A/n- Here's part six, sorry to leave on a cliffie last time. And I apologize for this one taking so long to get up.... I've had some problems lately, I did it quick as I could. ^^

Rating- PG-13 for now.

Disclaimer- Harry Potter and all related material are registered trademarks of J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers, Inc., and all other respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended and not a cent is being made off of this. o_O

Chapter Keywords- Prejudice, Sirius on medication (!), snogging with Slytherin's, pissed off James, old hatred, confused Remus and nervous Peter.

Extra Note- There's no Rommie in this chapter, sorry folks!



Seeing Grey - Part VI - Off the Wall



The days after the infamous Quidditch match were very scattered. James for once didn't pull a single prank, and they were all relieved from detentions for old crimes. Bane wasn't as horrible to Remus, and Professor Mendell didn't let on about his growing talents' all throughout Divination anymore. And, Remus noted, the Ravenclaw's went out of their way to help any of the Gryffindors as way of apology.




How is he? James asked quietly three mornings later, standing at the door of the Infirmary. With a sigh, the nurse let the three boys in, knowing they would end up returning after every class if she didn't. The made a dash for Sirius bed, and to their extreme relief, found him awake. His head was wrapped tightly with a fresh bandage, arm secured in a sling as well. He smiled slightly, trying to bend forward to greet them.

Sit down or you'll regret it. the nurse snapped as she walked by. Sirius let out a short, coughing laugh, and waved his left hand instead.

How are ya? James asked, pulling up a chair and sitting on it backwards.

I'm good... Searing headache and a few broken limbs, nothing I can't handle. he said with a smirk. James pursed his lips, not exactly beleiving it. His voice had a raspy tone to it, and the casted arm and suspended leg didn't excatly help to prove him otherwise.

Everyone though you died. Peter said quietly.

He almost did. the nurse commented as she handed Sirius a cup of foul-smelling, bubbling potion. He downed it without protest, and handed back the empty cup.

And quit trying to move... I doubt you want a repeat of spinal ajustment. Sirius shivered as she walked away, shutting his eyes for a moment.

Remus, next time you warn me abnout something like that, repeat it until I listen. he said in a shaken voice. The others raised their eyebrows, but passed it off without question.

Are you sure you're alright though? It was a retty nasty fall. Peter said.

I'm fine. In a week or so I'll be up and about. he said in an almost convincing sort of tone. Apperntly I have an alergy to about half of the stuff in the Skele-Grow potion, so they have to mend the old fashioned way. Boosted healing charms and all, so it's going to take a while... he trailed off, rubbing at his head for a moment,

So how'd the Quidditch game finish? he asked, putting a prompt butcher to the subject of his health condidtion.

We rescheduled.

Idiot! You could have gotten the Snitch while I was lying there, no one would have noticed! Sirius made an attempt to lean forward, but twitched in pain, and sat back down. Stupid git, we could have won. I'm frickin banned for two weeks, I can't play.

James snapped. No one else can take your position, and Casey isn't good enough to cover both Bludgers.

Someone has to...

Sirius, you'd better stop talking if you don't fancy another screaming headache. And I mean that in the most literal sense possible young man. the nurse called from her desk.



Are you doing well? Dumbledore asked kindly. He had pulled Remus out of Defense-much to his amusment-to check up on how things were.

Oh, I'm fine. Remus said quietly, looking about the office. He was most intrigued by a golden perch on the desk, and Dumbledore answered his unasked question.

I have a pet phoenix, Fawkes. He's out hunting at the moment I'm afraid. Otherwise I'm sure he'd be delighted to meet you.

Animals... Er... Don't really take kind to me. Remus said uncomfortably. Dumbledore noosed his head, and smiled again.

Is our arrangement working out for you alright?

Yes sir, very well. It's much more comfortable than my old basement and storage levels I used to use. Thank you. he said politely, looking down at his feet.

No need to be so formal Mr. Lupin, no need.

Alright sir.

Dumbledore let out a chuckle, and busied himself with some paperwork as he talked.

Well so far, we've been able to keep this all from the Ministry. I don't think they're ready... Well, no need to worry. Everything seems to be working out just fine. he said, more to himself than to Remus. How's Mr. Black? I saw the game, that was one nasty fall.

Oh, he's fine. More concerned about the rematch than his head. Remus said, letting out a small smile.

