Enchanted

Romance is in the Air

“Oi, Prongs.  You’re staring.” Sirius said while waving his hand in front of James' face.

“I think I’m ready for a relationship.” James said as a dreamy look painted his face.

“Silver?” Peter asked.

“Where Evans eyes were grass hers are the whole forest.  A dark green with a little gold around her pupil.” James said dreamily.

“No.  No, no, no.  Another one of you won’t date her.  I refuse.” Remus said.

“Wait, Pete, you dated her?” Sirius asked in confusion that one of them already dated her.

“Moony I’m not going to take her from you.  I will treat her as a goddess, such as Artemis deserves to be treated.  I would never forget her but will worship her.  Also, word of advice she likes to feel cherished.  She wants you to pursue her.  She wants romance.  So if you want her go for it.  But right now it’s my move.” James said.

With that the boy stood and messed with his hair before procuring flowers as he approached the Hufflepuff table not realizing that Evans was preparing her rejection already assuming the boy that had been ignoring her for months was once again approaching her.

“My little goddess with the eyes of the forest she hunts in.  Would you be my date this Hogsmeade weekend?” James loudly proclaimed for all in the room to hear.

Soon, a musical giggle was heard throughout the room.

“Why yes, I would very much enjoy that my deer Buck.” Gwen answered.

“Then may I present these flowers to you m’lady.” James said as he held out the flowers.

Gwendolyn appreciatively took the flowers and held them lovingly against her chest.

“Thank you.  They’re lovely.  How’d you know I love wild flowers?” Gwendolyn asked.

“Paid attention.” James answered.

Did he have stalker tendencies that led him to noticing her love of wild flowers?  Maybe.   But it was tendencies that he knew Gwendolyn would appreciate as she had already admitted to enjoying his love language.

“What time shall we meet?” Gwendolyn asked.

“I’ll meet you outside your common room in the morning.  I’d like to spend the day with you.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Which means dress for comfort.” James suggested.

“A whole day of your attention?  I might love you by the end.” Gwendolyn teased.

“That’s the plan.” James said with a winning smile.

Later that day, Gwendolyn was writing a paper in the library when Remus slid into the seat across the table from her.

“Finally done with ignoring me?” Gwendolyn asked without looking up from her paper.

“I’ve come to an uncomfortable realization.” Remus stated.

“Oh?  Well, don’t hold back now, Moony.  You’ve got my attention.” Gwendolyn said as she looked up.

“I like you.  I like you like you.  Moony loves you.  I might, too.  I think I’ve known it a while, but the jealousy lately has made me acknowledge it.  Is there a chance?  I’m willing to share you.  James is, too.  Can we have Sunday together?” Remus asked.

Gwendolyn sat in stunned silence.  She hadn’t seen this coming.  His not acknowledging his feelings made it easy for her to miss them.  But this was Remus and Moony.  He was her wolf.

“Ok.” Gwendolyn simply said.

“Good.  Great.  I mean wonderful.  Er.  I’ll see you.” Remus said whilst red in his face.

It was an hour later, and Gwendolyn had just finished her paper when Reggie approached.

“I hear they’ve taken your whole weekend.  Would you play hooky with me on Monday and give me the day?  I want to show my favorite spot.  I think dress chic for our date.” Reggie instructed.

“I suppose missing one day wouldn’t hurt.  What time?” Gwendolyn asked.

“The morning for me too outside your common room.  I want an entire day, too.” Reggie said.

“Ok, that can be arranged.” Gwendolyn said with a smile.

“It’s a date.” Reggie said before bending down to brush his lips across her own before sauntering away.

Gwendolyn just sat flabbergasted.  She couldn't understand what was going on.  She'd never been popular with the guys despite her good looks.  I mean, the Prewett twins showed interest, but it was shallow interest.  They made sure she knew it was just sex.  Mind-blowing sex.  But still just sex.  Then McLaggen, but who doesn't he try to force himself on.  Let it be clear Gwendolyn never dated nor shagged that boy.  He's just on the short list of those who showed interest for a second. She figured there was just something about her that couldn't hold the male gaze for too long.

So this attention was out of the left park.  Part of her feared she'd go from three love interests to none.  They'd forget her as easily as Sirius did.

"What's going on in that head of yours?" Marissa asked.

"Sirius doesn't remember me.  Doesn't remember we dated.  Nothing.  I couldn’t hold his attention for more than a month.  I'm worried it'll happen again." I answered.

"Fix your face before you create worry lines too young.  Obviously, that won't happen.  Lupin has been at your side since the first year.  I'd say he's been mooning over you since the third year.  He didn’t lose interest.  I don't know if I'd bet on all the boys.  But I'd wager Lupin is a safe bet." Clare said.

"I think the younger Black is also a safe bet.  He's made eyes from afar since the first year.  I'd wager he was in love with you since childhood. When you weren't even giving him the time of day." Marissa said pointedly.

"I'll admit Potter is a wild card.  I wouldn't bet on him.  He was mad for Evans for years and switched up too fast." Clare pondered.

"Agreed.  Though I still think you should at least see where it goes with the Potter boy." Marissa said.

I don't know about Reggie, but my friends aren't wrong about Moony.  He has been by my side since day one.  I've lived so carefully since coming to Hogwarts.  It's about time I actually live.

"What would I do without you girls?  You always know how to set my head back on straight.  But if I get hurt, I'm feeding you both to the wolves.  Or at the very least to Luna." I teased.

Luna stood at my side then and barked her agreement whilst showing fang to both girls.

"Miss Silver, I told you that if the wolf is in here with you, then she must be quiet." Madame Pince scolded.

"Sorry, Madame Pince.  You heard her, Luna." I said sternly before bopping Luna on her nose.

Luna curled her lip in displeasure before laying back down at my feet.  Luna was a full-grown wolf now, and I could no longer carry her.  I don’t know if Hagrid could carry her as Luna was bigger than your average wolf.  Professor Grubbly-Plank determined Luna to be half dire wolf.  I'd never seen Luna's father, only her dead mother.  So I'd guess it was her father who was a dire wolf.  Muggles think the breed to be extinct, but they aren't.  Their numbers are small and thus protected by the Wizarding world, much like dragons.

"Come on, Sylvie should be waiting by our portrait so that we might pick your outfit for tomorrow's first date." Clare said.

I packed my belongings up and followed the girls to our House.  We indeed found Sylvie waiting with my cousin.  It looked like Evan was flirting.

"Hurry and save me from this scoundrel girls." Sylvie said.

"Rosier are you bothering our dear French damsel?" I teased my cousin.

"Bothering or wooing.  I suppose my actions differ in the eye of the beholder." Evan said.

"We have date outfits to help Jade pick out.  So if you'll excuse us.  You'll have to woo another day." Clare said.

"Fides."* I said to our portrait.

*loyalty in Latin.

I winked at my cousin before disappearing into my common room with the girls following.  We spent our evening in giggles while choosing outfits.  Sylvie stayed the night as we gossiped.

A/N: just a friendly reminder that this is an alternate universe story.  I don't feel Hogsmeade has good date options.  There's the Hog Head or whatever and Three Brooms or that awful pink tea place.  So I will create places.  I'm not sure what other than an ACTUAL restaurant.  But just wanted to remind y'all so I don't have to hear "that place isn't in Hogsmeade/doesn't exist.".