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

Chapter Eighty-Seven - Another Group Project

Author's note:  Thank you everyone for your patience and support the past few weeks! I'm doing a bit better still struggling but I've missed posting too much, haha

CW for ableism

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Sirius's date had gone 'well' according to him, though the next day Remus found out through Lily that Sirius and Cassie had gotten into an argument in the Three Broomsticks and had ended up getting kicked out. Then, later on, James complained that Cassie was subtly taking it out on him in Quidditch practice, insisting she was constantly passing the ball to Bell instead of him, even when it'd make more sense to pass to him. He said if this continued he'd take it up with Bell to see if she noticed, and Remus was thoroughly impressed by James reacting in a mature way about it. Until James hexed Cassie with a stink cloud.

"It has nothing to do with Quidditch," he insisted when Remus gave him a look. "It has everything to do with the fact she was being mean to my best friend."

The subject of Sirius, Cassie, and Tanaka seemed to be on a lot of minds that day. In Defense, after Charlemagne made groups of five (with one group being six) for a month-long project, Jenkins, who was in Remus's group, excitedly asked, "Did Black really take Tanaka on a date?"

"Erm, I—y-yes," Remus stammered, not liking being the center of attention in his own group. It was him, Jenkins, Jha, Maji, and Twycross. At least he wasn't with Magpie even though she was with James and Peter both, so he was jealous of that group. And at least Sirius wasn't with Cassie or Tanaka; that probably would have made things worse.

"But he was dating Inkwood."

He squirmed a little, tugging at his collar. "They—broke up."

"So he took Tanaka out?" Jenkins asked again, and Remus nodded, not wanting to talk about it anymore. "Lucky dog. Tanaka is gorgeous. So is Inkwood. I don't see what the big deal is about Black. Isn't he from a rotten family?"

Remus stiffened but it was Jha who spoke up, his hands flying. "How about instead of gossiping we focus on the project?"

"I wasn't gossiping," Jenkins complained though his ears turned red. "But, uh, anyway, are we offensive or defensive?"

"Defensive," Twycross said, looking a little disappointed.

There were six groups. Three were offensive spells, three defensive. They could pick whatever spells they wanted and at the end the groups would go up against one another. Well, sorta. The students within the groups were to be divided as well. Two researchers, one orator, two fighters. Part of the test was to see if they were able to divide the parts up well enough.

"Perhaps first we should decide who does what," Maji suggested a little nervously.

"I should be one of the fighters," Twycross said immediately. "I'm one of the best ones."

"I think Jha and Lupin should be the ones doing the research and essay," Jenkins said, hiding a yawn behind one hand.

"That's a good idea," Twycross agreed. "Lupin, you stutter too much to be the orator or one of the fighters."

Remus clenched his teeth, wanting to argue that he was a good dueler. Before he could say anything, Jenkins added, "And Jha can't be the orator." Then he laughed.

Jha looked furious and slightly embarrassed, his gloved hands clenching into fists.

"I th-think Jha would be a terrific orator," Remus said, ducking his head a little. "It w-would be neat to see—to—to see sign language in a-a-addition to hearing what is said."