Disclaimer: I'm not JK Rowling…
A/N: I'm terribly sorry that it took so long for this update, especially since this is one of the chapters many of you have been waiting for. The chapter is at least long, so I hope that makes up for it somewhat.
Sirius was going back to Hogwarts today. He was excited and happy and he wasn't going to let anything damper it; not the rain outside, not the fact that his stomach was growling and especially not his father who had requested his presence in his office. Besides for the first few days of the break, Sirius had only seen glimpses of his father during meals. Though, today it was his mother who had mysteriously disappeared on an errand. It wasn't as if Sirius expected a proper goodbye, but it was odd that she would miss a chance to lecture him.
Orion Black was already standing when Sirius entered. He bowed, having re-formed that habit over the short break.
Yet his father did not turn to face him when he began speaking. "I know you fancy yourself a Gryffindor." The statement had a tone of disgust. "But you must remember that first and foremost you are a Black. Remember your heritage, remember who you represent."
Having said that, Orion turned to face his son and looked the boy over. It shamed Orion how his son, his heir, could look so rebellious and disobedient by just standing. Orion couldn't quite place what it was that made Sirius look so different, something intangible, but it was there none the less.
Sirius hadn't bothered to show any sign he was listening to his father. To him the words always carried the same message – everything he'd done and everything he did brought dishonor to the family.
One thing was different this time. Sirius felt freer; the guilt was not overpowering or affecting him physically. The guilt hadn't disappeared over night, but it was less, much less and that was a victory in itself.
With his eyes on Sirius, Mr. Black continued, "Staying in Gryffindor is a consequence you will have to live with. And it will not be an excuse for your un-heir-like behavior. Your mother and I expect better behavior, less detentions and top marks in all your classes. A mudblood is currently beating you in Charms; this will change."
Mr. Black paused, waiting for a response.
"Yes, sir."
"I also regret to tell you that you will not be given your wand quite yet…"
"What?" If his father was hoping to get his attention, he had certainly succeeded.
"Don't worry, Bellatrix will keep it safe. Your mother is giving her instructions as we speak."
Sirius bit his lip, fearful to hear the full details of the sinister plot his mother had come up with.
"You'll get it back if you sit with Bellatrix or any other suitable pureblood on the train and on the carriage ride. There will be no contact with Potter or any Gryffindor allowed. If you choose to disobey, being without a wand will be the least of your problems."
Sirius wanted to yell that he didn't care and that he didn't need their wand. It was so stupid; it wasn't as if James would stop being his friend just because they couldn't sit together or at least Sirius hoped their friendship had gone beyond that. Sirius also wanted to scream that he was proud to be a Gryffindor, but the truth was that it was exhausting being the rebel child. His family controlled him; he was dependent on them. Times like this he felt he'd never get out of their clutches and all the trouble he was getting himself into was pointless.
Enough of this. Without ceremony Sirius turned and left the room, pretending not to hear his father yelling behind him to 'come back' since he hadn't been 'formally dismissed".
Sirius slumped against the seat gingerly. Sirius closed his eyes not eager for when suitable company would arrive. In hindsight it hadn't been a good idea to anger his father. Mr. Black hadn't taken a whip to Sirius, instead choosing a curse that made Sirius feel as if he was being attacked by a swarm of angry pincher ants. His back was still red and tender; still in leaving his father's office Sirius had been able to take control of the situation, if only for the few minutes it had taken his father to catch up with him.
The compartment door slid open and Lestrange brothers entered along with Bellatrix.
"What's he doing here?" Rabastan asked.
"He'll be sitting with us," snapped Bellatrix, "You have a problem with that; you can sit with the mudbloods."
The Slytherin bit back a retort; wisely thinking twice before challenging Bella. Rabastan did grin viciously at Sirius, who returned the greeting. It was then that Sirius realized something his parents had missed – he had a history with the Slytherins already – a bad history. Sirius had already been part of multiple attacks as a Gryffindor against Slytherin, and a rivalry such as that couldn't be swept under the rug at least not in the halls of Hogwarts, no matter how much power the Black name yielded.
