A/N: I dont really have much to say in these anymore, I suppose I won't say anything at all. Hmm...
No, there is no slash in this fanfic. GO HOME, SLASH FANS, GO HOME.
As for the rest of the pairings? I'll let you figure them out, kiddies. [smiles.
"Well, well.." Snape smirked evilly and my heart dropped into my stomach like a cold stone. "Potter, Evans, Black and Lupin. All in a bunch."
I froze, startled and to this new threat, I thrust my wand forward and yelled, "Confundo!" Suddenly, Snape's unseen pupils dilated and he suddenly looked confused. Lily stared in horror at me, and James and Sirius looked as if I Confunded them.
"You don't know what you're talking about, Severus." My voice cracked. "We're not doing anything wrong. You were just going back to class now. Goodbye, Severus. See you at lunch."
Snape tilted his head and nodded, slowly making his way out of the entrance. I went to the entrance and mumbled, "Protego Totalum." The entrance that was destroyed had began to rebuild itself.
I swallowed, avoiding everyone's eyes as I began to pick up the remains of the door and set them on the table, and I saw in one of the cabinet's windows, my reflection, my skin alabaster.
"Remus..." Lily mumbled.
"Please, Lily." I said loudly. It sounded weaker than I had made it.
"You just Confunded Snape.." Sirius mumbled, but he had a proud grin on his face. "I.."
"Don't. I'm not proud," I said, sounding even weaker. "I think we should go to class."
I turned to the rest of my friends. "I'm sorry. But this was a bad idea after all." They were speaking to me, but I didn't hear as I walked quickly from the room, shame was a black cloud hanging over my head.
The rest of the day seemed to blow past me and I was walking in slow motion. Until I met with my friends at lunch, that is.
"Remus!" James said with a grin as he set down across from me. I stared fixatedly down at my plate, interested particularly in a piece of chicken and nodding absentmindedly.
"About what happ-"
"Nothing happened. Nothing important." I could feel three pairs of eyes staring at me and I gripped the edge of the table.
"We're rather proud. You just saved our necks, you know, and Snape could've gotten James and Sirius kicked out for sure." Lily's soft voice filled my ears and my narrowed eyes began to soften.
"You think so?" I asked, my voice coming out slightly strangled. Ever since I had met James and Sirius, I never resented them. Except, of course, when they teased others. But never had I ever thought I would do something as reckless, as dastardly as they would.
"We know so, Remus." James gave me a playful punch on the shoulder and I looked up at them and their smiling faces. The smiling faces of people, friends, my friends-
"Hi, James!" I heard a light, yet meaningful voice call. The four of us looked up and I felt all the blood rush to my head.
Jennifer Strewing had been bent over the Gryffindor table with a smile on her face, her entourage with her, of course. "What's going on, guys?" She giggled, cracking her gum and her blue eyes seeming to glisten with happiness.
"Eh." James shrugged and I noticed as Jennifer frowned, Lily had a look that sort of looked smug.
I sighed deeply and put a hand to my cheek, turning away slightly. She must've noticed me, because she mentioned lamely, "Oh, hi, Remus."
"Greetings, Jennifer." I turned back to her and she smiled lightly. My heart was a Chocolate Frog left in the sun.
There was a silence. James was glancing at Lily, who glared at Jennifer, who glared back and I was staring at her. The only one out of the loop was Sirius, and he glanced up, Bacon hanging out of his mouth.
"Wh-wha? I t'out 'e 'ere twalkin'!" Sirius mumbled, and he saw Jennifer. I could see his face heat up and at once, he seemed to slurp the bacon and swallow it, rubbing his mouth with his sleeve.
"Ahem, hello, Jen." He winked at her, then jumped as if in pain, then glared at James. James smirked back and I saw under the table, James' wand was jabbed into Sirius' knee.
"Hi, Sirius. Well, it's boring here. Toodle-pip!" She waved her fingers in our direction and I could've sworn she smiled at me.
"'Toodle-pip.' How endearing," I breathed to myself, and Lily then looked as if she were going to explode.
"Hmf. How did she get in Gryffindor?" Lily asked angrily, and when none of us replied, she then added vehemently, "I mean, just look at her!"
We followed her direction in fear and saw her talking to several other boys at the Slytherin table. I watched as a slender, pale finger wrapped around her hair, twirling it with a coy smile on her face.
