It appears there are some new arrivals. First time in a while. I was thinking of making a welcome basket for some of them? It's an excuse to bake, really, and things have been quiet round here for some time.
Maybe it's a ridiculous idea, but if you'd like to join in, I wouldn't mind the company. I'll even give you first go at the bowl after.
I'm very much wondering the same. It seems less frequent than before, however, so maybe there's something to that. Who here would even be able to assess them? With Tony gone, I think our resources are limited.
But enough of that for the mo. Whenever you're free, please nip by. If you don't I'm afraid I'll help myself to all of the chocolate nibs before I can even think of making cookies.
This isn't blackmail at all, Hermione. Just a bit of gentle persuasion. And it's true - they're delicious so the likelihood I'll eat them without thinking is very likely. Chocolate is my biggest weakness.
So you could turn this in your favor and blackmail me one day. We're even.
I don't want to blackmail you, but that was quite clever, I'll give you that. Don't eat the chocolate. I'm on my way.
( Rolling her eyes and smiling to herself, Hermione shoves the device into her pocket, checks herself in the mirror and does a few quick primps to her hair before Apparating into his apartment with a loud pop! )
Remus? You had better not have eaten any of that chocolate...
[ When Hermione arrives there's already the smell of baking on the air and left out to cool on the counter top is a rack of chocolate cupcakes. There's a theme with one Remus Lupin.
He leans back to peer out of the kitchen at her and gives her a small wave. ]
I've not eaten any, believe it or not. Baking chocolate is too bitter. I'd much prefer drinking chocolate instead. [ A beat and he's offering out one of the warm cupcakes to her. ]
( The further into the apartment Hermione moves, the more heavenly it smells. A part of her almost wants to invite him to take up one of the empty bedrooms in her apartment if he's fond of baking often enough that she'd get to experience this scent more often.
Of course, that's completely ludicrous; it's bad enough she's been secretly harbouring a crush on her professor. She certainly can't invite him to live with her, too.
Grinning, she wiggles her fingers in a returned wave as she crosses the living room toward and then into the kitchen. )
Consider me proud of your restraint.
( Her tone is playful because of course he's not going to eat baking chocolate. Hermione suspects everyone learned how bitter it is when they were children, thinking they were particularly clever when they were able to nip some from their mums while they'd baked, only to be horribly disappointed once they'd managed to pop it into their mouth.
She looks equal parts surprised and pleased at the idea of being offered a cupcake to taste test and she reaches for it, taking it with a grin. )
Oh, Remus, you are a very good friend to have...
( She giggles a little at her own joke, ducking her head with embarrassment for doing so, and then taking a nibble from the cupcake.
It's still warm and between that and the rich, chocolatey taste, it pulls an appreciative groan from Hermione as she closes her eyes in a slow blink before looking back up at Remus. )
This is brilliant...oh no, I'm in trouble if all of your baking is going to be this good...
[ Remus laughs softly at her joke, shaking his head as he continues to work some of the batter he's begun to mix. He acts disinterested, mostly, as she takes the cupcake, but her enthusiasm brings heat into his cheeks. He cares very much about one Hermione Granger's opinion, and to see that his cupcakes pass her test?
Consider it a win. ]
I don't know that all of it is good, but my mum used to bake often when I was younger. She always had chocolates and sweets after, ah, the moons. Made things easier, but also meant I developed an unparalleled sweet tooth.
[ Taking the mixing bowl and divvying the batter into cupcake molds, he offers her the wooden spoon when he's done, this batter lighter in color, with a yellow tint. He could do all of this much faster with magic, but something about doing all of this the muggle way is much more satisfying. ]
Lemon. Or my attempt at it. We'll see how it turns in the oven. [ A beat, then: ] Thank you for coming.
( Hermione's amusement softens into something that can't decide whether it's closer to sympathy or fondness. )
So I should make sure to have chocolates and sweets on hand for the moon. Noted.
( It's her subtle way of assuring him that she'll be right there with the Hales — or as right there as she can be safely — so that she'll be there to get him home when he comes out of it. It's reflexive to want to be there to support him.
Hermione can feel her face warming and cheeks going pink as she takes the spoon he's offering. It all feels uncomfortably comfortable in a way she can't quite put her finger on. Maybe it's that feeling or maybe it's just the fact that he's doing things the muggle way even though he doesn't have to, but she finds herself feeling a full-body blush overtake her as she realizes how incredibly endeared to him she is in that moment. She's more than happy to use the wooden spoon as a distraction. )
Oh...that's quite nice... Is there something else in there? That's really lovely, Remus!