"Can we curse him?" Rabastan asked greedily.
Bellatrix chuckled; the topic of cursing always put her in a good mood.
"No…but knowing dear Sirius, there'll be plenty of reason for that later on."
Eventually Bellatrix and Rodolphus left to visit other members of their house, leaving Sirius in the company of five other Slytherins. Snivellus and Rabastan had the seats closest to the door and the rest of the company was female. Two girls sat between Snape and Sirius, Alyssa Malfoy (first year) and Leila Yaxley (second year).
Looking around Sirius knew his parents wanted him to talk to them, make alliances. According to pureblood ideology these were his equals, but to Sirius they were just snotty classmates, barely acquaintances. Perhaps if the Black's had not kept Sirius locked up away from all children besides his three cousins before Hogwarts, he would have befriended them already and had not grown such an aversion to these type of people. Sirius tried to use the tactic of pretending to be asleep, but all the girls kept up a steady chatter, even trying to lure him into a conversation about what he did over the vacation.
Alyssa Malfoy was focused on Snape. "I'm so glad you were able to attend my family's Christmas party, Severus," Alyssa said sweetly; she had a very girlish voice. "I was really hoping to meet your father, why wasn't he there?"
Sirius opened one eye and glanced at Snape impressed that the Slytherin looked very collected.
"My father doesn't enjoy social affairs," Snape answered slowly.
"No one has every heard of your surname before," Alyssa elaborated.
"Off course no one has."
Sirius opened both his eyes; the conversation was getting interesting. Sirius had known Snivellus was popular amongst the older students, but perhaps not everyone in Slytherin was taken by him. It had been foolish of Snape not to borrow the Prince surname just to avoid such uncomfortable questions.
"Why's that?" Alyssa raised her perfectly shaped eyebrows, her silver eyes glistening with a new source of gossip.
"My father grew up in a remote town, he did not attend a Wizard school, he is not rich, but I assure you his blood is as pure as everyone in this compartment. So you won't find his name on any of your family trees."
"How did your mother meet him then?" Alyssa asked coyly.
Snape's eyes narrowed, but he managed to still remain calm. "I have never asked them."
"Stop pestering him Alyssa," Leila Yaxley interrupted laughing softly, "I told you the Prince family wouldn't make known any relation to someone of un-pure blood…"
"- they'd just blast them off the family tree instead," Sirius muttered darkly. He hadn't meant to speak out loud, and all the occupants glanced at him as if just remembering he was still in there.
"Your family does that too?" Leila asked.
"Well you can have no claim to a family name if you aren't on a tapestry," Alyssa added, "How else would you deal with bad apples?" She looked over directly at Sirius as she stated her point.
Sirius shrugged hoping they didn't think he wanted to join in now just because he had spoken. The arrival of the food cart saved him though. He used the flurry of excitement over it to 'excuse himself to the bathroom'. No one attempted to stop him, but he knew if he didn't return in a timely fashion, someone would alert Bella; Snape or Rabastan being the two likeliest candidates.
Sirius cautiously made his way down the train. He found James and Peter in the fifth compartment down. They weren't alone; it looked like the entire Gryffindor team had squeezed into one compartment – some were even on the floor. There were also dozens of pieces of paper with elaborate lines and flashing arrows.
Everyone greeted him warmly when he stuck his head into the compartment to ask to speak with James. It was really the first time anyone in Gryffindor besides his four core friends had as a whole been kind to him. It raised his spirits at the possibility of being fully seen as a Gryffindor and not 'a Black in Gryffindor'.
James had been sitting next to McCoy had to stumble over everyone to get to the door. Outside in the hallway James and Sirius moved out of the hearing distance of their fellow Gryffindors, who had all been glancing at them curiously.
"How are you?" James asked bracingly. He was looking at Sirius as if he was doubtful it was really him. Sirius reddened with the thought of their last meeting. Sirius had no idea how James had interpreted what he saw and heard or where his imagination had led him.
"I'm fine." Sirius added a smile hoping this would reassure his friend. And he wasn't lying. He was better than he had been a few hours ago and having James worry did nothing to help the situation.
