Crime of the Century | Remus Lupin (o.h)

Chapter Eight

Estrella Quinn found herself in the library once more where she seemed to be much more than late. Half of her was almost convinced that she had spent more time in the library in the first month of her last year than she had throughout her entire time at Hogwarts. It was mostly down to the fact that she was meeting with Remus nearly every night in there, but it wasn't always homework or study between the two. 

Throughout their near-constant study sessions, the two of them had discovered just how much they both had in common and if they weren't studying they were discussing any and every topic, both of them just geeking out and enjoying the other's presence. Estrella's extensive knowledge of the muggle world and everything in it due to the first eleven sheltered years of her life and Remus' own knowledge of it all due to his muggle mother had only added for more things for them to talk about. 

But despite their constant conversations about random topics, their study meeting on that Sunday afternoon did really only consist of studying. With several due essays and a few tests the following week, the need to get their head down and work overtook their want to just discuss random topics for hours. 

"Ugh, if I write one more word I think my hand might fall off." Estrella groaned, faceplanting into the parchment in front of her. 

"Oh come on, Estrella. We've only been at it for. ." Remus reprimanded before trailing off as his eyes landed on the clock. "Six hours."

"I really should finish this essay, shouldn't I?" Estrella asked, her voice muffled from the parchment. 

"What was that?"

"I should finish the essay," Estrella said, propping her head up with her hands, facing Remus only for him to burst into laughter. "What?"

"You've got ink on your face," Remus replied between laughs. 

"I have what?" Estrella asked before looking forward down to her parchment only to see several words smudged and a good few letters completely missing. "God, what's it with me and getting things on my face when I'm studying with you." She grumbled, attempting to wipe it off on her sleeve but only resulting in smudging it further around her face. 

"Here, let me help you," Remus replied, grabbing a tissue from the nearby desk, wiping it across Estrella's face doing his best to hide the blush creeping across his face and the butterflies fluttering around in his chest as they always did when he was with Estrella. 

"Thanks," Estrella replied with a grateful smile, which Remus shared. 

However, their smile exchange was soon interrupted as a certain three boys noisily entered into the library, on their way to Remus but only stopped once they saw he was with Estrella, awkwardly moving into an aisle. 

Estrella watched as all three of them, in particular, Sirius Black seemed quite antsy like he couldn't quite stand still but at the same time, it seemed like Sirius was like that quite a lot. 

"What's up with them?" Estrella asked. 

"I'm not quite sure but I'm sure it most likely has something to do with the map."

"The map?" Estrella asked innocently. 

"Yeah we made a map of the castle but we lost it a few weeks ago, it's got Sirius all on edge," Remus replied without realising the potential repercussions of his honesty.  

"Oh, that's unfortunate. I do really hope you guys find it soon." Estrella continued keeping up her act. "But because I really still can't write another word, I'll leave you guys to it. See you at our next study session, Lupin."

"See you, Quinn," Remus replied, with a blithe smile on his face as he watched her leave. 

"Can't remember the last time I saw you lot in a library," Estrella said as she passed the three boys in the aisle. "In fact, I don't think you have ever stepped foot in here before. But regardless Remus is all yours now. Good luck with the map finding." She said with a wink, leaving the library. 

Estrella couldn't hide her grin as she walked down the corridor up to the Gryffindor Tower. Although she hated using Remus for information, she still couldn't deny the feeling when she realises just how much the boys were struggling without their map and didn't look like they were going to catch the culprit anytime soon. It had become a little bit of a game to her and she always won any games. However, when an idea came to her, her grin widening as she walked up to the tower. The only way to stop the boys from giving up altogether was to keep them guessing, to keep them on their toes and the only way to do that was to leave them a clue. 

As she entered into a mostly empty common room, most of the Gryffindors actually enjoying the weekend instead of drowning in homework, she knew that there wasn't going to be a better opportunity to leave a clue than right now. 

"Where on earth have you been?" Alastair asked the second Estrella arrived at their agreed meeting spot, fifteen minutes lates.

"I'm so sorry guys, I lost track of time. I was in the library with Remus, studying."

"Oooh!" Bridget called suggestively, digging her elbow into Estrella's side. "Remus Lupin."

"Oh shut it, Bridget. Nothing like that is going on. You know that."

"That still doesn't mean that nothing could happen in the future," Bridget replied with a wink, prompting Estrella to do an overdramatic eye roll in response to her best friend's antics. 

"Well considering Estrella was late enough and I'm starving, I think we should actually go eat." Alastair chimed in, pointing towards the entrance to the kitchens.

"Great idea, Alastair. I was just thinking the same thing. And let's just stop this conversation and go eat." Estrella said with a pointed look in Bridget's direction. 

"Or we could always just continue it when we get in there."