( Her head bows for a second and she smiles a little, nodding. )
[ It takes so little to touch Remus Lupin, and the unspoken promise that she will be there during his worst time is a kindness he will never understand. But Hermione is always kind, he's come to know, and one day he'll be able to show her how grateful he is.
He waits for her, almost sheepish, to try the batter. When her face lights up he laughs softly, his own cheeks flushing. Thankfully he has the warm kitchen to blame, but he shrugs one shoulder. ]
A lot of sugar, if I'm honest. Cream cheese at the base but I'm not too certain it will work. I enjoy cooking this way - recipes and working a little harder makes it all worth it in the end.
[ It reminds him of home when he's feeling a little homesick, and homesick for his family, friends, the life that he could have had before everything went awry. A beat, then: ]
I'm glad you came to share it with me. The apartment's quiet these days, so you're welcome any time I hope you know. I'd even go so far as giving you a key if you'd like but I think we're sharper than it. Apparation and all. So maybe it's better to say you can pop in as you wish. You won't wake the roommates.
[ A silly joke, as he gestures to the two empty bedrooms beyond his own. The apartment is otherwise sparse, save for thick, woolen blankets and books piled into shelves and on table tops. It's tidy, but quietly lived in, and a mug of room temperature tea sits on the coffee table, left out overnight. ]
Cream cheese! That's it, that's really nice. I think it absolutely works, if taste is the only factor.
( Hermione ducks her head, her smile fading from her eyes a little at his mention of how quiet the apartment is. Ever since Isaac left, she's felt quite the same about her own. It's almost too big an apartment to live in without him. It feeds her self-isolation in probably an entirely unhealthy way. )
It's a bit too quiet in mine, too. So consider that invitation reciprocated, Remus. It's a bit empty.
( Her own apartment is always clean with two closed bedrooms and one neatly lived in with entirely too many books of all subjects the only clutter to be found. That and the photo album she'd gotten at Christmas filled with magical moving photographs of everyone back home she loves. )
Do you reckon they'll come back, ever? Our roommates?
( The question is quiet and mildly reproachful, as though she's not entirely sure she wants him to answer, as she hands him the spoon again to toss into the sink for washing. )
[ There's a quiet satisfaction when Hermione appears to approve of the experimental batter. Truthfully, to impress someone as clever and bright as her is a feat all on its own. So the heat doesn't quite leave his cheeks as he slides one tray into the oven to cook. ]
I'm afraid mine's always been a bit empty.
[ He's had a roommate or two come and go, but for the most part? He's been alone, the other rooms virtually untouched. ]
I hope yours come back. Isaac, wasn't it? He seemed quite nice.
[ Nevermind that he offhandedly noticed that the two had become close. But he supposes that's how it should be with roommates. It was no different from Sirius and Klaus. ]
But, ah. They could have gone home I suppose. I think many of them were hoping for that when the portals were repaired. If they don't, or it becomes too quiet, you're welcome to any space here. A home away from home, even if your apartment is just a floor away. [ A tiny smile pulls across his lips, almost sheepish, as though the implication of what he's said hits him after. ]
( Hermione gives him a sympathetic smile. Hermione thinks it would've been incredibly lonely for her apartment to have been as empty as it is now for the whole length of her stay. )
He was quite nice, yeah. He was sweet.
( She understands his having wanted to go back to his life when the opportunity presented itself, but she does miss him quite often, if she's honest with herself.
Remus's comment takes her by surprise and she looks it. )
[ If there's one thing he's used to, it's living alone. While much of his adolescence had been surrounded in new friends, his foray into the adult world had been more isolated, quiet. But something about this place feels stark and bare and quiet.
His cheeks flush full red at the look on her face and he gives a half grin, trying to soothe the awkwardness of it all. ]
Well, if you'd like. There are empty rooms. I suppose that was presumptuous of me, but if our apartments are equally quiet it makes sense. [ A little one shouldered shrug and he rubs at the back of his head as he paces the kitchen to clean up some dishes while the cakes bake. ]
If you fancy a roommate, I could move there. I don't have much to my name, admittedly.
[ He huffs softly, turning on the water and testing the temperature. He could use magic to make the tasks easier, but he likes keeping his hands busy. ]
( Hermione can feel her entire body warm into a blush when he clarifies that she'd understood him correctly. In a span of only a few seconds, Hermione assesses her options.
