Reading Between The Lines ~ Remus Lupin ~ Book 1

chapter 29

Monday, 7 February 1977

"It just really bothers me that it's not a thing even though it should be a thing," Remus explained as he and Lena walked down the corridor.

Lena laughed. "Start a petition then."

"Who would sign it?"

"I would."

Remus smiled down at her. "Really? You would sign my petition that a hog with warts should be the official mascot of Hogwarts?"

Lena smiled up at him. "Anything for you."

Both of them turned pink.slightly pink.

"You know what else I would want to change?" Remus went on.

Lena grinned. "No, but tell me."

"Ravenclaw's mascot from the eagle to the raven. I mean, it makes no sense! Ravenclaw literally has the word raven in its name."

"Well, while we're on the subject of changing mascots, I think Gryffindor's mascot should be the griffin, not the lion."

"Fair enough. So what would Hufflepuff's mascot be instead of the badger?" Remus teased.

"...Something that huffs and puffs," Lena said hesitantly.

"Are you referring to the big, bad wolf from the three little pigs?"

"No. It would be a nice wolf."

"Really? Name one nice wolf."

"Easy. You."

Remus blushed. "Me?"

"Yes, you. I would gladly have you as my mascot."

Both of them blushed. Lena blushed even harder when Remus wrapped one of his arms around her shoulders and pulled her into a side hug. Lena couldn't help but to smile as Remus kept his arm around her.

"Oh," Remus said suddenly. "I've got something for you."

The pair stopped walking in front of a window and, despite it being closed, Lena could feel the cold from outside.

"You did? What is it?"

"It's a gift."

"Why? Christmas already happened and my birthday's not for a while."

"Do I need a reason to give you a gift?" Remus said with a smile.

Lena returned his smile. "I suppose not and I'm not one to turn down a gift."

As he began to rummage around in his rucksack, Remus looked down, preventing Lena to see the blush adorning his face as he started to speak.

"I felt terrible when I missed our study session last night because of, as James' likes to put it, my furry little problem."

"Remus, I told you not to feel bad about that."

"I know, but I do. And I want to be there for you even when I can't," Remus said and presented a small, rectangular box to her.

Lena smiled at him softly and looked into Remus' green eyes. His words meant so much to her, more than he would ever know.

"Thank you," she said. The happiness was evident in her voice for anyone listening to detect as she looked at Remus. "You didn't have to though."

Lena looked down at the box she had opened and her heart dropped. Remus had gotten her a pen. It was a beautiful golden pen, but it was a pen all the same. Lily's words from the other day echoed in her mind. 'He only likes this girl as a friend. I mean, what guy buys a pen for the girl he has a crush on?'... He only sees me as a friend.