Chapter 36 Some Sort of Conspiracy

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Remus groaned, clutching at the wound on his chest where Lindi had shoved him away, startled by the knocking. There was another booming rap on the door. Who the hell was out there? He was going to kill them!

"Moony!"

Oh, for the love of Merlin…It was Sirius. What was he doing? Remus decided that as soon as he could catch his breath, he was going to hex Sirius into the next millennium! Why would one of his best friends do this to him?

"Moony, open the door! We know you're in there," barked Sirius.

Remus looked over at Lindi, as he shook off the pain. She looked mildly panic stricken.

"Oh, Remus, did I hurt you?" she asked.

He nodded. "Just a bit—but it isn't your fault," he assured her, his voice hinting at his irritation. He straightened himself up and walked to the door, pulling it open with a jerk.

"What are you doing?" he spat through clenched teeth.

Sirius was standing in the corridor surrounded by James, Peter, Lily and Leanna. Were they all deranged?

"Hey, I'm just the messenger, mate. Madam Pince is looking for—"

"Madam Pince…Oh Crikey!" cried Lindi checking her watch. "I'm missing detention! Oh, no, she's going to kill me!"

She bolted towards the door, and they all stepped aside so she wouldn't knock them over. She ran a few yards down the corridor before skidding to a halt and turning back.

"I'm sorry, Remus," she said sadly, the dried tear streaks on her face shimmering in the light of the torch hanging beside her. She didn't wait for a response, turning again and sprinting up the corridor, her hair flailing out behind her.

Remus stared after her as Leanna darted past him to follow her friend. He couldn't believe it. They'd come so close…again. Why did this keep happening?

But this time, it was different. This time, he knew how Lindi felt about him.

She liked him. Not as just a friend, but she really liked him. She had even called him the man of her dreams. He felt like he must be dreaming, but for the pain across his chest. He reached up and felt it gingerly, noticing the dampness of his robes. Looking down, he could see a large spot glistening and he realized the wetness was from more than just tears. There was a definite layer of—well, a slimy sheen streaked the black fabric. Ummm…lovely. He wiped his hand clean as a small smile crept over his down-turned face. He remembered how wonderful she had felt in his arms, the way she had gazed up at him. He didn't care in the least that she had mucked up his robes.

"Are you alright, Remus?" asked Lily tenderly. Her gentle voice pulled him back to the moment at hand.

…And the fact that they had prevented him from kissing Lindi—when she was actually going to let him—finally!

Remus looked up and met the concerned green eyes. Clearly, Lily didn't realize what had happened—none of them did. They thought things had gone badly, from the way they were all gazing at him. He tried to process what had happened to make them think that. The image of Lindi turning to him as she ran down the corridor flashed in his mind. The tear streaked face and red-rimmed eyes…the sincere apology written in them.

But they didn't know her apology was for having to leave him and for not being able to finish what they had started.

Hmmm….

Remus rather liked the thought of getting them back for all of their prying and teasing these past few months. Not that he hadn't enjoyed it, but they had a little payback coming to them, especially since their timing just now had been truly abysmal.

"I'm fine," he said solemnly, and turned to go back into the Dueling Hall. He started towards the front of the room and the console.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Lily start to follow him, but James grabbed her by the arm. Remus could barely hear James whisper, "Maybe we should just leave him alone."

Typical…Men weren't exactly known for there wonderfully sensitive handling of each others' emotional crises, and the Marauders, close as they were, were no exception. Of course, they would give him the chance to talk, (mainly because they would want to know what had happened) and would be very supportive, probably by offering Remus the advice to forget her; she isn't the only girl on the planet! But that would come later, after Remus had had time to be alone and do whatever he might need to do, be it rage, break things, or even weep. For now, they would want to give their mate some space. After all, as Peter had said when they had seen Lindi and Daniels together on the Marauder's Map all those weeks ago, Remus crying would probably freak them out.

But Lily was a girl…

He reached the console, placed his hands on top of it and leaned on them, feigning dejection. Glancing discreetly over his shoulder, he caught a glimpse of vibrant red hair coming up behind him. The sounds of footfalls on slate informed him that his friends were following her. Good! Remus really didn't want to be left alone. He wanted to share this wonderful news with someone. Actually, shouting it from atop a table in the middle of the Great Hall during dinner seemed like a good idea, but he'd settle for telling his best friends.

