Remus sat down on his bed and looked out the window. Last month had been okay. It was nearing the end of November now, but things seemed like they hadn't changed, or at least for him. After that almost dreamy kiss with Aeryn, they had just pushed it out of the way like it had never happened.
The transformation after that had been fine, just like the one last Monday. They had enjoyed hanging out in the hospital wing, like always, but that wasn't enough for him, he could help but want to be more then a friend. But did she want it? Aeryn was a bold girl, if she did feel the same way wouldn't she have done something?
"I hate this! Why can't I just ask her out myself!" he yelled at nobody.
Because you're a loser, said the evil little voice in his head.
Remus took his pillow and threw it at the wall in anger, stupid life, he thought, stupid feelings.
Then he walked over and got the pillow and but it back. After everything was in order he picked up a book from the stack under his bed and started reading it.
Meanwhile, Sirius was in the library. During any normal circumstances, he would never be in such a place, but James had asked him to do some research on certain forest, to find a place where they could do the animagus ceremony without being discovered. As he took a book out, the area behind the case became visible. And through the hole, on the other side sat a girl studying. As she looked upward slightly and rubbed her head, he was able to identify her as Iris Selwyn. He recognized her from some of his classes, but mostly from the boring parties he had been dragged along to (by his parents).
They where pureblood only parties of course, where filthy rich snot bags and their courtiers showed off some of their wealth (whether it was a new dress or an heir to so much amount of their money). But Iris had always been a little different, not in a good or bad way. After the pleasantries, he noticed that instead of further mingling with the rich filth, she would go to a quiet corner and read a book, a muggle book. Now he knew the Selwyn's were kiss ups to the muggleborn community, but her behavior was a little suspicious. Just then he saw her look up, but this time he could have sworn it was at him. Shaking his head he put back the book then circled around.
Detective Sirius, on the case, he narrated in his head. He circled around to the other side of the bookcase, throwing a quick look over his shoulder. Now that he could see her better, there was something different about her, she was… tired looking, like she hadn't slept in days.
Just then someone walked in, Sirius turned his head slightly to see. It was Derrick Umbridge, another pureblood and her current boyfriend. He wasn't terribly bad looking, pretty muscular, maybe a little too square from some girls. His hair was blonde and cropped short, and he was growing a slight mustache, not bad for a boy his age, but only one word ran through Sirius's head.
An ogre, Sirius thought, a bloody ogre, that's what he looks like, nobody should look at a girl with the hungry expression he—no Ogre, that's his new name, does.
"Iris, lets go." demanded the deep voice of Ogre/Umbridge.
"Yes, Derrick, give me one second." said Iris, who flinched ever so slightly, as she walked by him to put away her books.
For a second as she walked away, he could have sworn she gave him a quick pleading look. But as she strolled behind Ogre, trying to be casual, it was hard to be sure.
Well Detective Sirius, it seems you have a new case, did the—he paused trying to come up with a code name for Iris,--did the Snake Maiden, really give you a desperate look, or was she only admiring your dashing looks, he thought to himself again. Hey, he enjoyed narrating for himself, because after all, wasn't life just a big, dangerous game?
As Sirius pretended to be a detective and Remus threw pillows, Aeryn was up in the air on her broom. Recently she had been put on the reserve team for Quidditch, by James who was Captain ever since George O'Smealy, a seventh year, had to quit because of stress from NEWT studying. It was understandable why she couldn't join the team, seeing as she got injured too much and games couldn't be arranged just to fit her schedule. But she liked the freedom it gave her, and wasn't a problem, not for now. However, right now she had two issues invading her life: Remus and that Merlin forsaken Sluggy Club.
Aeryn flew down and grabbed a quaffle from the ground then practiced throwing it and catching it to get her frustration out.
Firstly there was that stupid slug thing to worry about. They would be having a fancy dinner crappy thing in about two hours on this fine Sunday, and Aeryn really wasn't in the mood for kissing up to the fat arse walrus. The dinner could lead to nothing but trouble, especially that idiot Larry Hector. He kept getting way to friendly at the last couple ones.
"I care about Remus not that git!" yelled Aeryn as she threw the quaffle, hard, at the goals only to have it bounce off the top of the middle one.
