Chocolate and Cigarettes

Chapter 43 - Hurt

"Did you get the description of the Boggarts?" Marlene asked Remus.

But as she looked at him, it didn't look like he was listening at all. He was looking at his book with eyes that meant no good. It looked like he hadn't slept for weeks. Which he probably hadn't. Ever since his discussion with Jen, he looked like shit. Even to Marlene, he looked like shit, which was much to say.

"Remus?" She asked.

He looked up from his books and frowned.

"What was it?" He asked her.

She sighed.

"Did you get the description of the Boggarts?" She repeated.

He nodded and searched through his many notes until he handed her a paper.

"Here." He simply said.

She took it and numbered it so she knew what came first and second before looking up again and seeing him him with the same expression. If he needed to talk about it so they could work, they would talk about it.

"Alright what is it?" She asked him.

He looked up from his book surprised.

"Nothing. Let's work." He said looking back at the book.

But Marlene being Marlene didn't accept it.

"I'm Jen's friend. I am as stubborn as her. I don't care who it is about, tell me about it and then we'll work and I'll do like I know nothing." She insisted.

Remus looked at her and thought for a few seconds. Should he tell her? She was one of Jen's best friends. But on the other side, she knew her well and her opinion would be great.

He gave up at last and nodded. What more did he have to lose?

"I had a discussion with Jen a few weeks ago." He started.

She smiled and nodded as well.

"I know."

"Well, I got a bit carried away I guess, and insisted for her to give me another chance and somehow it ended with her telling me she didn't have any problem to live on her own. Without me. I know I hurt her. I'm aware of that but I still love her and I cannot live without her. How would I do that? I don't even want to know." He told her.

Marlene was on Jennifer's side as many were but she couldn't hide the pity she had for him. He did love her. One could see it from miles away but she did not seem like she would give up. Another sign of how much she loved him but was determined to hide it.

So Marlene did what she had to do.

"Alright, I will never say this again so listen very carefully." Remus looked at her, startled. "She cannot live without you. Every girl says I don't need him, He was not worth it, My life is better this way, but no girl means it. She loves you. That's why she bothers to make something you hate when you're present, why she tries to get on your nerves, why she tries to hurt you. If she did not love you, she wouldn't bother. She's a bitch because she cares. If she wasn't doing all this then you should've started to worry. But she's bothering making you mad. Got it?" She asked him.

Remus was a bit confused at her explanation but quickly caught on and understood, making a smile appear on his face. She did not hate him, she just wanted him to suffer because he had made her suffer. She wouldn't do this if she didn't care. He still had a chance, he just needed to go through hell before he could have her back.

And if that's what he needed to do to be a part of Jennifer Potter's life again, then so be it.

"Got it." He answered still smiling.