Marlene nods, producing one within seconds. "I'm always prepared," she says with a blush, wanting to kick herself for how lame she sounds.
She spends the rest of the class stealing glances at Remus and only halfway listening to the lesson. Why can't she be one of those confident girls who always have something clever to say? Marlene is far too awkward and nervous, and Remus only makes it worse.
After class, Remus tries to return the quill, but Marlene shakes her head. "You keep it," she mumbles. "I have plenty."
Again, the words are flimsy. Marlene wishes she could say more, could tell Remus how she feels. Of course, she's much too shy for that, and giving away her favorite quill will have to do.
OoOoO
Being back at Hogwarts as a professor has made Remus nostalgic. He sits in his office, looking through the little mementos he'd kept from his school days. Books, notes from classes, a vulgar drawing done by a thirteen year old James Potter.
And there, at the very bottom, is a single quill. It's worn out and ruffled now, the tip broken and cracked, permanently stained by ink. Marlene's quill.
Remus has to smile. He'd had a quill that day in History of Magic. Really, he had wanted to ask Marlene on a date during the upcoming Hogsmeade visit.
Of course, Remus had been far too shy for that, and borrowing a quill he didn't need had been the best he could do.
