Summer '78: Time Alone (Charlotte)

[Charlotte Fudge]

The girl waited with an unfamiliar feeling of anxiety for his answer. She'd never wanted to overstep, or felt like she'd even gotten close to, but she was invested not only in her relationship with him, but in Remus himself. But if when he was "out with the boys" they were doing things that lead to him getting injured, was she really not to say anything? Should she not stand up for his own safety if he was unable to see what was wrong with putting himself into situations like the one he'd evidently been in? But she didn't want him to think she didn't trust him...

Relationships were confusing.

So Charlotte was glad when, after a few quiet moments as the two thought, he gave her a smile, and his words brought a slight chuckle out of her. Always trying to be better, this one. She didn't mind the rather abrupt suggestion, but was pleased nonetheless that he wanted to make more of a moment out of it. It was a big thing, after all - their first event with all of his friends. First time he'd see her dressed up and - Oh, you've got to tell Alex. She'll help. Been a while since you went to anything like this. She looked up, slightly more at ease as she saw his smiling face, and her relief spread at his official proposition. He wasn't upset with her for her offer - although why he'd be upset in the first place she wasn't certain...

"See?" she said, looking up at him fondly, figuring a slight tease couldn't hurt as they were both trying to lighten the mood for this sweet moment. "Eloquent. You always get there. I'd be delighted to accept the invitation, Mr. Lupin."

Char watched as he looked as uncomfortable as she'd seen him, and was rather...oddly reassured by his honest answer. It wasn't what a girl would probably want to hear, but it was the truth, and she appreciated it. He wasn't sugarcoating the reality of the situation they were all finding themselves in simply by being alive in this tenuous time, which showed his trust with and respect for her, his feeling that they really were on an even footing. She met his eyes steadily, and had to agree that he was right to bring this up - things did get put into perspective pretty quickly when looking through a larger scope. That didn't mean she had to let him walk around with an open cut, though - she'd just accept the window story for now.

She didn't quite know what to say about it all, though, but gave him a nod. "You're right. I do know we've got a lot more to worry about, but - thank you." He was determined to work for the Order, and she knew he'd be brilliant at it. She was much less worried about him than his friends, actually, as she knew he'd keep his head. But she couldn't deny the feelings that likely every girl had felt, since the beginnings of time, when the boy they were attached to said they were going to fight in a war. The feelings settled within you, never quite gone. An odd mix of pride - for how lucky was she to be with someone so noble? - and concern - for there could be no honest assurances that he would come home, could there? - and a conflicting, guilty ache - for wouldn't things be easier if he...wasn't to fight?

But he had the right to decide. It was a cause worth fighting for. She just didn't want it to be a cause he died for.

Charlotte knew it was morbid to think, but that was the reality of what he had dedicated himself to. As someone always interested in history, she knew the statistics of wars. She knew the losses that had been necessary for political or social or religious or ethical gain. Whether muggle or magical, there was no certainty to the soldier when the enemy attacked. Publicly joining a cause put a target on your back, whether you were on duty or off.

She knew.

But these facts had always been something she could observe with interest but detachment - knowing she would be experiencing them over the next few years was something she was truly grappling with. She drew the comparisons that she could, and couldn't help but wonder the statistics that would be read of this war. It would take ages to determine, surely, as both sides were as secretive as possible with their identities - but it would be done. There would be counts. Humanity took solace in numbers, in organizing, after great torment. And she knew that this war would be no exception. How many of the new Order members who she was becoming friends with would survive this war? One in four? One in eight?

She shook the thoughts out of her mind, as there was no sense in thinking them at this moment. There was nothing she could do about it, after all.

She could do something about that, though, she thought as he accepted her help. "Yes - yes, I would." He was looking awfully sorry about the whole thing, and as it was simply the reality of their situation, he really didn't need to. So she set her tea next to his and opened up the bathroom door. "In here?" she asked, brightly as she could, and at his agreement found the mentioned bandages and what she assumed was a sterilizing agent in a bottle in the medicine cabinet. She'd've just gone with a spell, but as he'd suggested this, she didn't want to make any other suggestions. "Have a seat over here, yeah? Can't do much use if I can't reach," she said with half a smile, nodding to the low countertop as she wet some gauze with the clear, pungent liquid.

