When We Fell In Love

Chapter 5: Jealousy

Remus was relieved to know that he could enjoy his first visit to Hogsmeade. The full moon was still far off, and he was in excellent shape. He was, in fact, in that magical limbo—those few days between two full moons—that gave him some breathing space, the only days when he felt truly great.

The visits to Hogsmeade were the perfect opportunities for him and the Marauders to stock up on everything they needed for pranks or legendary parties. Their routine was well established by now: James would always stop at Spintwitches Sporting Needs to admire the latest Quidditch brooms; then the four of them would rush to Zonko's Joke Shop, leaving with bags full of knick-knacks sure to annoy Filch; after that, a stop at Honeydukes for Remus and Peter to load up on sweets that would send them into a sugar coma; and finally, they would settle at a table at The Three Broomsticks for Butterbeer, where Sirius would inevitably charm Madam Rosmerta into selling him a few bottles of liquor (which would always end up fueling their parties in the Common Room).

That October 4th, Remus had searched in vain for James and Sirius, eventually giving up and waiting for them at the castle entrance with Peter. Both were confused by the mysterious absence of the other two but were also sure that neither would have gone to the village without the others. After all, they were a team.

While Peter was telling him about a chess tournament he planned to participate in, Remus saw Louis approaching, strangely accompanied by Regulus.

"Hey guys, how's it going?" Remus greeted the two Slytherins with a nod.

"Hiya, Remus!" Louis responded cheerfully.

"Regulus," said Remus, giving a mock military salute to the younger Black, who returned it with a half-smile. "Why are you two all alone?"

"Liam and Zayn are on a double date with two girls whose names I don't even know, so I thought I'd see if anyone was up for hanging out this afternoon. I ran into Regulus here who was all alone and thought we could be each other's chaperones."

"You know you're always welcome to join us, Louis."

"And where's the rest of the quartet?"

"Vanished into thin air. Who knows what they're plotting." This made Regulus snort sarcastically.

"What's so funny, little Black?" asked Remus.

"Don't you dare call me that. Besides, I doubt your friends will be joining you today."

Regulus clearly knew something Remus and Peter did not, and Remus did not like that feeling one bit. His expression became serious and thoughtful.

"What do you know that I don't?" he asked, staring at the Slytherin.

"I know nothing," Regulus replied haughtily. "You know how much I despise my dear brother." Remus doubted his words, and the superior tone he had adopted only confirmed he was not to be trusted.

While Remus scrutinised Regulus' face for any clue, he noticed Louis had suddenly stiffened beside him, his hand gripping Remus' arm (an involuntary gesture, Remus was sure). He shifted his focus to Louis and followed his gaze toward the staircase leading to the entrance. Hand in hand, Harry and Marlene were descending the steps. Remus' own surprise was nothing compared to the shock clearly gripping Louis.

"Louis, are you okay? What's wrong?" Remus was beginning to understand what was going on, but he would never force Louis to reveal something about himself that he was not ready to share.

"I'm f-f-fine." Remus had never heard Louis stutter, and it took all his strength not to burst out laughing. He understood all too well how the blades of jealousy could cut deep, especially when one could not act on those feelings.