Chocolate-Frog Girl or Sugar-Quill Girl? Part Two

As Nagini quietly made her way down the third-floor corridor and approached the one-eyed humpbacked crone's statue, she couldn't help but keep looking over her shoulder. I know that was Mrs Norris following me; Filch is sure to be around somewhere near.

"Nagini," beckoned a calm voice.

With relief she met Remus and curled into his outstretched arms. In the background, a clock tolled nine o'clock as the two embraced. "Ready?"

"Yes," she whispered reservedly. "Can we hurry?" She was trembling.

Taking in her jittery state, Remus didn't reply but gave the statue's hump a few taps with the tip of his wand. He whispered, "Dissendium!" It opened for them, allowing a gap for them to squeeze through and slide down into the dark, earthy passageway. "Lumos!" muttered Remus, and immediately Nagini drew her wand and did so as well. She seemed a little startled, peering around at the low-ceiling, murky passageway.

Remus took her free hand tentatively. "I should have asked if dark, tight places bothered you. If you're claustrophobic, there's another way we can go." His thoughts flitted to the other passageway behind the mirror on the fourth floor.

An odd expression crossed Nagini's face. "No. No, not at all. On the contrary, I rather like them; the cosier the better. They're a great place to hide if one needs." Remus studied her fretted brow in the shadowed lighting. She explained, "A great place to get away from Filch in a pinch."

Taking control of the situation, he pulled her hand gently and slowly began to guide her forward into the unending darkness of the tunnel. "The passage will twist and turn for several minutes, but then we will start ascending up steps – a lot of steps, but it'll take us right into Honeydukes' cellar."

"Remus, I'm nervous," she confessed shyly. Random, blurred images had flashed in her mind throughout the day of Remus and her, standing side-by-side, unsure of their surroundings, in an unfamiliar space. A worried feeling had accompanied each image, but every time it had ebbed through her, the heirloom ring had throbbed, and the portentous vision then hazily disappeared to be replaced by a clear picture of them walking through pristine, glowing snowfall hand-in-hand. No further feeling was attached to these clairvoyant occurrences other than an overall impression of peacefulness derived from the seemingly warm glow of natural light dawning.

She was unsure of the meaning and the reaction of the ring; however, she felt comforted by the fact that she hadn't been troubled by nightmares since wearing it and that any minacious presentiments seemed to have been replaced by salubrious ones. It occurred to her that the ring was a gentle protector of sorts, sentient but docile, and she yearned to believe that, regardless of the Slytherin design, her mother, Portentia, had Charmed it at some time before her death especially intending it for her, and her alone, to possess it.

Noting Nagini was lost in thought, Remus squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry; I'll help you through the dark."

"No, it's not that." Their bodies were brushing together as they paused and peered searchingly into each other's eyes in the luminous lighting. "Maybe... We're bound to run into someone from Hogwarts. Some Slytherins or..." She hesitated because she had avoided until now bringing up her uncle's name. "Rodolphus' circle of, um, acquaintances."

Remus raised an eyebrow, sceptical. "Yes? What are they calling themselves? 'Death Eaters'?" He frowned, unimpressed, and assured her, "Trust me, Lestrange or Malfoy and his cronies aren't the types to ever set foot in the places we'll go tonight."

Nagini let out a tense sigh.

"As for your Slytherin mates, I'm sure they're being pampered and indulged elsewhere – in their posh manors or abroad." Seeing she wasn't quite convinced, Remus noted a shadow of doubt crossing her face. He pulled out a phial from inside his cloak and added confidentially, "At the first hint or sight of anyone you even remotely recognise, we have this." He shook the small potion bottle. "If you'd like, you can take it now, just to be on the safe side."

"Polyjuice Potion?" She gave a concerned look and asked, "You made it yourself?"

"No! No, I'm not so consistent with my Potions brewing. Peter did." He clarified, "Pettigrew."

"Pettigrew? No way! I can't drink that; who knows who or what I'll turn into?" The mere thought of Pettigrew was repugnant to her.

