Hormones and Homework
By Hannio
Chapter One
Just what is Remus's problem anyway?
DISCLAIMER - Erm nope not really, if you don't know who the characters are then you're really on the wrong page. A few mentioned belong to me. Rome and Kerry Lupin being two.... Yes I know the name Rome isn't original, deal with it. Spencer and Marigold Hill are mine and so is Lucy Jordan and Connie Mills but chill people they are literally barely mentioned at all.
AUTHOR NOTE - What back again with another story? Shouldn't you be updating the countless of other unfinished chapter stories you have going? Perhaps but I want to do this one so there.
It's not just centered on Remus but on all of them, Remmie problem is just one of the themes there's plenty of others as well that will come in later. About 75% chance of it being a Sirius/Remus fic I just don't know. Let me know, I am swayed by people's opinion.
I'll update soon most likely, then again perhaps not. Hope you enjoy my first Marauder fic.
"Do you think Remus is acting strange recently James or is it just me?" Sirius Black suddenly questioned, his voice appearing loud in the otherwise silent library. He placed his quill on his page and looked expectantly at his best friend waiting for some kind of response
"Is he now?" James Potter nodded, his tone making it clear he had no idea exactly what he was agreeing to. He ran a slim hand through his black hair regardless of the fact it made it look messier than usual. His hazel eyes behind his glasses were pinned on a slim looking red head who looked about their age on the table next to them, her head buried in the book she was reading. Sirius gave him a long look before shrugging and placing his point in further.
"Yeah ever since he returned from the last... well you know what. He's been really withdrawn and quiet as if he doesn't want to be talking to us or even seen with us" a quick frown on his face and a slight tinge was all that gave away the fact that Sirius was worried. James finally turned to him and laughed while shaking his head.
"Siri mate, Remmie is always quiet, he's never been loud like you and me. How do you think he manages to get out of so much trouble, because they never expect it off him, he comes up with half the things we do and yet doesn't get any of the rap" James shook his head and sighed at the unfairness of it all. Sirius smiled in return even though his navy blue eyes remained serious looking.
"That's many because he can look extremely innocent and puzzled at the same time so the teachers think he had no idea we were doing it" Sirius clarified for James then he carried on "There's something up I just know it. He's quiet even by his own standard, I meant it when I said he's barely talking. If you weren't so wrapped up in Evans all the time then perhaps you'd see it" James shot him a nasty look but remained silent "Today I took the piss out of Danielle Miller and he did nothing. He didn't laugh, he didn't tell me off, he didn't even frown he did nothing" James frowned slightly
"You took the piss out of who?" he asked
"You probably wouldn't know her, she's a Hufflepuff, a real quiet girl" A look of disinterest covered James's features. It wasn't that he had anything against that house it was just that his quick mind found them slow and well boring.
"Maybe Remmie is just loosening up slightly. He's always being careful because of what he is maybe he's more comfortable with it now. Thank god the way our bookworm was going he was going to be a prefect or I'm not a Potter, this way he'll at least have a chance of escaping that fate." Both shuddered automatically making a face. In their minds there was nothing worse then being made a prefect.
"Yeah imagine it we'd be forced to prank one of our own and you just know prefect or not Remmie would find a way of getting us back worse then we got him. If you became Prefect then I've loads of pranks planned but Remus" he looked thoughtful "Pranking Remmie, that's something going on the top of my thing to do list aloneside pranking Dumbledore it's an essential" the manic light that came to his eyes made James laugh outloud causing a few glances to be thrown at him. Sirius looked at him and quirked an eyebrow
"Sirius mate how may times have we been over this? There is no chance in this green Earth of you pranking Dumbledore. There's more chance of Peter becoming head boy and captain of the Quidditch team then that"
"Oh really" Sirius replied
"Yes really. If you do then I'd go up and kiss Evans in front of everyone and then perform a strip dance that's how sure I am that it's a dream for you" Sirius grinned
"Well Jim boy that sounds like the terms of a bet if I've ever heard of one" James grinned back
"I feel it maybe as well" he conceded
"Fine if I manage to prank Dumbledore, you do just that"
"And if you fail?" James questioned
"Then I'll do exactly that; kiss Evans and strip" James looked unconvinced by the Evans term then shrugged and stuck out his hand speaking as he did
"Fine you lose and you do that" Sirius took his hand and shook it firmly holding on slightly tight, a silent test of strength occured before they let go and moved their fingers gingerly trying to regain some feeling in them. Sirius finally looked up from examining them and spoke reverting to the former topic
"But what about Remmie and he's unusual wierdness?" James sighed again, once Sirius made up his mind that something was wrong with one of his friends then he never shut up about it until he was either proven right or wrong.