"Remus?" Lily's voice was gentle.

"Yes," he answered.

"What happened?" she asked timorously.

Nothing, since you lot came barreling in at the wrong moment, he thought, irritation helping him to pretend he was unhappy. But then again…something wonderful happened! His irritation vanished and the urge to shout struck him, but he fought it for the sake of teasing Lily. After all, she had been relentless; bless her.

Remus turned and looked at her, his somber face masking the elation he felt. All the years of hiding his illness had perfected his ability to hide his true feelings. That was a talent that could come in quite handy.

"We talked," he said.

"Well, what did she say?" Lily asked.

"Quite a lot, but I don't think she'd appreciate me for repeating it, Lily," he evaded the question.

"But…" Lily looked nearly distraught. "I was so sure."

Remus could hardly stand it any longer. Lily was genuinely upset. He started to tell her the truth when James muttered.

"Sirius is right. She is a nutter—a totally psychotic nutter." James shook his head, clearly as surprised by the turn of events as Lily.

It was hard for even Remus to keep a straight face. The corner of his mouth twitched. He was simply too happy to pretend he was miserable. "Maybe she is," he said.

"I'm sorry, Remus," said Peter. "I really thought…what is that all over your robes?" He stared, distracted by the shimmering mess on Remus' chest.

Remus followed his gaze. "Oh, that would be mucus," he said flatly.

"Iychh," groaned Peter, wrinkling his nose. "That's disgusting."

"Really?" said Remus. "I thought it was rather wonderful, myself."

Peter looked at him, perplexed. James and Sirius glanced at one another, and Lily narrowed her eyes shrewdly.

"She has you so buggered," said James. "When anyone wipes snot all over you and you think it's wonderful, something is amiss."

Sirius gave Remus a discerning look.

"Are you winding us up, Remus?" asked Lily.

"I'm just answering your questions," he answered. "I can't help it if you aren't asking the right ones."

Lily looked like she might clobber him. "Oh, really? Well, then, let me be more specific. Are you and Lindi going out or not, Remus?"

Remus nearly laughed until he realized the truthful answer wasn't exactly laugh worthy. He hadn't had a chance to ask Lindi to the ball.

"No, I'm afraid we don't have any dates scheduled," he said seriously.

"Remus!" Lily sounded exasperated. "What does that mean, no dates scheduled? What is going on with you and Lindi?"

Finally, he smiled at her. "We really don't have any dates scheduled, but only because you all came barging in before I had a chance to ask her. But I plan on remedying that at my earliest opportunity."

"And she'll say yes, right?" asked Lily eagerly.

Remus nodded, smiling. "I'm almost certain."

Lily positively beamed. "I knew it!" She rushed towards him, reaching out as if she were going to hug him. But instead, she slapped him hard on the shoulder. "You rotten prat! You had me worried!" Then she hugged him for a moment before pushing him to arms length. "Why are you only almost certain?"

"I'm certain she'll go out with me eventually, but I'm afraid it will be too late to take her to the ball," he said resignedly. "She's probably already been asked."

"Yes, but she wouldn't have accepted," said Lily. "She likes you."

"Well, she has also been very angry with me," Remus reminded Lily. "I couldn't really blame her if she agreed to go with someone else."

"Well, I'll be surprised if she did, but there's only one way to find out," said Lily pointedly.

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After returning to Gryffindor Tower, Remus found himself unable to concentrate on anything other than what had happened with Lindi. He kept replaying it over and over in his mind so that he would never forget it, as if he ever could.

He could have killed his friends for showing up when they did. He didn't want Lindi to be in any more trouble with Madam Pince, but couldn't they have been a couple minutes later, or five? Then he would have had a chance to kiss her, and maybe he would have even been lucid enough to ask her to the ball. It was going to drive him crazy not knowing if she already had a date, and he really needed to do some studying. His examinations were going to go poorly if he didn't. He had already been distracted for quite some time. His Christmas gift for Lindi also needed to be finished, now that he would actually have the opportunity to give it to her. That made him happy, considering how long he'd been working on it. Which reminded him; he hadn't confirmed plans for Lindi to come to his house either. Had Rosmerta given her permission before Will had shown up? Would she still want to go with him?