"She's rather beautiful," I blurted out, and Lily turned to look at me sharply. My eyes widened back, and James was staring at the both of us. I saw in his eyes the playfulness was gone, and he was now looking troubled.
"So, about the whole 'cool' thing, what's the next step?" I said in the silence.
"'Ordrobe..." Sirius said, his voice muffled in food.
"Your wardrobe, of course. There's a Hogsmeade trip coming up on the 20th of this month." My mind searched for the date. It was already the 10th of September.
"I suppose.." I glanced at my school bag worriedly and remembered the Hell I had to go through to get Mum to let me go, worried that there'd be a blue moon. I scoffed at this; it only happened once over break.
"Come on, Remus! Be a little more enthusiastic! We're giving you a complete makeover!" Sirius said, now, finally done with his food and speaking clearly.
"And I like what you did with Jen back there.." James winked in my direction, and I smiled slightly. I had to admit, I was a little more courageous this time around. Lily, however, didn't look as appreciative.
She glared at the three of us at the same time the food disappeared, and without a word, she got up before most and strode off quickly, her head raised high. We watched after her warily and once she was out of earshot, James whined, "What did I say this time?"
"It's obvious she thinks Jen is a homewrecking tart, so she hates her." My eyes narrowed at Sirius' words. "Or, maybe she thinks that Jen is prettier and is jealous or somethi-"
"OI!" James yelled, a furious look on his face that attracted others and Sirius' attention.
"Sorry, mate.." Sirius mumbled sheepishly, and James simply nodded, his face relaxed. I sighed, grabbing my bag and heading off to Potions.
"See you two!" I called over my shoulder as I hurried off to think by myself.
I thought about a lot fo things on the way. Sometimes I think I think too much. I thought about school and work and fun and being 'cool' and then, naturally, my thoughts traveled to Lily a few minutes ago. She was terribly angry about me even mentioning Jennifer's name. She was a beautiful girl-Jennifer, I mean-so why would anyone hate her, let alone dislike her?
I doubt Lily was jealous. She was rather beautiful too. Then what was it? What was that 'deal' she had mentioned? Most of all, what on Earth is a "Flavor Of The Month"?
"Watch your head!" I heard a booming voice shout and I looked forward, raising my eyes and next thing I knew, I was stumbling back and hit the back of my head on the corridor.
"Slammed right into the door! My!" Slughorn was half waddling and half walking towards me, putting a hand on my shoulder. "You all right, son?"
I nodded quickly, aware of the tittering of my fellow classmates as I strolled in, trying to seem casual. I glanced up and saw all seats were taken.
Except, of course, one right next to Jennifer. I swallowed deeply and Professor Slughorn came in, hollering, "Take your seats, take your seats."
Merlin help me.
Trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible while saving whatever dignity I had left, I quickly sat down next to her. She turned to look at me immediately, and I felt my insides jump at the way her eyes were an icy, cool blue from early when talking to Lily. Now they were like miniature skies on a cloudless day.
"Hi, again." She said simply. I opened my mouth and to my horror, nothing came out. She stared at me for a moment, and I was frozen. How could I have embarrassed myself so badly, literally sitting there with my mouth wide open.
"Class, let's begin!" Slughorn was beginning class already and I closed my mouth, facing forward, my face flushed deeper than anything I've ever experienced before. Yet, when I looked at her from my peripheral vision, she did the same and smiled at me.
"Now I hope you sat next to someone your comfortable with..they will be your partners for today's assignment!" He said proudly.
I looked up, my eyes wild until he said, "Oh, I was just joking. You may pick your partners, it's only a Monday after all." I smiled at this and looked around the room, not having noticed other students. Yet all I saw were Slytherins and Gryffindors who were scared of me. I turned to Jennifer-she seemed desperate for her eyes to find someone.
"Uhm. Jen?" I asked quietly, wondering if it was appropriate of me to call her that.
"Yeah, Lupin?" She asked boredly, cracking her gum. I felt sweat form on my neck.
"D'you wanna work together?" I said rather loudly, that it attracted the attention of other students.
She blinked at me, unsurprised before muttering, "Eh." And going through her purse for her wand. I watched her and sighed. This was going to be harder than I thought.
A/N: This took too long. Hmf. I know.