This Love

Chapter 3

Sept 14, 1973 (Year Three)

The marauders knew his biggest secret. He was a werewolf. It was still strange to have someone who was not an adult know this secret. Of course, the three boys were sworn to secrecy, and after they showed up at the hospital wing for the first time after a full moon, he received a stern talking to by Professor McGonagall. But, in the end, he knew she was happy that he finally had people his age who knew him and still loved him regardless. She knew that he wouldn't have many people he could trust in his life.

But then Remus discovered another secret about himself. He wasn't like the other boys anymore. They were all obsessed with girls now. Every. Single. One. And he himself just couldn't care enough. And that became a major problem for the marauders. Because no man got left behind with those four.

The year started off simply enough. But, a couple of weeks into the school year, Remus was so tired. All he wanted to do was read his books and enjoy his peace. With the occasional prank thrown into the mix.

But the other three wanted to do nothing but talk about girls. Remus didn't have anything against the opposite sex. He just didn't see what was so appealing about them. And he especially didn't see the appeal of kissing. If anything, he thought it was weird. And he really didn't want to know who first discovered the act, and what they were thinking.

But the other marauders would not accept this.

The four of them were in the common room, James and Sirius sitting on the couch, Peter on the floor in front of them. Remus was in his usual seat by the window. The other three were talking about which girls they thought were the prettiest and which ones they thought they had any luck with. Peter was stuck on a girl in Hufflepuff (Remus couldn't remember her name, and normally he'd feel bad, but the full moon was just a couple of days ago and Remus was still trying to recover). Sirius didn't have just one girl. No. He was Sirius Black, so of course there was a long line of girls wanting to date him. And he wasn't picky. Just as long as it wasn't serious. And James. James only had one. Lily Evans. Remus could see the appeal. She was clever. And she was definitely growing into herself very well. But what Remus couldn't understand, why did James of all people fancy her? She followed all the rules. He did his best to break all the rules.

Remus did his best to stay out of these conversations. He didn't really fancy anyone. The girls were nice, but that's it. He didn't have any inclination to kiss any of them, or take them to Hogsmeade. Or do whatever it was you were supposed to do while dating someone. But just because he wanted to avoid talking about it, didn't mean the Marauders understood that.

"Moony, who do you fancy?" James looked at him with a good-natured smile on his face. Remus simply sighed, closing his book and setting it down.

"Why is this so important to you? It's not like I'm holding you back. I mean, just look at Sirius. And Pete. They both have good prospects. And you would too, if you weren't so hung up on Evans."

Sirius started laughing. "You do realize he has a very valid point about Evans, right Potter? She's never going to go for you. She can't hardly stand to be in the same room as you."

"Ah, but you see, lads. Patience is key. It's partly about the chase, is it not? She'll come around and when she does, I'll be the one laughing." James had stood up to make this proclamation. But he didn't notice the subject of this speech had walked through the portrait hole.

Lily simply snorted. "In your dreams, Potter."

James immediately turned to face her. A grin slowly spread across his face. "Every night, my dear Evans." This only made Sirius laugh harder. Lily just rolled her eyes and walked up to the girls' dorms.