The Waiting Game▬RL 1

Satisfaction

Renee Potter ventured into the library; her hands tucked into her sweater. Trying to lessen the impact of her anxiety. Her body walked stiffly, head swivelling around to find Remus. Their sixth year was coming to an end and she was hoping to spend some quality time with him. Seeing as he's normally in this part of Hogwarts she figured it was her best chance. They had been a little off since she smelt him in the potion in March. Her cheeks would redden and she'd try to ignore that fact. Didn't help that she was sure she smelt Sirius as well. But that wasn't going anywhere, she was just trying to be amicable with him. Still didn't want to forgive him fully, not until Remus did. Remus avoided talking to him like Dragon Pox. He would sit in the same area but would completely ignore Sirius' existence.

"Ren!" The boy whisper-called from a table in the corner. He looked her over as she approached. Noticing her cautious stature. Renee sat next to him, glancing at the book he was reading. "What's up? You're never here."

"One week left and then it's summer. Figured we could hang out." Remus nodded, closing the book, and packing up his things. She looked at him puzzled.

"I'm not going to make you stay here, Ren." She got up with him and they left the library. She smiled softly as they entered the grounds. Making their way down to the lakeshore. The sun beamed down on the two teens, a light breeze flowing through the air. Once they got closer to the trees just off the shore, the werewolf took a seat. He patted the ground next to him. Which she sat on, lying down so that her head was in his lap. A giddy feeling took over Remus' body as she grabbed his book from his bag and gave it to him. His one hand held the book and the other played with her hair.

"Read to me? Please?" The boy nodded, finding his place, and started reading aloud. He glanced down to see her closing her eyes and humming in satisfaction. She looked back up at him, meeting his eyes. She liked his eyes. And his hair, his personality, his calming presence, and especially his smile. Renee liked how he never left the dorm without chocolate or a book. Remus could get away with anything because of how cunning he was. Often only getting caught because of the other boys. She loved how generous and dedicated he was. The Lupin boy would help whoever with their homework. Remus Lupin was just good and Renee Potter liked him.

✿

Remus was practically glowing when he left the common room with Lily Evans. She gave him a knowing look, to which he ignored. He knew he was making progress with Renee. Having spent hours reading to her by the Black Lake. He even thought they had a moment, where they just stared at each other. Lily nudged him, sighing when he seemed to tap out of his memory. "Sorry, what?"         

"Dorcas told Marlene, who told me, what Renny smelled in the Amortentia." Remus' eyes widened like saucers as he thought of the possibilities. Could she have? He wondered to himself. Picturing Renee walking up to the cauldron and having the revelation that she was attracted to him. He shook that thought away, not wanting to get his hopes up.

"Oh yeah, that's interesting." The boy faked a bored expression. He was dying to know. But what if she smelt Sirius? Or worse Wilson. Even though he knew everything with the Ravenclaw was over. Especially when she found out he was a Death Eater. Sirius wasn't a Death Eater; he was the complete opposite. Having told Renee that they would fight together alongside James. Remus didn't even know if he could fight, after Hogwarts, he'd have to get a job and save up for a house. He couldn't live with his parents forever. If he could even get hired in the Wizarding World. Sirius would likely buy a house once they left. Renee would be more stable if she were to be with him.

"Very interesting, Rem," Lily muttered, watching his face contort. He just nodded, throwing himself out of his head.

"What's interesting?" Lily scoffed, she smacked his arm, causing him to make more space in between them. Looked at her offendedly.

"Chocolate frogs, cedar, and leather! And I thought you were the respectable one out of your friends." She shook her head in frustration. "Can't even keep the conversation going today."

"Leather?" Sirius Black clad in a leather jacket flashed through his mind quickly. Causing him to roughly run a hand over his face. Not to forget the present Sirius had gifted her for Halloween. His face paled and he stopped abruptly. All his thoughts seemingly came together.

"But also, chocolate frogs and cedar, Remus!" The redhead exclaimed, her hand coming down onto his back as he took a seat on a bench. The boy knew that he would give her chocolate frogs when she had anxiety attacks and that he often spritzed himself in a woodsy cologne. But that was overlooked. All for the simple fact of Sirius Black dressing in a biker-esque fashion.

✿

"I feel like you've taken up my thinking space, Potter." Renee smiled as she wrapped the younger boy in a hug. He lazily pushed her away. Fixing his robes and brushing the non-existent dirt off of them.

"Oh yeah, this note in your writing, saying to meet here at this time—wasn't from you." She laughed at his attempt to play off the embarrassment. They took a seat in their respective spots at the edge of the tower.

"Yeah well... Just less than a week left. I had to talk to you." Renee awed the boy and ruffled his hair. Regulus smiled sleepily, pushing it out of his face.

"Why did you want to meet me, Reggie?" The Slytherin looked out at the landscape before him. Letting all his worries be whisked away by the wind.

"Renee, I've thought about your offer a lot. I think I've come to an answer." The girl smiled slightly at him, giving him an encouraging nod to continue, "I would like to come home with you. I can't be who they want me to be. Plus, I don't want you to miss me too much when you leave school next year." Renee let out a chortle, patting his head affectionately.

"I appreciate that, Reg. I'll owl mum and dad tomorrow and maybe you should have a chat with your brother." The two smiled at each other and sat in silence. Regulus didn't want to have that chat. As he thought more about it, he calmed. It wouldn't be so bad. Sirius seemed to have an open mind. It would be almost hypocritical of him to turn Regulus away now. Before he left their childhood home they fought about the younger brother joining him. Now, with Renee's guidance, he was ready.