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     WHILE THOMAS MOREAU AND ADELINA ROMANO HAD A LOT IN COMMON, a love for quidditch was not something the two shared.

     While the two were together, Lina went to every match and every practice in order to fulfill her role as a supportive girlfriend. She loved Tommy and loved watching him do what he loved, but the sport itself was a bore to her. She didn't understand it and, quite frankly, wasn't interested enough to want  to understand it.

     But often times, she just wanted something to do. And if tagging along with her two friends as they went to watch the Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw quidditch match would prevent her from restlessly staring at her ceiling for a few hours, it was good enough for her.

      "You're not playing, you're not friends with anyone who's playing..." Jules trailed off as the three walked towards the pitch. "What exactly is our place here?"

     "Quidditch." Was all Tommy said in response. The two girls rolled their eyes simultaneously.

     "Thanks," Lina said sarcastically, looking up at the boy who just sported a smug smile. As they walked outside to the pitch, she felt the warm sun on her skin and was immediately at ease. She loved summer; she loved the beach, loved to tan, and loved the warm weather. Unfortunately, she had spent the entirety of her favorite season in her cold, dark room. Shielding her eyes with her hand so she could see the stands, she searched for a seat. "Where are we supposed to sit? I don't know about you guys, but I don't really have any friends in either of these houses."

     Jules, shielding her eyes just as Lina had done, perked up when her eyes found a certain two boys at the top of the stands. Tommy, following her eyes, groaned in protest. "I am not sitting with those two," he said, folding his arms like a toddler throwing a tantrum, "I've had enough of those four in the past week to last me a lifetime."

     Finally understanding who Jules was wanting to sit by, Lina almost rolled her eyes at the boy's protests. "Suit yourself, you can stand here." She grabbed her best friend's arm and began to climb the stands where Remus and Peter sat.

     "Lina, Jules, hi!" Peter said nervously as the two approached. In all honesty, he was happy for some company, but was unsure and a bit nervous as to why the Slytherin girls were at this match. The two names made the taller, scarred boy next to him look up from his book in confusion.

     "Hey, Peter," Jules greeted while Lina smiled at the two, her cheeks flushing a bit when Remus smiled shyly and looked away, probably still embarrassed by the night of the party. "Sorry if we're intruding, Tommy dragged us here and we don't really know anyone else here, so, d'ya mind if we sit?"

     Peter nodded profusely and got up, letting the girls past him so that they sat sandwiched between the two boys, Lina next to Remus and Jules next to Peter. Julianna, being the outgoing teen she was, immediately began conversation with Peter about the game in front of them, the boy being very excited and proud to talk about his friends who were currently carrying the game.

     Lina tuned out their conversation as she rested her chin on her palms, elbows on her knees. Her eyes were focused on the blur of red and blue in front of her, with the occasional gold sphere zipping through her line of sight. She could feel the sun beating down on her face, knowing that she would probably be burnt tomorrow ( honestly, she didn't really mind; she loved the way it gave her a natural blush and made her freckles pop ).

     Her mind flipped through topics rapidly, going from the pastry she had at breakfast that morning to the homework she was going to have to force herself to complete after.

     Lina was snapped out of it by the sound of her name. Although she hadn't heard what came before it, Peter was looking at her expectantly as if he had asked a question. She internally panicked, realizing that this probably wasn't giving off the best impression. She couldn't just keep sitting here, clueless, but she didn't want to ask and admit that she hadn't heard anything, and he was waiting for an answer, and—

     "He asked if you had done the Herbology homework," Remus said lowly from next to her, quiet enough that the others couldn't hear, noticing her dilemma.

     "Oh, no, not yet," she answered, hoping that either of the boys didn't think she was too weird for her little space-out moment. It tended to happen often. "I was planning on doing it after this."

     "Good luck," Remus said, joining the conversation officially, "it's so much reading. And I like reading." The boy held up his book as proof, not missing the way the Italian girl next to him perked up and her eyes sparkled as she saw the cover. But as his words sunk in, her eyes fell flat as she let out a small groan.

