The Waiting Game▬RL 1

Nervous

"I know." She stated, her eyes not leaving him.

"You know I'll never lose you?" Remus asked, his palms suddenly sweaty. Could she read his thoughts? Renee never mentioned being a Legilimens. Merlin, if she heard him talking about wanting to kiss her... Remus' mind spiralled, his face showing signs of panic.

"Well, that too. But Rem, I know." She emphasized. Her eyebrows raised as she leant forward. Their faces were inches apart. "We should go, it's way past curfew." She stood, offering her hand down to Lupin. Which he took, almost pulling her back down. They let out a few small laughs and headed toward the basement.

"This is where we part Renny," He spoke, breaking the silence. She stopped in front of the barrels. "If I see Matthew, I'll let him know you're okay." The short girl's face immediately broke out in a grimace.

"Oh no, I forgot about Matthew, oh, Madam Pomfrey is going to waste her time!" She ran her hand over her face—frustrated. Remus jumped into action, grabbing her palm. He played with her fingers. Her hands were soft and smooth compared to his scarred ones.

"It's okay, as long as you're okay they shouldn't be upset." The boy dropped her hand and turned to leave.

"Wait!" She called, pacing over to him. Her lips made contact with his cheek, lingering for a few seconds, "thank you." Renee's feet padded away and all that was heard was the tapping on barrels. Remus yet again, was in awe of Renee Potter. She noticed how easy it was to be near him. She knew that before but something seemed different. Maybe it was because she figured out his biggest secret.

"So... Renny-Renny-Ren-Ren?" Dorcas caught up to the girl, a look of mischief in her eyes. Her arm tossed over the shorter girl's shoulders.

"What do you want, Dorcas?" The girl asked. Dorcas seemed to be herding her to the Gryffindor table. "Why are you doing this? You know you can just use your words." The other Hufflepuffs arms fell to her side.

"Marls asked for us to sit with her. And she may have made it official last night." Renee approached the table with Dorcas, her mouth agape in surprise.

"There's our favourite Hufflepuff and Renee," Peter exclaimed, earning a nudge from James and a glare from Remus. Ren shrugged off the comment.

"Jamie, can I talk to you?" The scarred boy gave Renee a thumbs-up as her brother stood. They walked a bit away from the tables. "I miss you, what you did was still wrong, but I just can't lose you." James Potter enveloped his sister in a tight hug. His head rested on hers and they stood like that for a minute or two.

"You'll never lose me Ren, and I miss you too. I promise I'll do better." They pulled apart and smiled. And with the best timing Severus Snape trudged into the Great Hall. "Oi Snape! Why does your hair look like candy floss?" He called out, Snape's wand appearing quickly in hand.

"Potter! You'll pay for this!"

"That would be enough Mr. Snape." Professor McGonagall stated firmly before continuing her way up to the head table. Snape turned on his heel, begrudgingly sitting at the Slytherin table with bright pink hair. Renee looked at her brother, her expression unreadable.

"I swear on Mother's grave that I had nothing to do with that." He defended himself.

"I know, it'll wash out within a month." She smirked as she sat next to her dark-skinned friend.

"You did that Potter-ette?" Sirius asked, laughing out. The rest of the table joined him.

"At least I didn't hex him." She smiled to herself. Once the laughter died down Dorcas turned to her again.

"Is it alright if I attend the Slug Club dinner with Marlene?"

"Of course!" Renee cackled as Dorcas placed a sloppy kiss on her cheek. Expressing her thanks.

"You hear that everyone! Renee Potter doesn't have a date to the Slug Club!" Marlene exclaimed loud enough for most of the hall to turn their heads.

"Marls please." Lily scolded, pulling the girl back down from her standing position, "I'm sure Renee will have no trouble finding a stand-in date." The redhead winked at Remus inconspicuously. The boy's face immediately reddened. He would ask her. The worst she could say is no. Well, maybe she was going to go with Sirius or Snape. Which he didn't think she'd do.

✿

"Why are we going this early?" Renee Potter groaned as Lily Evans pulled her and Dorcas out of the basement to the Great Hall.

"Ren—can I call you Ren? We have exactly one month until Christmas. I know I still need several if not all of my presents. So that means it's time to go to Hogsmeade." Dorcas begrudgingly sat beside her girlfriend, leaning against her for support.

"You can call me whatever Evans. Though I would prefer it if it was after nine o'clock on weekends. Which is what I meant about time."  Lily nodded with a faint smile on her lips. She took in the similarities between James and Renee. Blue eyes, dark hair. Their noses were a bit different. James' is longer and a bit thicker whereas his sisters upturned a bit, more rounded at the tip. And her hair was not as dark and unruly. The biggest difference was her lack of glasses. Lily had never hung out with Renee outside of class. Both girls were glad to join each other.
"Right, have you found a date yet?"

"Well, I've been asked. But they're all people I have yet to have a decent conversation with. What about you?"

"I've been asked by a few—including your brother. But I'm going with Amos. He asked first so..."

"He's cute, you should be able to have fun with him." Renee smiled at her as they linked arms. Dorcas and Marlene followed slowly behind them.

"Ren! My favourite Hufflepuff!" Renee's head snapped up at the voice. Fabian Prewett caught her arm as she was about to re-enter Hogwarts. Lily winked at her and ushered the other two girls into the castle.

"Hello Fabian, what can I help you with?" The redheaded boy grinned down at her.

"I was wondering if you had a date for the dinner yet. I overheard Marlene in the Great Hall last night. Figured I better ask you quickly." Fabian was sweet, he always seemed to understand the room. Renee and him got on well. Of course, he was in year seven. So, most of their interaction happened in the kitchen after curfew.

"Oh! No, I haven't found one." He shifted on his feet, nervous.

"Would you like to go with me?"