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

Chapter Seventy-Seven - Studying Is Unhealthy

"No you haven't--"

"I have, though. I've been a--an absolute hypocrite, haven't I? You know, I asked him if you've ever been nice to him and he said no you've always been rude." Lily gave a short laugh at that. "Yet you've always told me it's okay I'm friends with someone you dislike, but he's always trying to tell me not to be friends with you."

"B--because he thinks I'm c-crazy or because I am sick?" he asked though he knew for a fact those were only parts of it.

"Both. Plus..." She bit her bottom lip, eyes darting to the side. "I dunno, he seems to think blood status is important."

"Oh."

"Which is stupid." Remus nodded in agreement. Lily crossed her arms, rubbing her arms anxiously. "Oh, curses, this is weird and I'm tired of pussyfooting around. Are we still friends?"

"I--hope so. I'd like to be. You--I--we're... um... I--I'd like to be."

She threw her arms around him, hugging tightly. Remus jerked a little bit, dropping the rock, then tentatively put his arms around her, hugging back. Luckily it mostly felt good with only a little bit of please-no-touch panic, and a little bit of ouch-the-claw-wound-on-my-chest pain.

"I'm sorry, you're sorry... We forgive each other?" she asked as she pulled back.

Remus smiled, quite happily. "Of course." She hugged him once more but only briefly before she let go.

"Black is a jerk still though."

"I know." Then, "So is Snape."

Lily flinched just slightly. "I--I know," she admitted. "And if anything happens--I mean, between you and Sev, I won't automatically take his side."

"I--errr, I appreciate that though..." He thought back to what Fawley said, wishing she didn't have to be so right all the time. "I know... he d--doesn't have many friends so... I understand wh-why you do."

She shook her head. "You look younger than 12 but you definitely sound older. A lot older."

"Thanks," he said, rolling his eyes, trying to stop himself from smiling but he couldn't because he felt so happy. "Thanks for reminding me I look like a little kid."

Lily giggled behind her hand. "I'm sorry, but you do." She pat his head and he managed a scowl. "I guess... is it because of your--" She stopped suddenly, blushing slightly. "I mean, er, your illness?"

What was she going to say? "I dunno. M--maybe? My m-mother is pretty d-delicate too so I g-guess I get it from her."

"And... she's got the same thing you have?"

Ooh, right. "Um, yeah, b--but a lot of her f-family is small too," he put in quickly, "and my d-dad isn't that big." His mother was around 5'1 if he remembered correctly, and his father 5'6. Remus hoped he'd end up more on his father's side of things height-wise. If he had to go through life being so small... urgh. It wouldn't be fun. He pictured all his friends shooting up in height and weight, becoming Big and Strong while he stayed stupidly Small. It'd be embarrassing. Especially since he knew Sirius was going to end up super tall, he was already the tallest boy in the first year. Stupid Sirius with his stupid long legs. Maybe Pete would be nice and stay on the shorter side with Remus.

"I'll probably be tall," Lily said with a sigh. "Both my parents are pretty tall, and Petunia's getting really tall." Her hand went to her neck in a self-conscious manner. "She's got a really long neck too."

"I think your neck looks fine."

For some reason that made Lily go even redder. "Oh, Remus," she giggled but didn't clarify what she meant by that, leaving Remus entirely in the dark as to why it made her all flustered. "Your mother's Muggle, right?"