Emmeline
The next three months Remus thought much about Mary. Or, more precisely, about what almost happened between them in October. He was only fourteen. He didn't need to hurry. He could easily wait another year. But he really, really wanted a girlfriend. He wanted to have a relationship. But would there be any girl that would be willing to date him without shagging for at least a bit? Probably not.
Little did he know.
He loved to spend the Saturday afternoons alone in the library because this time of the year it was almost empty. There were mostly just some fifth and seventh years studying for their exams. Also, he always sat in a deserted corner, where he was barely ever disturbed.
That's why he was confused when one day the giggling started. It was late January when he heard it for the first time. Giggling but no one actually talking. He tried to ignore it. But suddenly it was there every time he tried to read or study in the library and it really annoyed him. He had never liked giggling people.
About a week after it had begun, he finally snapped, "Can't you shut up one single time? Ain't there funnier things than watching me study and giggling like a bunch of hens?" Some girls came out from behind a bookshelf and eyed him guiltily.
One of them, Emmeline Vance, who was probably the bravest of the group, stepped forward and said: "Sorry to bother you, that wasn't my intention. But I wanted to ask something." Remus arched a questioning eyebrow and she hurried to explain. "Would you, you know, go to Hogsmeade with me next weekend, like, as a date?" She seemed very nervous about it.
"I barely even know you. All of you. Now, can you just piss of? I'm trying to read."
They all looked a bit hurt but hurried to get away quickly. Except for Emmeline. Apparently she was very determined. She sat down next to Remus and put a random book out of her bag. It was her transfiguration textbook.
"Well, then it seems as though we have to become more acquainted with each other." Remus just twisted his eyes and turned back to his own book.
"What are you reading?"
"Muggle literature."
"Sounds interesting. Do you have a girlfriend?"
"Would I tell you?"
"Probably not. But I wanted to know my chances. And by the way, I don't want just a fuck, as most girls do these days, I want a relationship. A cute and cheesy one. And I want to wait with Sex for another while. I'm just not ready yet. But please don't tell anyone, especially the girls because they will make fun of me for being such a child."
"Really?", Remus asked wide-eyed. Suddenly Emmeline seemed much more sympathetic. She was exactly the person he had waited for. She nodded enthusiastically.
"If you don't feel the same way, please tell me now. I don't want to make a wrong impression."
"Yeah, I see. You know, I feel the same way. About shagging, I mean."
"Perfect. So? Wanna go on a date next weekend?"
Remus frowned. It really was the perfect opportunity. "I still don't know you very well."
"We could get to know each other on that date. I'm sure we'll get on perfectly fine."
"You know what, fuck everyone. Let's do it."
She giggled and he couldn't resist to also smile a bit. Thinking about it, Emmeline was pretty. She had very big blue eyes with long lashes and long golden blonde hair, slightly curled. She didn't wear too much make-up, which he liked. Her smile suited her. Yeah, she was a pretty girl, he had to admit.
Three days later he found himself getting ready for a date. A white shirt paired with a brown knitted jumper he really liked. A pair of black trousers and his favourite shoes.
"Who are you getting ready for today, Moony?", Sirius asked, arching an eyebrow.
"N-nothing, really. Just going to Hogsmeade with some friends today."
"Friends? You have other friends than us? You really are a traitor, Moony, I knew it." He acted hurt, pressing his palm on his chest, which made Remus laugh.
"You'd know everything 'bout that, wouldn't you?"
"For real now, who are you seeing? I'll check the map if you don't tell me."
They had started working on the 'Marauders Map' about one and a half years ago. One day, it would show everyone moving in and around Hogwarts, including the village. But for now it just showed the locations of the four marauders and whoever was closer than five meters to them. Also there were some parts of the castle that were still missing.
"Yeah, I do have a date. With Emmeline Vance, you know that Ravenclaw girl."
Sirius' eyes widened. "Vance? Are you sure?"
"No, of course I'm still wondering who it was that asked me out the other day. I really don't know her identity for sure. Of course I'm sure, you utter idiot!"
He looked a bit hurt, which genuinely confused Remus because they often had those mini-fights, when they would bicker on each other and Remus would be very sarcastic and Sirus would get louder each sentence. Usually they wouldn't stop until James or Peter would intervene.
That's why it was strange that Sirius seemed really offended, as if Remus had crossed some invisible line. But he hadn't, had he? He hadn't really said something bad, it was not the first time that he called Sirius and idiot.
"Just, forget it, Remus." Oh no, Sirius using Remus' real name was not a good sign. "Sirius...", he mumbled, but the boy had already stormed out of the room, which was also unusual. He never escaped a fight.
Remus decided to ignore his friend's weird behavior and got to the entrance hall where Emmeline was already waiting for him.
"Took you long enough.", she mumbled.
"Sorry, I had to talk to Sirius about something, but it doesn't matter. Let's leave now." She smiled again and they left for Hogsmeade.
The date wasn't special. But it was okay. Okay enough to be the start of Remus' first relationship. Emmeline was nice, she really didn't giggle that much. Also she was pretty. At the end of the day Remus walked her back to the entrance of the Ravenclaw common room and kissed her good night.
"Can we have lunch together tomorrow?", she asked. "Of course. I'll meet you in the entrance hall again."
Ten minutes later he arrived at his own dorm. "Guys, I have a girlfriend!", he greeted them, which earned him some laughter from Peter, a silent "congrats, mate" from James and a death glare from Sirius. Remus wondered if he had talked to James about whatever problem he seemed to have. The two of them always talked about their problems late at night. He decided to ignore it for now.
The next week he always had breakfast together with Emmeline. They studied together in the library and spent their afternoons together in the Gryffindor or Ravenclaw common room. Sometimes the other Marauders or Emmeline's friends were with them, sometimes they were alone.
After one week they had another official date in Hogsmeade (it was not even a Hogsmeade-weekend but they sneaked out of the castle anyways). It was okay, like the whole relationship, nothing special but enough. Remus really didn't quite understand what all the fuss was about, it wasn't really more than fine.
Their third date was quite the same maybe even a bit more moderate. Emmeline didn't show as much interest as she did at the beginning anymore and she giggled less. It was okay. But confusing, Remus had to admit. He had the feeling that their relationship was not to last very much longer, though he didn't say something
He was proven right the next day. When he entered the Great Hall he already saw her sitting at the Gryffindor table. But she was not alone waiting for him, oh no. She was kissing Sirius and it didn't seem as if it was the first time it happened.
Remus felt jealousy raging inside him like a fire, paired with the anger about Sirius. How dared he to steal his girlfriend from him?
"What the fuck?", Remus snapped when he reached the table. They parted much too slowly and both looked at him, Emmeline proudly and Sirius guiltily.
"Sorry Remus, but I never had feelings for you. And I absolutely didn't want to wait with Sex, just not with you." She laughed. "But you really were a good way to come closer to Siri." She winked and smirked in that awful way like a really mean girl that just proved herself.
Hearing her saying that nickname made Remus want to vomit. Only now he noticed that Peter and James were both sitting a bit further down the table glaring at Sirius. "Well", Sirius said, "I tried to tell you about her but you didn't listen so here you see what you get."
"Fuck you both. Vance, you're sick, really, and Siri, you're acting like your mother. I hate both of you sincerely, believe me."
And with those words he stormed out of the Great Hall.