Lydia's POV
He was right. The next trip into Hogsmeade, we had free of the other Marauders. James and Sirius had gotten caught slipping something into Snape's cauldron during Potions class. They weren't allowed the weekend into town, so Peter opted to stay with them. Lily was staying at the castle to do homework, so James didn't mind too much.
"So where to first?" I asked. He shrugged.
"Why don't we get those Filibuster Fireworks we promised the guys? Then we can get that done so we don't have to worry about it," he suggested. (They had given us some money to buy them some more fireworks) After that was done, we went everywhere else. We had fun for the first good bit of it. We went into Durvish and Bangs and I found a book on origami and charms that go with them. It would show how to fold the paper into, say, a crane, then it gives the instructions to make it fly and move like a crane. I was so excited by how cute the book was, Remus bought it for me. We went next door so I could get extra parchment and a paper knife to practice with.
At the Three Broomsticks, we sat at a table close to the back, drinking our butterbeer, looking at my new book, and picking out favorites.
"Dragonfly or butterfly?" I asked.
"Dragonfly," he replied.
"What's wrong with butterflies?" I asked, mock hurt.
"I don't like change," he replied softly. Or it could've just been soft because of how loud the place was.
"Change can be a good thing, though," I pointed out, blushing a little. Change had gotten me new friends, at the very least.
"Frog or lizard?" he asked, looking at the next page.
"Lizard," I said automatically. He nodded and turned the page, and the next one.
"Oi, go back," I told him. "You skipped a page. There. Dog or wolf?" Remus stared at the pictures for a minute before saying, "Dog."
"Huh. I like the wolf more." He looked surprised.
"Why? Dogs are loyal, playful, happy little things. Wolves are…dangerous."
"Yeah, but they're quiet and mysterious. And they like the night sky, like me." He shrugged. We played a little longer, but I was confused. Is he really so put off by us not agreeing to every animal? That doesn't seem like him, but I don't know what else it could be. Did I say something wrong?
"What I hate are upstart whores who think they can corner the hot guys at school," a harsh voice said, interrupting my thoughts. Curious, I looked over at the table behind me. I wish I hadn't. Four familar girls were staring daggers at me. Feeling the color drain from my face, I tried to form a sentence. After a minute of me gaping like a fish, they sneered and left. I turned back to Remus, who had been trying out one of the origami charms.
"Got it!" he exclaimed happily. "What do you think? Is something wrong?" he asked, noticing my expression. The paper giraffe walked off the edge of the table; he didn't reach for it.
"Lydia?"
"Why are girls so mean?" I whispered.
"I don't know…what happened?" he asked. I looked away.
"Never mind. Let's get back to the castle. Dinner'll be ready soon," I told him. Though looking worried, he didn't push it; we walked back in silence.
I sat in the Common Room late that next Saturday night, working on some Astronomy I hadn't finished in class. Because I had claimed the window seat, I had plenty of room for my map and telescope. There were only a few things left to do. The next to last one on my list was to track Venus' and Mars' movements and projections and define what it meant. I picked up my telescope again and looked for Venus.
"There you are…and such a bright blue tonight…I wonder if that means anything…" I mumbled to myself as I marked its position on my map and made a few notes. Looking back outside, my eyes fell on the moon. It was full and silver-white. It's very pretty, for a giant rock that reflects the sun's light, anyway. But still pretty. Now the image of it reflected in the lake- that was beautiful. Times like this I wished I could paint. The moon reflected on the calm water, the Whomping Willow looking deceptively still and peaceful, the dog and stag standing nearby- wait what? I picked up my telescope again and reset it to see what I thought I saw. And I did. A dog and a stag were sniffing around the willow. And a rat? Weird. Never seen a pair like that. They'd better move if they don't want to get whalloped. Shaking my head, I pointed my spyglass back up to the sky.
"Now, where's Mars?" Something tugged at my attention. Why were a dog, a rat, and a stag hanging out together? What the hell? I pointed my telescope back down to the grounds, looking for any sign of them. But they were gone. Forcing the silliness from my mind, I went back to work so I could hopefully get a decent nights' sleep.
I was on my way to lunch after Charms on Wednesday when I was pounced on by Sirius. He was smiling widely.
"Today's the day!" he told me happily.
"Wednesday?" He shook his head at my guess, smiling wider.
