Accidents happen
A/N: Hey out there reading public! Well, I was pleasantly surprised. No one seems to have guessed what I've got in store. Heh, that'll just makes this all the more fun! I love throwing loops at people, keeps the story exciting! Alright then, here we go! Chapter 11
Disclaimer: I am not J.K Rowling thereby I don't own Hogwarts or any of the characters you all know and love, however, I may make up a few of my own along the way and come up with some other stuff to so if you don't recognize it then it's probably mine, though, if you want I'll tell you exactly what's what, I mean, if it truly bothers you or something (although I honestly can't see why it would, I mean, this is fanfiction after all). I do own Professor Ronts, Professor Sune and Sam.)
Chapter 11
The next morning whispers of what happened at the Whomping Willow followed the Marauders as they entered the breakfast hall.
Sirius frowned "Are you sure you're ok Remus? We can still go back to the hospital wing and get away from these vultures!" He emphasized the last word as they passed a group of girls who were whispering loudly, though at being told-off they shrunk away at that.
James nodded "Yeah. Madam Pomfrey did say you looked a bit peak-ish."
"And, she sent trays up there too right?" Peter asked.
Remus smiled slightly, he knew they were just saying that so he wouldn't have to be the center of attention all morning but he shook his head "No, I'm fine. Besides, running away from them isn't going to help anything."
"And mom should reply by now." He added in his head. Even though he knew what she was going to say, he still wanted to get the letter, just to be sure she would still feel the way she did when he was little.
He and Sirius were on talking terms once more, embarrassment all but forgotten. It was hard to be embarrassed when he thought of how Sirius was there for him in the hospital wing.
Still, Sirius seemed to think that the whole incident with the bullies was all his fault and kept the physical contact to a minimum, merely giving him hugs and only occasionally holding his hand if they were alone.
Remus didn't know how to feel about this, as it seemed he was still at war with himself, only now, the argument changed just a bit:
"Excellent, if he just keeps it this way, we won't have any problems! Once he's back to normal we can stop this whole dating nonsense and get on with life."
'But…I miss his touch.'
"No I don't! I'm not gay and I don't love Sirius! The further he keeps away from me the better!"
'Hm…so says you.'
The internal struggle he faced was helped slightly by James, who, once he'd been better and Sirius had left, told him about what he'd said with Lily:
"Now just be careful ok? I'll try and keep Sirius off you but there's only so much I can do. Maybe, if you act like…I dunno, like how you were before, you know, freakin' out and stuff? That might do it." James said.
"Right." Remus said.
"Of course…" a strange look crossed his face.
Remus blinked "What?"
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly "WELL…if, you know, you…um…really love him or whatever-"
"I don't!" Remus nearly growled, causing James to look up in surprise.
He sighed apologetically "Sorry, I mean…no James, I don't and I won't. I don't want to I mean and the sooner we get that antidote the sooner we get out of this mess. Right?"
James nodded "Right. Well, I'll help you all the way then, just let me know if he's getting too close, kay? I'll get him off."
Remus nodded as well "Yeah. Thanks."
He still wasn't sure how to go about any of this but none of that mattered at the moment. At the moment, they were all together as friends without any problems (except Sirius who, well you know).
So, as friends with no problems, the four friends took their normal seats at the end of the Gryffindor table and ate in silence for a moment, not really knowing what to say because everyone around them seemed to be listening.
However, everyone dropped interest in them when the post came in. Remus looked up at the many birds and tried to spot a school owl amongst all the other owls flying about.
"Hey James, looks like you've got a letter." Peter said as a spotted gray owl came their way.
Amongst the Marauders, they all knew that James' family owl was a light gray one that was a bit old but not so old it lost it's way or anything and that his name was Manlius.
James smiled and took the letter out of it beak "Thanks Manlius." and after taking a few cornflakes, the bird flew off. He smiled as he unrolled his letter and scanned it through "…Oh, heh, my little cousin Annie said her first word the other day."
"Really? What was it?"
"Doo-doo."
They all laughed and listened as James shared news on what was going on at home. It was always nice to hear that the Potter family was doing well in Godric's Hollow.
"Hm, bit of bad luck though. Seems mum almost broke her ankle when she was weeding the garden." James muttered.
Remus blinked in surprise "She does it by hand?"
"No, apparently some gnomes have taken a liking to her tulips and moved in. She was moving about, wavin' her wand to get the weeds when this stupid gnome pops up and grabs her ankle!" he said, reading it off the letter.
Before they could stay on the subject a school owl flew down and landed at Remus' right. He smiled and took the scroll off the owls' leg. It puffed out its chest importantly, apparently very pleased with its delivery and flew off.
