The Marauder Stories: Remus Lupin

Chapter Six

Crushes

“Charlie dear, don’t get this the wrong way but… Do you even know how to smile?”

I rolled my eyes and folded my arms across my chest. “It would surprise you Laura, but yes. I do know how to smile and give signs of happiness.” I replied shortly to my sister who frowned at my moodiness. Ever since that I was a little girl Laura has always been bossing me around, telling me to straighten my posture, constantly fussing about my hair and other girly things.

                    “I’m sorry, sweetie.” Laura said as she tucked a stray strand of my hair behind my ear “But it’s just not lady like to snap at every person you see. I’m just looking out for you.”

                    There goes the usual excuse.

                    I’m just looking out for you.

                    “Whatever.” I muttered under my breath “Now, why is it that you two wanted to see me? And please tell me this isn’t about my ‘unlady like’ manners.”

                    “It isn’t.” Dominic, our eldest brother said. “Mother just wanted us to check on you. And I think she’s right, with all the work we’ve been doing Laura and I barely even see you.” I rolled my eyes.

                    “Well, this place you two chose for the three of us to have some quality time is sure one heck of a place.” I said sarcastically, stretching both of my arms to gesture around the deserted hallway we were at. “Oh and just so you know it’s time for lunch at the Great Hall, a place where every student eats. Just curious, did it ever cross your minds that we might see each other there?”

                    “Stop with the sarcasm, Charlie.” Dominic sighed

                    “It’s my thing.”

                    “It’s rude.” Laura said with a huff, I ignored her and opened my mouth to say another witty retort but my sister beat me to it. “Look, we’re just worried about you, C.” I snorted at her statement. There was nothing to worry about. I was doing fine – okay, I was passing – classes and I wasn’t getting into any trouble.

                    “You always seem so alone.” Dominic continued “We think it has something to do with all the events during… during Fourth year.” He added gently

                    “If you two are worried about me not having friends, it’s a normal thing.” I said a tad bit too stiffly “There’s nothing new there. And I’ve moved on from Fourth year. It was all nothing. It’s just stupid and petty.” Both my siblings stared at me uncomfortably; they glanced at each other quickly and seemed to have had a telepathic conversation.

                    “Anyways, since you two have seen me and I’m still alive, breathing and hex free.” I said loudly to get back their attention “I think I’ll go now, eat my lunch at the Great Hall wherein everyone is most likely to see each other.” And with that said I walked off. I haven’t been spending time with Riddle that much anymore. Like all other happenings in my life, she was only a once in a blue moon thing.

                    I was really pathetic back during Fourth Year. I cried a lot. Whenever I was picked on my Potter and his group, I usually – more often than not – cried myself to sleep at my dorm. There was actually a point when Dominic had to walk with me to class. I was really lucky, that method doesn’t work for everyone (Try Severus Snape for example).