"You're probably seeing things that aren't there or blowing them up into something major when it isn't unusual" he said in a tired voice "However to shut you up and once again prove that I am always right and you are always wrong we'll go to the common room now and see ok?" he questioned, Sirius smiled and stood to his feet ignoring the gazes directed at him. He was well used to it and he knew why. He was well aware of the fact he was handsome with short well kept black hair, navy blue eyes, sun tanned skin and a figure girls loved. The looks just went over him like anything. James stood up, grabbing his quill and running a hand once more through his head with a sideward glance at the redhead again. when he realised that she wasn't looking his shoulders slumped slightly and the two left the library treading the familiar route to their common room. Soon they found themselves looking at a protrait of an oldish looking woman dressed in pink silk which emphasised her plumpness more than any other dress could have.
"Password gentleman?" she questioned in a low well cultured sounding voice that you'd expect from a lady of the 18th century.
"Pheonix tears" James replied with a grin and a wink at her, she nodded a slight twinkle coming to her eyes as a blush filled the cheeks and the picture swung open revealing a large oak door. As they opened the door and stepped into the room beyond, they were met with the familiar sensation of warmth, not just from the fire that was blazing merrily in the stone grate regularly topped off with partchment from groaning students when they realised they'd done their work wrong. But also from the bright colours of red and gold that the room was decorated in, even in the bleakest day when it was pouring with rain outside the room always made it seem less important.
Littered round the room were various other Gryffindor student all occupied in some shape and form, a quick look revealed them mainly to be first and second years.
Sitting in an oversized chair with several large cushions however was the person they were looking for. A certain Remus Lupin. He looked comfortable with both his long legs thrown casually over the arm of the chair while his back and head rested on the otherside. His back was away from the fire allowing them to see him clearly. In his arms was a large old looking book most probably from the library. The title suggested it was French. Even though Remus was English himself his father was French as was his father's family meaning from an early age he was taught to talk, read and write in French as well as he did in English.
Sitting by his chair with his back against the bottom half was a plump boy of average height. Thick blond head covered his head and blue eyes were focused on the paper. A frown was covering his rather babyish face and he was clutching his quill in one hand and biting frantically at his fingernails on the other. As they both walked up to the area the boy on the floor looked up a relieved expression coming to his face as he called out to them
"James, Sirius, I'm glad your here finally" his eyes followed them as James sank into the last available chair and grinned at Sirius who proceeded to pull a face "I really need your help on this stupid Herbology work. I just can't figure out the uses of these plants for the life and me and none of the books are helping"
"Why do you need us?" Sirius asked lazily, dropping into the chair opposites Remus's that had just been vacated by a scared first year. The marauders reputation proceeded them. He mirrored Remus's position as he continued to look at the other boy "You've got a brain yourself and if yours isn't capable then Remus's definately is. Herbology is one of his best subject why didn't you ask him?" he demanded
"I did" came the instant answer, it was higher pitched then normal which was usual when Peter got upset over something. It was rare since he was a placid boy as a rule but once he decided he had a grievance against someone he never let it go, he continued now "First he just ignored me and when he finally did speak it was to tell me to get lost and stop interrupting his reading." Peter shot Remus a disgruntled look but for all the affect it had on the other boy he may as well have done nothing. James and Sirius shared a quick look with each other, Sirius blatantly being a "Told you so" look while James looked slightly worried.
It was a normal occurrence that Peter needed help. It wasn't that he wasn't a bright boy, he was but he preferred to work slowly and when he did, he got behind and needed help. The other three were fast learners. Even though James and Sirius sympathised with this on a certain level they couldn't bear the thought of tutoring him to keep up, instead that job fell to Remus who seemed to enjoy it most of the time, it was a lucky thing he possessed enough patience for the four of them because it was often used up on Peter. For him to refuse his help just because he was reading wasn't normal.
