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Post by Sirius Black on Jul 31, 2009 5:52:44 GMT -7
Caddie tucked the folds of her pink sundress around her legs and hid her feet in the fabric as well. She was perched in her favorite window, a beautiful stained glass gargoyle that flapped his wings idly and ignored her completely. Caddie's shoes were on the floor under the window sill, and even though she had an open book on her lap, she couldn't focus.
Caddie sighed and turned another page in the book, trying very hard to focus. It struck her as vaguely ironic that just the other morning she had found her book extremely interesting, yet now she couldn't even string three words together. She blamed Remus.
She hadn't been able to focus on anything since their lunch two days prior, and she was sure her schoolwork was suffering from it (mainly because she hadn't been capable of finishing it and turning it in,) and for some even stranger reason, Caddie didn't care. She had been going over every second of that meal over and over, trying to figure out what had gone wrong. As every result pointed back to something stupid she had done, she had been skulking around the castle, avoiding any place besides the common room that had too many people. If there was a crowd, there was a chance that she would run into him again, and make an even worse fool of herself than last time. Therefore, Caddie hadn't been taking meals with her classmates, had not gone to the library, and, in general, never left the Ravenclaw tower. (She was only out and about now because some well-meaning dormmates had threatened to hex her if she didn't go do something, so here she was, hiding on a floor that didn't see many students other than at class time.)
She had been enticed out of the tower this morning, however, just in time for Herbology. Caddie liked plants, as they were peaceful and offered a respite from the cruelty of life, and she had hoped that it would also offer respite from her bad mood. It hadn't worked, but just made her all the more miserable, because she found herself wondering what plants Remus particularly liked, and then would have to remind herself all over again that that topic was extremely forbidden. For her effort, all Caddie had recieved was a headache, and a single pink flower that she had pinned in her hair.
She pulled the flower out of her hair and studied it for a minute. She couldn't remember what plant it had come from, but it was simple, elegant, and perfectly matched her dress. She pulled one of the petals off, then another. He loves me, he loves me not.... She thought with an ironic bitterness uncharacteristic of herself. She pulled off two more petals, he loves me, he loves me not... Over and over, until the petals littered the floor, her book, her. Three left.
He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me... Caddie threw the flower on the ground with a derisive snort. "What do flowers know, anyway?" She sighed to herself.
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Post by Nyalna on Jul 31, 2009 9:11:56 GMT -7
Remus practically ran through the corridors, searching for Caddie. As he had been for the past hour. It did occur to him that she might’ve still been in class but classes had ended a half hour ago. He decided to wander on the upper floors, near where he had located the Ravenclaw tower. If I was working more diligently on that bloody map, this wouldn’t be an issue, he thought to himself, referring to his secret project James had put him up to. He had to tell her. Though it had only been two days since he’d met her, Remus hadn’t been able to get her off his mind. He wasn’t stupid. He was sure he wasn’t in love with her. Or at least, not yet anyway. But it had been incredibly hard to stay away from her. Sirius was right. He should be with her. Not ignoring her because he was too cowardly or too protective to get near Caddie.
He jetted up the staircase as soon as it had connected to the platform on the 5th floor. He doubted she’d be here. The 5th floor was generally deserted and unused. But it was a possibility. He might was well checked. For all he knew, he was passing her as he ran around. She could be anywhere in the school.
“What do flowers know anyways?”
His almost literally ears perked up recognizing the melodic tone echoing down the hallway. She was close. Though he could feel adrenaline passing through his chest, it also constricted out of anxiety. His paced immediately slowed, carefully treading silently towards the sound of her voice. He peered around the corner and saw her sitting in the window.
And she looked beautiful. She sat delicately in her dress, the skirt spread around her, with the flower petals strewn in an imperfect circle, surrounding her. The dying light of the afternoon streamed into the window behind her, falling on her silver hair, embracing her in sunlight like a halo. She looked like an angel.
Remus looked down at himself and wanted to shrink. He was sweaty and dirty from his adventures on his broomstick earlier. He was still wearing borrowed quidditch robes and his hair was slightly disheveled. His nerves were heightened and he felt a little unworthy to approach her. He had no business talking to a girl like that. He breathed deeply both of fear and out of admiration for whatever heavenly host he was staring at.
He closed his eyes for a moment, both physically and mentally trying to collect himself before stepping out of the shadows. “Caddie?”
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Post by Sirius Black on Jul 31, 2009 9:22:25 GMT -7
"Caddie?"
