ENIGMA

ENIGMA

Chapter 5-Dreaming?

The next morning, they all headed back down to the Hall for breakfast.
Remus, James, Lily, (who oddly was getting along with James), Sirius and Michelle were sitting at the Gryffindor table helping themselves to crumpets and sausage.
Remus was quiet, his mind still on the dream he had last night.
Naturally he would never tell anyone about it.
He dreamed that he and Michelle had gone to the dance together. They were having a good time too. Then, they headed outside into the courtyard. It had begun snowing heavily, making a type of romantic atmosphere. Michelle had wrapped her arms around Remus and snuggled up against him. His chin resting on top of her head.
Then, Remus tilted her face up and began slowly lowering his face closer to hers. His lips just barely touched Michelle’s…
Then he was brought back to reality again as he remembered the dream in detail by Sirius waving a hand energetically in front of his face.
“Huh?” Remus said snapping out of his thoughts and looking at Sirius.
“You zoned out there, mate,” Sirius said with a grin. “Whatcha thinking about?”
“Oh,” Remus said taking a sip of his pumpkin juice. “Nothing really.”
Sirius eyed him suspiciously, but said nothing more.
Michelle gave Remus a smile before turning to Lily.
“You going to the Spring Dance?” she inquired curiously.
Lily took a bite of her crumpet. “Not sure,” she said frowning. “I’ve got no one to go with really. What about you?”
Before Michelle could reply, James interrupted them.
“I’d be glad to take you, Miss Evans,” he said in a gentleman-like tone, but Michelle knew deep down he was dying for her to say ‘Yes’.
Lily looked thoughtful.
“Okay, sure,” Lily said beaming.
Michelle looked at her startled. Lily hated James’ behavior and whatnot. Why was she suddenly going to the dance with him?
James was positively beside himself as he and Sirius began whispering among themselves.
Michelle got her answer from Lily directly.
“I saw how he apologized to you for tormenting you,” Lily said. “And I decided to give him a shot, although I don’t approve of him tormenting Severus.”
Michelle nodded in agreement.
She herself hadn’t asked anyone yet. She had really wanted to go with Remus, but he said he was too busy with work.
Michelle sighed.
She glanced up at Remus. He was talking with Peter now about Quidditch. A safe subject that didn’t require him to blush or get nervous at any point.
When breakfast was over, they headed to class.
En Route to History of Magic, David Owens was standing against the wall, talking to another Slytherin. As Michelle, Remus, James and Sirius passed him, he stuck his foot out and Michelle tripped over it, only to be caught by Remus.
Remus set Michelle back down on her feet.
“Owens you’re threading on thin ice mate,” James snarled at him. “I swear we’re gonna get you yet.”
David just laughed and headed off with his friend.
“You alright?” Sirius asked Michelle worriedly.
“Fine,” Michelle said smoothing out her uniform and robe. “But I swear I’m gonna put my foot so far up his ass that Madam Pomfrey won’t be able to remove it magically or surgically.”
Remus chuckled.

They continued to the classroom.

