Four To The End (prev Shifting Lines) Book Three (Marauders Era)

Chapter Twenty-One - Absolutely Meaningless

Author's note: reminder for this chapter is that unless I say otherwise all tarot cards pulled in this story are what my partner or I pulled in real life for the situation. The cards in this were exactly what our decks pulled for the questions.

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Remus's aversion to touch lasted all through Wednesday, making it especially difficult after supper when the other Marauders and the girls wanted to play tag. The running around part wasn't so bad, but the thought of anyone having to tag him sent a curl of misery in Remus's stomach; he declined, insisting he needed to go to the library for research for a sound-related spell he was curious about. That kept the Marauders off his back, though Lily gave him a suspicious look.

As it turned out, it wasn't going to be a lie. As he wandered up and down the charms section he found Sonorous, Susurrus, and Similar Sound Spells; it was a rather slim tome dedicated to a variety of sound spells. He began reading through it, sliding absentmindedly to the ground as he did until someone nearly tripped over him, complaining about him sitting in the middle of the aisle.

"S-sorry!" he got out, shutting the book, blushing at the realization he had been sitting there. He scrambled to his feet, pressing back to let her by. The older Hufflepuff shot him an irritated look as she wandered off. Remus thought he heard 'Loopy' but couldn't really be sure.

Since checking the book out would point the finger at the Marauders, Remus tucked himself into a back corner of the library to carefully copy down all information about the spells he thought would work for what James wanted. Once that was done, he put the book back then went to find some books on Occlumency that might help James and Peter. When he turned down the aisle where they were, he nearly ran into someone. For a second he was worried it was the Hufflepuff girl again and she'd snap at him, but then he stiffened when he saw it was Snape. He stood there with one finger hooked onto the spine of a book on Legilimency and Occlumency, his black eyes a little wide as he stared right back at Remus.

"What are you doing here, Loopy?" he spat out, withdrawing his hand.

"L-l-ll-looking for a book," he replied, keeping his chin up. Snape was, like every single other student in Remus's year except for one girl, taller than Remus. He was about five inches taller, and Remus hated having to look up at his stupid face. Neither of them moved for what felt like a very long time. Remus could feel the hatred emanating from Snape. It sort've surprised him, with how intense it was, and he found himself saying, "Wh-why do-d-do-do you h-hate me?"

Snape looked rather shocked Remus asked that, and for a second he didn't know what to say. His mouth opened and closed a few times then he snapped his jaw shut, eyes narrowing and going all glittery with more hatred. Suddenly, he grabbed Remus by the collar and whirled him around, shoving him against the bookcase. The bookcase rattled and a few books fell off the shelf. One struck Remus's shoulder before thumping on the ground.

"You're nothing but an insane, diseased little bug who needs squashed," Snape hissed out. "You don't deserve to be at the school. And one day I'll make sure everyone here knows how much you don't belong."

Then he disappeared around the corner in the blink of an eye, and Remus stared after him, dimly aware of Mr. Farrow's appearance at the other end of the aisle. He heard the librarian asking him about the fallen book and Remus mumbled a lie about tripping, apologizing as he picked the book up. Farrow would normally rage at a student dropping a book on the floor, but he liked Remus; he knew Remus would never purposely damage a book. So instead he made sure Remus was all right, gently told him to be more careful, and then left.

Remus brushed himself off, grabbing a book on Occlumency without even really seeing it. What did I even do? he wondered as he went to the front to check the book out. He hadn't done anything to deserve this. None of the Marauders had! Not yet, at least. If they had pulled a prank on Snape or done something to him—unless it was the whole Royal Snakeness thing from the other day, which Remus knew several students were still calling Snape that. Maybe it's that, he thought as he left. He hoped that's all it was, and not Snape growing suspicious of anything. Don't belong. The same feelings Remus had for so long. Coincidence or suspicion? It was hard to tell since Snape was a stupid git who said stupid gitty things.