The clanking of dinnerware filled the little dining room with sound. So far, their dinner with the Germans had been quiet pleasant. Remus had learned that Elizabeth didn't sound German because her mother had raised her French. He also learned that she had a spectacular knack for languages. She could mimic accents and speech patterns just by listening to someone. It had entertained them all round the dinner table quiet some time as she recalled some of the peculiar people she had met in their social circles. Remus smiles down at his plate. Her eyes twinkled with mischief whenever she retold a particularly funny tale, making different voices and faces. Beth, he had also come to call her, had an infectious laughter about her person.

Constance watched his daughter coming out of her shell for the first time in the months since her mother had died. He was glad that they had moved in next to such nice people. The wife, Hope, seemed a kind woman. He had overheard them in the kitchen and was glad she had a mother figure to talk to. Obviously Elizabeth was not allowed to open up about everything. But it was good to know that she had someone to turn to for normal things.

At the end of dinner they all sat down in the cosy living room for a cup of tea. Constance caught Lyall looking discreetly at his foot a few times. Or rather, the lack of one. "It's alright." Lyall went red at being caught out. His curiosity had clearly gotten the better of him. Remus snickered begins his hand at his father's face. "Lost it in a particularly grueling hunting accident. Nasty bitch tore the thing right off." The Lupins blinking in synchronization. They weren't the sort of people to use such language. "What Papa means is that a particularly nasty she-wolf got to him before the rest of the hunting party had arrived." She said trying to smooth things over. "Ah, I see. Bitch as in female canine." Lyall said, rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably. "My family and I are quite dedicated to the hunt. It's been tradition since medieval times, you see." He relaxed a little. "What do you hunt?" Constance and Elizabeth shared a sly look. "Wolves." Hope was the first to speak up again. "And you hunt too, dear?" She didn't like hearing about it but they had to act normal for the sake of their son. "I have been trained, but I have yet to go on a hunting trip." Hope shifted uncomfortably, and Beth noticed. Remus stayed silent the entire time, having gone pale. "I can see that this topic makes you all very uncomfortable. Which is understandable, I myself love the creatures and advocate for their protection. But please do not fuss yourself, we are only called in when one or two need to be put down. Some of them start stalking villagers you see, and you simply cannot correct them. It is a shame, but it must be done. Please think of it as preserving human life, madame." Constance assured.

The rest of the evening had been pleasant, but Elizabeth had grown tired. She thanked the Lupins and bid her farewells. Constance and Lyall were in deep discussion over by the fire, neither willing to let their new friend go. "I'll walk you home, if you'd like?" Remus's shy smiles were endearingly sweet. "Merci." She took his arm with a smile and squeezed gently. Hope couldn't help but smile at her son. He was practically glowing under the attention he received from the Gray girl. It was good to see him like that.

"And this is my room." Beth said, sitting down on her bed. She patted the space next to her, beckoning him over. His hands went clammy and his heart rate spiked. Being this close to her in the semi-dark made him come alive with a strange electricity. He knew she felt it too when her gaze followed him as he sat down. "I like you." She whispered. It made his skin tingle. "I like you, too." He huffed with a toothy smile. In truth he hadn't ever been made to feel this way about a girl before. He had liked Alice, a lot, but this was something else entirely. "Would you like to go horse riding with me tomorrow? Our horses have been brought over to the local stable and I wanted to go an see them. I thought maybe..." she began losing confidence. "I'd like to spend time with you tomorrow, but I don't know how to ride." The electricity thrummed through his veins as her face drew closer to his. His own, in response, neared hers. "I'll teach you." She whispered and brushed her lips in the corner of his mouth. Remus could hear his breathing hitch and before he could stop himself he turned his face and captured her lips with his. For one of the few times in his life, he and Moony seemed to be in agreement. The wolf ran wild in his veins, seeking outlet. He reeled the wolf in, keeping his eyes closed until he was certain his eyes were hazel.

Elizabeth savored the chaste brush of his lips against hers. Her first.  It was completely sweet and innocent. There was never any time for something as mundane as this before. It was bittersweet. The kiss made her blood tingle and thrum with something she hadn't experienced before. She kept her eyes closed just to focus on his breath tickling her face.