Charming a Phoenix

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Charming a Phoenix

Chapter 8 - Perspicacity

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“So. . . you’ll be teaching at the school with us?” Phoebe asked, looking over at Remus as they sat in the parlor together.

He smiled, his face appearing more youthful. “Yes, so it would seem.”

“You don’t want to teach?” Phoebe said surprised. “But you’re so good at it.”

“It is not a matter of whether ‘I’ wish to teach. I believe the parents of the students, will not take well to having me back at Hogwarts. The fact I am a werewolf is not a secret, not after it was printed in the Daily Prophet for all to read,” Remus said.

“Wouldn’t the parents be more concerned with their children receiving the best possible education in Defense Against the Dark Arts?” Phoebe said in all sincerity.

“One might think they would, but I fear that will not be the case.”

“Well honestly, Remus, are you going there to please the parents or are you going to help an entire generation of witches and wizards learn to protect themselves?” Phoebe said, giving him a challenging look. Remus reacted surprised, but pleased.

“You have a rather unique perspective,” he said with a shy smile. “What about your assignment?”

“I think it’s a great idea and hopefully something the other side won’t be prepared for.”

“But you will be instructing the students,” Remus said levelly.

“Yes.”

“They will not be the ones fighting, that is with the exception of Harry. It will be older wizards and witches who will do battle with the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord,” Remus said. Phoebe thought about this. He had a point.

“Do you think some of the Hogwart’s staff or Order members might want instruction?”

“Perhaps. I know I would like to see what you can do.”

Phoebe turned a slow broad smile to the man and she watched as color infused his cheeks. She thought it was adorable.

“I could start instructing you and Harry, while we’re here. If that wouldn’t interfere with the wand work we’re doing.”

“I believe with your new wands, the three of you will have no trouble picking up spells quickly. The trick will be remembering them.”

“I think we’ll have to work closely with the teacher,” Phoebe said, grinning at him. She was becoming more and more intrigued with Remus. He was soft spoken, intelligent and a powerful wizard. He had that look in his eye and demeanor, that told her great power lay under the mild exterior. A question suddenly popped into her head.

“I was just wondering. Has anyone seen you after you transform? I mean, you told us about the potion you take and I’d like to see what your wolf form looks like.”

The play of emotions on Remus’ face was not what she had expected. It was a mix of anger, embarrassment and pleasure.

“I do not think that would be a good idea,” he said with some finality, but she wasn’t letting him get away with it.

“And why is that?”

“You do not know what a full grown werewolf can do.”

“You don’t know what I can do. Besides, I have a wand now. I’m sure there’s a spell you could teach me in case of an emergency.”

Remus searched her eyes, his brow furrowed deeply. “Why do you want this?” he asked, turning his hands out to her in a helpless gesture.

“You intrigue me, I’d like to know more about you.”

Remus looked down at the rug for a long moment. With a sigh, his eyes returned to hers. “I shall teach you several spells and test your proficiency. If I believe you can handle yourself, then I shall consider it. But I will not allow you to see me during the change.” His face was set as he looked at her. She could see this was not a point he was willing to compromise on. She nodded her agreement and thanked him.

“I’d like to ask you something else, but I don’t want to upset you,” Phoebe said.

“You may ask. I cannot promise to answer.”

“Fair enough. Do you know why there’s so much animosity between Severus and Leo?” She could see him let out a sigh of relief.

“No, I do not. I never met or even heard of Leo Wyatt before all of you came here.”

“Oh. You said, you and Severus were in school together?”

“Yes,” he said cautiously.

“I take it you weren’t exactly friends.”

“No, we were not.” Remus clasped his hands again, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. “I had a few close friends in school and they . . . ridiculed Severus. I never joined them, but I never stopped them either.”

“So to him, you’re guilty by association.”

“Something of that sort. Severus is also the reason I had to resign from the prior teaching position, I held at Hogwarts. He released the information of my lycanthropy.”

“Ah, I see.”

“I do not blame Severus for his anger. James and Sirius were quite cruel to him, but it was such a long time ago and now . . . now they are both dead and still he holds a grudge.” Remus sighed deeply. “But enough about me. May I ask you a few questions?”

“Shoot.” At his startled look, Phoebe said quickly, “I mean, go ahead.”

“Where did you and your sisters receive your formal training in witchcraft?” Remus asked.

“In the school of hard knocks!” Phoebe said with a laugh.

“You mean . . . None of you have received any kind of formal training? Astounding!” he said, appearing impressed.

“We didn’t even get our powers, until a few years ago. Piper and I and Prue, that is. Paige has had her’s for about a year.”

