Chapter Ten

It was rounding eight fifteen when the remaining Marauders decided their porky friend was not coming back, and, to try to mend his bruised pride, they started stuffing their pockets with whatever desserts they could load their robes with.

"Think he would like this?" James asked, holding up a caramel apple.

"I guess," Sirius shrugged, staring at the treat with great interest. "but I think it might have been left over since Halloween... Aha, bring it anyways, Pete will eat anything." Sirius grinned, as his sight shifted onto Remus who was about to stuff his face with his third chocolate bar. "Great idea, Moony. Wormtail will love chocolate!" Sirius laughed as he snatched the bar away, leaving Remus to gnaw on his hand.

"Ow! Yah, Prat!" Remus scowled, nursing his hand. "I was eating that!"

"Don't you think you mutilate yourself enough, Moony? There's no need to continue in human form." Padfoot laughed.

"Shh...Keep your voice down." Remus hissed.

"You're telling Sirius Black to keep quiet? That's like pleading to a werewolf not to murder your family on a full moon." A drone voice snickered from behind James' head of messy hair.

Heads snapped to attention at the unwelcome guest. Sirius sneered when he caught the hint of fear Snape caused in Lupin's large eyes. "Or trying to stop a certain Slytherin to cease being a greasy haired git!" Barked Padfoot at the mere thought of the unknown insult directed toward his Remus.

"Yeah." Agreed James as he rose out of his seat; glaring into the black pupils that reflected back as much hate and loathing in return.

"Slither away, Snivilley. Before I make you regret the day you were born, because I sure do."

Remus did not like where this was going. Neither boy had drawn their wand, but it was only a matter of seconds. "He's not worth it," Remus could just make out the words his mouth was forcing into a sentence. "Not with the Professors right there." Still no movement. "Leave, Snape. Or I'll take away points."

"For being a senseless, nitwit." Black sneered.

"For loitering where you shouldn't be." Lupin threatened, ignoring Sirius' comment, pieces of the wolf in his eyes.

"Like it will help." Snickered Severus. "Besides, I only came over to wish Gryffindor luck against Ravenclaw. Because we Slytherins are looking forward to wiping the Quidditch pitch with you and claiming the cup, once again." And before a single word could be uttered in response, Snape turned on his heels and exited the great hall.

OoOoOo

It took two minutes to snap out of the daze Severus Snape left Remus in. Three more to excuse himself from the dinner table, which consisted of a couple of 'fucks and shits' as he stared down at his watch. One second to glare at Black and Potter, silently telling them to lay off the stupid git. And the rest of the time he had to dash up to the Gryffindor tower, grab his book bag (right school books included), and then make his way to the library with three seconds to spare; making the flushed cheeks and desperate need for a drink of water worth the record he just beat in his mind. Remus had a breathless smile pasted to his face as he plopped down in one of the, surprisingly comfy, wooden chairs next to Lily Evans. "Made it." He chimed.

"Did you run here?" Evans laughed, lifting her eyes off the book she was reading.

"Only the last stretch. Felt like a marathon...but without the people holding out cups of water on the sidelines." Remus exhaled, taking out his Potions text. "Which would have been nice, if you ask me."
Lily shook her head in an 'I can't believe you' sort of way, and conjured a glass of water; ice water! "Here." She smiled, pushing the glass closer to him.

"Thank you, M'Lady." The words were soaked in thanks, praise at her skill, and deep gratitude as the cold water rushed past his tonsils, quenching each and every part of his body with instant relief. "That was excellent."

"Good. Ready to begin? We have been going over the Draught of Peace for awhile now, and have moved onto the reverse potion needed to wake the person under the sleep. Page one sixty is where we should begin."

And it went on from there. Going over one potion ingredient after the next. Slughorn had assigned a twelve inch long parchment on all three main ingredients of the potion, playing off mostly on where and when to find them. Remus found that part of the work simple, it was when he had to put the knowledge to the test and create the master piece that everything fell apart. They both decided to work on that part tomorrow in the common room because it was nearing ten o'clock and although Madam Pince knew Remus had to catch up on his school work, she also wanted to lock up the library and sleep away the rest of the night in peace; her dreams full of childrenless spaces.

Both Prefects packed up their belongings, waved Madam Pince good night, and headed back to Gryffindor tower. They turned one corner when Remus got the sudden craving for chocolate. Hot chocolate. "Hey, Lily?" He placed his fingers lightly on her elbow, asking her to stop a moment. She complied and stared at him with questioning eyes. "Have you ever been to the kitchens?

Lily shook her head. "Why?"

"I have a craving for hot chocolate." He confessed. "Would you like to accompany me to the kitchen to smother the need? I know a way that few people are acquainted with..."

Lily's face dropped in shock. "Remus! Just because you're a Prefect doesn't mean it gives you the right to stretch the rules to your benefit." She scolded, with a hint of mischief in her glowing eyes.

He gave her a half-smile and offered his left arm to her. "Is that a yes?"

Lily laughed in turn and linked her arm to his. "Lead the way."