"No. Today is the day that I win. Ready, Moony?" he asked, looking over my shoulder. I looked as well. Remus and Peter were walking up and Remus had his timer in his hand.
"Again?" I asked. "Doesn't this ever get boring to any of you?" They looked down the hallway; James was looking for Lily, his face anxious.
"Not really," Sirius told you. "Especially when you're the one giving out the prize kisses." My face reddened.
"Why do I have to be the one to dish these out?" I protested. Remus' gaze became worried- not worried that I'd stop, but worried about me.
"Oh! I'm sorry, Lydia. How inconsiderate of us," Sirius said and leaned his face very close to mine. "If you wanted a kiss instead, all you had to do was say so." Remus shoved him. Sirius took it as playful and laughed about it, but Remus was obviously annoyed. I don't know if I was starting to feel annoyed by Black or flattered. I think a little of both, really.
"He found her," Peter squeaked. We all looked over. The game was rather amusing, even if I'm not really a betting person.
"Thirty," said Remus, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
"One minute," Sirius said easily.
"They walk away together," I put in, actually hoping Lily gave the poor boy a chance.
"Aw, I was going to bet that. Ok, five minutes," Peter said, sad. Thirty seconds went by and I found myself seriously disappointed. Just as it almost hit one minute, Professor McGonagall went up to the two of them and said something before leaving…and taking the Head Girl with her. My eyes widened. That meant… I forced myself to look back at the guys. Sirius couldn't believe his luck. I hadn't seen him smirk like that before. Just kiss him and get it over with. I looked around and, with no Ravenclaws to be seen, pushed myself on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. He turned his head and our lips connected instead.
I was stunned. His lips were very soft and warm and made mine tingle. He pulled back, victory written over every part of his face.
"Thanks, angel." And he walked off to the staircase, whistling. Peter scampered to follow him. With a slight growl, Remus walked off in the other direction, leaving me by myself. I watched his retreating form. Did I do something wrong?
Remus' POV
Lydia found me in the Library about ten minutes later. I was still pissed off about Sirius' stunt.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, sitting next to me.
"Why?" I asked. "You don't have anything to be sorry for." Except not pushing him away…
"I thought you were mad at me…" she explained. Not mad. Disappointed.
"I'm not mad at you," I sighed and buried my head in my arms. "This is just…complicated," I tried to explain.
"Why?" she asked, innocently. I groaned.
"It just- it just is." She was silent for a little bit.
"Do you know why I agree to play that silly game and give out the prizes?" she finally asked. I shrugged. No clue. "I keep playing because if I win, I have an excuse to give a kiss to who I want- that'll be my prize. I...I haven't gotten to kiss him yet."
I lifted my head to look at her, but she had already left. Ran off all embarrassed, no doubt. But I went to lunch feeling the best I had all day. (note: Remus can be a bit of an idiot sometimes. He can't even see the huge sign saying KISS ME DAMMIT over her. Ah well. More fun for me)
As we walked out of Defense Against the Dark Arts that Friday, we were discussing the creature of today's lesson- the werewolf. Honestly, I didn't care much for the lesson. Can't imagine why.
"I don't know. I think they are horrible, dangerous beasts that should be locked away, never to see the light of day again," Sirius said dramatically then laughed, nudging me in the ribs.
"Aw, don't be that way," James told his friend. "I think they would make lovely pets. Every kid should have one!" Peter laughed at that and readily agreed with James. Sirius slung his arm around Lydia's shoulders. Although Lydia and I had gone on a few dates into Hogesmede together, we weren't an official couple; this left Sirius open to flirt all he wanted without feeling guilty. We weren't together, so Sirius still had a chance. Part of me wondered if I hadn't asked Lydia to be my girlfriend because I was afraid she would reject me because of what I am. If I lost to Sirius, it would be because Sirius won her over and I didn't scare her away.
"What about you, angel?" he asked her.
"I don't think they should be allowed to live with the rest of us. All those people they could hurt. And think of how savage and brutal they are...gives me shivers. I don't like the thought of living next door to a monster." There was no joking tone to her voice; it was her dead honest opinion.
It felt like she rammed a blunt pole in my chest. I scared her away and she didn't even know it yet.
DUN DUN DUUUUUNNNNNNNN
lol, thanks for readin ya'll. i'll have the next chapter up soon, no worries.