Typical of him. Dumbledore said with an amused chuckle. Well, if everything is going well, you'd best be getting off to class again. If you need anything, please don't be hesitant to ask.

I wont, sir.

Well, run along then. Good day Mr. Lupin.

You too sir.



Halfway back to Defense, Remus heard a small, muffled noise from around the corner. Taking a detour, he was rather shocked to see Lily Evans slumped against the wall, almost to the point of tears.

Are... Are you alright? Remus asked. She turned her head away, and told him to bugger off.

Is something wrong? he asked again.

I'm fine.

You don't look it. said Remus, kneeling down next to her. She turned around, and for no apparent reason, hugged him.

she said quickly, biting her lip. No one really cares about me much, at all... Sorry. she squeaked, pulling her knee's against her chest.

That can't be true. Someone does... Isn't Severus Snape nice to you?

Not really. None of the Slytherin's are, I'm not mean enough for them. And everyone else hates me because I'm a Slytherin. It's always been this way, but it's worse now. Even my teachers hate me. she said, green eyes starting to water again.

If it makes you feel any better, I've been given an entire years worth of extra work. And the Divination Professor hangs over me like a fly to a trash bin. he said. She smiled a little, and looked up at him.

You're a Gryffindor. she realized.

That I am.

You... You shouldn't be nice to me. she said in a flat voice.

And why not?

I'm Slytherin. she said, biting her lip. We're supposed to hate each other.

Doesn't mean a thing. If someone doesn't take a step out of conformity things would stay the same for thousands of years.

But... It has been like this, forever. We're supposed to hate each other. she said, irritated that he didn't know the basic laws of Hogwarts.

Just because we're supposed to doesn't mean we have to. he said softly, holding out a hand as he stood up.

Come on. he insisted. She frowned, looking up at him in confusion, and took his hand after hesitation.

You're very strange. All the other Gryffindor's would have laughed while I was down. she said as they walked back, Lily not caring she didn't have Defense at the moment.

Not all of them. And you're a bit off for a Slytherin by what I've heard.

It's the root to all my problems... Personally, I think the Sorting Hat was having an off day when he placed me. I don't have one friend where I am.

Maybe you need to try a bit harder. There's probably someone else like you, but they don't have the guts to be themselves. said Remus. Afraid to act like how they normally would. Lily considered this, and right as the bell rang, she hugged him again, and planted a kiss on his cheek.

From the doorway of the Defense room, James stood, frozen to his spot and appalled at what he saw.



By dinner it had been circulating through various Houses that Lily Evans and Remus Lupin had skipped class to snog in a broom closet. At the Gryffindor table, James kept shooting half-glances at Remus, and Peter looked as though he was undergoing interrogation for some reason.

Doesn't it bother you? Alex asked, the only Gryffindor at the time who didn't believe a word of the rumor.

Not really. Remus replie honestly, devouring his sweet potato in two bites.

She's a Slytherin though... That's not exactly a good thing to have going around.

If someone said you were out in the halls snogging with a Ravenclaw, would anyone care? Remus asked very suddenly, starting to understand the age-old walls of hatred between all the houses.

Hell not... Most of the guys would be congratulating me. Alex said after a moments thought, going red at the thought.

Exactly. It's a bunch of rubbish then. Lily's really nice, I don't see why everyone associates her with her House to such an extreme. Hasn't anyone ever bothered to take a second look at a Slytherin?

No. Not to my knowledge... Personally I hate them all.



My older brother's inSslytherin, he's a bastard. All his friends are, and every person I've ever know form Slytherin has been a bastard. he said simply, as if it explained the entire ordeal.

I was almost put in Slytherin, and very few find me to be an ass. Well, before today anyway. Remus added.

But you weren't, and you aren't, that's what makes it different. Alex muttered. Once again Remus was being revealed to how the real world acted, and how terribly illogical it could be.

Where're you going?' James snapped. Remus, plate in hand, was walking by, and to the horror of everyone, in the direction of the Slytherin table. The Professor's watched in awe from the Head Table as Hogwarts history was shattered into a million pieces- Remus took a seat at the Slytherin atbel upon his own free will.

he said to all those menacing faces looking on at him, and surrounding tables burst into hushed conversations.

