Chapter 20: the day it started

February 1977

Remus Lupin and Annabelladonna have had a casual relationship for the past few weeks. They went on hogsmeade dates, cuddled, studied together, and took late night trips to the kitchens. Both of them trying to ignore the little voice in their heads telling them that they were just using each other. Who cared if they were using each other, they were having fun. Well three boys certainly cared and those three crafted a plan.

Thanks to the upcoming Valentines Day it was the perfect time for the boys to make Bella and Remus fall for each other.

***

"So boys-."Peter started but was swiftly interrupted by Sirius.

"Men, Wormy, Men."

"We're not men yet don't be daft."

"Speak for yourself, you're forgetting I'm seventeen."

"Okay so boy and man child, are we good on the plan?"

"Yep, Pads and I set up the picnic while you leave Moony and Donna notes and make sure they show up. Did you get the supplies."

"Yep. I got candles, a blanket, a basket, food, flowers, and butterbeer. Mazie was happy to give me everything once I told her it was for Bella. It's almost scary how much that elf loves Bells."

"Yeah everyone loves Donnie, it's kinda weird. Even some of the Slytherins like her, and they don't usually like anyone but themselves."

"How could they not love her, she shares the same genes as me. I'd say awesome runs in the family but that'd be a lie so I think the two of us just got lucky."

"Okay enough with your ego Pads you've got a picnic to set up. Go on, I'm not getting any younger."

"Wow worms you're bossy today."

"Call me Worms one more time why don't ya."

"Okay we'll go set up the picnic, goodbye Peter."

"Good choice mate."

***

When Peter found Annabelladonna she seemed to be in the middle of a conversation with a few paintings. She was talking animatedly, gesturing her hands wildly, a mad grin on her face. The paintings she was conversing with seemed to be knights, all clad in chain mail and red cloaks, they all had wide smiles to match the girls. The girl was currently pretending to be in a duel with herself, swinging her arm around as if she had a sword and pointing at them in the process.

Peter didn't know how to plant the note on her without being too obvious until he saw the stacks of books that sat at her feet. He levitated the note over and let it land gracefully on top of the pile, and then he slipped away, remaining unnoticed. When it came to subtly and slyness Peter was the most gifted out of the marauders. Which is why he often found himself being the one executing the pranks whilst the others watched and planned more.

Peter roamed the halls in search of Remus and eventually found him chatting with Dorcas Meadows and Marlene McKinnon. Peter went over and joined in with the conversation, slowly analyzing the scene, looking for where he could hide the note. He settled for slipping it into Remus's pocket covering it up with a little hip pat and a farewell, which gained him a strange look from Remus.

Peter set off to the grassy area besides the Black Lake, whistling along to a tune he couldn't quite remember the name of playing in his head. When he spotted his two friends he scurried towards the picnic they had set up.

"Good, you two finally got something done." Peter has to quickly duck to avoid an apple that Sirius threw in his direction. "You two are pissy today. Want me to fix you a cup of tea?" Another apple was thrown his way, this time by James. "Okay okay I'll lay off it. Merlin you're sensitive today."

"Sorry Peter it's just... Our little Moony's all grown up. He's about to get his first girlfriend. It's a sad sad day. He's about to leave us for good." Sirius said, pretending to get chocked up at the end, forcing tears into his eyes. Raising a hand to dramatically rest on his forehead.

"It's a tragedy, I hardly believe it. I can't fathom why we're helping that temptress whore sink her claws into him."

"Don't call my sister a temptress whore you twat, that's my job."

"Don't call me a twat you prat."

"Boys this is not the tim-" Peter started but was swiftly cut off by two voices.

"Men!"
"Men!"

"Jesus Christ you two are acting like children today. What's it going to be next, are you going to ask me to change your nappies."

"Actually that would be quite nice of you to do. Sirius smells as if he's had an accident." James said, smirking with a face of pride because he thought that he was funny.

"You're the only accident here mate."

"Oh shut up you two. Get into the waitress outfits Bella and Remus will be getting here any second."

"Why do we have to wear the outfits and you don't?" Sirius asked, pouting as he looked down at the waitress dress.

"Because I'm the host. Now hurry up. We only have a few minutes."

"How do you know they saw the notes though?"

"I charmed it. It'll start reading out the note to them. It's basically a howler but not as screamy."

"Oooo smartman."

"Shut up they're coming."

"Hello Sir, Madame, how may we help you today." Sirius didn't miss the fact that Bella and Remus's fingers were laced together, digging his head into James's shoulder and faking a sob.

"You tell me. You guys set this up." Remus said, confusion twisted at his brow as he looked at his best friends.

"Oh just shut up and sit down. Can I interest you in some butterbeer my lady."

"Sure! Thank you Peter."

"May I have some?"

"Sorry, ladies only. We're going to go sit over there wave us down if you want anything."

"Thank you Peter."

