Running With Wolves

Chapter 14: Darkest Hours

Chapter 14: Darkest Hours

"Merlin, I can't believe how much homework we've got this weekend," Sirius moaned loudly across the table all four of them were sitting at. Bent over a half-finished potions essay, Remus rolled his eyes. Much too his irritation, Sirius had been making comments of this sort for the past half our, and Remus was getting sick of it.

"And this damn potions essay from Slughorn." Remus pushed his quill too far into the table and the tip snapped off. "We haven't had a break. At this rate will be—."

"James have you got a spare quill. I've broken mine." Remus interrupted. James rifled around in his bag.

A hand fell on Remus' shoulder.

"I hope I'm interrupting something," Lily said, grinning as she flicked her hair out of her face.

"You are, thank God, I can't stand other minute of this," Remus said, rolling his potions essay up and tucking it away in his back.

"Hey, Lily," James said, fingers finding their usual place in his hair. Remus glanced back at James, eyebrows drawn. Lily's first name sounded so strange from his mouth.

"Hey, James. Ready Remus?"

"Yeah."

"Where are you going?" asked Sirius.

"Prefect duties," Lily replied. She waved quickly and they left, leaving behind the bustle of the common room. The corridors were quiet, and cold, lit sparsely by the chandeliers on the ceiling. Lily set a brisk pace down the corridors, wrapping her robes tighter around her body; Remus scurried after her.

"How have your classes been, Lily? Are you keeping up with the work all right?" Remus asked.

"Ugh, I thought you said you couldn't stand another minute of homework?"

"Actually I meant Sirius. Although the homework was painful too." Lily snorted. "Hey, the first Hogsmede weekend is coming up in a few weeks, we should go together, since I don't really want to spend it with you-know-who."

"I assume you mean Sirius, not the murdering dark sorcerer?"

"Ha, yes, I do."

"That's good because I already told Lunly that's what I was going to do."

Lily did a double take. "Why did you need to tell Lunly you were going to Hogsmeade with me?"

"He asked if I had plans for the trip and I was afraid if I told him I didn't have any he would ask to accompany me."

Lily burst into raucous laughter. "What did he do to give you that impression?"

"Every day after class he holds me back and asks me if I'm okay. It's rather unnerving if I'm honest and he always gives me house points for stupid things like asking a question or turning in my homework. He's treating me like I'm made of glass."

"Well, you're ill so often, and you do look rather sickly if I'm hone—."

"Oh, shut up." Remus shoved her as she was reduced back to laughter.

"I hate to break it to you, Remus, but I think Lunly may fancy you."

"He does not," Remus laughed, as Lily pushed him back.

"Actually, I did do a little research on Lunly. Did you know he's got a sister?"

"What about her?"