We looked at each other again and we just stared into each others eyes for who knows how long. I couldn't breathe and the world was starting to spin.Then Lily's familiar voice woke me up.
"Hey Marie."I broke contact right away and took a deep breathe. There I felt better.
"Hey Lily," My voice sounded shy. I wasn't use to her talking to me yet.
"I see you took my advice," She had a smile on her face, as if she knew what I was thinking.
"Not entirely but yeah I did."
"Lily since when do you talk to Cotton?" Remus asked curiously.
"Last night," We said at the same time. We smiled at each other and laughed. Remus looked amused."I just figured she needed a girlfriend and she looked like she needed a friend." I caught her shot a glance at Remus. He blushed crimson.
"I said I was sorry…"
"You should be glad she's so forgiving."
"Yeah, I am." He smiled a sweet smile. I couldn't help but smile back.
"Ah I love you, Moony," I said, taking his hand into mine.
"I love you too, Cottonball." I hit him with my free hand.
"You know it's just plain Cotton."
"I know." Oh he was just teasing me. Of course.I rolled my eyes and looked back at Lily. I saw her mouth 'Stop flirting'. Flirting? I wasn't flirting, was I? If I was I did all the time I guess…
"You know I always thought Cotton did not fit with the Marauders at all. I mean the name, not the person."
"It's an inside joke." I told her.
"You'd think it was silly."
"Although it is pretty funny."
"You wouldn't expect Cotton here to be so soft."We started to "flirt" again. Although I hardly saw it as that.
"Guys I know that's a habit of yours but please include me," Lily said, amused. We both stopped talking."You know you two were always my favorite Marauders."
"Did you just include me in the Marauders?" I asked, shocked. I've never really considered myself part of them actually. I wasn't as tricky as they were.
"Cotton you've been our friend even before we were the Marauders', of course you are," He squeezed my hand in reassurance.
"Ya know there's no secrets between the Marauders'" He told Lily.I snorted and said, "Except "guy stuff"."
"Hey you have secrets, too!"
"Only recently.""No, I mean your "girl stuff"."
"Excuse me, do you want to hear about my period?" Lily burst out laughing. She's understand this. Guys don't want to know about that.
"No but…"
"Exactly."
"Well…Sirius and James don't have to know some stuff," He said changing the subject.
"You mean such as moonlight desires?" I offered. He gave me a meaningful look and kept my eyes to his when he offered something else.
"And confessions in the dark."
"And almost kisses."He looked dazed for a second.
"You're doing it again guys, stop it or I'll leave," Lily said annoyed.
"Sorry," I muttered.
"If you ever did get together I think you'd be the type of couple that makes people sick."I giggled.
"Lily you know far to much," Remus observed.
"I know, I can keep a secret though."
"Evans!" James' loud voice suddenly said. He looked excited to see her talking to us. Sirius and Peter followed him, looking tired. She sighed loudly and got up, giving us a sincere looked before leaving.
"Lily wait, I want to ask you something…"
"She's right you know," Remus whispered to me.
"About…"
"We would make a cute couple."My breathe caught. His eyes were filled with…was it joy? Excitement?…Love?
After breakfast I dragged Remus to his dorm so he could rest. I skipped class that day so I could stay with him. For a while we talked and then he fell asleep. I crawled under the blankets and laid next to him, just staring at him, thinking of everything Lily has said in the last 24 hours.
"Marie," It was a whisper but I didn't want to wake up. I crawled deeper into the bed, even closer to whatever was next to me.
"Marie Williams!" It said louder.
"Wha…" I said groggily.
"Wake up," It whispered into my ear.
"No, that's ok." It tickled me.
"Ok fine, I'm up!" I said and opened my eyes. Remus was right there, smiling.
"You fell asleep," He informed me.
"No way," I said sarcastically.
"And you were talking in your sleep." At this I blushed. I only did that when I'm sleeping really deeply. My sister use to make fun of me for it.
"Did my sleep talking wake you?" I asked.
"No, Sirius woke me up. I didn't want to wake you because you looked so cute but we have to leave soon."
"Hmmm," I said and sat up. His eyes followed me."Were you comfortable?""Yes, I like your bed." I smiled."I'm glad."I pushed the covers off me and looked at him. He had an content look on his face. I stared at him for I don't know how long but his eyes eventually met mine.
Later that night I was running through the forest in my cat form chasing after Remus and James. It was hard to keep up but I kept running and running.I woke up in the Slytherin common room. Every part of me ached. It was so painful. I wanted to scream but I knew even if anyone heard it here they wouldn't care. I just laid there for hours until I felt someone touch me. I found Sirius looking at me with a pained expression.
"Are you ok?" He asked. I tried to move but it hurt to much. I let out a moan of pain.
"I'm going to take you to the hospital wing." I tried to speak but he stopped me. He supported me as he walked me there. An hour later I was feeling much better. I was given a potion that helped, now I could feel no pain. Sirius and James were joking with me since Remus was still asleep. Full Moons really took a toll on him.
A week later he was back to normal.
