After being interrupted, from trying to tell Ryan he had lied about being an orphan, by some Hufflepuff crawling out into the hallway, Remus took a few steps forward silently signaling to Ryan the conversation was over. Ryan passed Remus, heading away from the corner they had hidden behind. The Slytherin waved at whoever was there, leaving the Gryffindor to follow after him.

"Umm excuse me can you let us in?" Ryan asked, walking forward quickly and intercepting a girl who couldn't be much older than them. Remus marveled over the way the girl smiled, not asking any question, simply stopping the barrel hatch from closing. If it had been a Gryffindor girl Ryan never would have gotten in since while Remus had on Ryan's tie the boy was still wearing his Slytherin robes with the emblem embroidered on the front.

"Glad to have more joining the party. What's your name lads?" she asked in a heavy Scottish accent. There was no suspicion to her tone, just genuine curiosity.

"I'm Ryan and this is Re….Rex," Ryan finished awkwardly, his face going red. The girl raised an eyebrow and giggled slightly at the ridiculous name causing Remus' cheeks to go pink.

"Whatever you say, boys. Have you been in the common room before or should I give you a tour?"

"Oh um….no we haven't…" Ryan glanced at Remus for confirmation on this fact and he nodded. "But there's no need for you to bother with a tour especially since you were heading somewhere."

"Names Alice by the way and I don't mind. I was just going to kitchens to refill the snacks but we Hufflepuff's pride ourselves on having the best hospitality in the castle, besides the darling house-elves of course. Right this way gentlemen," the kind Hufflepuff replied looking quite pleased to be bringing guests into her home. Ryan and Remus exchanged a hesitant look neither of their houses particularly hospitable nor this trusting of strangers and the same question flashed through their minds, 'was this a trap.' But Alice truly seemed sincere and Remus hadn't met a Hufflepuff so far that he hadn't found to be nice, even though he didn't know many of them, so they followed her. They had to crouch low, practically crawl, to get through the barrel. Then the tunnel they had found themselves in sloped down and was soon deep enough they were able to stand. Remus smiled at the passage lit with little blue fairy lights that were twinkling, a part of the moss-covered walls. Ryan was walking with his hand touching the moss and the tension in his shoulders seemed to leave. Behind Ryan, Remus was the last to enter the Hufflepuff common room which upon entering filled him with a bit of jealousy. The round low ceiling common room was filled with colorful flowers and plants. There were small low windows positioned just right to let the light the plants needed come through during the day. If Gryffindor's common room was cozy the Hufflepuff common room was homely, the walls decorated with art that seemed to be created by the recipients of the Hufflepuff house. There was a smiling portrait of Helga Hufflepuff lifting a goblet to toast all those gathered. But by far the best part of the Hufflepuff common room was that their idea of a party consisted of several small groups crowded around different tabletop games, drinking frothing butterbeer and eating an assortment of sweets that would leave Peter drooling. Remus let out a delighted laugh unable to help himself and Alice beamed at him.

"Isn't it just lovely?" Alice asked excitedly, several Hufflepuff's turning away from their games to watch the newcomers with smiles.

"The best!" Remus replied just as enthusiastically, blushing as there was a smattering of applause from Hufflepuff's who were probably delighted anytime a newcomer was enamored with the common room. Remus couldn't help thinking he would have been happier if he had been placed in Hufflepuff, though he supposed the wooden rocking chairs and tables weren't anywhere near as comfy to the plush chair and couches of Gryffindor. Remus realized Ryan hadn't said anything, he seemed rather out of place amongst the warm yellows of the common room, the tension back in his shoulders.

"Ummm, I'm here to deliver flowers," Ryan declared awkwardly, "they're from Gordon to um Angela."

"Oh lovely!" a much older Hufflepuff woman with her dark auburn hair braided into plaits got up from her group all gathered around a rug and glided over to gracefully. Ryan held the flowers out to her stiffly. She smiled sweetly at the boy's awkwardness, taking the flowers and inhaling deeply. "Gordon could have come here himself, the big goofball. But I suppose I'll forgive him. Thank you for delivering these. What are your names, lads?"