Crap! It was all going to drive him to total distraction. Now that he knew how Lindi felt about him, he should be relaxed. Well, maybe not relaxed, as he was so excited he doubted he would be able to sleep for a week. But he shouldn't be like this, worried about everything. He should be enjoying it. He considered just going down to the library and talking to her. Maybe he could get her attention and she could slip behind the stacks with him long enough for him to ask her to the ball. Of course, what if she wasn't in the library?

Remus sat his Transfiguration text on the bed, slid off and retrieved the Marauder's Map from Sirius' trunk, giving little notice to the curious glances of his friends.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," he said, tapping the parchment lightly with his wand. The lines and dots slowly appeared and he looked to the library. Just as he expected, it was quite busy. But where was Lindi?

He focused in so that the names were clear. What he found did not encourage him. Lindi appeared to be in the back, near the Restricted Section, and she was right beside Darlene, with Madam Pince nearby. How was he supposed to talk to her with them there? He knew the answer immediately; he wasn't, not tonight. He would just have to wait until tomorrow.

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The next day, Remus started to share Lindi's paranoia that there might be something to this curse. Every time he'd get close to asking her to the ball, something or someone would interfere. First, it was a first-year in a panic over a transfiguration gone wrong. The young girl had had her nose changed into a toadstool by the boy standing next to her. Remus didn't know if it had been an accident or not, but, being the only prefect in sight, he had been obligated to get the hysterical girl to the school nurse, then the boy to his Head of House. By the time Remus had gotten away from Professor Slughorn, the next session had started and he'd had to go straight to class.

Then, Remus had missed Lindi at lunch when Professor Flitwick had stopped him in the corridor. The Professor only wanted to tell him he'd called a meeting for the Dueling Team leaders, to discuss rescheduling the meet they had postponed after the deaths last month. But Professor Flitwick could be quite talkative at times. He was obviously happy about taking over as the Dueling Club Moderator, and Remus had been unable to get away.

After that, he didn't see Lindi again until they were in the Great Hall for dinner. The only thing that kept him from going insane was the coy smile she would flash him every few minutes. That was proof that he hadn't dreamed the whole thing. His friends sniggering at him only added to the certainty that he wasn't imagining the looks she was giving him. The way she blushed each time their eyes met…

She really liked him. How on earth had this happened?

Remus couldn't stand it any longer. He was going to go over there and ask her to walk with him so he could invite her to the ball, and hopefully to his home, as well. He didn't care if his friends were sniggering at him, or if Darlene didn't like it, or if the whole school was gaping at him when she turned him down because she already had a date.

"I'll be back in a minute," he told his friends as he rose and headed for the other side of the hall.

He rounded the end of the Gryffindor table. To his utter dismay, Lindi rounded the end of the Ravenclaw table and headed for the doorway—accompanied by what appeared to be the rest of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. She saw him and smiled, pausing in the doorway. A few of her team mates went around her, but her captain, Jeffrey Daniels, stopped and glared at them.

"Are you coming or not, Lindi?" he asked impatiently.

"Can I just have a minute?"

Jeffrey smirked irritably. "You are the one who is in a rush. I already had to reschedule the meeting to accommodate your detention schedule."

"Right—sorry," she said. She gave Remus an apologetic smile and shrugged. "I have to go. I'll see you—sometime."

Craaap! This had to be some sort of evil conspiracy.

Before he managed to talk himself into shouting across the Entrance Hall, Will you go to the ball with me? she was gone. At least his dignity was still in tact.

His friends joined him at the door and they made their way back to the tower.

Once more, Remus found himself sitting on his bed, trying to concentrate on his school work. It was hopeless. This was utterly ridiculous. He was a Marauder for Merlin's sake! A true Marauder would be able to manage something as simple as asking a girl to a ball!

He set his Confronting the Faceless text aside and slid off of his bed to retrieve the Marauder's Map. He found Lindi just where she had been the night before, and the library would be closing soon.

"James, may I borrow your Invisibility Cloak?" he asked.

His three friends looked up from what they were doing, and a knowing smile played on James' lips.