     "It's fine, we can do it together," her best friend said to her, feeling bad. Lina just nodded, rubbing her temples as Jules resumed conversation with Peter.

     "Not a big reader?" Remus asked tentatively, his voice soft and laced with curiosity. He had seen the way she looked at the book he was currently reading, as if she had read and enjoyed it herself, so he was confused at her apparent distaste for reading. Maybe it was just the subject material, he thought.

     Lina leaned back against the wall behind them, being at the top of the stands, and sighed as she tried to think of how to explain it to the boy. After some time, all she could come up with was: "I mean, I like books."

      The answer was so interesting and unexpected that Remus couldn't help but snort in amusement, making the girl flush a deep red. "Sorry," he apologized, hoping that she didn't think he was making fun of her. "You like books but don't like to read them?" He asked, still amused, yet still very curious, and was relieved when she cracked an embarrassed smile.

     "Reading is hard for me." She opted to keep it simple. She barely knew the boy, he didn't need to know all of her issues right off the bat. "I like learning, I like the stories," she began, too busy picking at the threads on her skirt to realize how focused the taller boy was on what she was saying, "but it's just a pain. It takes way too long and makes my head hurt."

     Remus, although he didn't understand, nodded. He enjoyed the stories too, but also enjoyed reading them. He was a fast and thorough reader. He couldn't imagine having to go through that.

     "You seemed like you knew this," he started, holding up his copy of The Godfather,  a popular muggle book.

     "Oh, yeah!" She lit up again, taking the frayed spine into her dry hands when the boy offered it to her. "One of my favorites."

     "I'm not finished yet, so don't spoil anything," he teased, taking the novel back from her. "How did you read it? If you don't mind me asking, of course. Sorry if I—"

     "No, it's okay, really. Tommy got it for me on cassette. Apparently it's a muggle thing, some guy just gets paid to read books out loud and record it. I quite like the concept, except they read a little slow and their voices are always so bloody irritating. I wish it was like, customizable." She rambled, not noticing the quick pace in which she was talking.

     "Yeah, it's a muggle thing," he said, hesitant at first to somewhat-reveal the muggle part of his blood status to a Slytherin, but he could tell that the two girls next to him held no blood prejudice.

     "Makes sense," she said, remembering how when she tried to bring the tapes and player back to the manor, they refused to enter the house. She was confused about it at the time, thinking the technology was made by wizards, but knowing now that it was a muggle device cleared it up. It didn't sound out of character for her dad to place an anti-muggle charm on their pristine, pureblood mansion.

     Remus furrowed his eyebrows in confusion but decided to leave it be, noticing the dark look that had washed over the girl's features.

     The four sat in silence for a bit, watching the end of the game. Gryffindor was winning by a lot, but James and Sirius had scored some last minute points at the end with a rather flashy play that sent the Gryffindor stands into cheers. Lina and Jules couldn't help but stand up and clap, smiles on their faces, while the two boys next to her shouted and cheered for their best friends.

     She watched the players fly off of the pitch to get changed and Jules grabbed her arm, leading her down the steps to Tommy, who was clapping himself. Lina was surprised, she thought he would definitely be bothered by the fact that Gryffindor won.

     "D'ya see that play?" He asked the two, eyes wide. "Brilliant!"

     "Did you hit your head?" Lina asked, grabbing his face and moving it around as if she was inspecting it for injuries.

     He swatted her hands away and huffed. "Very funny. I can appreciate good quidditch, even if the players are a couple of—"

     "Couple of what, mate?" Sirius Black said, slinging an arm around Tommy's shoulders in a joking manner. He was still in his uniform, his black hair slicked back and forehead glistening with sweat. James followed behind him, looking proud of his win.

     Tommy shrugged off his arm and moved to stand by the girls. "Couple of lovely gentlemen," he smiled sarcastically. James placed his hands over his heart, pretending to be touched by the comment.

The moment was ruined by Remus and Peter returning, clapping their friends on the back and congratulating them. Lina admired how close the four were; they were like brothers. She was glad that she had something similar with Jules and Tommy.

