The Collision Theory | Remus Lupin

59. Good Remmy, Sit.

"Worth it, completely worth it," Lily beams at breakfast, having spent the whole evening smiling proudly at her detention slip as if it were her firstborn.

"Eat your toast, rebel," James laughs, passing her the jar of jam. He doesn't know the whole story, but just enough I presume, "when's your detention?"

"Six thirty, just after dinner if I'm quick enough."

"I'll come and keep you company, it's the best I can do to repay you."

"Repay me?" Lily scoffs, "I just lost you a seeker."

"And an annoying one at that," James runs his hand through his hair, "she was so... sticky. I can't have her on the team, no way."

"So you didn't like her?" Lily nonchalantly takes a sip of orange juice, as though the news isn't particularly important.

"Eww, Merlin no," James shakes his head, getting up from the table.

"Where are you going, class doesn't start for fifteen minutes."

"Got to wake up the boys, they stayed up late doing homework," he fastens his cloak once again, "see you on the pitch Lin, four o'clock sharp, if I don't see you."

Wait, pitch?

*

"And please," Sprout attempts to call out before all of us leave, but half of the class is already out of the door, "look after your plants- oh for Merlin's sake."

I pull my little humming pansy sapling closer to my chest as I try to get past the crowd, towards a waiting Remus, "Morgana's stockings, bloody Hell."

"Haven't heard that before, original one of yours?" Remus grins as I manage to get through the students without dropping my little plant pot.

"Must've heard it from my dad." I shrug, feeling the little weight of longing in my chest get just a little heavier, "How are you?"

"Quite grande," he smiles, though the dark circles under his eyes tell a different story. Remus rolls his eyes as I carry on giving him my most unimpressed look, "yeah fine, I feel like I've been beaten up by the Whomping Willow."

"As long as you don't get the urge to pee on every lamppost."

"I assume you're about to say, good Remmy, sit."

"Took the words right out of my mouth." I grin as he shakes his head muttering something to the plant in his hand, "What did you say?"

"Oh nothing," he snickers, "Mr Planty and I were just thinking of how much you'd be suited for an insane asylum."

"You're the one talking to a damn fanged peony."

*

"Novak! What took you so long?"

"I got changed, if you hadn't noticed." I point at my jeans and shirt, which I really should thought twice about, because the March chill is enough to give anyone hypothermia in ten seconds, "I don't think I could go flying in my school skirt, y'know?"

Maisie Lao sniggers behind James, though tries to pull a straight face when the boy turns to glare at her, "Something wrong, Potter?"

"This is yours," Bronwin steps forward, holding out what I recognize as the team jumper, folded neatly into a square, "have a try."

"I really think you'll regret having me here."

"Shut up and put the damn thing on."