Chocolate Covered Strawberries [Remus Lupin]

𝚏𝚒𝚏𝚝𝚢-𝚏𝚒𝚟𝚎

His eyes flickered to Jasmine again and he frowned a little as she looked very bothered. He moved his leg a little under the table so now their knees were lightly touching. She didn't move away, her eyes locked with his for a second and all he could see was fear. It was like she didn't want him to know all this but was at the same time glad he was beside her, still in some way showing her comfort.

''Well then, who is it?'' Sirius asked again impatiently looking directly at Jasmine.

Jasmine sighed. She looked at him, then at Lily and Robyn who looked like they could barely contain themselves but they didn't speak. ''Gabriel Fawley,'' Jasmine said boringly.

''Fawley? From Slytherin's Quidditch team?'' James asked immediately after hearing the game.

Robyn and Lily nodded vigorously too excited at this while Jasmine could in no way match their excitement. James looked again behind his shoulder and he noticed that indeed Gabriel was oftentimes watching their whole group. He didn't exactly hate the guy, he thought he was one of the more reserved Slytherins he knew, it was just Quidditch rivalry.

''How did that happen?'' Sirius asked, genuinely interested but a bit like he didn't want to know the answer.

''William set it all up,'' Jasmine grumbled very unenthusiastically.

Lily scoffed across the table. ''No. That's just what Jass thinks. Gabe asked her all on his own.'' She butted in.

Sirius looked between Lily and Jasmine and once the light brunette looked back at him he sent her a sympathetic smile. The group slowly got back into chatting, a few with surprising comments, Lily and Robyn with very excited ones while Jasmine and Remus both stayed very quiet. Robyn then complained that she had no one to shop with since Jasmine will be busy and Sirius already made plans with the boys so Lily kindly offered she can go with her. Robyn couldn't be happier and was looking forward to spending a day with Lily alone, especially if they would visit Tomes and Scrolls and Gladrags as well.

Jasmine looked down and noticed Remus was resting his hand on his thigh. In the spur of the moment, she reached over and grabbed his hand squeezing it, trying to silently tell him something. What, she wasn't sure herself but she just wanted him to know that she didn't forget about him, even if it looked very weird she's going on a date with someone else. Breakfast was soon over and Jasmine let go of Remus' hand. She said goodbye to all of her friends and lingered her eyes on Remus for a second longer. When she backed away she tapped the pocket of her coat, letting Remus know she'll send him a message.

Remus waited for a while after she was gone and then didn't hesitate when the parchment appeared in his pocket.

I'll tell you everything when I get back.

He didn't know how to feel, all that he knew was this uneasy feeling settled in his stomach and he didn't like it.

Jasmine walked to the entrance hall where she quickly spotted Gabriel standing all on his own. He was messing with the front of his coat while his foot was tapping the ground. He tried to make himself busy as he was waiting but he stopped as soon as he saw Jasmine. He was dressed nicely so that Jasmine thought she underdressed for the occasion. She didn't let her mind convince her this was actually a date as she can't go on dates with someone who isn't her boyfriend, someone who isn't Remus.

Gabriel and she smiled, one brightly the other one kind of awkwardly as she still wasn't quite prepared to face this. Then they walked together to Hogsmeade, side by side, as Gabriel tried to spark up some small talk. Jasmine had to give it to him, he really was trying but she still didn't believe all of it was sincere. Her thoughts were enveloping her mind more and more and by that amount that she for a little while completely forgot where she was.

She only cleared her mind when a cup of tea was placed before her in Madame Puddifoot's Tea Shop. Gabriel didn't seem to notice she was awfully quiet, he couldn't have as he hadn't known her for that long. He continued with his storytelling about Quidditch and Jasmine was constantly switching gazes between him and the tea in front of her as she couldn't ease down no matter what. Once Gabriel took a break to drink Jasmine didn't want to keep quiet anymore.

''Did William ask you to do this?'' She asked out of nowhere, thinking it was now or torture for the rest of her time.

Gabriel stopped his motions as he looked at her, his eyebrows slowly closing in with confusion. ''Sorry?'' He asked, leaning back a bit in his chair with a light chuckle. He thought he heard her wrong or at least that she was joking.

Jasmine let out some air as her features were completely serious. ''Did William make you go on a date with me?'' She repeated her question.

Gabriel put down his drink so he wouldn't have the chance to spit it out if she uttered anything else as ridiculous. Jasmine closely observed his every move all of the emotion on his face for any chance that he's hiding something or being dishonest. Gabriel's features were washed with confusion at first before a light smile settled at his lips.

''No, he didn't.'' He said slowly. ''Why do you think that?'' He leaned forward and put his elbows on the table. He was starting to sense why Jasmine wasn't in the greatest mood.

''Because this is William we're talking about here, he has never in his life done anything good for me, unless it benefited him more. I mean you are his friend for all I know this could be all a setup.'' Jasmine let out in frustration.

She felt like she was repeating herself over and over again but this was the first time she said it in front of Gabriel. He stared at her, trying to comprehend her words. It was completely different from his point of view and he was rather surprised at hearing what was Jasmine's take on this. He started doubting he had mistaken her signs for something else.

''Well, I can assure you Will has nothing to do with this, except for the fact that he won't bully you because of it, which I am probably the most glad for,'' Gabriel said calmly and added one of his signature smiles.

Jasmine relaxed a little at that but she still couldn't let it go completely. She watched the beverage in front of her as she slowly stirred it with her spoon, in all honesty avoiding Gabe's gaze completely. She really didn't have anything to compare this date with as she has never been on one but she wondered if she was supposed to feel this uncomfortable feeling in her stomach or not.

''You know I never knew Will was so possessive and controlling over you.'' Gabe then let out, trying to find a common ground. Jasmine looked up and let him know she was paying attention.

''I always watched from afar and it looked to me like he was just playing a role of an overprotective older brother that you never had. He never mentioned anything about you and by the time we were in the sixth year I didn't even know you two were related. I always thought you didn't go on dates because he tried to protect you that's also why I never grabbed the courage to talk to you, sensing it would be a lost cause. That was until a few months ago when Will finally showed how much self-centred he really is and it made him that much annoying. I always thought he was annoying but in a best friend way, since then I couldn't stand seeing him treating you like that so I decided to talk to you and help you.''

Jasmine didn't move her eyes away the whole time he was speaking as she could hear how sincere he was, finally knowing he isn't hiding anything in front of her.

''Well, who would've thought that it would actually turn out for the best for both of us, right?'' Gabriel finished and looked up from watching the tabletop with a hopeful smile.

Jasmine curled her lips into a small smile as well, finally easing up a bit but hoping she wasn't giving Gabe false hope. 

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