the_debt_of_time

"I didn't mean to," she hissed down at him quietly while Sirius collected his many
deliveries, separating them into stacks. "You did this on purpose, didn't you? Remus, is
that why you've been... avoiding me?"
He shrugged, pushing the plate of chocolateless scone crumbs away from him. "I
figured if Pads was going to smarten up, this weekend would be an opportune moment."
Annoyed, she looked around the Great Hall for the first time since sitting down at
the table. Couples all around the room were exchanging cards and gifts. Two rosy-cheeked
Hufflepuffs with swollen lips were being escorted out by a perturbed-looking Professor
McGonagall. A pair of Ravenclaws were snogging beneath their table. Three Slytherin girls
on the other side of the room were taking turns shooting heart-shaped bubbles out of their
wands. When the bubbles burst over the table, rose petals showered down.
Mia cringed in disgust. "Do I look like the kind of girl who can be swept off her
feet with roses and hearts?"
"I'm being as considerate as I can be right now, but don't try my patience by asking
me what kind of girl you look like." Remus stared at her, and she quickly noticed the change
in his eye colour. He sat up for the first time since arriving at the table just to whisper into
her ear, "I, of all people, know what it takes to sweep you off your feet."
Mia did her best not to blush but was failing.
"You'll notice, though, Sirius presented you with neither roses nor hearts, just the
request that you accompany him to the village."
She huffed, deciding to ignore Remus. Looking at the stack of Valentines and boxes
of sweets in front of Sirius, she gestured flippantly to the piles and asked, "What is all of
this nonsense?"
"The usual." Sirius shrugged, using his wand to separate the piles further. Mia
noticed that he was resolutely not letting his fingers touch a single thing on the table. "All
right, are we ready? Peter get over here. Prongs, I know you're heartbroken, and Moony's
under the weather, but I really don't think Frank is going to be enough if this gets out of
hand."
Mia watched curiously as both Remus and James sat up, relocating on either side of
a very nervous Peter. Frank sat beside Alice and an amused-looking Mary.
"Am I missing something?" Mia asked.