A/N: Thank youuuu lovely people for your reviews. Also forgot to say last chapter thank you for getting this story up to 300 reviews - it means so much to me! This chapter isn't necessarily a big one for Remus and Kate, but I think it's a big one for Kate's development as a character. Please enjoy!

Chapter Thirty-One: Everyone had a back up

Hiding, would be the most effective way to deal with this particular crisis. But, it just wasn't feasible to hide from my best friend – especially since I didn't want him to know how I felt. This was the first time I'd ever liked someone and didn't want to do anything about it. It wasn't the same as finding someone physically attractive or liking someone as a result of flirtatious banter. This was Remus and he meant much more than that. I couldn't and wouldn't ruin my friendship with him by trying to pursue something romantic. It wasn't that I was afraid of rejection or not the type to make the first move – there were many other reasons to be afraid and reluctant.

First, he was Sirius' friend and by all general codes of conduct – this made him off limits, even if Sirius didn't usually care if his friends went out with his exes (case in point, Emmeline). Second, he had a Sirius-complex already – he'd said multiple times that girls he liked always liked Sirius more and while I knew that comparing my feelings for each of them was like apples and oranges, I knew Remus well enough to realize he would never see it that way. Third, considering how close we already were, it was always going to have to be intense with him and I worried that I had neither the patience nor the tact to treat him the way he needed to be treated in a healthy relationship. I wasn't any more right for him than Emmeline or even McDanger – I was self-absorbed, loud and too impulsive and sometimes I wasn't even sure what I brought to our friendship besides laughter and drama. And Fourth – there was Gemma. Lovely Gemma who I'd told to pursue him as resolutely as I'd been cajoling him into a relationship all year. I had spent all year pushing him into dating girls that were all wrong for him and now it looked like he was finally starting something with someone who would be good and right for him and it would be selfish of me to throw myself into the mix out of nowhere and take advantage of the fact that we had history. So, Remus + Kate was a story that wouldn't be written or spoke about.

But he was cute when he was concentrating.

On Monday morning we had a surprise test in Transfiguration and considering how distracted I was, it hadn't gone too badly. I only had two questions left when the sound of his throaty cough caught my attention. The amount of times I'd seen him furrow his brow and suddenly I'd never seen anything as captivating. He must have felt eyes on him because he stopped writing and looked over his shoulder and locked eyes with me. The side of his mouth lifted up in that questioning way and I just shook my head and smiled back softly. He rolled his eyes at me and turned back to his essay and I sighed and propped my head on my hand, trying to focus. I kept trying to remind myself of Prewett's words – I had to be more than just someone's girlfriend. But it wasn't like I was going to be a Transfiguration teacher either - what did it matter if instead of concentrating, I imagined myself sitting in a kitchen five years from now and smiling while Remus made me eggs for breakfast?

Well, it mattered because it could never happen.

I managed to ignore him long enough to force myself through the remainder of the test, but I wasn't so lucky when we walked out of the classroom. I couldn't ignore him then.

"Go all right?" he asked, as the lads met up with us outside the classroom.

Luckily, since it was school related, Dorcas unintentionally stepped in and saved me from mumbling through a response like some kind of Lizzy imitation.

"Oh yeah, it was actually quite easy considering the way McGonagall built it up. How'd it go for you?" Dorcas asked as the seven of us made our way towards Defence.

Remus shrugged and James spoke up.

"Cake. So, listen – more to the point, Valentine's Day is coming up," he said, looking solemn.

We groaned collectively. Even before we'd all been friends, the upcoming holiday had always united the Gryffindors in our year. Not once in our six years, or perhaps more relevantly – in the last few hormonal years, had any of us had a date to the dreaded Hogsmeade trip. It was sort of an unspoken tradition amongst us – James had never even asked Lily on the day and it was the kind of sacred bond that sixteen and seventeen year olds took extremely seriously.

"We've still got a couple of weeks to pretend it doesn't exist," Lily said.

"You've forgotten the card and flower service those naff Fourth Year Hufflepuffs came up with," Sirius sighed. "I've already overheard three girls wondering if I spell my name with an e or an i – you know, the very clever sort."

"I vow we boycott altogether this year," I said, finally able to get some words out now that I wasn't talking directly to Remus. "We'll just lock ourselves in our dormitories until the next day."

"We can't," Dorcas protested. "We've got lessons."

