Letting It Out - 16 December '78 - Charlotte

[Charlotte Fudge]

This would be a whole lot simpler if she could figure out what she was doing, or knew what she wanted out of this. Never having allowed herself to be free like this, though, Char wasn’t sure about any of what was happening. She trusted her boyfriend, of course, so knew he wouldn’t do anything that would make her uncomfortable - but what even was that point? And what would be his own level of too much? She had no idea! As his hands gently worked up her back, she kissed him with more fervor, liking how it felt to be touched; but as he paused, Char didn’t know what would come next, either what was "supposed" to or what should, for them. Because this was feeling good and she hoped he was getting the same, but...

Not having pictured herself finding a bloke who’d want her in this way was proving detrimental. She wasn’t a girl who’d fantasized about this sort of thing, and didn’t know what to do.

But - but he loved her, and she him, so - whatever uncertainty they had, they’d be fine -

So she pulled back a touch, chuckling lightly as she buried her face into his shoulder, arms comfortably loose around him. "Don’t know what I’m doing either," was the girl’s muffled acknowledgement of this could-be-awkward moment. "Can always interrogate you more, if you prefer," Charlotte continued, half teasing as she moved on his lap to face him again.

[Remus Lupin]

His hands trailed up her back, and judging by her reaction it had been the right thing to do. It felt nice, holding her like this. And his body was certainly willing to react as they shared heated kisses. But there had to be a cut off - an area they both agreed to not go. And they hadn't actually ever discussed that, the thought of doing anything without clothing a far thought in Remus' mind. He didn't want to push anything too far and upset her, not when they were having such a happy moment.

You are overthinking things. She would tell you to stop before she ever let anything go further than she wanted.

He gave a short chuckle as she pulled back and nestled into his shoulder, her words soothing his troubled mind. At least he wasn't the only one who was questioning things in this situation. He gave her a smile as she sat back up, shaking his head at her tease. "Well that decision is yours really. I'm willing to answer any question you have..." He paused, trying to figure out how awkward his next statement was going to be. "My only question is how far do you want to go with...this."

[Charlotte Fudge]

So far, this day had been a veritable book of emotions. From the initial nerves at the knowledge she held - knowledge that had made Char so certain about the path she wanted in this life (which was a terrifying thing in and of itself to know at eighteen, her heart and mind wrangling for dominance because it was silly to think she knew what she wanted out of life when she'd experienced so little of it, but she couldn't imagine giving herself, spending her life, with anyone other than Remus) - to the satisfying-if-teary point of no return they had reached together, his admission and her acceptance bringing them closer, seemingly linking them together in a powerful way. His self-hatred, so evident as he revealed the secret he'd worked so hard to keep, dissipating in the face of her own revelation, bringing them to a point of mutual relief. The odd mix of jealousy and bitterness she'd felt in learning who had already known of his condition, and in their knowing and her not, realizing that the group, many of whom she was happy to call her friends, had been keeping his secret from her just as he had. (This was, of course, to respect his privacy, as it was his secret to share when he was ready, but it had still been unnerving to find out she was one of the last to know when she was farther along than just contemplating a life with him.) But this was followed by such gratefulness as he volunteered parts of his story, beginning to fill in the gaps in what she knew and so wanted to know. All of these feelings had culminated in producing this undeniably passionate round of kissing, which it appeared neither was well equipped for. Their laughter at themselves now, though, was somehow settling to the girl, and Charlotte easily returned his smile upon seeing it.

One emotion she had not yet felt today made its appearance at his question, however: embarrassment.

