Chapter one hundred; Lupin men
▴ ◃ ▾ ▹
The rest of the dinner had come and gone smoothly, filled with a ton of jokes and light conversations. Jasmine was pleasantly surprised because it went so well and she immediately felt at home. Remus' parents were so nice to her. She didn't know what else she expected from people who raised such a generally kind and intelligent guy, but it still made her heart swell.
Jasmine picked up a few plates, avoiding bumping into a chair and carried them through the door into the kitchen.
''Oh, thank you.'' Mrs Lupin smiled at her as Jasmine placed the dirty plates next to the sink, where she was starting to wash all the dishes.
''I can help with that.'' Jasmine nodded at the mountain of things to clean.
Mrs Lupin momentarily widened her eyes and stared at her. ''That's quite alright. You know I can't use magic to speed things up so I –''
''I don't either.'' Jasmine quickly interjected.
She realised that when she offered help, Mrs Lupin immediately thought she meant with magic. So Jasmine moved around to the other side of Mrs Lupin and picked up a dry rag to wipe all the clean and wet dishes. Mrs Lupin watched her with her eyebrows high on her forehead for a few more moments before she chuckled and continued her task. The two went on silently, Mrs Lupin washing and Jasmine drying, all while listening to a joking argument from the dining table where Remus and Mr Lupin sat.
''So, Remus told us you're staying with a friend over the holidays, mentioned that it had something to do with your family,'' said Mrs Lupin.
Jasmine stopped drying a cup and stared at it. Just how much has Remus told them?
''I don't mean to impose and I knew at what point things got too personal to tell. I was just wondering how you're holding up? Truly?''
Jasmine looked left at Mrs Lupin. She stopped working as well and was looking at her with kind and sincere eyes. ''I'm okay. I guess it's a bit harsh to say so but I'm sort of used to it by now. Used to that it will never be perfect. But as long as my mum is okay, I'm okay too.'' She shrugged.
Mrs Lupin smiled sadly. ''Oh, honey. You are welcome here any time. It would surely be nice to have some female company, the testosterone has been through the roof for the past seventeen years.''
Jasmine chuckled and looked behind her shoulder at Remus and Mr Lupin. ''Thank you.'' She smiled at Mrs Lupin.
''You are very welcome because now you're part of the family.''
Jasmine's cheeks flushed at that comment and she turned her head down to hide it. She gripped another plate handed to her by Mrs Lupin and wiped it dry, before putting it on a pile on the counter.
''When did you know?'' Mrs Lupin hummed with a new tone in her voice.
''Sorry?'' Jasmine looked at her with confusion in her eyes.
Mrs Lupin didn't stop working and didn't look at her either. ''When did you know that you love Remus?''
Jasmine widened her eyes. This is the boldest his mum has been all night. She opened her mouth to answer but nothing came out. Love? How did she know?
Mrs Lupin turned to her. ''You thought I didn't notice?'' She chuckled lightly.
Jasmine closed her mouth. Of course, Mrs Lupin would notice that. She noticed at the mere second that Remus fancied her a year ago. This wouldn't go past her either.
''I can see it in his eyes that he loves you. It was there all summer while he was at home. And the moment I saw you and the way you were looking at him all throughout dinner, I just knew.'' She smiled sweetly. Then a chuckle flew past her lips as well. ''Excuse me and my rather curious mind. You'll find I'm a great listener, but at the same time I want to know about the person I'm talking to.''
Jasmine noticed so during dinner with the numerous questions Mrs Lupin asked. She didn't mind it as it never got personal and it always continued the conversation even if the others didn't have anything to add. Jasmine let the mention of Remus and summer go to the back of her head as she fished for an answer.
She cleared her throat awkwardly. ''I don't know, I've never really thought about the exact moment when I realised. I guess it was all things combined eventually. Remus is such a calm person and it was like a relief from all the chaos at Hogwarts to just sit there and talk to him. He listened, always, which I now realise he has in his genes. He is considering, he knows how to compromise, he's sweet and caring in all ways possible, he's devoted and brave. I really admire him that he trusted me with the biggest secret of his life, that he let me see his vulnerable side. But when he wanted to push me away, I stayed by his side. Love does that to you, doesn't it? Makes you want to stay, no matter what?''
Mrs Lupin smiled sideways at her. ''It does. I'm telling you, it's these Lupin men. They are a different species that just make you want to love them.'' She said with a dreamy voice.
Then both of them looked through the kitchen door again at Remus and Mr Lupin. While his dad was talking animatedly, Remus stole a glance through the door. He caught them looking and while his mum looked away, Jasmine smiled at him and waved. When the two women finished cleaning what was left of the dinner, they moved back out into the common area.
Instead of sitting down, Jasmine checked her watch and noticed how late it was. She looked up and met Remus' expectant eyes. She smiled at him before she looked at his parents.
''Thank you for dinner, it was delicious. But I think it's time for me to go now actually, I don't want to worry my friend's family by arriving so late.'' She chuckled nervously.
Immediately she noticed the sad expression Remus was giving her from the corner of her eye. Disappointment crossed Mrs Lupin's face as well. ''Don't feel pressured to leave, Jasmine. You are welcome to stay as long as you want.''
Jasmine wanted to thank her again and oppose that she really has to leave because that was her brain speaking. If she would have listened to her heart she would stay for the rest of the Holidays. The Fawleys' place didn't even compare to how much more at home she felt with the Lupins.
Remus stood up from the table and captured Jasmine's attention so she didn't answer at all. He reached for her hand and tugged her away from the dining area.
''I'm not letting you leave so early.'' He said quietly when they were a few steps away from his parents.