"Come on Dorcas, this is more important than that!" I retorted. "This is about pride and dignity and not looking like a complete tosser."

"D'you usually worry about looking like a tosser?" Remus grinned and I inadvertently smiled back and shoved his arm. Beside him, Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Well why don't we just eliminate the threat altogether?" Peter suggested.

"Excellent idea, mate. Shall we poison the pumpkin juice or just stand on the tables and fire off Avadas at random?" Sirius said dully making the rest of us chuckle.

"No," Peter said. "I was thinking more on the lines of taking hold of our own destiny and going out on dates."

There was a beat of silence.

"Not with each other, obviously," he added.

"I guess that works," Dorcas said. "Now that none of us is involved with each other – we can avoid creating drama. Secure ourselves non-committal, nice Valentines and then get on with our lives."

Sirius gave me a slightly pointed look, but nodded. "Not bad actually. At least that way there would be no confusion."

"You know," Remus put in with a shrug. "We could just do nothing and let whatever happens, happen, like we do every year."

"Ha!" James said, reaching past me to poke his shoulder and accidentally forcing me to bump into him. Remus' hand curled gently around my elbow for a moment to steady me, but thankfully no one noticed my cheeks reddening because James had continued with another loud, "HA! You're just trying to get out of the 'non-committal' part so that you can go all lovey-dovey and ask out Gemma."

The boys made childish 'ooh' noises and Remus rolled his eyes. I felt the annoying burning sensation run through my ears and turned the feeling into a chokey laugh.

"Did you hear, Kate?" Peter laughed. "Remus has moved on to Girl Number Three."

"Hey! Don't call her that," Remus said. "I didn't even remember she was on that list."

"Aw bless him, he's defending her," James said, pinching his cheek. "Are you in loveeee, Moony?"

I felt my stomach swoop with a mixture of annoyance and discomfort. Honestly, I'd just brought this on myself. But I couldn't let it show – I had to pretend I was still a hundred percent behind the stupid plan I'd cooked up what felt like eons ago.

"Aw leave him alone! She is lovely and they make a perfect pair. If he wants to ask her, he should."

I saw Sirius quirk his eyebrow at me, but I ignored it and focused on smiling at Remus and then changing the subject.

"But count me out! I don't want a bloody Valentine," I said firmly. "I'd rather gorge myself on chocolate and forget the rest of the school is happy."

"So it's agreed," James nodded. "We all get dates and enjoy the day for once."

What an absurd idea for my stupid friends to come up with. It totally defeated the purpose of the seven of us agreeing to hate the holiday. Who was I supposed to go out with? And now I'd have to see Sirius on a date and Remus on a date. And pretend to be happy for them. On the bright side, at least it seemed as though Remus hadn't picked up on me acting any differently. Perhaps that's what I ought to pursue when I'd left Hogwarts – act in plays or something. Half my life these days felt like an act.

When we got to Defence, it was time to start the next scene, because Gemma was outside Prewett's classroom chatting with one of her friends. Was she really in this many of our classes? How had I not noticed? She seemed to be everywhere these days.

"Here you go Moony," James said, shoving him forward a little and making Peter and Sirius chuckle. Remus shot me a look and I shrugged, forcing a teasing smile. After all, I was supposed to be excited that he and Gemma were getting closer.

"Do the seven of you always just traipse through the corridors together?" Gemma smiled as we greeted her.

"Well we try our very best not to, but James is trying to get us to form a Quidditch team," I said making Remus laugh.

"Yeah right, you lot are rubbish. Anyway, let's leave Remus to it, shall we?" James said waggling his eyebrows and shoving me into the classroom before ushering the others in more gently.

"Why am I always pushed away first?" I grumbled, glancing at Sirius. If the hypocrite had told his mates, I would murder him. He looked evenly back at me, but said nothing and simply joined the lads in their teasing of Remus as they headed to their seats at the back.

"So who are you thinking of asking to Hogsmeade?" Dorcas asked as we sat down.

"Ugh, I don't know," Lily groaned. "I may have to reevaluate Charlus Doxy from earlier this year. I never gave him a proper chance."

"Well, in all fairness he has that annoying toenail picking problem," I said, leaning on my hand and watching as Remus and Gemma entered the classroom chatting to her friend. His brow was furrowed as she explained something to him and I let out a tiny sigh when he chuckled. His whole body moved when he laughed – like he was laughing from his soul or something.

Ugh. Someone Avada me.