She hoped Remus wouldn't misunderstand the shift in her smile and look, the rise of color in her winter-pale cheeks - it was a good question, and a necessary one, but one they hadn't thought to address before, but it was still awkward for her to speak about. They hadn't been so - erm - physically expressive of their affections until this point, so there hadn't really been a need to talk about it. Charlotte had wondered what his feelings were about this sort of thing - he'd spent his teenage years living with "the boys," after all, who she had learned were quite openly vocal about their experiences, just as the girls in her dorm were. There had never been any sort of pressure upon her to decide this, though - they'd kept things - well - tame. And perhaps overly so, Remus holding back because of that wild part of him she hadn't known about. It was obvious in his voice, when he'd first spoken about being a werewolf, that it was something he hated about himself. So it would make sense that he tried to subdue any sort of wolfish tendency - to not see himself become the Big Bad Wolf she'd read about in a muggle fairytale during her research.

But Remus could never turn violent with her - this Charlotte knew for certain. He would never let the wolf inside take over in that way - they argued, yes, and things could get rather heated, but what couple didn't voice disagreements?

So although she still had so many questions for him, they were questions that could wait. They could have a lifetime to be answered, after all. Above all, Charlotte was feeling whole here with him - their secrets out marked so much more than a conversation, but a commitment, and she didn't know if she was ready to take a leap in this part of the relationship, but...how much more ready can you be? You know you want a life with him, which sooner-or-later will mean...that...

She trusted him - and it was time he learned to trust himself.

"That's all I'm wondering from you now too," Char said steadily as she could as she returned her look to him, fingers idly playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. "I know we haven't ever much spoken about this sort of thing, but..." She worried at her lip, trying to figure out how to express herself properly, before pushing back her nerves to say, "I love you, Remus. And I'm ready for whatever you are. And I know that's not very helpful - sorry - " She laughed out of the awkwardness of the unfamiliarity of discussing this before continuing sincerely, "But I mean it. No need to hold yourself back with me, all right?" The usually subdued courage that had landed her in Gryffindor was coming out as the girl removed her arms from around him to free them to...remove her sweater. Heart leaping in her chest, she kept her eyes on his to gauge his reaction - first time she'd been in front of a bloke without her shirt, after all, and sure he'd always called her beautiful but this was unnerving and she hoped he'd just kiss her quickly, as she felt her courage fading the longer she was there vulnerable before him.

[Remus Lupin]

The first time they fought - really fought - had been because of his secret. And Peter had told him then that he needed to tell her. That if he didn't want to lose her, that he had to share his secret. And while Remus had agreed, he hadn't exactly listed to his mates advice. At least none then. Nudges to tell Charlotte sooner rather than later had been ignored, empty promises that he would tell his girlfriend of his troubles spilling out of his mouth. He'd probably get smacked upside the head once he told his friends that he had finally told Charlotte the truth about everything. A smack that he rather deserved, considering how much he had doubted her. It was absolutely ridiculous, now that the secret had been shared. How could he have not trusted her? He knew she would never tell another soul - it wasn't as if that was his concern. But he had convinced himself that she would be disgusted with him, that she would leave and never look back.

Charlotte wasn't that kind of person. She never had been. And Remus was quite disappointed in himself for even thinking that sort of thing. She had always accepted who he was, this was no different. And he felt better with the truth off his chest, like he could finally allow himself to be around her without worrying over every small thing. Sure, he was still worried. He never wanted to hurt her, and it'd taken him a while to learn his own strength when it came to rough housing with the guys. So he had always been gentle with her, but they were approaching a new territory that he had never experienced and not knowing how to deal with that was bizarre.

Charlotte was blushing at his question, and he felt bad for making her uncomfortable. But he wanted to know her boundaries, it was important. She was his everything and if he jeopardized that it any way he would be absolutely devastated. He leaned into her hand as she played with the hair on his neck, looking at her patiently as he waited to see what she wanted. Her answer made him smile - it was helpful to know that they were at least on the same page - but he was still unsure about letting himself act on urges that he generally suppressed. He had no way to know if it was him or the wolf, he'd never done anything with anyone before.

