A/N: Another Marauders drabble.
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling is God.

March, 1972

"Lupin missed the lesson again today," James commented as he followed Sirius and Peter into the common room after Astronomy.

"His mum is sick again, he told me at lunch today," Sirius explained, though he didn't seem completely convinced.

"There's something off about him. He always comes back from those trips to his mother's looking like he's the one who's sick," Peter said, flopping down on his bed.

"Maybe it's catching," Sirius suggested with a shrug, joining James who was sitting by the windowsill.

"Well astronomy lessons during the full moon are always the most boring, you can barely see anything else. Maybe that's why he misses the lessons," James suggested.

James and Sirius both turned their heads to look at the bright circle in the sky. Then, almost simultaneously, their eyes widened and they stared at each other.

"You don't think …"

"But that would explain everything!"

"You'd think we would have figured this out earlier."

"We didn't really pay enough attention earlier."

"But … wow."

"Merlin."

"This is so cool!"

"Wait," Peter had finally realised his friends knew something he didn't. "What's cool?"

This was it; his life at Hogwarts was over. He expected this to happen at some point, but a year and a half seemed such a small amount of time.

"Well …" Remus said, blinking at the three boys who'd cornered him into an empty classroom. James had simply said, "We know you're a werewolf" and the three of them were now staring at him. It was more than a little uncomfortable.

"Well what?" Sirius asked.

"Well, what are you going to do now?" Remus asked.

"What do you mean, 'what are you going to do now'?" James replied.

"You just found out your dorm mate's a monster. Aren't you going to tell someone? Demand I be removed from your room? The school even?"

"Please, you write ten foot long Charms essays, you spend your spare time in the library, you fold your socks for Merlin sake, I think 'monster' is a bit heavy a word, Lupin," James said, raising his eyebrows at him.

"Wait, so you're not scared of me?"

"Of course not!"

"Maybe a little," Peter murmured, but Sirius kicked him and Remus didn't seem to notice.

"Seriously, it's super cool that you can change into a wolf once a month. Do you reckon you could bite me?" Sirius asked. Remus was still too shocked to raise his eyebrows at him.

"But …" Remus still couldn't believe they were being so calm about him.

"Lupin, we're friends," James started.

"Dorm mates," Sirius continued.

"You helped us pull that prank on Filtch last month."

"We're practically brothers."

"And brothers do not desert each other just because they find out one of them is a werewolf."

"Especially because they find out one of them is a werewolf."

"We'll protect your secret."

Remus blinked at them again.

"Really?" he asked.

"Really," James confirmed. "In fact …" He placed one hand over his chest and raised they other. "I, James Potter …" Then he glanced at Sirius who copied his actions.

"And I, Sirius Black …" Then they both looked at Peter who, after a moment's hesitation, also copied James.

"And I, Peter Pettigrew …"

"Promise to protect Remus Lupin's furry little secret or be forced kiss Mrs Norris," James finished up.

"You're crazy, all of you." But Remus couldn't stop himself from smiling.