5 Reasons Not To

By Rekahneko

Warnings: This is slash. If you aren't sure what that means, you can look it up if you want. If you don't like slash, you probably won't want to read it because that would just be silly.

ooooooooooooooo

Remus Lupin and Sirius Black were walking down a hallway in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry between classes. It was turning out to be a pleasant spring day, sunny and warm and the whole school seemed to be in a happy and relaxed mood. The laid back atmosphere was broken suddenly when the black haired boy stopped in his tracks, made a loud exclamation and hit himself in the forehead.

"Uhh, Padfoot?" Remus inquired, wondering if his friend had finally lost it.

"Moony! I totally forgot to do my Care of Magical Creatures homework that is due this afternoon and I don't have a single free hour before then! Maybe if I skip History of Magic or something…" Sirius managed to produce a tragic look while wringing his hands. "I really need a good grade after what happened last month with the bowtruckles."

"Well, um… I have the next few hours free. If you want, I could do it for you," Remus said tentatively. "I mean, only since it is so important," he added as an afterthought.

"You would do that for me? Remus! You are an angel!" Sirius beamed at his classmate and threw his arms around the shorter boy for a bone-crushing hug. "I absolutely adore you, you know?"

Remus pulled away from the hug, smiling a bit and trying not to blush. "I would say 'any time,' but I am afraid you might take me up on that."

Sirius grinned and draped an arm around his friend's shoulders, hauling him close. "You are always so great to me Moony!" Remus smiled but looked away and absently fingered a piece of paper that stuck out a little bit from the pocket in his robe.

"Remus, why do you always carry that big of dog-eared parchment around with you so much? I know it is the same one because it still has that stain from when I spilled pumpkin juice all over it last month."

"It is just lucky, that's all." Remus mumbled, looking down at his feet and shuffling uncomfortably.

"You have a lucky blank parchment." There was a short pause as Sirius put on his best pensive look. "Remus, you are a little odd, you know that?"

Flashing an amused smile over at his friend, Sirius steered the conversation to the next quidditch match as the two boys continued their way down the hall.

ooooooooooooooo

That evening, Remus found himself alone in the seventh year boys dormitory. Two of his roommates were at quidditch practice and one was in the common room playing chess. He carefully took out the parchment he had carried around all day and unfolded it. Remus looked around to be absolutely sure that he was alone and then softly said, "Reasons Not To" while tapping the paper with his wand. He began to re-read what he had written so long ago.

5 Reasons Not To:

1. He likes girls. So far as I can tell, he only likes girls. He would probably be upset at the idea of dating a guy.

2. Even if he was okay with dating a guy, the kinds of people he dates tend to be beautiful like he is. Somehow I don't think he would be interested in a pale, skinny, sickly boy covered in scars.

3. If he could see beyond my looks, what about my personality? He only dates outgoing, popular people (once again, like he is). The only popularity I have comes from being a Marauder and I am much too shy, quiet, studious, and rule bound for him. He can barely deal with me as a friend sometimes – think of all the occasions when he complains about me studying too much or how he teases me when I fret about breaking rules.

4. Let's say he gets past all of that and is still interested. How long do his relationships last? 2 weeks at most? You know you are already (in love is scratched out) attached, imagine how much worse it will get in those two weeks and how difficult it will be when he drops you.

5. Still want to take the risk? Well think about the friendship you two have. You would probably still be alone and friendless if he hadn't approached you on the train in first year and practically forced you to be his friend. He tolerates all of your bad points and encourages all your good ones. Not only did he accept the fact that you are a werewolf (and how many people in the world would?), he even became an animagus for you for goodness sake! You are lucky to know him at all and blessed to be his friend. Don't screw it up by betting it all on an improbable relationship.

The title had changed a bit over the years and the '5' had been crossed out and replaced with '4.' This corresponded to the slash through the first item on the list. There were also small question marks inscribed next to the second and third items.

Remus sighed heavily as he intoned, "Just Friends" while tapping the paper. The words vanished. He re-folded the now blank parchment and tucked it into his pocket. Eyes momentarily closed, Remus rubbed his forehead. After a moment, he shook himself out of his mood, finally opening his Charms book and starting on his homework.