"Lily darling, we came here so you could relax, please can you stop chewing your fingernails." I say quietly to my best friend and as I gently pull her plump fingers away from her mouth. She looked at me, emerald green eyes wide and anxious. "But Remys, all the homework that I haven't finished and we're back in school in two days!" she huffed, puffing up her flaming curly fringe. I laughed softly and raised an eyebrow. "Honey, we both know that you finished that homework, the day the summer holidays started! You're just doing extra reading at this point." Her bright green eyes became slits and she peered at me through her long, ginger lashes, but the corner of mouth quivered and I knew she was holding back a smile. "Remus Lupin, you think you know everything." She said, swatting at my head, knowing her well I ducked which only egged her on further. In a flash, another heavily freckled hand sang and met its mark at the back of head. I playfully shoved and she fell back in the booth laughing. "Have I ever told you I hate you?" I sighed, taking a sip of my frothing pint.
"Only once or twice." she cackled as she batted her long eyelashes at me. I threw my middle finger up at her, only making her laugh more. I sighed knowing that soon I'd be laughing with her. "When are Mary and Marlene getting here again?" she asked me once she'd finished laughing. She'd slung her thigh over my legs and take a deep gulp of her wine. I glanced down at my watch as I spoke, "trying to get drunk are we Lills?" I asked, amused. Lily Evans didn't get drunk if she could help it. Instead of replying she shrugged off her denim jacket that she'd been wearing under her thick puffer.
I did subconsciously note that it was warm in the bar despite the sub zero weather outside and I could feel sweat beginning to cling to my t-shirt but I was comfortable in my jumper. If I took it off, some of the silvery scars that clung to my body would be visible and people would stare and I'd die of embarrassment. The long scar that ran across the bridge of my nose was bad enough. Instead of taking my jumper off, I pulled the tick sleeves of my fingers and dropped my hands onto her leg that was resting in my lap. The feel of her jeans rubbing against the wool of my jumper itched my brain a little but I tried my best to ignore that. "They said they'd be here around nine and it's three minutes too." I replied. Lily stared at my hands laying on her thigh, her plump lips in a thin line. "Are you hot Remus?" She asked knowingly. I decided no to answer and she shook her head at me, her large, green, flower power earrings dangling madly in response to her sharp movement. "I bet you ten quid that they're here exactly on time." I say quickly, trying to change the subject. It was an obvious attempt, but Lily didn't push unless it was absolutely necessary. It was one of the many things I loved about her.
Lily and I had been friends since we started nursery. Our families lived in neighbouring villas up in the Scottish hills and because of this me and Lily found ourselves in each other's company more often than not, when our mothers visited each other whole our fathers were at work. I'd tried to befriend Lily's older sister Petunia as well, but she was never interested in us "babies". Growing up together like siblings meant that I knew everything there was to know about Lily Evans and she knew everything about me. Together, we went through each other's firsts and even tried dating for a while when we just started Hallows Academy like most young teenagers do but quickly found that we were far better off as friends, although I think my father still holds onto the hope that we'd end up together. Despite not being romantically involved, Lily was my soulmate. With her kind round face, splattered with hundreds of freckles and her kind, bright green eyes. Her bright red hair was long, down her back and had so many different curl patterns that I loved to study. And she was kind. The kindest, smartest and most patient person I'd ever met.
I looked up at her now and she smiled back at me. Her smile was adorable, her chubby cheeks raised making her eyes shut down. "I'll take that bet since I know for a fact that Mary probably isn't even ready yet." she said confidently, holding out her hand. I grinned back and shook it firmly.
A few moments later the pub door opened, bringing in a gust of wind that seeped through my jumper. I smirked at Lily triumphantly and turned around, "I think you owe me some mon-".