"Of course," he answered. "You know where it is."

"Thank you." Remus walked over and opened James' trunk. He retrieved the silvery fabric from beneath a stack of Quidditch Quarterly magazines. "Could I also use someone's note parchment?"

"Sure," said Peter. He dug through his bag and withdrew a small scrap of blank parchment. Each of the Marauders had one. They had charmed a sheet of parchment so that when it had been torn into four parts, if writing on one piece, the words would actually appear on the others. It was much better than trying to pass notes in class. The only drawback was that one couldn't specify whose parchment would receive the message; it would appear on all three. At this point, Remus didn't care. If his friends wanted to see what he said to Lindi, so be it.

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He hurried down the stairs and through the corridors to the library, eager to get there before the librarian ushered the students out at eight. It would be much easier to do this without arousing suspicion if the library was crowded. Madam Pince was like an eagle watching over her nest in that library and seemed to see and hear things that would be missed by the eyes and ears of lesser mortals. At least with the students present, their muffled murmuring, scratching of quills, and turning of pages would help disguise the soft footfalls of his shoes and the nearly inaudible rustling of his robes beneath the cloak.

Remus darted between two of the stacks, slipped the cloak on, and then quietly approached the librarian's desk. Just beyond it, within the restricted section, Darlene was sitting at a table with a stack of old books lying in front of her. She looked quite bored and seemed to be replacing full library cards with new ones. The chair beside her was empty, but a quill and some parchment were lying on the table. Remus sneaked over the rope and gazed down at the messy writing scrawled across the parchment, Lindi's scribble.

He looked around for her, hoping to have a chance to catch her away from Darlene and Madam Pince, but she was already returning from the farthest stack of books. He decided to put the parchment down on her table before she arrived. He didn't think slipping it in front of her was such a good idea, as Lindi could be somewhat jumpy, and the last thing he needed was to have her shriek when a floating piece of parchment appeared out of thin air. He checked to make sure Darlene and Madam Pince were looking elsewhere and slid the scrap from beneath the cloak and onto the table. Then, he quietly walked back out of the restricted section to a place between the stacks that would give him an unobstructed view. He slipped a book off of the shelf and under the cloak, laid his bit of parchment on it and began to write.

Hello, Lindi, it's Remus.

Then he waited for her.

Lindi reached the table with a stack of dusty old tomes and sat them down. As she was taking her seat, she noticed the note and immediately glanced around. She actually looked right through him as her eyes searched the room. She turned the parchment over as if looking for the rest of the message. He waited for her to set it down before he continued writing.

I need to talk to you.

Just as he had expected, she jerked and let out a small gasp when the writing appeared before her. Darlene looked at her sharply.

"What's the matter with you?" Darlene snarled.

"Oh, erm, nothing, I, er, I—I thought I saw a spider," Lindi sputtered.

Remus smiled to himself under the cloak. Not a smooth lie, but effective enough, he thought with relief.

Darlene went back to her tedious task. Lindi looked back at the parchment and waited, so he started writing again.

I really wanted to talk to you face to face, but every time I try, something happens. So I have to resort to this. I want to ask you something. I hope you don't mind.

She looked over at her quill thoughtfully, then picked it up and dipped it into the ink. After a slight hesitation, she set it to the parchment.

Her words appeared on his. I don't mind. Can you read this?

Yes, but you don't need the ink.

So, the means of communication was set and clear.

Okay, where are you? she wrote.

Here, in the library.

Lindi looked up again and searched the area. There was a happy eagerness to her expression, which Remus liked very much. When she couldn't spot him she looked back down at the note parchment.

Where? She wrote.

Right in front of you, he answered, knowing it would only torment her.

No you aren't. I just looked.

I know. I was watching. He found this rather fun. He liked flirting with her, and somehow, it was much easier with the anonymity of being hidden under the cloak.

She looked around quickly again. Prove it. Tell me what I'm doing now.

You are touching your nose, and twiddling your quill between your fingers.

Lindi giggled, causing Darlene to look over at her.

"What is the matter with you?" she hissed again.

Lindi looked embarrassed and put her hand over the parchment. "Nothing," she said softly. "I just thought of something funny."

