When We Fell In Love

Chapter 8: Organisation

That room was the most brilliant thing that could ever exist. Remus was surprised that, in all his wandering around the castle with the Marauders to create the map, he had never discovered it. It had to be well-protected, and he definitely was not going to add it to the map now. That place was too precious a refuge to be made accessible to anyone who got their hands on the document.

Remus was very proud of the map: it was the collective effort of their four minds, a way to leave an indelible mark on the future of the castle. They had not yet decided what would happen to the map at the end of their seventh year, but there was still time to figure it out.

He pulled out the map to locate Louis and tell him that they had found the place, and that the meeting was on. It was almost lunchtime, and the students were heading towards the Great Hall, where a large feast awaited them. Louis was near the castle entrance, along with his friends Liam and Zayn, at least according to the map. Remus was sure he could intercept him, maybe even manage to talk to him alone. He quickened his pace to reach the Slytherin as soon as possible, hiding the map in his jeans pocket beneath his robes.

"Tomlinson, I've got great news for you! Can I steal you from your friends for just a minute?"

"Remus, my friend, tell me everything. There are no secrets between me and my mates," said Louis with a wink. Remus widened his eyes, surprised that Louis was really as open as he seemed to be claiming.

"It's about that thing we were talking about yesterday..." Remus did not want to risk making any missteps, especially with such a delicate subject.

"Yes, Remus, I know. The meeting with the other queer people," Louis said quietly, but just loud enough for his friends to hear, who looked incredibly unbothered. "They know everything, don't worry. Actually, they've known about me for years." At that point, Louis realised he might have shared a little too much. "Erm... anyway, thanks for helping me with this... I know you'll not come..." His voice faltered, and Remus burst out laughing.

"Don't worry, if you trust them, it's enough for me. I know you, Tomlinson. You wouldn't trust just anyone with this information." He nodded towards the two boys next to Louis, who did not seem the least bit affected by what they had overheard. "The place is perfect: completely private, no risk of us being found or interrupted."

"Perfect, absolutely brilliant. I was just about to go talk to that person I mentioned yesterday. Let's do this: I'll talk to them, then I'll come find you and we'll sort out the details. If you have more people to ask, they're all welcome."

All this coded talk amused Remus immensely; he felt a bit like one of those spies on television. He thought of someone who could really benefit from that meeting: Lily. After what they had talked about the previous night, she probably needed it even more than he did. Remus was sure that meeting people like her would help her confront Mary. From what he had seen, Mary was just as infatuated with Lily as Lily was with her—maybe even more. If only they talked, Remus was sure things would work out for the best.

He sat down at the Gryffindor table, right next to James, who was, strangely, alone. "Prongs, have you been abandoned?"

"Nah, Moony, I just needed a bit of solitude."

"If you want, I can move," Remus did not want to disturb his friend, especially since it was so rare for James to seek time alone.

"No, stay, please." James had a troubled, thoughtful look on his face.

"What's going on in that head of yours? Trouble in paradise with Lily?" Remus wondered when he had turned into the Gryffindor therapist, and the thought made him smile.