“Frankly. . . I’m impressed,” Remus said, smiling at her. “May I ask a more personal question?”

“You may ask. I cannot promise to answer,” she said with a smirk, using his own words against him. He nodded his approval.

“How is it a beautiful witch, such as yourself, is not married?” His amber eyes were studying her intently.

Phoebe could feel her posture deflate. “Ah. . . I was . . . He’s dead.”

“I am sorry.”

“Don’t be. My sisters and I killed him . . . or vanquished him more like.”

“He was a demon?”

“He was part demon, but not when he was vanquished. It’s a very long and complicated story, I’d rather not get into,” Phoebe said, feeling uncomfortable as she always did, when the subject of Cole came up.

“Very well. Is there anyone in your life now?” he asked lightly, making her grin. Remus was soft spoken, but direct when he wanted to be.

“No, there isn’t.” Her words hung in the air, as an expectant silence passed between them.

“Well . . . I should go prepare lunch and clean the kitchen. Molly will have a fit, if she sees it as it is,” Remus said, standing with a smile.

“Could you use some help? I come packing my own wand now,” Phoebe said, standing also and patting her hip where her wand stuck out of her jeans. Remus nodded and placed a hand gently at the small of her back, guiding her to proceed him out of the parlor. The warmth of his hand sent tingles all the way to her toes. Very intriguing man, she thought again.


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Paige and Harry were lying together on Harry’s bed kissing. Paige was becoming lost between wanting to run from the room and ripping Harry’s clothes off. They had been alone for a little over half an hour and she knew she should leave. But before she left, she just wanted to touch his skin, feel his nicely muscled chest under her hand. Reaching down to grasp the bottom of his oversized tee shirt, her hand brushed over the bulge in his jeans, causing him to groan loudly into her mouth. He broke the kiss to look at her, his vivid green eyes full of need.

“Touch me . . . please,” Harry whimpered. She looked at him, unsure if she should do as he asked. Desperately wanting to touch him, just unsure if she should. “For Merlin’s sake, Paige. You aren’t forcing me. . . I’m begging you. Please,” Harry repeated the request again, as his hand went down and undid his jeans for her.

Paige kissed him again, as her hand made it’s way down his stomach and under the waistband of his boxers. Her hand encountered his hot and very hard, pulsing length. He groaned deeply, when her hand loosely encircled him. My goodness, she thought, that’s quite a nice package. He started to tug at his jeans, but she stopped him.

“Allow me,” Paige said, then placed her hand over his hips. “Jeans.”

His pants materialized in her hand and she threw them to the floor. Then his boxers went the same way.

“That’s a handy talent,” Harry said, but she noticed he was less sure of himself. She sat up on her elbow so she could see him. He still had his tee shirt on, but she let him keep it, to give him some cover. She remembered how hard it was to be completely bare in front of another person. He was beautiful. Not terribly long, but a nice thickness and just a smattering of fine black curls. Running her hand down, she cupped his tightening sac, massaging it gently.

“Paige?” His voice made her look into his face again. “How . . . Am I . . .um. . .?” Harry stuttered, while his face turned red. Her hand encircled him and stroked his shaft a few times.

“You’re very impressive, to tell the truth. Not that I’ve had a ‘lot’ of data points, but I think you’re the perfect size,” she said and he seemed pleased. She continued stroking him lightly, teasingly, letting him get used to the contact. He was moaning and thrusting himself into her hand, then he pulled her down into a heated kiss. As the kiss grew deeper and more passionate, her strokes became firmer and Harry’s breaths became more ragged. Breaking the kiss, Paige pulled up his shirt and ran her tongue across one of his nipples, making him gasp, his hips rising off the bed to press into her hand.

“Gods, yes,” Harry whispered. Since he seemed to like it, she did it again, only this time sucking on the nipple and nipping it with her teeth. He cried out loudly and she felt the telltale throbbing in his length. Pinching the wet nipple, she moved down and took the head of his shaft into her mouth, sucking on him and licking the tip. Gasping loudly, Harry threw his head back calling out her name and exploding in her mouth. She took all he had to offer, then licked his length clean, relishing the feel of him in her mouth.

Harry was still panting, when she moved back up to kiss him. She cuddled up next to him, as he put an arm around her.

“I’ve never felt anything like that. Thank you,” he said, drawing her down for a kiss. They rested quietly for a few minutes, then he pulled back looking at her seriously. “I don’t mean to seem presumptuous, but . . . will you show me . . . how to pleasure you?”

“Do you really want to?” Paige hadn’t expected him to be quite so willing, most young men his age would be thinking more of themselves. Then she chastised herself, since when does Harry not think of others needs?

“Yes, if you’ll let me,” Harry said, in his husky voice, while nuzzling her neck.