"You are such a bloody freak," snarled Darlene.

"Quiet," snapped Madam Pince. "Haven't I given you enough to keep you busy?"

The girls assured her she had, and apologized. Lindi looked back down at the parchment, and Remus knew he better stop playing around or he'd miss yet another opportunity to ask her to the ball—and he wouldn't get many more. He knew he had been subconsciously delaying the moment when he might learn that he was going to have to watch her at the ball with someone else. But putting it off wouldn't change anything, and he would miss the chance to ask her himself, if by some miracle she was still available. So, he wrote…

Lindi, I better get to the point. I was wondering if you had made plans to go to the ball with anyone. He watched as she read his words, and waited with bated breath for her response.

She stared at the parchment, chewing her bottom lip, before finally setting the quill to the note. Actually, I have had plans for a while now.

Remus felt the air let out of his hopes. It's your own fault, he thought. Then he reassured himself that she still liked him, and that they would go out another time. But he didn't know if he'd be able to stand seeing her with another man—watching someone else hold her as they danced. But what was done, was done. He set quill to parchment and tried to write steadily.

I see. I figured as much. It's none of my business, but may I ask who you are going with?

Lindi glanced around for him once more and he was glad she couldn't see the devastated look on his face. Then she continued to write. He watched anxiously, as the words formed on his scrap of parchment. Well, that's a bit of a problem, really. The man I had planned to go with hasn't seen fit to ask me yet. It's becoming a bit embarrassing.

Remus stared at the words, excitement welling up inside him. Had he really gotten this lucky?

Then he must be an idiot, he wrote. Are you sure you want to go with someone who is so obviously a fool?

She smiled and he could see her trying not to giggle as she put her hand up over the side of her face, shielding it from Darlene. I just can't seem to help myself, she wrote. It's my first ball and I don't want to go if I can't go with Prince Charming, even if he is a bit of a berk once in a while. But, alas, he won't ask me.

Remus was so glad he was hidden under the cloak and didn't have to shield the smile that had bloomed on his own face. This really was fun. Then he truly is a fool and doesn't deserve to go with you. I don't know about Prince Charming, but I know a berk who would love to ask you.

She coughed to mask the giggle that escaped and waited for Darlene to look away again. Well, I am getting a bit desperate.

He nearly snorted in amusement, but being the professional Marauder that he was, he maintained his composure. Why couldn't it be this easy to flirt face to face? he wondered as he finally made his move.

In that case, would you go to the ball with me, Lindi?

Her face broke into an enormous grin and her cheeks glowed with a lovely blush. I thought you would never ask. I'd love to!

Remus stared at the words. Lindi was going to the ball with him. They were going on a real date!Remus knew he should be saying something else, but suddenly, he was so relieved and happy that he couldn't think of anything else to say. He was just grinning stupidly. Fortunately, no one could see him.

Thank you for asking me, Remus, she wrote after an awkward moment.

You're welcome. He cringed a bit, wishing he could vanish the words before she could read them, but it was too late. What on earth had happened to the easy flirtation? There must be a graceful way to conclude the conversation, but it eluded him. He soon realized that his awkwardness was a bit of a blessing in disguise, as it afforded him time to remember that he was almost forgetting to broach the subject of Christmas holidays at his house. Should he mention it? Would she think he was being too forward, now that they had gone beyond just friends? But he thought it would be just as awkward not to mention it, since they had already discussed it before he had been such a berk! So, he decided he might as well take the chance.

I almost forgot. I would still love for you to come to my house for a couple of days, if you would still like to. He looked up at her to see her reaction. She was staring at the words. He quickly added, I know things are a little different now, but I never told Mum and Dad that you weren't coming, so the invitation is still open.

Lindi looked slightly discomfited. Finally she rested the quill tip onto the parchment and wrote, I'm not sure if Rosmerta will let me now. I sort of told her I…Lindi looked up, searching again, her face drawn anxiously. Finally she continued. I told her I hated you, Remus. I didn't really mean it, of course, but I was so…she didn't finish her sentence, but sat with her head down, staring at the parchment.

It's all right, Lindi. I understand. But the invitation is open, if you feel like asking her. Then, he added for good measure, I should warn you that you will probably be accosted by Lily and pressured into asking. She really wants to get away from her sister's fiancé, and her parents will only let her come if you do. He saw Lindi smile.