     "Come to support your potions partner?" Sirius asked Lina, focusing on the two girls' presence. "And your future love?" He asked Jules.

     "Definitely not that..." Jules trailed off as she eyed the boy up and down in disgust. He only laughed in response, obviously not phased by her rejection. 

     Lina was very confused by their dynamic. 

     "Saw you guys all sitting in the stands," James began, looking towards the four, "thanks for coming to watch." He smiled, seeming genuine.

     Lina really didn't understand why Tommy hated them so much. Sure, they had massive egos and their pranks could be incredibly annoying and immature a lot of the time, but they had been nothing but nice to her and her friends so far. That honestly surprised her the most—she had expected the big-headed Gryffindors to detest her and her friends due to the fact that they were Slytherins. Granted, they weren't the same type of Slytherins as people like Snape or Malfoy. They weren't nasty to muggle-borns or half-bloods or any other house. 

     "Can't say it was fully our choice, but..." Jules trailed off, pointing at Tommy, who was suddenly looking bashful, "we had fun."

     "Well I'm hitting the showers," Sirius announced loudly, running a hand through his dark hair that was now damp with sweat. "I'll see you two in the common room?" He asked, looking between Remus and Peter. The two boys in question nodded in response, and Lina watched as James and Sirius walked off. 

     "I'm gonna go find Ravenclaw's captain," Tommy announced before walking off. Lina rolled her eyes at his antics.

     "Mind if we walk with you back to the castle?" Jules asked the two remaining marauders. 

     Remus shrugged. "Sure," he answered simply. Lina studied him as the group began to walk. Peter and Jules were speaking animatedly about some kind of homework assignment—the girl really couldn't be bothered to listen in—so instead, she was thinking about Remus. 

     She didn't know much about him. Sure, he was a part of the most popular friend group in their year, but he was a bit more reserved than Potter or Black. He was quite mischievous, that was certain, but he was quieter and kept to himself more. She knew a few things about him. Lina knew he didn't drink often, and when he did, he couldn't hold his alcohol. Lina knew he took good notes in potions. Lina knew he loved to read. But that was it. 

     The girl found herself wondering more about him as her eyes ran over a particularly large scar on his cheekbone. He looked sick still, just as he had the night of the party and the morning after. She was beginning to wonder if he had some kind of medical condition, but she figured it was rude to ask. 

     "So," he began suddenly, breaking her out of her trance, "how is having Sirius as a potions partner? I can't imagine what you have to deal with," he smiled kindly.

     Lina shook her head with a small smile of her own. "Honestly, I feel bad for him having me as a partner." Remus shot her a confused look. There was no way that the quiet Slytherin girl was more of a nuisance than Sirius Black.  "I think he assumed I was a good student, and was looking forward to copying, but all I accomplished last class was tearing my parchment into a million pieces."

     He smiled. "I did see that," he noted. "I'm sure he doesn't mind. He could use a class where he has to do his own work. Maybe he'll learn something."

     "I just hope we won't have to brew anything anytime soon," Lina grimaced. "I think we'll blow up the classroom."

     "Potions isn't your subject?" He asked, slowing his pace so he could walk next to her, behind the other two. 

     Lina laughed humorlessly. "Nothing is really my subject," she confessed. "Like I told you earlier, reading is hard for me, so anything in the books never really makes its way to my brain. And I can't focus enough during lectures to learn anything. I barely pass my classes every year." Remus nodded to show he was listening. Although he didn't understand from experience, what she was saying made sense to him. "Sorry, I guess it's a bit pathetic to rant about how dull I am," she laughed, blushing. 

     "You're not dull," he argued, "you just don't learn in the same ways that other people do."

     "Sounds pretty dull to me," she shrugged. 

     They walked in silence for a few moments as Remus thought of what to say. "Do you know Einstein?" He asked. 

     Lina shook her head as a confused expression came over her face. 

     "He was a muggle genius," the boy explained. That explained why Lina hadn't heard of him. She knew close to nothing about the muggle world (except for their music). "He said that everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life thinking it's stupid." 