"Kate?"

"Mmm?" I said, tearing my eyes away to look at my friends.

"What about you? See anyone you fancy?" Lily asked.

I felt my neck grow warm as I felt Remus sweep behind me towards his desk.

"No," I sighed again.

Prewett was making a serious play to become my least favourite teacher in school. He'd paired us off to practice the stunning spell and I'd had to watch as Remus gallantly refused to curse Gemma while Peter struggled to knock me out. The only time he'd managed it was when Gemma had asked me a question. Luckily, I got him back when it was my turn.

Once the lesson was over, I was glad to escape and get on with sulking during my Free. I barely said goodbye to my mates as I stomped off down the corridor before Lily called out.

"Er Kate? Where are you off to?"

I turned and frowned. "Um, my Free? I'll see you lot at Lunch."

"Kate, we all have this Free," Dorcas said, shaking her head. "We were thinking about getting some of that chocolate pudding we had at dinner last night. You remember how to get to the Kitchens right?"

I nodded, but behind her I could see Remus waving his arms about as he talked animatedly to Gemma and I felt my shoulders slump. What in Godric's name was so funny? The two of them laughed more than any two people on the face of the Earth. I didn't get it. Sure, I might fancy Remus and he made me laugh, but he wasn't exactly notorious for good jokes and since Gemma was the female version of him, I couldn't imagine she was much funnier.

"Oh yeah," I said, shrugging as the two of them finally looked away from each other and started paying attention to the rest of us lowly beings. "But, the thing is…I just remembered I said I'd meet Mafalda."

"Oh all right then – is it left at that staircase?" Lily asked.

"I'll show you," Remus offered. "The lads are going to the Pitch and honestly, two-aside Practice isn't exactly riveting entertainment."

"Great! Coming Gemma? We've got to discuss that Charms project anyway," Dorcas said, turning her back on me immediately.

Traitor.

"Say hi to Mafalda for us, Kate!" Remus called as the four of them headed in the opposite direction. Ugh. He was going to ask her to be his Valentine by Lunch. Disgu– NO! Wonderful! Excellent news for them both. Oh Godric, why was I still waiting there?

Why did Gemma have to be nice? It would be so much easier if I hated her. She wasn't even annoying – she wasn't a mumbler or too shy or too similar to me…she was just Gemma. Who I liked. Why couldn't I have set the two of them up first? All that time wasted on Sarah and Emmeline had left the annoying gap for me to somehow develop feelings for him. Timing was everything. Everything!

"Everything!" I shouted as I stomped through the corridor and banged headfirst into a burly bloke. "Agh. Sorry! I am blind as well as stupid."

"Well…at least you own up to it," The bloke said. He was a good-looking one – with red hair and a teasing smirk and something familiar about him.

"Yeah, I find honesty is usually the best policy," I replied, tucking my hair behind my ears. "Hello!"

"It's Hopkirk, right? Kate?" He asked. I recognized him suddenly as Dennis Fletcher – one of Archie's less pompous mates.

I raised my eyebrows. "What gave it away? My face?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "I think it was more the hair…it's got that swishy quality specifically designed to whip someone's face when you bump into them."

Did he just compliment my hair?! I never got hair compliments! Wait…was it a compliment? Swishy could go either way.

"Haven't seen you much since Evans and Arch split up," he said, leaning against the wall and peering down at me critically. Reflexively I flipped some of my hair over my shoulder – well, if he liked the swish…

"Didn't see you much when Lily and Archibald were together in all fairness," I shrugged. "How is your delightfully controlling friend?"

"How's your shockingly heartless friend?" he countered with a smile and we both chuckled.

"She's great – happy to be shot of him."

"Yeah, well. He's a good mate, but I know how he gets with girls sometimes," Dennis grinned.

Well…he was good looking. Reasonably humourous – not a psycho like Archie. I might even enjoy having him as a Valentine. Plus – maybe I'd feel less horrible hearing about Remus and Sirius procuring dates if I'd got one first.

"So, Valentine's Day is coming up," I blurted out.

"Not for a couple of weeks," he said, looking down at me with a curious eyebrow quirk.

"Well – look I'm not really into anything serious, but how d'you feel about…" I cringed and gulped. "Uh…you know, being my Valentine. Also, can we not call it 'Valentine'? I might throw up in my mouth if I have to say it again."

He laughed and I felt less icky.