"Ryan and Rex," Ryan stated still a bit stiff.

"Come join us. We're making a quilt and eating cake," Angela invited warmly, Alice already scooching her way into the quilting group which shifted to make room for her. Remus recognized students from other schools and felt a sort of relief that the Hufflepuff's were giving the visitors the welcome they most likely weren't receiving from other houses. Remus honestly hadn't had much time to think about the foreign students but he caught one staring and waved awkwardly pleased when the student waved back.

"Um….that's…..uh I guess so," Ryan stammered, his hands finding his robe again and twisting the undone strand around his finger tightly. Remus could tell Ryan didn't want to stay and was just too polite to say so but Remus really didn't want to leave. He knew the Gryffindor's would still be partying in a much less pleasant way than the Hufflepuff's and most importantly Remus didn't hear any mutters of "Loony Lupin" here.

"That would be fantastic," Remus said, convincing himself it would be good for Ryan as well. Angela led them over and made introductions flawlessly as snacks galore were given to the visitors. Ryan tried to refuse but was told by a laughing young man, that being the bountiful badgers that Hufflepuff's were with their common room right next to the kitchens they had no reason to be greedy with their treats. Neither Remus nor Ryan could really argue with that logic so they actually ate the deserts and little delicacies as a few Hufflepuff's looked close to cheering at the two underweight boys eating so much. After introductions, they began working on the quilt spread out enough so that one or pairs could work on tasks. Remus felt a bit silly as the quilt making started and they all played an introductory game while working since Angela explained it would give everyone a better understanding of each other than their houses. From the sound of it, the game was one Hufflepuff's played a lot so Ryan and Remus persevered with the odd questions such as; what would you do if you found yourself in a garden you couldn't exit, and what animal do you identify most with.

Remus didn't think it helped him get to know anyone better although he did take note that one of two foreign students; one from Abraesalt the other from Digores shyly stated the animal she identified with was a demiguise. Remus was unfamiliar with the animal but when it was explained as an invisible peaceful creature felt this nagging sensation he had just received valuable information, though he wasn't sure how. Remus found he paid more attention to the Abraesalt student; Fiona than the others as they talked idly while working on the quilt together. This was because Remus kept glancing up to find her looking at him, only to look away, tucking her nearly white-blond hair behind her ear when she realized she had been caught staring. It was so peculiar that the only time Remus focused fully on the conversation, distracted as he was with someone's gaze on him so much, was when the dragons were mentioned.

"Lucille's disappeared too. It's not fair. I was really hoping we'd all get to keep them forever," one of the Hufflepuff's lamented and Remus felt a stab of worry. Before he could ask the question the Digores student asked if all the dragons were gone. There didn't seem to be a complete certainty but from what everyone could gather the dragons had disappeared as soon as the second task was done. Remus had bent his head to avoid the others seeing the sadness on his face as the information sunk in. He busied himself by staring at the quilt that he had patiently been instructed on how to sew a small multi-colored patch too. Remus tried very hard not to cry at the overwhelming feeling of disappointment. He could hear his roommates chastising him in his head since it was not like the dragon was real and as Sirius had exclaimed Remus had probably gotten a defective one that never would have opened anyway. But it still hurt, a small thing that seemed to add to all of the not small things that never seemed to leave Remus' shoulders. But Ryan was actually having a good time now talking animatedly with Alice about constellations so Remus forced himself to calm down not wanting to make a scene. He realized later leaving then probably would have been for the best because then he might have been able to avoid Fiona finally addressing him. It wasn't until they had been there for over an hour at which point Alice had pointed out she didn't want to get them in trouble for being out past curfew that Fiona cleared her throat speaking in an accent that was hard to place the origin of. "Why do you wear a disguise Remus Lupin?"

Remus was stunned, unsure what to say and he could see Ryan who had just gotten to his feet pale considerably.

"I...I don't know what you mean…" Remus stammered finding himself speechless on how this foreign student knew who he was. He had no idea who she was and he didn't think it was because he had forgotten. It left him feeling on edge as he stared at the older Abraesalt student whose pale blue eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

"And now you lie? You, no want to be recognized? Because you are from that lion house?"

