The Collision Theory | Remus Lupin

50. Another Candle To Blow

The days pass by quicker than I thought they would, and with each passing one I find myself pondering over my new potions task more and more. Everyone's a little jittery, but most of all, it's James.

"Perfume?" James asks in a hushed tone, sitting by me as I read on the window sill of the library, "No, that's too forward."

"How about a card and just say 'Happy Birthday Lily!'" I roll my eyes.

James groans, hitting his head repeatedly on the wall, "I. Don't. Know."

"Good Lord." I tut, going back to my note-taking. Not that I'll be able to concentrate.

"What did you get her?"

Slamming the book shut, I sigh, "Sugar quills James! I ordered limited edition ones that taste like cola, happy now?"

"Great," he jumps up, ruffling my hair, "thanks mate! You just have me an idea."

"How-" I frown, but then shake my head, "actually, I don't care."

*

"Whatcha doing?" Remus sits down beside me, and the ancient sofa creaks a little.

"A little bit of homework." I move myself so that I lean against him, my legs propped up on the arm of the couch, "How are prefect duties?"

"You mean Myrtle?" He sighs, "Dear Lord, the girl won't listen to reason, maybe I'll get Sirius to flirt with her and convince her to stop flooding the bathroom."

"Knowing her, she'll do it for fun anyway."

"Quite true." He reads over my shoulder, "Wintergreen? Is that for Slughorn?"

"Yeah." I don't look up from copying the book passage into my textbook. Wintergreen is supposed to be a kind of natural pain killer, so in theory, if Remus drank it in a potion, it might just help.

"You seen very...interested in this topic."

"Why would you say that?" I stop myself from making the question seem to suspicious by trying to say it in a casual tone. Not that subtlety has ever been my strong suit.

"Well," Remus sighs, and I can feel him tense, "I've hardly really seem your face over the last fortnight, and when you're with the gang, you're always buried in a book."

"I hope you're not getting jealous over a book." I laugh, but fail to lighten the mood.

Remus pulls me slightly so that I turn to face him, "Obsessing over something is unhealthy, Lin. I don't mind what you choose to do, but your health is more important than grades. Don't overwork yourself, promise?"

"I promise." I smile, blushing slightly as he kisses my cheek.

Then the moment is ruined than none other than James Fleamont Potter, "Quit the sappiness kids, we have important things to discuss."

"Couldn't have picked better timing." Remus drawls, sarcasm thick in his voice.

I take my feet off of the sofa, letting Sirius sit by my side, "So, what's this about?"

"We have an idea," Peter nudges James, with a smirk, "James thought, well..."

"We could arrange a party for Lily." James grins, "Invite all the sixth years, well the ones that are her friends anyway, get some butterbeer, bit of music."

"Not bad James, not bad." I nod, actually rather impressed.

*

The week goes by quickly. When we're not studying, we're either convincing the elves to bake us a birthday cake, convincing younger pupils not to tell McGonagall about the party, or making sure everyone who needs to know about the party knows. On top of that, I constantly stay up late, making sure that I haven't missed out any herbs that might benefit in my potions coursework. By the thirtieth, I'm worn out.