[Remus Lupin]

He wasn't sure if she was going to let the situation go. He shouldn't have told her that he fell out a window, that was possibly the worst excuse in the history of all excuses. He could have come up with something else. After all, it was a visible cut. He should have thought of something before she got over. He was quite pleased that she passed over it, and instead gave him a teasing remark about his question. "I wasn't sure how to ask, but I'm honoured that you would like to attend with me," he replied. "I might have to give a speech."

He shifted his weight, still uncomfortable with the entire situation. Not to mention, telling the girl he loved cared for immensely that he couldn't guarantee his safety, that he wasn't safe, was churning his insides. He wished this war, for the one hundredth time, wasn't something that was happening. It would be much easier to go through life without this drama. He had a life envisioned for himself that didn't involve someone murdering witches and wizards across the country. He wanted to spend his life drinking tea and eating chocolate and curled up with this beautiful girl. Doesn't matter, that was a life that was taken from you long ago.

As she pointed to the bathroom, he nodded at her briefly. Hopefully this would at least help keep it clean. He was more thankful that she didn't question the method in which he asked her to help, it was one more excuse he didn't have to come up with. He laughed when she asked him to sit down, and followed her to the counter, settling himself down on the stool, "Thank you Char. I appreciate it."

[Charlotte Fudge]

Well aren't you just the greatest, she thought, looking up at him fondly after his words. How Cole could hold a grudge against her for dating a boy who was so good to her was simply beyond Charlotte's grasp of understanding. He was still being so odd about the whole affair, avoiding her when they were both home. And it was true that a part of Char did wish that she'd come clean a lot sooner, but hindsight gave one perfect vision, did it not? At an earlier time she may not've stood her ground, her brother may've been able to threaten her into giving Remus up. And who knew if she'd feel as close to Remus as she did if she hadn't been inspired to stand up to her brother after seeing him do so?

She wasn't an everything-happened-for-a-reason sort of girl, but a you-can't-change-the-past kind, and so did her best to accept the things that happened and move forward from there. She was grateful that the confrontation had come as it had, for as awkward as it had been it had ignited a spark within her, a motivation to distance herself from what she and her brother had been. To start voicing her long-latent want to be seen as an equal - not a child, not someone to be spoken down to. She'd gotten him passing marks for years - he knew as well as she did that she was superior in academia and, if she was feeling quite brave, she could admit that she was far more intelligent than he. But she'd still allowed him that power over her, lived in fear of losing him, when what she should've been afraid of the whole time was who she was when she let herself be taken advantage of.

She deserved better.

She deserved Remus.

So Charlotte easily beamed up at him at his words, replying with, "Of course I want to go with you, love. And whatever you think, I know you'd give a grand speech - who knows the pair of them better than you?"

~*~*~*~

She was awfully glad that he seemed to be perking up - not that Char didn't appreciate their serious moments, but his accepting her help just said a lot about where they were - and had to grin at that laugh of his, happy to have made that happen. So as he sat and thanked her, balancing on a low stool, she simply hoped she wouldn't take so long that his long legs would get cramped - really, the stool was built more for someone her size - and kissed the top of his head. "Happy to help, Rem," she said simply, tenderly brushing the hair at the nape of his neck away from the cut, smoothing his jumper away from his neck - for better access, that's all. Not like she was overly enjoying this opportunity to tend to him...actually help him, for once...

He did have great hair, and it's not like she ever got to see it like this, tall as he was.

Oddly gray in places, but it was one of his quirks, and she loved it. She smiled slightly as she affectionately ran her free hand through his hair before getting to work.

This cut, though - he'd said it was from falling through a window, likely meaning that it'd been cut on glass. So she had expected a smooth, straight cut, and what she found was...decidedly not. His skin had been torn, the edges of the cut were ragged. "I expect it's going to sting a bit - sorry." She worried her lower lip as she cleaned it with the antiseptic, laying the edges together as softly as she could before securing the bandage. "All right - I think that ought to do it," Char said, gently but firmly pressing along the edges of the bandage to make sure. She came around to see him from his front, pulling the neck of his jumper back into place as she fixed him up. You could hardly see the damage - but being this close to him now, and properly able to see him, the girl saw shadows under his eyes she'd missed before, faint, healing scratches marking him...Worry clouded her eyes as she met his.