Professor Cairs wasn’t feeling well, so they ended up getting a free period. Severus came up to Michelle as they were sitting outside under a giant oak tree. The sunlight beamed down, reflecting in Michelle’s eyes making them seem golden amber. Remus watched the scene closely.
“Michelle?” Severus asked, suddenly seeming nervous. “I-I was wondering if you’d like to go with me to the dance?”
Remus was fighting the urge to just come out and say “She’s coming with me”.
Michelle smiled.
“That’s really sweet,” Michelle said softly. “I’d…”
But Remus suddenly came out with the reply, interrupting Michelle’s sentence.
“She’s actually going with me,” he said quickly, startled by his sudden boldness.
Michelle looked at him surprised. “I thought you had a lot of work to do?”
Remus shrugged. “I can put it off, right?”
Michelle grinned. “Right,”
She turned to Severus. “Sorry, Severus. That was really sweet of you to ask though,”
Severus gave James and Sirius a sneer before turning around and heading back to the castle.
Michelle had to admit, she was happy now that Remus finally spoke up.
“Whew,” James said. “For a moment there I thought you were going to say ‘yes’ to snake boy there.”
Sirius pretended to vomit. “Imagine he tried to kiss her?”
“EWWW,” James and Sirius howled in unison together then burst out laughing. Michelle frowned.
“What is wrong with someone trying to kiss me?” she asked annoyed.
“It’s not you we’re ‘ewing’ about, it’s the fact that you kissing Severus,” James elaborated. “We would feel bad that you would have to endure that kind of horrible torture.”
Remus just shook his head and pulled out a book from his bag and began reading it. His green eyes skimming over the paragraphs. He was really happy that he’d finally spoken up and was now taking Michelle to the dance.
When the free period was over, James, Sirius and Peter headed off to the castle, James and Sirius pretending to be Michelle and Severus. Peter was rolling hysterically at them as Remus and Michelle brought up the rear.
Remus cleared his throat nervously.
“Michelle, a-are you excited about going with me?” he asked becoming self conscious now.
After all, Michelle was still his best friend, but now that he had feelings toward her as more than a best friend, he was self conscious and extremely nervous about the whole idea. He scolded himself for speaking out and was slightly dreading the dance now mostly because of nerves.
“Sure,” Michelle beamed at him. “Why wouldn’t I be? I’m going with my best friend.”
She linked arms with him and gave his arm a gentle but affectionate squeeze as they walked.
Remus picked up the scent of her shampoo. It smelled like cherries and cream.
They continued on to the castle.

Over the next few weeks, the Slytherins had plaid pretty awful pranks on Michelle. James and Sirius were so angry that they pranked the Slytherin common room.
No matter how many times the students gave the password, and it was the right password, the entrance would open and just when they went to walk in, it would shut. This went on for about 2 hours before the Slytherin Head of House, Professor Dawes, came and un-jinxed the entrance.
James and Sirius were rolling at the looks on the Slytherins faces each time the entrance opened and then closed shut suddenly.
“That’ll teach them to mess with us,” James growled.
Michelle had no idea that the worst prank, was yet to come and it would come from someone close to her.

The night of the dance arrived. It was going to be held in the Great Hall, which was decorated with glitter, stars and confetti.
The girls were wearing Muggle dresses as Professor Dumbledore had allowed everyone to dress up in Muggle attire. Naturally, the Slytherins declined and wore their dress robes instead.
Michelle was wearing a light blue dress with spaghetti shoulder straps. Around the neckline and hem were small embroided flowers. Lily had used a spell to curl Michelle’s hair. She applied light pink eye shadow on her and clear lip gloss with a tint of pink.
“You look lovely,” Lily beamed.
She was wearing an ivory colored dress with small glittery stars on it. Her hair was elegantly pulled into a braid.
“And so do you,” Michelle said pleasantly back.
Once they were finished getting dressed, they headed into the common room where the boys were waiting dressed in tuxedos.
Michelle had to admit, James, Sirius and Remus looked extremely handsome in Muggle tuxedos.
“We look like penguins,” Sirius complained, looking over himself. “Do me a favor James? If I start waddling and wanting sardines…kill me with your wand eh?”
Michelle laughed.
“It’s not that bad,” she said. “You three look really handsome.”
Lily linked her arm with James and they left the common room. Sirius was going with a 6th year Ravenclaw girl named Elizabeth Hayes. He was going to meet her at the dance. Peter, oddly couldn’t get a date and Michelle felt sorry for him.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t want to come anyway?” Michelle asked him softly. “I’d save you a dance.”
“N-no,” Peter stammered quickly. “I think I’ll just stay here and study.”
Michelle shrugged her shoulder and linked her arm with Remus’. They began walking out of the common room.
“You look really lovely. Your hair is curly,” Remus said clearing his throat from nerves. He mentally smacked himself hoping Michelle wouldn’t think he was lame or anything.
Michelle laughed.
“Relax alright? I don’t bite,” she grinned. “And thank you.”
Remus relaxed, but slightly.

