Don't Save Me

Chapter 14: Two Directions

 "Obliviate." I quickly put away my wand as Remus looked around, confused.

"Y/n? What happened?"

"Oh, you asked me to come speak with you outside. You said you wanted to talk to me about James and Sirius but I don't really know what to say."

"Oh, right. I remember now. I was just hoping you would give them a chance, Y/n."

"Remus, they tried to kill Severus."

"Only because they thought he was hurting you... We just want what's best for you, Y/n. It's all any of us want... and Lily... she misses you."

"I miss her too but... I can't just forget what they did. I fell, Remus. There's no reason for anyone to be concerned and accusing Severus... they went too far. They tried to kill him, Remus."

"I know and I'm so sorry, Y/n. They just... they want to protect you... we all do. We know there is something you're not telling us."

"Remus, I fell. That's all there is to it. Please just let it go."

"Alright... but will you at least talk to Lily soon?"

"Sure, Rem," I smile, relieved that the subject was changed. Remus and I made our way back to the Great Hall just in time for dessert. I stood in the doorway of the Great Hall, looking between the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables. They were on opposite sides of the room, similar to how opposite they felt in my heart. Two opposite sides of the spectrum and I felt as if I was being forced to choose one side or the other. Remus reached for my hand and gave it a little squeeze before speaking.

"It's okay, Y/n. You don't have to choose. You can be friends with both, just... don't forget about us, okay?" I nodded and he let go of my hand. He began walking toward the Gryffindor table before turning around.

"I'm not saying you have to forgive them right now, but... don't shut us out completely... yeah?" Once again, I nodded and Remus took a seat at the Gryffindor table. Severus, Regulus, and Rodolphus turned to look at me from the Slytherin table. They looked at me, slightly confused, as they waited for me to take a seat. I turned my attention to the Gryffindor table where I could feel several pairs of eyes on me. Lily, James, Remus, Peter, and Sirius were all staring at me in the doorway, waiting for me to make a move. I looked up toward the teacher's table as I could feel Professor Mcgonagall's warm gaze locked on me. She smiled at me before turning her attention to the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables. She nodded in understanding before giving me another warm smile and continuing to eat. Part of me longed to run to Severus and take a seat next to him and our friends... but there was another part... another, equally as strong part of me, that wanted to return to the Gryffindor table, to the friends I knew, to the safety I felt when I was there. While my Gryffindor friends made me feel safe and happy... my Slytherin friends challenged me... made me feel like I was capable of anything, while also making me feel safe. I felt my heart being tugged in both directions and as a single tear slipped down my face, I turned around and walked out of the Great Hall.