Title: Secrets
By: Amanda
Feedback: sweety167yahoo.ca
For: Kat; mackittenx
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I'm just playing with JK Rowling's toys. I promise to put them back when I'm done, whenever that is.
Timing: MWPP
Pairing: Remus/Lily
Summary: Remus deals in secrets.
Completed: May 3, 2006
Notes: The prompt was Remus, Lily and Secrecy. This is what I did. Enjoy.
"You have to keep it secret Remus, please," Lily asks of me. She chews her bottom lip nervously; her green eyes wide and pleading as if it's the hardest thing in the world. As if I don't keep them every day of my life – what's one more added to the pile. Even if it's not my own.
She talks to me in hushed tones, like the Muggle confession we've heard about. Her hands wringing the life out of a poor tissue. She had it clenched in her hands, but she wasn't crying. Never shed a single tear. Lily was never manipulative, but I think crying was one of her options, if all else failed. I get the impression she'd pull out anything to keep this secret.
I almost wonder why she doesn't want an unbreakable vow, for all the importance this has to her. Maybe even to all of us, in the long run. But maybe to the Muggle born, the promise of a friend is somehow stronger. And really, shouldn't it be? I'll have to ask around on that one, whenever I find someone worthy of confessing to again.
If I ever do.
I thought I could once…well three times. But I was wrong. The truth has a nasty way of rearing its ugly head. Secrets are deadly things. Most deadly when they are slipped to the wrong person, from the right one. Or maybe Sirius was the wrong one in the first place. Maybe Mother was always right, I shouldn't have told anyone, some things are just better kept from everyone. Some people just aren't ment to have people to share secrets with.
Lily's clenching at the sleeve of my robe now. I've been silent for too long and she's getting antsy.
If she knew would she be asking this of me? Trusting me if all things. What if I had dark motives – listened to them – and took advantage. I'm a poor desperate creature; there are things I could demand of a young, prime witch. There are things I could do with her secret…make them all forget about mine. Make them see me as a lesser evil, in comparison. I could tell them and I could make them…
But I won't.
I'll keep her secret. From Sirius' curious, watchful eyes. From James' pathetic sighs and new, nervous silence. Even from Peter's quiet wonder.
I'll keep it. After all, secrets are what I do best.
"I won't breathe a word of it," I tell her with a solemn shake of my head, "ever." And there. I've sworn it.
"Oh, thank you Remus," she all but squeals, throwing her arms around my neck and pressing a soft kiss to my cheek. She's relieved. She's burdened someone else with it now.
And I suppose it never hurts when someone has to owe you one in return.
End.