Pass the steak, would you? he asked loudly. Lily fought down a laugh from across him, and smiled very wildly.

What's the big deal? he asked innocently as over a hundred faces looked about ready to kill him.

Yeah, really... What's the big deal? Lily asked loudly.


And with that said, a pebble was torn off the wall.



Hey guys, what's up? Sirius asked as they visited him that night.

Remus' been out snogging in the hallways, that's what. James snapped as he pulled up a chair.

Way to go Remus! Sirius hooted, drawing a from a few beds over.

I told you James, we weren't snogging. Remus snapped irritably.

So who's the chick? Sirius asked, undaunted.

Lily Evans. James said in a very clear, malicious tone. Sirius' smile faded, and he looked back and forth between Remus and James, then to a nodding Peter.

Whoa, I don't know if you knew, being the new guy and all... But, well, she's Slyth. Out of bounds. he said to break the unnerving silence.

We weren't snogging. Remus repeated.

To hell you weren't! James yelled, bursting up from his seat.

James maybe you should-

Go to hell Pete. he snapped, eyes flashing.

I'm leaving. he declared, and stormed out of the Infirmary, followed by a nervous Peter.

That was a bit strange. Sirius blinked, and shrugged.

So what's this about you and Lily Evans snogging?' he asked with interest.

We weren't snogging. Remus repeated again, thoroughly fed up with the topic.

Well just to warn you, she's Slyth, no one touches Slyth. And second off... James has had this major over-obsessive crush on her since first year.

Remus blinked, his turn to be confused, and sat down in the now vacant chair.

Really? But I thought you said-

He knows she's off limits, that's why he's pissed. He never thought anyone would accept it so he tried to forget about her. Obviously he hasn't. Sirius said with a grin. James has always gotten any girl he's wanted. Except her... So watch out, he's... Kinda dangerous when he's mad. If you have any sort of secret, he'll find it out and hold it blackmail. Sirius warned. Remus swallowed, and shut his eyes for a moment.

But I don't like her. At all. he finally said.

Won't matter. James is pissed. And when James is pissed, he gets his revenge.

Sounds like the stereotypical Slytherin. Remus snorted.

Say that to his face and you'll regret ever coming here. Sirius said in perfect clarity. So, tell me again about this snogging. In an hour I won't remember jack shit, they keep drugging me up on these nasty little pills... Lie a little, make it interesting. he said with a smirk.


How's your head? he asked a day later after a very uneentful Transfiguration.

Mending well according to doc. It's pretty cool, they gave me a copy of the X-ray. he said with a grin, looking off to the side as it was the only movement he could do at the time. Remus picked up the thin film, and held it up to the light.

Jesus Christ! It's completly shattered! he said, eyes going wide. Doesn't that hurt?

Yeah, but it's not shattered anymore. Amazing little things, those bone-regrowers. Solid as a rock again. Sirius said with a grin. So how's James being?

Remus said lgihtly.

As expected... Eh, could you get me that little cup? he asked, squirming his fingers to the side table. Remus handed it to him, rolle dhis eyes at himself, and fed him the potion.

Ah, I love this stuff... Makes you all lightheaded and you cant feel any... he promptly dozed off, and Remus chuckled to himself.


Remus stormed off the field, broom following behind him like a lost puppy, late that night. He was supposed to be back at Quidditch practice, but after Casey, the other Beater, had knocked him off his broom, he was understandably not in the mood to play. The fact that James had busted out laughing when he landed in the mud didn't motivate him to remount either.

Shit... Shit... he cursed, wincing at each alternating step. Halfway to the staircase of the school, he fell over and let out a very loud string of swears. Clutching at his leg, he cursed again, and sat upright.

he said to himself, pulling up the leg of his jeans. his knee was already swollen, and throbbing painfully. Making sure no one was around, he shut his eyes, and tried an old self-healing spell he had used in the past after beatings from his father, to no avail.

he said again as he stood up, grabbing at the broom. He swung himself over it, and glided the rest of the way to the school and into the halls. Unfortunately, Alex had a Charm in place, and the broom dashed out from under him to find it's owner now that it was inside the building.

Remus? Hey, what happened?

Relieved, Remus stood up against the wall as Lily rushed over to help, a worried expression across her face.

Bastards knocked me off in Quidditch practice, laughed their asses off. I fell pretty hard on my knee. he said, wincing as she put his arm across her shoulder. And my arm. he added, and she promtply switched sides.

