UNDER THE MOON, Remus Lupin

xliii.

THE BOY WITH BLUE HAIR

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Angelina and Alice walked through Hogsmeade with their arms linked together. Alice's coat was swaying at the top of her knees, completely covering her skirt and shirt. They had changed outfits, and Alice considered putting on warmer clothes, but it didn't matter. They'd be spending the majority of their time inside shops anyway. Angelina and Alice spent more time together than everyone assumed. Most of it was them passing each other in the corridors late at night. Alice would be on her way to Remus, and Angelina was usually asked to keep a lookout for Filch by George, Fred, and Lee.

"No way!" Angelina laughed as Alice held the door to the Three Broomsticks open for her. "No way in hell is Aerosmith better than Queen!"

"It totally is! They've had two of the best guitarists since like... ever!" Alice accepted the fate that she would not make it very far on a debate team.

Shaking her head, Angelina put a hand on Alice's shoulder. "Nope."

"Fine, then what's your opinion on Duran Duran?" Alice crossed her arms, leaning against the counter as Madam Rosmerta served another customer.

Angelina pursed her lips. "In my top three."

"Finally! Something we agree on!" Alice said with relief.

The two girls ordered an alcoholic butterbeer and sat down with them. Even though the pair of them were old enough to drink, it still felt like they had to be sneaky about it. "Tell me, Alice. I've been dying to know..." Angelina started. She watched Alice get slightly nervous. "... who's this guy you've been going out with? I've heard rumors about multiple people."

Alice covered her face and smiled. "And who have these rumors been suggesting?"

"Well, they've been suggesting Clint. Because of the whole argument thing. Then Zeph because you guys are attached at the hip basically. But then he and Aria went public with their relationship. And then, they suggested Ryan Calloway."

"The Ravenclaw 6th year? What? I've never even talked to him!"

Angelina licked her lips with a wide grin. "That's what I said. But they said it was because they saw you walking through Hogsmeade on Valentine's with someone tall, brunette. And he fit the description."

Alice's nose twitched. Remus. They'd seen her with Remus. "After confirming that wasn't true... everyone even started saying you were with Professor Lupin," Angelina added. She took a sip of her butterbeer, wincing from the bitter taste of added whisky.

"Oh. Wow. That's... odd." Alice wasn't a very good liar. If Angelina asked her if the rumor was true, she'd probably make a fool out of herself.

"I mean if you were dating him... I couldn't blame you. Professor Lupin is sexy."

Alice uncomfortably shifted on the wooden chair. She agreed with that statement, she definitely did. Hearing someone else say it was a shock. "Quite so..."

"I've got to use the loo, hold on one second," Angelina said, getting up and taking the last sip of butterbeer. "Don't leave without me!"

Alice rolled her eyes. What would she do that for? She took the glasses back to Madam Rosmerta and leaned against the wall by the door, waiting for Angelina. A familiar scent caught her senses. A strong cologne, like a busy street after the rain with a hint of a pool in the hottest summer. And beachy laundry detergent. Tall and grinning, in walked Sage Juniper, a cold breeze following him in from outside.