Remus seemed at a loss at her disgust and adamant refusal. They had both been so careful to avoid directly criticising each other's friends. It was the first time since the hospital ward that any derisory comment had remotely surfaced, and they both realised it. Trying to soften her dislike of the idea, she explained, "I mean, do you really want to be seen snogging Peter Pettigrew for all of Hogsmeade to see?"

Remus guffawed and an appreciative grin spread across his face. "You have a point; even I'm not brave enough for that."

Nagini was relieved that Remus took her point good-naturedly even though she truly was still apprehensive of the mere thought of, let alone the actuality, drinking something that Peter Pettigrew had concocted. Remus mulled over the predicament. "Look, if I can't put a Disguise Charm on you in time, you'll have to swig it. Besides, it's probably not Peter; it's probably a Gryffindor girl."

"He collects the hair of girls in your House? Ewww..." She shuddered. "What? Does he have a collection of some sort? That's creepy."

"Nothing worse than what Macnair collects... Parts of dead magical beasts, isn't it?"

Nagini frowned, not liking the comparison but unable to dispute it. She also didn't like the changing tone and unpleasant content their discussion was taking and offered, "Let's stop talking about Pettigrew and Macnair."

"We can still go back." Remus glanced upward from where they had slid down. "It's not too late."

"No, it's all right; I'll drink it if it's the only thing to do – I'll risk it." She squeezed his hand tenderly and whispered, "For you, I'll risk it. Whoever it turns out to be, just remember that it's me." She rose up on her tiptoes slightly to give him a quick reassuring kiss. "Please, let's go on."

Remus smiled beamingly. She's willing to do it for me. The realization of Nagini's willingness to risk several things for him sent sparks of excitement coursing through his body.

So he led her on, hand-in-hand, speedily forward. The time seemed to speed by in a blink of an eye before they began ascending upward. In their growing excitement and apprehension, the multitude of steps was eagerly climbed. Breathing heavily, flushed from the exertion, they both halted under a section of ceiling which looked much like the rest of the tunnel. Remus listened attentively while touching the surface in estimable spots; then, with one assertive shove, he lifted and slid over the opening.

Securing his wand inside his cloak, Remus cupped his hands together. "Here. Step into my hand and I'll lift you up." Nagini's heart was racing. She suddenly became self-conscious and felt like she was eight-years old again unable to control herself from mischievously going along with some nonsense that Sirius and Regulus Black challenged her to do in the forbidden rooms of number twelve, Grimmauld Place.

Nagini shoved the childhood flashback aside and eagerly placed a boot in his proffered hands whilst grasping his shoulders to help propel herself upwards through the opening. With this momentum, she found herself thrust up and out of the tunnel. Clumsily clambering on wooden crates to stand upright, she found that she was in a storage room of sorts. Immediately, Remus had limberly hoisted himself upward and within mere seconds had already fitted the trapdoor covering back into place.

"Here we are!" he whispered as he pointed at the old wooden staircase. He led her, climbing up the stairs and then pausing at the door, carefully listening for signs of life. Suddenly, in one clean swoop, they had slipped through it and out into Honeydukes' main shop room.

Adjusting to the bright lights of the store, Nagini blinked, slightly dazed, and tried to register the cornucopia of creamy chunks of nougat, toffees and sumptuous chocolates and other sweets surrounding her. The delightful aroma was pleasantly dizzying, and the festive atmosphere was as deliciously infectious as the mouth-watering confections enclosing them. Nagini discreetly glanced around at the other buzzing customers, no doubt giddy on sugar highs from the myriad of free samples displayed in open baskets throughout the sweetshop, and with relief she saw that this clientele would indeed never be found anywhere near the likes of number twelve, Grimmauld Place or Lestrange Manor.

Immediately, she relaxed and squeezed Remus's hand in excitement. He flashed a knowing grin and pulled her over to one side where an overwhelming selection of chocolate products waited to be indulged in. Picking up a pentagonal box, he asked, "Remember this?" It was a Chocolate Frog.

"Yes. Yes, I do." Before they knew it, they had given each other a soft quick kiss. Remus straightened up to his full height, and taking a second to scan the sweetshop for any onlookers, but finding none, waggled his eyebrows. He coaxed, "One more?"

Nagini teased, "The Chocolate Frog or the kiss?"

