The Infamous Marauders

Chapter Fifteen

Author's Note: This will be a more Remus and Lily focused chapter, I always loved the thought of them both bonding over their love of academia.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured in this story they belong to J. K. Rowling.

Mid November 1976

The next day Sirius woke up around noon, stretching out he winced at the pain in his muscles, I really need to remember to stretch out before the matches he thought, dragging himself up he glanced around the room as he made his way towards the bathroom for a shower, noting all the open curtains, everyone was gone.

After his shower he quickly dressed before making his way down the stairs to search for Remus, he wanted to check up on him as he had disappeared early last night and by the time he had went up to bed Remus was asleep. Sirius didn't find Remus until dinner that evening, when he arrived in the hall Remus was already sat there with Lily, a huge tome and parchment spread around them, they were avidly discussing some topic presumably from the book in front of them. Sirius scowled slightly, he had been looking for Remus all afternoon to check he was okay and evidently, he was, well fine since he was so happy without him he would go sit with James instead.

James was sat with Peter and they were surrounded by the Quidditch team, he looked up as Sirius sat down "Great you're here! We were reviewing our performance yesterday to try organise our training plan for the next few weeks before the Christmas break"

Meanwhile Lily chatted rapidly in excitement "Remus I don't know what I would do without you, today has taken such a weight off my shoulders, as soon as I turn seventeen I'll be able to set up the protection web around Petunias house, even if she doesn't want to talk to me I'll be able to protect her, she is still family no matter what"

Remus and Lily has begun the day doing Ancient Runes research when they stumbled upon a text describing protective runes which could be etched around your property as a defensive mechanism, they had both been given permission slips for the restricted section early in the year as their head of house knew they would need it for their essays and research. They had both heard of wards, Hogwarts had many wards, such as the anti-apparition wards, however wards were difficult to set long term and needed renewing often. Powerful wards needed multiple casters, or in the case of some of the older pureblood family's their blood wards would be sustained from the power of the family magic. However, their research today had found a different protective method, runes etched on the foundations of the property, the runes had to be carved perfectly in the correct phase of the moon, if done with pure intentions the runes created a web of protective magic around a property. The runes could only be removed by the original caster, or if the casters intentions became twisted and impure they would disintegrate, they would even last through death. They had both been amazed by this possibility and had ran to Professor McGonagall's office to enquire about this, she had told them that the method was no longer used, as wards could be adapted for a multitude of uses and were deemed stronger, plus many people it seemed did not have as pure a heart that they thought, and the runes would fail completely. Lily however had been determined and, so she and Remus had spent the rest of the day searching through countless textbooks to begin to determine which runes would be ideal, after dinner they were going to see Professor Babbling to consult with her about their theory and work so far.

As soon as the pair had wolfed down some food they collected up their parchment and books before hurrying out of the hall to search for Professor Babbling, neither of them noticed Marlene's suggestive grin or Sirius and Severus' dark looks.

"Ooh look at them two rushing off together" Stephanie spoke up.

"Right? So, what?" Sirius snapped.

Momentarily taken aback Stephanie then responded, "Well I heard that they are dating, Marlene McKinnon was talking about them after the Hogsmeade weekend"

"No, they are not" James interjected "Remus told me there was nothing between them"

"I don't know mate they do look pretty close" Longbottom added.

"You're all daft, there is nothing going on between Lily and Remus" James' raised voice attracted a few stares. It was just at that point that Marlene was walking past the group.

"Maybe there isn't yet but there will be soon" Marlene said mischievously before continuing her way.

The conversation at the table moved on, James just shook his head at them all, Remus had given him his word and he trusted him, however Stephanie, Frank and Marlene's words echoed around Sirius' mind. He was only bothered because Remus was his and James' friend and should have told them if something was happening, or so he tried to tell himself.

Unaware of the gossip surrounding them Lily and Remus had reached their Runes Professors office and were waiting for her to answer after politely knocking on the door. The door opened, and the Professor smiled down at the them, "Oh hello, what can I help you with my dears?"

"We have some questions for you Professor we have been doing some research" Lily excitedly answered pulling out the pile of parchment she and Remus had amassed.

"Come on in then let's have a look, I'm sure it will be interesting if it's a joint venture from you both"

Lily and Remus proceeded to explain their findings to a rather impressed Professor "Excellent, just excellent, this would be remarkable research project for your NEWTs final next year, if you both want to continue with this you can use this as a joint submission, depending on your findings you could even be published"

"So, you think the runes we have picked so far would work?"

"They look promising indeed children, however I propose you go away and think over the ritual you have referred to, what are the problems? Consider why this method of protection has faded out over the years to be replaced completely by wards if you could improve upon the rune application it would be a breakthrough"

"Remus what do you think? Can we continue working on this as our joint project?"

"I would love to Lily"

"Next year after Christmas I was going to set mini projects for the class to prepare you for your final NEWT projects in your seventh year, but I think you would both benefit from focusing on this now, it will be no easy feat to expand upon the current theory and to develop a new concept for your finals, so if you are both in agreement you will be partners for the rest of your course, you can come see me as often as you like to discuss your findings, I expect great things from you both"

"Thank you, Professor," Lily was positively beaming from the praise, the hope in her eyes was clear to Remus also. He couldn't wait to tell Sirius about this, if this project was published it would mean so much for Remus, to be acknowledged in an academic journal is a major accomplishment and may make potential employers to take Remus more seriously and with his affliction he would need all the help he can get for a future career.

Both Lily and Remus walked back to Gryffindor tower feeling focused and happy with the days outcome, just as they approached the Fat Lady Lily put a hand on Remus' arm stopping his stride "Thank you Remus, you really are a good friend"

"Lily we aren't just friends, we are a family, I will always be here to help you" The statement brought tears to her eyes.

"Remus, I can't express how much that truly means to me, I have felt so alone recently, sometimes it's easy to miss what's right in front of your eyes" She gave him a quick hug swiping her tears away "Come on let's get back in the common room I'm sure your boys are looking for you"

Remus parted ways with Lily at the common room entrance, he quickly scanned the room and couldn't see his three friends, so he made his way up to the dormitory. "Moony finally, you will not believe what Marlene's been spouting, she is telling people that you and Lily are getting together, she is just being daft though isn't she?" James immediately rushed out before Remus had even managed to sit down.

"Not this again" Remus groaned.

"Again?" Sirius said accusingly.

"She keeps implying theirs something between Lily and I, which there isn't Lily is a good friend, its getting rather annoying to be honest, I told you about Marlene's ridiculous matchmaking already remember Pads?"

"Oh yeah" Sirius felt ridiculous, why he had gotten so worked up over this was a mystery, he knew Remus didn't like Lily in that way.

"Anyways I have incredible news!" Remus then explained his project to the boys, carefully leaving out any references to Lily's personal reasons to pursue this scheme.

"Awesome Remus, I always knew Lily was a genius, she's perfect I tell you"

"Prongs stop raving about the little flame you're boring me" Sirius teased, a pillow was promptly thrown at the complainer, who morphed into a dog tearing up the pillow.

"No fair Pads that's my pillow" bellowed James, the dog only wagged his tail in response, before jumping on Remus bed for protection behind its wolfish friend.