The Waiting Game▬RL 1

Near Him

Remus watched the Potters from afar. He hadn't talked to Renee or anyone for that matter—for the last week. Lily Evans was the only one he confided in. But now they were boarding the Hogwarts Express about to head home for the summer. The boy sighed loudly as he followed the group into their compartment. He sat down next to Renee, reluctantly. Regulus was across from him, both taking the seat closest to the door. Sirius and Renee were in the middle seats, leaving James and Peter next to the window. Usually, Remus would fight for that seat. Today he just wanted to get home. His furry problem wasn't helping right now. All his senses and emotions were heightened. So, he could feel Renee's heartbeat just by their arms touching. Which drove him crazy, he had been staring at the same page since he opened his book. Sirius didn't aid the situation; he would make suggestive comments to Renee whenever he was given the opportunity. All-in-all the boy was having a rough go.

"You're going to love it Reg, Mia and Monty are the best. And you'll likely get some of Renee's homemade breakfast. She's an amazing cook, she spoils us." Sirius chattered on; Renee's cheeks tinted at the compliment. Her heart sped up. She looked over to Remus, feeling his arm pushed into hers slightly. He didn't spare her a glance. His eyes trained on the book in front of him. Ren's lip was clenched in between her teeth as she stared at him. A stern expression on his face when he finally did remove his eyes from the page. Remus stared back at the girl, taking in her appearance. It was like slow motion when she batted her long eyelashes at him. He could gaze into those blue eyes for hours. A small smell of iron wafted into his nasal cavity, causing his eyes to shift to her lips. Renee let her lip out from the grip of her teeth. Watching Remus watch her. The Hufflepuff had never felt this feeling before. The desire to be watched by him.

"Renny, I brought you something." Peter's voice pulled her from her trance as he dug into his bag. He passed her a chocolate frog, earning a light thank you from the girl. James peered over to his sister in concern. Renee just looked at him, throwing an unsure smile. Which he returned, before looking over her head to Remus. Who was now nose-deep in his book again. Renee turned towards him, disappointed to find him back to reading. The werewolf smirked when she let out a huff.

"I'm going to find Dorcas." She left abruptly, pacing down the corridor to where she knew the Gryffindor girls and her best friend were. She slid the door open, collapsing onto her friend.

"Yeah, I wouldn't be too happy having to sit with those boys for that long," Marlene called out, running her hand through Renee's hair. Renee stood, taking the empty spot next to Lily.

"What's up, babes?" Dorcas asked, a look of concern covering her facial features. The girl looked around the compartment at each girl. There were only the three of them, not including herself. She exhaled heavily before explaining.

"Remus and I haven't talked in a week and just now he stared at me in the other compartment and I drew blood from my lip. I was admiring his face and he looked so displeased with having to be near me. But I want to be near him in more ways than one. Now I'm concerned because he doesn't want me but I want him." She cried out, taking a large breath after. The girls watched her, taking in the information.

"You want to snog him!"

"You want to shag him!" Dorcas and Marlene called out in unison. Both clasping their hands over their mouths.

"That would have been adorable if you hadn't said that, Marls," Renee commented, a hand running over her face. Lily narrowed her eyes as she thought about what to say.

"Do you like him, Renny?"

"I smelt him in the Amortentia." She explained, not knowing that the redhead knew.

"But she also smelt Black," Marlene exclaimed before her hand clamped over her mouth again. Dorcas looked at her girlfriend, disapprovingly. Renee glanced at her before turning back to Lily.

"I smelt leather. Which could just be from my leather jacket."

"That Sirius got for you," Dorcas called out, also clamping a hand over her mouth. They were not helping.

"Remus helped him get it for you. Picked it out and everything. The only thing Black did was buy it and give it to you." Lily sighed; she knew she shouldn't meddle but the two were never going to get anywhere if she didn't. Renee opened her mouth to say something but closed it. They all sat in silence, awaiting her response.

"But he wants a relationship." The three other girls groaned, all looking up at the light.

"You don't need to go all out, Renee. Just go on a date with him. Give him a chance." Dorcas stated, leaning into Marlene.

"I don't know if you can even do that yet." The redhead muttered, running her hand over the Hufflepuff's back. "He knows what you smelt..."

"What? How? Wait, how did Marlene know?" The Potter girl pointed lazily to the blonde.

"Marls, I knew I couldn't tell you. I'm sorry Renny, I was just excited that you finally realized that you were attracted to him. I had to share it with her." The dark-skinned girl turned to the Gryffindor.

"So, you told Dorcas, Dorcas told Marlene, she told me, and then I told Remus."

"I don't mind that you girls know. I just don't know how I'm going to get Remus to know that I like him—not Sirius." Lily pulled the girl to her side, letting her lean her head on her chest.

"You just have to wait. And don't go snogging anymore boys." Renee's mouth dropped at the accusation.

"I'm not some harlot!" She exclaimed loudly. Not realizing the door slid open, revealing an amused Remus Lupin.  She jumped into Lily. "Merlin, you need a bell!" He chuckled, pulling Renny's arm. She looked at the girls one last time before following him. "Where are we going?"

"You've hung out with them all week; I'm taking you back to the compartment."

"Oh, okay." Ren couldn't help the sheepish smile that crept onto her lips. One that Remus unknowingly matched.