     "Are you calling me a fish?" She joked, trying to act serious. 

     Remus laughed lightly. "No, but yes. You can't judge your intelligence based on how well you focus or how quickly you read," he said, turning towards her as they walked. "You're smart in other ways. Maybe potions is your best subject and you just don't know it because you're not learning it the right way."

     Lina pursed her lips as she considered his words. It made sense, but she had never thought of it that way. It was easier for her to just think she was dumb—everyone else could read, it seemed. Everyone else could pay attention well enough to pass their classes. "I don't know, I might be a lost cause."

     "How about this," he suggested. "Pick a subject that you're the least confident in, and I'll help you find a way to learn it that works for you."

     She shook her head, appreciative of his offer, but somewhat embarrassed. She felt like a charity case. "You don't have to do that," she countered. 

     "I know I don't have to," said Remus. "I want to. I'll prove to you that you're not dull."

     Lina thought it over once more. "Okay, it's a deal. But don't be discouraged when it doesn't work," she warned, a soft smile gracing her features. "Like I said, I may be a lost cause."

     "We'll see about that."

—

     A few days later, Lina was waiting outside of the potions classroom, nervously picking at a loose thread on her robes as she tuned out Jules and Tommy fighting over something. 

      "—Lina, please tell him that Fabian Prewett is the more attractive twin," Jules pleaded, lightly nudging the girl's shoulder to get her involved in their debate. 

      "Neither of you even fancy men, why is this a topic of conversation?" Lina asked incredulously. "They are identical. They are the same amount of attractive," she said flatly, attempting to hide her amusement. 

     "Woah, who's attractive?" A voice asked from behind her. She whipped around with a blush on her cheeks only to find Sirius looking at her with a smirk, his friends trailing behind him. 

     "How do you manage to just appear everywhere we are?" Jules asked, exasperated. 

     "Are you forgetting we have this class together, love?" He asked her, causing her to groan once more. Lina smiled at the banter, smiling a little bit wider when she saw that Remus was joining them today. He hadn't been in class the last two days—Lina suspected it was due to whatever illness he had been fighting—and although he looked tired, he looked significantly better than he had. She hadn't had the chance to talk to him since he offered to basically tutor her. 

     "How could I forget," Jules fake smiled. "I'm just glad I don't have to deal with you as a partner."

     Sirius scoffed. "I am a great partner," he argued, puffing out his chest. "Tell her, Lina."

     Lina just shrugged. "He's alright." Her answer earned a huff from the boy, who was clearly expecting a greater defense. 

     Before the argument could escalate, the doors to the classroom opened, and the students all rushed in, finding their seats. Lina sat down and pulled out her parchment, promising herself that she wouldn't tear it into a million tiny pieces this time. She watched as Sirius also pulled out a piece of paper from next to her. 

     "Taking notes today?" Lina asked him quietly. 

     "Gonna try," he replied, adjusting his seat. "Moony said he's not giving me notes anymore, so I'm on my own."

     "Moony?" Lina questioned, furrowing her eyebrows at the name. 

     "Remus," Sirius clarified with a smile. "Speaking of, I saw you bring him back his sweater after you two disappeared from the party the other night. What was that all about?" He leaned closer to her, resting his chin on his hand as he looked at her mischievously. 

     Thankfully, Lina didn't have to answer. "Mr. Black," Slughorn called from the front of the classroom. "Is there something that is more important than my lecture?"

     "Well actually, I was just asking Lina here why she— oof!" He cut himself off as Lina stomped on his foot from underneath their desks, urging him to shut up. "No, nothing sir." He winced. Slughorn nodded, giving the boy a warning glance before continuing. 

     The rest of the class went by without any incidents. Lina had tried her hardest to pay attention, but like always, her brain was racing between too many topics to take in any of the information. She was surprised to see that Sirius actually had taken notes—whether they were good notes or not, she didn't know. 