[Remus Lupin]

Remus was a bit nervous, about giving a speech. What was he supposed to stay? Both Lily and James were his friends, and while he knew it was technically Sirius' job to give a speech he'd feel like a real wanker if he didn't at least say something. After all, Lily and James were perfect for each other. He'd known that for a while, a fact he'd kept to himself and let them figure it out on their own. Oh, he had nudge her towards James, of course. And he always attempted to encourage James. Now it was all coming true and he was excited and scared all at the same time. Things were changing so fast and he wasn't entirely sure how to handle it. He wanted his life to be as simple as theirs had been. Guaranteed James was going through a rough time, due to Dory being sick. That was something that had been affecting them all.

He gave a small sigh, to himself, trying to ignore his constant stream of thoughts. Instead, he focused on her hands on the back of his neck. She brushed the base of his hair so gently, something he wished she would never stop doing. He gave a smile as she ran a hand through his hair, closing his eyes and letting himself relax. "It's alright, Char. I'm used to pain. I'll be fine," he replied, doing his best to avoid wincing as she cleaned the cut. It was worse than he had thought, which was something he was hoping she wouldn't pick up on. Exclaiming that he had fallen through a window was the worst possible excuse he could have given her.

He gave her a small nod as she finished up, adjusting himself in the stool so he wasn't so slouched. He happily met her eyes, and immmediatey saw the worry on her face. He placed a hand up on her cheek, stroking it gently, "Hey. I'm alright. Don't worry about me, ok?" He knew that was going to be easier said than done. He stood up, pulling her close, "What do you want to do, huh? Bakery? Park?"

[Charlotte Fudge]

"I'm used to pain." What's that supposed to mean? she thought, her boyfriend's words far from comforting as they just made her mind start to work. Sure, Remus also said he'd be fine, but...how was it that someone as good as him had had to get used to pain? In what world was that right? But Charlotte bit back her questions, not wanting another answer as convincing as the window one had been.

They would...get there. Right? He'd tell her what it was when he was ready. Whatever it was, Rem had to have his reasons. He wouldn't just keep something from her for the sake of having secrets. He wouldn't.

In the brief space between speaking and finding his eyes, the girl saw his smile and wished she could've held back her worried look. Given him some happiness instead of prompting him to comfort her when there were obviously things going on with him. Shouldn't that be what she does? Part of her purpose here? He knows you're not all sunshine and rainbows. If that's what he wanted he wouldn't be with you. They had their fun, their laughs, of course - but she was far too realistic to let suspicious things like a "window accident" go undocumented in her mental filing system of unexplained events pertaining to this boy. There'd been injuries other than this that she'd discovered, but he always had a quick answer - he and the boys had been doing this or that, he'd fallen, a creature in Creatures had gotten to him. And he cared for her because of her seriousness as well, she knew it, and valued her opinion. So why wasn't she pressing this? What was holding her back?

What are you hiding, Remus? she wondered as his thumb brushed along her cheekbone, as he urged her not to worry. Remus stood, pulling her into him, and she sighed against his chest, fingers tangling in the back of his jumper as she held him close. Did he know he was being so obvious in his efforts to cover whatever this was up? It's not like this is the last time you'll see him, Charlotte - let him have a happy afternoon. You don't need to push. She looked up at him, nodding at his mention of distractions things to do. "Let's try out the bakery," she said, giving him the most genuine smile she could, given the odd feeling in her gut.

[Remus Lupin]

His excuses weren’t valid, and he was painfully well aware. His friends have never bought that his mother was so often sick that he would have to go see her, and they’d only taken a year to figure out what was really going on. Guaranteed, they had shared a dorm room with him and they were incredibly close. But Charlotte was close to him as well, in a way that no one else could ever be. She was his entire world, and he was so terrified of losing her over his secret. He was at a point where he was continuously scared for her. While she did understand what he was going to be fighting for, he couldn’t express to her why it was so important.

Yes, the world they lived in was at stake. But she, she was also in danger. His entire world could be ripped away from him because of one dark and disturbed person and he couldn’t bear the thought. She was innocent, and perfect. He wanted a future with her more than he honestly knew, and right now someone was threatening that. He would die for her if it meant she would be safe. And he wanted to tell her, he did. But it wasn’t a conversation he knew how to have. To tell someone that you loved them, to show them your soul? He wasn’t ready. Especially not with a secret this large looming over his head.

