As requested, a James and Remus oneshot! Please continue to give me your suggestions!
20
Sod Em'
"I've never liked parties, James."
"This is a Ministry Gala so you're in luck."
"I don't like the Ministry."
"Well, you look just dashing in my dress robes, Remus."
"I hate wearing dress robes... and the lengthening charm you did is wearing off."
"At least there's champagne though. Elf made so it's the good stuff."
"I'm more of a whiskey bloke."
"There's no winning with you, is there, Remus?"
"I would rather be undercover in the Colony right now than be here..." Remus murmured.
The two wizards walked into the glossy, white and black ballroom. Over head a large, crystal chandelier floated and some enchanted violins played a gentle waltz. High society witches and wizards spoke in snooty voices and occasionally laughed light heartedly. It was nauseating. There was a war going on and the Ministry was still hosting a grand winter gala for all its uppermost employees at the historical Order of Merlin Ballroom.
"Sirius would have fit in better here," Remus said quietly as he and James both took a flute of champagne off a silver tray that levitated past them. "Or even Lily."
"Sirius is hardly one for elegant parties and Lily is due any day now and I don't want her-"
"You don't have to explain. I was just being a git, James," Remus exhaled.
James turned to his friend, smirking from behind his glasses.
"Yes, it's almost like you don't want to be around me. Have I done something?" James asked with a quizzical expression.
"Borrowed my Charms text without permission..."
"That was seven years ago and you're never..."
"...I was terrified I'd lost it.."
"...gonna let me live it down."
There was a beat before the two met each other's gaze and grinned, stifling a laugh. Remus took a sip of his champagne and let his eyes fall over the crowd of aristocrats. Remus noticed James nodding at a variety of wizards and witches who were subtly acknowledging him. The price of being the son of two late Ministry higher ups. Then James realized that they weren't just greeting him, they were also greeting Remus. No. Not greeting. Studying. He looked up at his lanky friend to see if maybe there was a smudge on his face or the cut on his neck from last week's full moon was starting to bleed. Was the lengthening charm really faltering on the dress robes and drawing attention? No. Remus was just exaggerating. Nothing about his friend's appearance should give them any reason to look him up and down then murmur to one another.
"I feel like a bloody zoo animal," Remus grumbled taking another drink from his glass.
James nodded in agreement, though his brows were still furrowed in confusion. Was it the scars? Could be. People sometimes looked at Alastor Moody strangely for his scars-yet whispers hardly accompanied. They didn't know Remus' secret. What was so fascinating about James' companion then?
"Why are they all staring at you like that?"
Remus snorted lightly and looked down at James who continued to appear perplexed. For a moment, Remus studied his friend's face before finally responding in a hushed tone.
"Probably because I'm a werewolf..."
"Yeah, but they don't know that," James insisted.
"Yes, they do..."
"What? No. How?"
Remus blinked, ducking his head.
"James, I did Auror Training under some of these people. Some of them work with my dad in Regulation and Control. If anyone knows my secret and all its gory details it's at least half the people at this party."
James eyes widened and he shook his head, trying to think of something to say. It's times like these when words so often fail us.
"I am... so sorry. I should have thought of that before I invited you..."
"Oh, don't worry yourself. I'll do anything for the Order."
"What?"
"I said I would do anything for the Order. You know that though, J-"
"This isn't for The Order," James whispered, shaking his head again.
Remus froze, then let his eyes dance about the room and the various murmuring Ministry employees. He looked back to James curiously.
"Then what is this for?"
"It's the Ministry Winter Gala. I'm the son of Fleamont Potter and have to attend now that he's dead..."
"So why did you bring me?"
"Because we're mates and this party is dreadfully dull!" James hissed. "Did you really think this was some undercover mission?"
"Yeah! You know I hate parties! I couldn't think of any other reason you'd invite me along and Lily said... oh..."
"What?"
"She said that you needed my help... I just assumed it was-I dunno-you needed me as a distraction or... I guess anything but attend a party for fun..."
The two friends gazed at one another with raised brows. James felt slightly guilty. Remus did as well. Both considered themselves selfish. James for not remembering that Remus hated parties (even though he had known this since they met at Hogwarts) and also for not deciphering that a room full of Ministry Employees might send him dirty looks because they definitely knew the nature of his condition. Remus felt a pang of guilt for complaining to James. There were worse things to endure than your best mate inviting you to a party with free champagne and food. Like being surrounded by judgmental witches and wizards who appeared both disgusted and marveled by you (marveled being negative in this sense). This moment of contemplation was followed by quiet laughter from both boys. Remus threw back what was left of his champagne. The glass vanished from his hand.
