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

Chapter One Hundred-Twenty-One - You Put Your Mouth On Theirs

Author's note: CW for spider-like creature discussed, sorta emetophobia warning too

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Hufflepuff versus Ravenclaw, not that Remus particularly cared. The other Marauders were wearing Hufflepuff colors, since if Hufflepuff won then Gryffindor had a chance for the cup. Remus was in a grubby old grey jumper and grubby old jeans, intending to spend the day working on his grubby old Runes assignment. After everyone left the castle for the pitch, Remus wandered through the blissfully quiet school to the library... and ran into Aegis on the way.

"Not going?" he asked, surprised. Aegis liked Quidditch, and often rooted for Ravenclaw.

"No." Aegis hugged his notebook to his chest, looking downwards. "I have a bit of a headache."

"You could get a potion."

"I took one." Aegis finally glanced up and smiled. "That is why it is only a bit of one. I was going to study in the library. Is that where you were going?"

"Yes. Did Malfoy do something to you?"

"Why do you always think he's done something to me?"

Remus shouldered his bag, looking pointedly at him. "Because he always does, and when you look upset like that it's usually because of him."

Aegis sniffled slightly. "He has been rude to me again, though he is not why I have a headache if that is what you are worried about. Do you want to study together?"

Remus agreed, and the two went to the library and spent several hours there together. It was pretty obvious that Aegis didn't have any sort of headache—at least, he didn't act like he had one. It was probably something Malfoy did or said that made him not want to go to the game. Remus wished Aegis would talk about it... but he kept his thoughts to himself, and instead focused on having a great time working on the Runes assignment. Having Aegis there helped a lot, as Aegis had become top in that class. Though Aegis insisted if Remus's runes weren't so crooked all the time he'd be top instead.

"If I go fast, they're very splotchy. If I go at my normal speed, they're crooked. If I go slow... my hand gets shaky and they're all wobbly," Remus complained, looking miserably down at his not-so-great runes. "I can't keep using a ruler. They won't let me during the exams anyway."

"You will get there," Aegis reassured him.

"Have you seen my handwriting?" Remus asked, and Aegis giggled a bit.

"All right, fair enough."

They took a break to eat a late lunch together in one of the courtyards, near enough to the pitch they could hear the cheers and the announcer very faintly. It seemed it was a tied game, though Remus couldn't quite make out the score. They returned to the library and worked some more on the runes. It was giving him a bit of a headache, and he kept rubbing his forehead until Aegis asked if he was all right. He was about to say yes then remembered how terrible he looked. As well as the fact the moon was coming up.

"I think so," he finally said. "I'm feeling a little weak but I'm sure I'll be okay."

Aegis's forehead wrinkled. "Do you need to go see Madame Pomfrey?"

"No. Not yet. If I get any worse, I will." Remus blinked at the paper in front of him, trying to make sense of the runes. "I hope I don't. With exams coming up... I don't want to miss any lessons."

"As if it would change your perfect grades," Aegis teased.

"I get good grades because I study a lot."

Aegis leaned forward and put his hand on Remus's. "You get good grades because you are the smartest in our year. Probably the fourth years, as well." His blue eyes kept hold of Remus's for a moment then suddenly he went a little pink and withdrew his hand. "Ah, s-sorry."