Just another February morning.
Breeze flowing. Nice weather.

James had his quill out trying to figure out some herbology stuff.

He looked outside the window.

Lily was with Snape.

James drifted his gaze and focussed into something else.
But the memories kept coming back.

↪️↪️ Flash Back ↪️↪️

'James, can I talk to you in person?' Lily asked.
James hesitated but agreed.

'Thanks for yesterday. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come.'

'You would have done fine. You would have Snape running to your safety.' James said.

'I really am grateful.' Lily said.

'You should be. I risked my life for you.' James said.

'I know that. James, this has been hard on me too.'

'It's always been about you, isn't it?' James scoffed. 'What about me? What about me, Lily?' James said whispering the last bit.

Lily remained silent.

'You can run off to your old pal, Snape but remember that the people which attacked you were his friends.' James said.

'He saved your life, too.'
'I would have rather died with you than see you with him.' James said. 'Are you done? Because I have better things to do then talk with you.'

'Why are you angry with me?' Lily asked. 'If it was that much a problem to you, you shouldn't have done anything.'

'Goddamnit lily, I am not angry. I love you. And I can do anything for you. But believe me, if you really forgive Snape for what he has done, I will feel sorry for myself for wasting so much time on a person like you.'

James exited the room, not sure what had happened. He had either broke whatever connection they had ever shared or started the connection they never had.
***

The flashback stung in his mind.
Lily had decided to give Snape a second chance, though James had expressed extreme contempt.

'James, are you okay? You don't seem okay.' Sirius said in the present.
Remus sat beside him, nose dipped in the defence against the dark arts textbook.

'Nah, I am fine.'

'No, you're not. And neither would I, in your position.' Sirius said.

'I just hate him so much. And love her so much.' James said, rolling a fist, clacking his knuckles.

'James, I have a theory.' Sirius said.
'I am not in the mood for studies, Siri.' James sighed.

'No. A theory regarding what happened in hogsmeade.' Sirius said.

'What?' James asked.
'What if it was a set-up?' Sirius asked.

'No way.' Remus snorted.
'Yeah, way. There's no other possible explanation for that.' Sirius said. 'I mean Malfoy and Snape are long lost buddies.'

'Yeah, the theory isn't helping.' James said.

'Come on, get up. Stop moping around. Come on, let's go for a walk.' Sirius said.

'Sirius, we have an exam tomorrow. Herbology. Ring a bell?' James said exasperated.

'Yeah. But moony is done with it. And Moony's letting us copy.'
'No, I am not.' said Remus with a nonchalant expression.

***
'Ugh stop interrupting me.' Mary shouted.

'It was just an opinion.' said Remus raising his hands in mock surrender.

Remus's eyes went over to a couple few tables over.

Dorcas and Luke were holding hands and gazing into one another's eyes.

'I don't get it.' He said.

'What?' Mary asked following his eyes.

'It just seems so unrealistic. How their relationship is so perfect.'

'Their relationship isn't perfect.' Mary snorted.

'No, I mean there's something wrong. Think about it.'

⏪⏪ Flash Back ⏪⏪

'Hey, you two.' Remus said, him and Mary dropping into the seats beside them, sliding their beers across the table.

'What are you two chattering about?'

'We are going ice skating this weekend.' They grinned, squeezing their hands.

'We got a whole stadium for ourselves for the whole two days and even nice hotel rooms.' Luke said.

'Wow, that's great, you guys.' Mary said.

'Yeah, great.' Remus said grabbing his beer bottle.

'It was all his idea, wasn't it Lukestar?' Dorcas grinned.

'Half credit goes your way, Dorky.' Luke grinned.

They touched each other's nose with their index finger and worked their way into a snog.

'Yeah, anybody want to eat? I am starving.' Remus said tearing his eyes away from them.

Mary swatted his arm.

'What?' He mouthed in irration.

'Be nice.' She mouthed.
***
'I can't think of anything. They are such cutie pies.' Mary said.

'Really? Nothing? Dorcas doesn't tolerate anyone calling her dorky.'

'Well, she's in love with Luke.'

'Oh, I guess I was just an outsider last year.' Remus said.

'Yeah, I would rather not have a discussion about your ex, Remus.' Mary fake smiled.

'We were just having a discussion and you didn't have a problem.' Remus said, confused.

'Yeah, as long as it concerns my best friend, I'm all ears but your ex, not so much.' Mary said.

'Glad that's clear.' Remus said heaving a fake sigh of relief.
***
'Okay, this isn't personal. But I have to ask.' Remus said.

'What is it, Remus?' Dorcas asked.

'Dorky. What was that about?'

'It's a nickname Luke gave me. It makes us share a special connection between us.' Dorcas said innocently.

'No, I gave it and you threatened to break up with me claiming you hated nicknames.' Remus said.

'I guess I just know it in my heart that Luke is the one for me.'

***
'What happened?' James asked.

'She said Luke's the one for her.' Remus said.

'You are such a dork.' Sirius grinned.
***