The Waiting Game▬RL 1

Uncomfortable

Renee Potter had always felt uncomfortable being in crowded rooms. But the Great Hall had never been one of them, until today. The Hufflepuff shied away from all unnecessary attention. It just all seemed exhausting being the person everyone watched. Being a Prefect and James' twin was already enough attention. This situation was completely different. She had stayed the night in her brother's dorm, and James bunked with Remus. And now they were escorting her to their table. Well, not Remus he wasn't walking with them.

Remus didn't want to involve himself in this problem. Lupin deep down knew he shouldn't be feeling hurt like this. Renee was not his, he couldn't decide how she was to live her life. He still thought about her. Them being together; holding hands, kissing. However, she was doing all of that with him. If she wanted to live her life in Sirius' bed then that's where she should be. Unfortunately, she'd still be in Remus' dreams.

Ren took her seat next to Dorcas, who wrapped her arm around the girl. "They're just jealous. All the boys want you and the girls want that thing." They looked at the raven-haired boy who was stuffing his face with a piece of toast. Renee snickered at the sight.

"Plus, most of the girls have already been with him one way or another," Marlene added from across the table. Sirius looked up at that comment, glaring at her.

"I do wish you had told me though. I never would've thought you'd be with Sirius." The other Hufflepuff sighed heavily.

"You and me both, sister." Jamie leaned in from beside Renee to state.

"I'm sorry, and Sirius and I are just friends, who've snogged a couple of times." The couple nodded understandingly. Dorcas completely knew what her friend was talking about. She had been in that situation as well. But she had a feeling Black felt a little bit more than she had in year four.

✿

The day went by slowly. Everyone looked but didn't say anything to the girl. Especially because her brother was right with her. He walked her to classes he wasn't in and picked her up afterwards. All-in-all the day after the rumour spread was alright. At night Ren was plagued with nightmares. She was all alone; her imagination ran rapidly. So, she gripped the mirror and uttered his name. "Astronomy Tower, please."

✿

"Lyin' Eyes, I thought our rendezvous was finished." The boy flicked his cigarette, tossing it off the tower. He got up and embraced the girl. His one hand holding her head to his chest.

"And I thought I told you to stop calling me that." Potter laughed, pulling him closer. "We just haven't talked about what happened."

"Well, Renny, I'm sorry that my brother outed us. I'm sorry Wilson is such a dick. Also, you must spend time with Snivellus." They sat shoulder-to-shoulder. Swinging their feet over the edge. Sirius pulled his leather jacket closer as the wind blew.

"Focillo," Renee muttered, pointing her wand in his direction.

"Thanks love."

"None of that is your fault, Siri. Have you heard from Mary since?" The boy cringed, staring out onto Hogwarts grounds.

"Maybe we should just do this Renee." He evaded her question, turning to face her.

"What do you mean?" She looked up at him, her eyes involuntarily landing on his lips.

"Let's be together. We care for each other, we like kissing each other. Nobody will bug you if this is real Ren." Black's hand came up to move her hair behind her ear. Renee found his hand and tried to push it away. He caught it, bringing it to his lips. "Can I at least take you on a date this weekend?"

✿

"You asked her, right?" Sirius nodded at James as he shrugged off his coat. "We need this to go well, Padfoot. You take her out, make sure nobody will ever call her those things again."

"I just don't know how I feel about this." He hung his jacket on the designated hanger. Settling down onto his bed.

"You don't have anyone right now and you obviously like her in some way. If this goes well you might settle down with someone." Sirius felt odd. James was setting him up with his sister. Last year he wouldn't even let him look Renny's way. Potter wanted to keep her safe. But this didn't feel like the correct solution to her problem. Sirius knew he could have feelings like that about the girl. But both were plagued with affection for other people.

✿

Renee had never been on a date before. Unless you counted the ball last year, which she did not. Dorcas dressed her in some black skinny jeans and a green shirt, and just for extra pizazz she gave her a black cardigan to throw on. Her best friend gave her behind a smack before she exited the common room. The Potter adjusted her jacket, zipping it up halfway before making her way to the entrance. Sirius and her made their way to Hogsmeade in silence. Wandering around the village, uttering light jokes. It wasn't until Sirius grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers, that she remembered that this was a date.

"Well, I can already say Renny, you are the best date I've had."

"We just sat down, Sirius."

"I'm aware, but we've also been to Honeyduke's and Zonko's. I've only been there with the boys."

"I thought you just had to run some errands." The boy reached over the table, giving her hand a quick kiss. He rubbed gentle circles; Ren couldn't look away from their hands. Something so delicate and intimate.

"And nothing is ever better than doing errands with you." Renee's face heated quickly. Of course, Black had flirted with her before, but this was different. He had intentions of wooing her now. He wanted to fix her problem just as much as James. He also wanted to earn James' trust back and Sirius Black could not continue without James Potter's trust.

"Well, then. I'm happy to have joined you." He laughed lightly, not taking his eyes off her.

"I'm happy I didn't have to wait until twenty-five."