His seventh and final year. A final chance to prove himself, a chance to change, a chance to fix what had gone wrong. Mostly, a chance to discover who he really was. Remus Lupin was entering his final year at Hogwarts.
Remus had always been an accomplished student, as it was merely expected of him. He refused to disappoint his parents, any further in his opinion. Remus had felt like a failure since the day he was bitten and did not want to let down his parents who had so acceptingly raised him. Not many people were willing to risk living in tight quarters with and handling the everyday stress of lycanthropy. Only his parents, Dumbledore, and his four closest friends had risen to the challenge.
When Remus had entered Hogwarts at the tender age of eleven, he had no idea what he was getting into. After seeing his father pull a few tricks when his naive mother wasn't looking, Remus had no idea what he was actually capable of. He had come to school and focused all of his attention into his studies, trying to absorb every ounce of it, he was not the most popular boy in his year. It was only when he helped the conceited Sirius Black with a prank. Sirius, casting an acne spell on Severus, almost used the wrong wand movements, nearly resulting in casting the hex on himself. At this point, the original three Marauders found that Remus was a well needed asset to their mischievous team, and soon learned that he was as loyal as he was smart.
By third year, the Marauders had pulled more pranks than any professor could attempt to count, and thanks to Remus, they had only been caught in the act once (and that was Peter's fault, obviously). Since he had joined the group of boys, Remus had found a special connection with Sirius. He was the first Marauder he had ever made contact with and the one he found most trust worthy. This was odd, seeing how Sirius had one of the biggest mouths in not only the Gryffindor house, but the entire year. Nonetheless, Remus was a shy boy with many bottled up feelings and secrets, and felt balanced by the spunky attitude of his dearest companion Sirius.
Now that they were going into their final year, Remus felt that he had so much left to do. Similar to the end of any phase in our life, Remus felt incomplete with his work at Hogwarts. He had already read every textbook for this year and had finished every book on the Dark Arts in the library, including the ones in the Restricted Section (thank you invisibility cloak). Sure he was an amazing student, a loyal friend, and a dedicated prankster, but Remus had never really socialized, especially not with girls. Being so diligent in his studies, he rarely had time to date, or for that matter even flirt.
This is not to say that Remus is a prude, sheltered, virgin boy. He is a Marauder after-all! He had had his fair share of experiences with Truth or Dare and Spin the Bottle, and several chaste kisses in broom closets, but Remus had not felt the need to get in an involved relationship at such a young and vulnerable age. He had a short fling with sixth year Alice Tanner in fourth year, but by the winter holidays she had found a boy her own age, Frank Longbottom (apparently they are now engaged). Remus was not particularly hurt, but the other Marauders tend to bring the situation up as the reason why their dear friend Moony won't date. They all know this isn't near the truth, but it's better not to bring up a person's inalterable traits.
It was the third week of third year and James had already asked out Lily Evans seven times, Sirius had dumped two girls and been slapped by one, and Peter was as solitary as ever. Remus had been observing the boy's dating lives since he was twelve, trying as hard as he could to figure out what made them go through girls so quickly. To Remus the mystery of James' and Sirius' dating lives was as complicated as brewing Draught of the Living Dead, which mind you is a complicated potion. It was quite obvious why Peter never had a girlfriend, but Remus just couldn't comprehend why Sirius couldn't keep a girlfriend for more than two weeks. He was such a sweet and caring person when he wanted to be, so comforting, but when it came to girls, Sirius only cared about himself and his desires.
As they all sat around their bedroom, Remus observed the room. Peter was pulling Pumpkin Pasties from under his mattress, James was flipping through a book on love potions looking frighteningly puzzled, and Sirius laid on the bed, hands behind his head, eyes shut, breathing slowly than quickly. Remus knew exactly what this meant. Sirius was trying to think of a way, once again, to control his feelings. The problem with being a compulsive dater like Sirius is that the girls you date tend to be air-headed and frustrating. Remus seemed to be the only one who noticed Sirius actually had a heart and that he had real feelings somewhere in that thick little head of his.
"Sirius..." he tried in a calm voice, but it received no acknowledgment. "Siri, come on man, what's the matter?" Remus tried more assertively, but with his same soothing voice he always had towards his best mate.
"It's nothing mate, really. Just Matilda being thick and not understanding that the Marauders will always come first. I hate broads who think they deserve my undivided attention. Do they not understand that I have a life of my own, isn't that why they like me? They just can't seem to get it through their thick golden locks that my friends are far more important." Sirius said all in one breath, then exhaling quickly after it all.
"I'm sorry Sirius, I know there's not much I can say to help, but if she's not making you happy and is only burdening you with stress, which is obvious, then you should let her go. Just take a break for a while and watch girls so that you can find the one that suits you best" Remus said, trying to console his friend who went through this dilemma several times a month. Sirius' dames were more frequent than Moony's furry little problem, and proved to be more problematic.
"Thanks mate. Though I don't know if I could stay away from girl's long enough to observe, I mean come on I'm 17 and in the prime of my youth! But I'll try." Sirius was so expressive with his hand movements. Remus couldn't believe he had been nearly sleeping only a minute ago and now looked as if were hyped up on all the sweets under Peter's bed.
"No problem Siri. Oh and by the way, this one's name is Melanie. Matilda was two back." Remus reminded before he lazily plopped himself on his own bed, threw his shirt to the ground, and assumed the same position Sirius had mere moments ago. It was so hot this time of year and being seventh years they had the highest rooms of the Gryffindor boys, having the hottest room.
"Oh shove off Moony!" Sirius joked and playfully chucked a pillow at Remus' head, then closed his bed hangings.
The boys spent the rest of the room sprawled out on their beds occasionally discussing girls or their Transfiguration essay. It was a wonderful Sunday for everyone, knowing that this coming Thursday they all had to help with Moony's transformation. It was good to relax.