Obsessed -- January 1975

"You two won't give it a rest, will you?" I asked tiredly. They were worse than a married couple, honestly. "Maybe gettign away from the two of you will help..." I sighed. "It probably wouldn't... but still. Stop arguing. I don't need to be a referee today."

"Well, maybe if friends helped friends I wouldn't be arguing with james," I said stubbornly crossing my arms and glaring at my brother. After a moment I looked away. "But fine... I'll stop arguing wiht him, even though I'm right."

"Ok, ok," I said, holding up my hands. "I'll go to class for you, mate," I conceded to my sister. He looked like shit and that was the oly reason I was going... not to do as my sister said. "Which one is next?"

"Transfiguration," I answered, glad he was going for me. "Just tell McGonagall my furry little problem is making me feel unable to do my best in class and that I apologize for not coming." I knew he wouldn't tell her so I made a mental note to make sure that I send Ember to the Owlery to send and owl to her stating so. "Thanks, mate."

I groaned inwardly. McGonagall would make my life hell in her class. "Okay... well, I should probably go then, huh?" I asked in a saddened voice. I knew that Remus would feel bad... but still. I loved Trasnfiguration, but hated McGonagall taching it. She was so hard on me... I knew I deserved it, but still.

It took all my self control not to laugh evilly. I knew how James just loved Transfiguration class. It was only because of McGonagall's toughness, though. I personally didn't find her that tough... but that's because I behaved in class. James definitely didn't. Moron.

"Yeah, you should get going," I said. "And don't forget to turn in the papers due today -- Mine's in my bag in the dorm and yours is with it. Don't forget either of them, James."

"Oh yeah, thanks," I said releived that Remus remembered about them because I couldn't afford not to turn it in. "I'll be back after class to check on you. See ya. Ember, behave," I added sternly before I left. I ran up to get Remus's bag and then headed to class. When I walked in everyoen looked, probably expecting to see Remus. "Professor... Remus is ill," I said, giving her a pointed look hoping she'd understand. " He apologizes... yada yada yada, I have our papers."

I rubbed my hands together to keep the chill from getting to them. The coldness really didnt' affect me as much this time of the month as others. I stopped walking because the snow was starting to get too deep to bother with. I looked over to Ember adn saw that her lips were a little purple and that she was shivering slightly; none of us had been prepared to go outdoors. "why don't we go in and get you warmed up?" I suggested, my pain not as bad as before.

I rubbed my hands against my arms and shrugged. "If you don't want to... that's fine," I said, concentrating on keeping my words steady adn clear of stuttering. I didn't want remus to feel bad or anything.

I rolled my eyes. Just as stubborn as James. "C'mon," I said, literally turning her around to head back up to the castle. I could feel how cold she was through her shirt. "Merlin... you should've said something, Ember... you're freezing."

I shrugged. "It's not that bad," I lied so he wouldn't feel bad. I shivered slightly when he touched me... that's probably why he thought I was more cold than I was. But I was okay with that.

I rolled my eyes. "Keep walking," I told her, "James would kill me if I let you freeze tod eath, even if I feel like death myself."

"Tthat's true," I said, agreeing reluctantly. I hated agreeing to things... but for Remus, I was okay with that. Even though I enjoyed Remus's company, I found myself thinking of Sirius... maybe I was indirectly choosing one or the other? I don't know. But I still loved them both even if they didn't know it.

We entered the entrance hall. "Do you want to get some hot chocolate or something?" I asked, looking into the great hall and seeing a few students milling about with soup and hot beverages.