#remantha

Sammy had gone to visit Remus. Like she had promised she would. Arriving early in the morning to his home and spending the time out by the ocean with him. It was cold, but nice. Nature was a thing she loved and the ocean was a lovely sight to see. Though it was still too cold this early in the morning, so they went back inside to warm up.

Of course there were chores to be done and she had offered to help him do them. Or had at least told him she'd kick his butt into doing them. To which he laughed. But she offered to show him her sketchbook like she had promised in her letters to him. So he led the way upstairs, to the spare room, and she flopped down on the bed. Digging for her sketchbook in her bag which had the Undetectable Extension Charm on it. Made it handy for travel, but it did make it quite a mess when trying to find that one thing that was needed. Eventually she found it and invited him over so he could see.

Remus laughed as she dug through her bag, comparing her to Mary Poppins, a character in a muggle film. He took a seat next to her and she shoved the sketchbook in his lap. Opening it up to some of her newer sketches from the summer. He flipped through them slowly, wanting to appreciate each work of art she had done. She truly was talented and he loved seeing her stuff.

“This really is all amazing, Sammy. I wish I had talent like this.”

She blushed a little, but he hadn't noticed since he was still looking at her work. “But you do. You can play the piano. And you can teach me. I won't be the best at it, but teach me anyway. And besides, I'm terrible at dancing.”

He chuckled softly, flipping another page. “Well playing the piano isn't quite like this, but I can teach you. And I'm sure you're not that bad at dancing. I'll dance with you at Andy's wedding.”

“I'll end up stepping on your feet.”

“No you won't. And even if you did, I won't mind. I'll wear thick socks.”

Their banter was completely them. It was comfortable and friendly and something she missed while being home. She leaned into him, resting her chin on his shoulder as he flipped through more of her work. Telling him when she did what. He smiled, tilting his head and resting it against hers. Letting her explain each piece as he looked at them.

As they sat there, she started thinking back to when they left school. On the train. On the platform. That goodbye they shared. All summer she had thought about that kiss. Wanting to know what it meant – if anything. But she never asked in her letters. Because she should ask upfront. To his face. Except now she didn't know how to ask him. Or rather, her voice got stuck. Her cheeks flush. Thankfully he was still looking of her art. Meant he couldn't see her freezing up. She wanted to ask. What it meant. Even started to open her mouth, but the words got lost. So instead she close her mouth, pursed her lips, and kissed his cheek.

Remus was busy looking at her art, oblivious to Sammy. Enjoying looking at the beautiful images on the pages when he was suddenly caught unawares by a kiss to his cheek. His eyes flicked up and he lifted his head a bit. Turning slightly to try and look at her. “What was that for?” he asked softly, slight amusement in his voice.

Her cheeks were pink and she bit her lip. “Well you kissed my forehead when we said goodbye last and I thought... well I wanted to know... Did it mean anything?”

Now he got a little serious. Needing to think it over for a second. Closing her sketchbook, setting it aside, and shifting slightly. So he could face her. Taking her hands in his, stroking his thumbs over the back of her hands. Giving her a soft smile. “It definitely meant something,” he said softly.

Her stomach flipped a bit when he grabbed her hands, telling her the kiss meant something. “Like what?” she asked. Swallowing down a lump that got stuck in her throat.

“That I like you,” he said softly. Letting out a deep breath. “I like you, a lot. We're really good friends and we have interesting trips to the kitchens.” He let out a soft chuckle. So did she. “And part of me grew to like you more because of it. But you were with one of my best mates. And then you two broke up and I didn't want to take advantage of you. Or hurt him. But, we're coming up on our last year here and I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you how I felt. I guess that day at the station was step one.”

She listened closely, hanging onto his every word. Not wanting to miss anything. Her fingers held his a little tighter. “I like you too, Remus. You're fun to be around and sweet and charming and not to mention a life saver when it comes to reviewing my essays for me.” That got a chuckle out of him, and a smile. “But I am a little upset you waited until now to tell me this. Leave me wondering all summer long what it meant.” She forced a slight pout.

Remus smiled softly at her. “Well then I am very sorry, Sammy. I did not mean to cause you such turmoil over it.”

Her pout didn't last too long. It slowly curved into a smile. Her trying to shuffle just a little closer. “So... what do we do now?”