***

Bella day on the blanket with her arms crossed and started munching on a strawberry. Remus looked conflicted for a second until Bella took his hand and pulled him down.

"We're gonna miss dinner"

"Remus, this is dinner."

The look on Remus's face told Bella that he was going to argue with her so she stuck a strawberry into his mouth.

"Damn, these strawberries are delicious. Where the bloody hell did they get these from."

"With them its better not to ask. Remus, can I ask you something that's been on my mind for a while?"

"Yeah, ask me anything."

"Would you- maybe- uhhh wanna be my Valentine. I mean you don't have to I just thought it'd be nice to be your valentine, I like valentines. Valentine's Day is so fun and I love all of the decorations and-" She heard Remus laugh before cutting her off with a quick peck on the cheek.

"Is that a yes? It's polite to use your words you know."

"You're an idiot."

"That's not an answer."

"You know I was going to say yes but I think I've changed my mind."

"Well you already said the word yes, so you can't go back now."

"You sure are making me regret this."

"Oh hush Remus." The girl grinned at him, her face lit up with the golden hues coming from the sun making her look like a beautiful painting.

***
The two teenagers gradually got closer and closer as they enjoyed their picnic until their legs were brushing together. Both of their cheeks were flushed and they both had a certain gleam in the eyes. As the night grew closer and the air grew colder the Hufflepuff girl began to shiver. She wasn't prepared for the cold, wearing only a short sleeved shirt and a skirt, and her Hufflepuff scarf. Remus quickly noticed, pulling off his Gryffindor sweater and holding it out to her.

"Oh no Remus it's fine. I don't want you to get cold."  In the back of her mind Bella was silently hoping that he would give it to her anyways. She had always liked the cologne he used and to wear a piece of clothing that smelled like him would be the equivalent of going to heaven.

"Bella just take it. I was getting kind of hot anyways."

"Are you sure."

"No, I'm Remus." The boy took a second to chuckle at his own joke before continuing. "But yes, I am quite certain that it would suit you more than it does me."

"Thank you" Bella took the sweater with a soft smile and pulled it on, wrapping her arms around her stomach to fully soak in the heat. The sweater was still warm from when Remus was wearing it and it smelled simply delightful, like sea salt, plywood, and a campfire. It was quite for a second while Remus looked at her, she looked so bloody fit in his clothes that he had to remind himself that the boys were watching so he could control himself.  Remus was now left in his patterned shirt and fit and flare corduroy jeans. Bella didn't want him getting cold at her expense so she untied her Hufflepuff scarf and wrapped it around his neck. Then she looked down at the sweater and smirked.

"A Gryffindor sweater for a Hufflepuff scarf, now we're even."

"I suppose we are. I also have a question for you if that's alright. Would you be my-" Before Remus could finish he was hit in the head with a balled up piece of paper. And met with the sight of three boys with smiles just about  as wide as the Chessur Cat's. James sent him a quick thumbs up so he opened the note.

James was met with a fierce glare to which he just smiled at, gesturing at Bella and raising his eyebrows. Annabelladonna who was reading over Remus shoulder giggled and looked to the three boys. She had forgotten that they were there, lying on their stomachs, propping their heads up on their palms, still in the waitress dresses. When Remus looked back at her confused to why she was laughing she whispered in his ear.

"Are James and Sirius wearing dresses?"

"Oh my Merlin, they totally are."

"I'm not gonna lie, they definitely look better in dresses than I thought they would."

"You imagined them in dresses?"

"You haven't?"

"No."

"Shame."

"Have you imagined me in a dress?"

"Not really, I don't think it would suit you." Bella said in soft airy voice, her accent was a beautiful mix of French and English.

"Bloody wrong that is, I'd look stunning in a dress."

"I'll believe it when I see it."

"You know what I'll show you who looks good in a dre- wait. Are you baiting me into wearing a fucking dress."

"I would never do that."

"Liar."

"Not a liar." Her sing song tone retuned, making the boys face twist as he was being teased.

"Oh yeah?" Remus said pushing her onto the picnic blanket and pining her down. The boy started trailing his finger down her sides to her stomach, mercilessly tickling her.

"R-Remus s-s-stop." Annabelladonna laughed through her words causing them to come out in stuttered chunks.

"I'll stop when you tell the truth."

"I wouldn't even want to see you in a dress. Bet you'd look horrid."

"That's why you'd want to see it. Probably want blackmail material don't you."

"Just kiss her already you coward." James yelled and immediately ducked to miss the peach that Remus threw his way.

"Wanna go... anywhere without them."

"Can we take the strawberries?" Remus's chuckled after the girls question.

"Of course. So about James's suggestion..."

"Wanna go find an empty classroom?"

"Bloody hell, I can't think of anything I want more than that."

"I can think of a few things."

"Bella! You dirty dog."

"Eh I'm more of a panda person than a dog person, but nice try."

1969 words

(Imagine the boys in this^)

(Bella's wearing that^)

(Remus is wearing one of those^)