the cadence of part time poets

Chapter 58: Love Aeternus

Goodbye Ruby Tuesday,
Who could hang a name on you?
When you change with every new day,
Still I'm gonna miss you...

- "Ruby Tuesday" The Rolling Stones, 1967

Knowing that they'd be forced to shut up during communion, Remus waited until after breakfast to break the news about the breakup. Marlene had already strategically taken the girls on ahead, leaving the four of them to doddle over to the church on their own time. Remus purposely drifted back, nervous but also disinterested in the current topic of conversation.

"So Potter, what's the verdict then? Look, we already know you were all about the threepenny bits when you were but a wee lad—" Sirius illustrated by clapping his hands over his chest proudly; "but we're old and grown now. And I'll wager that nowadays, it's gotta be the arse for you."

In answer, James rolled his eyes dramatically. "I'm so glad we're talking about this before we get to church."

"C'mooooon, I've seen the way you watch Evans in that little skirt of hers," Sirius pressed, grabbing his best friend by the shoulders and waving him about. "Arse-man! Arse-man! Arse-man!"

"You're that sure, you fuck?" James demanded, shoving him off.

"Oh? You saying you're actually a fan of those little mosquito bites? Lucky Evans."

With a scornful yet delighted cry, James threw himself forward and began chasing Sirius along the outside of the courtyard, whooping and hollering as they disappeared behind the fence.

"This idiots," Peter said, falling into step with Remus as the other two took off. "Shall we go in, Moony? Let them catch up."

"I had something to tell you all," Remus said with a tsk. "Looks like it's gonna have to wait."

Peter squinted up at him. "Well, what was it?"

"Hm... You see, Marlene and I—"

With another holler, Sirius reappeared, his hair mussed from the chase; "Oi, Pete! We're taking a poll—tits or arse?"

Sirius all but shouted the question, drawing the ire of a group of passing girls. Each one of them scowled as they continued on into the church courtyard, making Peter turn a guilty, beet-red colour.

"O-Oh shove off, Black. It's time for bloody church," Peter wobbled.

"Blimey! So modest it hurts!"

At Sirius' teasing, James made his re-entrance and grabbed hold of him in a headlock. "Stop teasing our Wormy, you villain!"

"I'm only collecting statistics! Moira's rack ain't that bad!"

"Nicer than yours anyway, you thick nob!" Peter said, with more vigour this time.

"HA! You got me there, Wormtail," Sirius grunted, still trying to pry James off.

"Come on, let's just go in," Remus huffed, unentertained. "James, let him go."

Obediently, James released Sirius and laughed as he stumbled backwards. "Moony's right. Let's go, Black, before McGonagall drags you in by the ear herself."

"Well, hold on now," Sirius said, straightening his collar and tie, "Moony hasn't bid in. Now c'mon wolf-man, which do you prefer, bosom or bum? I'll bet it's bum."

"Don't be a prick."

"Ooh, a bit touchy today, aren't we? Don't tell me you and McKinnon had another row?"

"Actually Marlene and I broke up yesterday," Remus answered plainly, drawing an immediate halt to any and all laughter. As his friends gaped in shock, Remus quickly busied himself by plucking a stray leaf off his jumper, trying to appear nonchalant.