No Judgement Here #18

"I can't believe my parents are making me attend the Frost Queen's wedding," Sirius grumbled, referring to his cousin Narcissa Black. He sat beside James in potions class. Remus and Lily stood at a table behind them.

"Yeah, tough luck, mate," James said as he thinly sliced up a portion of boomslang.

"Just make sure you're careful around Remus tonight. He tends to get really feisty," Sirius warned James. He wouldn't be there for Remus's transformation for the first time since they had become animagi, and he was the one who usually calmed down the werewolf at first.

"I think I can handle him," James said, dropping his cut-up product into their bubbling cauldron.

Sirius picked up a spoon and began to stir it counter-clockwise. "Yeah, well that's what I thought before. You can't underestimate him. He'll act all sweet and cuddly, and you turn around for a second, and-Wham!-he's all over you!"

James pushed his shoulders back. "It'll be fine, Sirius. I'm not helpless," he said, referring to his animagus's antlers. He glanced back at Remus, who was ignoring them as he counted his stirs. Lily was looking down at their book. James bit his lip nervously and looked back to his partner. "Any other pointers?"

"Yeah, if he tries to lick you, don't be fooled. He really just wants to bite you, and he bites really hard." Sirius rubbed his neck absentmindedly.

"What are you two doing tonight?" Lily asked Remus curiously.

Sirius and James turned around. Remus's eyes widened, he opened his mouth to respond quickly but was cut off by Sirius.

"None of your business, Evans," he snarled.

"Sirius!" James yelled and cuffed his friend upside the head.

"Ow!"

Lily turned to Remus, who looked suspiciously guilty and then over to James who gave her a timid smile but offered no explanation. Her mouth dropped open.

"Oh."

"What, 'oh'?" James asked, confused. He looked to Sirius, who glared at him and turned away, refusing to offer his assistance.

"Stupid James. Doesn't need my help," he muttered hotly under his breath as he began to stir the potion once more.

"I just mean. It makes sense," Lily said, her cheeks blushing. She glanced over at Remus and her blush grew as Sirius's words of advice flashed through her head. She giggled.

"Wait." Remus looked up suddenly. "No, no, absolutely not, Lily," he insisted.

James furrowed his eyebrows. "What?"

"You don't have to explain yourself. I will be your friend no matter what," she said to Remus.

James dropped his knife and it clattered to the ground. "NO. No, Lily. That's not it. We're not.."

"Definitely not," Remus added.

Lily nodded in a decidedly feigned manner. "Of course not."

"Sirius, Sirius, tell her," James said.

Sirius gave his friend a level look before turning around to Lily.

"I'm glad you finally figured it out, Evans."