Caddie closed her eyes and surpressed a groan. Remus. Of course. I'm going to kill them for kicking me out of the common room... She thought, opening her eyes and turning her head, looking at Remus with a completely neutral expression. "Remus." She said evenly, her fingers bunching up her skirt. She was confused- part of her was happy to see him, elated he still remembered her name, and another part of her wanted to run away, crying. She smoothed her skirt out again, trying to keep hold of herself. She was being ridiculous.
"You look pale." She stated calmly, tilting her head. Her hair moved against her shoulder and gave her an almost imperceptible chill, because her senses were so very heightened with awareness. She seemed to notice every little twitch he made, and she was fighting her own desire to run away. Caddie was never good at confrontations.
"Can I help you with something?" She asked finally, sighing. There was nothing to do but attempt to power through the awkward situation, even if she would rather attack a snake wandless than have the conversation that was sure to ensue.
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Post by Nyalna on Jul 31, 2009 9:39:18 GMT -7
Remus looked at her and noticed she did not look very happy to see him. You idiot, he said to himself. Of course she doesn’t want to see you. You were right and Sirius was wrong. She doesn’t like you at all. And Remus, though he couldn’t think of any real reason for her to dislike him, couldn’t blame her for feeling that way. He was sure he had done something wrong when he had taken her for lunch into the kitchens. He didn’t know what exactly but he was certain of it.
He heard her. He heard every little consonant and sound she had made even though she simply said he looked pale, which caused him to blush and look down at the floor. But he peered up a few moments later from under her messy brown hair to see her tilt her head, a movement which he noted made her look particularly cute with her blue eyes watching him like that.
“Ummm….,” he searched for the right words. “Well yes. I need to talk to you.” He took a few steps forward but abruptly stopped when she sighed. She was definitely not pleased to see him which confused him as to what he should do. He wanted to approach her but if she didn’t want him, it would be best to leave. “Caddie, are you alright?”
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Post by Sirius Black on Jul 31, 2009 9:46:53 GMT -7
Caddie watched him take a few steps closer and seemed to sink in more upon herself, but she made no other move to get away. She blinked when he stopped, and she frowned just slightly. It was better for both of them if this was over quickly, like pulling off a bandage. Air would supposedly let the pain heal better, though Caddie didn't think this particular hurt would heal quickly. She should remember to ask herself in a few years how she felt about it.
"I'm fine, Remus." She said softly, rubbing her eyes and twisting on the window sill so her legs dangled off, allowing him room to sit next to her. She hated that she could never be mean, that she didn't have it in her to not be polite. "It's been a stressful day."
She forced herself to give him the slightest of smiles, but it lacked Caddie's usual warmth of personality. "You wanted to talk to me?" Here we go...
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Post by Nyalna on Jul 31, 2009 10:06:46 GMT -7
Remus wasn’t sure what he wanted. To be near her or to let her go. He took another hesitant step. A sudden wave of depression crashed over him. “If you want me to go, I will go. I will do anything you want, anything you ask,” he said sincerely. Even if she didn’t want him anywhere near her, he still had some kind of devotion to her that he didn’t quite understand. “Anything,” he repeated.
She made a spot for him so he timidly walked forward and took a seat, trying hard to sit right up next to her. He looked at her. “Yes…Caddie, I just wanted to say-"
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Post by Sirius Black on Jul 31, 2009 10:14:10 GMT -7
Caddie blinked at him, her expression as stunned and confused as if he had just smacked her. With that one sentence, or really more the way he said that one sentence, with such sincerity, her stiff resolve melted. She could tell whatever he was about to say (and she honestly had no idea what it could be,) was difficult for him, and she placed her hand on his supportively, her thin fingers cool against his skin.
"Yes?" She goaded gently, studying him. She waited patiently for him, her own face giving away nothing other than curiousity. She couldn't help but feel like he was about to bring her world to a complete and crushing stop, but she couldn't bear to send him away. She had wanted this for so long, she would allow herself a few more minutes in his presence before it all came to an end.
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Post by Nyalna on Jul 31, 2009 10:29:27 GMT -7
She touched him and he suddenly stiffened. It was like some had electrified him. Though her fingers were cold, it was refreshing against his skin that was warm both from his adrenaline rush and simply because of his wolf-like genes. He inhaled deeply and his body grew a little more relaxed. Remus looked at her gently, his dark blue-grey eyes softening and dilating. “I know we just met but I somehow feel as if I’ve known you for a much longer time,” he said slowly and sincerely. He tried hard to keep his gaze fixed upon her though it felt uncomfortable for him to meet her in the eyes. “Caddie, you remember what you told me at the end of our last conversation. And I’m kind of wondering if maybe there still might be some feelings there.”