James shook his head "Those school owls got way too much ego for their own good! What'd you get Rem?"
He had just opened it and looked up "It's none of your business what I get in the mail. If you like to read your stuff, fine, but I don't."
James grinned "I only choose to read it aloud cuz if I didn't I'm sure one of you guys'd do this; Accio letter!"
The letter zipped out of Remus' hands and went to James.
He frowned, "James!"
"I'll give it back!" he said, reading it swiftly.
Once he'd finished he looked up with a smile "Hm, well, that's interesting…"
Remus tried reaching over the table "Give it!"
"Hold on, I wanna see." Sirius said, taking it from James just as he was about to hand it over.
Remus frowned at him, "Sirius, it's my letter!" but neither of them seemed to hear him.
Sirius read it through "Aw, that's sweet…I wonder what she's gotten you."
Remus snatched the letter "Give me that!" and held it out to read.
Letter:
Remus, do you remember what I told you? It may have been a long time ago but every word I said was true. Whether you're a werewolf or a vampire or whatever, I don't care. You're my son; my baby and I'll always love you, no matter what might happen at school or what you do, ok? And I'm being honest so I don't want to hear anything more about it. Everything's fine here, you're father was able to get a job at a shop in Hogsmede; maybe you'll get to see him on your next trip! We're living in the muggle village for a while but it won't last, we'll get enough money to move soon. Speaking of, it's taken me a long time to get it but I've got it! I can't send it to you by owl, it's a bit big but I know you'll love it! When you get home I'll be sure to give it to you but for now, I wish you have a Happy Birthday. Even though the sky's giving you an awful present, I know you'll be fine. I hope that answers your questions and that you're well. I love you and be safe over there, ok?
Missing you tons,
Mum
He blinked "…Oh yeah…" he wasn't about to admit it but all this mess with Sirius nearly made him forget! His birthday was coming in just a few days actually. And, so was the full moon, on the same day no less.
He handed the letter to Peter who looked a little putout for not getting to read it too. He looked up once he'd finished reading "Oh, whaddya reckon she got you then?"
Remus shrugged "I'm honestly not sure."
"Well think about it. Is there anything you said you wanted?" James asked.
Remus shrugged again "Probably. I dunno, but knowing my mom she probably went through any lengths to get it for me, whatever it was." A small smile came to his face.
"What does she mean though, about the sky?"
James scoffed "Don't be stupid Pete, there's a full moon that night!"
He nodded "Ooh, right…wow, that sucks."
Remus sighed, "Well it, wouldn't be the first time it's happened."
Breakfast was fairly normal, they ate and laughed, the only thing really out of place was Sirius seemed oddly quiet and thoughtful. When they all got up to leave they said goodbye to him and headed to the first class of the day.
---
"Well, I can't say I really enjoyed that lesson." Remus said darkly as the exited their classroom
They'd just gotten out of Defense Against the Dark Arts and now that they'd covered non-verbal spells, Professor Sune thought it fit to go back to dark creatures they were studying, lunch was were they were headed next.
"Hm, 2 parchment essay about how to kill a werewolf…" he muttered.
He could tell by the look Sune was giving him throughout class that he was assigning this on purpose. He was obviously still angry about what had happened in the hall what seemed like ages ago.
James patted him on the back "Ah, cheer up Rem, if it means anything I snuck a niffler in his room to get that horrid ring he wears on his hand, which we should hear right about…wait for it…"
There was a crash from the room and Professor Sune's yells of anger and apparently pain behind them.
Remus stifled a snicker "Quick, let's get out of here before he blames us!"
Once they were out of earshot though, their laughter rang through the hallway as they walked to lunch. Peter was slightly red from laughing too hard and took a few deep breaths when they were far enough away.
"Nice one James!" Remus chuckled.
James bowed "Thank you, thank you! You've been a great audience!"
As they started up to the Great Hall their laughter died a bit.
Remus sighed, "Well, that was a good pick-me-up, but I just remember I've got to send a reply to my mum."
James suddenly frowned "Now wait a minute, we're going with you then. We don't want another incident like before."
Peter nodded "Yeah!" but at the wrong moment his stomach let out a hungry, almost angry, growl at being ignored. He went slightly pink and held his stomach "Sorry…"
Remus smiled "Don't worry, those idiots are doing detention right now! Besides, you guys are hungry. Go on, I'll be fine. I'm just going to send the letter off and be right back."