While James turned to Peter and began to help him, Sirius turned a thoughtful gaze onto the silent boy who hadn't even acknowleged them being there. There was no doubt that Remus was an attractive boy, not as good as Sirius but on par with James. Tall and slim with muscles that were concealed by baggy robes he looked good. His hair was blond and short with a kinda shaggy appeal to it, Large amber eyes that always looked tired were surrounded by dark lashes looked out on the words from a thinnish clever looking face. He looked completely normal except the tiredness which was to be expected since he was a werewolf.
"Stop staring at me Sirius" Sirius jumped slightly at the sound of Remus's voice, his eyes never ceasing to scan the words on the page.
"I wasn't" Sirius replied with a hint of surprise in his voice.
"You were" Remus replied in a sure sounding voice. Sirius's mouth turned slightly in the corner
"You haven't looked up since me and James entered the room so how could you tell if I was looking or not?" He pointed out, a tone of triumph in his voice "To do that you'd have to be looking and you weren't" he resisted poking his tongue out and going nur nur nur with difficulty. A small silence followed then the blond boy spoke again
"I could feel you looking at me, that's how I know" Sirius's eyes gleamed
"Ahhh" he stated "But should a feeling be trusted?" the humour that was there at the beginning reappeared in his voice. Finally Remus looked up from his book and turned his amber eyes onto Sirius, one blond eyebrow rising to meet the fringe of his hair
"Feelings and emotions are good for people" he replied calmly "That's what seperates humans and makes us all different. They form our personalities" he replied shrugging his shoulders
"Is it though" Sirius countered leaning slightly forward "Isn't that logic that makes us who we are. Without that we would never have survived, logic helps us make the right decision and through those decisions we grow not just as a person but as a race as well, it's how we evolve and all" Sirius sat back and smiled waiting for Remus to counter him. James looked up from the textbook and looked between them before rolling his eyes, these debates between Remus and Sirius were a common occurrence and most nights when a prank wasn't in the works the two of them would be debating. Sirius always took the opposite side to Remus even if he agreed just for the challenge and Remus always accepted no matter what. It could go on for hours and normally did without fail.
"I can't be bothered to argue with you now Sirius, if you think that logic is what makes a person a person then fine that's what it is. I'm not arguing with you over something so pointless" Sirius's and James's mouths fell open in shock and they stared at Remus with wide amazed eyes even as Remus swung his legs round barely missing Peter's head and placed them on the floor before pushing himself to his feet, the book tucked in his arm. He cast a dismissive look around and spoke "I'm going to the library, it's boring in here" with that he turned and left the room without even bothering to place his robe over his grey jumper and trousers. Once they were sure he was out the room and they had recovered slightly James threw himself into the chair Remus had just left, ignoring the fact that Peter was about to get into it and spoke
"Ok I completely agree with you Sirius there is definately something wrong with our Remmie" he stopped and pulled a face causing Sirius to frown in confusion at him
"What are you doing?" he demanded, James shook his head
"Nothing major" he admitted "Just never thought I'd find myself saying that I agreed with you that's all" Sirius growled and threw the first thing handy he found at James's head.
"Ta mate, I needed another one of these" James remarked as he casually caught the blood red cushion and positioned it behind his back, when he was comfortable he continued "We need to figure out what It is" Sirius nodded looking outraged
"I mean what was with that last comment. I know the common room isn't the most fun place" he looked around him to see several groups in some kind of discussion, some playing Wizard chess and a game of exploding snap starting "But damnit I'm in the room, how can a room be boring once I've entered, It's not possible I tell you, it's just not" he huffed, a pout coming to his lips as he crossed his arms and placed a foot on the table that was seperating his chair with James's. James ignored his comment and continued
"And refusing Pete help. It's not his fault. If he had refused to help anyone else then yeah perhaps but Pete, he's one of us. We all swore to help each other no matter how small it may be"
"Perhaps there's something wrong at home? Has he had any letters recently that we know of?" Peter remarked, marking the page in the text book and throwing it on the table as he settled himself in the chair that James had vacated.
