Something To Talk About {Remus&Rita}

[Rita Skeeter]

Rita couldn’t have been more happy when Remus told her he had no love life. How could he not possibly be attractive to women? His secretive nature, his mystery, it was one of the things that made him so intriguing to her. But he didn’t have time for a love life… Well that was just unacceptable.

“So say a girl asked you to accompany her to Hogsmeade weekend…” Rita said slowly, weighing her words so that her story would sound both figurative and literal at the same time. A paradox, in a sense. She just hoped he got the point! Spending a weekend with him in Hogsmeade would be so much fun, she could barely stand it!

Rita coyly put the tip of the quill in her mouth and waited for his answer. “What would you say?”

[Remus Lupin]

Remus blushed and paused, having to think for a moment. A girl had never even thought of asking him to go out on a Hogsmede weekend before, so he had never even considered the possibility, or his answer. What would he say? Well, he supposed, it depended on who asked him, because if it was someone who knew he would not be able to stand a long period of time with, he would not be able to accept their offer... Not like Rita...

"I suppose it depends on who asks me," Remus replied with a small blush. "I mean, I have to be able to get on with the girl and be able to talk to her... and, um, stuff.." He stuttered a little at the end, caught up with looking at Rita again.

Looking at her slyly from the corner of his eyes, Remus wondered what he would say if Rita asked. His mind churned with imagination again, thought of Rita and him walking around, going to that little cafe, maybe even holding hands... It was like a dream.

[Rita Skeeter]

Rita sank into thought. So it depended on who asked him? Did that mean if she were to all of a sudden on a whim ask him, he would say no? Or was she one of the people he would actually consider going with? Torn between the two thoughts, unsure of whether or not to take the chance and face rejection, Rita hugged her notebook to her chest.

She couldn’t get the image of her and Remus strolling down Hogsmeade’s main avenue, pointing to bustling shops and holding warm hot chocolate in their hands. She imagined them holding hands; even what she’d be wearing. Her jean jacket with matching denim skirt, brown leggings and striped sparkly top. The brown hat with the pink flower on it! And she wanted it to come true.

“Would you accompany me to Hogsmeade weekend?” Rita said suddenly and breathlessly with a small, nervous smile.

[Remus Lupin]

Remus started at her as though she had casually pointed out he had two heads. At first he tried to look anywhere but at the beautiful girl who sat before him, asking him out for the weekend, tried to ignore the rushing of his heart and the sudden thrill he felt, but he couldn't.

Rita sat there in all her wonder, all her beauty and intelligence, and there was just no way he could say no. Not to her - she was like perfection to him. Plus, the way she had so breathlessly asked him made his attraction grow and he wanted to hold her in his arms and never let go.

"I.. er, I would love that," Remus said softly, a small smile on his face. "It would, ah, be.. very enjoyable."

[Rita Skeeter]

“Oh, really? You would?” Rita exclaimed excitedly, unable to stop smiling. Perhaps it would come true after all! “You know I always sort of wanted to stop inside that Madam Puddifoot’s place. My friends tell me it’s nice, especially during autumn. But I’d much rather just walk around with you and er… talk and stuff,” she started blushing again.

“So er… as for after Hogsmeade…” Rita began nonchalantly, shuffling pages in her notebook as though she had some sort of purpose other than attempting to look busy. “Would you perhaps be willing to attempt a romantic relationship?” She asked as though it were any other conversational matter; as though just talking about it didn’t make her heart squirm. Rita was sure Remus was far more nervous than she was… for she had far more experience when it came to this area.

[Remus Lupin]

"I've never been in there - I was always dragged to Zonko's - but if you like, I'll take you," Remus smiled softly, a happy twinkle in his deep brown eyes. Nothing would make him happier than taking Rita to a nice little cafe and just spending time talking to her. She was so interesting and very, very nice to look at.

"Then we could go for a walk, if you like. There's this little place near the shack that's really nice for sitting and talking, just relaxing.. We could go there too, if you like." Remus smiled at her. He hoped she wouldn't be scared of the shack - it was practically his haven during the full moon, the place where he was safest and most secure.

"After Hogsmede?" Remus asked softly. "A... romantic relationship? I don't know... I mean... I would love one, but I wouldn't know how to go about it. I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to these things," He flashed her a grin. "I am such a loser sometimes."

[Rita Skeeter]

“Everyone’s a bit of a loser at times,” Rita replied with a laugh, brushing a stray curl out of her face and behind her ear. She thought it was absolutely adorable how Remus kept blushing, and couldn’t stop smiling; how he had so little experience with relationships. Even still, it only made her more attracted to him. He simply wasn’t like other guys. “I like you because of it.”

Rita gave a small sigh and bit the inside of her cheek. Now she just couldn’t wait until Hogsmeade. It would be on her mind all week, then she wouldn’t be able to focus in class, and she wouldn’t get her story. Looking down at her notebook, Rita noticed there was barely a half a page of notes. She couldn’t help but smirk. He was too smart to buy the ‘James Potter interview’ story she told him, especially next edition when no such story would be printed. Unless… Perhaps…

“Well, then I, being not so much of a novice…” Rita began, scrunching up her nose in thought, “could be a bit of help then. So er… shall we try it? A romantic relationship?” She smiled and looked down at the floor.

