Chapter Twenty- A Different Kind of Friend

                                    

                                          

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By the time classes and dinner were over Remus was very grateful to be leaving his friends for a bit.
"Enjoy your date~!" they catcalled as he left their dorm to meet Lily in the library.
"And here I was going to put in a good word on your behalf," the target of the jeers shot back to James. Remus didn't feel the least bit bad when his friend's face went red as he spluttered a defensive, "that is the last thing I want." Sirius laughed and looked impressed, but Remus didn't care about that either. He was just too irritated at them at the moment.
If only they had discussed something else, anything else, but their elaborate plans to 'save' Hogwarts from the vampire and to 'protect' themselves. Remus knew they were only joking. A big part of their goal involved Peter rubbing himself down with garlic. However, it didn't change the knot in his stomach.
When he reached the calming library he realized he had almost forgotten how nice it was to have someone waiting there for him. Better still, Severus wasn't there, which should have been a bit worrying. He had been avoiding a one-on-one with Lily, but Remus was simply too relieved he didn't have to put up with another exhausting person to care.
Lily smiled as he reached the table and didn't ask when he slid into the chair and buried his face in his arms. "They really are such twats, aren't they?" she replied sympathetically.
"Yes," he agreed, his voice muffled by his arms. She let out a slight laugh, knowing as well as he that he'd be back to joking and sitting with them tomorrow without feeling the least bit annoyed at them anymore.
"Oh, poor Remus. Well, if you ever get tired of them you know where to find me," she replied sounding amused.
"What would I do without you, Lily?" he sighed, realizing he meant it as he straightened in his chair and reached in his bag for his potions book. He really had missed hanging out with her. He loved his roommates and had a great time with them, usually. But Lily was calming where they were hectic and boisterous, and she was kind when they were being arses. Plus she actually liked studying, while with them he had to listen to them complain.
"I should be saying that about you, silly. My roommates and I get along better but it's awfully nice to have someone who actually likes to study," Lily, strangely enough, looked as relieved to have company as Remus felt.
"What about Severus?" the curious boy prodded gently, knowing it could be a touchy subject.
"No, he just puts up with it because of me. The only thing he really wants to study is..." she trailed off, looking sad and Remus felt a jolt of worry for the boy.
"Is dark magic?" he finished quietly, and she nodded, tears in her eyes.
"We got along so well during the summer. We laughed and played and everything went back to normal. It was so nice. Then he comes back to Hogwarts and starts hanging out with those dreadful boys again. He seems to get along better with them so I should be happy for him. Only they are so...SO dreadful. I mean they let him hang out with me, though I'm honestly not sure why...I mean, you know the one who called me that awful word today in class? Well, he's one of Severus' friends,...or at least sort of. And he didn't even stand up for me and..."
Remus listened to her talk with increasing hurt, even concern. And for good reason, Remus thought. "I'm sorry, Lily. I wish I knew how to help him."
"Me too. I mean, we still use the parchment to write to each other. Even then he gets upset whenever I don't respond for a few minutes. He seems to misunderstand the...well, I suppose the tone in which I'm writing something. I don't even bring up his other friends since that never goes well, so it's typically alright. Only...well, I think it would be a big help if you joined us again to study...even if only occasionally. I think he forgets other people exist between me the Slytherins and...and those he hates," she sighed, sounding troubled.