Sighing with frustration Aeryn dove down seeker style to catch the quaffle before it hit the ground. Then she landed and walked back to her dorm to take a shower and get ready, leaving the problem of Remus on the same note it had been for the whole month, Why can't I get the guts and ask him out for Merlin's sake!
The next morning, Monday, Lily got up from the table to go to Ancient Runes and said goodbye to Aeryn and Remus. Poor Aeryn had seemed really on edge last night, and she still was even now, but this was something for Aeryn to figure out and she had issues of her own. Like the messy black haired, hazel eyed problem that was trying to say good bye to her now. Lily just wished James would just stop, because she didn't enjoy being cruel to someone even as toe-raggy as him. Little did she or anyone else know, their problems (or their super spy cases or whatever else they referred to them as) would only be getting worse.
"Okay Aeryn, lets head to art." said Remus trying to sound as happy as possible.
"Okay dokay." replied Aeryn, trying to be causal.
As they walked down the hallway to the red classroom, Aeryn couldn't help feeling tingly.
We're alone, she thought, all alone. Now would be the perfect time to make a move.
"Hey Remus?"
"Yes Aeryn?" he replied. The way he said it making her freeze up inside, and the tiniest bit of bravery she had melt, so she was just left frozen staring at him and looking quite stupid.
"Aeryn?" he questioned his face scrunching up in confusion.
"I.. would you… do you know if we had any homework?" stuttered Aeryn.
Remus relaxed, on the outside.
"Of course not silly, we get it every other week, I though you'd know that by now."
"Heh heh, silly me." muttered Aeryn, who was furious at herself, where was that darned bravery when you needed it?
Soon they were in front of a bright red door, and without any hesitation, Remus opened it and they entered their Art class.
As Aeryn sat down, she tried to distract herself by thinking about the girl Lily disliked, Iris.
At first she was only interested in why the girl hadn't been at that barmy slug party last night, but then at closer inspection she realized almost everything but the green and sliver lined uniform was different..
There were shadows under her eyes, and Iris's hair had grown about two thirds of a foot longer and was a complete mess. Around her neck she wore a silver and green striped scarf that was tightly wound, which wasn't very unusual since the weather was cold, but most people would at least take it off inside. Also Aeryn could tell there was some makeup cover-up charms on her face, probably for some zits or something.
I guess every super sucessful pureblooded Slytherin has their days when the price of stuff catches up to them, thought Aeryn.
It was true. Just about everyone knew that Iris's parents had bribed the ministry to start her at hogwarts when she was only ten, and even now she was taking a few NEWT classes in extra subjects.
But before Aeryn's thoughts could wander further, the professor popped into the room through his magical door and the lessons began.
Before long, the first half of the days class's ended, and everybody, accept Lily who 'needed to go to the library', sat down to eat lunch.
"Anything happen in Art?" asked James who waggled his eyebrows throwing the hint that instead of 'in art' he meant 'with Remus'.
Aeryn gave him a killing stare, "Not really, though our snaky classmate, Selwyn, looked horrible. I guess purebloods have trouble keeping up the image twenty four seven eh Sirius?... Sirius?" questioned Aeryn when Sirius only responded by scanning the Slytherin table. But for some reason the Snake Maiden wasn't in sight and only the Ogre was there, munching on some fancy food.
"Hey Sirius! SIRIUS!" called James, who was staring at him weirdly like the rest of them, even ever quiet Remus.
"Sorry." apologized Sirius as he brushed his hair with is hand, "I just wanted to check for myself, but it seems like snakes don't like showing themselves off when they're shedding their skin."
Everyone grinned at his normal, Sirius-y, response, then went back to eating their various meals. After that they had DADA arts with Professor Youngblood, who Aeryn wasn't terribly fond of.
"Ok kids, I need to go do some things, so I want you guys to practice stupefy, protego, and the revival spell for stupefy: ennervate." said the young Professor as he walked out the door a little too happily.
"Why do we have to have the class that his little girlfriend's got free period during?" complained Peter as the class pushed the desks to the sides of the room.
"I don't know, but this'll be fun!" shouted James as he got into the fray of shouts "Stupefy, Protego!"
