Carve Me Open / r.l. + s.b. /

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"Hullo, Lily," he stopped beside her, offering a gentle smile. Stacks of parchment and open books surrounded her, scribbled runes on one with potions equations on the other. It all looked foreign to him, and he scrunched up his nose in distaste. "I don't see how you do it all. Runes?"

"I don't know why I added this to my plate," Lily admitted bashfully, not granting Sirius a smile or greeting. "I'm not even in the class yet, but I've got the first two volumes read and reviewed for the professor."

"Hats to you," Remus chuckled, ignoring Sirius from where he stood. The former pouted dramatically, letting out a theatrical sigh as Remus conversed with the girl.

Lily Evans and Sirius Black had an odd relationship, just as he and Julienne. On some days, the only thing that linked them was Remus. They each seemed to share the same fondness for him, joining together to ensure he got the proper care and attention. However, this was the thing that set them apart. At least, it set Sirius and Evans apart. Julienne had her time with Remus on their walks to potions and during their study sessions in the library. But, on the other hand, Sirius and Lily frequently bickered with one another during and after classes about whether or not Remus wanted their company.

Remus never gave either one an answer, enjoying his time with both of them equally. Well, not equally. It would be a lie if he told himself he felt just as comfortable with Lily as he did with Sirius. A big, fat, blatant, ugly lie.

Looking back on things, it seemed surreal to think that he preferred spending time with his roommates. If someone had told Remus, he'd be spending his Saturdays on the Quidditch pitch happily and willingly watching Sirius Black and James Potter practice their skills on a broom with Peter Pettigrew by his side, eating some of his chocolate, he would have laughed in their face. If they'd told him that his roommates would become more than just roommates, instead best friends, he would've walked away in confusion. The idea that the boy who loathed the very sight of him enjoyed his company now more than ever wasn't possible to Remus only a year ago.

But, clearly, circumstances changed, and he was glad for that.

He bid Lily a goodbye, wishing her luck on her essays and homework, and accompanied a dejected Sirius up to the dormitory.

"Pouting doesn't suit you," he pointed out with an impish smirk. Sirius remained silent, arms crossed tightly over his chest. "Are you upset with me?"

"No," Sirius quipped. He stopped in front of their door, blocking Remus from entering. "Wait here."

Before Remus could get a word in, Sirius had slipped in the room and slammed the door in his face, quick to lock the door behind him to ensure their privacy. Remus sighed heavily, leaning against the wall and trying to get a listen-in on what they'd been saying.

"What do you mean you lost it," Sirius hissed angrily. The shuffling of feet sounded through the room.

"I swear it was here a second ago, Sirius," Peter cried quietly, "I swear it!"

He could hear a low growl come from Sirius and James snicker from the corner.

"Did you check in his–" James began.

"I swear to God, Peter, if you put it in his trunk to hide it, and I find it in there, I'm going to string you up on the Whomping Willow myself," Sirius declared hotly, stomping from one side of the room to the other. Then, with the crack of a trunk opening and a loud smack, Remus couldn't hold in the laughter, and neither could James. "Okay, okay! Get into position – no, Peter, you don't – WHAT ARE YOU DOING!"

"What if I break it," Peter whined. James let out a loud guffaw, clearly entertained by whatever he was seeing. Remus could only wish he could be blessed with the image himself.