James frowned still "Remus, I really don't think you should go alone-"
"Trust me, I'll be fine! They're in detention!" Remus said over his shoulder as he left. James made to follow him but a crowd of hungry students crossed and Remus was lost in the crowd.
He looked over the crowd as best he could "Wait Remus! Oh, damn, he's gone!"
Still, Remus was right (of course). He didn't meet the gorilla kid and his group of thugs as he walked out to the Owlery. In fact, he didn't meet anyone, as they all seemed to be heading to lunch.
Once up there he pulled out a parchment and quill:
Dear mum, thanks for the answer, it made me feel better. I remember it, but I guess I just needed to hear it again to make it sink in. Glad to hear dad's got work again, I'll see if I can find him around. As for my gift…can't you give me a hint in what it is, please? Best of wishes with the muggles then, hope the lack of magic doesn't drive you crazy like last time.
Love,
Remus
He smiled, folded it up and called a school owl down to him. In truth, he really was curious about what it could be and glad to have the curiosity, it'd taken his mind off this whole 'love potion' mess though almost all his classes.
"I don't really remember asking for anything specifically but…" he muttered as he tied the letter to the owl's leg and sent it off.
Once it was gone, he to left the Owlery, still thinking about his gift.
"A broom? Hm, never really asked for one and she could probably post that anyway…oh, an owl? No, she'd be able to send it with a letter saying it's mine…new robes? No. A new book? But what kind? Hmm…" he walked back to the castle throwing out random things that came to his mind. Some of them were outrageous things, just for fun gifts and some maybe but he wasn't to sure on anything.
However, his thoughts on his gift were broken of because just as he was back in the castle, about to enter the Great Hall a voice yelled "Hey fruit!"
He turned in surprise; it wasn't the gorilla kid, but some of the lackeys who apparently had minds of their own. The boy who said it sneered but didn't seem to have a wand on him.
Remus frowned coldly "A grunt who can think for itself; something I thought I'd never see."
There was a loud BANG behind him and thin cords wrapped themselves around Remus' ankles and legs, snapping them together as well as his arms to his sides and over his mouth, gagging him and holding him together like a mummy. Off balanced by this sudden bonding, he fell to the ground. As it turns out he was too busy glaring at the ones before him he didn't notice a few had slipped behind him. Remus struggled against the bonds that held him and yelled muffled words at the group.
The boy who did it smirked "You may have gotten Jim, Ed, Jerry and Bill in trouble, but we got you now!"
"So, what we gonna do with him?" someone out of Remus' vision asked.
"He's all tied up, lets rough him up a bit!"
"Yeah!"
"Now wait a minute, wait a minute lets think about it for a moment…hmm…I know, lets hang him from top of the Astrology tower and see if he wets himself!" a boy laughed.
Everyone seemed to agree on that one as someone grabbed the ends of the cords.
"Hmph, I still say we should rough him up, teach him a lesson for puttin' big Jim out." The one from before said.
Someone sighed, "Fine, fine…but after we go with my idea, agreed?"
Everyone murmured in agreement and Remus felt himself being held up against the wall.
A boy approached him. He had dark red hair that went below his shoulders slightly and covered one of his dark brown eyes. He also had a very thin figure, thinner then his! It was almost like looking at a red mop with robes.
He grinned, reveling crooked yellow teeth "This'll be fun…"
Remus glared at him defiantly, still struggling against his bonds. If he was going to go down he didn't want to shirk away and let Gryffindors be remember like that by a mindless idiot like him.
The mop laughed to the others "Wow, Jim wasn't jokin'! This one's got guts…" he turned back to Remus and pulled out his wand, slowly pointing it to his chest "Let's see what color they are then…"
Before he could so much as open his mouth a voice screamed "Expelliarmus!"
The redheaded mop flew across the room, his wand going about 20 feet way as well as the wands of the other captures. Remus, no longer being held to the wall, fell hard to the floor. He winced at the impact and was almost certain his nose was bleeding from it.
What happened next he wasn't too sure, but it sounded like whoever had rescued him was fighting the rest of them.
"What the hell-?!"
"Get him!"
There sound of punches and noises of pain echoed the hallway, wands seemed forgotten to all of them. Remus struggled to lift his head or even turn over to see what was going on, but he was held tight to where he was.
A loud snap, a gagging sound and a grunt of pain were the last of the fighting noises before one of the thugs yelled to the rest "This guy's cracked! Let's get out of here!"
And the sound of fleeing footsteps echoed and some ways away there was also heavy breathing. Remus felt the last of their steps vibrate against the marble ground so he tried harder then ever to get out of his bonds.
