Fate of Fangs, Claws, and Hearts | Marauders Fanfic / Part 1 (paused)

34 - What was right, anyway?

This chapter is for everyone who has ever followed someone to the courtyard just to avoid being called boring.

...

Remus' POV:

»I'm telling you, this year is going to be one of our best!« declared Sirius, his gaze fixed on the darkening sky outside the window.

Very dramatic.

His usual flair for the dramatic was in full display. Clad only in his jogging pants, his hands resting confidently on his hips, he cut a figure of defiant nonchalance, while the rest of us prepared for bed.
»And why, exactly, will this year be different?« I inquired, peeling off my white shirt with a deliberate slowness.
»Padfoot's been crafting a mental list over the summer,« Prongs chimed in, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.
»A list of future sex conquests?« I joked.
Sirius inhaled sharply, a mock gasp escaping him. Peter responded with an uncertain »Uhhh,« while James broke into laughter at Sirius' theatrics.
»What do you take me for?« Padfoot retorted, feigning offence, though I merely shrugged, pulling on a dark green shirt for the night.
»But beware, Padfoot,« Prongs chuckled, his tone dripping with amusement, »our dear Moony has grown more than just in height over the summer.«
He was not wrong. Frustrated by the relentless growth spurt that had left me gangly, I had devoted myself to building strength, finally adding some much-needed muscle to my frame.
»If our dear Moony even fancies playing the game with the ladies. But you're right, Prongs, he has filled out.«
»Calling it a game feels off,« I remarked, settling onto my bed, the mattress creaking beneath me.
»Alright then, our dear Remus is out of the game,« Sirius proclaimed with a laugh. Yet, as if struck by a sudden thought, he continued, »Remember that summer by the lake in our fifth year when Prongs confessed his infatuation with Evans-«
»I just think she is pretty!« James interjected quickly, his cheeks tinged with colour.
»When Prongs mentioned he found Evans pretty, and I reminded you of our Marauder's Oath, remember?«
»How could I forget...« Prongs mumbled, a shadow of discomfort crossing his face, while Peter nodded with almost comical enthusiasm.
»So, what's your point?« I prompted, raising an eyebrow at the winding recollection.
»Well, you, Moons, were partly right; this year, I intend to spread my wings in the ladies' world, expand my territory, as it were. Naturally, Evans is off-limits since Prongs is aiming for her this year. So...?«
»You want to know whom I'll declare off-limits for you?«  
»Exactly, Moony!«
»No one.«
Confusion flickered across Padfoot’s features. »What do you mean?« he asked, clearly puzzled by my straightforward response.
»Why would I name anyone now, just for the sake of this so-called Marauder's Oath? What purpose would it serve? If you pursue a girl and she reciprocates, then by all means, go ahead. If a girl prefers me, she'll turn you down. There's no need for me to declare anyone off-limits,« I explained, the logic of it simple, yet apparently lost on him.

Also, it's weird to talk about it like this.

»And logic wins the day for Remus,« said Wormtail dramatically.
»None of us would approach Lily, for example, because we know Prongs, our friend, likes her. That's just common courtesy; we don't need an oath for that.«
»Anyway,« Sirius said, shrugging, »but you're probably right, Moony-Moons, as the brain of the Marauders. I already have my eye on Marlene McKinnon,« he continued, throwing himself onto his bed.
»Blonde, fits your type,« remarked James, but I said, »I'd be careful, she's a friend of Lily's.«
»Why should I be careful because of that?«
»Lily threatened me on the Hogwarts Express.«
»Threatened? You?« James could not believe his ears.
»But she likes you. You've studied together often,« Padfoot said.
»I know, I was surprised too,« I admitted, »but I think it's connected to Phil. In the train compartment, when we said we wanted to greet Phil as an excuse.«
»I wouldn't call it an excuse; you wanted to see her.«
»I didn't want to see her,« I corrected, »I was just surprised she was on the train, that's all.«
»Sure,« Prongs said, unconvinced.
I sighed. »Anyway, what I wanted to say is that Lily told me you should stay away from her friends, Padfoot. That's why I said what I did.«
»Her friends still have their own opinions, I assume,« Sirius said nonchalantly, »Besides, McKinnon has a great body, okay, breasts.«
»Are you going to write another love letter to breasts?« Peter asked, stretching.
»Who doesn't love breasts?« Sirius asked, »Unless you prefer butts, in which case you're forgiven, Wormtail.«
Peter murmured some kind of agreement, and we laughed.
»But as I said, our sixth year will be fantastic; I can feel it in my little toe,« Sirius declared.
After these words, we talked for a while longer, but soon we went to sleep because we had Divination and then Herbology tomorrow.