They entered the Great Hall. It was done so beautifully that Lily gasped in awe. Michelle had to admit, it looked wonderful.
Couples began arriving shortly and instead of the house tables, there were about 90 tables set up with about 3 couples to each table.
Lily, James, Michelle and Remus found a table and all sat down. Remus pulled the chair out for Michelle.
“Thank you,” she said warmly and sat down.
Remus sat down beside her. James took Remus’ initiative and did the same for Lily. Lily threw Michelle a surprised, but pleased look.
Remus then began remembering something Michelle had said when he had told her about his situation.
“I’m not okay with it, but I accept it because of who YOU are,” How could he tell Michelle how he felt about her if she wasn’t okay with him turning into a monster once a month? She’s probably repulsed deep down. She would and could never love me because of that. It wasn’t that he expected her to be okay with it, but now he began wondering if he’d made a big mistake asking her to come with him. Maybe she really wanted to go with Severus. At least Severus didn’t change into a monster monthly. Remus had seen the way he looked at her.
Remus felt an ache of disappointment in his throat.
James and Lily got up to go dance. Professor Dumbledore had stated that they’d dance a bit, eat, then more dancing till midnight.
Michelle looked at Remus. He looked deeply troubled and upset.
“Remus? What’s wrong?” she asked with concern turning to face him. She watched him intently.
“Nothing,” Remus replied swallowing, forcing down the ache, forcing his Adams apple to move up and down. “I’m just thinking of tests coming up for the end of the year.”
Michelle saw right through him.
“You’re lying,” she said softly. “Come on, talk to me. It’s me, Moony.”
She grabbed Remus’ hand and pulled him to his feet and out of the Hall, until they were outside. The sun was low, and the sky was pink, and cloudless. The evening sky looked so beautiful to Michelle that she had to smile.
Michelle turned to face Remus at this point, whose heart began hammering in his chest.
This is just like my dream! He thought nervously and swallowed again.
Michelle folded her arms over her chest and looked at him.
“What’s wrong?” she prodded gently. “I saw your look of ‘The World is Coming to an End’.”
Remus hesitated.
How can I tell her without telling her how I really feel? Remus wondered anxiously. Michelle was still watching him. Her hazel eyes looked almost chocolate in the evening light. Above them, a half moon tried to peer out behind the clouds and through the snow.
“I was just nervous that maybe you were having a lousy time with me,” Remus lied forcing his tone to be light and steady.
Michelle cocked an eyebrow up at him.
“I’m having a wonderful time, Remus,” she said. “Why on earth would you think I was having a lousy time?”
Remus stared at the ground and shuffled his feet. Using the tip of his black shoe, he brushed aside some dirt.
“Because I was thinking you probably wanted to go with Severus instead of me,” he said quietly, not meeting Michelle’s eyes.
“And why would I want to go with him instead of you?” Michelle asked. “He’s a friend yeah but not close like you and I are. I’d rather go with you any day.”
Remus couldn’t help but smile.
“Besides,” Michelle said in an even softer tone as she stepped closer to him. “We’re best friends. Who knows you better than me huh?”
To Remus’ pleasure and surprise, she stood even closer and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him against her in a tight embrace. She rested her cheek against his shoulder. A gust of wind blew Michelle’s hair back. Remus’ chin was resting on top of her head.
Remus’ arms slowly encircled Michelle and pulled her tighter against him.
“Yeah,” he said quietly. “Best friends.”
Michelle was dying to tell him how she really felt toward him, but she was scared and nervous. Little did she know Remus felt the same way and was just as scared and nervous as she was.
They stayed like that for a while. Michelle felt safe and secure in his arms. Like nothing bad would ever happen that moment.
Reluctantly, Michelle released Remus and stared up at him. Their faces were inches apart. Michelle could feel Remus’ soft breath on her. They just stared at each other for a few minutes before Remus cleared his throat.
“We’d best get back inside,” he said. “James and Lily are probably wondering where we went off to.”
“Good idea,” Michelle agreed and also cleared her throat.
They headed back into the castle.

A slow song was playing. James and Lily were already dancing, rotating on the spot. Remus and Michelle sat down.
“Do-do you wanna dance?” Remus asked turning to her feeling his cheeks flushing with color.
“Naw, let’s sit this one out,” Michelle said shaking her head.
“Okay,” Remus had to admit, he felt a rush of gratitude. After that moment outside, he