Chapter ninety-nine; Christmas dinner
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Jasmine couldn't shake the thought of actual murder within her family for a few days in a row. The fact that she suspected it way before didn't help at all, because when it became real it was like a load of bricks that toppled on her. She couldn't process what Will told her although it was simple enough. His parents were killed and they are still left in the dark as to why or how. But it had definitely something to do with Jasmine's dad. The mess had his smell all over it. Jasmine left the house distressed and sad.
She didn't want to leave Will alone in there, especially with this news but he reassured her he'll be fine. After all these years Jasmine couldn't believe they were on common ground. Nearly as if they called truce, but she would have to hear a lot of apologies from him before she would really forgive him. Spending days at the Fawleys' was as normal as ever. Gabriel and she were back to their old selves, chatting and being great friends. Mr Pearson hadn't dropped in to check at all just like they suspected – he forgot all about the engagement since no one mentioned it. Talisa became her second mum and Jasmine loved spending time with her as they chatted just like she would with her own mum. Both of them missed Aleah's presence and they filled it with one another.
Sooner than expected came Christmas Eve and Jasmine found herself staring at the snow-covered paths in the street. She let out a ragged breath and watched the clouds of smoke leave her lips and disperse further up. Snow crunched under her winter boots as she walked alongside houses, tightly gripping a neatly decorated box in her hands. In the distance she spotted the little house Remus described to her many, many times – his family home.
She had half the mind to turn around and walk back to the Fawleys', no matter if they lived several hours of walking away. She apparated here, but she would gladly walk if it meant that the cold numbed her nerves. She met the parents of her friends before and all was fine, but Remus'? That's entirely different and Jasmine was more scared than for any exam before. This was practically a real-life exam. Will she pass it?
When she arrived at the house she noticed someone standing on the outside porch and quickly made it out to be Remus. He was wearing only a knitted jumper and had no shoes on.
''What are you doing out in the cold?'' Jasmine called to him worried, although a smile played on her lips.
Remus snapped his head up at the sound of her voice. Jasmine hurried her steps towards him, putting the box under one arm so she could jump into his embrace and hug him with the other. Remus let out a chuckle as they collided in a tight hug as if they hadn't seen each other in forever.
''Hi.'' He muttered against her shoulder as he buried his face into it.
''Hey,'' Jasmine replied and slowly leaned back. ''You still haven't answered my question.''
Remus laughed nervously and looked down at his sparse attire. ''Honestly, I was so nervous I had to step out for fresh air. And also mum was panicking and trying to make everything look perfect and in other words annoying dad and I.''
Jasmine laughed softly. Her eyebrows then scrunched up. ''Why are you nervous? It's me who's meeting your parents.''
''Exactly. I want them to like you. Anyway, I'm sure they will, but still, you know. It's the good nerves.''
Jasmine nodded, knowing exactly what he meant.
Remus leaned closer and pecked her cheek quickly. ''Let's go inside before we freeze.''
Jasmine gladly followed him. The warm atmosphere of the inside hit her face and welcomed her inside. Her inspective eyes looked around the narrow foyer, picking out details. Her mind was washed over completely when she sensed a sweet smell of something baking from somewhere inside the house. Remus woke her from her trance when he offered to take her coat, shaking off all the snow. Jasmine thanked him, placing the box on the nearby shelf for a few seconds. Then Remus grabbed her hand and tugged her along deeper into the house.
The foyer opened into a living room where a fire was blazing in the fireplace and near it, there was a Christmas tree set up. Everything looked so warm and homely and despite everything, Jasmine felt at home already. They turned right and Jasmine was met with a dinner table put at the side of the room. Behind it there were doors that undoubtedly led to the kitchen, but Jasmine didn't even think to go there since someone was sitting at the table. She suspected it was Remus' dad who held a newspaper open in front of him, hiding his face completely as he read.
''Dad,'' said Remus.
The newspaper rustled as his dad put it down. His eyebrows jumped up on his forehead. ''Oh! Hello! Hi! Welcome!'' He jumped up from the table and rounded it to near the couple.
Jasmine noticed the uncanny similarity of Remus and his dad, only Remus was a tad bit taller than him and thinner as well. They had the same nose and mouth shape, they shared the same smile, although his dad's eyes were dark and not green like Remus'.
''You must be Jasmine.'' He offered his hand to her.
Jasmine shook it with a smile. ''It's nice to meet you Mr Lupin.''
Mr Lupin laughed, releasing her hand. ''You make me sound so old. Lyall will be just fine.'' Then he turned sideways to the other door. ''Honey!'' he yelled.
Jasmine stifled a chuckle and looked left at Remus. He smiled at her and squeezed her hand in comfort. The door to the kitchen swung open and a petite short woman emerged from the kitchen. She had a red apron tied around her waist and it was stained with flour. She had the same sandy brown hair as Remus and the same big green eyes as him. Once she realised why her husband called her in she quickly untied the apron and threw it off to the side, revealing a beautiful long-sleeved dark dress appropriate for a Christmas Eve dinner.
''Hello, I'm Hope.'' Remus' mum stepped forward and opened her arms for a hug.
Jasmine let out a small 'oh' before she was pulled into a warm hug by Mrs Lupin. She released Remus' hand and laughed softly at how tightly the woman held her. When she released her she held her at arm's length and shamelessly ran her eyes down her figure.
