A/N: There's no rhyme or reason behind when I post, just fyi. They come out when they come out, though I guess I might be aiming for one a week? But it'll depend on whether I get impatient or if I forget (for frickin months - I'm sorry about that...), so they'll either be late or early. I exist only on a sliding scale of everything to nothing.

Stay safe out there xx

Chapter 22

Remus Lupin was currently hiding in a broom closet.

No, not hiding. Making a tactical retreat.

It was a strategic decision, really. One which Remus was undeniably proud of. Completely proud of. Yup, it was a smart choice. It was really actually quite brave of him to ensconce himself between the four walls – three walls and a door – of the broom closet.

Of course, if he had had more time, he may have chosen a…larger space, but still, it was a decision to be proud of.

Why? Because Sirius Black was on the other side of the door.

Not that Sirius was aware that Remus was hiding – retreating – in the closet. Oh no. That was why it was such a good decision.

Remus was avoiding Sirius.

Yup, you heard that right.

Remus Lupin was avoiding Sirius Black.

The reasons weren't important. Just know that the avoidance was taking place, and accept it. The fact wasn't going away any time soon.

And neither was Remus.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Sirius was sure he had spotted Remus down this corridor.

So sure, in fact, that he would bet his Gryffindor scarf on it.

But, unfortunately, the sandy-haired, juvenile werewolf was nowhere to be seen. The only thing Sirius could see, was a group of hormone-riddled teenagers, all clamouring for Sirius' attention.

"Oh, come on, Sirius. I know you want me." Said some…what was the yellow house called again? Jigglypuff? Something like that. Either way, he needed to get past.

"Honestly, I'd prefer the giant squid." Uncaring as the girl was stunned into silence, Sirius quickly made his getaway, sprinting down the corridor and around the corner before any of the students could stop him.

Only to come face to face with a literal sea of students, filling the corridor. As one, they turned to face him. Sirius paled dramatically.

And then, the noise started.

"Mine? Mine! Mine, mine, mine! Miiine!"

He ran.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Hermione groaned as she exited the Room of Requirement.

She had scrubbed her face raw, cast glamour after glamour, tried every counter-spell under the sun, and yet she couldn't get rid of the marker covering her face.

It was a really quite childish trick, if she was being honest; To draw over someone's face as they slept.

The words, 'Read the book' were drawn across her forehead (backwards so they could be read in the mirror), and her cheeks were covered in various scribbles – including a rather crude picture on her left side which had made her blush to look at.

About halfway through attempting to get rid of the drawing on her face, Hermione had become aware of similar scribbles up her arms, and even covering her stomach and legs. They also seemed to be multiplying. The words 'I mean it, Hermione' and 'This is your own fault' also featured.

Dìona had certainly made her point.

Suddenly, Sirius Black came shooting around the corner, spotting a shell-shocked Hermione and running over to her, grabbing onto and ducking behind her, before peering around her in the direction he had come from.

"Don't let them get me." He whined pitifully, glancing at her and doing a double take, "What happened to your face?"

Hermione sighed, self-consciously rubbing the side of her nose, "It's not important."

Sirius looked thoughtful for a moment, before whimpering and burying his face behind Hermione's back, gripping her elbows with his hands to keep her in front of him.

She narrowed her eyes at him, "What are you doing?"

Sirius ducked further behind her, stooped over ridiculously to try get his much larger frame behind he, pulling her back as he pressed into the wall. Just in time for a group of students to come hurtling around the corner, and straight past Hermione and Sirius, shouts of 'Mine!' echoing around the corridor.

In the confusion, Hermione called the Room of Requirement back up, fumbling a hand behind her for the door handle as Sirius whimpered pathetically behind her. She grasped the handle, and pushed open the door, allowing Sirius to stumble in before she followed, slamming the door shut and leaning against it, breathing heavily.

"The world's gone mad." Sirius stated from his position on the floor, arms splayed and staring at the ceiling, "Certifiably. Mad."

Hermione quite agreed.