Note- To the bastard who found it amusing to sign on my name and leave a review under it for my own story-- GO TO HELL. You're apparently one of my friends as you know my last name, and you come off all sarcastic. To hell with you. :)


A/n- Sorry to have kept leaving off on cliffhangers. It's rather inevitable ::grins wickedly:: Well, on with XIV! And sorry if it's a bit shorter than the others!

Disclaimer- Must I bother? Yes? Ok then, I own squat shit. That good enough for you LAWYERS? Curse you all to hell I say.... o_O

Rating- PG-13 for now, may change at some point ::shrug:: .

Chapter Keywords- Return of Quidditch, Romolus Romolus Romolus... Dark activity, Romolus, Romolus... And a bit of Optimism as well for a change.



Seeing Grey - Part XIV - Forgotten



He frowned, turning the stone over and over in his shaky hands. For a while he just sat there, James, Peter and Sirius staring at him, and then suddenly he smiled.

He's alright. Remus concluded, smiling very wide and repeating it to himself quite often. he said, until finally James shook him back to reality.

So what is it?

Look, it's a moon. he pointed out, his finger tracing the circle inscribed in the stone. And a Roman 19. The full moon is on the nineteenth... He was just telling me. Remus said happily. The others blinked, not really understanding how that explained that Romolus wasn't in excruciating pain, or dead, at the moment.

He's fine if he had time to do this, and he's obviously well enough to carve into rock, so his arms aren't broken or whatnot. Don't you get it? he asked, and they shook their heads.

He isn't in a lot of trouble, because he left me a simple reminder rather than a cry for help. he said quickly, biting his lip he was so relieved.

Either that or he's a right-out loony. Sirius said under his breath, forgetting that Remus had hearing well beyond that of normal humans.

He's not insane Sirius, he's alright! And he's coming back, really soon. he blurted out, clutching the smooth rock to his chest as though it was a cherished heirloom. With simultaneous shrugs, the others went back to devouring their meals, not noticing Remus' ecstatic remarks to himself.

He's alright...


Remus, are you feeling alright? Lily asked, sitting down next to him in The Three Broomsticks. he was sipping a mug of butterbeer thoughtfully, gazing off into the distance. His free hand ws clenched tightly around the little carved rock, as though it was his grasp on life itself.

He's coming back Lily, he's alright. he muttered after a moment. She frowned, and shook her head a bit.

There's a difference between having faith in something, and fooling yourself with false hopes. she said gently, leaning against him. He might not even be alive Remus, much as I don't like to admit it. Don't get your sights set to high...

Lily, you don't get it. He is coming back, point-said. I'm not being over optimistic or anything... I don't care if no one else believes me, I know for fact hell be back.

Lily sighed, and shrugged to herself.

Alright. Whatever you say Remus... I'll believe it with you.



I'm heading off to the showers for a bit... Seeya tomorrow. Remus said after many hours working on the Marauders Map Friday night. James and Sirius wished him good night, and Peter would have, had he not been keeled over, sleeping in a pile of his on drool. Remus quietly made his way up the stairs, and into his own little shower stall.

Make sure you come back. he muttered, holding the little stone in his hands. A moment later he blacked out against the wall, eyes still open as the water pounded down on him.



he yelled, rushing forward. But the shabby figure took no notice of him, and with a sinking heart, he realized he could not bee seen nor heard. For a moment he watched, a spectator to the camp where he and five Aurors were held, wondering why his talents ahd decided to bring him here. there was a feeble fire glowing in the center of the forest camp, casting a flickering light upon the boy. He had a welt across his face, and one eye as bruised shut.

At least he's alive.' Remus told himself, sitting down next to Romolus absently. He stayed like that for a few minutes, until one of the cloaked men came out and kicked a sleeping Auror in the side.

Ger up. he said gruffly, a drunken slur present in his voice. re moving out, got some now people a commin' in tonigh'... Ger up! he yelled, everyone rising automatically.

Now where are we going? Romolus asked bravely, trudging along in the woods in single-file like a slave.

A bit south of Dratchen... We'll be there while my colleagues carry out a certain mission.


I need to speak to Dumbledore! Remus yelled, tapping on the door. A very tired McGonnagal answered, wrapped up in a bathrobe.

It's four in the morning Mr. Lupin, I'm sure... It can wait. she mumbled with a yawn.

There's going to be another attack! I need to-

Go back to bed, Mr. Lupin. Good night. she slammed the portal door before he squeaked out a protest, leaving him in the halls by himself.

God, why doesn't anyone believe me anymore? he mumbled. A little voice, one of his brother, reminded him that the word of a werewolf was useless in modern society.

