"Why were you talking to her?" Sirius jerked a thumb in Asia's direction.
I sighed. He never really liked her; he always thought of her as "boring sissy-shit" I shouldn't get involved with. I liked her, but then again, he was always saying my choice of women is as bad as my choice of clothing.
"We were talking about Animaguses in class; she seemed to know a lot, so I was a bit curious about the fact."
"Don't look into it; she's as mysterious as dog droppings. She probably is just playing the mysterious card so you'll be into her." I swear, he almost did a hair flip right about then.
James nodded in agreement.
"Now, if you want real women- take a look at Evans and tell me she's not looking bloody gorgeous today."
He jerked his thumb off in Lily's direction, and I craned my neck to look at her better. She was really nice, and I was grateful to have her as my friend, but even though she was very pretty, she would never be "girlfriend material", as Sirius put it, in my eyes.
"You need to stop bothering her." I said quietly, readjusting my textbooks in my arms. "She'll never go for you if you continue to pester her. Try to get into real relationships, see if she's maybe jealous. If she doesn't care, you'll probably never be with her."
Peter suddenly squeaked.
"A little harsh, Moony, don't you think?" He said in a high-pitched voice. I mildly shrugged.
"I'm being practical, a trait you three don't seem to contain."
"Yeah, but it sounds all wrong when you say it like that." We headed out of the castle and into the courtyard, continuing our conversation in the frankly boiling sun. "You need to say it more carefully. Like: 'Oh, Prongs, you're a bloody prat when you talk with her and you should sod off for a little while- but then again, you seem incapable of that and I know everything because I'm Remus Lupin'."
"Yes, that is exactly more subtle and I will definitely say something amongst those words next time James talks to me about Lily."
"REMUS! HOLD UP!"
A loud, girlish, distinctly American voice suddenly yelled. We all craned our necks back to see Asia Yang suddenly speeding towards me. A sudden grin fell across my face as I saw her running up to me, like I was someone important- like a friend or something.
"Hi, Asia- what's the matter?" I asked, concerned. Her bright-blue eyes twinkled as I said her name.
"Oh, you just seemed really interested in Animaguses, so I thought maybe you'd like to see my notes-" She stuffed a few scrolls of parchment into my arms- "and see what I think on the subject. I mean, if you want." She added shyly.
"Thanks." I said, the blood draining out of my face. I know I was being paranoid, but the way those slanted blue eyes searched my face- it was like she knew my "furry little secret", as well as James and Sirius and Peter's.
"Yeah, of course. Um, so-"
"Would you maybe want to walk with us?" I suddenly blurted out. Blood rushed into her face at my words, and she vigorously shook my head as her eyes darted to my friends' shocked faces.
"NO!" She practically shouted. "I mean, um, no- I have lots of studying to do, homework and stuff- andyourfriendshatemeandthefeelingismutual-" She suddenly muttered under her breath- "but thanks anyways, it's really-"
"Wait, what'd you say?" James suddenly asked, narrowing his eyes.
"What?" Asia asked, startled.
"About Remus's friends hating you."
"I never said anything like that." She spoke slowly, as if talking to a three-year-old. "You must be hearing stuff, or something. Well, I need to go- Bye, Remus!" And then she darted off, her long curtain of black hair flying behind her.
Sirius just shook her head in his direction.
"She has one of the most major crushes I have ever seen on you, Moony."
"WHAT?" I all but spluttered.
"Did you see the way she was throwing herself at you?" He began to imitate a high, girlish American accent (and failing miserably). "'Oh, Remus, would you like to borrow my notes about Animaguses, tee-hee? Oh, and while you do that, can we shoot a pornographic movie here as well?"
I flushed in anger and humiliation as James and Peter doubled into laughter.
"Shut up, Padfoot." I said angrily. "She didn't say anything like that. She just wanted me to see her notes- and she was really nice about it, too! Sod off, will you?"
I stormed in the other direction, warmth rising up to my face as I did.