Bejeweled

Remus did his best not to stew on everything from the night before. He didn’t need to think about the horrible things she’d said. He didn’t need to think about the way he’d lost control of his inner wolf. Didn’t need to think about how for once he didn’t feel guilty about letting it out. She was awful. She was a terrible person, and it was nice to see her be the one who was terrified for once. 

Then again, he wasn’t exactly out of the woods. It occurred to him at breakfast on Friday morning that maybe just because she’d been too shocked to respond the night before, didn’t mean he’d gotten away with it. There was nothing stopping her from blindsiding him with a hex in the halls.

It wasn’t like he’d told his friend’s exactly what had happened. They only knew she had said something horrible and caused him to leave early. Not that he wanted to tell them what he’d done, even if they’d love it, but they didn’t know to be on alert for payback. 

At first he decided to ignore it, not worry them. Sirius was always seconds away from dueling anyway, he’d love a surprise attack from a Slytherin. So would James. Peter would run and hide, but Bellatrix had no reason to go after him anyway. There was no reason to worry anyone. 

But his friends knew him too well. They could tell he was on edge, so he finally just admitted he had kinda yelled at Bellatrix and was worried she would spring a surprise attack. 

It was all hands on deck all day. After the few classes they didn’t have together, Remus found both James and Sirius waiting outside his classroom to escort him to the next. At lunch they sat on either side of him, keeping their eyes on the Slytherin table as they ate. Their paranoia didn’t help his, but having back up did make him feel better. 

Their effort was pointless. Remus didn’t see Bellatrix all day, not even at the Slytherin table at lunch. That almost made it worse. It meant he couldn’t gauge her mood. Couldn’t catch her giving him the stink eye or see if she was unaffected and ignoring him like usual. Though that could always be a ruse to lower his defenses. Oh Godric, he was paranoid. 

After their last class, the Marauders decided to hang out by the lake. It was a beautiful day after all, and Remus thought some fresh air would be good to help with the anxiety of the day. Sure, he should have gotten a head start on homework, but he hadn’t been able to focus on school work all day, so there was no reason to assume he’d be able to now. It was better to keep his mind occupied with whatever nonsense scheme James and Sirius were cooking up to get their hands on some firewhiskey during the first Hogsmead trip. 

“Why not just get butterbeer like usual?” Remus found himself asking. 

”We’re not gonna drink it at Hogsmead, we’re going to save it for after the first Quidditch game,” James informed him. “Huge party in Gryffindor Tower to celebrate our victory, of course!” 

“How do you know you’re going to win?” Remus raised an eyebrow at his friend. Of course Remus believed they’d win too, but it was good to make sure James’ head didn’t get too big sometimes. Otherwise Lily might hex him again.  

James gave him a look and was about to say something when Sirius jumped up and pointed his wand at someone approaching them. 

A someone who had been the source of Remus’ anxiety all day. 

Bellatrix rolled her eyes at her cousin. “Calm down, I just need to talk to Lupin for a second,” she said. 

“About what?” James asked as he stood up, Remus and Peter following suit. 

“Prefect stuff,” she answered simply. 

Sirius still hadn’t lowered his wand. “Then go ahead and say it.” 

“Can’t. Prefect only information,” she answered casually, but she was subconsciously rubbing one thumb against the back of her other hand, holding them together in front of her. Was Bellatrix…nervous? That couldn’t be a good sign. At least she didn’t have her wand in hand.

“Then I’ll hear it from Lily later,” Remus told her. He just wanted her to go away, and from the look on her face she very much wanted to as well. 

But something held her in the spot. No one said anything for a long moment, and it felt like the entire group was collectively holding their breath in anticipation of whatever would happen next. Even if she was way out numbered, it felt like both sides were challenging each other to back down. 

”Fine! I wanted to apologize, okay?” Bellatrix blurted. “I’m sorry for what I said last night. I was just trying to get under your skin, and I took it too far, okay? No need to call in the calvary!” 

She huffed as she turned and stormed away, not even giving him time to answer. 

All four boys looked at each other in astonishment, glancing back at the retreating Bellatrix a couple times, then back at each other. 

”Did…did that just happen?” James asked. 

“Cousin Bella…apologized?” Sirius blinked. 

“I…think so?….I have no idea,” Remus muttered.