Overprotected

Chapter 3: Silence in the Classroom

The Transfiguration class was silent today. Minerva McGonagall had thought that very strange until she had noticed that Sirus and James were out. Normally, she expected them to be late, but the class was past its midpoint already. James was her best pupil, and it wasn't like him to miss her class.

Remus and Peter had noticed the absence too. Either it had proven harder to move James off the Pitch than anyone had thought, or he wasn't there so the whole castle had to be searched.

As far as Lily was concerned, the two lighter-haired boys had seen no trace of her going to their class and had even ducked into the library. It turned out that Lily was already in the classroom. She had chosen the most secluded seat so Remus and Peter didn't even try to get closer. Professor McGonagall's voice snapped them out of their individual thoughts.

"Please finish copying what's on the board then begin practicing this new concept. The spell will remain on the board and what you should observe. This had always been on the OWLs; I don't see why they would change it now."

The classroom suddenly became a whirlwind of activity and noise. Minerva didn't mind this; it was why she gave them practice time. As long as they did their work, she didn't mind them interacting. Then, something caught her eye: Lily Evans hadn't moved over to the two other boys. It was unusual enough that they weren't all sitting together in the first place, but this was just out of the ordinary. Maybe there just hadn't been enough seats together. After all, most of the students, including Lily, Remus, and Peter, had been in the classroom and seated before she arrived.

"Mr. Lupin, Miss. Evans," Professor McGonagall called. The period was nearing its end, and most of the students were quite frustrated at this point. Those two, finished, looked up. "I would like to see both of you after class. Please wait around. Class dismissed."

Most of the fifth years quickly made their way out of the room where they had been shut up. Peter looked uncertainly at Remus as if to ask Do you want me to wait? Remus gestured for him to go to dinner and walked up to the front of the room where Lily was already waiting with their professor.

"First off," she started when both of her students were there, "I want to congratulate you both on your excellent performance today in class, which ran rather smoothly." She raised her eyebrows, slightly. "Have either of you seen Mr. Potter or Mr. Black lately. I wouldn't expect for them to cut my class."

At the mention of James and Sirus, Lily involuntarily looked away. Knowing that she would never answer, Remus covered their absence.

"They weren't feeling well, Professor."

"Well, when they're feeling better, please send them to me." Professor McGonagall looked skeptic but continued anyway. "Also, my original purpose for this is to inform you that there will be a meeting tonight. My office, as always, 8:00. Any questions?"

"No, professor," they both said.

"Very well, you may go. I shall see you at dinner I presume."

Both Lily and Remus turned and grabbed their books. Remus, having had a seat closer to the door, was out first. Wanting to catch Lily, he waited just outside of the classroom. She came out a moment later, and they fell into step together.

"So how's the potion coming?" Remus asked. Though he didn't want to get involved in anything illegal, he had to admit, he was growing excited.

"It has to sit another week before I can do anything else to it," Lily said wearily.

"Are you okay?" Remus asked with concern, hearing the strain in her voice.

"Yeah, I'm fine…just tired."

She had used this a million times; Remus saw right through it. "What have you got to be stressed about?"

"Nothing, I'll be fine. Just want the potion to turn out right."

"The fumes aren't building up in your room, are they?"

"No, I found a way to ventilate it. They're getting out."

At this point, Lily turned to go in the direction of the Gryffindor Tower. Remus grabbed her arm.

"No, come to the Great Hall. You skipped lunch after all."

She let herself be pulled down towards where he wanted to lead her. As they walked into the Hall, the noise completely overtook the two of them, and Remus was pleased to see Peter seated with James and Sirus. He steered Lily over in that direction; she didn't protest.

"Hey, guys," Remus said, sitting down. Lily collapsed into the seat next to him on one of the long wooden benches and leaned against him. Sirus gave Remus a questioning look, and Remus mouthed, Talk to me later nodding his head in James' general direction. Both Lily and James seemed a bit out of it today, James just picking at his food, not noticing that nothing was making its way to his mouth. "Long day?"

"You have no idea," Sirus muttered quietly.

"So what did McGonagall want?" chirped Peter.

"Prefect meeting later," Remus answered. "It's odd though, they're usually all scheduled. Maybe we'll have a dance."

A dance?" Sirus asked hopefully. "We haven't had one of those for ages!"

"Well, it's only a slim chance." Remus didn't want rumors to spread. "Oh. She also said she wants to see you and James, here, after you're feeling better."

"Better?" Sirus inquired.

"Yeah, I told her you two weren't feeling well, and that's why you missed class. Let James in on the plan where he's a little more…here."

"Yeah sure. Rough day."

Later, after dinner, once James and Lily had been coxed into bed, Sirus, Remus, and Peter sat in their unofficial spot in front of the Common Room fire.

"So what was the meeting about?" asked Peter, the first one to speak up once Remus and Lily had returned.

"Ball," Remus answered, knowing he had guessed right again. "After the Holidays though. Dumbledore wants to let the students go home who would want to go to the ball but also want to see their families. Plus it gives people more time to shop and us more time to plan it."

"Do you know the date?" Sirus had his own question and was getting that mischievous spark in his eyes. This had made him forget about what he had really wanted to talk to Remus about.

"Not exactly, but they were thinking about end of January, early February. Maybe Valentine's Day if we play our cards right."

"You know what this calls for?"

"Not until James is here. You know he'd kill us."

"I don't' think he'll be able to do anything in his present state," Peter laughed.

"But he won't stay like this forever."

"Well, get ideas boys," Sirus jumped in, "the Marauders are back in business!"