Moving in with Remus would mean getting to be closer to him and getting to know him better by spending more time with him, all things she wants.
...but it would also mean he might hear her nightmares. It was one thing when Isaac heard them because she heard his, too, and eventually, they'd gotten into the habit of creeping into one another's bedrooms to wake the other up from those nightmares, give the victim some comfort, and stand guard so they could fall back asleep. With Remus, it might be awful for him to have to hear her having a nightmare. It would certainly be embarrassing for her, that's for sure.
He might see her horrible scar and then she might have to explain how she came to have such an offensive word etched into her skin.
Worst of all, he might actually notice the massive crush she's harboring for him in spite of the fact that it's probably completely inappropriate because he'll grow up to be her teacher someday.
And yet...the words come from her mouth before she can stop them. )
I'd really like that, actually. It's not presumptuous at all.
( Oh, for Merlin's sake, Hermione... she chastises herself. This is going to be equal parts brilliant and potentially the worst experience ever, she just knows it. )
[ Remus keeps his eyes on the washing up, careful with each dish he cleans, finding that her answer relieves some of the tension in his shoulders. It's nerve wracking of course, to think that he will be roommates with one Hermione Granger, but it's twofold - he won't be alone anymore, and she won't either.
They have plenty of shared interests and with the amount of time they spend back and forth at each other's flats, well. It's practical, at the very least, and he's nothing if not practical. ]
Well it sounds as if we've come to an agreement.
[ He finishes the dishes, setting them out to dry, and gives her a small smile. ] I'm afraid all of my baking might be a deterrent. It's a wonder I've not turned into the Fat Friar at this rate. Though I'm not certain they'd consider a werewolf to ever be qualified to be a Friar. It would be a good laugh.
[ His smile turns a bit cheeky and there's the telltale twinkle of something mischievous in his eyes. ]
And likewise, only if you're sure. I could come to yours? Would that make more sense, considering you've been here longer than I have. And as you can see, well. I've limited belongings. I won't use my lycanthropic preaching to persuade you either way.
( Hermione can feel her face burning even as she smiles and nods. )
It certainly does, doesn't it?
( And, in spite of her secret excitement at the prospect of cohabitating with Remus, her stomach roils with nerves at the idea of all of her reservations becoming realities. What will he think when he sees that hideous word on her body? What will he think when he hears her waking up screaming or crying or, worse, both?
Maybe it's better to nip it in the bud and warn him so that he can rescind the offer if he'd prefer...
His attention turns back to her after he finishes the dishes and she tries to recenter herself quickly, returning his smile. )
Well, are you eating everything you bake or are you baking for others? Because, if it's the latter, of course you're not competition for the Fat Friar.
( A part of her melts more than a little at the mischief in his eyes because it's something she's not really seen in him before. Well, not like this, when they're only meters away from one another and they're all alone in an otherwise empty apartment. )
Oh...erm...if you really wouldn't mind... Only, you're right, I've got a lot of things I've accumulated over time...
( She looks mildly apologetic. Partially, that's for taking him up on the offer to move into hers instead of her moving into his flat. The other part, well... )
Erm...I should tell you that I don't always...erm...sleep very well, Remus. Only, I wouldn't want you to go to the trouble of moving in only to find out that I might wake you sometimes without meaning to. Informed decisions and all that...
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Maybe it's a ridiculous idea, but if you'd like to join in, I wouldn't mind the company. I'll even give you first go at the bowl after.
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That said, that's brilliant, I love that idea! I'd love to come round and help out. When?
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But enough of that for the mo. Whenever you're free, please nip by. If you don't I'm afraid I'll help myself to all of the chocolate nibs before I can even think of making cookies.
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Don't you dare, Remus, I'll come in a mo. You're terrible, you know that?
Blackmail? I never would've guessed it.
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So you could turn this in your favor and blackmail me one day. We're even.
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I don't want to blackmail you, but that was quite clever, I'll give you that. Don't eat the chocolate. I'm on my way.
( Rolling her eyes and smiling to herself, Hermione shoves the device into her pocket, checks herself in the mirror and does a few quick primps to her hair before Apparating into his apartment with a loud pop! )
Remus? You had better not have eaten any of that chocolate...
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He leans back to peer out of the kitchen at her and gives her a small wave. ]
I've not eaten any, believe it or not. Baking chocolate is too bitter. I'd much prefer drinking chocolate instead. [ A beat and he's offering out one of the warm cupcakes to her. ]
A taste test could do, though.