"I…..uh…." Remus began helplessly, feeling more eyes on him which reminded him all over again of the "Loopy Lupin" incident.

"We never should have stayed!" Ryan suddenly blurted out sounding horrified. The Slytherin pointed an accusatory finger at Remus. "I never should have had you come with me. I'm going to be in so much trouble."

A silence fell over the common room though luckily most groups had dispersed for bed. Only a handful of students remained, the rest disappearing through different round doors which Remus assumed led to other halls otherwise the women and men wouldn't be in separate towers like how they were in Gryffindor, which seemed odd.

"I did not mean to upset you," Fiona pointed out, tilting her head slightly as she studied Ryan whose face was beat red, his arms stiff as rods at his side. Angela stood up from her cross-legged position with more ease than seemed possible and put a comforting hand on Ryan's shoulder.

"In Hufflepuff, we believe in treating people fairly and not judging them. I'm sure Fiona will keep her mouth shut as will the rest of us," the Hufflepuff's who had not been pretending they hadn't heard the conversation nodded, some looking perturbed others offended that such a thing needed to be pointed out. Fiona nodded as well though she hesitated which made Remus' stomach flop and he hoped Ryan hadn't noticed. "However if you would be in trouble for being friends with a Gryffindor you should tell a professor. I'm a prefect I can come with you."

The irony of Angela's statement was not lost on Remus who was pretty sure the Hufflepuff prefect's boyfriend was at least one of Ryan's many bullies. Remus wasn't sure what to do, watching as Ryan seemed to shake from humiliation or anger or both.

"Sorry, but if we don't leave now we'll be late for curfew. Thank you so much for your hospitality. You have a lovely common room thanks for sharing," Remus spoke quickly, reaching out and grabbing Ryan's hand pulling him away from the prying eyes. At the very least Remus could get Ryan away since he was pretty sure he had a good idea of what was going through the Slytherins' head.

"Be careful," Angela called after them, her worry would have been touching if it wasn't only making matters worse at the moment.

"And come again!" Alice called loudly waving as they left, though as Remus glanced back to direct Ryan around one of the hanging ferns, not wanting to frighten the boy more, he saw she looked rather sad. Pushing his own fears away as he knew they couldn't compare to Ryan's, the Gryffindor led the Slytherin back through the tunnel, which seemed more suffocating than fascinating this time through, and out into the kitchen hallway. Ryan's face, which had been colored with humiliation, now went white as he yanked his hand from Remus' quickly.

"What are you doing? It's bad enough they know we're friends, if they think we're gays and it gets back to my house they'll skin me alive," Ryan raved, his eyes unfocused and full of terror. Remus flinched, he had not intended to make things worse, but apparently he had. Ryan turned his back on Remus rubbing his eyes furiously.

"I….I don't think they will think that Ryan. Friends hold hands." Remus pointed out gently wanting to help.

"NO, they don't," Ryan snapped looking so terrified that Remus could no longer help himself.

"Ryan, they are tormenting you. You shouldn't have to put up with this. A professor would want to know. I could even go with you if you'd like. I'm willing to help however I can."

"Leave me alone Remus. You can't do anything to help so just leave me alone," Ryan shouted quickly turning away from Remus who just felt stunned. As he stood there an awful thought crossed his mind, "was this how Sirius felt all the time?" There was a sick feeling in Remus' stomach because of how bad he wanted to help Ryan. Why couldn't the boy see that? Why couldn't Ryan be honest with him? Remus considered what Sirius would have done in this situation, pushed and prodded, but Remus wasn't like Sirius. He also knew from experience that sometimes Sirius' approach didn't work.

