Navy Blue and Black
Chapter 20: Navy Blue and Black
November 2, 1993
"Hey Lily," James greeted, entering his wife's office and setting his bag onto the table. "I don't have to go into work until tomorrow afternoon, so I'm staying the night."
"Sounds fun," she replied weakly.
He frowned, examining his wife closely. "Lily? Lils, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," she croaked.
James quickly crouched down next to where she was sitting on the couch, her legs pulled up, and her arms around her legs. "What happened, darling?"
"I'm completely fine, James. Really, nothing's bothering me," she managed. "I'm just…" She lunged into James's arms. "It's Severus," she croaked in a small voice.
James's hands instinctively wrapped around her tightly. His thoughts flew to horrible thoughts. Had he hexed her? Taken advantage of her? Had he hurt her? Yelled at her? Said something mean? Lily was a warrior. Nothing hurt her; James was the only person he knew that had ever managed to hurt Lily. Now Snivellus was. "What did he do? If you want me to hex him for you-"
"No," Lily said firmly. "Don't do a thing."
"But-"
"No."
"Fine," sighed James, smoothing her hair. "What did he do?"
"He… That's the whole point, James, he's not doing anything! He's not talking to me. He's completely ignoring me, even when I ask him something. I've bumped into him twice now, and he doesn't talk to me. This time, I was falling down and he helped me up before realizing it was me."
"Did he drop you?" James asked, not willing to believe it.
Lily nodded miserably. "I fell back on the ground."
"Are you okay?" James cried. "Where did you fall?"
"That's not the point, James," Lily mumbled, dropping her head in his knees. "He used to be my best friend."
"How dare he drop you!" seethed James. "How dare he! How dare he have the guts? What the heck? What is his problem? Has he not learned anything? What did his mom teach him-"
"Stop," Lily muttered. James stopped. "Don't insult his parents."
"Why not?"
Lily glared at him. "Would I really betray his secrets?"
"Fine." James planted a kiss on her forehead. "I won't do anything."
For now.
Whoever had commented that there was a piece of his hair that stuck up was absolutely right. And Remus could not get it to flatten.
He had tried everything, but that tiny strand of hair refused to flatten itself. And eventually he had given up, because it was ridiculous to have a full-fledged war with a piece of hair.
Remus hadn't been on a date in years. Not since Sirius had dragged him along on one of his dates when they were nineteen, and that one had been catastrophic.
He was wearing a navy blue jumper and black trousers. Though he was aware that it was November, and likely to be freezing outside, this jumper was particularly warm, and he didn't feel like wearing a cloak on top of it. Oh, well. He was going to be completely responsible if he ended up getting frostbite.
But Remus didn't know if he was going about it correctly. In particular, was this really the right outfit for a date? How was he supposed to know?
And it was this that led him to knock on the door to Lily's office, where he knew James was staying the night again.
It was Lily who answered it. "Yeah?"
"Can I speak to James for a second?" Remus asked politely. "If he's there?"
"Yeah, come in," she replied. "I'm about to head out to Septima's room anyway."
As Lily exited the room and Remus entered it, he saw James sprawled on the sofa, reading the sports section in the Prophet and mumbling to himself.
"I knew they'd lose," muttered James. "But why didn't they bother to attempt a goal on that last one, they'd have gotten it! Hey, Remus."
"Er, James?" he asked quietly, unsure of how to phrase it, "do I… look okay?"
James dropped the newspaper and looked up at him. "Stellar, mate. Why do you ask?"
Remus said nothing, and realization dawned on James.
"You're going out, aren't you? I knew it!" exclaimed James, springing up and engulfing him in a hug. "I'm so happy for you, Moony! Who's the lucky girl?"
"I'm not telling you," he replied defiantly. "But please, is this okay?"
"It depends on where you're going," James answered. "It's okay for a walk, but not a ball. You know?"
"Thanks," Remus replied hurriedly. "Okay, I'm leaving, bye."