"This is hopeless." muttered Lily. Then she shouted "STUPEFY" at James.
"Better." she said, as she pulled out a book and sat behind a shield charm she had just casted.
"What about you Aeryn, gonna join in?" asked Remus who was sitting on a desk reading a Muggle book called The Hobbit, for the second time this month.
"Nah." said Aeryn, as she leaned against Lily's desk, watching Peter get stunned by a Hufflepuff, "We'd have an unfair advantage, ya' know 'cause we are resistant to most spells and major jinxes."
"True but that never stopped my face from turning blue some about of months ago." chuckled Remus.
"I said MAJOR jinxes," chuckled Aeryn.
It was nice when they could just chat like normal friends.
"Incoming!!!" shouted Sirius who ducked, causing the red jet of light to come over to where Remus, Aeryn and Lily(who had a nice little shield) where peacefully sitting.
"Wankers!" muttered Remus as he jumped in front of the light blocking it from hitting Aeryn who it was heading towards.
It didn't stun him, but to cover up his invulnerability to the spell, he pretended to fall.
Lily looked down at Remus who laid sprawled across the floor, "Aww he saved you, you better revive him and give him a kiss or something." She chuckled only loud enough for Aeryn to hear..
Aeryn stared daggers at her then bent down to Remus, "Thanks," she whispered, then cast "Ennervate" even though it was unneeded.
Aeryn stood up and gave Remus a hand to help him up too.
"Maybe we should have a handy shield like Lily." he muttered, rubbing his head.
"Protego!" yelled Aeryn, and they got there own little half bubble.
"Good, good, back to reading." said Remus quickly before they could talk anymore.
Aeryn looked at him reading curiously, was that a bit of blush reddening his cheeks?
Then she looked around and noticed they were the only people behind a bubble together and had a few people staring. Cursing silently in embarrassment, Aeryn sat down on the ground next to Remus's desk and pulled out a magical fiction book about an female Quidditch player, strengthened the shield, then started reading were she'd left off.
After that the rest of the day was generally normal, that was, until dinner.
Aeryn, and Lily, and the marauders were sitting at there table in the normal arrangement. Aeryn with Lily to her right, and across from Aeryn, Remus (the only marauder Lily could have a nice conversation with) and to his right, (Aeryn's left) sat Peter then Sirius, and farthest from Lily, James. Currently, everyone who wasn't coming in was staring at the head table because the food wasn't on their plates, and that meant there was probably going to be some announcements.
Sure enough as soon as most of the students were seated, Dumbledore stood up.
"Now I'm sure you all are hungry, but before we get carried away by our food, I would like to announce that retired Holyhead Harpies Captian, Frances Hooch, will be refereeing next Saturday's game, Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff, and all the other games after winter break which will start the following Monday. Now can we have a cheer for Madame Hooch!"
The whole hall clapped without complaint, she might have been a little scary with her eagle like eyes, but she was well respected Quidditch-wise.
"Now for a second announcement, winter break is approaching and I'm sure you are all making decisions on whether you will stay or not, but in order to give you a good perspective on what you may or may not miss, I am proud to announce that due to financing by an ex-student, Professor Slughorn's holiday party on Christmas eve will be turned into a full on Winter Ball, and all students third year and up will be invited." Every one cheered accept for students under the age limit who booed.
"Now, now," started Dumbledore, quieting the riot, "Students under the age limit can be invited by an older student, but I don't believe they will find much entertainment in a formal event."
The cheering started again, and this time there were limited boos.
"Are you staying?" asked Lily.
"Not for the stupid party, my parents just want me to spend Christmas with my friends while they go on some steamy retreat in France."
"Oh yeah, oh yeah its on my birthday!" shouted Sirius, among the other loud chatter of excitement.
"Really?" asked Aeryn in surprise.
"Yeah I'm turning SIXTEEN on CHRISTMAS, EXTRA presents for MEEE!" the ridiculously good looking boy sang, making some giggly girls… well, giggle.
Remus chuckled, "I guess it's that time of year again, when we must empty our pockets. Luckily they'll be a Hogsmeade trip on Friday since the past month's weather was preventing other trips."