''Oh, she's beautiful, Remus.'' She gushed as she turned to her son.
Jasmine chuckled and looked at him, noticing how a blush crept up his cheeks. ''I brought something for you,'' Jasmine remembered and offered Mrs Lupin the box.
Mrs Lupin sighed with delight. ''You really shouldn't have, Jasmine.''
''I baked some biscuits and thought you would enjoy them. It's really kind of you to have me here for dinner so I thought I have to repay you somehow.'' Jasmine had to express her gratefulness.
''Nonsense.'' Now Mr Lupin butted in. ''We are most happy to have you. Come, sit down.'' He showed with his hand to the table.
Jasmine walked to it to sit down when she heard behind her back 'and very kind too' as Mrs Lupin whispered to Remus. He muttered a quiet joking 'shut up', then he pulled out a chair next to Jasmine and sat down. Mrs Lupin disappeared into the kitchen just as Mr Lupin sat down on the opposite side of the table.
''We were wondering when Remus is going to bring anyone home to meet us.'' Mr Lupin joked.
''Dad!'' Remus complained.
It seemed that his parents were on a roll to embarrass him as much as they could and Jasmine found it adorable. She wondered though if Remus told him or his mum how they started dating.
''What?'' Mr Lupin laughed.
''It's true.'' Mrs Lupin appeared out of the kitchen carrying hot plates of food. ''I noticed something was up with you one full year ago and then it was only a matter of time when we meet her.'' She smiled as she placed dinner in front of Jasmine.
''A year ago?'' Remus asked with confusion as he watched his mother sit down as well.
She nodded eagerly. ''I believe Jasmine sent you something for Christmas. Didn't you?'' Mrs Lupin raised her eyebrows at Jasmine.
Jasmine and Remus looked at each other, trying to remember what it was. ''A box of chocolates.'' They said in unison.
''But we weren't even together then,'' Remus added and moved his eyes to the plate.
''That doesn't matter. You clearly fancied her.'' Mrs Lupin chuckled.
Jasmine didn't know if her cheeks could get even redder. She never discussed the time when they knew they liked each other with Remus, so he was still a mystery to her. This new information though very much interested her.
''So, Jasmine,'' Mr Lupin cleared his throat. ''What do you plan on doing after Hogwarts.''
Jasmine stopped halfway through bringing food to her mouth, quite expecting the question to pop up one time or another during dinner. ''Well, I was thinking of applying to Healer's training.''
''A healer? Impressive.'' Mr Lupin nodded slowly.
''But you are applying, Jass.'' Remus' left hand lowered and he placed it on her thigh, squeezing it reassuringly.
Jasmine sent him a pointed look, meaning that she won't have this conversation with him right now. ''If I pass NEWT's, that is.'' She said quieter than before.
''Thinking about what you want to do for the rest of your life isn't easy at an age like yours, so don't feel pressured on choosing right away.'' Mr Lupin wisely said.
''That's right,'' Jasmine agreed, happy that she had some sort of support. Then she turned sideways to Remus and made the conversation flow around him. ''Besides, you don't even know where you're going.''
''Didn't you talk about Defence and Ministry as possibilities?'' His father filled for him.
Remus' face went slack. ''Yeah, if they'll even want to take me.''
''Remus.'' Mrs Lupin said with a new, more serious tone.
Everyone at the table knew what was implied by him but none of them spoke aloud about it. Jasmine already thought that his dad is going to laugh it off and steer the conversation elsewhere, but he fell quiet. Mrs Lupin didn't chastise him more either. Now Jasmine felt bad for involving Remus' future in the conversation even though she knew the subject was very touchy.
She grabbed Remus' hand that was on her thigh and squeezed it in comfort. ''They'll have no other choice, Rem. Otherwise, I'm sure Dumbledore would take you in as a professor if Smirnitsky won't last at Defence.''
Remus chuckled involuntarily and when he looked at her, she could see it in his eyes that he was glad for her part in this.
''I can't believe you have a new one almost every year. How is the new professor?'' Mr Lupin continued.
''He's cool,'' Remus replied. ''He really tries to bring the subject closer to us and teach us for real-life situations.''
''I think they couldn't pick a better one for this position.'' Jasmine agreed. ''He's fun and young, but experienced as well.''
''Well, surely headmaster won't just fire him if you think so good of him.'' Mrs Lupin interjected. She usually didn't indulge in talks about Hogwarts, but this time the conversation appeared to be interesting.
''The year isn't over yet. Anything can happen.'' Remus shrugged.
Jasmine really didn't want Smirnitsky to be fired, but Remus was telling the truth. It was especially getting really suspicious due to how the professor was acting around them. His whole Forbidden Forest idea was crazy but it paid off in the end. No matter how open he acted in front of them, there was still something off so their group of friends were full of theories of who he actually is.
James believes he's working for the Dark Lord, Jasmine and Lily are on the side that there's nothing he has to hide while Sirius and Remus think he's not actually from Russia and that he only made up the writing at the beginning of the year to impress them. Jasmine wondered if they'll ever find out anything more while she also couldn't forget what Dumbledore said to her just before she left Hogwarts for the holidays.
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