But it was his turn to blush, as Charlotte removed her sweater in one quick motion. Sure he'd considered what this would be like, although it had taken a while for him to even allow his brain to wander in that sort of direction. And sure, he'd been given the talk by his mother (and his mates of course, which had been incredibly embarrassing although admittedly would probably help in this situation), but his mind was prepared for how absolutely stunning his girlfriend was.

He took a moment to let his eyes wander, aware that he was probably turning as red as a radish. "You're so beautiful," he murmured as his gaze shifted back to her eyes. Leaning forward, he wrapped his arms around her and met her mouth with his, giving her slow gentle kisses. If this was what she wanted to try, he would try. But he wasn't going to not control himself. That was a ridiculous request on her part. Leaning back, he wiggled under her so he could pull his own shirt off his head, trying not to think too much of the situation. He'd never let her see him like this before, even though she'd practically lived with him over the summer.

Scars lining his arms, his chest and back. The initial mark, the bite of the wolf forever imprinted in his side. He felt very exposed, but it was only fair. She would accept him, that much he was sure of now. Pulling her closer to him, he let himself try something new, and kissed down her neck to her collarbone, stopping to see how she would react.

[Charlotte Fudge]

Thankfully, thankfully, they seemed to be on the same page once again, Char felt as Remus began to smile at her words. It would now be difficult to be out of sync, Char thought happily, since his secret was out, and she doubted there was anything else he'd think to hide from her, or she from him. However - being on the same page didn't mean there were no surprises left, which she found as she dug up the courage to take off her sweater, letting it fall to the floor behind her with a soft thud. Beyond the sudden chill, it felt strange to be half undressed around him, and definitely something she'd need practice at to get used to - it wasn't uncomfortable, per se, but different. Definitely different. As was the look he was giving her.

Her eyes dropped down at the rise in color on his cheeks, as his surveyed her, the moments not ticking but sluggishly dragging by until -

She quickly met his eyes in relief after his tender whisper-soft words, her mouth twitching with the inkling of a smile, but she hadn't a moment to think before his arms were firmly around her once more, his mouth catching hers. Their kisses had changed into something just as strong and emotion-filled as before, but they were deep and gentle, stirring something within Charlotte to more than make up for her slight chill. Remus leaned back slowly, bringing her with him, attached as they were, and was letting go of her - to -

Char inhaled breathily in the absence of a kiss, tucking her loose long hair behind her ears as she tried to process everything. The sight of him, the feel of him, his own nervous eyes. She'd always known Remus was strong, loose cardigans not fully hiding the tautness of his arms, but even in the summer he'd stayed mostly covered up, leaving things - when her mind wandered - to her imagination. But now Char felt she knew why - ragged scars tore shadows in his flesh, she could feel their ridges on his shoulders underneath her bare arms just as clearly as his muscles. There was suddenly heat everywhere their skin touched, increasing exponentially as he gently pulled her closer to him, leaving a trail of embers down her neck as he kissed her. He was distracting further questions at this - were his scars all self made from when he was a wolf? how could he hurt himself so much during that time? - which she was, in the moment, perfectly content with waiting for answers to, instead breathing in and sitting taller to get closer to him, make his kisses easier. Her fingers lightly explored the line of his shoulders and back, tracing scars as they happened upon them, some coming in the singular and others as part of a four-mark set. So much of the story of him could be read in these scars, but Charlotte knew they were only part of his make-up.

Yes - her Remus was a werewolf, and that impacted his life in more ways than she could ever properly know. But he was also an avid scholar, a commendable fighter, a fantastic tea maker, a patterned sock enthusiast, and a complex and lovable man that she did, indeed, love very much.

He paused with some uncertainty, embers still sparking on the soft skin of her neck and chest, and she gave a small smile. "It's good, love," Charlotte quietly encouraged, glad that he had some idea of what to do because she was at a loss.