There was a gasp, as though his liberator just remember he was there and quickly rushed forward and untied him "Remus, are you alright?" he asked with worry.
At his voice, Remus knew exactly who it was that was untying him before he'd even got up.
"Ugh, I'm fine…thanks Sirius." He said; rubbing his arms as Sirius untied his legs.
It turned out he was right, the fall had made his nose bleed and from the feel of it, quite a lot, it was still bleeding. The only injures that were visible on Sirius was the black eye he was sporting, a few bruises on his face and neck and his mouth was bleeding, though not as much as Remus' nose.
Sirius frowned, "Your nose! Damn those cowardly bastards! Are you ok? Do you want to go to Madam Pomfrey?"
Before he could answer though, a teacher came out of the Great Hall "What is all this racket? We can hear- (gasp!) Black, Lupin! What, in Merlin's name is going on out here?!"
It was McGonagall and she stared reproachingly at the two of them but at the sound of their names the rest of the hall seemed to have gotten out of their seats, a few people even peaked out from the room.
"Professor this isn't what it looks like! A group of idiots tied Remus up and were about to beat the stuffing out of him! They just ran that way out the door, the cowards…" Sirius said defensively.
McGonagall turned to Remus "Is this true?"
He nodded "Yes ma'am, they went that way. I was just coming to eat lunch and they attacked for no reason."
She stared at the two of them for a long time, as if trying to look into their minds before finally she let out a frustrated sigh "Oh…Lupin go to Madam Pomfrey before you bleed yourself dry!"
He pinched his nose "Um, yes ma'am…" and walked down the corridor with Sirius at his side, trying to ignore the many murmurs they heard behind them as they went.
Neither spoke or even looked at each other for a long time, though Remus could distinctly hear Sirius muttering angrily under his breath. The word 'filthy' was heard as well as 'coward' amongst the mutters.
Finally Sirius looked over at him and gently put a hand on his shoulder "They didn't hurt you too bad did they?"
Remus sighed and though his voice sounded nasally from being pinched he said, "No, Sirius, I told you I'm fine. I got this when you blasted that red haired guy. He was holding me up and when he was knocked off I just fell on the ground…not that it hurt to bad, my nose took most of the fall."
Sirius nodded but was still frowning "Right…but still, it shouldn't have happened at all! I told James not to leave you alone, where was he?!"
Remus frowned and took his hand off his nose "Excuse me, but I think I can take care of myself. Plus, I don't exactly remember asking for a bodyguard."
"After what happened the other day you didn't have to! You know how those morons are! They won't attack you if there's someone with you, they only like unfair fights! Imagine if I didn't get there when I did…what they could've done to you…" Sirius seemed to be giving this possibility more thought then Remus was, who, instead of being grateful for his rescue was pretty angry.
"Look, I told him and Peter to get lunch, they were hungry! And anyway, I don't need people tailing me like I'm a target about to get hit!" he said heatedly.
Sirius frowned deeper "You don't know these people! As far as they're concerned that's exactly what you are! Where were you anyways, why weren't you at lunch?!"
"I went to the Owlery! Or do I have to ask permission to go places now!?"
"I didn't say that! I'm just saying you should have someone with you and at least tell me where you're going to be at! The Owlery seems a bit dangerous now, no teachers; it's the perfect place for an attack…Remus you can't go up there anymore-"
Wrong – thing – to – say.
Remus stopped dead in his tracks and turned to face Sirius, anger flaring in his eyes "Can't?! What, you're 'forbidding' me from going then? Is that what you're saying?!"
Sirius looked at him in surprise "Wh-what? N-no I didn't-"
"Last I checked you're not my parents, not Minster of Magic or even a teacher so you CAN'T tell me what to do! I'll go where ever the hell I want and if you got something to say about it-"
"I'm just trying to look out for you, you're my boyfriend!" Sirius shot angrily.
"That can change you know!"
Sirius looked as though he'd just been shot. He stared at Remus with wide, fearful eyes "What are you saying?"
Remus glared at him, his anger unfazed but didn't speak. What was he saying?
"I…I'm saying…I can go to Madam Pomfrey's without your help, thanks!" he stammered, though still managing to hold an angry glare as he marching down the hall.
Sirius walked after him "But Rem-"
He turned on his heel and Sirius stopped "Are you daft!? I SAID I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP! WHY IS THAT SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND?! You want me to make this simple? Fine. GO AWAY AND LEAVE ME ALONE!!!" and was off again.
Sirius stayed rooted in his spot as he watched Remus leave, it felt as though he'd just swallowed a block of ice. He wanted to say something but his voice was lost and Remus was getting further and further away…
A haggard cackle made him look up to see Peeves floating overhead.