“Now? Well I suppose I could get back to cleaning. I should be doing some chores--” He grinned at her and she hit his arm lightly. He regained her hand in his, shifting so they sat closer. “I suppose it wouldn't be too improper to ask you for a real kiss?”

She blushed a little when he asked her for a kiss. He was gentleman, truly. And there was going to be no denying him. Because she wanted it too. She took a breath and shook her head, smiling softly at him. “Not improper at all.”

He smiled. Leaning in slowly, the space between them getting smaller and smaller until their noses touched. Then, ever-so-gently, he pressed her lips to hers.

The kiss was soft, undemanding, and felt right. She gripped his hands a little tighter, pressing a little more to him. The kiss just felt amazing. And whatever she could have imagined it being like, this surpassed everything. She tried getting closer to him, wanting to get closer. He dropped her hands, moving his arms around her waist and tugging her into his lap. Holding her as he kissed her. Her arms looped around his neck and she toyed with the ends of his hair lightly. Not wanting this moment to end. Wanting this to last as long as it could.

They kissed as long as they dared. Before they had to breathe. Remus pulling back and sucking in a large breath of air. His cheeks were a little flush and his heart raced a bit, but he smiled at her. Holding her and resting his forehead to hers. “That was better than what I could have imagined,” he said softly.

She let out a breathless giggle. Curling her fingers in his hair and pressing a short kiss to his lips. “Way better. And I'm glad that that's what you wanted. Because I wanted it too.”

He rubbed her back lightly, kissing her nose. “So you're not too turned off about dating a werewolf are you?”

She blushed even more and her heart hammered in her chest. “Y-You're asking me to date you?”

“If you like. I'd be honored and lucky to date you, Sammy.”

She bit her lip, inhaling and exhaling. “Well the fur might be a little much...” He let out a chuckle, stroking her back. “But, no, it doesn't bother me. I like you because of you, Remus, and I would love to date you.”

He grinned even wider, kissing her nose again. “Won't they all be in for a treat? Us coming back to school as a couple.”

She laughed, nodding. “Oh I'm sure they will. And I'm the guys will prod you for all sorts of details.”

“Well then I'll be sure to only say what's necessary. They don't need to know everything.”

“Mm, they really don't.” She kissed him again, enjoying how well they fit together. How soft his lips were against hers. How much she would love to spend the rest of her time here with him like this. But she knew they couldn't and she was only offering a break in the housework. “Guess we should get back to cleaning, huh?”

“Won't let me be distracted a moment longer?” She shook her head and he chuckled. “Alright. I'll get back to work. Besides we can always share more kisses later.”

“Mm, of course we can. And you can teach me how to play piano.”

“Deal. I will teach you later.”

Sammy: "I suppose you did." Smiles back at him. Realizing she had now been sitting in his lap for a while, wondering if she should move or not. But draws her wand out, summoning over her snacks into her lap, picking up a sugar quill.

Remus: smiles back at her as she brings her snacks over, not saying anything before glancing down for a minute, picking up his chocolate frog again

Sammy: munches on her sugar quill, glancing up at him wondering if it's okay to stay. Finishes her quill, picking up a licorice wand and holding it up to him. "Want one?" she asked, chipper tone in her voice.

Remus: smiled in return, looking back at her. "Sure, thanks." Turning to the box of Every Flavor Beans he had gotten, he offered some to her. "D'you want some? We are Gryffindors, after all. Although I don't think there are too many bad flavors in here.. usually just the normal ones."

Sammy: chuckles. "What sort of Gryffindor would I be if I was not up to the challenge of taking chance on picking a flavor?" Reaches in, grabbing one at random and eating it. Then sticks her tongue out, fingers spreading open, hands out in front of her as she shakes briefly over the disgusting flavor. "Ugh.... I think that was vomit...."

Remus: munches on the licorice wand for a bit, laughing with her as she sticks her tongue out with disgust, "That was poor luck, really."

Sammy: "Yeah.... just my luck. First pick and it was that." Grabs for a licorice wand, hits him with it lightly. "And don't laugh at me! It really was disgusting!" But she can't help but chuckle.

Remus: bites his lip to stop from laughing as she hits him with the licorice wand but fails, grinning. "I'm sorry, really. Here, I'll have one now. Maybe they'll be matching vomit flavors." He said lightly, a light chuckle escaping before he picked up a bean, popping into his mouth. He chewed for a moment before smiling slightly, a pleasant cherry taste in his mouth.

