Marauders Oneshots

Lily was sitting on the ground, her legs kicked out in front of her and watching the student body walk by. Severus was in class, and she didn’t really enjoy talking to anyone else. Some of the girls were fun, but not all the time. It was just as she leaned her head back, closing her eyes that she felt something crash into her leg. 

“What the hell?” She asked, looking up. It wasn’t until then that she realized that it wasn’t something but someone. 

“Sorry, sorry,” They muttered. She looked over, and saw the book bag that they had been carrying was completely broken along the seam, and their books had spilled everywhere. 

“No, it’s okay, it’s fine,” She said. “Do you need help?” 

“No, it’s fine,” As they stood up, she could finally see his face. 

“Hey, I know you. Remus, right?” She asked. 

Like anyone didn’t know his name. People had been whispering since he showed up five years ago. The scars carved into his face had been a source of speculation for most of the students there, and hanging out with James Potter and Sirius member-of-the-28-families Black did not help keep him low profile. 

“Yep,” Remus said, looking down as he tried to pull his books together. 

“Here- I can help,” She said, grabbing one of his books. He sighed heavily, sitting back on his heels glowering at her. 

“This is huge, what book is this?” She asked, turning it around to look at the cover. “Moby Dick-” 

“Give me that,” Remus said, snatching the book back. 

“I read that, a few months ago,” She said. “It’s long and boring. Why are you reading it?”

“Why did you?” He asked with a scowl.

“Because my sister did. She’s a muggle, and I was tired of her rubbing it in my nose,” She said, picking up another book. “And Animal Farm? You read a lot, huh?”

“What is it to you?” He asked. 

“I didn’t think that someone who hung out with James Potter would be well read,” She said with a smile. 

“James is smarter than he seems,” Remus said. “Well, I mean he’s dumb as rocks, but like, not as a person, just in his classes. Whatever- can you hand me my books?” 

“Your bag is broken,” She said looking down. 

“Yeah, I can fucking see that,” Remus said. 

“I know how to sew,” She said. “I can fix this up for you if you want,” 

“It’s fine,” Remus said. “I can sew,” 

“Well you’re shit at it,” She said. “Look at those patches on your coat. The stitching is sloppy, and you used the wrong thread. I’ll make it look like new. It won’t break again,” 

Remus sighed heavily, looking at her wearily before relenting and handing her the bag silently. 

“I can help you carry these books to the dorm,” Lily said. “You’re Gryffindor too, right?”

“I’ve got it,” Remus said. “Just- drop the bag off when you’re done,” 

“Okay, I will,” She said. Remus made a noise in the back of his throat, scooping all of his stuff up in his coat and bundling it up. “Hey-” 

“What?” He asked, turning back exasperated. 

“I’m Lily,” She said. “You never asked my name,” 

“I didn’t feel the need. And I know who you are,” He said. 

“Oh. Okay well- I guess I’ll see you when I’m done,” 

“Maybe,” He said with a shrug. 

“Okay. Bye, Remus,” She said, waving at him. He didn’t say anything in return, trudging up to the dorms. 

“Well that was weird,” She whispered to herself, turning the bag over in her hands. 

It was old and worn. The leather had faded and creased so much she had a hard time guessing what the bag used to look like when it was made. The split down the middle was simple enough itself, but the metal had rusted slightly, and everything seemed a bit frayed. It wouldn’t be hard to fix, but he really should get a new bag. It was only a matter of time before the whole thing fell apart. 

---

Remus flopped down on his bed, covering his head with his pillow and groaning. James leaned over and poked him with his wand, trying to get a reaction. When that didn’t work, he took the obvious route and continued to keep poking him slightly harder with it until he got up. 

“Holy fuck what do you want?” Remus snapped, sitting up. 

“Someone's touchy,” James said, raising an eyebrow. Remus just looked at him for a long time. “Bad day?” 

“Bad week. Bad year. Bad life,” Remus replied, flopping back down. 

“So a really bad day?” James said. “It’s not the full moon yet, is it? That’s not for- what, two weeks?” 

“This is non-wolf related,” Remus said. 

“What’s going on?” James asked. 

“Nothing- where’s Pads? Shouldn’t you be making trouble somewhere?” Remus asked. 

“Detention with Filch,” James said. 

“Oof,” Remus said sympathetically. They had all been there. 

“Come on dude, what’s going on?” James asked. 

“Long fucking story,” Remus said. James raised his eyebrows, waiting for Remus to continue. “Look, I ran into Lucius and his fucking goons, which was as pleasurable as it always is, and he gave me hell,” 

“Should I go beat him up?” James asked. 

“No no, I turned him into a toad,” Remus said. “But then I fell flat on my fucking face. Twice. Second time was in front of Lily-” 

“You talked to Lily?” James asked. Not wanting to come across as a total creep, he had been trying to be more respectful of her personal space. It was tragic for him. 

“Yeah, my bag spilled everywhere, and she’s fixing it,” Remus said. “Didn’t want her to, but I did want her to stop talking. I also put in a good word for you,” 

“You’re the bestest friend ever,” James said very sincerely. 

“Yeah, you’re welcome,”  Remus said, pulling the pillow back over his face. “Ugh,” 

“You sure nothing else happened? You seem awfully upset,” James said. 

“I’m just in a sour mood is all, I’ll be fine in a few hours,” Remus said. James screwed up his face, thinking for a second. 

“Come on, I’ve got something that will cheer you up,” James said.

“There is not a single thing on this green earth that can cheer me up,” Remus said. 

“I’ve got chocolate,” James said, throwing a chocolate frog at him. Remus lifted his head. 

“Okay, maybe one thing on this green earth,” He said. James laughed at him, flopping down next to him. 

“Just so long as you give me that trading card.” 

---

“Hey- Remus,” Lily called, waving him down.

 Remus was out in the yard, staring at the sky with a disdain for life. The common room was too loud, and James and Sirius were at Quidditch practice. Leaving him stranded. Except for Peter, but he didn’t really like hanging out with just Peter. That still didn’t mean he wanted to deal with other people.

“Hey- I fixed your bag,” She said, smiling brightly at him. He could see why James liked her, she was spunky like his friend, and very pretty. He personally found it insufferable. 

“Thank you,” He said politely. 

“I fixed it up a little too, and I reinforced all of the seams, so it shouldn’t rip anywhere now,” She said. 

“Thanks Lily,” Remus said, nodding. 

“Do you mind if I sit?” She asked. 

“If I say no, will you leave?” He asked. 

She sat down.

“So how are you liking Moby Dick so far?” She asked. Remus sighed heavily, rubbing his neck. 

“Look, Lily, you seem great, but I really would rather get eaten by the giant squid than have to sit and make small talk with you,” He said, rubbing his temples. He could feel a headache building. 

“Why on earth don’t you want to talk?” She asked. 

“Why on earth would I?” He responded. 

“Dude I didn’t even do anything and you’re like- totally shutting me out,” She said incredulously. 

“Yeah, well, I shut everybody out. Don’t take it so personally. It’s just… easier,” Remus said, shaking his head. 

“Easier than what?” She asked. Clearly he wasn’t going to be able to escape this conversation. 

“Talking,” Remus said with a shrug. “Being ‘friends’ with a whole lot of people,” 

“This can’t possibly be easier,” Lily said, shaking her head. 

“Last time I made a friend outside of my dorm mates I ended up tied to a rock at the bottom of the lake,” Remus said. “So yeah, this is easier,”

“What if I pinky promise I won’t tie you to a rock and throw you into the lake?” She asked. Remus sighed. 

“I have a feeling I’m not going to get a whole lot of say here, am I?” 

“Nope!”