The Waiting Game▬RL 1

Inseparable

Matthew and Renee were sitting in the empty classroom, Remus should be finished in the library soon. Ren had asked the boy if they could study in the class, her nerves were high today. Matthew was beside Renee, his arm brushing hers every so often. She could not concentrate. Every time he would move or sigh, her heart would jump. It was weird for her. The only other person she felt like this about was Remus. Before this year her mind hardly drifted to the other sex. Now it's all she could think about. It was exhausting. Renee wished she had just kept her head down. Now she has a full schedule. The only time she gets to smoke with her friends is before bed. Not that that was her main priority. She just missed feeling relaxed.

"He should've been here by now. Maybe he's blown us off." Matthew suggested, making his way to the door. He quickly peeked out to see an empty corridor. "What do you want to do instead?" Renee's head snapped up, getting an idea.

"C'mon, let me show you something." Her hand wrapped around his bicep as she tugged him through the castle to the basement. Matthew tripped several times, thankful that she had saved him from hitting his face on the cobblestone.

"Are you about to have your way with me, Ren?" He winked as they stood in front of a portrait with a bowl of fruit on it. He looked at it and then at her as if she was crazy.

✿

Renee entered the Gryffindor common room, alongside a proud Marlene McKinnon. "I never thought I'd be sneaking Renee Potter into the common room." Renee rolled her eyes at the mention of sneaking. The girl was always welcomed in her brother's common room.

"Marlene, you were telling everyone we passed in the corridors. And I just want to talk to Jamie and I'll be out of here. But thank you." Marlene bowed and gestured to the four boys staring at them from by the fireplace. She faced the girl, giving her a quick squeeze before making her way to said boys.

"Owl me Lady Potter. Would love to have a little one-on-one." She called as she exited to the girls' dormitories. Renee gave her a cheeky wave. James and Peter sat back down, getting into their game again.

Remus shifted uncomfortably on the couch, facing away from the younger Potter. Wanting to escape to his four-poster. Sirius sat next to him; James and Peter were on the floor in front of the fire. Renee smiled at all of them before laying her eyes on him. "Lupin, I missed you at our study session." Remus hesitated, running his hand through his hair.

"Got caught up." They met eyes and he could tell she didn't believe him. He didn't want to be a third wheel.

"What's up Renny? Finally coming to confess your undying love to me?" Sirius piped up, opening his arms, and gesturing to sit on his lap. James shot him a glare, in which he dropped his arms and shrugged.

"No, uh actually... a friend of mine was wondering if you were doing anything for your birthday. I guess sixteen is a big deal in Muggle culture."

"Is Wilson a Muggleborn?" Pete asked assumingly. Putting James' king in check easily. James then cursed and studied the Muggle chess board.

"No, he's a Half-blood. But it was Dorcas who wanted me to ask. Guess she can't wait until Slughorn's annual Christmas meeting  to let her hair down." Peter choked on his spit, earning a hard pat on the back from Sirius, who had leaned forward.

"Well, we must give the ladies what they want. 'Course we will Renny. November third in this common room." James exclaimed excitedly. Ren clapped her hands, giving them all one last look, excusing herself to find her best friend. She skipped happily toward the basement.

✿

"I didn't know he'd be coming," Remus muttered to Peter, the latter boy popping the last bit of his pumpkin pastie into his mouth. Pete shrugged; he never knew how to comfort Remus. James and Sirius were easier, all he had to do was hug them or pat them on the shoulder.

Renee walked into the common room in awe. She gently placed the gift for Sirius on the table. Her frame was entrapped by the Ravenclaw boy. "They've been pretty inseparable," Peter mumbled, grabbing Remus and himself a drink. That ought to help.

"Thanks." He took a sip, internally freaking out when Renee spotted them. His free hand instinctively fixed his hair and tugged his clothing to look presentable.

"You look fine, you're going to mess it up. Just leave it alone." Peter scolded him, messing up his hair again. He stepped away getting a good look at the taller boy and nodded.

"I don't care what I look—Hey Potter, Wilson. How are you guys tonight?" His eyes lingered on the brunette. Her hair was up in a ponytail and she was wearing a simple knee-length blue dress with white polka dots. She was always so beautiful. And seeing the arm wrapped around her waist, Remus knew that Matthew thought so as well. Remus took a rather large gulp of his drink, holding it as if it were a safety blanket.

"Good! How are you? This all looks amazing!" She gestured to the table beside them, filled with snacks and beverages.

"Good, and Sirius spiked the punch. It's strong, you should try it." Peter proceeded to grab more drinks.

"Thanks, I have Pally bringing up the cake in an hour—"
"Oh, you're going to love it, Lupin; chocolate galore," Matthew exclaimed in bliss. "Renny is the best cook I've ever known" He looked down at the girl with something in his eyes that Remus couldn't help but not like. He shifted uncomfortably on his feet.

"She is." His gaze lingered once again.

"There's the birthday boy!" Renee jumped into Sirius' arms. "Happy Birthday!" Sirius immediately hugged her tightly.

"Thanks, Renny. I'm going to borrow our beautiful lady. I'll see you in a bit." With that the two left. Poor Peter looked at them and let out a sigh.

"Course leave me with this." He mumbled, looking in between the glaring rivals. "Drink?" Matthew's hand came up to grip the cup he offered, not looking away from Remus' intense stare.

"Thanks, mate." He gulped down the liquid, trying to not make a face at the awful taste. Remus was happy with his tall figure. He liked the thought of intimidating the shorter boy.