He didn’t know how much longer she would let him lie to her. She didn’t believe his window story, that much he could tell. But there had been others, so many other little lies he had been forced to tell. There were only so many excuses for the scraps and bruises that he could give her that were believable. And while in school, the scratches hadn’t been as bad. He’d been calm, comfortable. Almost himself during those nights. But those days were over for him, he couldn’t force his friends to halt their lives once a month for him. The cuts would get worse, the scars more apparent. He was going to lose her to himself and he couldn’t stand that thought.

He hugged her to him tighter as she pulled on the back of his jumper. He was getting himself worked up and she was going to catch on if he didn’t calm down. So as she looked up at him, he gave her a smile, ”Bakery it is then. Let me just grab my things.” He paused, before pulling a hand from around her waist and brushing her cheek, leaning down to press a light kiss on her lips.

He pulled away, walking towards his room to grab his keys and find shoes, ”I think there is a little shop that sells plants a well. I was thinking maybe a plant would be good, brighten up the place a bit. Hm?” he asked, pausing to look back towards her, smiling. Today was going to get better, he wasn't going to let anything negative happen.

[Charlotte Fudge]

She nodded in agreement to the plan, but wasn’t quite ready to let him go. Char wasn’t unsure about them, but he was hiding something - he knew that he could trust her with anything, didn’t he? Hadn't she shown her commitment to him, to them, by choosing him over her brother? It was a terribly strange comparison to have to make, she knew, but there it was. Through Remus she had come to see how wrong things really had been between the younger Meyers siblings, and she'd worked to mend and better that relationship...with varying results. Cole was still more-than-peeved that she'd 1) not gone to him at the start, 2) hid the relationship, 3) had sided with Remus...

"He's turned you against me, Charlotte! Can't you see that?"

She could still see her brother's exasperated, furious face, looking at her like he didn't know her. And she knew in that moment that he never had known many pieces of her. He hadn't expected her to stick up for herself; he'd thought that once he'd said "no" that the conversation was over. But it had been a moment a long time coming, she knew in her innermost self - and it was better now than later. She shouldn't have to hide herself from her brother, and he should know her. "No, Cole," she'd returned, taking Remus' hand. "He opened my eyes."

So what was it that was holding Remus back?

Whatever his reasons, she hoped to soon be privy to them. If they were going to work, they needed to be honest, right? So...should she be pushing for answers? But wouldn't it be better if he made the decision himself? It was so...confusing, trying to find the right sort of balance...

Perhaps he'd caught on to her resistance to release him, for Remus was giving her one of her favorite smiles - the one that preceded a comforting kiss - and was soon ducking his head to find her lips. She rose up on her toes to make this easier, pressing against the hand he held to her cheek - she'd hardly ever felt short before they started spending time together, but as both Remus and Sirius were a head taller than her, the girl had had to get used to it - and met him in the middle. There was still something oddly other about kissing him here, in his flat, and maybe it was that that had her pulling back before too long.

Char was on her way back to the kitchen to grab her bag, but met his eyes after his adorable addition, giving him a smile. He was just so...precious. Wasn't he? He was always so earnest, so wanting to make things good for her, for them, that her heart filled with love affection whenever she saw him. But you really must determine why you can't even think the word without correcting yourself, Charlotte. Surely he feels the same, he wouldn't have told you about the Order, let you come here, if he didn't...

Was it because she hadn't even dated anyone before Remus that was holding her back, as she had no other data to compare her current feelings to? Was what she was feeling love or nearly love or just affection or -

You know he's good for you. You know you're good for him. You think he's splendid in every way, and worry about him, and wouldn't want anything bad to happen to him, and you think about him when you're with him and when you're not -

He asked you a question. Would do well to answer.

"Thought you weren't a fan of Herbology," the girl teased, continuing into the other room to get her bag as she spoke, trying to let herself just be and not think so much. "But you're right - I think a muggle plant would do nicely here. We can definitely get a plant on the way back, I love that idea."

[Remus Lupin]

Sirius and James would want him to just tell Charlotte. After all, they believed that she would be accepting of his condition, that she wasn’t going to freak out and break up with him. They were probably right, but it wasn’t like he was telling her was secretly afraid of the dark. He would be telling her that once a month he turned into a uncontrollable monster that could kill her if he wasn’t contained. Not exactly something he could just spill over a cup of tea in his flat.