He answered her with his lips. Nagini felt lost in a wild rush of emotion, unable to gain her footing but giving over to the falling sensation rather than withdrawing from it. She clung to him and reciprocated. Under the enjoyable, determined pressure of Remus' lips and gently urging touch, she no longer could think to worry or care about anyone or anything around her.

As they parted from their kiss, Nagini was clutching tightly to Remus. Her intense hold, along with her large golden eyes longing for him to continue, sent a shudder through him.

It had only been several months since he'd discovered the beginnings of true carnal pleasures. His painful lycanthropic transformations had always warped his otherwise normal human hormonal fluctuations, but this past year, as he turned seventeen, his erectile arousals from various sensual stimuli had become both a blessing and – yet another – curse. At times, the scent of witches, their mere natural fragrances, drove Remus wild with desires he had not fully understood, and his impulses to not physically respond were more and more difficult to control. He was losing it. And his control meant everything to him.

Remus had been forced to control himself on fundamental levels longer than he could remember. He'd mastered restrained conduct and impassive patience to counter his constraint being violently ripped from him every month by the merciless powers of the powerful goddess Selene. He couldn't remember when his existence was not one of stoic patience. Since Fenrir's rape-like mauling, self-deprecation and forbearance were his defence and strength against the world. He'd learned a long time ago to keep to himself, immersing himself in his books, giving platonic quips and indifferent advice when asked by those brave enough to try to befriend him.

Sirius had been the one who had keenly noticed Remus' growing discomforts and had tried to coerce and finally convince him that the time of denying his needs for sexual release and activity was over. Padfoot had generously paid for and taken Moony to his first public house in Knockturn Alley where the young wizard was treated to a strange new wonderful world of sensual delights and sexual experiences he'd had only dreamed of in his restrained, suppressed musings and frustrated impulses. Sirius later laughed about how he became an Animagus to accompany and control Remus during his werewolf transformations, but how Remus had to come along to keep him under control when they prowled around to the selected brothels his Uncle Aphard had introduced him to.

Having gained knowledgeable experience, power and pleasure from both magical and Muggle brothels, Remus no longer mused on what it would be like to make love to someone who was his peer. The knowledge that he could be just as 'normal' as the next wizard, granted in select and careful circumstances, gave him a secret confidence and detachment from the pubescent goings on at Hogwarts. When he felt any lascivious urges, Remus only reminded himself that he needed patiently await the next waxing-moon period when he'd allow himself further indulgences in the ways of natural coital magic. For now, Remus had his secret libidinous outlet whenever he and Sirius needed; although, more recently, he'd ventured out alone, as Sirius was quite the successful Lothario of Hogwarts, and Padfoot found he could easily keep from being bored from the easy pickings of willing witches within the school body.

Remus' new amorous adventures had enabled him to endure the unendurable, allowing him to ignore the whims of schoolgirls' immature flirtations.

Until Nagini. He'd noticed the Slytherin Lestrange giving him 'the look' this school year. Remus could not deny that he liked what her gaze and quaint smile, which always followed it, promised. He'd seen, and by now understood well, that 'look' among various Hogwarts couples: even James and Lily shared it between each other, and he recognised it amongst Sirius and the uncountable number of witches, including the enticing doxies paid for promising fulfilled physical pleasure.

It had become harder and harder to ignore Nagini's subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, teasing of him. He'd never thought to act upon them; he'd fantasized about their implications, but never seriously believed anything could ever tangibly come of it. This morning at the Astronomy Tower, Nagini had responded to him fully, revealing and confirming her true attraction, and his raw desires had been unleashed. It'd taken every ounce of his willpower and control not to follow through, not to force himself on her. Even before this morning, during classes, whenever he'd be near her, her unique scent had always caused his mind to immediately wander to salacious thoughts, driving him utterly to distraction.

So that now, looking into Nagini's brash expression, feeling her touch, recalling the taste of her essence, he knew full well the tell-tale signs of lascivious desire coursing through him, hardening his muscles.

"Let's get a plump stash of sweets," suggested Remus eagerly gathering substantial amounts in a customer hand-basket. "Then we can head over to the Three Broomsticks. There are some nice cosy corner booths – just made for two – that I'd like to show you. We can continue this," he kissed her more ardently this time, "along with a few Butterbeers, or whatever else the lady would like." He waggled his eyebrows at her again.