"Cheers to that," said James in a sing song voice as the food appeared and butterbeer and pumpkin juice filled their cups.
"Cheers!" agreed Remus, Peter, and Aeryn.
"To my birthday!" yelled Sirius as they clanged cups.
Lily just watched with an amused look on her face, and started sipping some tea. I can't wait for the drama of everyone asking each other out, thought Lily, I'd put my money on Aeryn asking poor Remus.
The following three days were crazy. The lists for staying at Hogwarts were just about full and everyone seemed to be asking each other out so as not to be the only ones dateless. Wednesday was Lily's day when an attractive sixth year Ravenclaw named Edger Embercombie, who had been catching Lily's eye for the last few weeks, finally asked her out to Hogsmeade and the Ball, and she accepted.
It was Tuesday night, first day of December and finally Aeryn and Lily were settling down for some needed rest.
Lily sighed happily from her bed, thinking about Edger, and how much fun they would have at Hogsmeade, especially since they would have the day off, so it would be a full day trip. Though she was only meeting him for a really late lunch, at 3:00, they would spend the rest of their time together, to find out more about each other.
"Thinking about Eddy are you?" said Aeryn from her bed with a hint of jealousness.
"Yeah," admitted Lily, "I'm looking forward to learning more about him."
"Well," sighed Aeryn, "He may be Ravenclaw, but I guess as long as he's good to you he'll be safe."
"That's great to hear," chuckled Lily , "but Aeryn you never told me why you hate Ravenclaw so much! Not that it's your fault, but we've never had a real girl to girl talk."
"Well, when my mum was at Hogwarts she was in Hufflepuff and during her seventh year she entered the Triwizard Tournament against a very popular Ravenclaw. She ended up being the champion for Hogwarts, so Ravenclaw gave her hell. A bunch of student got expelled for what they almost did to her. Luckily my dad, who was a ninth year at Sir Charge's Academy of Spellcraft, one of the participating schools, saved the day."
"Aww that's so romantic." said Lily dreamily.
"Yeah, but anyway what was that crap about girl to girl talk again? I'm pretty sure that's NOT what we're having." questioned Aeryn
"Not until, NOW" shouted Lily as she jumped out of bed and sad down on Aeryn's bed next to her.
"Merlin's beard," muttered Aeryn.
"Okay dokay time for you to talk about Remus!"
"Fine, fine, I like him."
"Soooo, are you going to ask him out to the ball?" Lily almost squealed
"Firstly the ball isn't until Christmas, everyone is really rushing things!"
"But…!"
"But," grumbled Aeryn, "I was hoping he would put on his Gryffindor pants and ask me, but knowing him he probably either thinks its to early or is to embarrassed, which is fine by me. So I'm planning to ask him around lunch, since the Marauders and I will be heading out later."
"Good, good, I'm glad you'll have something to do while I'm with Edger." said Lily as she patted Aeryn on the head, and went to bed. Making sure to turn off the lights on her way there.
"G'night, Lily."
"Have sweet Remus filled dreams Aeryn." Lily smirked in the dark.
"I'm so going to kill you in my dreams." muttered Aeryn in response.
It was Friday morning, and Remus was leaning against a wall, deeply troubled.
Should I ask her… does she feel the same way, thought Remus.
No, of course she doesn't, she would have asked you by now, said the negative voice.
But, I thought, that night… in the passage she almost kissed me, he thought back.
And I'm sure if she did, she would be regretting it, snarled the voice.
"Remus?" said a timid voice from somewhere near him.
At first he thought it was Aeryn, but then he realized she wouldn't sound like that.
"Umm, hello." greeted Remus as the girl came into view, she was a fourth year, Mary McLaggen. She was about a head and a half shorter then him, with pale skin, bronze hair and amber eyes, and looked even smaller and tinier in the small amount of light the early morning allowed.
"You do know my name…?" she asked. Her amber eyes looked worried for a second.
"Yes, of course you're Mary McLaggen, Gryffindor fourth year."
"Wow you remember…" she said dreamily, as she played with some of her bronze hair with a petite.
"I was wondering, Remus… Would you go to the ball with me. I admire you very much. You're very smart, calm, and handsome, and I've had a crush on you for awhile."
