(AN- Remus's new nickname—RJ!)
Chapter 7 – Black Vs Black
Now that Lupin's big secret was out between the Marauders, they wanted to help him, Remus cried almost ever moment he saw James, because flashes of what he'd almost done sprung into his mind.
James and Sirius tried to help him, to make him feel as comfortable as possible during them terrible days near as they called it D-Day. But then every full moon, when Lupin went to the Whomping Willow, James and Sirius stared at each other with fear lurking in their eyes, knowing the terrors being inflicted on their younger friend, was worse than the worst torture or even death.
They'd also wait up in the morning, both of them, bags under their eyes and drinking muggle coffee, which helped keep them awake, until Lupin came in and collapsed at their feet. They would help him into bed, hid the torn clothing, and then go to sleep too, wondering how Lupin got into this terrifying nightmare.
They didn't tell Peter straight away, but he did get nosy like Sirius and James had when every month Lupin would hide away, and then every month James and Sirius would sleep through lesson and be nervous when they talked of it. When they did tell him at last, Peter's face went so white, that it was a shock that evening that he didn't wake everyone up with his squeaky voice, loud with terror.
So they tried to continue with their normal classes, but Defence against the Dark Arts got worst and worst, with Bella Black and Snape calling Lupin a Squib, James a loser with a poor family and even Sirius a true coward. However, to James what hurt most of all, was 11 year old Lily Evans beside him who wouldn't and couldn't stop crying as they called her every name under the sun…just because she was a muggle born.
It was one day after a lesson that James finally cracked under the strain. His eyes were red with flame; he clenched his fists as he watched in agony how Snape and Bella tore into Lily. He turned to Sirius, and scowled at them as he spoke. "I've had enough," he said.
"James! Think about what you are doing, Snape has big friends in higher years…" said Sirius insisting that James stay out of a fight that didn't even include him. James went to walk toward them, when Sirius jumped infront of him, being the same height, the eyes crackled and crashed in their clashing of the wills between them.
"I don't care Sirius!" argued James sternly; "They need a dose of there own medicine. I'll be the one who delivers it…"
Sirius tried and failed to hold James back, but he couldn't and watch helplessly as James walked up to his cousin Bella and Snape who were laughing at Lily.
"Hey!" said James the cold-blooded voice he used was so and the echoes of the walls made it sound even worse. "Leave her alone what's she ever done to you!"
Bella and Snape turned to James, whose anger was now a large open fire; crackling and blazing ready to pounce on its victim.
"Potter," said Snape. "You have the nerve to tell me--us what to do Potter…just because your pureblood father is penniless. Oh wait, that doesn't give you an excuse, does it!" he said and laughed Bella beside him.
"I've had enough Serverus!" said James angrily. "I'm tired of all this bullying, of all this nonsense…you're just a coward yourself! Taking it out on everyone else…" he said sternly. Beside Snape was Black's cousin Bella, whose face was a face of pure evil.
"What! You think all of my threats are empty…" he said.
"I would say what I truly thought of you…but there are teachers about…" he said murderously "But here goes…" He put up his middle finger at him and most people laughed at Snape for he didn't understand it and they did for once, for being around muggles a lot. Even Sirius chuckled. "You know what's funny, a muggle taught me that…" James said.
"How dare you insult my honor…!" Snape said and his features held a face of loathing. Sirius behind James, who had been laughing, remembered all to well that it was Bella's favorite quote. Like the short sentences a corny bad guy says before killing a hero. Had she shown Snape how to duel?
"How about a duel Potter…" said Snape. "See how cocky you really are…"
James turned to Sirius; James's hazel eyes were wide with terror. He had never been in a duel before!
Sirius stepped infront of him backing up his friend. "Come on Snape! Don't be stupid we'll get in trouble--" he started to say and then he heard "Expelliarmus" and he was on his back wind pushed out of him.
"Sirius! SB!" said a familiar voice, Sirius looked up and James was standing over him, worry etched on his young features and helped him up to his feet.
Sirius turned to James and then to his cousin Bella who had her wand out and was laughing.
Then he reached for his own wand in his belt. "You'll regret that—Cous!" he said heartlessly. "Rictusempra!"
Next thing Bella knew was that she was doubled over gasping for breath when the air was cursed out of her.
She stood back up again and then the jetting light went everywhere, they were so evenly matched that James couldn't tell who was winning, they wouldn't find out either. Because at that very moment, Professor Mcgonagall turned up and her hat almost fell off.
"BLACK AND Well—BLACK!" she shouted. "Stop it this instant…" the two cousins did stop but didn't tear there eyes away from each other. "You two will come with me now…and I you will be spending this lunchtime and then the rest of the lunchtimes in this term with me!"
James face was pale as he watched Sirius walk away. The end of term was three weeks away! What was he going to do without Sirius around, he sighed unhappily and then saw Sirius turn round and wink at him. James winked back.
Then Bella give Sirius a snarl. "I'll kill you one day Sirius…" she whispered to him.
With them small threatening words Black with his prankster's smirk laughed. "You wish…!"
***
James and Lupin were sitting in the library doing their homework. They had never really spoke simply since the werewolf incident. That evening was D-Day too and Lupin as usual was paler than ever on that day.
James gave him wholehearted grin. "You Ok…" he said. Lupin nodded.
"Been better though."
"Wish SB was here instead of doing detention…" said James sadly, "And it was all my fault…if I'd just kept my big mouth shut--"
When Lily Evans walked in and past him table. Every since the dueling incident Lily and James got even closer, when he smiled at her or waved, she blushed and smiled back. Even once after flying lesson she'd fixed his glasses when they were askew on his nose.
"RJ," he said. "I'll be back in a sec."
He stood and nervously rubbed his hands together. This was it…he was going to ask Lily on date…well, a walk in the grounds, visit Hagrid—anything that would interest her.
He walked over to the table she had sat down at and noticed what book her head was buried in. Werewolves and other Half Humans"
"I've read that," he said aloud, and she looked up at him, his legs felt like jelly.
"You have?" she said,
James nodded truthfully. "Yeah, I used it—to revise for our last essay…" But he hadn't used it for the essay, he'd studied it to find help for Lupin in all ways possible.
She stood and was a just half a head smaller than him. "I wanted to thank you—for well standing up for me the other day…"
"Oh well it was no problem really—I mean well—He was being a jerk, and your were really upset—" he said to her. "Actually I was wondering if you wanted to well go for a walk…you know…about the grounds…"
Lily smiled. "Yeah…I'd like that," she said. "When…"
"Er…I'm free on Friday…in the common room after Charms," he said not believing that she'd agreed with him.
"Sure…" she said. "I'll see you there."
Then she picked up her things and walked away, and James was awestruck at that moment, pale with shock, he walked back to where Lupin had been seating, who had a little more colour in his cheeks.
"How did it go?" the teen said
James smiled. "She said-- YES!" Remus was bewildered.
"I thought she was smarter than that…" he said, "Kidding, Well done James…"
James had a dreamy look in his eyes and then he turned back to Lupin smiling broader.
"I can't wait to see the look on Sirius's face when I tell him!"
***
Thank you all for the reviews…I am simply crying every time I read them, it's the best thing I've ever written review wise…Like I said in the last chapter, please can u give me ideas. I know you all want to see them decided to be Animangi, but I'm saving this for the nest story cause it says it takes 3 years, and they succeed in the 5th, so it must be second they start. Also I will find a way to make Lily hate James…for a little while, so if anyone has any ideas…they would be very appreciated.