[Remus Lupin]

No amount of conversations or books on this sort of subject could have prepared him for how absolutely breathtaking Charlotte was, and how much his heart absolutely swelled with her in his arms. He remembered how they had bickered about his use of the word perfect when it came to her - but she truly was. There was nothing about her that wasn't amazing, and he didn't know how to express that. This was a new experience for both, a new territory that they could explore together. A new first that would probably involve awkward kisses and a lot of clumsiness - but it was their moment. And only theirs.

He was used to his friends seeing his scars, no words ever being spoke about them since second year when they had figured out the truth. And so he hadn't given her time for questions, instead letting his mouth explore the soft skin of her neck and collarbone. But he felt her hands slowly wandering, tracing over old scars on his body. Fingers feeling scars that were obviously teeth marks. Her hands were warm, and it felt nice. This level of intimacy that he had never prepared himself for.

Charlotte encourage him quietly, and he leaned back, running his hand along her cheek. He didn't want to admit that he was partially at a loss of how to proceed, not sure what would make her uncomfortable or be considered moving too fast. There were desires stirring in him that he had long ago put on the back burner. Even in the summer when they had grown closer and she'd slept over, he'd never let his brain wander too far. "I love you," he finally whispered quietly.

Pulling her into another kiss, he picked her up gently, moving so that was beneath him on the couch. Stop thinking so much Remus. Logic trying to fight emotions, a battle that he had always been dealing with. But he needed to let himself just be, trust her words that she wanted this from him. And so he let himself relax, slowing trailing kisses down her body from her neck.

[Charlotte Fudge]

Some time later as their kisses slowed, Charlotte smiled against him, wrapping her feet around one of his ankles playfully. What is this day? she wondered, perplexed at how she'd found herself here, closer than she'd ever been with her boyfriend, when she'd woken up in her dorm at Hogwarts. She'd come to his place with such trepidation, knowing the difficult conversation they needed to have, but so unsure of how to broach the subject. And then Remus had shared his secret, unprompted, opening up to her as he never yet had, reassuring her that this was the right path for her, for them. Continuing that reassurance was this equally unexpected - for lack of better phraseology - snog fest.

And sure, for some, it would likely have been termed a mite awkward at points. But seeing as this was each's first experience of the like? Expressing themselves and their feelings like this, being open with someone they trusted and cherished? Learning about each other in this way? It was intimacy in a way she hadn't thought she'd find, and it was a beautiful thing to have found in him. Now how do we go on from here? She rose up to give him one more kiss for now, unable to stop smiling as she played with the hair at the back of his neck. "We should probably get up at some point," she whispered with a quiet laugh. In the shifting about that followed, Char took up her sweater from the floor, pulling it back over herself, needing it again with the lack of his warmth. Looking at the window to fix her mussed hair, she was surprised to find it so dark outside. Had they really been at each other for so long? The thought brought renewed color to her cheeks as she turned to face him again, unsure of how to go back to normal after being with him like that. "I think I'll unpack and then help you out with dinner, okay?" she said, giving him a smile on her way to lug her suitcase into his room. Our room? Oh, stop it, don't get ahead of yourself here. The little space and time gave her a few most-needed moments to process what'd happened - yes, yes, fine, she had to snap herself out of recent distracting memories a few times - and fix herself up properly. She didn't have that much to unpack, in all honesty - she'd only be with him for a few days, so her clothes could just stay in her suitcase, but there was something heartwarming about seeing a few of her odds and ends mixed in with his on the dresser.

On her way out, she pulled on another layer, and impulsively slid one of Remus' button-up sweaters on instead of digging through her things for something of her own. The sleeves were much too long, the hem of it well below her hips, but it was warm and smelled of him, and Char didn't think he'd mind. She was still rolling the sleeves, trying to get them to stay at her wrists, as she entered the kitchen. "Hope you don't mind - got a little chilly," she said by way of explanation, shooting him a smile. "What can I do to help?"

