Chocolate Covered Strawberries [Remus Lupin]

𝚜𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚢-𝚏𝚒𝚟𝚎

Chapter seventy-five; Aleah Pearson

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''Thank you again for doing this,'' said Jasmine and nudging Sirius lightly on his arm.

They were walking down the street where Jasmine's house stood. Since Pearson's residence was highly protected with wards, they couldn't apparate right into the house. In front of the house wasn't a good idea either since neighbours, who weren't all wizards, could see them. So they had to apparate to a park and then walk the rest of the way to the house.

''Hey, don't worry about it,'' Sirius replied with a smile.

Jasmine readjusted the straps on her bag and a shuddered breath escaped her at the sight of her house not far off. To an outside looker, like Sirius, the house was a normal family looking two-story building with a beautiful garden in front of it. But to Jasmine, it was a nightmare filled place that sent chills up her spine.

Once the two of them arrived at the gravel path that leads up to the front door, Jasmine stopped abruptly. ''Wait.''

''What?'' Sirius glanced at her with confusion in his eyes and also stopped.

''In case my dad is home right now –''

''He's not home. It's barely past lunchtime and he's probably still at the Ministry.'' Sirius tried to calm Jasmine down.

She shot him a glare that made him shut up. ''My dad's pretty high up in the Ministry hierarchy so he does whatever he wants. Now, if he's here, please don't do anything stupid like you did the last time. I'm speaking for both of our safeties. Let me talk and you just have to stand there and look pretty, okay?'' Jasmine watched Sirius for as long as she needed to know that he agreed to the plan.

He nodded, even though it could be seen that keeping quiet won't be an easy thing to do. Especially if his best friend is in danger.

''Okay, now hold my hand if you want to get past the protective wards.'' Jasmine held out her hand.

Sirius slipped his hand in hers and she pulled him through the wards with ease. After that, he didn't intend to let go and Jasmine didn't either, as though he was the leverage she needed not to turn around and run away from the house. But she needed to do this, she needed to do this for her mum. Sirius only now understood how anxious Jasmine was by the way she was tightly holding on his hand. She let go once they were at the door so she could let them in.

''Your house is nice. Way nicer than the Grimmauld place where it looks like a bunch of vampires built it.'' Sirius commented in the foyer.

Jasmine didn't react in a specific way even though Sirius wanted to make her laugh. ''It's oddly empty and eerie. It's giving me a bad feeling.'' Jasmine whispered and subconsciously grabbed her wand, just in case.

A bang was heard from the dining area that was connected to the kitchens and then the slow creak of a door opening followed. Jasmine took a step forward looking at the door that led to the dinner table when it opened up and revealed Tinker, carrying a platter in his hands. A big breath of relief escaped Jasmine at the sight of their house elf.

''Miss Jasmine!'' Tinker squeaked in surprise, nearly dropping the platter that carried biscuits and tea. ''You're home from vacation.''

''Vacation?'' Jasmine furrowed her eyebrows. ''Is that what dad has been telling everyone?'' A dark look placed itself on her features.

''Master Pearson said Miss Jasmine went to the shore for weeks. Every day he told Tinker and Tasha that she will come home. Tasha was very worried about Miss Jasmine – ''