"Have fun!" James called. "I want to hear all about it when you get back!"
Remus groaned to himself as he exited the room. What was he going to do about this?
Several minutes of walking took him to Hogsmeade, and though it was chilly, he did find it was quite warm in the jumper he was wearing.
"Hey," came a voice from behind him. He turned around to see Tonks, who was, extraordinarily, wearing the same thing he was: a navy blue jumper and black jeans. Except her hair was pink, and fell to her shoulders in wavy locks, and it was so incredibly breathtaking.
"Hi," he whispered, his brain not forming anything coherent.
"Looks like we're matching," she commented, indicating his outfit. "You pulled it off nicely."
"Thanks," he replied quietly, still not over the fact that she had agreed to this.
"Are you okay?" she asked, sensing his nervousness.
He made a whimpering noise, for whatever reason, and then nervously wrapped his arms around her. She returned the hug, rubbing his back comfortingly. "It's okay," she whispered. "Relax. It's all okay. Are you feeling alright?"
He pulled her tighter towards him. "Yeah, just…" He debated on whether or not he should tell her the truth. "It's… been a while since I last did this."
She smiled. "That's okay. I always manage to make a mess of myself in these sorts of situations too. I'm not expecting anything grand."
It was then that Remus understood what Dumbledore meant when he said that love was the most powerful magic of all. She was magical: the effect she had on him, how she eased him, coaxed him, relaxed him. If this was not love, then what was?
"Let's go?" she suggested with a smile.
"Let's go," he agreed.
They walked side by side, their shoulders touching, the wind roaring around them. At one point, she took his large hand in her small one, and his heart melted at the simplicity of the gesture.
They walked until they reached the outside of The Three Broomsticks, from which laughter could be heard, and warmth could be sensed.
"Do you want a drink?" she asked, gesturing to the pub.
"Sure," he replied.
She was definitely leading this date, he thought, as she took his hand and led him inside and got them a table. Maybe it was his lack of recent experience, or maybe it was because she was a natural at this. Either way, he truly cherished this feeling, of simple happiness, something which he, as a werewolf, was not accustomed to.
"What will you have?" asked Madame Rosmerta, bustling up to the two of them.
"Remus?" Tonks asked. "What would you like?"
"Er, a Butterbeer."
"Two Butterbeers, please," Tonks requested, holding out four Sickles to the barmaid. "Thanks."
As Rosmerta left, Remus turned to Tonks. "Tonks, you don't have to pay for me."
"Leave it, Remus, it's okay," she assured.
"How are you so kind?" he asked.
She smiled. "That's sweet. Thanks. I guess it's just inherent?"
He laughed. "Remind me to thank your parents for that."
She laughed too. "My mum's always getting stereotyped for being a Black. Honestly, though she may seem really uptight and proper, she can really be pretty chill. Like, did you know she's the most fervent Quidditch fan out there? Or that she loves loud music?"
Remus almost choked on his butterbeer at that last one. "What? Andromeda Tonks?"
"Yep," replied Tonks, smiling. "My dad's the one who prefers classical music, actually. My mum and I can jam to the Weird Sisters all day. But she won't admit it to anyone outside the family."
"I never would've guessed," he remarked. "Andromeda Tonks, neé Black, likes the Weird Sisters?"
"I know, it's crazy. Anyway, what are your parents like?"
"My father's quiet, clever, and infallibly polite," he answered thoughtfully.
"Ah, so the gentlemanly persona's inherent too," she commented with a smile. "Remind me to thank your father for that."
Merlin, he was in love.
"My mother died a few years back, but she was the most enthusiastic person in the world," he continued. "Amazingly kind, sweet, and supportive."
"Oh." Sadness clouded her eyes. "I'm sorry. I really would've liked to meet her."
"Yes, I think she would've loved you."
Tonks gave a small smile. "Thank you. Have you met my dad before?"