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Of course, that's completely ludicrous; it's bad enough she's been secretly harbouring a crush on her professor. She certainly can't invite him to live with her, too.
Grinning, she wiggles her fingers in a returned wave as she crosses the living room toward and then into the kitchen. )
Consider me proud of your restraint.
( Her tone is playful because of course he's not going to eat baking chocolate. Hermione suspects everyone learned how bitter it is when they were children, thinking they were particularly clever when they were able to nip some from their mums while they'd baked, only to be horribly disappointed once they'd managed to pop it into their mouth.
She looks equal parts surprised and pleased at the idea of being offered a cupcake to taste test and she reaches for it, taking it with a grin. )
Oh, Remus, you are a very good friend to have...
( She giggles a little at her own joke, ducking her head with embarrassment for doing so, and then taking a nibble from the cupcake.
It's still warm and between that and the rich, chocolatey taste, it pulls an appreciative groan from Hermione as she closes her eyes in a slow blink before looking back up at Remus. )
This is brilliant...oh no, I'm in trouble if all of your baking is going to be this good...
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Consider it a win. ]
I don't know that all of it is good, but my mum used to bake often when I was younger. She always had chocolates and sweets after, ah, the moons. Made things easier, but also meant I developed an unparalleled sweet tooth.
[ Taking the mixing bowl and divvying the batter into cupcake molds, he offers her the wooden spoon when he's done, this batter lighter in color, with a yellow tint. He could do all of this much faster with magic, but something about doing all of this the muggle way is much more satisfying. ]
Lemon. Or my attempt at it. We'll see how it turns in the oven. [ A beat, then: ] Thank you for coming.
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So I should make sure to have chocolates and sweets on hand for the moon. Noted.
( It's her subtle way of assuring him that she'll be right there with the Hales — or as right there as she can be safely — so that she'll be there to get him home when he comes out of it. It's reflexive to want to be there to support him.
Hermione can feel her face warming and cheeks going pink as she takes the spoon he's offering. It all feels uncomfortably comfortable in a way she can't quite put her finger on. Maybe it's that feeling or maybe it's just the fact that he's doing things the muggle way even though he doesn't have to, but she finds herself feeling a full-body blush overtake her as she realizes how incredibly endeared to him she is in that moment. She's more than happy to use the wooden spoon as a distraction. )
Oh...that's quite nice... Is there something else in there? That's really lovely, Remus!
( Her head bows for a second and she smiles a little, nodding. )
Thank you for inviting me. I'm glad you did.
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He waits for her, almost sheepish, to try the batter. When her face lights up he laughs softly, his own cheeks flushing. Thankfully he has the warm kitchen to blame, but he shrugs one shoulder. ]
A lot of sugar, if I'm honest. Cream cheese at the base but I'm not too certain it will work. I enjoy cooking this way - recipes and working a little harder makes it all worth it in the end.
[ It reminds him of home when he's feeling a little homesick, and homesick for his family, friends, the life that he could have had before everything went awry. A beat, then: ]
I'm glad you came to share it with me. The apartment's quiet these days, so you're welcome any time I hope you know. I'd even go so far as giving you a key if you'd like but I think we're sharper than it. Apparation and all. So maybe it's better to say you can pop in as you wish. You won't wake the roommates.
[ A silly joke, as he gestures to the two empty bedrooms beyond his own. The apartment is otherwise sparse, save for thick, woolen blankets and books piled into shelves and on table tops. It's tidy, but quietly lived in, and a mug of room temperature tea sits on the coffee table, left out overnight. ]
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( Hermione ducks her head, her smile fading from her eyes a little at his mention of how quiet the apartment is. Ever since Isaac left, she's felt quite the same about her own. It's almost too big an apartment to live in without him. It feeds her self-isolation in probably an entirely unhealthy way. )
It's a bit too quiet in mine, too. So consider that invitation reciprocated, Remus. It's a bit empty.
( Her own apartment is always clean with two closed bedrooms and one neatly lived in with entirely too many books of all subjects the only clutter to be found. That and the photo album she'd gotten at Christmas filled with magical moving photographs of everyone back home she loves. )
Do you reckon they'll come back, ever? Our roommates?
( The question is quiet and mildly reproachful, as though she's not entirely sure she wants him to answer, as she hands him the spoon again to toss into the sink for washing. )
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I'm afraid mine's always been a bit empty.