"You're not very convincing," he replied, folding his arms over his chest. "I thought you'd try a bit harder."

"Really?" I grimaced. "Do I seem like the type to try hard?"

He laughed again and it was starting to get grating. Why was it that any boy I talked to outside of Sixth year Gryffindor laughed too much?

"No, I just mean. If you're trying to get me to dump my girlfriend to go on a Valentine's day date with you…I reckon you'd try a bit harder," Dennis replied with a smirk.

Oh yuck. Just my luck. Wonderful Kate! Brilliant! What superb taste you have!

"Sorry," I said shaking my head. "Honestly I had no idea you had a girlfriend. Er – forget this happened."

He caught my arm before I could get more than two paces away.

"Wait," he said, his eyebrows bouncing up and down. "I could be convinced."

"Oh yuck!" I said, wrenching my arm free and shoving him back against the wall. "You just said you had a girlfriend! For a moment I was amazed there was actually a decent bloke at Hogwarts. Have some bloody class!"

As I stormed away, I heard him yelling feebly. "Oi! Oi! You're not going to tell her, are you?"

I wish I'd bloody known who his girlfriend was so I could tell her! What a disgusting boy. Actually, all boys at Hogwarts were disgusting. Is this what they did? Just lined girls up in a row so that they always had a spare if one didn't work out? What was it with people? Everyone had a back up – nobody could make up their damn mind. They always had someone there in the back of their head to fall back on.

I was so angry; I kicked the first thing I saw. Which happened to be a large potted plant. Which happened to be being moved by Filch at the time. As the pot crashed out of his grasp and broke on the floor, I felt things move in slow motion. Filch's face was contorted with anger and when my mind caught up with my actions I saw that the enormous planter had broken on the floor, scattering soil and dirt all over the pristine corridor.

So, I ran.

"Oi! Get back here! I just cleaned up this mess! HOW DARE YOU!" I heard Filch yelling. His panting and footsteps were loud as he ran after me and I cut through as many passageways as I could see. I couldn't get detention today – even if I deserved it. I dashed away with a purpose, feeling glad to run some of my anger off despite my worry over getting caught. Eventually I got to a broom cupboard on the second floor and though I could still hear Filch yelling obscenities, he was out of sight for the moment. Time to hide.

But when I swung open the door, I found the cupboard was already occupied.

Wasn't he supposed to be practicing Quidditch down at the Pitch? And she was a Fifth Year – she didn't have Frees – shouldn't she have been in class? I grasped the door handle so tightly, my knuckles turned white and I felt a familiar flash of anger and hurt run through me. I fought to stop my face from crumpling as Lizzy and Sirius broke apart, both a little breathless. Had he kissed me like that? I'd forgotten.

"Oh Godric. Kate!" Lizzy gasped.

Sirius backed away; wiping his mouth and his eyes closed into a cringe I'd seen on his face so many times before. Merlin, why did this still hurt? My body still felt betrayed, even though my mind knew that I held no claim over him anymore.

Well, I guess that solved the mystery of who The Boy who Didn't Want to Date would ask to be his Valentine.

"Kate…" he muttered.

"Um, sorry. Filch is after me, I was looking for a hiding place. Head's up, he's just around the corner," I said with a curt little nod. There was no reason to make this into more than it was – just an awkward run in with two people snogging. It could have been anyone.

"Er, well – enjoy," I added before shutting the cupboard door lightly and turning with a sigh back in Filch's direction. Detention actually sounded good now. I desperately needed to think.

He was waiting for me when I got out of Detention that evening. I think I must have been depressed. I couldn't feel any definable emotions anymore. I just had this strange swirling sensation inside me that was slowly pulling me under. Truthfully, I would have preferred if he'd just left me alone.

"Hey, can I talk to you?"

"Yeah, go on then," I sighed softly as we walked slowly together towards the Common Room.

"Um…I'm sorry," he said. "I never meant for you to walk in on that."

"Don't worry about it," I said. "It doesn't matter."

He scoffed softly. "Yeah, I thought as much. But Saint Remus thought you looked sad and said I should say something."

I chuckled and ran my fingers through my hair to massage my scalp. What a very tiresome day this was.

"Well he's got it wrong for once. I mean, did I like walking in on my ex boyfriend kissing the girl who was part of the reason we split up? No - not particularly. But it's more than that."

"It's the liking Remus thing that's really bothering you, isn't it?"

