Saturday October 2, 1976
Too bad there isn't much to talk about during the week but I make a point to do something stupid every weekend. First I have to say, I aced my potions exam. Second I have to say, I'm an idiot…
Bethany shielded her eyes with her hand from the bright sun. She scanned the area ahead: the lake, the tree, lots of green grass, no Remus.
I still wanted to verify that I'd have no chance at Hogsmeade with Remus and a cup of tea at Madam Puddifoot's.
"Are you all right?"
Bethany turned. Once again, she stood paralyzed.
"Beth?" Remus was standing in the doorway Bethany had just exited with a book tucked under his arm.
Bethany shook her head and smiled, "Yes…yes I'm fine now."
"Good." He smiled. Bethany noticed that tiny crow's feet appeared at the edges of Remus' eyes when he smiled. He was far too young for crow's feet, but they were there. "I hope Hagrid didn't hit you too hard last weekend."
"No not really. I'm still conscious."
He laughed. Bethany's insides jumped, he laughed at her stupid joke.
"How's James?"
"Oh himself." Remus snickered. "Crying and whining about the whole night he had to spend in the hospital. Lily buys it."
"Will they be going to Hogsmeade next weekend?" Bethany asked.
"Without question." Remus said.
"Will you be going?" Bethany somehow found the strength to muster the question softly.
Remus raised an eyebrow and peered up at the sky. "Oh, I don't think so."
"But it will be fantastic Remus." Bethany said. "Don't you like Hogsmeade?"
"Oh yes, I do." Remus shifted uncomfortably.
"Then why-"
"Next weekend's not a good weekend." Remus cut her off abruptly.
"I see." Bethany eyed the ground nervously at Remus' shortness, and then tried to pick up the conversation. "Where are Sirius and Peter?" Bethany asked.
Remus shrugged. "I don't know. Since James is behind on school work, and Sirius doesn't believe in study this week, he's probably looking for someone to pick on. Pete's probably two steps behind Sirius."
Bethany watched Remus' eyes dart across the area behind her.
"Ah yes, I should have guessed." Remus said folding his arms over his chest.
Bethany spun to see Sirius just across the lake taunting Severus.
Bethany turned back to Remus a pained expression on her face. "Guessed? He does that often?"
"Too often."
"You're a prefect! Why don't you make him stop?" Bethany questioned and as soon as the words had left her lips she knew she'd said the wrong thing. Remus' expression went placid.
"I've learned over the years you can't stop Sirius when his mind is set on something. Trust me Beth, I've tried. I've tried to stop James too. Sometimes Severus asks for it though."
Bethany was trembling, she couldn't decide what to do. Remus was talking to her, but Severus was in trouble. There would be other times to talk to Remus, but there wouldn't be another time just like this to help Severus and if she let Severus down now she wouldn't be able to live with herself.
"I've got to try." Bethany looked over her shoulder at Remus.
Remus nodded.
"No you have to understand." Bethany walked back over to Remus, she wanted to tell him that 'he had to understand that she wanted nothing more than to stand there and talk to him'.
"I do understand Beth," Remus said.
Bethany simply shook her head, he didn't understand. She wanted him to understand, but she couldn't bring herself to say anymore. She spun on her heels and dashed across the field that led to the lake. Sprinting around it she came to a stop behind Sirius.
"Black!" Bethany shouted.
Sirius stopped mid statement and turned to Bethany.
"What do you want?" Sirius asked.
Bethany shrugged. "I thought it was time I got you back for tackling Narcissa." Bethany knew better than to admit she was there to rescue Severus. That would accomplish nothing but showing Sirius that Severus was weak enough to need help, and, likewise, would not go over well with Severus because he would take offense to Bethany thinking he needed help. So, Bethany lied.
"I see." Sirius said. "So Lily was wrong about you."
Bethany didn't stand down, though she wanted to. She owed Severus for all those times he helped her with Potions, and was still helping her with Potions.
"Alright then," Sirius raised his wand. "Let's see what you've got."
"Accio wand!" It was not Sirius's voice, nor was it Bethany's, but now Severus stood with Sirius's wand. A grim smile plastered on his long, pale face.
"Thanks for the wand Black." Severus said.
"You will give me back my wand Snivellus," Sirius growled.
"I don't think I will." Severus said tossing the wand end over end and catching it.
Sirius didn't hesitate, he lunged at Severus knocking him to the ground. Sirius got one good bop on the jaw before Bethany leapt on him trying to pull him off from Severus.
"Sirius don't!"
"Get off me woman!" Sirius said slinging his shoulders around and tossing Bethany off from him. She tumbled back and landed in the lake. By the time Remus got there, at a dead run, Sirius had his wand and Severus had a busted lip, a bloody nose, and the makings of a nasty black eye.
Sirius turned on his heels and stalked off leaving Remus catching his breath, leaning over, one hand on his knee, the other hand holding his stomach trying to ease a stitch in his side.
Bad went to worse in a matter of seconds. I sat there, lake grass hanging off my arms, drenched head to foot in mucky water, thank goodness it wasn't deeper where I landed.
Remus and Severus looked to Bethany. Both went to Bethany at the same time despite the mangled face and aching side.
The two came to a stop at the edge of the lake.
Remus looked to Severus and vise versa, and then both offered their hands' at the same time.
Bethany, using both hands, took each offered to her. Trying to prove something, Remus and Severus, pulled Bethany out of the lake with a bit too much zeal. She fell forward at the power both use.
"Look what you've done!" Severus said heading over to help Bethany up.
"Me?" Remus asked a bit too politely.
Bethany pulled herself up and looked between the both of them.
"Gryffindors, always trying to be so noble and brave." Severus spat a mouthful of blood at Remus' feet.
"You forget Severus, it was not me who attacked you." Remus said haughtily.
"But you've never stopped it either, therefore you are equally as responsible."
Remus' teeth ground together, and Severus' nostril's flared. Years of tension was finally brought to a head, it wasn't about Bethany it was about the pre-existing animosity. Bethany stepped between the two after several moments of Remus and Severus staring at one another waiting for the other to break.
"It's over now." Bethany said.
"I've never been the one instigating you Severus." Remus ignored Bethany.
"It's just as well, your friends handle that just fine while you turn the blind eye."
"STOP!" Bethany shrieked.
Severus looked at her. His face softened only for a second before he glared back at Remus and swished away toward the castle.
Bethany looked to Remus. Her eyes searched his for an explanation. It was only then that Bethany realized Remus' eyes were empty.
"You tried all right." Remus finally said his voice as calm as ever, but it was evident by the words he chose that he was not pleased, on the contrary Bethany had never heard Remus use such slicing word. It wasn't like him at all. "I told you it wouldn't work. Now you're wet, Severus is bloody, and Sirius is missing."
Bethany didn't not feel the need to cry, she was not angry, instead she felt nothing. "Surely you must understand that I had to try."
Remus sighed and shook his head. He said nothing as he left Bethany dripping on the lawn.
~* Please be kind and review. Thanks for reading. ~Jo*~