My sentence was cut short when I saw him. He strode into the pub confidently like he owned the place though i'd never seen him before. He had perfect Ivory skin, and a prominent beauty mark on his cheek. Long, wavy black hair was pulled out of his face held in place with a pencil, with a few wavy strands framing his face. His lips were a perfect, rose pink shade that matched his cheeks that were slightly flushed from the cold. I couldn't make my mind up about his eye colour. At first they were a cool, storm grey, then they were electric blue but as he moved through the pub to the bar they turned a few shades darker until they looked like the ocean on a decently warm day. My eyes travelled down his body and took in his outfit. He wore a plain white shirt under an oversized denim jacket that looked slightly aged, only making it cooler paired with tight, dark blue denim jeans that accentuated his strong legs. A dark green scarf was thrown lazily around his neck and I watched him unravel it as he found a seat at the bar. My breath hitched as I watched his adam's apple bob up and down his throat when he laughed at something his companion was saying.
My gaze flickered over to the woman he was with. She was a little shorter than he was, with long, wavy medium brown hair that was tied in a ponytail. She wore leather boots under a sturdy pair of bell bottom jeans and a deep purple trench coat. She was so obviously stunning that my chest tightened before I realised that I knew the girl. That was Andromeda Black, second daughter of the infamous Black family. She'd graduated from Hallow's quite a while ago but I still saw her around town every once in a while, especially in the old music store on a street corner, though I'd never spoken to her there. The Blacks were notorious for being snobbish and stuck-up and general assholes in town, even at school they were avoided by most and that says a lot since the school was full of the richest, smartest and most gifted kids in Britain. Some students, like our friend Mary, even travelled from overseas to attend Hallow's academy; but the Blacks were untouchable. Perfect. Mean. and we all did our best to stay out of their way unless we were invited into their inner circle, which very few were.
I only realised that I was staring when Lily pinched my hand. I jerked my head towards and glared accusingly. "The fuck was that for?" I asked as I rubbed the part of my hand that she pinched. "You're staring at that sexy fuck like you want to eat him." she laughed. I smacked her leg and downed the rest of her pint for good measure. She laughed harder at my reaction and I shrugged her legs off of mine. "I hate you." I hissed.
"So you've said darling!" she giggled.
"It clearly hasn't taken effect." I mutter angrily.
"Since you finished my pint, I'd appreciate it if you hopped over to the bar and grab me a new one," she said happily. I scowled deeply at her but she couldn't take it seriously and she started laughing again. You're not nearly as funny as you think you are Evans." I said coolly as she laughed harder.
"What's not funny?" a cheerful voice said behind me. I turned around and saw our friends Mary and Marlene joining the table. Mary, a short, curvy girl with coppery brown skin and a head full of deep brown curls, was the one who spoke, she pulled out a chair and sat opposite me and Lily. Marlene, a tall girl with pale skin, bright blonde hair with streaks of pink, sat down beside Mary. Marlene was sporting a new eyebrow piercing which accompanied her nose stud and septum.
I incline my head at a still panting Lily. "Your friend Evans over here," I grumble as I tug at a fiery strand. Lily rolled those vibrant emeralds at her then motioned to the boy at the bar. Marlene and Mary turned in synchronisation and I watched as their faces split into wide grins.
"Well don't stare!" I cried as my hands flew to my face and I sank low in my seat. Mary turned back to me and patted me on the knee. "Remmy, he's cute you should talk to him!" She giggled. I scowled at her. "Yeah let me just go up there, chat him up and lure him into my bed! Jesus Christ Mary, be realistic!" I groaned glaring at my supposed friends who were all laughing at me. "Don;t be daft Lupin, she meant just go and talk for a bit," Marlene said coolly. It was her turn to receive one of my deep scowls. "Marlene, if you saw a hot woman would you go up to her and chat her up?" I ask accusingly although I already knew the answer to that.
