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

Chapter Sixty-Six - Your Kiss Is On My List

Author's note: I'm back! Thank you everyone for your patience. I am sorry about what happened. I'm trying to do better haha. Also thank you everyone for your love and support! I'm going to add here what happened for anyone catching up with the story: in 2021 a bunch of people attacked me, started spreading lies about me, etc. They've continued to do so and I recently found out they're leaving stuff on fan content. So if you make anything, be aware of this. At best they'll just tell you their lies, at worst they might attack you. Just be careful please <3

CW for references to child abuse, and reference to being stabbed

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By the time Friday morning came around, Remus wasn't sure how he was feeling. He hadn't gone to classes at all the day before (ignoring the jealous grumblings from his friends) and had spent a lot of time going over everything that happened. Sometimes he felt like he did the right thing, other times he felt he had done the wrong thing. Part of him wanted to talk to Fawley about it... show her the memory of the confrontation and get her opinions, though that would mean her seeing Lyall slap Remus and that probably wasn't a good thing; but who else could he talk to? Unless he confessed all the blame and guilt and lies to McGonagall there was nobody else. At least he wouldn't have to make a decision until Tuesday.

"Where were you yesterday?" Lily asked as they headed to Potions after breakfast. "David said you didn't even make it to Divination, and the idiots wouldn't tell me anything."

"A family incident," Remus said, glad it was Friday and he'd have a couple of days without responsibilities—except there was Magical Theory the next day. It should have been the weekend before, but it was put off due to the Hogsmeade visit. Then again, after what happened last time, he wasn't sure if he and Sirius would be welcomed back.

Lily frowned. "Is your mother all right?"

"Erm, y-yes, mostly. As well as she can be. We..." He hesitated, trying to figure out what to tell her since she couldn't know anything. "It was about..." He trailed off, feeling sick with the knowledge of coming up with more lies. Ugh.

Lily pressed a hand against his arm. "You don't need to tell me, it's none of my business."

He sagged a little with relief. "It isn't anything bad though. But it was tiring, and McGonagall suggested I take the day off to rest."

"Of course you get to have whatever days off from classes you like," burst in Snape's voice from behind them. They both turned to see him following them, a sour look on his face. "You get special treatment."

"Severus, he's ill," Lily said.

Snape's eyes darted to Remus. "I just find it unfair he gets to miss class whenever he feels a little... tired." His eyes raked over Remus's body in a way that made him feel like Snape knew it was more than just that.

"Severus, please," Lily pleaded. "Don't start anything right now."

"Right, he had a rough day yesterday, poor thing."

"Sev!"

Snape shrugged and brushed past them. "Pathetic liar," he hissed out in Remus's ear so Lily wouldn't hear.

Except she did hear. She watched him march ahead of them then sighed, turning to Remus. "I don't think you're lying about this, I promise."

He shifted, trying not to look guilty. He wasn't completely lying, really. "It's f-fine, Snape— I'm not upset."

He felt Snape's eyes on him during the entire lesson, at least until there was a small explosion from James and Sirius's cauldron which sprayed white foam over half the class. It was rather hot but thankfully didn't burn, though it did cause a tickling sensation that soon had everyone giggling madly.