Four To The End (prev Shifting Lines) - Book One (Marauder Era)

Chapter Thirteen - Jeers and Tears

He didn't want to use it though, didn't want to risk breaking any bones and raising suspicions, so he just struggled and cried as he was pulled into a large, old, empty bathroom. He was taken into a stall and before he knew it his head was down into the toilet water. He coughed and sputtered, the water flooding into his mouth. Then he was yanked out and pushed down to the floor, head just barely missing the ceramic.

"You're the most pathetic Gryffindor I've ever seen," Avery said, standing over Remus. "Can't talk right, always alone..." Remus pushed back, wedging himself between the toilet and wall, still coughing up water. "Don't even have any friends in Gryffindor, do you?" Avery continued. "You're weird, everyone says so." He reached out and took a handful of dusty toilet paper then dunked it into the toilet, getting it wet. He threw it right into Remus's face then got another handful and was going to throw when a ghost suddenly appeared out of the toilet, shrieking right into Avery's face.

Avery screamed and flung himself back, knocking into Mulciber and Bulstrode. The ghost swooshed towards them, arms outstretched, a horrible sort of wail coming from her mouth. The three Slytherins took off running, screaming in fear of this ghost they'd never seen before, not knowing if she could do anything to them.

Remus wiped the wet toilet paper off his face and then began crying because there was nothing else he could do. He curled up into a little ball next to the toilet and sobbed into his arms. What did I do to them?! Why did they attack me?! Why? WHY?!

"Are you all right?" came a wispy sort of feminine voice.

Remus just kept crying, figuring some girl had just come in and was seeing him like this. He tried to curl up even more, wishing he could curl into such a small ball he'd disappear. Then something cold brushed against his back and he jerked, knocking his head against the wall.

"Ooooh," came the voice and he finally realized it was the ghost sitting on the edge of the toilet, watching him with interest. "It's okay. I understand completely. Crying is the best thing to do." She swung her legs, looking rather cheerful now, nothing like the horrible wailing thing earlier. "You haven't died, have you?" she asked quite avidly.

"....n--no?" he managed to get out, rubbing his head, tears still dripping.

"I wasn't sure how hard you hit your head," she replied, a bit of disappointment entering her eyes. "Keep crying, it really does help." He wondered if she was just teasing her but she didn't look like she was or even sounded it. "Crying always makes me feel better." She glanced over at the open stall door then back at Remus. "Have they bullied you before?" He shook his head. "Oh. I was bullied a lot when I was alive."

He pulled his knees against his chest, wrapping his arms around them, putting his damp face down against them. "I don't know what I did to them. I didn't do anything."

"Bullies don't need a reason, they just do it," the ghost said, rather hissily.

"I suppose so." He gave another loud sniffle and the tears finally started slowing down. He wiped his face on his sleeves and then pulled up his robes to try and dry the toilet water from his hair. "What's your name?"

"Myrtle," the ghost replied and then floated down to sit on the floor next to him, partially in the toilet. "What's yours?"

"R--Remus." He lifted his chin and studied her a little bit. She doesn't look much older than me, he thought, though didn't want to ask her anything about it.

"I heard what they said. They said you had no friends. Is that true?"

"Er, I--I suppose so. I--I'm sorry I should probably go, before someone comes. I d--don't want anyone seeing me crying."