I sighed and looked into his eyes. I'd never quite been able to figure out whatever secret he was keeping in them. We'd come to a stop on the staircase landing and he leaned against the banister still looking uncomfortable.

"No, it's not just that. It's everything. I don't feel like myself. I'm all mixed up and I still like you and I like him and I can't be with either of you."

"He'd drop Gemma for you. I'm sure of it."

I shook my head. "I can't let him do that. Not after I convinced her to make a move with him. I just can't bloody figure out why I'm such an idiot. Why does it always take me so long to know what I want? I want him to be happy and that's not going to happen if he's with me. Not when I still hurt thinking about you."

"You do?" He asked quietly.

"Of course I do. And I hurt thinking about him. All I do is hurt now and what good is that doing anyone? All I want is to do the right thing - think of what's right for someone else for once – not be selfish – and it's chewing me up inside."

"He thinks you might be upset because I…moved on…with her. And I just want you to know that, I haven't. At least not the way you think I have. I – I still think about you too. And even though I shouldn't have been jealous when you told me you liked him, I was. And then seeing the way you were looking at him today," Sirius paused and shook his head and I felt that rush of inadvertent guilt he so often inspired in me.

"I don't know, I just lashed out and I picked the girl that I thought would hurt you most. And I'm sorry about that."

Despite all the hurt I was feeling, I felt bad for him. He actually looked like he meant his words. In some ways this was a better apology than he'd given me when we'd actually been together. And I was tired and I didn't like fighting.

"Sirius," I began, patting his shoulder. "It's okay. Really, it's okay. To be honest, I can't really blame you – not because what you did wasn't shitty, because it was a bit – but not to me. To her. We're not together anymore, but you know how she feels about you. And to use her like that, it's not fair. And me – I'm all confused because of what I feel for him and the leftover feelings I have for you and I'm just all mixed up. I don't really have anyone but myself to blame."

He was staring at me curiously, opening his mouth to speak, but shutting it again and frowning. I chuckled and leaned against the banister beside him.

"Come on Kate, self deprecation doesn't look good on you," he said.

"No, no," I shook my head. "I'm not being self deprecating. But, you know, it's true. I…sit here feeling all hurt that you're able to move on, and he…even if, as you say, he used to feel that strongly about me – he's found another girl that he clicks with in the same way. And I find myself getting so pissed off at all these lads for having backups and for not committing fully because there's always someone else and… I – I've done it too."

"You mean with Remus," Sirius said softly.

"No! No, I don't mean with Remus. I didn't mean to fall for him so soon after you. It was weird timing. It's not like I'm rushing to get off with him or trying to work things out. But – I mean with that stupid Remus Project. Where I was just lining a bunch of girls up like cattle. Having them basically vie for his attention like he was some kind of prize to be won. And," I sighed and closed my eyes painfully. "If I treat girls like they're expendable, what's stopping boys – even the really nice ones like Remus – from treating them the same? From treating me the same."

Sirius looked surprised and upset but he didn't interrupt, he just let me continue through my tearful monologue listening in a way I'd never imagined he could.

"I talk this big game," I said. "I don't talk behind girls backs, I try and support them and I try to be confident and honest and up front, but I'm just a huge hypocrite. Who could like someone like that?"

As I wiped away my tears, Sirius moved an inch closer, hunching so our heads were beside each other.

"I did," he muttered. "Remus does."

"I don't deserve him. You know…he needs someone who isn't such a mess. He's a really good guy and Gemma is a really good girl and I think it's selfish of me to throw my hat in the ring…just because I can."

Sirius laughed. "See this is what's so frustrating about you two. I want to be mad that he likes you and that you like him, but you're both just…always looking out for each other's best interests and I mean, how can you deny that? You two want each other to be happy even at the expense of you being together. How can I not be okay with you liking him?"

I chuckled. "It doesn't matter anyway. What we really needed to talk about was – please don't tell him, all right? Even if you think you're helping…just don't."

He nodded. "All right. I'll do that for you, Kate. Because despite what you've been, or what you think of yourself, you're really not selfish. And I think that deserves some selflessness in return."

I smiled, he draped his arm around my shoulders like he used to and we sat there in silence for a long while.

And because bad days last for much longer than good ones, the torture continued. I was finishing up some homework in the Common Room late in the night by myself. Most of my house had gone to bed already and I was thankful for the silence. My head was too busy these days.