"Absolutely." she quipped without hesitation. That was the thing about Marlene, she was unashamedly queer. She didn't broadcast it, she wasn't psychotic, but she wasn't afraid of it either. Not like how I was. In fact, only the three girls sitting at the little booth in the corner of the pub knew of my attraction to boys. "I hate you." I murmured into my hands but I was smiling slightly. "Girls he's been saying that all night, it's like a broken record." Lily tittered.
"Did you ever consider that I mean it?" I ask incredulously. The three girls looked at each other and all at once they were grinning. My reflexes were too slow. One minute I was sat comfortably in the booth, hands on my lap and the next three teenage girls are knocking me onto my side and dogpiling on top of me. "We love you Remy!" They sang as they smacked wet kisses all over my face. All I could see was a mixed blur of fiery red, platinum blonde and chocolate brown hair falling into my face. "All right, all right! I love you all too!" I huffed out. They didnt let up though and I continued to be smothered, I didn't truly mind it though, these were my girls.
Above me I heard a hearty laugh and looked up through the mounds of hair covering my face, my eyes were watering slightly from all the weight on top of me but I could just make out the sunshine smile of James Potter beaming down at us. Marlene must have heard it because I felt a little less pressure on my ribs and her excited squeal filled my ears. "Jamsey!" She screamed. The other girls clambered off of me too, Mary to greet James and his best friend Peter politely and Lily to sulk in the corner of the booth, probably thoroughly annoyed that she had to share the same air as James Potter. I smiled slightly at Lily and she slid her warm palm into mine, whilst staring at the table, refusing to look up at the newcomers.
"Alright mates?" I ask the boys politely. Peter, a chubby boy with sandy blonde curls and kind blue eyes was already unravelling his scarf and sliding into the booth next to Lily, who smiled kindly at him and gave him a welcoming hug. James was currently trapped in a headlock by Marlene but he twisted his head slightly to grin at me. ``M alright thanks mate!" he said brightly. "The holiday was sick! I love going to India in the summer, nothing beats it! I missed home though." I had completely forgotten about the Potters annual trip to either Columbia, where James' father Fleamont Potter was from or India where his mother Euphemia was from. This year they brought Peter along with them. Of course Marlene had been invited on the trip too, but she'd politely declined so she could spend the summer with Mary in her family home in France.
I looked more closely at James and Peter. Peters usually creamy skin was slightly red from a sunburn and his hair was bleached from the sun. He looked rounder than usual too, probably thanks to two months straight of Euphemia's heart cooking. James' red brown skin was tanned too, making his hazel eyes stand out more behind his round spectacles, against his darkened skin. He'd been growing his hair out for the summer, and his once short brown waves had grown into wild, chin length curls. I also noted that he'd grown taller over the summer, he was less gangly, his jaw more defined, his shoulders more broad.
I quickly looked away not wanting to be caught staring and to my surprise I watched as Lily's eyes quickly flickered away from him too.
We'll have to unpack that later, I thought idly. "The summer was actually so good!" Peter's soft voice sang from behind Lily, "I'm definitely coming on the Columbia trip next year!" He chirped. Marlene ambled over to Peter and hugged her long arms around his thick neck and planted a soft kiss on his round, rosy cheeks. "And I'm for sure coming with yeh, I missed you bambots" she said, riffling his blonde curls fondly.
Like me and Lily, Marlene, Peter and James had grown up like siblings and were practically inseparable. Sometimes I forgot that they weren't related with how close they were. James stood in front of Peter and Marlene and we talked casually, Lily carefully kept her eyes on her twiddling fingers and shook me off when I tried to include her in the conversation. After about ten minutes James gaze turned to Lily and his eyes lit up as he took her in. "Looking good, Evans," he said softly. Lily's eyes remained locked on her lap, the only indication that she'd heard him was the way her mouth faintly twisted into a small grimace and her nose wrinkled. James, forever optimistic, was undeterred. "How was your summer?" He prodded gently. Lily didn't respond. "Must've been good because you're glowing." he said, his husky voice smooth like butter. Lily scoffed and rolled her eyes making the rest of us giggle.