"Briefly," he responded. "I've talked to your mother on several occasions, seeing as she was… Sirius's cousin." Why was it still hard to mention Sirius's name, after twelve entire years? "But I've only met your father a few times, and then only briefly."
"It's kind of weird, you know?" she said. "You knew me when I was younger, which I can't even remember. And now… here we are."
He suddenly felt self-conscious of his age. He was thirty-three. Wasn't that a little old? "Y-Yeah. Tonks, how old are you?"
"I turn twenty-one on the fourth. In a few days."
"Oh." She was still twenty? That meant that he was thirteen years older than her.
"Is… something wrong?" she asked, frowning slightly.
"No," he lied. "It's okay."
She took another sip of her butterbeer. "Okay," she said, though she looked unconvinced. "You don't have to be afraid to say it, though. I'm used to all sorts of comments. You know, being the youngest at the Office and stuff. I won't be offended."
He instantly felt bad, hating himself for bringing out her low self-esteem again. "No, no, no, that's not what I meant. It's nothing about you. It's just… I don't know. I'm thirty-three."
"Oh. That's okay. I don't mind." She gave a small smile. "And thirty-three's young. It's cool. I'm cool with that."
How had he come across such a woman?
They finished their drinks, thanked Madame Rosmerta, and left the Three Broomsticks, the chilly wind blowing around them.
"Let's take a walk?" Tonks suggested.
"Yeah, that'd be great," he responded. "So, you're friends with Sia?"
"Yep. She's a lot of fun. Very mature, for a twelve-year-old."
"Interesting. Does she talk a lot?"
Tonks gave him a sideways smile. "Yeah. She talks a lot around me, at least."
"That's good to know," he replied. "She seems really tough and quiet around me."
"Yeah, well," Tonks said, "she's actually really nice. You just need to get her to open up."
"It's not a surprise that you bring out the best in people."
"Thank you," she replied, blushing.
There was a comfortable moment of silence as they continued walking against the furious wind. "So," she began, "you like chocolate?"
"Love it, as I said," he replied. "And you too, if I remember correctly?"
She snorted. "Not much to remember. Twice you've seen me in chocolate-related situations already."
It relieved him that he wasn't the only one counting. "Yes. Your favorite flavor?"
She frowned. "Not sure. Dark chocolate, I guess?"
"We think alike, then," he responded with a smirk, as they reached the outside of Honeydukes. "Wait. Your birthday's in a few days, you said?"
"Yeah," she replied, frowning. "But what…"
"Come with me," he interrupted, taking her wrist gently and leading her towards the sweetshop.
"Remus, no, it's oka…"
"Tonks," he insisted gently, "please. It's what friends do."
Her smile was brighter than a thousand golden suns. "I love you so much, Remus. Thank you."
He placed his arm around her back softly, losing his fingers into the warmth and softness of her jumper, and subconsciously pulling her closer to him. Was it just his imagination, or did she rest her head on his shoulder at that?
"Which one do you want?" he asked her as they entered the sweetshop, being greeted with a burst of warmth.
"Er, anything. Humor me."
They ended up getting a large bar of dark chocolate with fudge and marshmallow as an early birthday present. Remus insisted on paying for her, since who paid for their own birthday gifts? She had finally relented, and the smile on her face as they left Honeydukes was absolutely gorgeous.
As the snow started falling more rapidly, and the wind began to get to them, and the only things illuminating their path were the dim lamps that lined the side of the street, they began to head back to the castle. They talked and laughed, a night flurried with smiles, because something about her made him feel relaxed, comfortable, happy.
They finally reached the castle, with flakes of snow clinging to their hair, drenched with snow, and cold from the unrelenting wind, but smiling nonetheless. When they came to a junction between the corridors, Tonks stopped and looked at him, still smiling.
"It's been so much fun spending time with you," she said softly. "You know, throughout the past few weeks. I want you to know that even though I'm heading back tomorrow, I'm just one owl away. I'll be there for you, Remus, no matter when it is you need me."
