𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍:
Seeing her smile
(1971)

THE FULL MOON always takes a toll on Remus John Lupin. He has tried to get used to it since he was 5 years old, but it only seems to get worse. The transformation seems to get worse. Madam Pomfrey says as he ages, the transformation will adjust to his body—it will get way worse as he gets older. More painful and more unbearable.

He had just come from the Shrieking Shack that Professor Dumbledore arranged just for him to use during the full moon. He planted the Whomping Willow this year to hide the shack so students won't be able to go near the shack and get accidentally mauled by a wolf.

He's too ashamed to be treated at the Hospital Wing, afraid that someone might see him limping and weak. After Madam Pomfrey healed his wounds and gave him a potion that would help the muscle ache.

Remus wanted to get away from the place that reminded him of the horrors that occurred to him every night of the Full Moon. He'd already had two full moons at Hogwarts, and Remus was quite relieved that he had Madam Pomfrey to depend on. The woman is a huge help—especially with the scars.

His parents didn't know how to deal with his condition, they tried to be supportive as much as possible, but it wasn't the same. He already told his parents that he isn't coming home for the holidays because dealing with the Full Moon is much safer at Hogwarts than risking their safety again. They weren't happy with that, but they understood his decision.

The Matron tried to convince him not to go to his classes for today and rest, but Remus assured her that he was alright, even if his bones were aching, and wanted to bawl his eyes out on how painful everything was.

And now it's 5:30 in the morning, the sun is getting ready to rise, and the lit lanterns guided Remus towards the narrow empty corridors—or so he thought it was empty. His enhanced hearing picked up a tune coming from one of the classrooms.

Confused, he tries to locate the melodic sound—nobody should be awake at this hour, well, except for him. The classroom was well hidden, but he managed to find it—enhanced senses and all that, speaking on enhanced senses.

He was familiar with the scent of fruity cologne—specifically grapefruit. But more than the layer of cologne is a much more prominent scent, like a nice cup of hot chocolate during winter and freshly baked biscuits. Merlin, it's mouth-watering—addicting, even. He couldn't get enough of it.

He knocked on the wooden door, and the melodic tune stopped as he opened the door, looking inside the well-lit room. And sees...Viviane? Hair styled neatly into a tight bun and wearing a skin-tight top and leggings with leg warmers and pointe ballet shoes.

Viviane is a ballerina? Remus thinks to himself as he awkwardly greets Viviane, who is looking at him shyly, her face warm red—she's embarrassed. That's just great, Remus. You made her embarrassed. Remus curses himself in his head. And tries to resolve the situation by giving her a smile.

"Good morning, Viv." Remus greets as he enters the classroom, shutting the door behind him, and shoving his hands into his pockets, feeling rather awkward. He shouldn't have been so curious.

"Morning, Remus," Viviane replies shyly as she picks up her wand, muttering a spell under her breath and tapping her shoulder as her Ballet Attire turns into their Hogwarts uniform and Slytherin robes.

Then they both went silent. The air was very much awkward.

"What are you doing here?" They both asked at the same time.

Remus sheepishly smiles at her and says, "You go first."

Viviane answers, blushing a bit, "Well, I decided to do warm-ups since it's been a while since I danced. I surprisingly miss it. Father sent a letter to Professor Dumbledore and asked if he could lend me an unused classroom for my Ballet dancing, and here I am." Viviane smiles at him, making her way toward him.

"Why are you up so early?"

"Early bird is all. Decided to take a morning walk." Remus hopes that it's a good reason for Viviane to believe. Viviane furrowed her eyebrows as she finally stopped in front of him. She released a soft gasp as her eyes inspected his face and arms.

"Merlin, Remus! Are you all right?" Viviane's eyes immediately contort into worry.

"You look beyond exhausted." Viviane worriedly gushes as she places a palm on his cheek, tracing the dark circles under his eyes. Thankfully, she didn't comment on his scars, or else Remus would wallow in self-pity.

Surprisingly, Remus actually liked her touch. He refrains from physical contact, afraid that he might potentially hurt people. But Viviane's touch was quite warm and comfortable.

Remus shakes his head, giving her an assuring smile as he reluctantly gently removes Viviane's hands away from his face. Giving her hand a light squeeze, he nonchalantly replies, "Haven't been sleeping well. That's all."

Viviane pursed her lips, then she beamed, smiling, "Come on. I got to show you something!" Viviane exclaims enthusiastically as Remus chuckles as he furrows his brows. "Where?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Yeah, I trust you." The reply came out of Remus' lips that he didn't seem to register himself as he blinked rapidly while Viviane took his hand and started walking towards the Grand Staircase, and he let her drag him. Coming down the staircase below ground.

They walked to the cellar beneath the Great Hall and walked to their left. Viviane halted in front of a large fruit bowl portrait. The Hufflepuff common rooms are nearby just inside the large barrels.