Yeah, well I'll be laughing when they read the newspaper in a few days. he grumbled to his subconscious.


He didn't laugh in the next few days, but he did find it secretly amusing when the Daily Prophet reported an attack, and kidnapping, in Dratchen. That afternoon, McGonnagal gave him odd glances quite a few times when she thought he wasn't watching during Transfiguration.

Does this mean we're going to be in war? Peter asked nervously, looking about at the chattering Great Hall.

No you git. Just a band of psychotic terrorists. Sirius snapped, sipping his pumpkin juice carelessly.

I don't think so... It's going to be more than that. Remus said without realizing exactly what was coming out of his mouth.



James, what are- Before he even finished his sentence, the little crumpet blew up right in Sirius face, covering him with some sort of green slime. James cursed to himself, and looked around the room for another biscuit.

What just blew up? Remus asked from his table, bits of Transfiguration homework strewn about before him.

Crumpet, not to worry. James assured, finding a stray tea biscuit that suited his task.

So what devilish plan has Jamesie worked up now? Sirius asked in a delighted tone, seating himself down next to him.

Trying to find a way to make a biscuit rupture at my leisure... Be quite dandy to have Bane's breakfast erupt on his face, aye?

Oh, James, can I have the map? I found a new tunnel, I was late for Potions yesterday and found a good vantage point if we ever get caught up in the second-floor back halls. Remus remembered. James dug the map out of his pocket, and without interrupting himself from his own work, handed it and a Zonko's pencil over to his friend. Remus summoned up the map, and expertly drew the neat little lines onto the ever-worn parchment.

That one should be good if Filch ever snags us down that way. Sirius said with an approving nod. Good to have you back in business Remus... he added. Our amounting detention list was getting rather high without you to dig us out of trouble.

Oh to hell with that! Peter said from in front of the fireplace, a Muggle war book in his lap. He doesn't get you out of trouble anymore than he helps get you in trouble!

No wiser words have yet to grace your lips, dear Peter. James said with a grin.

He's just the criminal mastermind. Sirius translated, shrugging to himself as he went about hexing the little bread roll. The next morning at breakfast, as a bright red light flashed, the only words that came out of Professor Banes mouth were shouts of POTTER!' and BLACK!'. The pile of slimy biscuit lay in his lap, though the vast majority of it was all over his face in the form of an oozing red grime. James and Sirius smiled to themselves, mission accomplished. Once more Remus was dragged along for the detention, though he didn't mind.

It was hard to care about anything when Romolus was coming home.



No no, you stupid git! You have to flick your wrist and pronounciate the thing right or you'll never get it! Romolus scolded, shaking his head.

Well I don't know, alright? Sorry I suck at everything! Remus yelled, throwing down his battered wand and running to his room. The door slammed shut, and something crashed onto the floor after a moment.

God he has such a blasted temper. Romolus murmured, pocketing the wand and floating all the textbooks back onto the table. For a few months they had been staying in an old abandoned house, Romolus attempting to teach his little brother some new magic.

You know, Hogwarts is lucky they never got you! You'd drive the Professor's insane! Romolus shouted through the door, starting to cook dinner on an old range. They'd kick you out, you know! he said loudly, smiling to himself.

I mean, it's not like you can actually do the magic at all. Oh, you'd be ages behind everyone.

As expected by the elder boy, Remus slowly opened the door, face red and eyes watery. He walked quietly back into the dusty room, and hung his head down. Closing his eyes, he wandlessly summoned his arms, and Summoned a Charms book from the table.

You're a little twit sometimes, you know that Rem?

That's why you're around, so I'm not a little twit. S'long as you're here I'll be fine. he said quietly, then looked up. And I am going to Hogwarts.

Keep telling yourself that little brother, and one day you might actually believe it.


Find him again, alright? Go on, go find him. Remus said, shoving the black owl towards the window. She nipped his finger, not wanting a long journey, but set off with the letter anyway.

You're very resilient about keeping in touch with someone who the Ministry deemed untouchable. Sirius said from the doorway, smiling to himself. You're either very loyal and all that, or extremely ignorant.

I'd go with the latter. James interrupted.

Peter finished, smiling along with the others.



I am not insane you guys. Just... You don't know what it's like. I've been screwed over my entire life, in every way imaginable. he said, not thinking for a while. My parents are dead, I mean hell... I'm a werewolf for crying out loud. It's as if God or the Fates or destiny, whoever you believe in, just gave up on me and handed me that black, moldy leftovers. If he doesn't make it back-

Ok, shut up now. Sirius said, breaking the moment. You're getting depressed. And if you get depressed you can't help us weasel a few Restricted books from the library.