"Let's cut out. I'll buy you a drink at Hog's Head."
"No, no. Let's let you show your face for at least ten minutes. You've got a last name to uphold."
James gnawed on his lower lip momentarily. Remus wasn't wrong. At the same time, could he really let Remus stand here and be subjected to this ogling for another ten minutes? Of course, Remus noticed this look of contemplation.
"C'mon, those people aren't staring," Remus murmured pointing to a man and woman on the other side of the room. "But I'm going to need another champagne. Posthaste."
James offered a lopsided smile.
"Alright. Ten minutes and then I owe you a drink at Hog's Head."
James left Remus in search of the levitating champagne tray. An elderly man and woman walked in front of Remus, both briefly glanced his way. He offered a sheepish smile to the two. A grave look flickered in their eyes and they continued crossing the room with quicker steps, whispering to one another.
"Subtle..." Remus muttered putting his hands in his pockets.
"Well, I'll be..." a delicate voice piped.
Remus looked down to his right, brows raised as he tried to locate the speaker. A small woman with hair far too dark for her age in a tight bun smiled up at him with ruby red lips. Remus gave her a nod, smiling politely.
"Good evening."
"I'm Beatrice Barns," she said extending her hand. "And you're Remus Lupin."
Remus apprehensively shook her hand, unsure of if she knew what he was...and if she did why was she touching him?
"That's correct. Have we met before?"
"No, no, no. I've seen your file many times though. I work in Registration," she said primly.
Remus wondered if the Ministry's Registration Office paid well. Judging by her glimmering emerald dress he supposed so.
"I processed your last werewolf registration file and saw your Auror scores," Beatrice informed. "Very impressive defensive spells. The highest we've seen in a century."
"Oh, well, defense has always been my best subject."
"I've heard your kind have a proclivity for it. It's nice to see someone of your nature putting it to good use."
If Remus Lupin had or been well practiced in the art of stifling groans, he would've shaken the whole ballroom with one. Instead he just blinked at the witch. She honestly thought this was a compliment.
"Thank you. I'm actually here with someone so I'd better find-"
...And James Potter was already striding over to his friend, sweeping Remus' excuse to leave into the dustpan and setting it ablaze.
"Two champagnes and a delightful little tart. It's miniature..." James trailed off.
He looked at Remus whose eyes were screaming. James wordlessly handed him the glass of champagne and looked to Beatrice with a raised brow. He popped the tart in his mouth and concentrated on Beatrice's face.
"Is it... Bridget?"
"Beatrice Barns. She works in Registration, James," Remus said with a pointed look.
Beatrice gave James a grateful nod, her red lips turning up at the corners.
"I was just telling your friend how impressed I was with his Auror marks. They were record breaking."
James gave his friend a pat on the back and turned to Beatrice.
"Yes, well, Remus is an amazing duelist."
"Mr. Lupin, I wish more of your breed would follow your example. It's inspiring to see a werewolf so educated."
James' jaw fell open. Did people actually say these sorts of things? He looked at Remus who much to his surprise, continued to smile at Miss Beatrice Barns. Infuriated, James opened his mouth to educate the witch, but Remus cut him off...
"That's very kind. James, you wanted me to meet someone?"
"Yeah..." Remus steered James away from Miss Barns.
The friends began walking towards the couple they'd planned on speaking too before Beatrice had bestowed Remus with her 'compliments.' However, James was pulling them both aside.
"Should I go back and talk to her?"
"Uh, no," Remus replied, laughing softly. "No, James. It's fine."
"She was clearly insulting you, Moony. I'm gonna say something. Wait here-"
"Beatrice wasn't trying to insult me, James. She honest to Godric thought she was complimenting me."
James peered at Beatrice from across the room.
"No, that was a slight. Definitely."
"James, look at me."
James turned his glowering gaze to Remus who was giving him a knowing smile. He placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"She really did think she was complimenting me. It's happened before, it happened now and it'll happen again. Please don't concern yourself."
"But-"
"The sooner we chat up the only couple not staring at me, the sooner you can buy me that drink. C'mon," Remus said patting James' back.
Reluctantly, James nodded and they walked through the jabbering Ministry employees with muttered 'excuse me's. A handful of them danced to the music played by the enchanted quartet. The couple they'd spotted happened to be casual companions of the late Fleamont and Euphemia.
