Potions
Lily felt terrible.
Remus was skipping by her side, chattering on and on about the adventures that “Mr. T-Rex” would embark on later, calling her mum, and overall just having a grand time of it all.
Lily was not having a grand time of it all.
All traces of the Remus that she knew were gone, replaced with some half-arsed attempt at him. He thought he was six years old, and oh Merlin, that hurt.
When Lily was in her second year, and really struggling at home, Remus was the one who picked up the signs and helped her.
Remus was her best friend, and now he was gone. Well, he wasn’t gone, but that made it worse. The fact that Remus; his body, his clothes, his voice, were right here, but Remus, in all the ways that mattered, was gone.
All she could do was stand there and watch as her closest friend began to sink deeper into himself.
I can’t believe I’m saying this about another student, but fuck you, Regulus Black.
They were on their way to their first class of the day, which was potions, with the Slytherins. Lily really hoped that Severus wouldn’t show up that day, because for some reason, he had begun to be a huge bitch towards Remus since the end of their fifth year, and with Remus’s regression, it would be even worse.
If there was any deity up there, they had it out for Lily, because Snape, Mulciber, Flint, and all the other “Death-Eaters To Be” were gathered around a table, snickering about something.
Lily was almost certain she knew what it was.
“Oi! Lupin! Feeling better?” Severus yelled from across the room, followed by Mulciber bursting into laughter.
“Oh, fuck off, Snape.” came James’s voice from behind Lily. “Leave him alone.”
“Not a chance, Potter.” Severus smirked, “How’s the babysitting job going, by the way?”
“Alright, alright!” Slughorn walked out from behind his desk, “Sit down everyone.”
“Mum?” Remus whispered, covering his ears, “It’s too loud.”
“Okay Remus, give me a second.” Lily turned, tapping on James’s shoulder.
“What is it, Evans?” He asked, turning around.
“Remus said it’s too loud. Should I put up a charm or just ask Slughorn to be quieter?”
“Knowing him, he won’t get quieter, but you should try asking him first, I think.”
“Right. Thanks.” She replied, before shooting her hand into the air.
“Today we will be discussing the properties of– Oh! Ms. Evans, a question?” Slughorn boomed.
“Yes, Remus would like you to be more quiet, if that’s possible?”
“Oh!” Slughorn said, voice only slightly quieter than it had been, “My apologies, I hadn’t seen Mr. Lupin. If he needs anything else, just let me know!”
He was struggling to stay quiet, but at least he was trying.
Remus slowly lowered his hands.
“Thanks, mum.” He said bashfully.
“Of course, love.” Lily returned, heart cracking even more down the middle.
After that, potions continued without incident, until Slughorn told them that they would be brewing a potion today, and not just writing notes.
“Fuck.” Sirius muttered under his breath.
“My thoughts exactly.” Lily whispered to him, “What do we do with Remus?” James thrusted his hand in the air. “Mr. Potter, do you have a question?” Slughorn asked.
“What should Remus do?” James questioned.
“Mr. Lupin can…” Clearly the professor hadn’t thought that far ahead.
“Doesn’t McGonagall have a free period right now?” Sirius suggested, “We have her next, we could just take him there. He likes her.”
“You may do that, Mr. Black.” Slughorn said, face showing how relieved he was for a solution.
“Ms. Evans, would you take him?” Lily nodded, rising from her seat, and tapping a dozing Remus on the shoulder. “Remus, love I have to take you to Professor McGonagall.” She told him gently.
“Alright mum.” He yawned in response, rising from his seat and grabbing Moonie.
As they walked out of the classroom, Remus sucking his thumb absentmindedly, Lily could feel the eyes of her fellow students on her back. Some were sad, others judging. None mattered.
“C’mon Remus,” Lily said, dragging him along the hallway, “I’m sure that Professor McGonagall will be very happy to see you.”
“Okay mum!” Remus exclaimed.
“Remus, dear, you have to be more quiet. There are classes going on.” Lily whispered, heart breaking even more. They used to have to tell Remus to be louder, because he mumbled.
“Sorry.” Remus muttered, looking down at the floor.
“It’s alright.”
The rest of the walk to Professor McGonagall’s classroom was quiet, only interrupted by Remus occasionally breaking into giggles when one of the portraits moved.
When they reached the door, Lily raised her hand to knock, and before she could knock twice, Professor McGonagall banged the door open, causing Remus to squeal and dart behind a plant.
“Oh! Hello Ms. Evans, Mr. Lupin. How can I help you?” The professor asked, eyes softening.
“Sorry to interrupt Professor, but we’re brewing potions in Professor Slughorn's class, and we didn’t know where else to put Remus, so we were wondering if you could watch him?” Lily questioned, wringing her hands.
“Of course Remus can stay with me! I have biscuits.” McGonagall said, eyes sparkling.
“Thank you!” Lily exclaimed, before gesturing to Remus. “Remus, love, it’s okay. You can come out. You’re going to stay with Professor McGonagall for a bit, then we’ll come get you.”
Remus crept out from behind the plant, eyeing McGonagall anxiously. “Okay mum…”
“Come in, Mr. Lupin, I’ll get out the biscuits.” Professor McGonagall said kindly.
“Okay!” Remus shouted, darting into the room without even saying goodbye to Lily.