''Remus –''
''Come on! I want to show you something.'' He smiled at her before he started ascending the stairs.
Jasmine followed him with curiosity occupying her mind. On the landing of the stairs, he turned left and opened the first door. Jasmine found herself in a smaller room with wooden slats on the ceiling that made the whole space with the soft yellow light look really cosy. A bed was pushed up against the furthest wall, next to it was a desk filled with stacks of books and one whole wall was occupied with bookshelves.
Jasmine was immediately attracted to pictures that were stuck to the wall above the headboard of the bed. She pushed herself up on her knees on the mattress and smiled at all the laughing faces of her friends. There was a group photo of all of them at James' house last summer, a sweet kiss between Remus and her, all of them together at the Gryffindor table.
Then Jasmine's eyebrows jumped up in surprise when she saw a photo that didn't know it existed. ''When was this taken?'' She asked and turned her head around to look at Remus.
He peered over her shoulder at the photo where Jasmine and Sirius were intently watching each other as if they were having a staring contest, but they looked like they were talking.
''You and Pads were in such a deep conversation you were completely oblivious to what was going on around you. None of us knew what you were talking about and no matter what we said you two ignored us. Then Lily took that picture thinking it will annoy Sirius because he doesn't want pictures taken of him if he's not aware, but he didn't even react.''
Jasmine chuckled and turned her eyes back to the picture. She couldn't even remember what they were talking about but it seemed it was important back then. She never realised something could make her so oblivious to her surroundings. Her eyes tore away from the wall of pictures when the mattress dipped beside her and she turned to Remus, who just sat down. He had a kind smile on his features as he looked at her just before his eyes averted to his lap. Jasmine noticed he was holding a neatly wrapped parcel with a red bow in his hands. He tentatively brought it closer for her to see.
''Remus,'' Jasmine said with sadness in her voice. ''We agreed on gifts after Christmas.'' She moved on the bed so she sat right beside him.
A little flush crept up Remus' cheeks. ''I know. But I couldn't wait that long. Christmas is tomorrow and I wanted to surprise you.''
''But I have nothing for you! I really thought we were going to exchange gifts back at Hogwarts.'' Jasmine whined, starting to feel really bad she didn't bring Remus' gift over to his house.
''That's okay. You being here with me is a good enough gift already.'' Remus leaned closer and pecked her on the lips.
Jasmine wanted to melt hearing those words as warmth spread through her on the inside. Remus then put the gift in her hands and beckoned her to open it. Since it was so neatly wrapped Jasmine was extra careful not to tear the bow nor the paper. By the size and shape of the gift she already guessed that Remus bought her another book like she received Alice in Wonderland from him for her birthday. But what she got now completely blew her mind away.
The book was leather-bound and when she turned it around to check the title it spelt 'Jasmine's baked goods'. Confusion circled in Jasmine's eyes as she looked up at Remus.
He smiled. ''It's an empty notebook. For you to write down all of your recipes. I know you bake by memory or experiment but still, I thought some of them could be written down to remember and –''
His voice faltered when Jasmine flung her arms around him and kissed him on the lips. A little noise of surprise escaped Remus and he smiled into the kiss.
Jasmine pulled away. ''Why do you always want to explain why you did something for me? Or why you got me a certain gift?''
Remus chuckled nervously. ''Well because I think that you won't like it at first if I don't explain the reason behind my decision.''
Jasmine chuckled and ran her hand through his hair. ''When have I ever not liked anything from you?''
''Never?'' Remus asked unsurely.
''Thank you so much. I love it, I was thinking for some time now that I should write it all down.'' She smiled as she picked up the notebook from the bed. Then she looked at Remus. ''And now I can.''
Jasmine detached herself from Remus to put the book in a safe space away from the bed. ''I feel bad now though. My gift for you doesn't even compare to this.''
''Stop. I'm sure I'm going to love it.'' Remus grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to him, Jasmine had no other choice but to sit in his lap as his arms wrapped around her.
''Your gifts are always so thoughtful, Rem. I don't know what I did to deserve all this.'' She put her hand up to his face and softly caressed his cheek.
Remus smiled in a sad way. ''Where is this coming from?'' He asked indicating her melancholy words. ''Of course, you deserve it, you deserve all of it. I love you, Jasmine. I wish I could show you somehow just how much I mean it because words don't even come close to describing what I feel for you.''
Jasmine momentarily closed her eyes and bit her lip to not smile so much. ''I love you too, Remus. I can't imagine where I would be right now if I hadn't met you.''
Remus removed a strand of hair behind Jasmine's ear and she saw that he was thinking the exact same thing as his smile faltered. They would both be in very different places, yet something in the universe wanted them together and here they were. Happily in love. They overcame so much and fought against every obstacle that prevented them from being together. Their bond was as strong as ever and for the first time, Jasmine truly believed that they were going to last until the end of their days. She could only see happiness as she stared into Remus' beautiful green eyes.
''Stay,'' Remus whispered.
''What?''
''Stay the night. Don't go back to Fawley. Stay here with me, please.''
A million possible scenarios unravelled in Jasmine's mind but after another second she could only see Remus in front of her, his eyes that were looking only at her, lips slightly parted and looking so inviting and his arms wrapped so tightly around her that even if she said no, he wouldn't let her go.
▴ ◃ ▾ ▹
We have breached the hundreds! WOW!
I can't believe how far I've come with this story, it's absolutely mind-blowing. Thank you, everyone, who's still reading this story! Thank you for your votes, comments and sweet messages! Thank you for experiencing this journey with me and putting up with my updates every week, I hope you like reading this and don't worry, the story isn't over yet!
THANK YOU!