A Furry Little Problem
Lily Evans hated annoying things. Insomnia. People who listened to music in public without headphones. Moscuito bites. Insomnia. Public transport delays. Awkward silences. Insomnia. Losing only one sock. Petunia's boyfriend. Insomnia.
After a lot of tossing and turning on the too-large-but-can't-really-complain-about-it bed she reluctantly decided to look at the clock. 3:00 am. She went to the kitchen, had some herbal tea in hopes of it making her relax and go to sleep. It didn't. 3:10. She went to the living room, wrapped herself in a blanket and stared at her options, which involved rereading Sense and Sensibility for the ninth time or taking a look at Potter's quiddich magazine. 3:15.
What was keeping her up? Anxiety? Overstimulation? Maybe. Thoughts? Probably. The sound of the door unlocking? Possibl- wait! What was that? Who was unlocking the door?
Lily Evans was no violent woman, but she swore to god, if she was gonna leave this world at the ripe age of seventeen she might as well fight. She instinctively grabbed the ''History of Magic'' book, which ok, might not have been the best weapon to defeat a ruthless, possibly armed intruder, but it could do the job. She took a big breath as the door opened and she came face to face with ...
''Potter?''
''Evans? What are you doing here?''
''I live here!'' She took a better look at him. His clothes were torn and covered in blood, his hair significantly messier than usual and his glasses broken.
''Right! So do I! Why are you up so late?''
''Excuse me? I have insomnia. Why were you out so late?''
''No reason. Were you about to attack me?''
''I thought you were a burglar!''
''We're at Hogwards! There are no burglers! And you thought the history book was the right weapon?''
''I panicked, ok? I've never been robbed before.''
''Right! Neither have I! Well, nice seeing, you, good night!''
''Wait! Wai- Where do you think you're going? What happened to you? Did you get in a fight?''
''Err... Not excactly... Sorta... Maybe?''
''What's that even supposed to mean?''
''I... don't know. Bye!''
''Potter you gotta go to the nurse like... right now! You're bleeding and... ugh''
James coveered her mouth with his hand and she felt her cheeks flush.
''I am aware, thank you. Although I would appericiate it if you could please be a little more quiet.'' he said gently.
''But you're hurt and...''
''I'll be fine, don't worry about me. Good night!'' he blurted out and ran into his room.
''James Potter, come back this instant! What are you- did you lock the door? Open up!''
''I can't hear you! I'm sleeping!''
''Oh my god! Are you serious?''
''No, I'm James! Go to sleep!''
''As if I can!''
Oh god. This night was going to be even longer than she thought.
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Lily Evans was finishing her sixth cup of tea when James Potter came in the kichen.
''Rise and shine beautiful! How are you?''
''Oh, cut the crap Potter! Where were you yesterday?''
''Why Evans? Jealous?''
''You want an answer?''
''C'mon, I'm just teasing you!''
''I want to know what happened''
''And I... have a class. See ya!''
''Potter! James Potter, don't you dare walk out of that door... Oh, great!''
She didn't know what had gotten into her, but she just couldn't stop thinking about the night before. Why was Potter so sneaky? Was he hiding something? Of course he was hiding something! But what?
She tied her hair into a ponytail. God, where are all the hair ties when you need them? She went into her room. In what kind of fight could he have gotten into? That late? Was he alone? Was he with Sirius? She opened her drawer. Hell, where were all the hair ties?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a key. Not any key. The one that unlocked the door between their rooms. Could she maybe...
No, Lily! What was she thinking about! She would never break into her roommates bedroom without his permission and go through his things just to... satisfy her curiosity! Plus it wasn't really her buisness.
Before she realised the key was in her hands and she was unlocking the door. Oh, who was she kidding? If Potter really had a secret this was the only way she could find about it. She was a bad roommate and a bad friend and..., and she decided to go in.
Potter's room was surprisingly... neat. His books were organised by author, his clothes folded in his closet and his desk tidy. She paused for a second. What was she exactly looking for? The guy had obviously nothing in there and she was totally overreacting, not to mention crossing boundaries. That was when she spotted the letters on his desk. She took a hesitant look. Letters from family, one or two from Hogwards, the quiddich team. She recognised his handwriting on one.
Dear Moony,
I hope you're happy! It's just the start of summer break and your boyfriend hasn't stopped talking about you in three days! I don't know how much more I can take! I'm genuinly flirting with the idea of using that spell on him, you know, that good one!
How's your ''furry little problem''? I know it's one of these days, hope we can make it there before the full moon; but don't worry! We'll be there! Do you think Petey will come? He's always busy these days, but he won't tell me why! Do you think he has a girlfriend???
See you soon,
Prongs
Lily was confused. Full moon? Be there? Another letter caught her eye.
Dear Prongsieee,
Ughhh! My head is killing me! Those pre-full moon migraines are a pain in the ass! I'm glad to hear my boyfriend is loyal, but I do hope he stops ranting about his unconditional love before you die out of lonliness :)
Speaking of which, how did your date go? I swear, if I hear about another one of your disasterous stories I will become much more dangerous than normal. And consider this to be a threat!
See ya,
Moony
P.S. Peter totally has a girlfriend. Or he's doing drugs. Or both.
Ok. Now something was definately off. What. Was. This. Pre-full moon migraines? Remus being dangerous? And Potter going on a date? Ok, forget that last one.
''Well, well, hello Evans!''
She froze. Dammnit! She should've been more careful! She turned around to face a rather calm James Potter.
''Whatever you say, you're absolutely right.''
''Wow! Thank you Al Capone!''
''What happened to beautiful?''
'' You broke into my room!''