"Angela and Dockery Dawson! I hardly recognized you!" James laughed as they arrived before the two. "Where are the kids?"
Remus observed the crispness of Dockery's robes. The way the velvet dress clung to the petite figure of his wife, Angela. Then the air in which they seemed to hold themselves. Upstanding and austere. Everything about them screamed 'pureblood.' Remus was suddenly very aware of what he was. Still, he was reassured by the casual manner with which James greeted them.
"They're at home with their grandmother," answered Dockery in a voice that reminded Remus of a very pretentious teacher he'd had in primary school. "It's wonderful to see you here, James. I didn't know you attended Ministry Galas."
"Normally, no, but I thought I'd drop by on behalf of my father."
"Oh, yes. James we were so sad to here about Fleamont and Euphemia. We would have come to the funeral but we were stranded in Bulgaria on some dreadful assignment," said Angela with a very exaggerated frown.
James raised a hand, smiling at the two politely.
"It's fine. We kept the ceremony very small and private."
Angela's eyes flickered over to Remus but he noted that Dockery's did not. It was almost as though he was making a conscious effort not to acknowledge him.
"Oh, apologies. This is my friend Remus Lupin."
Angela began to extend a gloved hand to Remus. He raised his own to accept but Dockery's fingers closed around his wife's and pulled down her hand.
"Son of Lyall Lupin, I presume?" said Dockery sneering slightly.
"Yes, that's correct," replied Remus.
James' brow raised slightly as he looked from Dockery to Remus. He watched as Angela's formerly complacent face was exchanged for a stern, almost irritated expression. Despite this, Remus still wore a meek smile.
"The werewolf boy," Dockery added.
James' eyes widened. Were all of these people so ridiculously offensive?
"That's also correct."
Angela drew a little closer to her husband. Remus took a drink of his champagne, hiding his embarrassment. Not for himself but for James. He was making a Potter look like trash by being here. The pureblood Potters were most likely to stay out of the company of werewolves. This of course, made no difference to a very astounded James. The blatancy of both parties they'd encountered so far was a foreign concept. Rather more than blatancy, it was their lack of tact and that they were seemingly unaware of how insulting they were being.
"James, Im just going to excuse my-" Remus began.
But a fuming James interrupted.
"Remus received the highest defense marks the Ministry has seen in a century by the way," James interjected.
Lupin exhaled.
"James..."
"Don't be so modest, Mr. Lupin. I imagine for someone of your breed that's a very impressive feat," said Dockery flatly.
James clenched his jaw.
"Yes, I was quite pleased with my results in the Auror program actually. But-"
"So why aren't you an Auror, Mr. Lupin?" Dockery questioned. "I understand there's a policy that a unanimous consensus of comfortability among staff regarding your employment must be reached if a werewolf is offered an Auror position."
At that moment, Remus was not aware of this rule. He'd been offered a desk job alongside his father in exchange for an Auror position and he had refused.
"I was offered a position with my father but I hold no interest for a Ministry desk job so I declined the offer. It sounded very dull."
Remus would be lying if he said he wasn't attempting to insult Mr. Dawson. It was a subtle slight, but all the same Dockery appeared taken aback. Angela pursed her lips and James took a gulp of champagne to mask his smirk. Dockery cleared his throat.
"Ah, well, I'm sure you already know this but perhaps it's in your best interest that you don't decline jobs higher in status because of disinterest. I imagine being particular about employment lowers your chances of gaining a job in a suitable line of employment."
"Yes, what is it you do?" queried Angela.
'Just a member of a top secret organization, working undercover in a werewolf colony...' Remus thought.
James responded before Remus could forge a statement saying he worked in a muggle establishment. The fact that he would soon be graduating Oxford would make no difference in the eyes of two very close minded purebloods who probably had no interest in the muggle world. They probably looked down on it.
"Remus actually works at Hogwarts, tutoring students. He has a real knack for it."
'Not a bad lie, James...'
He'd tutored during his time at Hogwarts but James' fabricated job as a professional tutor was not only half true, but respectable in the eyes of any wizarding family.
"He's also studying education at a very prestigious muggle university to better his teaching skills."
Mr. Dawson stared down his nose at Remus who was struggling to maintain composure. James' indignant responses in the face of adversity were not only useful but also amusing.
"You must be very proud then," Angela said stoutly.
"Yes. I imagine you realize just how fortunate you are."
