IX: Checkmate

One particularly rainy Wednesday in November Myra and Remus found themselves in the library studying together as per usual. Suddenly Myra looked up and asked, "Is Sirius going to the Winter Formal with anyone?"

"I don't know," Remus shrugged, "Why?"

"No reason," Myra answered quickly and put her head down again to disguise the red that was threatening to creep up to her ears.

All of a sudden it hit Remus. She wanted to go with Sirius. It was Sirius she wanted, not him.

"You want to go with him?" he asked slowly, dreading the answer.

"No, I don't have a chance in the world," Myra said quickly.

"What are you talking about?" Remus asked.

"Come on! We're talking about the Sirius Black that every girl wants to go with. He's definitely out of my league," Myra laughed, looking up at him shyly.

"Myra," Remus said, returning her gaze, "You are definitely not out of his league. If anything, you're too good for him."

Myra chose not to reply to this last remark as she was getting more and more embarrassed by the second.

"Would you like me to.. er.. mention your name? Suggest he ask you?" Remus asked awkwardly, wondering what he was getting himself into. The hopeful look on Myra's face answered his question. He realized he would do anything to make her happy, even if that meant going with another to the Winter Formal.

"Would you?"

"I'll do my best," Remus replied, giving her a forced smile.

"Oh thank you Remus!" Myra exclaimed and gave him a kiss on the cheek across the table before gathering up her books.

"No problem," Remus muttered.

Remus broached the subject with Sirius that evening over a game of wizard chess.

"So, going with anyone to the formal?" he asked casually, studying the board.

"I hadn't even thought," Sirius admitted, moving his pawn forward. "The whole thing seems a bit silly, but I suppose the girls like it. How 'bout you, going with anyone, mate?"

Remus shook his head as he moved his white pawn forward.

"You know who you should go with?"

"Who?" asked Sirius, concentrating on his next move.

"Myra Nightingale."

"Who?" asked Sirius again as he moved his bishop forward.

"You know, Myra," Remus said impatiently.

"Lily's friend?" Sirius looked up briefly at Lupin before going back to the game.

"Yes. You know, she's quite pretty and smart and witty and..."

"Why aren't you going with her then?" Sirius asked suspiciously.

"Weelll.." Remus replied slowly while moving his knight, "There's someone else she would rather go with."

Sirius looked up with a look of comprehension, "Ahh... I see. Tough luck mate."

Remus shrugged, "No big deal. I think you would have a good time together though."

"Are you serious? You want me to ask Myra to the ball when you obviously want to go with her?"

"I didn't say that!" Remus insisted.

Sirius smirked. "It's a little obvious you fancy her, Moony."

"Well, she'd probably have a better time with you, and-"

"That's not true," Sirius interrupted, "She'd have a great time with you. You can be a lot of fun once you throw caution to the wind."

Remus threw him a quick smile before taking out one of Sirius' bishops with his knight.

"It's just not a good idea," he said seriously. "Girls don't go out with blokes who are... well, guys like me."

"If that gets in the way of a girl going out with you then she's not worth going out with," Sirius replied with a slight frown. Remus had nearly taken out all of his pawns.

"Well just think about it, okay?" Remus asked as he prepared to checkmate Sirius' king.

"Fine, fine," Sirius agreed in frustration as he tried to find a move that wouldn't endanger his king. Finally he moved his queen to take Remus' bishop, accidentally leaving his king open for Remus' queen to behead.

"Checkmate," Remus said with a slight smile and got up to leave.

"Hey," Sirius said suddenly.

"Yes?"

"If I go with this girl-"

"Myra," Remus interrupted.

"Right. If I go with Myra, will you still come? It won't be any fun without you Moony, you know that."

"Sure, I'll come," Remus agreed reluctantly and gave a forced smile.

"Great," Sirius grinned mischievously, "We'll make sure this ball isn't boring."

Remus groaned audibly. He knew what that meant and it hardly ever meant the Marauders staying out of trouble. He left Sirius at the chess table and headed to bed.