[Remus Lupin]

Today marked a significant change in their relationship. Remus had been sure the day of James and Lily's wedding that there was no way he could ever love Charlotte more than he did in that moment. But here on the couch, with her close to him, he knew that was wrong. Because she accepted him for who he was - and he hadn't even thought of that back then. He grew to love her more every day. And while he wasn't sure what to really call the experience they had just shared - an experience that would surely be discussed by him and his mates - he was glad they had crossed a wall they had both put up.

He smiled into the kiss Charlotte gave him, rubbing his hand across her back as she lad back down for a brief moment. He gave a sigh as she mentioned that they should get up and he nodded, shifting about so that they could both sit up probably. He watched with a silly grin as she pulled her sweater back over, a bit sad but understanding as the cool air hit his skin. Was his place always this cold? Perhaps he would need to adjust the temperature to something not so chilly. He watched as she headed into his room, the grin returning to his face for a few moments before he pulled himself together.

He tossed his shirt from the floor to the back of the couch before heading into the kitchen, starting the kettle. He hadn't really figured out what to make for dinner and his cooking skills had hardly improved since summer. Fiddling about and looking through his cabinets, he couldn't help his smile as she walked into the kitchen. "It suites you better than it suites me," he said with a chuckle as he walked over to help her with the sleeves. "Kettle should be warm enough for tea soon. I was thinking grilled cheese and soup, since I'm still not an excellent chef."

[Charlotte Fudge]

Remus came over to her, all sweetness and smiles and shirtlessness, and helped secure the sleeves at her wrists. Char swallowed thickly, trying to keep her mind on what he was saying and not the fact that, with this proximity, she could feel that heat from before filling the little distance between them. It wasn't that she hadn't noticed her boyfriend was a good looking bloke before - she'd have had to lost literally all of her senses for that. But things had...shifted. Back there. On the couch. To make her all the more well aware. And bringing thoughts that she wasn't used to hiding. She couldn't stop her blush at the thoughts she was having about not having dinner, and looked up at him with a smile and a shrug at his remark.

"Still better than me, and come on now, how long have I been gone? Grilled cheese and soup is just perfect for me," she affirmed. Char had gained what little cooking experience she had during their summer months together, where soup and tea and perhaps a sandwich was standard and doable fare. Interestingly, things were done mainly in the muggle way here - Remus' mum was a muggle, so it shouldn't have surprised her that that was the way he knew how to cook, but it had been something to wrap her mind around last June. Giving his bare arm a pat, she moved around him to gather materials for their sandwiches, happy that her memory was serving her well and that he hadn't moved things about on her that terribly much. Not that he couldn't - you don't live here. As she prepared their sandwiches, Char broke the comfortable lull. She had endless questions about what they'd begun the night speaking of, but there was something else on her mind. They would be spending Christmas festivities with both of their families, and now that his secret was out, worries she'd suppressed about this...were cropping up. "So, I'm assuming that - no matter how much we like this - it won't be grilled cheese and soup with your mum and dad?"

[Remus Lupin]

The blush that formed on Charlotte's face as he rolled up her sleeves was adorable, and just looking down at her in his clothes with that look on her face was enough for him to want to forget about dinner and continue what they had going on earlier. But a familiar pang at his stomach brought him back to reality, and he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly as he smiled at her. There would be plenty more experiences like that, he was sure of it. For now, he needed to keep his head together and make sure they both ate dinner.

Her affirmation of his cooking abilities was reassuring, and he watched her move about the kitchen. She was so familiar here, it was almost easier for him to think of his flat as their flat. He'd made sure that everything she might even need was within her reach, keeping less used things on the higher shelves. Giving a content sigh, he moved to find a pot and open the soup, letting it warm up on the stove as he busied himself with making tea.

"Well, my mum does like the basics, but I'm sure she has a much more elaborate Christmas dinner in mind," he answered with a smirk. His mother was an excellent cook, and always made the best things. He was almost positive that she was secretly happy he hadn't learned to make any proper food yet because he still went to visit her for dinner fairly often. "Besides, if you taste my mum's grilled cheese and soup you wouldn't want to eat my cooking anymore."

