A/N: This chapter is inspired by the song 'bright eyes' from Watership Down (which I obviously don't own)
I've been lazy with the disclaimers in the last few chapters, so I thought I might write an intelligent sounding one this time:
Disclaimer: The 'Harry Potter' series and all affiliated characters and places are owned by J. K. Rowling and no infringement of copyright is meant by the author of this work. (I.e.: me) The author of this work is not making a profit from the text and it is meant for entertainment purposes only. Any song lyrics or quotes are property of their respective owners and the author of this work does not claim ownership of any of them.
I would also like to point out that I barely ever check and edit my work, except for spell checking, and what you read is usually exactly what I wrote to begin with. So please excuse any small errors and do point out anything that you feel needs to be changed.
Revelations
His eyes, glowing bright in the dusky light, fall upon the figure lying next to him on the ground. As glowing amber fades back to soft grey, colour begins to seep back into his vision. First thing to change, last thing to change back. Sometimes he wishes he could become the wolf voluntarily, like his friends could become their animals, and sometimes he wishes that some of the wolf's traits were a part of him. But most of the time he just wishes that the wolf would leave him alone.
The sun is just rising above the horizon, the faint reflection of the moon just leaving the sky. There is a rat curled up in a corner of the room, beneath a mouldy-looking bed. James is slouched against the wall, blinking blearily, his glasses almost falling off his nose. His hair is a ragged shadow above his head and his clothes are twisted and untidy.
Lying in the middle of the floor is Sirius, still in the realms of sleep, mumbling to himself about pixies and dragons. Beside him, flat on his back, lies Remus. His eyes, now fully grey, watch the ceiling. He is wide-awake. Sirius shifts in his sleep and pulls at the blanket shielding his friend's modesty. Remus blushes and yanks it back hurriedly.
From across the room, James grins at him.
Ignoring him, Remus summons his clothes and pulls them on, leaving Sirius to cuddle the blanket all he wants. "You should get back to Gryffindor Tower," he whispers. "I need to go to the hospital wing."
"Wake up Sirius," James advises. "Someone should go with you. It wasn't one of your best nights you know."
"I'll be fine."
James throws his shoe at Sirius. "Padfoot! Remus intends to walk all the way to the hospital wing on his own!"
Sirius yelps as the shoe makes contact. "He's going to do what now?"
James sighs. "Just take Moony to the hospital wing. I'll take care of Wormy."
"Oh! Did I hurt him?"
"Not enough," Sirius grins and drags the werewolf out of the Shrieking Shack and into the Hogwarts grounds. "He'll be fine."
Remus sighs deeply. "I'm so sorry to have dragged you guys into this."
Sirius slings his arm around the smaller boy's shoulders. "You didn't drag us into it remember? You told us that you'd understand if we didn't even want to see you anymore. It was our choice. And I can't speak for the others, but I for one have never regretted that choice."
"But what if your parents find out?"
Sirius snorts. "My parents? They practically disowned me the second I was Sorted into Gryffindor. You can't tell me you didn't hear the Howler!"
"I'm sorry."
"Stop apologising!" Sirius squeezes his friend. "You're one of my best friends. You're a werewolf. So what. I don't care. In fact, its being a werewolf that makes you who you are. I mean, if you weren't you would probably have turned out very differently. We might not even have been friends. Don't get me wrong, if I knew how, I'd cure you, but I don't. And I wouldn't change who you are."
Remus's lip trembles. "Thank you Sirius. You've no idea how much this means to me."
The thick blanket of snow that covered the grounds gleamed in the bright sunlight as Remus stirred the Pensieve idly with his wand. He had never looked at it so often.
The door creaked open.
"Hello Harry. Here for your lesson?"
"Yes Professor," Harry walked in and shut the door quietly.
Remus stood up, sweeping his robe behind him. "I will be teaching you the Patronus charm Harry. It is advanced magic, nothing like what you would usually learn in your third year, so do not expect this to be easy." He descended the stairs quickly. "The Patronus charm creates a barrier between you and the Dementors, and they will feed from it instead of you."
Harry nodded.
