selenophobia [r. lupin.]

twelve.

"and she smells like lemongrass and sleep.  she tastes like apple juice and peach."

***S.D.K.***

I've never been more grateful that it was already the weekend.

Usually I'm not a fan of them because I never have anything to do or anyone to spend time with, but this Saturday was different as Remus and I were getting ready for our lunch date, our first real date.

I slipped on a white crewneck and some denim dungarees which are ten times more comfortable than a sundress. After my shower last night, I spent a little more time on my hair by blow-drying it with a quick spell that shot hot air out of my wand and sleeping in rollers so that I would have some loose curls. Some olive-green sneakers covered my feet. As I twirled around a few times in the mirror to look at myself, I heard a knock on the door.

Skipping to open it, I'm greeted by the man of the hour who wore some corduroy slacks and a flannel shirt that was a bit too large on him. In his right hand was a bottle of wine and in his left was a picnic basket. "Are you ready to go?" he spoke with a smile on his face.

"Yeah! Just let me grab something really quick," I stride back to my bedroom and grab the quilt that lay at the foot of my bed. "So that we don't have to sit on the itchy grass," I explained to him with a giggle.

He and I shared lighthearted conversation as we began to walk towards whatever spot he planned to take me. I linked my arm with his, placing my free hand in the crook of his elbow while the other hand clutched my blanket. This felt so casual, like it wasn't our first date and we've been doing this for years. The sun was bright and warm against our skin as we strolled through the courtyard. It was the perfect day for this kind of thing.

We exited the grounds and approached a giant oak tree next to the Black Lake. I was hit with nostalgia as memories of the boys and I coming out here to swim on weekends during school flooded my mind. "Let's stop here," I told Remus. It was the perfect spot, being shady with just enough sunlight peeking through the leaves.

He set down the basket and wine before helping me lay out the quilt. He sat with his back against the tree, and I sat next to him with my legs tucked underneath me. His hands reached into the basket and pulled out a platter of sandwiches, a pack of crackers, a cheese spread, and two wine glasses. I grinned at the selection, and once he noticed, he spoke, "I asked Millie what you would enjoy, and she helped me pick all of this out."

"You sure put a lot of thought into this," I pointed out. I noticed the tips of his ears get red before adding on, "It's cute! Nobody's ever done something like this for me before."

Remus' lips twitched into a genuine smile as he began to fill our glasses with the deep red liquid. "I find that hard to believe. You're gorgeous, 'Lena. How has nobody taken you on a date like this?" he inquired.

I shrugged, taking my glass from his hands and bringing the rim up to my lips to sip delicately. "I dunno. It's always been big, fancy restaurants and elegant dresses for me, which isn't really my style. I'd much rather something casual like this," I responded after swallowing my beverage.

"Well, I tried my best. Planning dates was never my forte," he spoke through a bite of his sandwich.

I turned to him, cocking an eyebrow. "Oh, really? So our wine night in your quarters and this picnic were hard for you to plan?" I teased.

He nodded, and I giggled. "I had to ask Venus what she thought about it all. Have to have the sister's blessing, you know?" he jested in return, making me laugh yet again.