“What do you want to do?” Paige’s voice finally giving away her arousal.

Harry laid her back on the bed and looking into her eyes, ran his hand down between her thighs over her jeans. “I want to touch you. Can you take these off?”

Paige magically removed her pants, as she had his. She was beginning to tremble with excitement, looking into his eyes and seeing everything anew as he experienced it. His hand cupped her sex lovingly, while he bent his head to kiss her again, slowly and deeply, taking his time.

“You are so amazingly beautiful,” he said softly. He looked down her body, then put a hand to the buttons on her blouse. He looked back into her eyes for permission and she nodded. He then began unbuttoning her blouse, exposing her bare breasts. This was the first time she had let him see her breasts. She had allowed him to feel them, while still clothed, but hadn’t wanted to tempt either of them too much. . . before now.

Harry’s eyes danced over the sight of her bare flesh, then he lowered him head and planted soft kisses over each nipple. Opening his lips, he tentatively took the closest peak into his mouth, sucking on it gently. In her already aroused condition, Paige couldn’t help but whimper and writhe under his exploration. Her fingers ran through his hair, cupping his head and encouraging his actions. Harry’s hand moved down to cup her mound, running his fingers teasingly over the thin fabric covering her. Reaching a trembling hand down, she magically removed her panties to give him free access and so she could feel his warm fingers on her.

Raising his head, Harry looked at her pleadingly. “I really don’t know what to do. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Paige smiled at his concern. Guiding his middle finger into her folds, she showed him how to spread around the moisture he found there.

“You’re so wet,” he observed with some astonishment.

“You excite me, Harry,” she said, before pulling him down into a kiss. He groaned into the kiss and began running his finger lightly up and down her cleft. While sucking on his tongue, she guided his finger into her, pushing her hips up to meet him. He drew in his breath, when her inner muscles clenched his finger. Then he began moving it in and out of her slowly, her hips rising to meet his motion. Paige couldn’t believe how turned on she was. Her whole body was humming and tightening for her release. Stopping him for a moment, she tried to show him how to flick his thumb over her hardened nub, while still moving in and out of her, but he was having trouble coordinating. Instead of frustrating them both, she opted to have him add another finger and she stimulated herself, as he watched, fascinated. Watching the play of emotions on his face is what finally sent her over the edge, repeating his name over and over as her body arched off the bed.

Paige lay back finally, nearly incoherent. She could hear Harry’s ragged breaths next to her, as he lay down to hold her in his arms, his revitalized length nudging her hip. A smile crept to her lips, and she let out a satisfied sigh, knowing their relationship would be very different from now on.

“Harry?” a chipper voice called from somewhere on their floor. They both shot up quickly and looked at each other wide eyed.

“It’s Ron,” Harry whispered.

“Clothes,” Paige said and their clothes materialized in her hands. Ron knocked on the door loudly.

“You in there, mate?” Ron called, as the door handle turned. Grabbing Harry, Paige told him to hang on and she orbed them to her room, hoping Phoebe wouldn’t be there.

They materialized on her bed with a bit of a jolt. Paige looked around quickly and saw, to her relief, that they were alone.

“How the bloody hell did we get here?” Harry asked disbelievingly.

“I orbed us here.”

“You what?”

“I orbed. Didn’t I tell you I was half white lighter?” she said, with an embarrassed look.

“But you can’t Apparate in or out of this house, that’s one of the safeguards.”

“It isn’t apparating, white lighter’s orb, like Leo does.”

“Oh,” Harry said, still appearing confused and very sexy in his half naked state.

“Sorry, I shocked you. I’d just rather meet Ron with my pants on, if it’s all the same to you,” she said, as she was redressing.

“Yeah, I see what you mean,” Harry said with a chuckle.

“You better get dressed and go find him, before the household thinks you’re gone and panics.”

“Yeah, right,” Harry said, as he too put his clothes on. When they were both dressed, Paige peeked out the door to make sure the cost was clear, but Harry pulled her back and into his arms.

“Thank you, for today. I appreciate you not wanting to rush me, but I’ve wanted to do that for a long time.”

“What . . . almost get caught naked in bed with a woman by your best friend?” she said jokingly.

“Just the naked in bed with you part. Was I, um . . . was it alright, for you?”

“You didn’t happen to catch me screaming out your name in ecstasy?” she said with a lopsided grin. Harry turned a crocked smile to her and began to blush.

“We better go.”

This time Harry agreed. Paige could hardly wait to be alone with him again. She had been right in her earlier assessment, he was a natural. He was sweet and tender, but oh so masculine. She found herself thinking she could really fall for this guy.
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