"Take it off" – Chapter Two

hr

"He's been gone for hours, Moony."

"Well, I don't see why you think I know where he's gone."

"Check the map again."

"I told you, it's fuzzy. People keep flickering, on and off. I think the snow's mucking it up."

"Well, we'd better do something before the snow mucks up more than just the map."

James, sitting on Remus' bed, grabbed the Map from his friend's hand.

"Why do you think this time's any different than usual," asked Peter slowly, "I mean, chances are he's warming up to some bird by the fire?"

"Perhaps." James replied, solemnly. "But he didn't seem like usual when he left."

"Maybe he got distracted?"

"I don't know. What say you, Moony?"

Remus stared at the floor. "I don't know either."

"I say we go out and find him," James said with authority, "even if we end up being the third party."

"I ..."

"If he's just being a git we can at least force some frogs out of him later." Peter added, gushing. "I don't see what we have to lose."

"Fine."

"Fine. Then let's go." James and Peter stood up. Remus stayed pensively on the bed, waiting a moment before hauling himself up.

"Where are we going? We should split up to cover more ground. Wouldn't that be best?" Peter asked. James was momentarily stunned by his friend's articulate and acute question.

"I'll go have a look around the girls' towers, I suppose. And check up on any empty rooms."

"I can take the kitchen." Peter grinned. James and Remus scowled. "What?"

"The kitchen and the dungeons, then." James instructed. "It's only fair."

"Oh, all right."

"I'll go outside." Remus said softly, staring out the window.

"It's freezing, Moon. You sure?" James looked concerned.

"He did say he was going for a walk, though, yes?"

"True. Fine. You go outside. But not too far. And don't get caught."

"But, how do we know he hasn't been caught already? And that's why he's missing?" Peter inquired.

"No. He's around. Somewhere." James sighed. "I know it."

"Then let's hurry."

hr

It was freezing outside. Below freezing. Through his steaming breath, Remus could see sheets of ice blanketing every window of the castle. The sun had only set a few hours before, and the night would surely get colder. His gut told him that Sirius was still outside, and he needed to be found, and fast.

Remus tried to put himself inside Sirius' head. No matter how upset, Remus knew and could swear by the fact that Sirius was a lazy bastard, and in this weather would never have made it very far from the castle. So the lake and the woods were out of the question. But where else was there to go?

It's true, Sirius could have run off to some bird. But Remus couldn't believe that, not after what had happened earlier. In fact, the evening's events had been nagging at him to the point of nausea. No. Sirius wasn't in a happy mood. He would want to be alone.

Sighing a burst of hot air, Remus looked around in frustration. The pitch. The lawn. Where?

From the corner of his eye, Remus saw something twitch menacingly, and a light sprinkling of snow flew in his direction.

The shack.

hr

TBC – I have returned.