His breath caught as he took in her words. "Yeah, me too. I… These past few weeks truly have been a pleasure, Tonks."
"Thank you. Keep in touch, yeah? Write to me."
"Yeah," he replied. "Or… I don't know, I mean, if you have weekends off, and I have weekends off…"
She smiled. "Absolutely."
There was a small moment of silence. She was now standing right in front of him, her face just a few inches from his. Merlin, the temptation…
"I really like you, Remus," she whispered, and then she leaned over and pressed her lips to his cheek. "Good night." And she turned down the hall, her pink hair swishing from side to side.
He watched her go, his lips slightly parted, not daring to believe that she had just kissed him. His face stung where her lips had touched him. Yes, they had made intimate contact before, but nothing like this.
And it was the first time in years he had been kissed. Not since that so-called date he had accompanied Sirius on. Merlin, it felt so… unreal. Like it was all part of his imagination.
But no, Tonks was real, and so was… this, this something that had developed between them. Remus was scared to call it love, but fondness would surely fit the bill here, right? Or attraction?
Because Merlin, he was attracted to her.
Remus headed back to his room, unlocked the door, and then opened it, walking into his room warily until he realized that he was not alone.
With a single wave of his wand, both of the wands of the intruders had soared into his hand, and he muttered a quick Lumos, illuminating two wide-eyed faces staring at him.
James and Lily Potter.
"What the heck are you two doing in here?!" he practically shouted. "How did you get in? What…"
"Relax, Moony," James said. "First of all, we know how to get inside each others' rooms, we're Marauders. Second of all, this isn't the time for stupid questions. How was your date?!"
"Seriously?" he asked incredulously. "Lily, you endorsed this?"
"Oh, come on, Remus, stop changing the topic," she replied impatiently. "How was your date? How'd it go? How was it?"
"Who was it?" asked James snidely.
"It went well," he replied as evenly as he could.
"I can see that," James remarked, smirking. "As is evident by what she left on your face."
Was there really lip gloss there? Darn you, James. "Very astute observation, James. Have you two really been sitting here all night waiting for me to come back?"
"Yeah, and we made considerable progress," Lily told him, "but we still haven't figured out who it is!"
He raised an eyebrow. "It? Don't you mean she?"
"Yes, yes, we're trying to find the object of your affections," James clarified. "So, how serious is it? Have you gone to each other's places yet?"
"James, we just had our first date today! Of course not!"
"Ooh, so is there a second date in mind?" asked Lily, running her fingers through her hair. "Well?" she asked impatiently, when he did not respond. "Is there?"
"Er, yeah, maybe," he stammered, trying not to go red.
"So what did you guys do?" cut across James. "Did you snog? Or… ooh, where did you do it?"
"Shut up, James!" he replied heatedly, trying not to think of doing certain things with Tonks. "No! It was a first date! I don't know about you, but for me, all it means is a drink and a walk!"
"So nothing else happened?" he asked disappointedly.
"No," Remus repeated firmly. "Nothing else happened."
"But that doesn't explain the mark on your face," Lily added slyly.
Remus threw his hands up in exasperation. "You guys are the worst. Yes, she kissed me. Now, please, get out."
"Ooh!" they chorused, not moving from his sofa.
"We're so happy for you, Remus," Lily informed him proudly. "We knew you'd find someone someday."
"So who is it?" asked James. "Please, tell us? We won't tell anyone. Not even Harry and Liana!"
"I'm not telling you," Remus sighed. "You two would take the mickey out of me if you knew."
"Well, then, is it someone we know?" James inquired.
"Yes," Remus admitted.
"Someone that both of us know?" Lily queried.
"Yes, both of you know her. Now, please, let me sleep in peace!"
Remus finally managed to get them off his sofa and out the door with a "sleep well, Moony!" and a "good night, Remus!", and then he collapsed onto his bed with a tired sigh.
It had been one heck of a day.