[Remus Lupin]

Remus grinned at her. His loser identity was something she liked? Well, that was a nice thing to know. Smiling to himself, he lent back. He knew he would be in a fit of happiness when he returned to the dorms, and Sirius and James would worm it out of him. He looked over at the beauty before him and smiled, a red tint on his cheeks. Every time he blushes her eyes seemed to sparkle and he loved it.

Remus really, now, didn't believe the whole "James Potter Interview" story, but he was very happy she's made some reason to come and talk to him. She entranced him, and he loved being under her spell... what was she saying..?

Remus blushed.

"I.. I think I would like that, Rita," Remus said softly. "But I'm not very good with these things, so you will have to forgive me if I mess it up," And as though he was trying to make sure he started well, he reached for her hand and took it, pressing his lips against the back softly, a sparkle in his hazel eyes that would put a spell on anyone.

[Rita Skeeter]

Rita watched as Remus took her hand and kissed it; she could have died then and there and wouldn’t have minded. Why the bloody hell was he so sweet and kind and caring and not to mention quite attractive? “I’m sure you wouldn’t mess anything up,” she said softly. “You’re already doing way better than almost any guy I’ve ever dated before. They were never this sweet…” Rita bit her lip and met Remus’s sparkling hazel eyes. Oh gosh. It was as though someone had just hit her with an impedimentia jinx to the stomach.

“I can’t believe it,” she said, laughing, and releasing all the nerves that were built up just moments before. “I mean, I hadn’t planned any of this, and now…” Rita shrugged and bit her lip, though still smiling. “You make me happy, Remus,” she said calmly, without blinking.

[Remus Lupin]

"I hadn't exactly planned it either," Remus said softly, smiling at her. He didn't want to blink, he didn't want to look away - she took his breath from his lungs and filled his body with fire. His hand, still holding hers lightly, was soft and warm to his cold and rough, the perfect opposites. She was so amazing it made his heart burn.

"But I'll try not to mess it up," Remus said with a smile. "And... It makes me happy. This is something I had never dreamed of before, I mean, I never thought it could happen, and here it is, and... I'm lost for words. You're so beautiful. Every time you looked down at your notebook just now, I had to stare at you. You're perfect.." Shame he wasn't, and his mind echoed that thought bitterly.

"You're even more beautiful when you smile," Remus said softly, his heart warming and exploding with a sudden kind of love.

[Rita Skeeter]

Rita didn’t know what to say. He called her beautiful and perfect and… well… no one had really done that before. They had only been dating for, what, two minutes? And she was already happier than she had been in a while. It was as though her head couldn’t form a coherent sentence to speak. She didn’t possibly know she could blush so much…

“I…er…” she stammered, not used to not knowing what to say. Normally she was quick to reply, armed with a witty answer that was usually sarcastic or cool. “Thanks…” Rita managed to mumble. She looked up into his eyes. Good heavens, they were so kind and loving and warm and…

Lost in his eyes, Rita hardly realized she had leaned over and wrapped her arms around his neck, gently kissing him on the lips. When she pulled away she bit her lip. “Sorry!” She said hurriedly, with a somewhat scared look in her eyes, unsure if what she did was alright with him…

[Remus Lupin]

Remus stared at her for a moment as though she had grown a second head. She had just... kissed him? Eyes wide, he moved his hand and touched his lips, innocent as the memory of her kiss fluttered through his mind, seconds after it occurred. Though it wasn't Remus' first kiss, it felt like the first - sweet, special and making the receiver blush like a little child.

"No... no, don't be sorry," Remus said softly, a small smile on his face. Reaching out, he took her hand and drew her closer, a soft look in his bright hazel eyes. Leaning closer, he kissed her, the sudden silence that surrounded him, the lack of coherent thoughts making it seem so unreal - as though it was from a fairytale. It took a stern cough from his left to make him pull away.

Looking over, Remus caught the Librarian giving them a dark look and he blushed, giving the older woman a charming smile. She rose her eyebrow but didn't say anything, turning back to whatever it was she had been doing.

"I suppose this isn't the place," Remus said with laughter in his voice.

[Rita Skeeter]

“No! I suppose not!” Rita said with a laugh. She didn’t want it to end, though. The way he kissed her… it was like… “Are you sure you haven’t had a girlfriend before?” She joked, looking over at Madam Pince and flashing her a charming smile. The old librarian was rather fond of her, as she was all Ravenclaws; Rita just hoped now her image wasn’t tainted in the eyes of the saintly older woman. The thought made her want to laugh. Everything made her want to laugh.

“Would you like to er… go somewhere else?” Rita asked, dropping her voice. “A bit more… private, perhaps?” She racked her brain trying to think of where they could go to talk or… whatever… without any interruption.