No, he couldn’t just tell her. He wanted her to know so many things, but this wasn’t one that he couldn’t let her know. It hurt him to think about how this would end, because he couldn’t keep something like turning into a werewolf hidden forever. The only way he could keep her safe would be to let her go, and he didn’t enjoy that thought. He was keeping that thought out of his mind though, at least for now. He was determined to have a good day, and a good summer. They could figure out how long this would last later.

He smiled at the girl as she teased him, allowing himself a laugh. ”I’m not. But how hard can a muggle plant be?” he retorted, watching as she continued towards her bag. He turned and hurried into his room, grabbing his keys and his wallet, shoving them in his pockets as he went to meet her by the front door.

”Alright, after you lovely,” he said, holding the door open for her. As she left, he followed her out, checking that the door was locked behind her before taking her hand in his and heading down the stairs. ”So, bakery and muggle plants. Where else shall we adventure today?”

[Charlotte Fudge]

She grinned at hearing him laugh from the next room, always glad to have that effect on him. There was enough darkness in his world - the least she could do was bring a bit more light to him when she was able. "True, true - shan't be too terrible. At least none of these should fight back, right?" she asked, never actually having been to a Muggle plant shop before. Although she liked to pride herself on knowing more about the muggle world than the rest of her family, if only to be more educated about their world as a whole, that...didn't actually mean too much, seeing as her familial counterparts were content to live solely among witches and wizards. To Remus, whose mother was a muggle, this surely wouldn't be a new experience, but she was greatly looking forward to exploring another facet of muggle life. "Is the shop like one of the greenhouses at school, do you think?" she asked as he got the door for her.

He locked it behind them and took her hand, intertwining their fingers as they made their way down the stairs together. "A bakery and a plant shop - sounds like a full docket, to me," Char said, giving his hand a squeeze. "We can check out the bookstore as well," she added, always game to get lost in one of those, new or familiar. As they left the stairs, emerging into the day, she gave his hand another squeeze as she grinned up at him. "Which way, Rem?"

[Remus Lupin]

Remus snorted at her remark to him as he was leaving his room. He never should have told her about the incident in herbology where he had been convinced that a plant was going to murder him. He was beginning to think she was never going to let him live it down. But she was correct, a muggle plant wasn't going to fight back. "No. It will be nice and stationary, just how I like my plants. As for the shop, it's similar. Not as huge though."

As he locked the door, he couldn't help but smile. It was still dawning on him that he had his own place, this new place. He also considered though that he should get some extra keys made. His parents had one, for emergencies only, but he reckoned that Charlotte deserved one as well. And perhaps Sirius and James, although he didn't trust them not to just drop in. He nodded along as she mentioned the bookstore, and gave her a smile. Of course he would take her there, he knew she would love it.

"Ah, let's go to the left towards the bakery first. And then we can swing by the bookstore and maybe get lost in there?" he suggested, placing a hand on her back to turn her lightly before he put his hand back in hers. "I was also wondering if you'd like a key to my place. Thought it would be nice."

[Charlotte Fudge]

Collecting her things and hearing his amusement at her reference made the girl grin; this had to be one of her favorite aspects of their relationship - she could tease and joke and he could do the same. It was probably a given for most, but it usually took some doing to get this Gryffindor out of her shell, and Remus simply allowed that part of her to be free. "Glad to hear it - you should feel safe here, not worrying about the unknowable plots of a rogue snargaluff," she teased from the kitchen before meeting him at the door.

She watched Remus as he took a look about, determining their course, and was again struck by how lucky she was to have this particular young man in her life. Not only was he understanding and kind - but as Alex would say, he was easy on the eyes. Her attraction to him was undeniable, although she had a difficult time expressing it, and as he gently guided her to the right direction, suggesting that they get lost in the bookstore together, Char felt even more of...that. In some moments he just felt tailor-made for her, and she wished she could just say it. That she loved him. She knew she did - what else could explain her feelings for him? - and they had overcome so much together, but something was holding her back. He'd done nothing to cause her doubt or anything of the sort, and she felt that he was in the same place as her - but it was just...a big truth to speak. Charlotte didn't think he wouldn't return the sentiment, but if - when - the words were exchanged that would change their relationship, wouldn't it?

They were already officially together, but the words would solidify them as a pair.

The words would make them more serious.

