Author's Note: I'm obsessed with the Marauders, so be forewarned that a lot of the Harry Potter FF I write will be Marauder's adventures in school. Because that period of time was merely hinted at in both the books and the movies. There's so much room for exploring.
Moonlight was filtering in through the parted curtains at the opposite end of the dormitory. Remus lay flat on his back, watching the silver pool in every exposed crevice of the room. Three sets of distinct snores formed a sort of peaceful chorus around him, the loudest of which was coming from the sleeping mass just under the window. Sirius lay curled like a dog beneath the covers, just a few of his fingers and a lock of dark hair peeking out from under the duvet. Peter was closest to him (always), and his snores sounded more like squeaks. Remus snickered, remembering all the teasing James and Sirius had given him for it. In spite of it, he still insisted on attaching himself to the both of them. Most of the time Sirius would call him out on his irrationally flagrant displays of envy, but James seemed to enjoy the attention so it was mostly left alone. Being the fearless leader came with a big of an ego, but Remus couldn't spite him for it if he tried. Currently he was sprawled somewhat unceremoniously atop his own bedding, still clothed. He'd wandered in a few hours ago from a party in the common room over a particularly engrossing Quidditch match. Even Sirius had found his way to the dorm earlier, disentangling himself from some anonymous girl's limbs.
The thought brought about a tiny pang of jealousy in Remus that he didn't quite understand. Hanging around James and Sirius had only so many benefits, none of which were the reciprocation of any kind of affection or attention from the opposite gender. It was quite the opposite effect. Remus tried not to be too hard on himself, but in all honesty he was thin, pale, and scarred—beside anyone else he would look plain. Beside two of the most popular boys in school, he looked nonexistent. It was a problem. Neither of them treated him with any particular superiority, which he was thankful for, especially in regards to James. As kind as he had been to Remus, there remained the fact that he had no idea where Remus went every full moon and if they were to ever find out, their opinion of him was sure to change rather drastically. It was with this in mind that he spent these few nights before the full moon lying awake in bed more or less panicking. Every lie he told, every answering stare, the blank looks…all necessary evils.
Of course it helped his case that his general appearance was that of a sickly youth—the pale skin, the shadows beneath his eyes, and the scars. The façade that he kept was one well hidden behind half-truths and the self-perpetuated isolation. He fell asleep feeling more lonely than he had in a long time.
The general white noise of scraping plates and chattering students was drumming lightly at the inside of Remus's skull the next morning at breakfast. He could feel the effects of the full moon slowly starting to set in, and he wondered idly what his excuse might be this time. He tried to focus on the words on the page before him, but he couldn't seem to focus. Sirius was making it particularly difficult, poking away at Remus like he was.
"…I'd have thought the library had run out of books by now, Remus. Merlin," Sirius ran a hand through his hair, watching Remus while he spooned scrambled eggs onto his plate. "It's a miracle you got sorted in with us rather than Ravenclaw."
"Why do you put yourself through the trouble of hanging around with us losers when you could be hanging around your oh-so-social fellow bookworms? That must make for some riveting conversation with them all sitting around reading twenty four seven." James snickered.
"I'm just considering myself lucky I managed to make friends period, that's all," Remus answered, keeping his eyes carefully trained on the book in his hand so he didn't blush. He wasn't used to the attention being on him, but his antisocial tendencies were no secret. In fact, there were a point of discussion frequently—mostly where James was concerned.
"What do you have like split personalities or something like that?" Sirius asked, brow furrowed. Remus barked out a laugh, he couldn't help it. He covered it with a cough, which prompted Sirius to give him a heavy (almost painful) clap on the back. "Well don't choke, mate. If the secrets out then it's out. No big deal. You're loopy. It's alright."
"What does it matter if he chokes? The other personality ought to survive, right?" James laughed again.
Just then Peter came careening around the corner of the Hufflepuff table and all but threw himself into the seat beside James, reaching one pudgy hand out for a biscuit. Just as he pulled away one hand and reached forward with the other for the jam, the food disappeared before him. A moment later the cutlery and plates had vanished too.
"Where were you all morning?" James inquired.
"I had to finish an essay I'd forgotten to do," Peter groaned. James laughed a little at his misfortune. Remus frowned but didn't say anything.
"James, you didn't do it either," Remus said instead, again without looking up from his book. James leapt from the table, barking his knee against the ledge and letting out a torrent of profanities so colorful several of the students around them turned to stare.
"I'll meet you in class in twenty minutes."
"You're not going to make it, idiot!" Sirius said, staring at him as he collected his things.
"Time me!" he snapped, pointing a challenging finger at Sirius as he sprinted through the double doors for the main corridor.
"He's never going to make it," Sirius looked at Remus, who couldn't help but smile back.
"That essay isn't due for another week, by the way, Peter."
"I've figured it out! Your other personality does belong in Gryffindor. That personality must have been the one in charge when you got sorted," Sirius leaned over and ruffled his hair affectionately. "I knew there was a reason you weren't stuck with all those nerds." He slid his hand off of Remus's head to his shoulder, held it there for a moment, and reached for his bag. Remus found himself smiling at the display of affection, and then immediately checking himself, unsure of the real reason behind such an unusual sense of joy. That's all it was. Simple joy.
Thanksh for reading! Reviews are appreciated muchly! c: