been awhile since I wrote this, but they still aren't mine. :O)

Chapter Nine

"That's just wrong." Peter pulled a face as he flung his bag onto his own bed, the mirror image of James. "Why, in Merlin's name, would they be in the nude!?"

"Joke, Mr. Wormtail." James rolled his eyes, indicating to Peter to leave the thinking to the more gifted.

"And a funny one it was, Mr. Prongs." Remus chuckled from the bed, all emotion from before gone without a trace. "If you had not come to my rescue; I would have been flat on my back, a rather frisky Padfoot nipping at my skin. How were classes?" Although he continued the joke, he had every intention on changing the subject.

"Aha, the usual. Potions, Care of Magical Creatures, and, of course, Defense! Great lesson that was!" James nudged Peter in the ribs with his elbow, a grin playing on his lips. "Potions class was beyond boring today. Until a pink bar of soap decided to help Snivellus with his potion making!" James failed to suppress a snort of laughter as Peter fell of his bed. "Isn't that right, Sirius?"

A muffled chuckle and, what sounded along the lines of, a 'hell yeah' reached their ears as Sirius dug around in his trunk. Remus took notice, as James continued his tale, that Sirius could use that skilled liquid form of his for retreating, just as well as advancing. And that feat not only amazed Remus, but scared him. What had he allowed himself to believe? What came to possess him that he thought he could have Sirius? Not just as a friend. That he could even consider that he would be an equal to a Black. Yes. He was a Black. Remus had read enough books to realize what a Black could and have come to be, but not Sirius. Wasn't Sirius better than that? He could see Sirius step one toe into the cold, dark waters of the Black family and shiver away with...not fear, but bravery to say no. Courage to walk away; an ability Remus knew he did not retain. He closed his eyes a brief moment, the feel of burning water spread across his skin; Sirius completed him. He...

"Remus?" James placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Hmm?" He blinked a few times.

"Ready for dinner?"

Remus' smile brightened his face. "I thought you'd never ask."

OoOo

Stuffing his face with food was not only easy, but looked forward to. He could gorge away his problems for at least the time being. It stopped him from talking, even thinking, and allowed him to bask in the company of great friends. Oh, he would never trade these occasions for anything!

Remus' mouth was full of mashed potatoes when Lily Evans strolled up behind him, placing her right hand gently on his shoulder. "Remus, I didn't see you in Potions. Did you still want to get together for our study group? Or are you feeling ill?"

Remus swallowed slowly, as he stared into the concerned green eyes shining down on him. "Of course." He smirked. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Are you sure?" She insisted, removing her hand from his shoulder and placing her cold fingers on his forehead. "You seem really pale."

"I'm fine. Eight thirty in the library. I'll be there." To ensure he was really okay, he smiled at her. The candle light mixing with the setting sun from the enchanted ceiling caused his hazel blue eyes to sparkle.

"All right." She smiled in return, "See you then." and then left to join her friends at the other end of the table.

When Remus turned his attention back to the other Marauders; what a scene waited for him. James had a waterfall of pumpkin juice gushing from his mouth and down the front of his shirt. Peter's mouth gaped open not only from shock at the display between Lupin and Evans, but from the fact that his hero, his god, his lord almighty, James Potter was allowing Remus to make a fool of him. And as his beady little eyes darted from one figure to the next, you could tell he was thinking murder in the first degree.

Sirius' expression was the one Remus took most notice to. His black eyes held a deep darkness, as he glared after the Evans girl. The fork grasped in his closed fist bent at three different places, but still clung to the food that was about to be processed into energy by the person who was steaming away all his supply at the present time.

"Guys?" The question was lost as both James and Sirius snapped out of their haze and demanded.

"What the Hell was that about?!"

"Evans is helping me with my Potions work. She has been since second year. You guys know this." Remus reminded the boys.

"Bloody red head." Sirius grumbled as he slammed his fork to the table.

"Bloody Remus." James mumbled as the glass in his hands dropped to the table with a clink; the front of his shirt forgotten, if it was even noticed.

"Don't you dare say anything bad 'bout Remus, Potter." Sirius growled.

"Don't you dare say anything bad 'bout Lily, Black." James growled back.

"Prongs. Padfoot. Calm down." Moony instructed, trying to bring peace back. He eyed Peter; sweating profoundly. "Stop before Peter here wets his pants."

That worked. Both Marauders shot their death glares at the poor, innocent target, and started laughing out loud.

Remus knew that his comment wasn't all that funny to lead to Sirius falling to the floor in fits of laughter. Something had happened to Peter. With that in mind, Remus leaned over the table's surface for a better view and, sure enough, Peter had soiled himself.

The Marauder's face became as red as Evans hair within seconds of being caught. His breathing increased, and it took every ounce of control on Remus' part not to bust out laughing with the rest of the group.

Instead he caught Peter's terrified eyes with his own and ordered the boy to run. "Run, Peter! Run!"

Peter didn't have to be told twice. Scurrying out of his seat, he bolted out of the Great Hall.

As soon as Peter's retreat was over Remus couldn't hold in the laughter one second more, and companied Sirius on the floor at his feet.