The Waiting Game▬RL 1

I'll Hex You

"Our revision today is on Kneazles; if they are pure, they have an XXX classification—" Remus reached their class, interrupting Professor Kettleburn. Who just continued his speech. Renee watched the two figures walk towards her. Her gaze shifted to the boy behind him.

"Nice of you to show," Renee mumbled as Remus stood beside her. Nudging her playfully. She smiled innocently in return.

"Got caught up in the hallway by some first years." Renee noticed a Ravenclaw standing next to him, lips turned at the corners. He had a charming aura around him. Usually, it wouldn't work on Renee, but she quite liked his tanned skin and brown eyes. They looked so light and she was caught in them.

"Hello Renee, I don't think we've been properly introduced." Renee grinned back at him. Subconsciously fixing her hair. Remus glanced at the girl, taken aback at the action.

"Oh, Ren, this is Matthew Wilson. How haven't you guys met?" He tried to gain her attention by gripping her elbow. She looked up at him and then back to Matthew. A little confused by the action.

"I'm quite excited to be in this class. One of the few I enjoy." Renee couldn't help but look at him. His brown wavy hair and freckles. She had never really had his attention before. Ren was very curious. Matthew kept her eye contact.

"Potter?" Remus shattered her daydream still holding her elbow, he lightly tugged it. He sighed, dropping his hand.

"Hmm? Sorry, I guess I just zoned out. What were you saying?" Renee's whole body heated up... she was mortified. She hadn't meant to stare for so long. Matthew smiled lightly at her and tried to focus on the professor. Something about him just caught her in a trance. Renee was having the hardest time not getting lost in his eyes.

"Remus was saying that there's a study group he helps out with. Do you ever attend?" He asks after the lesson has concluded.

"Of course! Remus has this group of students that goes to the library and he helps them catch up on work. He's kind of like our own personal professor." She didn't like the thought of going back to the library. Especially if  Matthew would be joining. She didn't need to embarrass herself any further.

✿

Study sessions went on as usual, apart from the new students joining them. Even though they had attended many together, she was surprised when he would occupy the seat next to her each time. Ren felt herself getting anxious whenever she entered the large room. Remus' presence helped, being familiar and friendly.

Renee found herself on the way to the library. Her feet were dragging. She dreaded spending hours with her body on high alert. Thankfully, she didn't step foot into the overcrowded library. Her arm was pulled into the nearest classroom. She gasped, ready to fight her attacker.

"Easy there Renee." Matthew caught her fist in his hand with ease. He laughed at her Muggle approach to defending herself.

"Oh sorry, can't be too careful." She muttered, lowering her hand to her side, "Why did you pull me in here?"

"Thought it would be easier to focus here. Plus, I get a little nervous with all of the people." Matthew quietly set out his books at the table. Renee nodded and did the same. "I quite like hanging out with you. You're nice Ren."

"Thank you, it's because I'm a Hufflepuff." Matthew chuckled, glancing over at her. He seemed as though he was going to say something but stopped. Resorting to examining his schoolwork.

They studied for a good twenty minutes before the interruption. Matthew stood from his chair, sighing, he walked around the table. Renee watched his actions, confused. He pulled her chair out and helped her to her feet. She stumbled, looking at him confused. "Dance with me."

"You're so weird, why do you want to dance?" She couldn't help but laugh at the offer, stammering out the words nervously. Ren tried to return to her seat however, he kept a hold of her hand. His eyebrows raised as she stared back at him.

"I don't know I'm bored and you're supposed to take breaks in between studying anyways." The phrase struck her, reminding her of Dorcas' offer over a month ago. Renee held his hand back and placed her other hand on his shoulder. Matthew's free one landed gently on her waist. They stood there for a minute; he began to sway her around the room. His grip tightened whenever she stepped closer—by accident. "What's your family like?"

"Renee don't worry I've got you!" James busted in, wand and parchment first. Remus standing a foot behind him. James surveyed the room, seeing his sister was not in any immediate danger. He cleared his throat and subtly closed the map. Uttering words to himself. "Hello, Renny...What are you up to?" James glared daggers at the boy beside her. The two pulled apart slowly. Matthew looked surprised and Renee looked annoyed.

"Well, we're just taking a break from studying." Matthew gestured behind him to the books stacked on the table.

"I'm sorry, who are you? And why are you with my sister?"

James asked, causing Matthew to look between the twins.
"James this is Matthew, Matthew this is James," Remus stated dumbly by the door.

"Okay, James. We were just studying and then I decided I needed a quick break."

"We aren't mates... It's Potter. Thank you very much. Now, what were your hands doing on my baby sister?" James raised his wand again. Pointing it at Matthew.

"You're eleven minutes older than me, git!" She grabbed the wand, putting it in her pocket. James stared at her in disbelief.

"We were studying." Matthew glanced at the boy just outside the door. Remus looked a little crestfallen. His breathing now becoming steady, the initial shock of seeing them pressed together, gone.

"You were studying how to take advantage of a little girl." James countered, looking to Remus for backup. He noticed the lack of amusement in his friend and turned back to his sister. Only to be met with a wand jabbing into the side of his nose.

"I will hex you." Renee threatened.

"We took a break. It's not like you walked in on us kissing." Matthew laughed as if he never once thought of that extra-curricular activity. The girl nodded, wand dropping to her side.

"You want to kiss my sister?" James asked heatedly. Honestly, Renee had never seen him this passionate about something. Maybe the Chudley Cannons. Or any other Quidditch team.

"No!" He stated flustered. His hands raised to offer his innocence.

"Don't need to say it like that," Renee mumbled, picking at the vine wand, and twisting it in between her fingers.

"No, I mean maybe another time but..."

"Ha! Your boyfriend doesn't want to snog you." James laughed pointing at his sister.

"He's not my boyfriend! And at least I can spend time with the opposite gender, Mr. Toerag!" James gasped, his hand landing on his heart. Wilson didn't know how to respond to this. The Potter twins seemingly bickering in their world.

Matthew took another second to look at Remus. Who was now watching bemused. Amid the bantering, he walked over to the taller boy. "She is something else." The werewolf grimaced, pushing hair off his forehead.

"Yeah..." Matthew studied his response. Concluding, he looked back to the arguing twins.

"And you like her." Remus paled, looking at the Ravenclaw next to him. He then quickly left. Without another word to the group.