[Charlotte Fudge]

She turned to listen when he spoke, because Charlotte simply loved when Remus spoke about his mum - not that it was rare for him to sound happy, but he got so warm, and she was just such a light in his life that it was reassuring in a way that Hope wasn't the one with a recurring...affliction? Back when they were young at school, Rufus had told her about this roommate of his who had a sick mother, always running off to see her, even missing classes sometimes to do so. She'd recalled that little piece of information when putting her theory together - not that it was better for Remus to be the one suffering, but...

At least his mum is safe.

"I promise I'll still like your cooking," Charlotte said with a smile, going back to her dinner duties. She rose up to grab a pan from above the stove, rather contentedly hip-to-hip with the bloke she loved. "Any words to the wise, though? About meeting them?" Casual, Charlotte. The girl started heating up the sandwiches, having sounded ever so nonchalant about this line of questioning. But she couldn't help her concern! She wasn't exactly a people person, and she'd never met a boyfriend's parents before - had never had a boyfriend before! She was trying to not be such a blind people pleaser anymore - Rufus had taken advantage of that part of her for too long - but she needed Remus' folks to like her. They were both important to him, even though she couldn't rightly say he was fond of his father. There was history there she didn't yet know, but it was obvious to even a casual observer that he didn't hold the same affection for the Mr. as he did the Mrs. And she was no casual observer. Admittedly, she was worried about taking Remus to her home as well - the Fudges were disappointed in her choice even though they didn't know Remus. They had written the relationship off as something that wouldn't last, wouldn't dare last - but she couldn't bring herself to not try forming connections...

(ooc: also this last sequence of gifs was just hilarious to me and this happened)

[Remus Lupin]

Charlotte was going to love his mum, and his mum was going to love her. There was no doubt in his mind about that. It had been hard to lie to his mother, to tell her that Charlotte had known about his secret before this point. But he hadn't wanted his parents to worry, to think that he was keeping something like that from the girl he planned to spend the rest of his life with. There could be no secrets between them, it was simply how it had to be. But really and truly accepting that fact had been a lot harder than he had played it off to both of his parents.

He glanced over at her as she busied herself with the pan on the stove, smiling at response. That was good to know, because his cooking was absolute crap compared to his mothers. He had meant to learn, at some point. It had just sort of slipped his mind. "Well, as for things not to talk about...let's just say my furry little problem is a sensitive topic for both of them. So if we could just avoid that..." he trailed off. Not only did he want his parents finding out he had only just told Charlotte, but he didn't want her finding out they had thought she had known for a while. Not to mention the guilt that still hung over his father's head about he whole situation. "But they are going to like you, I promise. You don't have anything to worry about."

He leaned over to place a kiss on her forehead, watching her skillfully flip sandwiches over. Spending time with her like this was so simple, so perfect. Why had he ever thought it could ever be anything different between them than this? "Oh, and maybe don't mention that this is the only thing I've learned how to cook. For my sanity."

[Charlotte Fudge]

She looked up at him with more nerves than she would admit as she waited for his response. This just - it needed to go well! If she couldn't gain the approval of his parents, that would make things much more difficult for them, wouldn't it? You're just projecting - you don't know these people! But if it goes poorly at yours...it'll definitely make things much more difficult. Because Charlotte knew that she was currently disappointing her family. True, they'd stopped forcing her to come to events where she would just sit on her own, silently, anyway, but she was still a Fudge, and there were expectations. And as with nearly every pureblooded family, there were eyes on all members, and her public relationship with a "halfblood" would hardly help her family look good within particular circles. Not that her family was in those circles - but -

Navigating their world was no easy feat. There were maps, of course, showing particular courses to take, and the possible outcomes depending on which way the war went. On the course she was currently on, the one with Remus, who she now knew was a werewolf on top of not being pureblooded...the course was not a straightforward one with any wartime result, and there were uncharted waters of the here, there be dragons variety. If word ever got out about his condition, innumerably many more paths would be blocked to the two of them than opened...