" I'm so sorry.'' she paused. ''Potter, you owe me an explanation."
" You owe me a kiss"
She didn't see that coming.
" What?"
" You owe me a kiss. You broke three rules of the Roommate Agreement, you owe me a kiss."
She was flabbergasted. No. There was no way. It couldn't have...
James started listing it for her.
" You broke into my room..."
" You said I could come in whenever I wanted!"
" It doesn't matter! You made the rules. You used the connecting key to unlock the door..."
Shit, he was right! But that couldn't possibly mean...
" And you went through my things! You owe me a kiss!"
" Potter, I have questions. You won't get away with this, you have to tell me, I-"
" I will. You... You have the right to know. ''
She was taken aback by how undisturbed he seemed. Oh god, he wasn't playing, she really had to do this! What the hell? she thought. How much can a kiss last?
''Ok, you know what? Let's get this over wi-'' James's hand cupped her face and she suddently lost the ability of speech, even more when he looked her in the eyes so... tenderly seconds before his lips touched hers.
Lily Evans had never thought about kissing James Potter, but even if she did it would be nothing like this. She expected something messy, sloppy, and overall... bad. Instead she found herself almost... enjoying what was going on? James took her lip in his teeth and she made a weird sound in the back of her throat. Had she ever been kissed like that? she wondered as she fought the urge to open her mouth when his tongue brushed her lip. Probably not. James pulled her in for an other kiss and that was her chance to pull out since they only agreed on one, but she didn't. She felt his hand finding hers and their fingers interlocking. Good Merlin, were those butterflies?
Eventually Potter broke the kiss.
''Oh.'' he whispered.
God, her head was spinning around. Wait.
''Oh? What does ''Oh'' mean?'' Was she a bad kisser? She knew Potter was waiting for that kiss for ages. Did he even like it?
''No, it's fine.''
''No. Tell me. What did you mean to say?''
''Nothing. Just that... That was a bloody good kiss Evans.''
She was definately blushing now. But James didn't seem to bother.
'' So, do you want to know about yesterday, or not?''
'' Uh, duh!''
''Ok, everything started on a windy afternoon...''
''Boo! Your storytelling skills suck!''
''Then maybe I should stop''
''No, I'm sorry, please keep going!''
''Alright, I'll tell you, but first you have to promise not to tell anyone''
''I swear on Tuney's life''
''I wasn't born yesterday''
'' Fine, I swear on Honeydukes''
'' I'll take that. Also, you have to promise not to freak out. And be supportive of Moony. And ...''
''He's a werewolf, isn't he?''
James seemed rather... impressed, almost proud of her for discovering Moony's little secret.
''That's what 'furry little problem' is about? I thought it was one of your bad jokes!''
''My jokes are never bad Evans! But yes, that's it. How do you feel about it?''
'' Remus is my friend too Potter. I could never dislike him for that! Nothing has changed for me.''
''I'm glad to hear that.''
There was a moment of comfortable silence.
''Ok, I get the... furry little situation. But where do you guys come in this story?''
''Well. I was expecting that question. You might want to sit down.''
'' Please tell me you're not a pack''
''Close but no. Our nicknames are kind of a clue though.''
''You mean Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs? Ok, Moony is a werewolf, I guess it makes sense. Wormtail reminds me of a mouse or a rat.''
'' Good! Yes!''
'' Oh, ok. Padfood sounds like a domestic animal, like a cat, or a dog...''
''Yes! Dog.''
''And Prongs could be a deer, or a... roe deer''
''A stag. Good job!''
''Thanks, but, I don't get it. Are these your patronuses?''
''Yes, but not only. These animals are a big part of who we are'' he looked at her puzzled expression. ''Think Minnie'' he whispered.
It suddently hit her.
'' YOU'RE ANIMAGI?''
''Yes, but, it's kind of a secret''
''I'm sorry. You're animagi?''
''Bingo!''
''Who knows about this?''
''Us four, a couple professors, madam Pomfrey of course and now... You!''
''Potter that's...''
''I know. Irresponsible, risky, and kind of illegal. But that's just part of being a Maraurder.''
''No. I was gonna say it's... pretty awsome! And you did that for your friend!''
''Remus is a true friend. He's a gem.''
'' He is. A lucky one too. '' Potter smiled. ''I can't believe you thought you were failing mugglology the other day! You're a fucking genius!''
'' Yet I still have no clue what the use of a rubber duck is''
''So, that's where you were last night?''
''Yep! Every full moon we keep him company. He's not always very friendly.''
''Hence the trips to Madam Pomfrey. I thought you had a crush on her.''
''Please, my heart belongs to Minnie. I'm assuming you're not telling anyone about this, right?''
''My lips are sealed.''
''And they also taste great.''
''Potter!''
''What? Just saying maybe you should break more rules! How about not breathing? We should make that a rule!''
''You have three seconds before your little broblem becomes a big one, because I'll crucify you!''
''You wouldn't dare! Stags are in danger of extinction''
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Remus was tired. He was in pain. But that didn't matter because most importantly he was in Sirius's arms.
''Babe I...''
''Shhh... Don't worry Moony. I'm here. ''
''But Dumbledoor...''
'' Don't worry about him''
''But James and Lily...''
'' Leave them to''
''But I...''
''Screw everything. And everyone. Our friends are here. Madam Pomfrey is here. And I am here. And we'll never let go.''
Remus let a sigh of relief. His world was there. His world was okay. And frankly, he was okay too.
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Sooo, what do you think?
I hope this year finds everyone happy and content in their own world. Let this be a year full of joy, creativity, productivity, self discovery and reflection, and many more things to come!
Take care,
xoxo, Bubbles