Then I guess I should at least try. For Lily's sake!

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Remus practically floated out of the library and back to Gryffindor Tower. He still didn't get much in the way of studying done, but at least it was due to dwelling on pleasant matters, instead of worrying. He was taking Lindinara Dellington, aka the woman of his dreams, to the Crystal Ball. He was going to be the one sitting with her, bringing her punch, holding her close during the slow dances…Oh, I wish I was a better dancer…and kissing her good night. Great Godric Gryffindor, he was finally going to kiss her; could life be more perfect?

But it got even better when she informed him at dinner the next day that Rosmerta had agreed to let her spend a couple of days at his house, so long as his mum and dad were going to be there. He assured her they would be. He was nearly ecstatic (and so was Lily). Yes, life was perfect! It was all he could think about.

He somehow managed to get through his examinations. He was fairly certain he hadn't failed any of them, though he might have done better on a few if he hadn't been so distracted. But Remus wasn't nearly as concerned as he knew he should be. He just couldn't wait until the ball—and the kiss goodnight.

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And so, the day finally arrived. Exams and classes were finished and the day was their own. Remus had run into Lindi and Leanna at breakfast. They had informed him that they had been given permission to go into Hogsmeade to see Rosmerta. Leanna asked him to tell Sirius that she would meet him in the Entrance Hall at quarter to eight, and Lindi had bashfully agreed that she would do the same with him.

For his part, Remus had smiled dumbly and nodded his understanding, just able to mutter, "Alright."

What was the matter with the two of them? One would hardly believe that they had been good friends for quite a while now. They were suddenly acting like a couple of prepubescents with their first crushes.

But Remus couldn't help it. He just couldn't seem to think of anything to say. All he could think about when he looked at her was that first kiss looming ever closer. Lindi smiling and blushing as though she had read his mind only made matters worse. What on earth was he going to do when he met her for the ball? He really hoped he didn't stand there staring at her like a love sick berk.

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Remus was thankful for the distraction provided by the Christmas present he was still working on for Lindi. Lily had agreed to help him with the final charming that had been giving him trouble, and the two of them found a quiet room on second floor in which to work. It took them most of the day to finally manage to coordinate the motion and sound charms for the gift, but when it was done, Lily looked at him and beamed.

"She's going to love it," she said.

"Do you think so?" Remus asked, suddenly worrying that Lindi would think it was silly or trite.

"It is so sweet, Remus," Lily assured him, and then let out a wistful sigh. "Someday I hope someone will feel this way about me."

Remus looked at her, a brow cocked pointedly.

"Don't look at me like that, Remus," she said smiling ruefully.

"You know—"

"No," Lily cut him off. "There might be someone who says he does, but that is just infatuation or wanting something you can't have. But this—this is just so thoughtful. I know you made this to show her how special you think she is, and not to impress her." Lily shook her head with a sad little smile. "No, no one feels that way about me. He isn't mature enough to have feelings like this. Lindi is such a lucky girl."

Remus felt his face warming. If only being cared for was enough to make her lucky. But he was…NOT going to think about it! He was going to enjoy this, dammit!

"Well, thank you for helping me with it, Lily," he said.

"My pleasure," she answered and looked down at her watch. "Oh, I better go. We still have to set up the decorations and I want to finish so I'll have enough time to get all beautiful."

"Already done," he smiled.

Lily leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Lindi really is a lucky girl," she said.

Remus felt his face warming again and Lily giggled as they walked out the door and headed towards the tower.

When Remus reached his room, Peter was taking a nap, and James and Sirius were no where to be found. They had probably gone for a romp in the forest as Prongs and Padfoot, or sneaked off into Hogsmeade to scavenge some of Rosmerta's mead or Firewhiskey. Remus hoped it was the romp in the woods. He really hoped they would be on their best behavior tonight.

Of course, what if they were down in the Great Hall sabotaging things? A quick check of the map told him they weren't, and he felt a bit guilty for suspecting his friends. But he didn't want anything to mess up this night.

He wanted it to be perfect.

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A/N: Please see my Author's Profile for information and some serious groveling.