Remus nodded throwing back the rest of his champagne. The glass disappeared from his hand.
"I do. Especially since people never let me forget it. If you'll excuse me, I need some more champagne."
James bit back another snicker and gulped the last of his drink. His champagne flute also disappearing. Dockery's eyes were wide while Angela seemed to struggle to maintain even breaths.
"I'm going to join him. Wonderful to see you both," James grinned as he turned on his heel to catch up with his friend.
Remus felt his ears get hot as he made his way to a levitating tray of more champagne. He felt both guilty and infuriated. The fury, however, only seemed to grow as more and more Ministry workers eyed him, murmuring to one another. James appeared at his side.
"That was brilliant," James laughed. "You should have stuck behind to see their faces."
"Yes, well it wouldn't have been nearly as brilliant if I'd stayed to see the affects of my handiwork." Remus took two glasses from the tray, handing one to James.
"Alright, after this last drink we leave. Sound alright?"
"Splendid," Remus replied flatly.
Two older women walked by James and Lupin, glancing at the latter briefly before quickening their pace.
"They are all remarkably candid," Remus stated raising his brows. "It's like they aren't even trying to hide their astonishment that there's a werewolf in their presence."
James looked at his shiny shoes, frowning.
"I'm so sorry, Moony. If I'd known they were going to be so... prudish, I wouldn't have invited you."
"I really don't care, James," Remus sighed. "Stop beating yourself up. It's unattractive."
"James Potter?" a curious voice said.
The two boys looked to the right to see a statuesque woman with silky blonde hair smiling at them. She was a only a year or two older than James and Remus but it had no effect on her appearance. She was elegant and beautiful. Her icy eyes were framed by long, dark lashes. The woman leaned in, gently grabbing James' shoulders and kissing his cheeks. Imperceptible to anyone who did not know James well, he wore a smile that reflected he was uncomfortable and mildly repulsed.
"Where is the lovely, Lily Potter?" she questioned.
"Mrs. Potter is at home actually," James said apprehensively.
Remus' eyes darted between the two suspiciously. He had no clue as to who this woman was but it was apparent she made James uneasy.
"This is my mate Remus."
She turned to Remus and flashed a dazzling white smile that contrasted with her dark violet lips.
"Remus Lupin, correct?"
"Erm...yes, actually."
"It's nice to finally meet Lyall's son."
The woman leaned in and repeated the motion of placing delicate lips on both sides of Remus' face. Remus' eyes broadened. Just moments ago he'd been refused a simple handshake and now he was being kissed?
"Mallory Wick," she said.
A look of recognition flashed on Remus' face. Mallory Wick. The girl who had attended Beauxbatons at her father's request, as he considered Hogwarts 'too common.' James had told Remus that they'd met a handful of times the summers between fourth and sixth year. Each time Mallory had attempted to woo James and each time he had declined. She'd owled him not long after his marriage to Lily congratulating him and closing her letter with 'I trust you made the right decision. Always yours, Mallory.' It had made Lily positively irate and James had been more than willing to oblige his wife's request of responding to inform Mallory that he was quite happy with his decision and he was expecting a child that summer with Lily. Mallory hadn't responded after that. James had explained that Mallory seemed consistently interested with whatever was 'in fashion.' That included a relationship with a Potter. An esteemed young man who excelled in academia and Quidditch. The kisses made sense to Remus now. He was the talk of the party and the only thing that would catch the eye of every guest would be her willingness to engage with a werewolf. Not only engage, but make drastic, physical contact.
"I assumed Lily would be your date, James. Why is she at home?" Mallory asked, arching a pale brow.
James stiffened.
"If you recall from my last letter Mrs. Potter is pregnant and due any day now. I thought it best she stay home and rest," James explained.
Mallory gave him a wry smile.
"I'm so happy for the both of you. I know that pregnancy can be hard on a relationship and it's so nice to see you both thrive in the situation." James smiled tightly.
Remus took this as his cue to interject.
"I actually heard that more often than not, a pregnancy brings two people closer together. It's said to actually strengthen a relationship."
Mallory looked at Remus, still smiling.
"I see. I take it you have experience?" Mallory asked.
She knew the answer to that question but felt the need to humiliate Remus all the same. While James was angered, the werewolf was merely agitated.
"I'm afraid I don't. It's just something relayed to me by my father," he explained.
Mallory glanced at James briefly before turning back to Remus and giving a small wink. Remus almost flinched in surprise.