"I don't think so" James replied slowly, a thoughtful frown on his face "You know his older brother Rome is in this house right"
"Yeah" Peter remarked "Just slightly after all he's only the Quidditch captain and keeper after all" James smirked slightly at the tone of Peter's voice and continued
"Well we had a practice today and he seemed fine the only thing he was upset about was Connie Mills dropping the Quaffle during it, he seemed as normal as usual, joking round with the older members of the team and all" James bit his lip "And his younger sister what's her face. Kerry or Carrie or something. The one in Ravenclaw, I saw her today and she seemed as happy as anything so I guess family trouble is ruled out" Sirius nodded
"And school work can be ruled out as well I think" he commented "It was only yesterday afternoon McGonagall praised his work and he was well chuffed though he hid it. He's even doing ok in potions because I saw his last essay" a silence followed.
"And there's no chance of it being the other problem he has because ever since we found out he tells us everything. Says it helps him so that's a no" James added to Sirius's comment.
"What about Girl trouble?" Peter remarked finally "It's a common problem with us isn't it, perhaps this is how it affects Remmie"
"Could be" James replied as Sirius looked at the fire with a frown "The last girl he dated was that Ravenclaw in the year above wasn't it. What's her name again" he clicked his fingers as he searched for it
"Lucy Jordan" Peter said filling in for him, it was a well known fact that James was terrible with remembering names
"That's the one, cheers Pete" he nodded at the boy and continued "Is there anyone else he's shown an interest in cause I haven't seen it" Sirius spoke
"There's that pretty Hufflepuff girl with the dark hair. Marigold Hill. You know her brother James, he's Spencer Hill the chaser on the Quidditch team. At the last game the two of them were talking because they were standing near to each other and afterwards he was grinning like anything and calling her Mari" a funny expression covered his face as he spoke but the other two didn't notice it
"The only other thing I can think of except that would be if he was homesick. Didn't he say recently that his Aunt had a child maybe that's it?" Sirius made a face
"Remmie being homesick to see a cousin?" he said in disbelief "The boy loves Hogswarts as much as we do, I think we can rule it out"
"Leaving the Marigold problem then" Peter remarked, James bit the inside of his mouth
"The last thing we want to do is get him pissed off" he remarked "Remember what happened last time" the other two looked rueful suddenly, they definately remembered the last time they dealt with an annoyed Remus, all of them had bruises for weeks from the beating they recieved. "We'll find out if they like each other the subtle way" the other two nodded even as Sirius looked sulky
"Don't see why we care so much then" he mumbled, "maybe if it a girl we should leave him alone about it" James glanced at him
"You're the one who mentioned it, badgered me about, made me see all was not right and now you're saying we shouldn't do anything. If you didn't then you shouldn't of mentioned it to me" he stated firmly "Do you want Remmie back or not?" Sirius sighed
"Yes"
"Good. Pete you've friends in Hufflepuff don't you?" Peter nodded
"I do" James nodded
"Right see what you can find out about Miss Hill for us, see if she's good enough for a Marauder and see if she's hinted about who she's liked. I'll casually tackle Spence and I've a mate on the Ravenclaw squad who's mates with Hufflepuffs as well so I'll tackle them Sirius" he remarked turning to the boy.
"I know I know" Sirius remarked with a lazy wave of his hand "You want me to see if any of my mates know anything" James shook his head
"No me and Pete have that sorted you have the important job of cracking Remmie, he confides in you the most, if he tells anyone you'll be the one mate, I don't care if you use all your charm or you beat it out of him just find out ok" Sirius rolled his eyes, once James decided on it he went for it full speed. It felt like a rescue mission instead of a simple question
"Yes Captain" he remarked saluting him at the same time. Jame grinned
"Now that that's all sorted how about a game of chess?"
End of Chapter! Longer then usual for me. As I said Remmie isn't the only one who's suffering the others will be seen later. If you're curious they're 13 so have just entered the teenage years.
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This will probably be updated soon so take a look regular if you want. Cheers
Hannio xxxx