"You're right. I'm sorry Ryan. I shouldn't have pushed you. I'm just worried about my friend." Remus pointed out gently and watched as Ryan's tensed shoulders relaxed slightly. Remus tugged the Slytherin tie off of himself unsure if Ryan was going to turn to face him or just run away. Finally, Ryan shifted and turned around with tears in his bloodshot eyes. The Slytherin snatched the tie from Remus and just stood there staring at him. The young werewolf wondered with a stab of panic if his eyes were glowing, which was rather dumb of him because they were standing in a lit corridor. What was it about Remus that made people stare at him so much? Well if he was being honest with himself he supposed it was just Sirius and Ryan that starred….so intensely but it was two too many. At least when Lily or James stared at him they seemed to be trying to solve something and if Peter was staring at him it was with expectancy, waiting for Remus to come up with a solution to whatever problem they were faced with. Of course, there was Fiona who had stared at him a lot too but he didn't want to be distracted by that right now.

"Is there something on my face?" Remus finally asked, wondering if Ryan had gotten petrified as the time stretched and the Slytherin just kept staring intensely. Ryan jumped and his face grew red.

"No. I just…your really weird Remus."

Remus couldn't suppress the wry smile from stretching across his features. "So I have been told."

"I didn't mean it in a bad way," Ryan stated quickly tripping over his words slightly in his haste. The nervous Slytherin kept wrapping the tie he had taken back from Remus around his hand then unwrapping it only to repeat the process again. It was rather distracting but Remus was used to boys who could neither sit nor stand still. He stood there patiently waiting for Ryan to say more. "I just…you're different from others. It's odd...how much you care." Ryan seemed to hesitate. "Do…do you know why you care so much?" he asked in a small rather hopeful tone that confused Remus further.

"What do you mean? We're friends of course I care, Ryan. I've seen… Well, you don't hide the injuries well," Remus whispered, and whatever Ryan had been about to say died on his lips.

"It's not that bad!" Ryan protested quickly, the familiar panic in his tone painful to Remus who could recognize it in himself and Sirius far too often for comfort.

"If you say so," Remus said calmly.

"I do!" Ryan insisted sharply grasping the tie in his fist now and wrapping his arms protectively around his chest. Remus sighed heavily trying to think of what he would want someone to say to him. The solution hit him so quickly he almost cried out in surprise. Surely Ryan wasn't struggling the same way he was, with the same nasty weight of shame. Remus thought about dismissing the impulse but Ryan looked so uncomfortable and reminded Remus so much of… well him, he knew that he had to at least try.

"Well… if they were hurting you badly, and I'm not saying they are, but if they do I hope you know it wouldn't be your fault in any way, Ryan. Hypothetically if they were bullying you because you were different from them then that's because they are nasty people not because you are doing anything to deserve it." As Remus spoke the words he wished he had been told last year, tears ran down Ryan's red cheeks. Remus hesitated then bridged the distance between them and hugged Ryan trying not to cry himself. He could almost hear his mother's voice as he repeated the words he desperately wished he would one day hear from his father. "It's not your fault, Ryan. It's not your fault."

"What do I do, Remus? They are all so mean and the few friends in Slytherin that I have are older and don't hang out with me much. And you…" Ryan stiffened and Remus flinched. "You try to hang out with me as much as you can. I know you do. But you're so busy and

I'm so lonely."

Remus hugged Ryan tighter, realizing he really hadn't been hanging out with him very much.

"I'm sorry, Ryan. I'll try to do better," Remus promised and Ryan relaxed, pulling away from Remus slowly.

"I just…wish I could solve this by myself. Then…." Ryan looked hesitant and Remus instinctively reached out and took his hand giving it a squeeze. He wondered why Ryan grew even redder but it seemed to give the boy courage so Remus didn't think too much of it. "Well, then maybe they would respect me, yeah?"

"They should already respect you though, Ryan. You deserve better than them."

Ryan gave Remus a sincere smile in response. "You're right. I should tell Professor Slughorn...he's a bit um well he plays favorites but even he won't be able to turn a blind eye if I say something...don't you think?"

"I don't know, Ryan but I think telling a professor might help," Remus suggested, feeling every bit the massive hypocrite he was. Ryan seemed to take the response to heart, and they walked back a bit further turning the subject to speculation of the third task. Remus was relieved that Ryan was no longer preoccupied with taking down Voldemort and instead seemed obsessed with more age-appropriate topics; the Triwizard Tournament and the Forbidden Forest, though why the latter still confused Remus quite a bit.