Nagini laughed, flushed with pleasure seeing Lupin so giddy and happy. Most of the time in school, he was either being the austere but efficient Gryffindor Prefect, patrolling the corridors, or either the less-animated, but resolutely fixed part of the obnoxious foursome that he, Pettigrew, Potter and Black comprised. Again, she shoved these thoughts aside and decided to enjoy the here and now.

"Sounds good. Let's do it!"

A silly madness came over them as they made their way to the till, and they were quickly grabbing handfuls of nougats, Bavarian Gnome cherry-cream drops, and all sorts of other delicacies. As Remus placed the basket of goodies on the till counter, Remus lunged to grab a Sugar-Quill hanging from an upper shelf.

"You have to try one of these, just for fun."

Nagini scrunched her face, puzzled. "A Quill?"

"A sugar one. Edible," emphasized Remus, smiling wryly. "But I've a hunch, well, more than a hunch – evidence – that you're a Chocolate-Frog Girl through and through."

"And why is that?"

"Sugar-Quill girls are so tangy and lemony-sour that just a little taste is enough to satisfy one's curiosity."

Nagini raised her eyebrows, surprised and a bit stumped; even though she knew he was being playful, and the bubbling, randy part of her was turned on by the thought that he was so sexually experienced to casually joke about things, something about it reminded her of Sirius and his arrogant, lewd ways. It put a damper on the moment. But only for a moment, as she quickly retaliated, "And a Chocolate-Frog girl?"

"A Chocolate-Frog girl is," Remus locked eyes with Nagini, "creamy, succulent – and her taste you can never have enough of; her taste," his voice became low and husky, "melts in your mouth, lingering and lingering, leaving you longing for more and more... always yearning to savour her flavour... One can never be satiated... constantly craving her."

Nagini felt her face burning, recalling his administrative skills in arousing and fulfilling her awakened erotic needs this morning in the Astronomy Tower.

"You're quite the connoisseur of, um, chocolate." A tremble flowed through her, as the sensation of how she came twice from Remus' expertise, how she could taste their unrestrained lovemaking, causing her most intimate muscles to clench uncontrollably, and she gasped, embarrassed.

Seeing an unusual, flushed expression on Nagini's face, Remus joked, "Not that I'm an expert, but everyone needs a hobby, yes?"

"Am I a hobby for you, then?" She felt light-headed with growing desire and needy curiosity; she didn't care if he was serious or joking. Her lips had parted and even though she wanted to seem playfully flippant, Remus' teasing had struck a deep carnal chord within her, causing an unbridled yearning for his touch.

"No, you're not a common hobby. You're a unique obsession – a one and only." Drinking in her amatory gaze, quietly, almost in a whisper, he spoke simply, "My sweet secret Slytherin obsession... my Nagini."

"Would you like all of this wrapped or in separate bags?" They both snapped out of their intense captivation turning around to face a shining bald, round-faced shopkeeper.

"One bag will do, thank you," answered Remus.

As the shopkeeper started packing the candies, Nagini eagerly reached inside her cloak. "My treat," gushed Nagini, elated to finally use and share her hoarded savings which, ironically enough, Walburga Black had discreetly given her time-to-time, for something enjoyable.

Remus looked at the stuffed coin purse she held out, puzzled. He then smiled awkwardly. "It's already paid for."

Now it was Nagini's turned to be puzzled. It was well-known that Lupin had been left in dire straits. His once affluent pureblood father had lost his position at the Ministry several years ago and was unable to ever re-enter his former social circle. Whether this was due to incriminating accusations within the Ministry or the supposed dubious threats of the fanatic followers of the new Dark Lord, or both, no one quite knew. What was known was that he subsequently had a chronically ill son and terminally ill Muggle-born wife to take care of without sufficient means. Moreover, shortly after the wife's death two years ago, John Lupin mysteriously disappeared, leaving Remus in a state of extreme distress.

Meanwhile, Remus had turned back to the cashier and informed him, "Lupin, Remus. On the Young Wizard's Merit Award account of Hogwarts."

