Chapter 61: Fourth Year: November (Part 1)
Chapter Text
"Don't forget, I need that three-page essay on the similarities and differences between Thunderbirds and Phoenixes on Friday at the latest." Professor Ferox called out. "No excuses."
Mary and Marlene groaned as they packed away their things.
"I completely forgot about that," Marlene whispered, "And I've got practice almost every night this week - we've got the Ravenclaw match on Sunday."
"I'll lend you my notes." Remus replied, carefully blotting his paper. "It's really easy."
"Sunday's Sirius's birthday too, isn't it?" Mary asked, thoughtfully.
"Yeah, how did you know?"
"Well we did sort of go out last year." Mary said, haughtily, tutting at Remus. "And you lot always make such a massive fuss over birthdays it's pretty hard to forget. God, I hope Gryffindor win, or he'll be in a right mood."
"Yeah." Remus agreed. He hadn't thought of that. He'd planned to reveal his big prank plan on Sirius's birthday, in lieu of a proper gift. Now he wondered if he ought to buy something as well - though they weren't due in Hogsmeade for a few more weeks. He could always give Sirius a pack of cigarettes, but that seemed a bit cheap, especially as Sirius knew they were stolen.
Andromeda had already sent some presents ahead, care of the Potters, and James had them hidden under his bed. More records, of course - Remus dearly hoped that one of them was the new Bowie LP, Diamond Dogs .
"I'm off to the Owlery, need to send something to Darren," Mary said, as they left the classroom. "Coming, Marls?"
Marlene looked a bit put out, so Remus said quickly,
"I'm going to the library, if you want to get those notes?"
"Yeah, thanks Remus!"
They said goodbye to Mary and began walking in the opposite direction together. Remus liked Marlene a lot - she was tall for a girl, and he didn't have to crane his neck to talk to her all the time. Other than her emotional outburst at the end of their third year, she was also very much a no-nonsense person, which Remus found very calming compared to Mary, who was always a lot of fun, but sometimes very full on.
"Thanks," Marlene grinned at him, "I love the girl, but there's only so many times I can proofread her dirty letters to Darren."
" Dirty letters?!" Remus gaped. Marlene laughed,
"Yeah, it's pretty horrendous. Hey, Remus, can I ask you something?"
"What?"
"Um... does Sirius like me?"
Remus fought his initial reaction, which was one of despair. It felt as though he hadn't got through a week of the new year yet without having to listen to someone's romantic problems. Why did they all think he was the best person to talk to? When had he ever given the impression that he was even remotely interested?
"I dunno." He said, hoping he didn't sound too annoyed. "You'd have to ask him."
"I don't think he'd give me a straight answer," Marlene chuckled. "Sorry, it's just that he's been acting really weird around me during quidditch practice."
"Weird?"
"Yeah, just comments and stuff. It's a bit annoying, really, I don't really fancy him as much as I used to - you know, he's such an attention seeker, he was always much more Mary's type."
"What comments?"
"Stuff about me giving him a kiss for luck, or something... Maybe it's his idea of flirting, or maybe it's a joke - you never know with James and Sirius, do you?"