There were other courses she could take. She could go at the world alone, or relent and agree to have a quiet little life with a nice enough boy of her "status." That would be the safer route in many ways, and Charlotte wouldn't deny it if asked. But when she looked at her life thus far, she had most often taken the safer route. Listen to your brother, even if you disagree, and don't disturb the waters. But since she had begun going against the current that had been dragging her along?

Yes, there had been danger. The Potter wedding was proof enough of that. But her life had never been so full of everything good as it was now.

And Remus' love for her was integral to that.

So as he reassured her, giving some guidance - Furry little problem? That's what you call it?...Merlin, I love you. - and an affectionate kiss on the forehead, Charlotte decided to trust him. To trust in them. His family would like her, and if hers didn't return the favor...this is worth the rougher course. "Thanks, love," she said quietly, giving him a tender smile before tending to their dinner. The sandwiches were quickly browning, and a peek into the soup pot showed bubbling progress there as well. But she had to laugh at his next, because - "Maybe that can be a goal of ours," she said, grinning, "to know two grilled sandwich recipes by June." The girl turned off the burner and, after a moment of remembering, found plates and bowls for them, soon slicing up the sandwiches and laying them out.

[Remus Lupin]

There was no doubt in Remus' mind that the two of them could make it through dinner with his parents. He was far more concerned about making it through dinner with her family, a fact he wasn't quite willing to admit. He could ask her for advice, but there was really nothing he could do. He wasn't pureblood, his family wasn't well off. Sure, dropping his father's name would earn him a few points, but everyone knew Lyall had married a muggle woman. And while his father had made a lot of good discoveries, it wasn't a job that had them rolling in a ton of money.

His father's job was more a hobby, at least in the wizarding community. And so he would have to hope that Charlotte's parents could see how much he loved her, and that it would be enough. Because he wasn't about to give up this woman, not anytime ever if he could help it.

He watched as she finished fixing their dinner, a small smile on his face. One day this would simply be their life, the two of them in the kitchen. Hopefully in a house, if he could save enough money for that. He'd ask his father for help...perhaps. But for now, he needed to focus on the moment, and the fact that Charlotte was talking to him. "Two grilled cheese recipes? Oy, I really think that's asking a lot of me. But I'll see what I can do," he answered with a laugh as he picked up one of the plates and bowls from the counter.

[Charlotte Fudge]

"Oh come now, June is months away - where's that intrepid Gryffindor spirit?" Charlotte teased, giving him a look as she followed him to the small kitchen table with her dinner. As they settled in, her knees knocking into his under the table before they shifted about, talk turning to chatter about their friends and the books they were reading, Char was simply...happy. And happier than she had felt since summer, to be honest. Being away from him at Hogwarts, and arguing in some of the short times they'd gotten to spend together, it had been frustrating, and something that weighed on her as she went along her day-to-day life at school. That coupled with her investigation of his behavior and Daisy and Peter's relationship drama, Daisy's mother's death...so closely following the deaths of Dory and Charlus Potter...

It had been a rough term for all parties.

And perhaps it was just the impending holiday time putting a frost-like sparkling lens on it all, but Charlotte was happy. Optimistic. She and Remus had moved forward together today in more ways than one, which would help on so many accounts, including less arguing as now she knew when and why his moods shifted. She had a few more days here just with him before they moved forward again, meeting both of their families. Those meetings would go as well as they would go, and he'd eased most of her fears about meeting his parents. She'd do what she could for him before they went to hers, which would mainly involve reassurances of the our-opinions-about-us-are-more-valid-than-theirs variety....

If I can accept I'm linking my life to a werewolf's, we can survive these dinners. It was all perspective, wasn't it?