"You must select a happy memory and hold that thought in your head whilst you cast the charm. Concentrate on that thought and only that thought."
Harry sank into his memories for a moment.
"Do you have a memory?
Harry nodded.
"Good. The incantation is 'Expecto Patronum'. Are you ready?"
At Harry's nod, Remus waved his hands across the crate containing a new Boggart. The locks slowly dislodged themselves and the Boggart flew out. Remus stepped back hurriedly as the Boggart took the shape of a Dementor.
Harry raised his wand. "Expecto Patronum. Expecto Patronum." The tip of his wand began to glow silver, and then, he fainted.
Replacing the Boggart in the case, Remus sighed. As Harry came round, he handed the boy a piece of chocolate.
Harry rubbed his temples. "That was one nasty Dementor."
Remus chuckled. "It wasn't a Dementor. A Boggart. They are rather becoming my specialty it seems." He hauled the boy up. "Ready to try again?"
In answer, Harry lifted up his wand. This attempt ending in him lying prone on the floor and Remus's chocolate supply being depleted somewhat more.
He frowned. "May I enquire what memory you chose?"
"The first time I rode a broom."
"Oh now that's not nearly strong enough. Can't you think of anything else?"
"Well there is something, but its- complicated."
"Is it strong?" Remus asked gently.
After a moment, Harry nodded, indicating that he was ready to try again. This time, the attempt went well. Remus was grinning from ear to ear, applauding as he slammed the lid on the case shut. "Well done Harry, well done! Excellent! Here- have some more chocolate."
Harry smiled and sank to the floor. "You know what I was thinking? I was young and mum and dad were watching me and talking. Just talking. I don't even know if it's real, but it's the happiest I've ever been."
Remus's smiled faded and he put a friendly hand on Harry's shoulder. "You should get back to Gryffindor Tower. It's late."
Harry stood slowly. "Thanks Professor."
"You're very welcome."
Feeling slightly lonely after Harry's departure, Remus collected an armful of unmarked work and made his way to the staff lounge.
"Remus dear! How are you feeling!" Minerva fussed as he walked into the room and transfigured himself some tea.
"I'm feeling fine thank you Minerva." Remus replied politely.
Filius twisted the dial on the Wizarding Wireless. The room filled with thick static. Professor Sprout whacked the box until it found a radio station.
Ignoring all this, Remus set about marking his fifth year work. By the time he was done, it was almost midnight. The staff lounge was empty except for Filius Flitwick, who, having spent most of his free time coddling the Wizarding Wireless, was now charming quills to do his marking for him.
He hid a smile behind his hand and snuck out of the room. The corridors were dark, but it barely mattered. He knew every single corridor and hallway of Hogwarts. He knew its scent, its appearance, its length, width and decorations. He knew where each stairway was located and which one moved. Mostly from his studies on the Marauder's Map which had been the four friend's work for years.
Remus wanders down the third floor hallways, making notes on a ragged piece of parchment. Doing a similar thing on the fourth floor is Sirius, and James is mapping out the dungeons with the help of his Invisibility cloak. Peter is down on the ground floor, making notes of all the suits of armour and portraits.
In his pocket, James carries the beginning prototype of the Marauder's Map. Sirius carries the plans, and Remus's schoolbag is filled with related Charms and Transfiguration. The Marauder's Map is to be their legacy, to ensure that a part of them will remain at Hogwarts forever.
Once they are done with their sections, the four boys meet up in the Gryffindor common room to add their messily drawn maps to the prototype.
Lost in thought, Remus barely noticed that he was approaching people. The sound of voices halted him in his steps.
"-And keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business."
He bit back a groan. From the sounds of that, Harry had somehow gotten hold of the Marauder's Map. Wand light glowed ominously in front of him.
The figure in front of him, which could only be Severus Snape, whirled around, pointing the sharp light of his wand into Remus's eyes.
"Well, well Lupin. Out for a stroll in the moon-light?" He questioned smugly, emphasising every word.
Remus flicked his head up to ward the glare out of his eyes and did not answer.
A/N: Gah. This chapter was so awkward to upload. Stupid computer. :wanders off muttering about thick computers: