BLINDFOLD

"Just stay still for a little longer," Remus begged, holding a thin strip of fabric in his hands like it would break as he finally sidled over to a giddy Esme Taylor, who was doing as he requested--standing patiently where he'd left her, her hands over her eyes to prepare herself for the dark that would come with the blindfold.

"What exactly are we doing again?" she asked curiously.
"You'll just have to wait to see," he answered, finally sliding the fabric around her eyes. He moved her hands without a word and then waited until the knot was tied firmly behind her head before moving to wave his hands in front of her eyes. "Can you see anything?"

She laughed quietly, shaking her head. "Nothing. I can see nothing."

"Good," he replied, taking her hand in his so he could lead her around and to her surprise. "Make sure you don't peek or you'll ruin the whole surprise."

He led her down the hallway, past Gryffindor, and eventually up to the seventh floor, where he had her stand in wait as he paced back and forth across from the poster of Barnabus the Barmy. And his work paid off as the door that hadn't been there moments ago appeared. Remus jogged back to Esme, pushing and pulling her by her shoulders until her fingers were settled over a doorknob. "A door?" she asked, crinkling her nose as she opened it and stepped into the beautiful room before her. Remus slid the blindfold off after he'd closed the door behind them. The room was dark and Esme felt a flutter of nerves at her core.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" several yells went out as she jumped back against Remus' protective form. The lights flickered in their places at once as a small device allowed the lamps in the room to be magically relit. All of her friends, and even some people she didn't know, were in attendance. Tears welled up in her eyes at the sheer volume of people who had bothered to care about her.

His quiet voice sounded in her ear and Esme turned to look at Remus, studying his face. "Did you do all of this for me?"

Without a word, he took her face in his hands and pressed his lips against hers in a gentle, chaste kiss. After a moment of silent reflection, he grinned. "Now, would you like some cake?"