They were already committed to each other, and she didn't see their end, but what came after the words was uncharted territory. Then again, everything with Remus had been. Saying the words was a step in their progression, and they would take it...together. One of these days. When one of them gathered up the courage?

She squeezed his hand after he'd taken hers again, laying her other hand on his forearm, moving closer to him as they walked. "I'd love to," she said with a smile up at him, testing out using the word in conversation with him. But as Remus continued, those feelings within her swelled, because he wanted her to have a key. Her surprise at that surely showed, and she tried to process this as quickly as possible. She wanted to shout out a yes - but she wasn't prone to shouting or impulsive agreement. This seemed so adult to the girl - as she was still a student, having a place of her own to give out keys to seemed so far in the future - but she had always been told she was mature for her age, and...where was the harm in accepting the gesture?

"You're right - that would be nice. More than nice," she said, unable to keep her happiness from showing, and not wanting to try. Remus had already extended the invitation to her to come by whenever she liked, but now she'd have her own means - the trust in her he was showing just made her heart sing, and as they walked she popped up on her toes to kiss his cheek, more excited than nervous to move forward, step-by-step.

[Remus Lupin]

Remus wondered briefly, while they were leaving the apartment, if he could get away with have a snargaluff in his flat. Of course, the thought didn't last long as he wasn't even sure if he was going to be able to take care of a muggle plant. All they required was water and sunshine, so it shouldn't be too difficult? He made a mental note to write down an actual note for himself to make sure he didn't forget to water the plant, and watched Charlotte out of the corner of his eye as they walked. He was incredibly lucky, to be walking down the street with such a pretty girl on his arm. This was a life he had never seen for himself, something he had always assumed he would never have. A girlfriend who wanted to spend time with him. A girl that he could let himself fall in love with.

It doesn't matter.

Remus ignored the voice in his mind, trying to block it out. He hadn't told Charlotte how he felt, it was something he was putting off. It wasn't fair to her, for him to say things like that. Not when she would have to make such a huge sacrifice to stay with him when she found out what he really was. He knew she wouldn't hate him, the words she had said on their first date about lycans had stuck with him. She believed he was a person, that he deserved to live. But that didn't mean she wanted to date one, or eventually marry one. And it was all Remus wanted. He saw his future when he looked at her, he didn't know how he would live without her in it. But telling her that? No, he wasn't taking that step yet.

He returned the squeeze of her hand, smiling down at her as she answered his question. She had said she would love to, which made Remus' stomach positively flutter around. There was agreeing to do things, but loving the idea of doing something with him? She was driving him mad in the best way and she had no idea. So he gave her hand another squeeze, using his other hand to brush her fingers that were on his forearm as they walked. "Well then I'll stop by tomorrow and get a key made for you. Would you like me to mail it to you, or do you want to get it next time you come by?"

He stopped shortly after, letting go of her hand so he could open the door to the bakery for her, "After you beautiful."

[Charlotte Fudge]

The young woman was still struck by how quickly she could make him so happy. It seemed that whenever she agreed to something - that first date (which she hadn't even realized was such), accompaniments to Hogsmeade, or this key - Remus would simply glow. He never seemed completely sure she'd accept his offers, which made that happiness one of relief as well, but she felt a bit poorly about that. What sort of girlfriend wasn't able to properly reassure the boy she so cared for? Char didn't want him to worry about how he stood with her, worry that there was someplace she'd rather be. She was at her happiest with him, simply put, and she would have to do a better job of showing him.

"I can get it the next time I'm by," she replied, giving him a grin, chuckling lightly as she continued. "Seeing as that'll be...tomorrow."

Charlotte had meant what she'd said earlier - he was going to get sick of her with the amount of time she was planning to spend at his flat. She should probably think about getting a job or something to also occupy her time, but until then she had no plans but to see him as much as she could.

She smiled up at him as he got the door for her, giving her a compliment as if it was the simplest of things to do, and her smile only broadened as she took in the sights and smells of the quaint family bakery. They were greeted by a cheerful man behind the counter, and Char took Remus' hand once he'd followed her in: she led him to the glass-fronted case to look while they waited for the man to finish up with his current customer. Char was eager to see what beautiful treats could be made without a touch of magic, and what she was seeing was quite extraordinary. "With no elves or anything," she said under her breath, shooting him a grin. Muggles really didn't get enough credit. "What looks good?"

