you didn't want them to find out about us. I'm sorry, but Sirius..." You could not find the words to describe precisely what Sirius had done, though Remus did not seem to need them.

"A gentlemen doesn't kiss and tell; that's why I didn't say anything. A girl's reputation can be tainted by her physical interactions, but a bloke's won't be. That is why she should make the decision of how much detail is revealed about it."

That's the sweetest thing I ever heard! you thought.

"I don't mind that people know we're dating. In fact," Remus' intoxicating amber eyes flickered with flirtatious mischief, proving that it was entirely plausible for him to have received detention as he had ruefully had claimed to, "if you wanted me to I would sing for the whole world to hear that I'm courting the most beautiful girl in the world."

Your eyes widened and your heart skipped a beat. I take it back; THAT is the sweetest thing I ever heard...Wait, courting? What a delightfully old-fashioned word! "Oh, Remus," you murmured almost inaudibly.

Remus smiled as if he had heard you, but elected not to reply.

"Please, pass your homework to the front of the room." Mr. Sotwal hiccupped, clearly showing that he had drunken a vast quantity of alcohol that morning.

As you took out your assignment you decided that after school once you and Remus were alone you would convey to him how much his sentiment had meant to you through actions, not words.