     When Slughorn finally dismissed the class, she shoved her blank piece of parchment back into her bag, feeling embarrassed. She had failed once again. Regardless of what Remus had said, she surely felt dumb. 

     She watched as James, Sirius and Peter all walked out of the classroom, but Remus lingered behind. Before she could internally question why he wasn't following his friends, he started walking towards her desk. 

     "Hi," she said nervously as he approached. 

     "Hi," he grinned in response. "Are you busy tonight? After dinner?" He asked. 

     Lina shook her head immediately. She really didn't do much unless it was hanging out with Tommy and Jules or listening to her books on cassette. She was pretty boring. "No, I'm free. Why?"

     "Well, if you're still down for our agreement, I was thinking we could get started tonight," he said, beginning to walk with her out of the classroom. "Do you know which subject you want to go over?"

     "Potions," she answered instantly. It was the one that she was always the closest to failing—she was truly hopeless when it came to that class. 

     Remus nodded. "Great. I'll meet you in front of your common room after dinner, then."

     "I'll see you then," Lina answered, giving him a shy smile. She really didn't know what to expect. Her hopes were low, but Remus' confidence seemed to be high. She wasn't sure if he was just being nice, or if he really truly believed that she wasn't dumb. Regardless, she was looking forward to spending some time with someone new. She didn't have any friends outside of Tommy and Jules, and she was much too shy to seek people out. Their awkward encounter the night of the party (and the morning after) accompanied by their forced interactions at the quidditch pitch allowed her to get to know him without getting too far out of her comfort zone. Although she barely knew him, she didn't feel too shy or nervous around him so far like she did with other people. 

     After their goodbye, Remus walked off to join his friends, and Lina was met with her two friends who had been waiting for her after class. 

     "What was that all about?" Jules asked curiously, raising an eyebrow at the interaction. "You're seeing him later?"

     "Are you two hooking up?" Tommy butted in, looking shocked at the news. 

     Lina groaned as she shoved Tommy's shoulder, embarrassed by his words. "No, Tommy, we're not hooking up. I barely know him for Merlin's sake!" 

     "But you're hanging out later?" Jules repeated.

     The girl nodded. "I don't really know if it's considered hanging out... He's just helping me with potions, that's all."

     "You never let me help you with potions!" Tommy whined, offended. 

     Lina glared at him in response. "Because we never get anything done," she argued. "You always end up ranting about quidditch or stealing my parchment to draw pictures." Tommy just shrugged, knowing she was right. "Besides, he offered."

     The girl rolled her eyes as her best friend gave her a smirk. "He offered?  Oh, he's definitely trying to get in your pants. Potions, my arse. Unless it's a love potion!" Jules laughed. 

     "It's nothing like that, really," Lina sighed. "I just called myself dumb and he seems to think that I'm secretly a genius, but I'm a fish climbing a tree, or something like that."

     She looked up to see her two friends looking at her in confusion. "Okay, he sounds insane. Maybe you shouldn't meet up with him alone," Tommy deadpanned.

     "No, it made sense when he said it, trust me," Lina laughed. "Some quote by a muggle genius or something. He just thinks I'm not learning things the right way, and that if I learned in a different way, I'd be smart. I told him I'm just dull, so he's trying to prove me wrong."

     "Well, whatever helps you pass potions, I guess," Jules shrugged. "Besides, he's cute. Maybe you'll end up snogging in an empty classroom or something."

     Lina grimaced at the thought. Sure, he was attractive, but snogging in an empty classroom wasn't quite her style. 

     "No, you can do better than a Marauder," Tommy said, emphasizing the nickname with air quotes. "Although, if you had to choose between them, he's definitely the best bet. Less annoying than James or Sirius, that's for sure. And Peter is much too shy—you two would just sit in silence the whole time, waiting for the other to talk."

     "Merlin, I'm not gonna date any of the Marauders!" Lina scolded. "Both of you, stop trying to play Cupid."

     "Alright," Jules agreed as she smiled. "But when you end up snogging Lupin, I'll just say I told you so."

     Lina groaned. She would not be snogging Lupin. Not that night, and not ever.