Peeves grinned devilishly "Ohhh, a lover's quarrel I see?"
Sirius clenched his teeth angrily "Shut up…"
"But what if this is the big one? You might lose Loony Lupin for good!" he said gleefully floating about.
Sirius wrenched out his wand his wand and shouted "Immoblulous!"
But Peeves floated away, screaming at the top of his voice "LUPIN DUMPED BLACK! Lupin DUMPED Black!" Sirius shot a few spells after him but he was disappearing and reappearing to quick.
Sirius chased him a bit but then stopped and stood in his spot, anger slowly starting to take up every inch of him, Peeves words still echoing in the hall. He let out a yell of frustration and punched the wall, kicked it as well, out of sheer anger.
"Dammit, dammit, DAMMIT!!!" he yelled angrily, sinking to the floor and punching the stone ground.
For a moment he just stayed like that, on his knees holding his hand that he was had a few broken bones in it at this point, breathing heavily and glaring at the floor as though it were its fault this was happening…the floor got a little fuzzy as his eyes started to burn.
"What've I done…" he thought sorrowfully as a few silent tears hit the floor.
---
Remus snuck a quick glance back over his shoulder. Sirius' yell echoed angrily even to where he stood now. Part of him wanted to go back and see if he was ok but he ignored that part.
"What if he's hurt?"
"I bet! He's probably just having a fit over what happened, you heard how it sounded."
"You should go back and apologize."
"NO! This is teaching that idiot a lesson! I'm not some object or a…a 5 year-old who can't make their own decisions! He's got no right telling me what I can and can't do; I'm not his property! Besides, we're not even really going out; this is just so he won't kill himself!"
"But you still wish you were!"
"No I don't! And if you say one more word I'll-"
"My dear boy, whoever are you yelling at?" a voice asked calmly in front of him.
He looked up quickly and nearly fell at who he saw there. He'd been so busy with this argument he hadn't noticed he wasn't alone and nearly walked into Albus Dumbledore.
"Uh…S-sorry, sir." He muttered softly, surprised to see the headmaster here instead of at lunch and embarrassed for having just had a conversation out-loud with himself.
Dumbledore smiled "It's quite alright. I was just about to go to lunch, just finished some work in my office, would you like to join me?"
"No sir, I have to go to Madam Pomfrey for…" he stopped when he realized his nose was no longer bleeding "Er, n-never mind. Well, I should still change my robes…"
Dumbledore smiled "Allow me." He pulled out his wand and pointed at the blood on Remus' front. Some bubbles scrubbed him though he did not feel wet when it stopped and the stains were all but gone.
"There we are. Nothing ever gets blood completely out, except maybe Plinitum sap, though, at least now you don't look as though you've emerged from a bloody duel." He said cheerfully putting his wand back in his robes.
Remus nodded "Yes, thank you sir."
For a moment neither said anything, Dumbledore smiled politely and Remus kept his gaze with the floor. Arguing out loud to himself, Dumbledore must have thought him mad. Even he'd think himself mad now…wait, Dumbledore!
"Um sir? Do you…I mean, by any chance, would you know when the antidote might be ready?" he asked slowly.
Dumbledore smiled "It's hard to say. Professor Ronts has it to a nice simmer right now, though it may take more time…I take it, things are not going so well with Mr. Black?"
Remus frowned, glanced back over his shoulder and clenched his fists "You could say that…"
Dumbledore nodded though still smiled "Funny, the things people will do or say when they care about us so deeply."
Remus looked up so fast he was surprised his neck didn't break "Sir?"
"It's a shame, the moon will be full soon and on your birthday no less." Dumbledore said, as though he hadn't heard said anything out of the ordinary.
He nodded "Yes well, it wouldn't be the first time it's happened sir."
Dumbledore nodded "Right…well, if you don't wish to go to lunch I will see you later, I'm sure."
"Yes, well um…have a good lunch, sir." He mumbled, heading off to Gryffindor tower.
Dumbledore smiled as he left "Thank you Remus, I'll be sure to. And I wouldn't worry about Sirius if I were you. We all know he's said his share of things he didn't mean over the years. It's best to just forgive and forget."
Remus turned quickly but Dumbledore was already halfway down the hall. For a moment Remus watched him leave then slowly went upstairs, silently wondering it he had eyes all around the school.
---
End A/N: Ok, that's all for now! Hm, that was a rather nasty fight huh? Did you see it comin'? Are you curious to what happens next? WELL, if you are, you'll have to review, thanks to those who've stuck with me this far!