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Chapter Five: Emotional Rollercoaster

"Remus?" Lily called, slowly making her way down the hallway. There are only so many places he could be, she thought with frustration. Suddenly, genius struck her. "Finido Remus Lupin." Her wand gently began to tug her back the way she'd come, stopping in front of a portrait of the Forbidden Forest under a full moon. The trees swayed and groaned as the wind whistled through their branches. Then, Dumbledore stepped into the frame, looking windblown himself.

"Ah, Miss Evans! What can I do for you? I do believe you're supposed to be in class."

"Professor McGonagall gave me permission to check on Remus. My locator spell says he's behind this portrait."

"I see. Well, normally you'd need a password, but I think that under the circumstances, I'll just let you in."

Lily beamed. "Thank you."

As the portrait slid to the side, Lily stepped through to find Remus sitting on the edge of a colossal four-poster bed, sheer silk black hangings halfway parted to make room for him, surrounded by vast amounts of blue silk sheets spilling over the edges. A heavy comforter and fluffy pillows, both black, completed the look. Momentarily stunned, Lily took a glance around the small room.

A maple wood desk surrounded by bookshelves occupied a little niche in the corner next to the bed, and the bed faced a humongous fireplace that was currently roaring, with a blood red armchair hidden in the adjacent corner. A grandfather clock with a large pendulum swinging back and forth filled the room with comforting ticks from its position on the other side of the bed. Looking closely at the face of the clock, Lily realized that it wasn't a normal clock, but had four hands on it, one with each marauder's name and picture on it. Instead of numbers, there were locations and, in smaller lettering on each hand there was an emotion. Sirius and James were in class and, according to the clock, in severe shock. Peter was also in class, feeling frustrated. And Remus was placed at home, feeling angry and forlorn.

"So you found me," he grumbled, curling into himself as he slid farther back behind the hangings, veiling his expression.

"Yeah, it's amazing what magic can do for you," she joked, trying to lighten the mood. When the redhead didn't receive a response, she cleared her throat and tried again. "What's wrong, Lupe?"

"What potions did you give me yesterday Lily? Because I know that there aren't any healing or calming potions that have moonflower in them."

"How did you-"

"Know? Well, at first I didn't. But it came to me just now as I was sitting here, so I want to know…what did you give me?"

"Well, I did give you a healing potion. And a calming one. The thing is, the healing potion and another potion Severus had, had lost their labels so I had no way to tell which was which. Evidently they're only distinguishable by taste. Now that I think about it, Severus warned against administering both potions, but I didn't listen because he'd said there was no reactivity between the healing potion and the other and I didn't want to take any chances with your health."

"He warned you against using it?" Remus breathed.

"Um-hum…he said something about moonflower as well…what's going on here?"

"What was the potion?"

Lily blushed. "Bono Projectus."

Remus began to laugh. "Oh god, what was he doing with that?"

Emerald eyes shot him a mock-glare. "Severus has no problem getting it up, Lupe! He just thought he'd help some of the staff out, that's all." Remus' eyes went huge and he laughed hysterically for the second time that day.

"As to your question, Lily, moonflower has the effect on…some males of sensitizing their emotions, sending them to all extremes. For example, my explosion at Sirius probably wouldn't have happened. Neither would have the two bouts of laughing uncontrollably." Or that episode at breakfast, he thought, amused But then again, that was just the Bono Projectus…I just overreacted because of the moonflower. "Now that I've got that sorted out, I remembered that you wanted to speak with me yesterday. What about?"

"Oh, that. I wanted us to present a united front at the meeting later on today. Have all the details straight, you know, be prepared."

Remus's lips curved slightly in his trademark almost-smile. "Sounds lovely, Miss Evans. Absolutely lovely."

"I knew you'd concur."

A tawny eyebrow arched. "'Concur?' My my, aren't we eloquent?"

"Only when we want to be," Lily snarked. Impressed by her companion's regal expression, she attempted to return the blasé eyebrow arch and failed enormously. Remus continued to arch his right eyebrow, obviously unaffected by her effort, and finally she admitted defeat with a burst of giggles. "You, on the other hand, have the gift of both mouth and body."

Remus outright grinned, surprising Lily with his shy but stunning expression, and grabbed her wrist, yanking her towards the door to his room. Lily dug in her heels. "Where are you taking me?" she demanded.

"To Transfiguration."

"Why? I thought we were going to talk about the plan."