Viviane tickled the pear, with the painting releasing a giggle, and the portrait suddenly swung open. Remus looks at the wide entrance in shock. Then Viviane took him by the hand again as they entered inside, the portrait closed shut behind them.

After walking down a few flights of stairs, they are greeted by an aroma of delicious food that fills the air with the warmth and cheer of the kitchens—the Hogwarts Kitchens.

The walls are made of sturdy stone. Countertops and workstations made from polished wood stretch across the room, providing ample space for the house elves to prepare meals. The kitchen is divided into different sections, each dedicated to a specific culinary task.

There are areas designated for chopping, slicing, stirring, and baking, ensuring a seamless workflow for the house elves as they go about their duties—preparing breakfast to be served at the Great Dining Hall at 7:30 AM.

"Awe-striking, isn't it?" Viviane softly laughs, seeing Remus's expression, wide eyes wandering around the kitchens, absolutely gobsmacked.

"How did you even know of this?" Remus faces Viviane with pure curiosity and intrigue.

Viviane grinned, shrugging, "Just pure luck," Then suddenly, they heard a pop. A house elf apparated in front of them with the widest smile, looking at Viviane excitedly.

"Ms. Viviane has visited us again!" The house elf exclaims. Viviane giggles as she crouches on the ground, smiling at the house elf—it makes Remus think that he wished that Viviane was smiling at him instead.

"I did Flip! I rather enjoyed the Chelsea buns you made me!"

"Oh! Flip is very delighted to know that Ms. Viviane enjoyed what he served last time. Flip would like to know what Ms. Viviane would like to eat." Flip eagerly asks, expectantly waiting for her response.

Then he looks beside Viviane, "Flip did not notice that Ms. Viviane had brought a friend. Flip is so sorry!" Flip exclaims with an apologetic look.

Remus was about to reply when Viviane quickly held Flip's hand, saying, "Remus doesn't mind. Do you remember what we talked about, Flip?"

Flip nodded as Viviane removed her hold from his hand, "Flip promised Ms. Viviane that he will never hurt himself when he makes mistakes."

"Good." Viviane smiles, then says, "Do you have any chocolate-filled muffins, Flip?"

"Oh! Yes! Ms. Viviane. Would you also like two glasses of milk too?" Flip asks, then Viviane nods in response as Flip disapparated in front of them.

"He was going to hurt himself?" Remus asks as they sit on the wooden bench. Viviane nodded, informing, "House-elves tend to inflict pain on themselves when they make mistakes. Like punishing themselves."

"What? Why?" Remus asks, appalled.

"House-elves they serve, commands are their highest laws, they need to obey. Helga Hufflepuff brought them here to Hogwarts. They're bound here with good working conditions. I still don't know why Flip would still inflict pain on himself when he makes a mistake. I guess that's just their natural reaction." Viviane tells him.

"Do you have house elves?"

"Yes. We have house elves at the Manor, but my mother and I have our own house elf. Her name is Weeny. I quite miss her, to be honest." Viviane smiles fondly as she thinks of Weeny. Then Flip arrived with a plate full of chocolate muffins and two floating glasses of milk. With a flick of her wrist, a table appeared in front of them. Flip arranged the table.

"Thank you, Flip." Viviane says, then takes a muffin, handing it to the house elf, "Here, I'd like you to take one." Flip hesitantly looks at the muffin and then at Viviane.

Viviane encourages him as he takes it. "Ms. Viviane is always so nice to Flip." Flip squeaks out, and Viviane chuckles.

"It's the least I can do, Flip. You always bring me food after my Ballet warm-ups." Viviane tells him, and Flip brightens, "Flip is always delighted to bring Ms. Viviane food!" Then he disapparated.

Remus takes a muffin, eagerly taking a bite. He was hungry after enduring last night's full moon. Drinking a few gulps of milk while Viviane watched him, amused as she took a bite of her own muffin. Then Remus decided to ask. "I didn't know you do Ballet."

Viviane furrows her eyebrows and asks, "You don't read the Daily Prophet?"

Remus shakes his head, "Not really. Sometimes I do. I skip most of it for the sports section—quidditch."

Viviane blinks in response as she sighs in relief, "That's quite refreshing to hear."

"Refreshing?"

Viviane clears out her throat, looking away, "The Daily Prophet has basically kept tabs on my life since I was born. My life isn't exactly private anymore. Everyone knows everything about me."

Remus puts down his muffin, wiping his mouth with a napkin that Flip provided. Seeing Viviane looking down on her lap with a frown, then he tells her softly, "I'd like to get to know you, from you, of course. Not from the papers."

Viviane looks up at him with an appreciative smile, "That sounds nice. I'd like that."

And suddenly, Remus Lupin didn't mind the throbbing ache in his body when he saw her smile.

Author's Note:
—I just love house elves!
—I hoped you all loved this chapter as much as I do! It'll take a long time for Viviane and Remus to be together so be patient, my darlings!