(Ooc: I apologize for any errors, on my phone haha. Needed some happy Charmus because damn that Hogsmeade thread xD)

[Remus Lupin]

Remus couldn't have asked for a better day. He was constantly afraid of screwing things up, even when the voice in the back of his head told him to relax. She hadn't ever expressed any displeasure at his company, so he wasn't sure why he was so nervous about spending time with her and screwing things up. He always felt like she had better things to do, but if that was really the case he was sure that she would tell him. They didn't keep things from each other. At least, he tried not to. He would somehow find a way to tell her about himself, but he wanted to ask his friends for advice. He was sure the boys would agree that she should know, but he was interested in seeing what they all suggested. After all, it was a deliciate situation. He had told Lily this past year, but she and him had been friends for a long time. He had also told her in hopes that it would make her think fondly of James, due to the situation. He liked to assume that it had worked, seeing as the two were going to be getting married.

And then there was Peter and Daisy. They had been his biggest supporters when he had realized that he liked Charlotte. The two of them were perfect together, and they had teamed up to give him better advice on how to proceed when asking Charlotte out. However, Daisy didn't know of his condition. While he had nothing against the girl, they weren't super close. Peter and Daisy mostly spent their time together cuddling and alone, so while he considered her a little sister, it was a different situation entirely.

He gave her a grin when she mentioned that she would be by tomorrow as well. He bent his head down to give her head a kiss, unable to stop his grin from staying on his face. If she wanted to come over every day, he didn't think he would be upset. Of course, when it came closer to that time of the month, he would have to come up with some excuse as to why she couldn't be around. He wasn't ready to handle a full moon day around her just yet. It would be simple enough, she didn't know when the Order would need him to be doing things and he could simply tell her that he had business to do with them. Still, he was pleased that he would get to see her again so soon. "Well then if you want we can make another adventure out of it. Maybe pick out some other things to make the place seem more lived in as well. Like throw pillows."

As he walked into the bakery, he followed her closely, resting his hand against her back as they walked up to the counter. He nodded to the man who greeted them, trying not to laugh as Charlotte looked at the treats. When she mentioned that they didn't use elves, he had to cover his mouth with his other hand, faking a cough. He supposed she was probably used to house elves at home, but he hadn't really ever considered it. She wasn't like other purebloods, he often didn't remember the status of family she came from.

"Well, I personally love biscuits, they have ones with little chocolate pieces in the center. And we both know how I feel about chocolate," he shot her a smile, knowing she had quickly learned about his obsession with the sweet treat. "Those strawberry cupcakes look appetizing though. It's really up to you."

He looked up as the man from earlier approached them, giving them a smile. "What can I get for you two lovebirds this morning?" Remus gave Charlotte a nudge, content on letting her order for the both of him. Partially because he couldn't make up his mind, and he didn't trust himself to over do it.

[Charlotte Fudge]

Remus wanted her input on how to make his flat more homey? That thought, as well as the kiss he gave her, looking so pleased, sent pleasant tingle down her spine - sure, it was probably natural for a bloke to want help with decorating, but him wanting her to be a part of it, part of making his flat a place that he not only slept at, but a place that was home, was just making her...feel. "That'd be grand," Charlotte agreed, rather excited to see what he wanted to make of the space now that he had total freedom. "No more forced red-and-gold," she said with a slight tease, continuing with curiosity, "what do you think you want to do?"

He was always so endearingly attentive, and now that they were outside of Hogwarts, Char was finding herself a lot more comfortable with the affectionate touch he liked to maintain. It was so sweet, and she did enjoy the kindness shown in those simple acts. But she raised her brows in surprise as her boyfriend let out that sound at her comment, nearly dissolving into giggles herself as she realized he was struggling not to laugh. She hadn't meant to be funny, but she did like that he found her so - most people if they thought of her, she supposed, would think of the Gryffindor with the study habits of a Ravenclaw, but Remus...he just saw her, let so much of her out, in a way that was special.

She looked up at him as he answered her question about the treats, grinning at his mention of chocolate - such a weakness of his, precious human - and before she could ask why she was being put in charge - did he not want to choose? - the shopkeeper was approaching them. Her cheeks tinged pink as he called them lovebirds, not used to such presumption from strangers, but it...was rather nice to be identified as such, truth be told. Remus gave her a light nudge and she rose up to take another look before committing. "A chocolate biscuit and a blueberry pastry, please!"