Remus stopped mid-step. "Oh. Right. Well damn, we'll just have to go later."

"Um, you can, but we're excused for the whole period and unlike you, I have absolutely no desire to return to class."

"But Lily, I've just got to see the Marauders' expressions when they hear that someone thinks I have a talented mouth and body."

"That's not what I meant!" she shrieked, horrified that he'd taken the compliment in a completely different direction.

"Oh stop looking so prudish, woman, that's not what I meant either."

The red-haired witch breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, good. See, Lupe, you're a sweet guy, and rather attractive…okay, fine, I admit it! I can't lie, you're one of the most fuckable, sexy guys around..." Remus' eyes widened in complete astonishment and his mouth dropped open. "Not to mention smart, funny, and did I mention sweet? Anyway, my point is, I'm in love with someone else."

A long silence stretched. "I'm sorry, Remus."

Then… "You think I'm fuckable!" the werewolf demanded incredulously.

"Of course."

"Are you insane?"

"No, not when I last checked. Why?"

"Because I'm far from sexy."

Lily scoffed. "Right, and I am James Potter's wife."

"Hello Mrs. Potter, and how are you doing this fine day?"

Lily replied sarcastically, "Potter's mom is here? Where?" She achieved a confused look as she swiveled her head in a mock attempt to locate said mother.

"Very funny," Remus huffed.

"I thought so. Why can't you accept the truth, Remus? I'm sorry if it bothers you, but you have this magnetism- your shaggy golden hair hanging in your swirling caramel eyes, your half-smile, that silky eyebrow arch- can I say yum? And then there's your real smile, I mean wow! And don't get me started on your ass…"

Remus' hands immediately shielded his delectable derriere from view. "My ass?" he squeaked.

Lily nodded emphatically. "Did you know you have the best ass in the whole entire school?" At his aghast expression, she continued. "No, really, it's even better than Potter's and Black's. Surprised? You shouldn't be. Buy a mirror for god's sake."

"Um, I know this is a bit off topic here…" And Remus was desperate to get off topic. "…but how did we start this conversation?"

"Uh, I think you smiled at me. Then I said you were talented with both verbal and body lingo. Then you wanted to brag about it. Then…I think we got confused somewhere around there and I called you sexy."

"Oh."

"Want me to start talking about The Plan, Lupe?"

He nodded vigorously. "Anything is preferable right now…"

"Alright, I solemnly swear that as long as we're acquaintances, I will never call you sexy again. I forgot what an introvert you are."

"Sorry."

"Don't be, it's part of your appeal…you're definitely incomparable, Lupe."

"Thanks."

"So, about our meeting…"

-

"Now that it's clear who's dominating the meeting…"

"I still think you should do most of the talking," Remus grumbled, his heart already racing. "I hate being the center of a huge crowd. That's more Sirius' bag, you know," he added absently.

"Aw come on, Remus, it's your plan, it's a good plan, and the girls will be doing this for you, not me," Lily wheedled. "Besides, you've got to get used to the attention. These girls are supposed to be love-stricken-Remus-Lupin-undie-identity-seekers, am I right? If they agree, they'll be fawning all over you."

"Fine, fine. I'm sorry I even said anything, it's just that even thinking about those- wait, what did you call them? 'Undie-identity-seekers'?" He gave her an incredulous look, and she snickered.

"Are you criticizing my codename for the girls? You, the man who came up with the codename 'The Plan' for his devious plot, are criticizing me?" The snickers turned into unrestrained laughter. "Right, I can see how you have plenty of room for creative criticism."

Remus huffed, amusement clear in his amber gaze. "Oh, shut up. This argument is finished. Besides, I think class is about over anyway and I left my bag…again." The two opened the portrait, which still held an anxious but sparkly-eyed Dumbledore in the frame who waved, and they waved back before walking down to the Transfiguration classroom, chatting easily.

"Me too, let's head down there and pick them up. Maybe if McGonagall's not there then we won't have to get the homework," she added wistfully.

"Dream on, darling." Stopping outside the classroom, Remus cracked open the door on its silent hinges and peeked in, letting out a heavy sigh as he realized class was still in session.

"Still going, eh?" Lily whispered, lips brushing against his ear and Remus jumped half a foot, knocking into the redhead and sending them both tumbling onto McGonagall's threshold. Everyone stared and poor Remus, what with his oversensitive reactions, blushed harder than he'd ever blushed in his life, feeling lightheaded. "Klutz," his- friend? Acquaintance? Partner In Crime?- mumbled, rubbing her sore tailbone.

