After-After-Party
24th
Remus has two saving graces when it comes to Potions. The first is that Potions is the only subject in which Sirius applies himself, realizing that it's the only subject he's better than Remus at. He doesn't do it for the grade, Remus knows, he does it to whisper what to do into his almost-boyfriend's ear or to give him the answers to homework. Remus doesn't like being dependent but then again, he doesn't like being the class idiot.
The other saving grace is that Lily is top of their class in the subject. Light snow falls past the window as she helps him with his essay, the top few buttons of her shirt undone, Remus's eyes betraying him to look down at her beautiful bright red bra. When she shivers he gives her his sweater to pull over her head, and after that it's easier to concentrate.
They go for a walk in the snow after lunch, hats and mittens and thick scarves. Lily takes his hand, swinging their arms, and it's almost peaceful outside. Remus feels easy like this, hand in hand with Lily Evans, shiny Prefects badges on their chests, the world sleepy beneath the snow. When she moves to stand under his arm he lets her, pretending that there isn't someone who loves him, who loves her, pretending that they are alone and she is his.
When Lily sighs he pretends it's because she's thinking the same thing.
"Why didn't you go home?" Lily asks as they read before the roaring fireplace.
"Dunno," Remus mutters. "Like it more here."
"Why?" Seeing that he'd have to give her more, Remus indulges.
"It's-" He shakes his head. "It's tense at home, between my father and I."
"Why?" Her eyes shine up at him, eyes that are green and open and honest and want to know so badly.
"I'm a disappointing son."
"No you aren't."
"Yeah Lily, I am." When he lets his head drop a hand ruffles his hair.
"If it makes you feel any better, I'm a disappointing sister."
"That why you didn't go home."
"My sister hates me."
"Hate is a very strong word."
"Petunia has very strong feelings." They both laugh; Remus has heard the horror stories. "You know what?" Lily says brightly, scooting closer until the one side of her hip presses into his. "We should have our own party!"
"Aren't you partied out from the Slug Club party?" Lily, in her effort to piss off James Potter as much as humanly possibly, had invited Remus to accompany her. Remus had claimed it was because they were the two Prefects and she knew it'd irritate him the most, which only made James quiet and Sirius moody. It had been worth it though, Remus decided.
"After-party then."
"We had an after-party too." Remus barely remembers it, what with all the Firewhiskey and who-knows-what came after that.
"After-after-party," Lily settles on.
"After-after-party it is then," he agrees, and they laugh as they return to their books.