Disclaimer: All characters belong solely to JK Rowling. If you recognize a scene or a name, it is hers.
Chapter twelve: The Duel, Take Two
Saturday found Remus and James in the library. Sirius and Peter had refused, adamant that they still had time – none of their homework was due until Monday after all!
It was mostly empty that morning, as the majority of Hogwarts students saved their homework for the night before their deadlines. However, as Remus noticed the second he walked in, there was one student inside, seated alone at a table in the corner, his books neatly piled on the table, head bent low over the parchment he was scribbling on.
James, sensing his friend's distraction, looked in the direction of Remus' gaze.
"So, Remi…" The werewolf glanced up at his friend again. "How did your detention go? You never said." James paused, but the small smile on Remus' face bid him continue. "We can go over there, you know. I'm not Siri."
Remus' face lit up instantly. "You wouldn't mind if I… Wait, we?"
James rolled his eyes in mock exasperation. "Yes, mate, we. Hey, any crush of my best friend must receive the proper initiation speech and all the warnings and…" He stopped at the look on his friend's face.
"Warnings?"
"You know! The whole 'Hurt him and you'll pay dearly' speech!" James grinned evilly and grabbed hold of his friend's arm, leading him over to where Snape sat. The Slytherin looked up in alarm at the sight of the two Marauders approaching him, but made no effort to move.
James cleared his throat as he reached the table. "Mind if we join you?"
Severus raised an eyebrow in surprise, but gestured at the empty chairs. "If you want," he said softly, looking down at his parchment again. Both Gryffindors could tell, however, that out of the corner of his eye, the Slytherin was watching them. The two Marauders sat down, Remus in front of Snape, James beside his friend.
"So…" James started, trying to ease the tension. "Well, in honor of Remi here," Remus looked at his friend in alarm, to which James grinned again, "I'd like to call a truce." The Slytherin's head snapped up instantly, and he stared at James, blatant shock etched in his face. "Can't speak for our fellow Marauders, but as for me, as much as it pains me to say it, I will no longer hex without warning and provocation. However, if you hurt my dear friend Moony," Remus glared at his friend again, "all truces are immediately void and you will not enjoy the remainder of your years here at…"
Remus slammed his book down on the table, leapt to his feet and, grabbing James' arm, snarled "A word, James!"
Severus watched the scene unfold before him in amusement. A truce? Doubtful. And he hadn't enjoyed his last almost five years at Hogwarts, thanks to the Marauders, so what exactly was any different about this newest threat? James Potter was thinking only of himself and his own interests, not anyone else's. Not that that was anything new.
"Cut it out, Prongs. Honestly, this is going quite far, if you ask me. We're not together, Jamie, we're barely even friends yet!"
"Just covering all our goalposts, Moony!"
"Fine, just… Just stop it, okay?"
"Okay, okay. Merlin, you are way too touchy!"
The Gryffindors made their way back to their seats, but were ignored by the Slytherin, who had long since turned his attention back to his note taking.
"Sorry about that," James said, his grin overwhelming his face again. "Just a slight misunderstanding between Remi and me."
"We'll quit bugging you," Remus added, glaring again at James. "We've got arithmancy homework."
Snape looked up at last, his face blank, but a strange gleam in his dark eyes. "Why are you both here?" His emphasis on the word 'both' made it quite clear that, while Remus' befriending him was acceptable, or maybe believable, James' was not. His eyes found Remus' and pleaded silently with the other boy, 'Please don't let all this have been a lie.'
"We came here to do arithmancy. I saw you, he said he'd come with me, and now here we are!" Remus' face split into a smile, but his amber eyes stayed focused on those of his Slytherin love.
The three eventually got to their homework, but Remus and Severus kept stealing glances at one another, occasionally catching the other staring. Each time, their faces reddened, but neither said a word.
Until…
"Prongs, Moony, what the bloody hell are you doing?"
Sirius and Peter stood near them, their faces showing surprise, and in Sirius' case anger, at their choice of seating. Sirius had his wand out and, a second after noticing the two newcomers, Snape did as well.
"Arithmancy, Padfoot. That's what the bloody hell we're doing." Remus stood up, moving around the table to stand closer to Severus. "Put your wands away, or Madame Pince will throw us all out of here," Remus added, looking between Sirius and Severus.
"No, Moony, this has gone far enough."
"Sirius, stop it. Put your damn wand away." Everyone froze at the clipped tone James was using. They had all expected the unofficial leader of the Marauders to side with Sirius.
But Sirius was the first to recover from the surprise, and snarled angrily, "No, Prongs. You stop it. Remus deserves better than this freak, and every one of us knows that. Even him," he added, gesturing angrily at the Slytherin with his free hand.
"What's the matter, Black, afraid the Slytherin scum will take your friend away?" Snape's sneer covered most of the emotion welling up within him, but his eyes betrayed him.
"Aw, touched a nerve, did I?"
"Siri, please don't do this," Remus pleaded to his friend. However, Sirius was oblivious to anything and anyone besides Severus. "Sirius, I will hex you. Put your bloody wand away!"
"Expelliarmus!" Sirius' spell hit the unexpecting Slytherin, sending his wand flying. "Stupify!"
Remus threw himself at Snape, knocking the boy out of the way. But he was hit with the stunning spell, and the werewolf crumpled instantly to the ground.
Five hours later, Remus woke up in the Hospital Wing. Looking around him, he saw James and Peter sprawled out on the bed to his left, both sound asleep. The sight to his right, however, was the one that brought an instant smile to his face: Severus was in the chair beside him, fast asleep, his head resting on his shoulder. The werewolf had never seen the Slytherin look as relaxed as he did in that moment.
He watched the boy sleep for a few minutes, but as if sensing his gaze, Severus woke with a start. He glanced around himself in alarm, but when his eyes fell on Remus', his eyes brightened and he relaxed again.
"You're awake," the Slytherin said softly, a small smile on his face.
"You too," the werewolf whispered, leaning closer to his friend. "You know, when you're asleep, you look so peaceful." He smiled and reached out, taking the Slytherin's hand.
They sat in silence for a time, staring into each other's eyes, but as luck would have it, it wasn't long before James had woken. He shook Peter awake and ran to get Madame Pomfrey. The lovers' hands remained joined until the Mediwitch sent Remus' three friends away while she examined the boy.
"All right, Mr. Lupin, you're free to go. Get a lot of rest, and try not to do anything strenuous for the remainder of the day. No Quidditch practice for a week. And don't give me that look, boys, I'm sure Gryffindor will do fine with you missing one or two practices."
"Okay, Madame Pomfrey. Thank you." And with that, the four boys left the infirmary together, Remus and Severus again clutching one another's hands.
Expelliarmus - Disarming spell (JKR)
Stupify - Stunning spell- Knocks the opponent unconscious (JKR)
No, I don't have a new power cord yet. I'm using some one else's computer temporarily. But I should have my new one by the end of the week, maybe the beginning of next week. I should be back to posting regularly soon! Thanks for your patience, everyone!
What will happen when Remus and Sirius meet up again? Will the two best friends stay best friends, or will this be the end of the Marauders? Please Review!