James frowned, crossing his arms. "You sure?" Ok, so James wouldn't be so easy to fool, perhaps he could delay the conversation at least.
"Let's not talk about that…" James looked ready to argue. "Not here…" Sirius muttered.
"Ok." James rolled his eyes, but at least he dropped the subject. "Where are you sitting? You can squeeze in with us."
"I can't."
James blinked. "Alright."
It wasn't the reaction Sirius had expected. There was no argument, anger or even demanding an explanation.
Not being forced to explain, Sirius suddenly wanted to do just that. "I want to, but—"
James held up his hand. "I'll see you in the dorm then?"
"Well, yes. What are you guys doing? Going over new plays?"
"McCoy has come up with this whole new practice routine over break. He wants us all to understand it first on paper, so that we can actually try them in the air."
"We're playing Slytherin soon, right?"
"In about a month. I'm pretty sure we are a better team as a whole. This will be our year to win the cup."
"No one will be happier than me if you slaughter them." Sirius looked to his left and right feeling as if someone was watching him. He sighed. "I need to get back."
They exchanged a few more words and Sirius made a beeline for the bathroom. He splashed some water on his face and mentally prepared himself to face Bellatrix, by now she would have been alerted.
"Where have you been?" The words screeched through the train before Sirius had even stepped into the compartment.
"Bathroom."
"Bathroom?!"
"Calm yourself. Miss Yaxley and I were just about to continue with our fascinating discussion of her trip to Aspen."
If Leila Yaxley was surprised by his statement she hid it well, glancing coolly at Bella when she demanded, "Is that right?"
Sirius held his breath hoping he'd been correct that Yaxley, like a number of Slytherins didn't particularly like that Bellatrix was running Slytherin House since Malfoy's graduation. No one was brave enough to confront his cousin, but in true Slytherin fashion they'd undercut her authority in other ways.
"Yes, I was telling Sirius about this glorious restaurant I ate in."
Bellatrix scowled, but she couldn't do much more than that. She left in a huff leaving a silenced compartment.
Leila eyed him. "Aren't you going to thank me?"
"No."
"Well the least you can do is talk to me. I did save you from Bellatrix's wrath."
"I'm hardly afraid of her."
"Ah yes – that famous courage your house prides itself in."
"That's right."
"I find you extremely interesting." She threw him an unreadable look and Sirius couldn't help by worry that she was flirting with him.
"Aren't you worried your parents wouldn't approve you speaking to me – the blood traitor?"
"Actually they'd approve. And you haven't done anything horrible enough to earn the name of true blood traitor. My parents find all that stirring up you are doing refreshing. It's needed every once-an-awhile, but you'll grow out of it and become an eligible suitor."
"Is that right?" Sirius knew he'd had classes with this girl for the past year and a half, though he couldn't recall if she'd ever joined in when the Slytherins jeered or insulted him.
"Yes." She tilted her head in a challenging manner. The conversation continued and though Sirius knew he would have had a lot more fun with James and Peter, he wasn't having an awful time chatting with Miss Yaxley and it did make the train ride pass quickly.
Bellatrix wasted no time in grabbing him and pulling him to the side when the carriages arrived at Hogwarts. She was trying to be as fierce as possible, but it lost a lot of its effect with Hogwarts so close. Finally she dug into her robe pocket, chucking his wand at him; he barely managed to stop it from clattering on the ground. Sirius scowled. He was over being kind and obedient toward her and she no longer had a weapon over him. He'd get her back eventually. Sirius shot around her, walking away quickly before she thought of something else to say, halting by the opened castle doors where James and Peter were standing impatiently.
"Everything ok?" James asked his eyes shooting daggers at Bella, who had now rejoined her followers.
"Fine."
"Hey, Sirius," Peter said looking happy to see him, "Good holiday?"
Sirius looked at Peter for a moment unsure if he was being sarcastic, until he realized James hadn't told Peter what had happened.
It was a relief knowing at least one of his friends didn't know about his horrible home life. "Yea. Sorry about your sister. Is she doing better?"