[ He's had a roommate or two come and go, but for the most part? He's been alone, the other rooms virtually untouched. ]
I hope yours come back. Isaac, wasn't it? He seemed quite nice.
[ Nevermind that he offhandedly noticed that the two had become close. But he supposes that's how it should be with roommates. It was no different from Sirius and Klaus. ]
But, ah. They could have gone home I suppose. I think many of them were hoping for that when the portals were repaired. If they don't, or it becomes too quiet, you're welcome to any space here. A home away from home, even if your apartment is just a floor away. [ A tiny smile pulls across his lips, almost sheepish, as though the implication of what he's said hits him after. ]
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He was quite nice, yeah. He was sweet.
( She understands his having wanted to go back to his life when the opportunity presented itself, but she does miss him quite often, if she's honest with herself.
Remus's comment takes her by surprise and she looks it. )
...really? Like...move in, d'you mean?
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His cheeks flush full red at the look on her face and he gives a half grin, trying to soothe the awkwardness of it all. ]
Well, if you'd like. There are empty rooms. I suppose that was presumptuous of me, but if our apartments are equally quiet it makes sense. [ A little one shouldered shrug and he rubs at the back of his head as he paces the kitchen to clean up some dishes while the cakes bake. ]
If you fancy a roommate, I could move there. I don't have much to my name, admittedly.
[ He huffs softly, turning on the water and testing the temperature. He could use magic to make the tasks easier, but he likes keeping his hands busy. ]
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Moving in with Remus would mean getting to be closer to him and getting to know him better by spending more time with him, all things she wants.
...but it would also mean he might hear her nightmares. It was one thing when Isaac heard them because she heard his, too, and eventually, they'd gotten into the habit of creeping into one another's bedrooms to wake the other up from those nightmares, give the victim some comfort, and stand guard so they could fall back asleep. With Remus, it might be awful for him to have to hear her having a nightmare. It would certainly be embarrassing for her, that's for sure.
He might see her horrible scar and then she might have to explain how she came to have such an offensive word etched into her skin.
Worst of all, he might actually notice the massive crush she's harboring for him in spite of the fact that it's probably completely inappropriate because he'll grow up to be her teacher someday.
And yet...the words come from her mouth before she can stop them. )
I'd really like that, actually. It's not presumptuous at all.
( Oh, for Merlin's sake, Hermione... she chastises herself. This is going to be equal parts brilliant and potentially the worst experience ever, she just knows it. )
If you're sure, that is.
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They have plenty of shared interests and with the amount of time they spend back and forth at each other's flats, well. It's practical, at the very least, and he's nothing if not practical. ]
Well it sounds as if we've come to an agreement.
[ He finishes the dishes, setting them out to dry, and gives her a small smile. ] I'm afraid all of my baking might be a deterrent. It's a wonder I've not turned into the Fat Friar at this rate. Though I'm not certain they'd consider a werewolf to ever be qualified to be a Friar. It would be a good laugh.
[ His smile turns a bit cheeky and there's the telltale twinkle of something mischievous in his eyes. ]
And likewise, only if you're sure. I could come to yours? Would that make more sense, considering you've been here longer than I have. And as you can see, well. I've limited belongings. I won't use my lycanthropic preaching to persuade you either way.
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It certainly does, doesn't it?
( And, in spite of her secret excitement at the prospect of cohabitating with Remus, her stomach roils with nerves at the idea of all of her reservations becoming realities. What will he think when he sees that hideous word on her body? What will he think when he hears her waking up screaming or crying or, worse, both?
Maybe it's better to nip it in the bud and warn him so that he can rescind the offer if he'd prefer...
His attention turns back to her after he finishes the dishes and she tries to recenter herself quickly, returning his smile. )
Well, are you eating everything you bake or are you baking for others? Because, if it's the latter, of course you're not competition for the Fat Friar.
( A part of her melts more than a little at the mischief in his eyes because it's something she's not really seen in him before. Well, not like this, when they're only meters away from one another and they're all alone in an otherwise empty apartment. )
Oh...erm...if you really wouldn't mind... Only, you're right, I've got a lot of things I've accumulated over time...
( She looks mildly apologetic. Partially, that's for taking him up on the offer to move into hers instead of her moving into his flat. The other part, well... )
Erm...I should tell you that I don't always...erm...sleep very well, Remus. Only, I wouldn't want you to go to the trouble of moving in only to find out that I might wake you sometimes without meaning to. Informed decisions and all that...