Is that the only reason you came with me? Remus snapped.

Pretty much. Sirius admitted, smiling sheepishly.

Thanks for the emotional support...

No problem. Now come on before Filch finds us. James said, grabbing both by the backs of their robes and pulling them down the spiral staircase.



Three days later, a very soggy and tired Random flew in with the morning mail owls. She deposited a scrappy, wet and blurry scrap of parchment into Remus hands, and flew off in a crooked fashion back to nap.

What'd he say? James asked, nudging closer. Though not looking it, he was by far the easiest to relate to on terms of family problems and emotional depth.

Moony, don't worry. Organizing rebellion. Out soon. Love and cricket, Rom.

You have a very odd brother. James said, eyebrows raised above his glasses.

We're an odd family. he said quietly, smiling a bit to no one. At least I still have a family anyway.



And Morsem drops the Quaffle, retrieved by... Remus Lupin, of Gryffindor? the announcer said in a quizzical voice, voice changing in mild surprise.

Sirius, hit anything in my path! Remus yelled as he spurred by, Quaffle under his arm. Sirius smiled, and as a Bludger came hurtling towards him, he directed right to the head of one Ravenclaw Chaser after Remus. She toppled off her broom, and smacked into the grass a few feet below.

In a very odd change of events, the Gryffindor Keeper is on a spree to score! This is coming from a man we've yet to see leave the scoring area in his two years on the team!

Sirius knocked off one more Chaser on the way, and totally bewildered, the opposing Keeper hardly made an attempt to stop the perfect goal. Not bothering to celebrate, Remus chased tail-end with the other Chaser back to his own posts, just in time to dive for a block.

Some rather courageous moves from our local Keeper and Gryffindor newbie everyone! This is turning out to be an exciting game!

Six goals and twenty-two fouls by James and Sirius later, it was ninety-thirty in favour of Gryffindor. James smiled, swooshed around a goal post, and made an unnecessarily showy dive to catch the Snitch and end the game. Early in the season they were already high in the ranks, well above even Slytherin's reach.

Gryffindor Tower was mayhem that night.

At three in the morning, Peter came back with the freshest load of snacks and butterbeer courtesy of the house elves. After they had all been devoured, James left for his own stash, Sirius soon after. At five McGonnagal came in and demanded everyone go to bed, but she was faced with so many flying hexes she retreated almost instantly. And to the amusement of everyone, James had even snuck Lily into the Common Room.

Good to see you lively again. she said above the thunderous music and loud yelling.

Rom is coming home, of course I'm celebrating!


God I hope he gets back soon. It's been so long... I hope he didn't get caught. Remus told his owl, stroking the wing feathers gently. Random gave a little hoot, and rubbed her head against his hand.

You think I'm foolish for worrying don't you Rannie? I don't know... I always fear that he won't come back at all, and I'll have to live alone again. he admitted. If he for any reason didn't, I'd be ruined. He's my father, my mother, and my best friend... Add that to being my guardian and a brother, he's one hell of a guy, right? he smiled, as she gave a shrill squeak.

Oh, that's right... You aren't too fond of him. he laughed, flopping back on the futon as Random flew to the backing of a chair.

God, I really hope nothing happened... he trailed off, smiling as he heard the thundering footsteps up the stairs. Romolus walked in a moment later, and threw a long, thin box at Remus.

Don't go snapping your wand again, Olivanders is really hard to break in to. he huffed. He stared at Remus for a moment, and tapped his foot. You look bothered.

Without any reason he knew, Remus lunged forward, and hugged him to the point of suffocation.

Uh... Glad to see you too?



Any news yet? James asked in a near-silent voice during dinner late November. Remus shook his head, and despite what everyone thought, his hopes hadn't been daunted by the fact that he hadn't received word from Romolus in long while. There had been several more attacks, and the body of one hostage had been found several miles off of Dratchen a week before.

No, not yet. he said with a smile, looking up as the last of the mail owls flew off.

But there will be.






A/n- Thanks to all you reviewers out there, you're the best an aspiring fanfic author could wish for! Lynx, aurielo, Rykatu*L, GryfinndorSeeker, Amphitrite, Lyria Padfoot, smile7499, and all my other steady readers. Newbies- Sorry, kat, Manticore Queen, Alexa Black, love you all as well. :) More will come very soon, scouts honor!

Grimoire Mozzeltov- Thanks for spotting my error, it was fixed!

And to all of your who say I'm an abnormally, inhumanly fast author, I have a simple answer. I have no social life. And I REALLY wish JKR was as fast as me... At this rate the fifth MOVIE will be out before Order of the Phoenix... o_O

Iggie