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

How's the Heart?

"Come in, the fire's warm, burn the rope and dance some more..."

-

Remus didn't respond at first, wondering if there was any way that she was talking to someone else, maybe even herself. After all, she was technically hiding too... But when she spoke again, this was clarified. 

"You should really be more careful, Moony."

Y/N had never used his nickname before, but on the tiniest chance that anyone had heard her mumbles, she wanted to make sure that she try to hid him as best as she could. She wouldn't speak his name, though she wasn't sure why no one was reacting to him. Yes, he was in the darkest corner of the room, hidden in the shadows, and everyone was pretty preoccupied with the ball, but still. No one was looking this way, no one was wondering what their old defence against the dark arts professor was doing back in the great hall. Surely Harry, Hermione, Ron, the twins, or even Ginny would have come over by now to say hello? But since he was here, and no one had noticed him, she had no desire to wish him any trouble. 

Before Remus could find the words to answer back, she pushed herself off the wall, rejoining the party as though nothing had happened before anyone approached her and caught sight of him.

-

The night continued, with Remus keeping his eye on Y/N, watching her complete dance after dance with everyone who asked. The jealousy still hurt him, but it was twinged with paranoia now. If she had seen him so easily, had anyone else? Every few seconds his eyes swept the room, checking to make sure that no one was watching him.

As the night began to draw to a close, the crowd thinned out a bit, allowing him to see Y/N even clearer. Now he could watch the way her skirt flared slightly with each of her movements, partially revealing her legs. Now that there was less people in the room, he was able to pull out snippets of her voice from the rest of the crowd, her laughter sending goosebumps across his entire body. 

When the dance floor had reduced in size even more, now only twenty or so pairs of dancers left, her voice carried across the room to him like a perfect melody. 

"I'm sorry, I really am. I'm just a bit tired now, I've been dancing all evening, and the heels don't make that easy. I think it's time for me to turn in." 

She pulled her hands away from George, who seemed reluctant to let her go, having finally got her back from the last five random students who'd taken her from him, but soon found a sixth year to join him back on the floor. Remus watched as Y/N began making her way towards the doors, turning and shooting him a look that was so brief he nearly didn't see it. But he did see it, and he knew what it meant instantly, able to translate each of her facial expressions in a heartbeat. 

He made his way slowly out of the back exit as she left the hall from the main entrance, the chill of the outside air forcing her to wrap her arms around herself. They were soon reunited at the bridge, the silent understanding that had been shared between them was comparable to no other pairing. 

"Hello, Lupin." 

"Hello, Y/N."

The two of them were stood staring at each other, Y/N just across the mouth of the bridge, Remus stood further towards the middle. 

"That was a bit stupid of you, don't you think? Going to the ball?" She said, once more reiterating the sentiment she had shared at the ball itself.

"Yes, I do think that. But I had to see you."