The Waiting Game▬RL 1

Utterly Hapless

"I don't understand how the twat you call your twin got Head Boy. I was sure that Remus was going to. Though he did a good job explaining on the train." Lily Evans sighed as she placed her stuff next to Dorcas and Renee in Potions class. Marlene followed her, a grin on her face.

"I'm very proud of him. They all have grown a lot in the past couple of years. Plus, Remus didn't want those responsibilities." Renee's eyes travelled to the doorway where the Marauders entered two by two. Her heartbeat quickened when his eyes met hers. They both smiled at each other. He dropped his book bag on the ground beside the boys' table and sat down. The girl did not realize Lily was still talking to her. Remus nodded towards the redhead and Renee turned back to her. Lily sat there seemingly awaiting a response. "Sorry."

"Honestly, even your brother listens to what I have to say. I asked how things were going with Remus. Which you should be thanking me for, I made the patrol partners. So that you could be together." She could tell Lily was joking about "accidentally-ignoring-her" part but Renee still felt bad. She shrugged; they've been fine. Nothing extraordinary had happened since being back at Hogwarts. They'd see each other often. Renee would go to the library in the evening with him. She doesn't understand why Dorcas has been so bothered by the fact that they just hung out. It's like she wanted progress overnight. The Potter knew that it would be a process before anything romantically would happen. Even with what occurred over the break.

"Things are going nowhere, Lils. He meets her in the common room and then drops her off. Ren said the other day how he's been acting differently than when he liked her." Dorcas butted in, leaning her front on the table. "Tell her what you two talk about."

"The important things. Like school, the war, his mum, honestly, what are we supposed to talk about? We know nearly everything about each other." Marlene let out a chuckle, shaking her head slowly.

"You sure know how to keep a person wanting more, Ren." Dorcas sent Marlene a glare, "Checking in is good Renny, but why don't you try talking about other things."

"Like what happened over the summertime!" Dorcas wiggled her eyebrows, and both Gryffindors looked at Renee, questioningly. The girl blushed and looked away, wanting to check out of this conversation. Lily grabbed her arm with a small smirk on her face.

"Or you could flirt with him. I don't think I've ever seen anyone, minus the boys' flirting with Remus. Might be interesting. He wouldn't expect it."

"I don't even know how to flirt."

"Don't worry, I've got you." Marlene pulled out a piece of parchment and started scribbling down ideas.

✿

"So, James is still brainstorming nickname ideas for you. He's got a list in the dorm. A few of them are alright but I think he's trying too hard." The tall boy mumbled, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Renee. Her head was down, watching their feet step in sync. She was nervous. How do you even start flirting with someone? Do you just go for it? Or do you wait for the perfect timing? Ren had barely noticed Remus stopping until her arm was pulled back toward him. Her stare wandered slowly up his figure. He stood about a foot away from her, peering down concerned. "Ren, are you alright?" She nodded, shaking her nerves out of her arms. Just go for it.

"Are you a Dementor? Because I've been seeking you my whole..." She palmed her forehead, face turning red. "That's not it." Remus stared down at her, amused. "Are you a Dementor because you take my breath away." She made eye contact with him again, noticing the look he was giving her. She was awaiting the laughter. Why did she think this was a good idea? She's not a flirter.

"Are you using the Confundus charm?" He uttered, not taking his eyes from hers. She shook her head and looked back confused. "Or are you just naturally mind-blowing?" With her confidence lifted she beamed up at him. She thought back to the piece of parchment in her dorm. Suddenly, she was not so nervous. This is Remus Lupin.

"Is this the Hogwarts Express? Because it feels like you and I are going somewhere magical." Remus was glad that the hall was dark. His cheeks heated up, his heart doing backflips in his chest. His hand reached up to her face, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. The girl watched as his smile disappeared from his face. His hand dropped to his side.

"As much as I love playing this game, Renny. We should continue our patrol." This time she stopped him, pulling his body back to hers as he tried to walk away.

"What game?" A slightly agitated look appeared on his face.

"C'mon Ren. You just like to play. You've said it before. Not those exact words. But..." Remus looked anywhere but at her. Which was hard because he was intoxicated by her perfume.

"Rem... What do you mean? I know the last few years have been rough but I'm not playing with you. Does it feel like I am?"

"Look, I don't like just anyone. What I've told you, it still stands. But I'm not going to be the person you're interested in because you're bored." Renee's heart dropped, is this what he thinks of me? That I just jump into relationships because I'm not doing anything? "What I'm saying is, I'll always be there for you, Ren. Whatever you need me to be. But I know that what you want is someone to do that with. To flirt. And right now, with that area. I can't be that. I can't do that. I think I'll read too much into it if we flirt. And after everything with you and Sirius last year, I don't think I'm ready to hurt again." Renee was stunned, she was glad he was sticking up for himself. But some part of her thought that they were past the whole Sirius of it all. She thought that he knew that she liked him; Remus.

"Rem, I don't know what to say, I'm not trying to make you feel that way. I really l—"

"It's okay, Renee." She could feel him pulling away, mentally before physically. She couldn't let him go. They had gotten so close. The butterflies that were in her stomach nearly ten minutes ago had turned into Thestrals. You couldn't see them, but they were aggressive and hapless. Renee had only hoped that when they came out, they would help the situation.

"The thing with Sirius and I wasn't real, Remus." She blurted out, causing the boy to turn back around, a mere meter away from her. "I mean, the snogging and stuff were but the relationship was an idea, led by my brother to help with the rumours about me."

"You smelt him in your Amortentia." One step closer.

"I smelt leather. Which is not only what you and Sirius picked out for my birthday. But also, what your book bag is made from." Remus' heartbeat quickened as the girl stepped closer to him. He knew that he liked her, the first person he'd shown interest in. The person that was related to one his closest mates. The person he felt happiest when in their presence. "I noticed it in Potions the other day. When Lily suggested that I flirt with you."

"What are you saying, Renee." He asked, now chest-to-chest with her.

"I'm saying, Remus. That I really like you. And I'm just letting you know that I am ready." The werewolf carefully tilted her chin up, leaning forward.

"Yeah?" Their faces are inches apart.

"Yeah." She breathed out, Remus' smile catching her heart in her chest. He felt it. He felt like she was ready. That's all he's wanted, apart from a cure for lycanthropy. They leaned even closer, slowly. Trying to savour the moment. Lock it into their memory.

"Mister Lupin." A female's voice called to them, pulling the two out of their positions. They both sighed heavily, frustrated that the moment was ruined by the Professor. "Please come with me. Miss Potter, you're free to return to your dorm." Remus looked between the two, leaning to whisper to the girl.

"Wait outside your common room, I'll be right there." Renee nodded, still dazed by the interaction they shared.

Remus Lupin did not go to the Hufflepuff common room that night. Renee Potter waited for hours, almost falling asleep leant up against the barrels. She had been stood up.