So, I had to fight off a sigh when Remus joined me. He kicked my leg lightly under the table and I looked up with the best smile I could manage in the moment.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked, his brow creasing in concern.

"Yeah, just an annoying day," I replied. "Sick of detention."

"Yeah," he nodded, his mouth twisting sympathetically. "Can I help?"

I chuckled and shrugged. "Distract me – I need a break from thinking."

He smiled and his jaw bounced attractively as his eyes flickered up to the boys' dormitories for a moment. "Well," he hesitated. "I could use some advice."

"Ah yes. You've chosen the perfect person," I said, folding my arms on the table and leaning on them. "Shoot."

He ducked so he was able to lower his voice, but I wished he hadn't. He was too close now and that woodsy smell was invading my senses. It couldn't be his werewolfness – it was his cologne. When I was feeling less jolted, I'd have to ask him what it was called.

"So, this Valentine thing…"

Oh Merlin. Couldn't he have asked advice on anything else? I had a good few ideas for a new haircut he could get.

"I was going to ask Gemma. But the thing is, we're not – I know the lads joke – but we're just friends. I'm not sure about asking her to go with me, since I'm not sure what I feel for her yet, you know?"

"Yeah, 'course," I murmured.

"It's too early to tell for me and I don't want to spoil it by moving too fast," he said, running a hand through his hair. A few strands fell across his eyes and my fingers itched to move them away, but I kept them firmly clenched under my head and just nodded him on.

"But then if I ask someone else so I can take part in this pact with all of you – it'll just complicate things," he sighed, leaning on his arms similarly, so our heads were less than a foot apart.

"Yeah, that does sound complicated," I nodded.

He chuckled humourlessly and glanced back at the dormitory again. "Peter suggested I ask you for the rest of the list of girls."

I sat up straight and shook my head.

"No."

Godric no.

"Remus look," I said shaking my head and blinking back the itchiness in my eyes. "Don't do that. Forget the list – I was stupid for even coming up with it. The girls on that list aren't just options to pick up when the one you're focused on doesn't work out."

He sat up too, frowning. "Kate…where's this coming from?"

I shook my head again and rubbed my face. "I've just – I'm starting to realize what it feels like to be brushed aside so easily and I can't believe I've treated other people that way too. I can't let you make the same mistakes as me. "

"Kate no, I –"

"No, I get it – you would never treat them that way, but it just sets a bad precedent. I should have listened to you all those months ago. Forget the rubbish pact. If you're not ready to ask Gemma, don't ask anyone. You were right - it's important to wait for the one you want it to work with, or move on properly. Not just move on because there's someone else there waiting," I said. "So, just please promise me you won't do that – that you'll forget that I came up with that sick little list in the first place and just be yourself."

I thought he might be offended or maybe even give me a hard time for being hypocritical. But my stomach swooped pleasantly as he took my hand and squeezed it.

"You're brilliant, you know?"

Oh stop. Please stop. It was hard enough.

"You're right. I feel like an arse for even considering it. And I think it's amazing that you've thought about this," he said gently. "You've really changed."

I chuckled uncomfortably. "Become more somber than dramatic, you mean?"

"No," he smiled. "I mean, you've grown up. It's just cool to see someone who I've always seen as close to perfect still trying to make herself better. It makes me want to be better too."

I looked away, embarrassed. "I was never perfect. I'm still not."

"Matter of opinion," he shrugged. "But, back to the point – you are completely right. I don't want any backups."

Neither did I.

"And look," he muttered, letting go of my hand. "I talked to Sirius."

My exhale caught in my throat and I felt paralyzed. How could that idiot say something – after he'd promised? I was stupid for trusting him. Chalk up another item on the Kate Hopkirk Epic Blunder List.

"Just so you know – regardless of his actions, he doesn't consider you expendable."

"What?"

"That's where this has all come from, isn't it? That's why you've been all quiet and introspective? You saw him with Lizzy."

Oh. He meant he'd talked to Sirius about that. I wasn't sure I felt relief.

"Yeah, that's it," I shrugged.

I wished we wouldn't talk about Sirius. Truly, I just needed the day to be over. I didn't like being introspective.

"Tomorrow we'll tell the others that the pact is stupid," Remus said, nudging my hand again. "We should wait for the ones we want."

I stared into his incredibly thoughtful, gorgeous, soft green eyes and nodded.

Yeah. I could wait.

A/N: Thanks for reading and for your patience! :)