You Were Never Like This
Chapter 9 - Do Not Open My Letters
Written 2003

Remus woke in his study chair, notes crumbled in front of him. He got up slowly and tried to remember anything Shamari had said to him last night. Blushing scarlet, he donned pale green robes and decided to go down to breakfast early. Lupin decided that he was in a good mood and greeted every half asleep portrait he came across. He even nodded at the suits of armour as they passed.

He was greatly surprised when Peeves jumped out of a tapestry. "Loony loopy Lupin! How goes ya?"

"Fine thanks, Peeves," Remus replied, amused. "I trust you are well."

The poltergeist swooped past him and down the corridor, chuckling wickedly. Shrugging, Remus continued down the nearby stairs and almost tripped over the black dog that waited for him balefully. Lupin looked down at Sirius, a tad cross. "What did you do? Tell her outright?"

"So it worked then?" asked Sirius eagerly once he'd taken human shape.

Remus sighed in exasperation. "Well, she marched into my office and..." He blushed. "You can guess the rest."

Sirius grinned in self-satisfaction. Then he transformed and bounded up the stairs for some unknown reason. Glowering now, Remus stormed downstairs into the Great Hall where he realised he was later than he'd thought. Most of the teachers were already there, chatting softly among themselves. And there was Shamari, sitting next to his vacant seat and staring straight at him. Feeling his cheeks warming, Remus worked his way over and sat down awkwardly. He managed stiffly, "Good morning, Shamari."

She smiled slyly at him, only making Lupin's embarrassment even worse. Shamari twirled a wayward lock of her blonde hair. "Your friends are interesting, are they not?"

"He didn't, did he?" Remus asked, astounded. "With all those pranks he does, I'm surprised the ministry hasn't swooped in on him."

Shamari shrugged indifferently before turning back to her breakfast, leaving him to feel extremely stupid. Remus decided that he wasn't going to be tormented this way and jumped to his feet, hastily striding out the trusty side entrance. Shamari smiled to herself before following.

"Why are you following me?" he demanded once she'd caught up with him.

Shamari didn't answer even as if he slowed his pace and turned to her. She could tell Remus was embarrassed; a red flush was spreading down his neck. She look into his eyes evenly and waited for him to continue. It seemed as though he wouldn't, but Shamari knew he'd break soon enough. Oh she knew him so well! Finally, Remus burst out, "Why did you kiss my last night?"

"You really want to know?"

Lupin hesitated. "I'm not sure, Shamari."

"I'll take that as yes." she conceded. "I like you - no, I like you a lot. It's taken me a while to realise that."

Shamari drew closer to him, putting her arms around his neck and turning her face up to his. Remus suddenly knew he wanted this too. They kissed softly at first, soon progressing into a more fierce volley. Shamari whispered huskily as their lips drew apart. "My study. It doesn't do to kiss in public."

"No, it doesn't," Remus agreed.

She took his hand and led him into her nearby study, hastily shutting the door. She had barely done so when Remus pushed her against the wall, spurred on by his animal urges, pinning her wrists with his hands. Their lips pressed harder against each other. Shamari felt his tongue with her own and moaned. Remus began to nuzzle her neck softly. She kissed the top of his head tenderly, released her hands and ran them over his back.

"Oh, Remmie," she murmured.

He returned his attention to her lips, drawing her away from the wall and thrusting her onto the desk. Shamari pulled him on top of her and began dusting kisses all over his clean-shaven face. Remus pressed against her body, thirsty for her.

And suddenly, he heard the door creak open. A black dog was standing there, an ear tipped up. It seemed innocent enough, but the Love Doctor wasn't quite welcomed in the way he would have liked to be. Remus slid off the desk and landed with a painful thump on the stone floor. Shamari blushed furiously and ducked behind the desk, straightening up her robes. Sirius appeared where the dog had been, apparently ignorant of the situation he had just walked in on.

"Am I good, or am I good?" Sirius sauntered over to Remus.

"You'll be dead in minute, Siri," Lupin threatened. "And not by the Ministry either."

Shamari regained herself and strode furiously towards the intruder, her eyes flashing. While his friend had not intimidated Sirius, Shamari's anger seemed to do so. The love doctor backed away nervously. "I didn't mean to, er, embarrass you guys like that - I just thought you'd like to know that class started five minutes ago."

Needless to say, both the professors were frazzled.

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Professor Witherspoon walked into class late, and this seemed interesting to her students who were used to being told off for being seconds late. They also noticed that her hair was messy and her usually flawless lipstick was smudged. Only one of them, however, knew why. Harry grinned to himself, but desisted when Shamari looked his way, a pink tinge lighting up her cheeks. She laid down her textbooks and tried to begin the lesson, but was distracted by Dean Thomas' waving hand.

"Yes?" she asked, attempting a smile.

"Why are you late, Professor?" Dean inquired.

And, to his surprise, Shamari went bright red and muttered something under her breath. She did not answer his question at all even at the end of the lesson, though he repeated it several times.

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A Week or So Later After

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After class had finished, Remus invited Shamari around to his study. They talked about class and stuff, neitehr wanting to mention the fact that soon the full moon would rise.

"Remus," she said after a while. "I'd better go."

He shifted so that he could look her in the face. Lupin smiled at her. "You could always stay."

Shamari dislodged him as she stood up, making for the door. She didn't quite make it as Remus twirled her around and into a passionate kiss. She knew he'd convince her to stay the night, but it wouldn't do to be seen coming out his rooms in the morning...But it was Saturday tomorrow, Shamari reminded herself. All of the students would be going to the Quidditch match (Gryffindor vs Hufflepuff).

"Alright," she decided. "Just as long as no one knows."

Remus went over to his desk and pull out some brandy, taking a great swig from one. Shamari cleared her throat loudly. "Ahem. I thought you'd agreed not to get drunk again?"

Remus shifted uncomfortably. "I just thought this time you'd join me, that's all."

Doubtfully, she took the offered bottle and looked it over. "I don't drink, Remus."

"Just one," he insisted.

Of course, one turned into many. And quite understandably, after around five in total, they couldn't remember what happened.

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Remus woke to a sharp tapping on his window. Groaning, he staggered over to it and let the owl inside. It was carrying a letter addressed to a Shamari Witherspoon. Remus shrugged and accepted the letter, sending the owl on its way. Slowly, he began to open, not sure why he was taking such caution. Just before he could open it fully, a hand snatched away it from.

"What are you doing?" Shamari demanded shrilly.

"I was just - just..." stammered Remus. "I didn't mean to . . ."

"The hell you didn't!"

She snatched the letter off him, marched over to the door and left abruptly. Remus swallowed. He didn't why she was so uptight - it was only a letter after all! - But he'd seen the first line. Something like:

The date is set for January.