Remus was completely blown away. He was frozen in place. She had... a crush, on HIM? She, admired, HIM? But what about Aeryn, he desperately thought.
Screw Aeryn, the voice told him, Mary thinks your handsome and smart, all you do with Aeryn is fight.
"Remus?" Mary asked, her eyes looking close to tears.
"Yes, I'll go with you." stuttered Remus, what else could he do, break some fourteen year old girl's heart?
Torn, he decided he would try and avoid Aeryn; he wouldn't be able to face her, even if she didn't like him.
"Oh him so excited, it's like a dream!" she squealed, frightening Remus.
Then she ran over and gave him a hug, then skipped away happily.
"Oh Merlin, Merlin, Merlin, what the bloody hell am I going to do?" Remus asked once she was gone. Then he sunk to the ground, and put his head in his hands. He had just said yes to a girl he barely knew. Quietly he took a piece of chocolate from his pocket. It was Honeyduke's brand but he had sent it to his grandmother, who had cast a charm on it that made it even better. He was about to open the delicious treat and take a bite, when he realized that he wouldn't be the one hurt from this messy situation he had got himself into. Because if Aeryn did like him, which the mysterious voice in his head didn't deny this time, she would need the chocolate a lot more.
As the male Marauders, Remus included walked to lunch Aeryn soon joined in.
"Hey guys!" she said happily.
James gave her a happy smile and pulled her to the group, "Howdy Foxtrot!"
"Foxtrot?!" exclaimed Sirius, "What kind of name is that?"
While James and Aeryn explained to Sirius and Peter it was a military code, Remus tried to think of a way to slip away.
"Hey guy I need to do per—" but before he could make his excuse an army of girls ambushed Sirius and James, knocking over Peter.
Quickly Aeryn took the chance and pulled Remus into a corridor.
"Remus," Aeryn started, making his nightmares and dreams come true all at the same time, "Will you go out with me to the ball and stuff?"
There was a pause, then Remus looked away in shame, "I'm sorry Aeryn, someone already asked me… I said yes."
He heard a gasp and her back away into a suit of armor, making it crash into the wall,
"Who?" Aeryn demanded simply tears welling in her eyes.
Remus couldn't look, he knew that she was probably going to kill him and Mary, but guilt overwhelmed him and he told her anyway. "Mary Mclaggen."
He heard the clang of the suit of armor as she ran away. Try his best to catch up to her, he jumped the pile of armor and grabbed the pocked of her jacket, "I'm sorry!" was all he could gasp out before she ran away.
The few tears that had leaked stopped as Aeryn ran, more confused then devastated. Then she headed to a statue of one eyed witch, tapped it and muttered the password. It opened up a passage way that she knew from James's and Sirius's lectures led to Honeydukes. But she wasn't looking for a snack; Aeryn just wanted a place to think in quiet and not be bothered.
After awhile Aeryn realized she was supposed to meet Lily next to Dervish & Bangs, and headed down the passageway until she hit a dead end. Then she opened up the trap door, climbed up. Once she was in the cellar she quietly climbed up the stairs, and tried to nonchalantly walk into the shop from the back room. It was a success, the shop was much to busy for anyone to care or notice. As she squeezed through the candy shop, she decided that it would be a waste not to buy something for Lily and for some of her other friends, so she went around and found something for almost all of them, but when it came to Remus, she paused.
After deciding she wouldn't get him anything, she when over to the section that had her favorite, Shoc-o-choc, 'Add some SHOCK to your Choc-o-late'. It was really supposed to be something you gave to your enemies as a trick, but Aeryn truly enjoyed them, and was surprised when no one else shared her enthusiasm. But when she reached the rack that sold them, she immediately, pushed through the crowd and hid behind a rack with liquorish wands, ('NEW: Rocking Raspberry flavor!'). The reason: Remus had been standing in front of the Shoc-o-choc, and was grabbing a pack.
"Maybe he was getting some for James and Sirius to use." muttered Aeryn to the shelf of Rocking Raspberry liquorish wands.
When the candy wands didn't respond Aeryn put her hood on (because that would totaly help disguise you when you're almost a head taller then half the kids), then snuck into line.