"Give it up Jamesy!" Marlene laughed, punching James' arm lightly. James didn't seem hurt by Lily's obvious rejection, which wasn't surprising as he'd been asking her out for the last five years to no avail. "Never." He said to Marlene, still ogling Lily.
Abruptly, my best friend stood. "I'm going to get pints!" she declared as she shuffled out of the booth and strode confidently to the bar. After a beat, I silently followed after her. I tried not to look at the handsome guy at the bar but I couldn't stop my eyes from flickering to him every now and again.
Once I was beside Lily I leaned down so that we could be face to face. Lily was tiny compared to my tall, gangly frame, the top of her head barely grazing my chest. As I ducked my head to match her height I grabbed her chin, squishing her cheeks together and forcing her to look at me. When our eyes met, I saw my brown eyes reflected in her green ones. "What's up Lils? I know you hate James but you're not usually so… stern" I say softly. Her eyes were bright and I quickly realised it was because they were filled with tears. "Its Sev-" she began but she was cut off by a bitter snort behind her. Without dropping her chin, my eyes swivelled to the direction of the sound and landed on vermin. Her thin, chin length, greasy hair hung in curtains in front of his eyes and his sallow skin looked unwashed in the dim light of the pub. His black eye burrowed into mine hateful and my expression of concern was replaced with realisation and that disgust. Lily jerked herself out of my grasp and swung round to face her other childhood best friend; Severus Snape.
"H-hey Sev, how're you doing?" she asked, trying to sound casual, but her voice was warbling quite a bit. I rested my hand gently on her shoulder to steady her and watched as Snape's eyes snapped to where my scarred fingers met Lily's freckled shoulder. "What are you doing here Lily?" His tone was so condescending, so disrespectful that I was surprised that Lily didn't immediate;y punch him in that beaky nose of his but instead she seemed to grow small under his gaze. "I'm just having a pint Sev, I'm leaving soon." she said this quickly, as if she was trying not to let the emotion seep into her voice, and to her credit, she was mildly successful. "Oh so you and Perfect Potter are chummy now?" he spat. Literally, flecks of spit hit my cheeks. "No! What no of course not Sev! You know I hate him!" Lily cried.
"Then why the fuck is he at you table Lily? You know how he treats me! He's a bully!"
That was completely untrue. James and Severus have had a rivalry since they met in the first year of Hallows Academy. It stemmed from both of them obviously having a crush on Lily but where James was charming and loved by almost everyone who met him, Snape was sallow and bitter and it was hard to be around him for more than five minutes. It was a wonder to me how Lily could stand him from birth. As James' popularity grew in school and his crush on Lily became more public, Severus grew more and more cold until in second year they'd quite literally come to blows. That's when Lily decided she hated James Potter for hurting Severus. That's also when the prank wars began. While James' pranks were generally good natured and harmless, they were frequent, a weekly affair. Snape's pranks were venomous like the snake he was, but they were calculated and rare. Because James was in trouble for his pranking more often than Snape was, Snape labelled him a bully and somehow convinced Lily of this as well.
I realised that Severus was too close so a lay a warning hand on his chest. Snape looked up at me again and his scowl deepened. "Don't touch me faggot!" He spat out. I drew in a breath as Lily's jaw dropped open. My mind instantly went blank as I raised my fist, ready to let it fly. I may have been skinny but I was strong from handling horses my whole life. But before my fist could connect with his face, I watched a pale hand plant itself on Snape's shoulder and whirl him around.
"Now that wasn't very nice." A voice said. His voice was unwavering and furious. I looked up and saw the handsome boy, his blue eyes slits of rage and his perfect nose flaring as he breathed in heavily. Before I could get a good look at him, before I could marvel at how attractive his voice was, his fist flew in the direction of Snape. There was a flurry of movement and then the two boys were rolling around on the ground.