"Ah, well I'm surprised a strapping young man such as yourself hasn't been claimed yet."
This of course, was a feeble attempt to evoke some sort of jealousy from James. Both feeble and a failure.
"I'm spoken for actually," Remus replied gathering himself. "For a few years now."
Mallory smiled and released a wistful sigh, fiddling with the latch on her silk purse.
"It seems all the good ones are either taken or cursed," she shrugged.
Remus blinked and shook his head before taking a gulp of champagne. To his right, James had one hand balled in a fist. He groaned softly, massaging the bridge of his nose.
"Being cursed doesn't necessarily take someone off the market, Miss Wick. Though I'm sure you're aware by the unsolicited wink and over zealous compliment you paid to Remus," James shrugged.
Mallory's pale cheeks turned red, but she maintained her pleasant expression. Ever the master of managing conflict, Remus attempted to change the subject.
"So you attended Beauxbatons-"
And he failed.
"You're correct in assuming I'm aware someone being cursed doesn't take them off the market, James," Mallory said coolly.
"Lovely," Remus murmured sipping his drink.
"Just as I've been made aware that being a mudblood doesn't take them off the market either."
Remus choked on his champagne. James' eyes seemed to light ablaze behind his spectacles. He took a step towards Mallory who held her ground, a bemused look on her face. Remus did nothing to prevent what was sure to be an exchange of very harsh words, as he stared at Mallory, nonplussed.
"Ugh..." Remus groaned-the champagne briefly affecting his inhibitions, "Did you actually just say that?"
Both Mallory and Remus were startled at the sound of James chuckling.
"Mallory, did you honestly think that the way to my heart would be insulting my best mate and my wife?" he asked, catching his breath.
Mallory's jaw tightened. Remus smirked.
"It takes someone fairly conceited to assume a person is in love with them simply for stating facts..."
"Who said anything about love?" Remus snorted. "James? Shall we?"
Remus was already turning to leave but noticed that James was taking another step towards Mallory. He stopped and shoved his hands in his pockets, an amused grin on his lips.
"We aren't done..." James said quietly.
"Finished," corrected Remus.
"Moony."
"Apologies. Proceed."
"James, I only meant to-"
"You know exactly what you meant to do."
"We all know exactly what she meant to do so there's no use pointing it out. Let's leave her to her desperate pining, James," Remus said shooting a glare at Mallory. "Anyone who resorts to derogatory names for a woman they've never met obviously wants attention and she won't find it from us. Let's not waste our time."
Sighing exhaustedly, James turned on his heel to exit. Remus gave Mallory a fleeting nod.
"Yes, from what I hear a muggleborn's time is in short supply," Mallory called.
James halted in his steps, slowly turning around. A few guests surrounding Mallory looked at one another in mild shock. But as James pivoted, clutching his champagne glass so firmly he thought he may crush it, Remus was already striding towards her. Mallory took a minuscule step back but Remus was already inches from her face. James stood just behind him.
"I'm asking you politely to refrain from saying another word about Lily," Remus said quietly.
James could make out the concerned whispers of various guests as they watched the werewolf come almost nose to nose with the pureblood witch.
"Asking nicely are you? You're very special indeed, Mr. Lupin. A very tame werewolf," she whispered with a small smile.
"Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not. Is it wise to test me?"
Mallory winced momentarily before adjusting her posture to appear more confident. She opened her mouth to say something but thought better and closed it. Remus turned to see a smug James. He let his tawny eyes roam the room of Ministry employees that looked both appalled and terrified. The corner of his lip hitched up as he noticed that James was fighting off a smile. Without another word, the two left for Hog's Head.
"They were terrified of you!" James laughed as he brought two glasses of Firewhiskey to their table. Remus shrugged from his side of the booth.
"I tend to do that to strangers."
"Yeah, because they don't know that you got scared reading Babbity Rabbity and the Cackling Stump."
"I was eleven," Remus said sternly. "That story doesn't frighten me anymore. You need to let that go."
"You need to let go of the time I borrowed your Charms text..."
"I thought I'd lost it, James. It was expensive and close to end of term exams..."
"All the same," James said, raising his glass. "This is a toast to you for terrorizing an entire room of Ministry employees."
Remus tapped glasses with James before taking a gulp. They set down their drinks simultaneously. Remus crossed his arms, relaxing back into his seat, while James drummed his fingers to the beat of the music playing in the background.
"My intention wasn't to frighten anyone, for the record. I wanted to keep it civil..."