After paying for the Exploding bonbons (Sirius), Ice Mice (James), Sugar quills (Lily), Acid pops (Peter) and Cockroach Clusters (Parents, who had weird taste buds), Aeryn took the bag and marched into the chilly outside air.
As she exited the shop, she felt something in her pcket, reaching down she pulled out a Honeydukes candy, but she was pretty sure she hadn't bought this one. shrugging, she opened the wrapper and took a bite. it was like all the best things she'd ever eprince, and made her feel warm from inside out.
After devouring the fabulous and random chocolate, Aeryn took a second to watch a bunch of wizards put up holiday decorations, but she was soon interupted by an angry voice came from behind her.
"MERLIN'S PANTS AERYN, YOU HAD ME WORRIED SICK!!" yelled Lily as she crashed into her friend with a big hug, that was somewhat uncomfortable because of Lily's shopping bags and the people who stared.
"Err…" mumbled Aeryn, who was unsure of what to say.
"It's ok Aeryn, I know, the Royal Prats sent Peter to tell me in case you well… disappeared, which you ended up doing, and worrying me to death!" said Lily sounding a little to much like a mom with the last group of words.
"Yeah sorry. Had to think." said Aeryn truthfully with a shrug.
"Ohh Aer-ie I'm so sorry!" said Lily as she hugged Aeryn again, this time with out the bags, "I'll just go tell Edger that my friend needs some comfort time, and we—"
"No" interrupted Aeryn as she slid from Lily's hug-o-death, "I'm fine, really, you go have an awesome time with your Eddy, and I'll just finish up shopping, and then head out."
"You sure you'll be fine, no more hiding or running?" asked Lily with a concerned voice.
"Yes, as long as you NEVER call me Aer-ie again I'll be fine."
"Ok," said Lily with a last hug as she picked up her bags and started to leave, " I'll show Lupin not to mess with my friends.." was the last thing Aeryn heard as Lily left toward Madame Puddfoot's, even though it was a bit early.
Aeryn chuckled lightly at her friend's loyalty then headed over to Zonko's joke shop. At Zonko's she got a small teddy bear that was currently gagged because it tried to bite you if you turned your back on it for James, a shirt that said 'kiss me' on the back, enchanted so only the opposite gender of the wearer could see (sorry gays) for Sirius, a mirror enchanted to make the refection look ugly for Sirius's birthday present, and a pair of Christmas socks that turned your feet green and made you hover at random times for Peter.
For Lily she went to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop to get her education-loving friend a really amazing quill that changed feather type every time you looked at it, and also came already-inked, with ink that never dried or ran out.
Then she went to the Owl Post Office to order a book for Lily because despite Lily's request of 'just a new quill', Aeryn believed multiple candies and a magical quill was not enough. After sending the order to A Wizard's Book-a-torium of Muggle Books, because she knew Lily preferred muggle books to wizard (something Aeryn didn't get because she hadn't read a muggle book in her whole life, "The covers look so dull, they don't even move, at least muggle movies do!"), she headed back out into the cold to catch a carriage back to Hogwarts.
My Rambles.
Whewy that crazy chapter took a bit even thoug I started right after the last. Sorry folks but Remus and Aeryn have to have suuuuum issues or its no fun, oh and on that note I think I'll foreshadow...
MARY MCLAGGEN IS NOT WHO YOU MOST LIKELY THINK SHE IS
Things
1. Now if your thinking, 'a quill and a book, wow poor lily' you must be weird cuz honestly if there was a pen that changed into different types of pens and never ran out of ink, I would superty duper want it!! POOF, it's a sharpie POOF it has a light-up button, POOF it has a squishy handle! AWESOMEST PEN EVER
2. …. Shoot I don't have a number 2…
3. WOLF OUT!!!
4. (psst beta editor reader , don't edit this)
5. Beta Reader E, Toby is incredibly awesome and amazing and incredible and brilliant. Unfortunately when she edited this she was feeling a little bit lazy, so it's not perfect or anything, but hopefully Laura Wolf's, I mean, errr, my atrocious grammar is a little bit better! :) (real me - thanks E.)
WOLF OUT (again)
