"I'm gonna go get another drink." I mumbled to Sirius.

It was almost eleven. Almost close time for the Sunday evening. Not soon enough though.

I was becoming increasingly irritated at Peter's behaviour with the combination of no one paying attention to how rude he was. Snark blunt comments, rolling his eyes at anything I said, staring when I didn't say anything. His gaze was beginning to feel itchy.

I wanted to call him out on his behaviour, attempt to get an explanation as to why his behaviour towards me had completely switched since school. I would have if we were alone, i didn't want to be that girl that allowed people to disrespect her again. I didn't because of the people surrounding us. Smiling, enjoying themselves and trying their best to include me. It wouldn't have been fair.

I sat at the bar for a breather, pretending to be waiting for a drink but I just needed a moment alone to ensure I didn't snap at the gangly, rude, blonde.

"Hey, my friend over there finds you cute." A voice said behind me.

James.

"Which one?" I said playing along.

"Too tall, goofy looking. The 'are they ginger?' Only sunlight will tell, one?" He joked.

"Oh yeah she's cute." I pretended to look interested in Lily's direction. Although I knew he was referencing Remus' chestnut coloured hair. Brown with red undertones.

He gave me a look.

And sat down next to me. Ordering the last round of drinks for the table.

"How you doing, Art? Seriously." He said sincerely. Which wasn't an approach you got from James easily.

"Taking a quick breather, truthfully."

"I get that. We're a tight knit group. I can imagine it's a lot to adjust to again. Lily hasn't stopped worrying about it." He revealed.

"Really?" I mumbled, not knowing whether to believe him or feel reassured that I wasn't alone.

"We're all just pretty protective of Rem, that's all. She thinks that translated wrong back in the day." He said, judging my reaction.

I shrugged with a small smile. Not wanting to say anything not entirely positive about the girl he had always been so fond of.

He nodded and laughed a little as if that was all the reply he needed.

"She's not good at making friends. Despite what it looks like. We all kind of dragged her into the group in second year, she used to sit alone like you did. She only knew Severus, I think that says everything you need to know." He said.

I almost didn't believe him.

"Second year?" I said. I couldn't imagine that group not being an instant group from the beginning of Hogwarts.

"If anyone understands not feeling like they fit into the group, it's Lily. Until she did. It would be weird without her here but there was a point where she wasn't." James explained.

"Are you just trying to make me feel better?" I smirked at him.

"I mean duh, but doesn't mean it's not true. Just relax! We all like you." He laughed.

I scrunched my nose. About to mention the fact that Peter obviously didn't but before I could James spoke up again. Starting to pick up the number of drinks and asking for my help.

"I mean someone more than the rest of us. Can't promise to like you that much, sorry." He winked.

We wandered over to the table and put down all the drinks. Before I could take my seat next to Sirius and Lily again, James took it.

Leaving the seat next to Remus and ... Peter.

I knew James was leaving it for me to sit next to Remus...and potentially for him to sit next to Lily but I couldn't help but sigh as I walked back over instead of feeling appreciative.

Remus spotted my disinterest in the seat next to him and looked a little upset.

"You okay?" He whispered to me as I sat down, inching the chair closer to him and further away from Peter.

"Getting a bit tired, honestly." I said and although it was the truth, Peter was the main culprit for my desire for distance.

I just needed to sleep on it before bringing it up to someone. I was the new one to the group, again. I couldn't come in straight away, again, and disrupt things, again.

"Do you want to stay at mine tonight? I've got to be at work for ten but?" He asked.

Peter and Remus were roommates. Which wasn't ideal.

"I'll just go back to mine. Thank you, though." I smiled.

His hand squeezed my knee under the table in a reassuring manner.

"We'll leave soon." He smiled and continued to rest his hand on my thigh. Which did help me feel more relaxed.

The last half an hour went by quickly, thank Merlin and we were soon encouraged to leave the pub.

We all wandered outside, most of us laughing and purposely bumping into each other and testing how strong our beer legs were.

"It was good seeing you again, doll. I'll grab your number from Remus tomorrow." Marlene said before she said her goodbyes.

"We were thinking of a girls night soon. Just let us know if you want to join, maybe. Only if you want to. No pressure." Lily added and they both left together with waves and smiles.

"Bring it in, Art." James threw himself on me, forcing a hiccup out of his body.
"I don't say proper goodbyes to people who I plan to see again, so...don't make this awkward." He laughed and started dragging Sirius away, without a goodbye.

Leaving just me, Remus and Peter.

"I'll take Arty back to her's, Pete, and then I'll come home after." Remus said.

"So you're not coming with me?" Peter said but his eyes snapped to mine with a hateful resentment filling them.

"I'll just meet you at home. It's floo, won't take long." Remus laughed at Peter's frozen frame.

"Fine." He huffed and walked off to a nearby network.

"He gets cranky without enough sleep." Remus laughed but I didn't find it particularly cute or funny.
"Let's get you home."

-

It felt nice to be walking up the stairs to my flat. Remus following behind me.

I unlocked my front door and gestured for Remus to come inside.

"I better go home, actually." He smiled and said in a soft voice, one that felt like succumbing to a soft bed for a good sleep.

"Thanks for getting me home safe." I smiled in return. Resting my head against the doorframe in a relaxed but coy manner.

"You did really well tonight. Everyone loved seeing you, obviously." He said as if it would be impossible not to- totally oblivious to one of his best friends contradicting behaviour.

"It was nice." I said truthfully, for the most part.

"I hate saying goodbye to you." He laughed at himself, a magnetic instinct to remain in his spot despite needing to go home and rest for work the next day.

"I mean it's not really a goodbye though, is it?" I said, James' approach to leaving the conversation open until the next lingering in my mind.

Remus leant in and pulled my face away from resting upon the doorframe to meet his. Softly placing his lips against mine in a sweet, small kiss.

"Goodnight." He almost whispered, walking backwards away with a dimpled smile, before having to turn and walk down the stairs.

"Goodnight!" I said, quickly walking to the stair banister after realising I didn't speak after the kiss.

He looked up from the bottom of the stairs with a look in his eye that was deeper than what I would interpret as peaceful thought.

"You're so beautiful, Arty." He smiled up at me, as I looked down upon him from the landing.

I couldn't reply, a big smile growing upon my face and bashfulness making me hide my face with my hands.

When I removed them, he was gone and I could hear him laugh lightly as the door to the building closed behind him.

I rushed to the window of the landing, watching him walk away down the street before heading back into my flat and feeling the warmth of my blushed face comfort me to sleep.