Primary // Remus Lupin

19

Christmas break had finally arrived, but before Florence could board the train she had to do something she had been putting off by overthinking and overanalyzing the situation.

Standing under one of the many trees near the forbidden forest, Florence waited impatiently while blowing air into her hands in a feeble attempt to heat her hands as snow piled on around her. For her and most students in Hogwarts, the joy of snow only lasted the first time they saw and played in it every year, afterwards they would just find snow a hassle and try their best to avoid it which was why it was perfect to meet up with Remus in the middle of the school's snowy landscape. She just didn't expect it to be this cold.

Rubbing her hands together, she let out a shaky sigh and tried to bury herself deeper into her pure white fur mink coat and scarf that was doing a poor job of keeping her warm. It was this lack of warmth and the add-on bonus of a few sneezes she had let out which was making her irritated at the marauders.

She knew Remus would never purposefully be late and was a very punctual person so the only reason he could be late was those three imbeciles not giving him a chance to escape.

Just when she was about to give up and leave, she saw someone running towards her at full speed carrying an umbrella until finally the tall figure of Remus Lupin stopped in front of her panting heavily.

" Sorry- Sirius- James- love letter- following- misunderstood--- "

" Black, Potter and Pettigrew thought the note I sent for you to meet me here was a love letter and tried to follow you so you're late because you had to shake them off? "

Trying to take slow and steady deep breaths, Remus nodded and she sighed and said.

" Its alright Lupin, don't worry about it "

" No Baudelaire it is not okay I am so sorry, you look like you're freezing, you must have been waiting so long I am sorry "

"It's okay I swear "

He seemed to hesitate for a moment before stepping closer to her covering her with his umbrella and taking her hand. She nearly jumped but controlled herself, curious to see what he would do only for him to interlace their fingers and put her hand in his coat pocket.

The tips of his ears were slightly red which she couldn't tell was from the cold or embarrassment. He mumbled out something she couldn't understand but she found herself not caring as she relished the physical touch she shared with Remus.

His hands were large and his skin was scarred and rough compared to her delicate soft hands and she could feel the small writer callus on his finger. All those observations and thoughts in her head had her insides twisted and heated up to the point that the cold weather around her was forgotten as she tried to ignore the red that threatened to stain her cheek.

They stood like that for a while in silence before Remus said.

" So uhm what did you want so last minute? "

" Oh... I just wanted to give you something "

Remus looked at her curious trying to understand what she meant until she took out a box wrapped in festive gift wrapping paper and offered it to him.

" I can't accept this Baudelaire, I bet it's something really expensive and I didn't even get you anything "

" Shut up and take it Lupin, I don't give gifts expecting anything back, it's for my own joy "

He took it from her hand slowly, looking down at it for a moment before he grinned at her which shaped the scars adorning his face into a beautiful piece of art, the sight of which mesmerized her for a moment as she watched him.