Because of me, right?' she asked quietly, and shook her head before he confirmed her suspicions.

Then they're just as bad as the Slytherin's that they hate so much. It's so stupid ! she said angrily, helping him walk along to the Infirmary.

No, just take me back to the Gryffindor tower. Remus muttered. She nodded her head, and changed course.

I don't understand why people think the way they do. she muttered to herself. They hate us over the dumbest things! Because it's always been one way, they accept it as the right thing and never question it! It's like slavery, no one ever bothered to realize it was wrong. It took so long before anyone did anything...

They're guilty of the crimes they accuse. Remus muttered from memory. It was something Romolus used to say all the time, whenever Remus would ask why people hated werewolves so much. Being very little, he didn't understand why the neighbors forbid their children from playing with him after he had gotten the bite, when he had been over there the day before without any problems.

Lily said, glaring at a group of Ravenclaw's they passed.

Here, I can get the rest of the way... Remus said a while later. Go any further and you're in no-mans land... They'd mug you or something. he said with a roll of his eyes. Lily waved him goodbye, watching as he dragged his useless leg behind him. He gave up going on his won after a few paces, and leaned against the stoen wall for support.

Seeya later. he yelled as he turned a corner and vanished from her view.


Lily turned around, and smacked into someone. Fumbling an apology she looked up, and scowled.

You could have at least helped him. she snapped. It's your fault anyway. Lily brushed past him, bumping his shoulder, and went off in a snobby manner. James bit his lip, fighting back the urge to curse her off, and clenched his fists.

I swear to God Remus... he muttered, dashing off for the Gryffindor tower.


He had finished wrapping his leg with an old Muggle brace when James stormed into the dorm, face flushed red.

What the hell's your problem? he barked.

I'd ask the same. Remus said quietly, refusing to work himself up. He took Sirius' advice, and tried with all his might not to get angry.

I told you before, we didn't do anything and I don't like her. Remus said, looking up bravely. James was right in front of him, wand out, contemplating what jinx was most appropriate for the situation.

I have no intentions for anything James. She's all yours. he stood up, and walked his way to the showers, limping slightly less than before. James stood in place, once again at a loss of words.


A long hour later, Remus emerged, dripping wet, from the bathroom, in a calm state of mind. He quietly changed into his bedclothes, hopped his way down the steps on one foot, and joined a game of Exploding Snape without anyone questioning him. The topic of Lily Evans had died down for the time being, and everyone was content to watch Remus blow up twenty-six Snape figures in less than ten minutes. After a few games and a couple Knuts, he wished everyone a good night, and hobbled up the stairs and into the dorm.

He wasn't greeted by a pleasant sight.

His small trunk of belongings were scattered about the floor, and his table drawer was lying on the ground, contents everywhere. With a sigh, he began to put everything back in order, until Peter tapped him on the shoulder.

Here, he took these from you. he said quietly, handing him a stack of Romolus' notes. For a brief second he wondered whether they had been read, but Peter wouldn't be looking so calm if he had found anything out.

He took some of your money too. he added, digging into his pockets and producing a small collection of Sickles and Knuts.

Remus said, tucking them away.

He ate a few of your Chocolate Frog's too, I couldn't get those back.

It's alright.

And he took your Dungbombs. Watch out for those. he said quietly, looking nervously about the room.

Don't worry, I'll say I took them all back. No need ot drag you into this. Remus assured, and Peter instantly relaxed.

I'd watch out though, he can be pretty nasty when he's mad. Snape blew him off in front of Lily before, you know by now he's a bit touchy over her, and he went ballistic. Peter said with a small grin. He would have gotten himself suspended for that prank had McGonnagal ruined it accidentally. But really, watch your back... And you'd be wise to stay away from Lily for a while, until he calms down.

Thanks... Sirius already warned me.

For good reason. James snapped from the doorway.



A/n- Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed! A couple people had stated their interest on Lily in Slytherin, so I decided to do a bit on her. o_O Anyway, please leave a review! If I've contacted anyone repeatedly and you're sick of it, please let me know! Drop me an E-mail at AlyssaC7@aol.com if you want to be notified when I update. Thanks for your time, and I hope you like my work! Comments welcome!

Iggie


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