"Ah yes, I've been notified; here's your name." The shopkeeper ticked off a name on a sticky syrupy-stained parchment. "And here are your sweets, Mr Lupin – you still have two Galleons credit when you've finished this bundle. Enjoy! Make sure you and your friend are sure to come back soon."

As Remus lifted the hefty bag of confections, he turned to Nagini, finding that her exuberant smile had faded.

He reminded, "The reward for the competition, remember? The five Galleons worth of sweets?"

"I'd forgotten about it," Nagini processed aloud. "So, you won? You won the award? When did Professor Merrythought tell you?" And why didn't you tell me?

As if reading her thoughts, Remus explained, "She didn't. Merrythought told McGonagall. And McGonagall just told me this morning that we could cash in on our sweets when we wanted."

"We?" Nagini became very still. "You. You won the Young Wizards Merit Award, not I." Trying not to be petty, she forced, "Congratulations."

Exasperated, he insisted, "Don't be ridiculous, we both won. Or lost. Depends how you look at it... Either way it amounts to the same thing: we're equally skilled; we were equally injured – we'll share the reward Galleons!"

Before she could stop him, Remus had swirled around and called back to the shopkeeper. "Sir, there's a second wizard, er, witch who tied in winning first place for the Young Wizards Merit Award... in all the holiday excitement they must've made a mistake and forgotten to list her. Please put her name down along with, or instead of, mine for the remaining Galleons: Lestrange. Miss Nagini Lestrange."

The shopkeeper gave a knowing nod and assured, "Right away, Mr Lupin." he said while writing down her name. Peering kindly at Nagini and then back to Lupin, he informed, "All the young lady needs to do is give her name in the future and her purchases will be paid for on this account for as long as it lasts."

Unsure if this had solved the problem, but hoping it had, Remus thanked him and tartly opened the door, holding it, impatient to leave. Nagini briskly exited first, followed by Remus, nettled.

Once outside, they slowly sauntered along silently. Snow began falling lightly around them as Remus led the way towards the Three Broomsticks.

"That was unnecessary," commented Nagini finally.

"On the contrary, it was quite necessary," retorted Remus.

"It's not the money."

"I know."

"It's the principle."

"I know."

"You Gryffindors," huffed Nagini. "It wouldn't have mattered what I did. Merrythought – Professor Merrythought – was a Gryffindor..."

"She came out of retirement to teach for one year, to help Dumbledore out..."

"Another Gryffindor..."

Remus halted and then dropped to his knees, holding the large package of confections to his chest like a shield of some chivalrous knight. "I'm yours to command. Tell me what to do." Nagini was at a loss for words, conflicted by rivalling emotions. She was angry at him for not seeming to understand the unfairness of the situation but unable to not be amused by his playful idiocy.

"I'll do anything you want to make up for it. You want me to hex Merrythought? Would that make it better? McGonagall?" Remus waggled his eyebrows at her puckishly and offered, "Dumbledore?"

Nagini couldn't help herself and laughed softly at the absurdity of Remus' sportive behaviour. She suddenly felt the triviality of her little tantrum over the Young Wizards Merit Award and could only gaze at the warm brown eyes now rascally observing her, full of affection.

The snowfall had intensified, and she watched the fluffy flakes falling on Remus' eyelashes and cheekbones and instinctively reached out to gently brush them away. "I don't care what Merrythought really thinks of me, but you..." Her voice failed her further, and she withdrew her hand.

The snow had already formed a thin layer on Nagini's hair and shoulders. Remus rose and gathered her cloak's hood up and around snugly framing her face.

A sombre mood had befallen on both of them, and all Remus could do was to reassure her of how he felt about her with a kiss.

But as he lowered his head to meet her lips, Nagini jerked her head away startled and gasped, "Oh gods, he's here!"

Remus hastily turned around and looked in the direction Nagini was staring. There, near the entrance of the Three Broomsticks, stood two dark figures. Nagini was fixated on the taller one, his cruel, chiselled features distinguishing him as the notorious Rodolphus Lestrange.

Nagini had shrunk back beside the nearest building's wall. "The Polyjuice! Give it to me!"

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A/N: Greatest thanks and appreciation to betas: blue artemis, star_girl & agnus castus!