Guilty as Sin?: Remus Lupin x Y/N (Book 2)

Total Eclipse of the Heart

"Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time"

-

Finally the last day of term had arrived- the day of the ball. Y/N was nervous, she had managed to fly under the radar again. Umbridge seemed... neutral with her, and McGonagall had stopped eyeing her up in class to try and understand her odd behaviours. But, if there was ever going to be a time when suspicion was aroused again, it was tonight. She would have to act the same as those around her, and pretend that any nerves she had were because of a simple school girl crush, and not because she was enlisted with the task of protection on Harry Potter under the noses of everyone, including the ministry of magic themselves. 

Y/N, or Olivia, had managed to get George to take her to the ball. If she was to of, she would go with someone she knew, liked and trusted. Cedric was out of question- he was going with Cho. So, she had managed to turn to George. Fred already had his date in Angelina, and Y/N didn't have to hint too much before George asked her. While she was relieved that she was going with someone she was so acquainted with, it did also add another layer of anxiety for her- she would have to spend the whole night trying not to let Olivia become too similar to herself. She was going to have to hide herself in front of them. She had only spent little bursts of time with them, or Harry, and it had been easy to slip away when she felt questions arousing. Tonight though, she was stuck with them. 

Having finished her hairstyle- the one she had initially been reluctant to do, but was now relishing in the way it framed her face, hoping it would also suit Olivia's features, given that she couldn't see Olivia's face- she got up from her vanity and made her way towards the dress that was hung on her wardrobe door, staring at her from across the room. 

-

Remus slipped in through the back door, relived when his presence went undetected by the staff members and few students who had arrived early. He had cast a perception charm on himself- he was not invisible (he had considered it, but the invisibility potions did not last long, and he did not want to be bound by time), but it would make it hard for people to notice him, provided he made no sudden movements and stuck to the shadows. He had excused his presence at the ball as part of his guard duties, part of his protection towards Harry and the others, but really it was to catch a glimpse of her. 

He felt a pair of eyes on him, and his heart jumped slightly with nerves. He turned slowly to find Dumbledore staring at him, an amused look on his face, but before Remus had even finished processing it, Dumbledore had turned and focused his attentions back on the great hall. How had he seen him instantly? No one else seemed to notice him, but still the hairs on the back of Remus' neck were raised in fear. He continued to watch as Dumbledore waved his wand towards the ceiling, and delicate snowflakes begin to fall, completing the look.

The hall had been decorated beautifully. There were white and silver silk ribbons aligning every podium. A large tree, sixteen feet tall at least, was adorned with more silver and white baubles, the most elegant tree Remus had ever seen. From the ceiling, icicles hung, complimenting the ice drinks fountain, glinting in the light from the crystal chandeliers. The snow left a gentle white covering on the floor, and made the entire room seem like it had come straight out of the North Pole. Remus was recounting his own experiences of Christmas at the castle as more and more students filled through the doors. 

She stood out to him in an instant, her hair gleaming in the white lights. Her face was bright, in awe at the room around her. Her grace and beauty jumped out to Remus, and he was sure that it made itself obvious to everyone else in the room as well- how could it not? She was wearing a deep green silky gown with long sleeves. She had on gold heels and golden jewellery. Her hair was curled, and in a half up,half down updo, a few pieces falling in front of her face, silver crystals weaved throughout. She shone brighter than the moon as she continued walking through the hall, taking in the decorations. 

Jealousy slapped Remus as he paused looking at her, realising her arm was linked around George Weasley's. That should be him. In another life, that was him. He would have the honour of accompanying the girl, who anyone would be undeserving to have. His suspicions were proven correct as he glanced around the room, noticing how all the other students were just as mesmerised as he was at the girl. Jealousy had been replaced by a warm rush of smugness- they weren't able to see her true beauty underneath her polyjuice potion. They could not see Y/N, they were only left with Olivia Pike. Remus had managed to finally convince Molly to show him a picture of Olivia, and she was nothing on Y/N. He was besotted as he watched her other arm reach. up, palm facing up, to catch a snowflake in her hand, her smile widening even more as she realised it was real. Her face was full, her smile was bright and her mood was high, but Remus had never felt worse as he watched George dip into a bow before her, placing a gentle kiss to her knuckles, asking her for a dance. Pain stabbed his chest as Remus watched Y/N accept before they made their way to the dance floor. 

He watched agonisingly as Y/N laughed through her waltz. He watched, heart aching, as George span her round, bringing her in close, his arm around her waist. Remus had never thought about or considered if Y/N had any merit as a dancer, but he had an answer now. She was a natural, and she seemed to glide across the floor, her feet barely touching. Any slight mistakes she made went unnoticed, and Remus didn't think it would even be possible for her to make a mistake.

The song came to a close, and relief struck Remus. She would be done dancing now, she would have a break. A sick sense of pride filled him, proven right, as he saw George and Fred look towards each other before meeting, heading towards the drink fountain. He resumed his gaze on Y/N, watching as she conversed with Angelina, smiling and recounting their dances. But any positive feelings he had vanished as he watched another student- one he remembered teaching, Glen Corals- approach her, before she took his outstretched hand, heading back for the dance floor. 

The night continued like that. Every time he thought she was done, another student would approach her and request a dance. He knew what her answer would be each and every time- she was too kind to say no. She would not want anyone to feel disheartened or embarrassed, and she would feel guilty turning them down. So each time, she accepted generously and made her way back to the dance floor. Remus watched as each movement, each turn, each step captured the heart of another of the students watching her. He watched as George, who had clearly had enough, interrupted the latest dance, taking Y/N back as his own dance partner. Remus' jaw clenched, jealousy even stronger than before. He wanted that to be him. He wanted to be able to interrupt the dance. He wanted the envious looks of those around to be on him. He wanted to be able to show off that Y/N was with him. The song once more came to end, and he watched as Y/N bowed to George. His heart leapt as he realised she was finally making an excuse to stop dancing, leaving the dance floor, before it sank once more in panic as he realised she was walking in his direction, eyes glued to the floor.

Remus was frozen. He just about managed to slowly take a few steps backwards- any fast movements would alert her to his presence. He watched her, taking in her elegant beauty up close, as she leaned her back on the wall, her head resting back and tilting up slightly, her eyes on the ceiling. She was closer than he'd like her to be considering he was supposed to be hiding, but he could not help but delight in her proximity. He could see the way the crystals in her hair hit the light, could imagine the feel of the dress. He had just begun to notice the way her lip gloss made her lips so inviting, when he saw them moving, her voice quiet.

"You know, it's not very smart to be here, in the middle of a gathering of pretty much all the students and staff, when you're supposed to be in hiding."