Four To The End (prev Shifting Lines) - Book One (Marauder Era)

Chapter Seventy-Five - Dogs Always Get Into The Trash

Remus didn't know how to approach Lily. All right, that wasn't entirely true. He was afraid of approaching her. Afraid of her shouting at him again or snubbing him, not even wanting to listen. He didn't want to try and make her listen, that seemed kinda rude, so he just kept to himself, moping. His friends tried to cheer him up between classes (and during class, Sirius sending him notes).

In Herbology James whisked a flowerpot full of fertilizer over Lily's head, dumping it on her. She squealed loudly, jumping back, knocking into Colgate who shrieked too as some of the fertilizer fell onto her. Lily glared at the table where the four Marauders stood. James and Sirius were snickering while Remus had his head in his hands. Not helpful, he thought though he kept his mouth shut. Sprout took five points from Gryffindor, lecturing for about five minutes before she shook her head and returned to her proper class lecture.

"You're such a jerk, James Potter!" Lily said after they were dismissed.

James flashed her a brilliant smile. "I guess I figured since you were full of it, you should be covered in it too."

"Oooh!" She stomped her foot, whisked a coughing curse at him, then stormed off.

Remus and Sirius went to lunch while Peter escorted James to the hospital wing to get the spell removed. Remus just poked at his food, barely paying attention to Sirius's chatter. Lily wasn't in the Great Hall either, probably getting a shower. She'd probably blame him for this too even though he had no idea James intended to do that until he did. He sighed, pushing his plate away. Sirius told him to eat but Remus really wasn't hungry. He felt too sick.

"You didn't eat breakfast," Sirius pointed out. "Here." He dug around in his bag for a bag of caramel cobwebs, giving Remus one of them. "You like sweet stuff, yeah? At least have something." Remus obediently put the lightly spun caramel in his mouth, barely tasting it. "Better? Hungrier now?" He wasn't, but he pulled his plate back and took a bite of potatoes just to shut Sirius up. It tasted thick, rather sawdusty in his mouth (reminding him of the sawdust flavored sugared oranges Dumbledore once accidentally gave him). James and Peter returned, piling food on their plates. Neither of them seemed to notice Remus wasn't eating so at least he didn't have to deal with them.

Lily came in without much time left, crammed a sandwich into her mouth, then took off. Remus grabbed his bag and went after her. Okay, so I just say... Hey Lily we should talk. And then she insults you, probably laughs at you... Urggh. He headed after her towards the stairs however someone grabbed his arm, spinning him around.

Snape. He was glaring at Remus, giving him a look that seemed crossed between disgust and joy. "She doesn't want to talk to you. You better leave her alone."

"It's n--none of your business," Remus snapped back.

"Lily's my friend, it is my business. She doesn't want anything to do with the likes of you, Loopy." He looked rather giddy as he spoke, clearly enjoying this way too much.

A lot of arguments sprang to his mind, none of which he cared to say. Some would be pretty much admitting he overheard their fight about Lily's friendships. Part of him just wanted to hex the stupid Slytherin After a quick internal debate Remus just started walking to the stairs again, quicker now to try to catch up.

"I said leave her alone!" Snape grabbed him once more.

"Let g--go of me!" Remus yanked his arm away easily, a lot stronger than Snape expected. He stumbled a little just from the force Remus used, eyes widening.

He did his best to hide his surprise and discomfort. He really hadn't expected Remus to be so strong which sent a shiver of thrill through Remus's body even though he knew the strength was from the disgusting, vile, evil part of him. "She hates you. She told me."