Chapter 4
Remus sighed as he looked out the window. It was December, almost Yule, and there was still no snow, just fat rainclouds, ready to downfall at anytime. Today was exceptionally boring, even though his was one of his favorite classes. He didn't especially like Potions in itself, but he loved watching Adrianna work her magic. She made mixing simple potions seem like a fine art, as her fingers arched perfectly over the cauldron when she sprinkled in a variety of ingrediants. Today though, even her masterwork, far above the proffessor's, didn't bring a smile to his face. He just stared outside, the grey light making it appear later then it was. As class got over, he idly picked up his books, and drifted down the isle. Adrianna, hastilly picking things up off the floor cought his attention. "Hey, you need some help?" She gave him a thankful smile, "Yeah, that would be great." He bent down to help her pick up what she dropped. As soon as he saw what it was though, his stomach did a small flip. Leeches. Adrianna noted his disgust and stifled a giggle. Remus looked at her, false accusation on his face, "what's so funny?" Adri gave a genuine smile, her white teeth gleaming,"You. How you are disgusted by leeches." He looked back at her, a grin on his lips, "and you're not?" "No, not really. They're just ingrediants, nothing more. Yet, a can't help but feel sorry for them. Whet a horrid life it would be to just be bottled, waiting for your time to die." Remus looked at her and he saw a look on her face that he had never seen on anyone else's before. It was a mixture of regret and compassion. Of reason, and of love. It was beautiful. Wishing he could freeze time, he wasn't even aware of the small moan that he let slip out. Adrianna looked at him, embarassed. He blushed, "sorry, I wasn't even aware that you were still here. Sorry, again, that sounded meaner then I intended it to be." Adrianna laughed, a light airy sound that made his heart dance. "Oh, Remus, what would I do without you?" Remus blushed, and a smile crossed his face. "Here," he said, trying to cover his excitement as he handed the leeches over,"I'll see you later." She smiled, blushing, "You, too." He left the classroom, a small bounce in his step. His exceptionally brighter mood was noticed by some of the people passing. Nothing can dampen my mood right now, not even the rain. He flipped off the clouds as he passed by the big window, a smile as bright as the sun. He jumped up the steps to the Gryffindor tower, and the fat lady giggled as he waltzed into the common room. His joy was soon put on halt, though, as he looked around the room. Pinned against the wall was Sirius, who was being pinned by Evey. Sirius looked like he was trying to resist her, but was failing miserably at it. Blinded by his fury, Remus didn't even consider the fact that Sirius might not be enjoying himself. He ran up to the two, ripped Evey from Sirius, then punched his friend in the jaw. "DAMMIT, SIRIUS! YOU KNEW HOW MUCH I CARED ABOUT HER" Sirius, frantically trying to escape his friends blows, yelled back, "Moony, you know I would never do this to you. She came on to Me, not the other way around. I didn't want to kiss her Remus, I didn't even want to touch her. She was your girlfriwnd, not mine. You're best friend Remus. Now, can you let me down, Remus? Remus, who was holding Sirius by the throat, a couple inches of the ground, drooped his friend and stared in disbelief at Evelyn, who was sitting there withan annoyed expression on her face. Remus' eyes were tearing as he turned and ran stormed out the door.
Running down the corridor, he had one destination in mind, his tree by the lake. Running out the school doors, he could feel the slightest touch of rain on his face. As he ran across the grounds, his converse made shoe prints in the moist dirt. Grabbing a low branch, he climbed into the old willow. It wasn't the womping willow, but it was just as important to him. He had his first kiss in this tree, even if it wasn't a good one. The girl ended up biting his lip, making it bleed. After he realized what she had done, he pushed out of the tree so she didn't get his poison. She broke her back from the fall and they had never talked after that. He smiled, this was also where he met Sirius and James. James had been swinging from the branches, like an annoying monkey, and Sirius had been hanging upside down for long enough to make his face red. He, himself, had been sitting by the lake, when James fell on him, unable to swing himself far enough. I should go apologize to Sirius. He's my friend, he wouldn't do that to me. Even though I couldn't make the blood bond with them, they're still my friends. They'll get me through this. He jumped down from the tree, his feet landing firmly on the ground. Walking briskly towards the castle, his face was getting irritated from the sharp wind, and the cool rain that was cutting his soft complexion. Cheeks flushed, he slammed the large doors shut behind him. He looked in the Great Hall, almost dinner time, and didn't see Sirius there. He climbed the stairs to the tower, dreading what, or who, would be up there waiting for him. Reaching the Fat Lady's portrait, he barely mumbled the password, and even though she didn't hear it, she let him in. Looking at the floor, he could hear his friends comforting voices. A comfort he would not receive. He looked up, his hair in his eyes, and could make out the forms of Lily and James sitting close to a mangled Sirius. Peter was standing behind the, holding a wet washcloth. Remus felt his stomach roll as Lily stormed over to him, her eyes flashing. "Remus Lupin! Where do you get the nerve to beat on your friends like that! You could have really hurt Sirius. Luckily all that happened was that your ring cut his lip." Sirius looked up, his bottom lip was a swollen bloody mess. "Remus, I'm sorry, I tried to get her off, but she was strong, and you know how I am with pretty girls." Sirius looked down at his feet, ashamed. Remus went a knelted beside his friend, his large hand resting on Sirius' sagging shoulder, "Sirius, you have nothing to be ashamed of. I'm the one that hit you. Besides, you knew she was cheating on me, but I chose to ignore your warnings. You're my friend, I never meant to hurt you like that, she just was so important to me, yet she treated me like I was diseased." I am, though. There's no hiding it. Sirius smiled at his sad friend, "Thanks, I just felt horrible, but you're not mad at me, and we can get revenge. Remus, you need to start standing up for yourself, and I say we should get together and write some songs and play them. You know how the girls like it. You'll find someone else and piss Evelyn off all at once." Remus laughed at his friends sudden enthusiasm, "Sorry, Padfoot, I don't know if I'll be able to take another relationship for a while. But thanks for the offer." Sirius looked a little down, "Yeah, but remember over the summer we were gonna start a band? Well, we've seen some of your writing, and I think we could actually make it work. Me and James both play guitar, and we can make Wormtail learn drums, it won't be that hard." Remus considered his friends words thoughtfully, "Yeah, I guess that's ok. I will only do it, though, if you guys are willing to practice. I have a lot of material, and I want it to be treated well. If your willing to be good musicians, I'm willing to be in a band with you." They smiled at him, and headed up to their dorm.