Sammy: watches him as he eats one. Sees him smiling. "Oh I doubt you got vomit. Not from that smile on your face." Rips off a bit of licorice wand, chewing on it.

Remus: shakes his head, swallowing. "There's usually only a few bad ones in the bunch, but I doubt they'd sell well if they were all vomit.." he picked up a lighter colored pink bean, looking it over before handing it to her. "This one looks alright.. I think it's bubblegum."

Sammy: "That's true, but just my luck to pick the bad flavor on the first try." Looks it over before holding her hand out and taking it. Pausing before putting it in her mouth. "If it's something gross though, I swear I'm hitting you again with this." She shook the licorice wand still in her hand before eating the pink bean. Though it was bubblegum, so she smiled, glad for a normal flavor.

Remus: laughed but agreed to the deal, silently hoping it was indeed bubblegum, but smiled as she seemed pleased with it. "There you go, not bad at all. It reminded me of your hair when it was pink." He said, popping another bean in his mouth.

Sammy: laughs and nods, taking a bite of her licorice wand. "At least I knew what I was doing that time. The blue was a total accident and I was so freaked out when that happened! I'm just glad I was able to master all that and now I can change my hair as I please. Though it's nice having long hair again." She said with a smile, toying with the ends of her hair.

Remus: "It turned out alright in the end, and the blue wasn't that bad. I liked it. I'm sure the kind who changed it felt pretty bad, though. D'you remember? That was in the kitchens again, of all places." He said with a laugh, remembering the moment from earlier that year.

Sammy: "He did, but it really was an accident. And of course it was the kitchens. I think that's our second dorm." Chuckles at the memory and her comment.

Remus: "Second dorm would seem about right." He said with a light laugh as the train whistled loudly, signalling its upcomming stop. Popping another bean into his mouth, he replied as he glanced out the window. "We must be close, now."

Sammy: "Well, we always seem welcome there, so that's always a good thing. I definitely don't mind "living there" so to speak." Chuckles, finishing up her licorice wand. "Sounds like it." Lets out a content sigh. "It's good to be almost home again. Get time to relax and be with family. It'll be weird not seeing everyone everyday, but we can still owl each other and plan for times to hang out." Smiles up at him.

Remus: "Yeah, we were.. It wouldn't make for a bad dorm at all." He said with a smile as he turned to clean up some of the snacks, putting what he hadn't eaten in his bags as the train slowed down steadily. "It'll be nice. We'll be sure to write, though, and make plans. I'll be at James' sometime next week, but I think I'll be able to find a quiet area to write."

Sammy: "Hey, if that were a dorm, easy access to food all the time. I would not mind that at all." Smiles, finally crawling out of his lap to help clean up the compartment. "Well that should be exciting though. Hanging out with him. And I'm sure Sirius and Pete too, right? Though good luck finding a quiet corner to write in. That sounds like it might be hard." Chuckles lightly.

Remus: "It would, I think it's be quite convenient." He said with a smile as she got up, turning to help with the bags and snacks. "Yeah, Sirius will be there, and I'm sure Pete will be, too. I usually manage to find time." He laughed with a nod, gathering his things to leave.

Sammy: gathers up her things. "And I'm sure the four of you will still cause havoc," she said with a grin.

Remus: "Probably. I'll do my best to keep them under control, though. It'll just be the usual mahem." He said, smiling as he opened up the compartment door, glancing back at her.

Sammy: "I wish you luck with that. And of course. Don't blow too much stuff up." Laughs. Grabs her stuff, following him.

Remus: "We'll do our best, no promises." He said with a grin as they walked down the isle of the train, through the crowd of people, and step off and onto the stone platform.

Sammy: "Well I guess if anything makes the paper, I'll know things got out of hand." Chuckles, walking with him, eventually reaching the platform. Looking around for her parents, spying them off a ways. "Well there's my ride home. But hey, definitely send owls. And we can make plans to hang out." Pulls him in for a hug.

Remus: "We'll try to stay out of the wizard papers, but I can't make any promises for the local muggle papers. We'll just have to see." He said jokingly, looking back at her. "I'll be sure to write, definitely. Have a nice summer." He said as they hugged, squeezing her gently, lingering only a moment long. Looked back at her as they pulled away, he bite his lip for a moment. It was now or never. Smiling slightly, he leaned forwards and placed a light kiss on her forehead before turning away, walking back to meet his friends and say goodbye , pausing once more to look over his shoulder at her.