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Post by Sirius Black on Jul 31, 2009 10:46:56 GMT -7
Feeling as if she had caused some offense, Caddie pulled her fingers away when he stiffened. She twisted her hands in her skirt again, and semi-met his gaze- instead of holding it dead on, however, she peered at him through her pale lashes, listening carefully as he spoke.
It took her a moment to respond, and when she did, she spoke slowly. This conversation could now have two ways of proceeding, one involving what she had been hoping for for over a year now, the other leading to ridicule. She was careful to school her expression as she took a deep breath, fidgeting slightly. "I, ah, well..." Her cheeks flushed again and she looked down at the stonework, picking up a flower petal that rested between them and playing with it. "Possibly."
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Post by Nyalna on Jul 31, 2009 11:09:00 GMT -7
Remus was literally sitting on the edge of his seat. His eyes trailed over her, watching her every move. Her hair rustling. Her eyes blinking. He wanted to see every minute movement. It seemed that Caddie took an eternity to respond though in reality it was only a few seconds. He noticed that he had been holding his breath and slowly exhaled. And when she finally did, even though she was no longer looking at him, he broke out into a smile. He relaxed in his seat and did not hold back a content sigh. “Well that’s good,” he said calmly with an ounce of giddiness feeling some kind of strange emotion wanting to both laugh and cry. “Because there possibly might be some feelings on this end too.”
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Post by Sirius Black on Jul 31, 2009 11:14:51 GMT -7
Caddie looked up sharply when he mentioned possible feelings on his end as well, and she frowned at him, studying his face to see if he was teasing her. He wouldn't be the first to do so, but she didn't see any signs that he was anything but sincere, and it made her pulse quicken. "Really?" She asked, her voice taking on an unattractive squeak. She coughed and shook her head for a minute, still staring at him. "You... like me?"
Caddie laughed, her usual happy-go-lucky charm returning with a vengeance for the first time since their luncheon. "This is priceless." She laughed, leaning back against the window and wiping her eyes of the tears that had sprung to them, she was laughing so hard. "Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for you to say something of the sort to me? I've thought about this moment for the last year."
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Post by Nyalna on Aug 2, 2009 17:20:49 GMT -7
He smiled affectionately at the squeak, even as annoying as it might be to others, and found it quite adorable. A notion that probably would’ve made Sirius sick. “Yes, Caddie,” he said more strongly this time as he got over his anxiety, his fear turning into excitement, “I really, really like you.”
He watched her laugh and was glad to see her to return to a far less sad Caddie. It was strange to him to see that her mood had affected his. If she was not happy, he was not happy. If she was sad, he was sad. It was unusual but strengthened his new-found protection over her. Remus watched her laugh and cry at the same time and seriously reflected over what she had said. “Well, I hope I haven’t disappointed you.”
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Post by Sirius Black on Aug 2, 2009 17:26:35 GMT -7
Caddie, before she could really think about whether it was wise or not, threw her arms around him in a hug, still laughing. "Of course you haven't disappointed me! In fact, if I hadn't already stepped in gum today, I would totally think I was dreaming." She pulled away and offered him a sheepish smile, gently smoothing out the slight wrinkles she had made in his robes when she had practically tackled him.
"Sorry. I can be, ah, rather enthusiastic." She tried to look apologetic, but the effect was lost with the huge grin. "And for the record- I really, really like you as well."
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Post by Nyalna on Aug 2, 2009 17:56:10 GMT -7
Remus was a little shocked as she suddenly attacked him for lack of a better word. But he slowly reached his arms around her, returning the affectionate gesture. “That’s good because I wouldn’t want to disappoint you in anyway.” He was sorry when she pulled away but figured it was probably best. It suddenly daunted on him that if this relationship ensued, naturally there would be some kind of physical intimacy involved which frightened him. When was the right time to hold her hand? It was definitely too soon to kiss her wasn’t it?
“I like your enthusiasm,” he blurted out. His eyes widened for a second before he started to turn red from embarrassment.
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Post by Sirius Black on Aug 2, 2009 18:05:07 GMT -7
Caddie folded her hands in her lap, reminding herself that some people weren't as openly affectionate as she knew she could be. "Sorry, I'll try not to tackle you again." She tilted her head to the side, observing him for a moment before saying gently, "Don't worry about me, Remus. It's more important that we're both happy than just myself."
She laughed softly when he blushed, thinking it was the most adorable thing she had ever seen. "It's unfair how adorable you are." She pushed her hair over her shoulder, her wooden bracelets making a soft, soothing noise. "I can't believe this is happening. I... wow."
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