"Remus, if there's one thing I know about you it's that you don't go looking for a fight. You don't have to explain to me," James replied rolling his eyes. "But when you are in a fight, you sure know what to do."
"My condition has its advantages, I s'pose... Well, one advantage at least. Intimidation is not difficult," Remus smirked.
James gave him a grim smile. It didn't take a see-er to tell that James was still slightly shaken by his encounter with Mallory. She'd been a terror. Spitting insults and behaving much like an insipid, first year Slytherin. Remus' expression became warmer.
"James, no one thinks those things about Lily. No one that counts," he said quietly.
James averted his eyes, taking a swig Firewhiskey. Finally, he said...
"I can deal with the... name calling. It was the... the vague threat that got me..."
'Yes, from what I hear muggleborn's time is in short supply...'
Remus frowned at the words that echoed in his mind. Quickly, Remus composed himself.
"She's going to be fine, Prongs. We're going to win."
"How do you know?"
"Do you want the detailed version or the short one?"
James shot a knowing look at Remus, who responded with a lopsided smile.
"Alright. Because we're the good side. More often than not we win. Also, the plans we've seen? The ideas Voldemort's preaching? The people he has involved? It's all very, very sloppy," Remus explained waving an errant hand. "Not to mention, we've got James Potter. He can be an arrogant prick but he knows his way around a wand."
James' smile broadened. Remus continued.
"We've also got Sirius. He harbors enough angst to fuel the entire Order. He's very bold and brave. That's another point for us. Then there's Peter. For some reason his ability to follow instructions has much improved since we left school-"
"Probably because impending death wasn't a threat for failing an assignment at Hogwarts."
"That," Remus snickered. "And we have Lily. She's brilliant. She's strong. She's going to be fine."
The tension in James' muscles alleviated and he relaxed in his seat. He grinned at Remus who drank his Firewhiskey looking quite pleased with himself.
"And we've got you," he added.
"You've got a werewolf, yes. We come in handy-"
"No. We've got you, Remus. Not the wolf. We've got you."
"Don't go soft, James."
"I mean it. We've got a talented duelist who has no fear of risking his life for the good of everyone else. That's more of a help than your lycanthropy."
After a moment, Remus let himself grin. Validation that he was of use for his other talents was something he found himself in need of.
"Is it now?"
"Mmhm... you've also got a supernatural amount of patience," James said at length.
"I have to make up for you and Sirius."
"And you're ever so humble."
"James, I'm sorry to inform you that I am taken as are you..." Remus said gravely. "Even if that weren't the case I'm not gay."
"Ah, neither am I."
"Shame that."
"Think of the bespectacled, messy haired babies we'd have, Remus."
"No," said Remus simply.
"Fair enough."
Eventually James was very drunk and Remus was still slightly buzzed. Both of them had drank the same amount. James resumed his regular routine when he got sloshed which was bragging on Lily and professing how much he loved his friends. Then a little rant on injustice. He yawned hugely and Remus recognized this as time to cut out. "Lets go, mate. You're gonna fall asleep." "Yes, I am," James agreed. Remus helped James out of the booth and steadied him as he staggered slightly.
"Alright, were gonna go outside and apparate to your place."
With a drunken farewell to Rosemerta the two stepped outside, Remus still guiding James, steadying him.
"Remus," James slurred as his friend stood him upright by his shoulders.
"Yeah, mate?"
"Make me a promise and-and you can never break it."
Remus half smiled meeting James' gaze.
"Alright."
"Don't...don't-don't let anyone make you feel bad."
He arched a brow at James.
"Erm... sure. I can do that."
James shook his head placing a firm hand on the werewolf's shoulder.
"I know-I know you act like it's all f-fine but I know it hurts you when people-when people are so rude. Sod all of them, okay?"
James was right. Remus did front like nothing could shake his resolve, but often times he was breaking inside. A clever quip would escape his lips but his mind reeled with self doubt. Remus' grin broadened.
"Sod em'," Remus shrugged.
"Thank you, James."
"Pfft... for what? Taking you to a gala where you were bullied and ostracized? You are sooo welcome."
"No. Thank you for not caring about...you know...my furry little problem."
James shrugged nonchalantly.
"You make it easy."
Remus kept his promise to James for a few years. However, promises made to the dead are unfortunately easy to break.
Please R AND R! Thank you so much for your support! Remember I'm always accepting requests! Now, here's a big question: Is Snape a hero or a bully who did a heroic thing?