"Ah, Mr. Lupin, Ms. Evans- I'm so glad you've decided to return to my class, however clumsily that entrance was…you'll be disappointed to know that I was just about to release them." Her voice was dry and full of humor, her eyes sharp and glinting slightly, as though she was amused.

"Well, damn," Lily mumbled sarcastically, flushing herself when McGonagall gave her a piercing look. Obviously she's not old enough to be deaf, Lily thought. Well double damn!

"We'll just collect our homework and our bags then," Remus managed, still flooded with mortification.

"Mmm-hmm," McGonagall muttered absently, turning back to her class. "Three rolls of parchment on why it is dangerous to have unregistered Animagi due next class."

Remus' eyes widened, sparing a glance at two of his fellow Marauders who, as usual, weren't paying the slightest bit of attention. The classroom emptied out quickly and the next thing Remus knew Sirius was shoving his bag into his hand and maneuvering him out the door. Lily shot him a wink and mouthed "Good luck, I'll see you later." He nodded before somehow ending up out the door and moving down the hall. James had grabbed his elbow and was steering him away from the classroom, Sirius following with a silent stare.

"What's your problem, guys? Lemme go!"

"What's wrong Remus? Why have you been acting so, well, strange today?" James demanded his face filled with frustrated.

"Yeah, Rem. Is this about your dad?"

James groaned as Remus froze. "Why would this be about my dad?" he ventured cautiously, looking apprehensive.

"Damn you Padfoot, we weren't going to say anything until he was one hundred percent better, remember?" Sirius cursed under his breath and Remus' heartbeat grew more and more uneasy.

"What's going on?"

James elbowed Sirius with another glare and Sirius faced the werewolf. "Moony, we…we know about your dad."

"Know what?" Remus' voice was surprisingly calm despite the muscle pulsing at his jaw.

James tried to explain. "That he...well, that he mistreats you…"

"You don't know what you're talking about," he grumbled, amber eyes shining molten gold. His body was rigid and unyielding. "You must've made a mistake."

Sirius looked at him sadly. "There is no mistake. Moony, why didn't you tell us? We could've…"

"Could've what?" the werewolf interrupted harshly. "Could've felt sorry for me? Could've babied me? Could've told someone? What could you have possibly done for me?"

"Anything. Anything to make it better."

"This is as good as it gets," Remus announced with a frantic wave of his arms, looking down on them with disdain. "Do you actually think that anyone would give a filthy werewolf a real home? Do you actually think I would have just lived happily ever after if only I'd told someone? Because if so, you need to lose the rose-tinted glasses." Remus whirled around, ready for his grand exit but to no avail. He turned, glaring at Sirius' hand which had latched itself onto his thin arm. He growled low in his throat.

"Come on, Remus. This isn't you!"

"You don't know me." Wrenching his arm free with a snarl, Remus stormed away.

"Well, that went splendidly, Padfoot!" Sirius hung his head. "Really, I meant to ask, how does your foot taste?"

"Shut up already Prongs, god!"

"Um, guys? Can I suggest you stop fighting amongst yourselves? Because it definitely isn't getting you anywhere." Lily gave them each a shrewd look, annoyed when they gave her a blank stare. "Oh really, it's the second time he's flounced away today, aren't one of you going to go after him?"

"What's happened to him Lily?" James asked, his eyes pleading for information. Lily's face softened because of the concern coming from the Head Boy and she nodded hesitantly.

"He accidentally ingested moonflower." When that statement met blank stares, Lily groaned and turned on her heel, going to meet Remus for lunch. "Go look it up."

"What is with everyone storming off today?" Sirius demanded irritably. "Moony's stormed out on us twice, ditched us at breakfast, and tried to ditch us again before Transfiguration…Pricilla smacked me and flounced out not five minutes after Rem at breakfast, and now, Lily Evans!"

"Huh?" James mumbled, tearing his eyes away from Lily's disappearing figure. When Sirius glared at him, he sighed heavily. "Sorry. She just…I don't know, sometimes she just gets me."

"In a good way?"

"I'm not sure."

"Well now that you're finished not paying attention…"

"You wish Padfoot," James mumbled.

Sirius continued on like he hadn't heard the interruption. "…may I suggest we go look up moonflower in something?"

"To the library?" James asked with a grimace, distractedly brushing his fringe away from his eyes.

Sirius put on a brave, determined expression. "To the library!"