Peter shrugged, "Slightly."
James motioned for them to start walking. "Let's go find Remus."
They followed the throng of students past the Great Hall up to the Grand stair case where all the students split up in the directions of their houses. Dinner would be served in an hour, so they were given time to freshen up.
Remus was not waiting in the Common room, so they continued to the dorm. As they clamored up the stairs, Sirius put his finger to his mouth to silence his friends, hoping to catch Remus by surprise. James cast a silencing charm on the door to their dorm, which always creaked no matter how slowly or how quickly you opened it. They found Remus passed out on his bed, Transfiguration book splayed open.
The three boys glanced at each other mischievously and then they all jumped on their unsuspecting roommate. Poor Remus was jolted awake. He groaned opening one eye cautiously.
"Morning sunshine," James greeted.
"Actually its late afternoon," Sirius pointed out.
"Good late afternoon sunshine," James repeated rolling his eyes.
"You shouldn't be sleeping Remus!" Sirius lectured mockingly, "The day is young…I knew this would happen if we left you alone."
Remus groaned again in response, hiding his head underneath a pillow.
Peter picked up Remus's almost completed Transfiguration essay. "I can't believe you don't have this done yet…even I did it already."
Remus realizing he wasn't going to be left to sleep sat up. "I'm so used to all the racket you lot make that it was impossible to get work done in silence."
Sirius smiled. "Well we're back-,"
"And louder than ever," James added.
"Hmmm," Remus yawned gathering his things, "Lucky me."
Sirius feeling a bit giddy decided to seize the moment. He lunged for the closest pillow, which was on Peter's bed and whacked Remus on the head. Laughing Remus retaliated by grabbing his own pillow, while James and Peter happily joined in on the pillow fight.
Deciding to get a better vantage point Sirius jumped on Peter's bed, shoes and all. This turned out not to be the best idea because his three friends decided to join forces and attacked him together.
The door to the dorm creaked open and then Cory entered giving them all disdainful looks. It probably did look odd to Cory, since they'd all frozen into whatever position they had been in mid-pillow fight. Peter had fallen on his bum from a forceful pillow hit, Remus had two pillows in each of his hands at ready, and James had half-climbed onto Peter's bed so he could combat Sirius one-on-one.
Remus placed his pillows back on his bed. "How was your Christmas Cory?"
By the time Remus had asked the question Cory had already thrown his bag into his trunk. "Fine," he answered curtly, exiting the room without another word.
The moment the door clicked closed, the four boys burst into laughter. It was the type of uncontrollable laughter that you don't fully know why you are laughing, but that only causes you to laugh more. It felt good to be back with friends and with classes starting up again being the worst of Sirius's worries.
It was the end of the first week of classes and there was about fifteen minutes until curfew. Not that James needed to be concerned about that with an invisibility cloak.
James and Sirius were on the fourth floor corridor, an area they hadn't explored fully. James wished he had put on a heavier robe. It was chilly; the castle didn't retain much heat at night.
James glanced sideways at Sirius wishing he could read his friend's mind. James had asked Remus earlier in the day to keep Peter busy with some sort of two player game, so that James could talk with Sirius alone. Remus had agreed without even asking what James planned on talking to Sirius about. Remus probably could guess the topic; he did tend be perceptive when it came to those kind of things.
James ran his hand along the stone walls and remembered something he had read not to long ago. "You know how magic leaves traces? There must be a way to see that trace."
They were hoping to find a secret passage through luck and persistence, though if there was a more logical way to go about it – like following magical traces – it would make their quest a lot easier.
"All of Hogwarts is magical though." Sirius paused pointing his wand at a random spot and saying 'Alohomora'!" The wall just sat there looking convincingly like a solid wall.
"But maybe there would be a larger accumulation at the point of a trap door or a secret sliding door?"
"Do you think the founders put all those secret rooms and passages there on purpose?"
"Yes. You don't accidentally build a secret room behind a sliding bookcase, do you?"
"I always had a feeling Hogwarts had a life of its own, almost like its own personality."
"So you think if we ask the castle nicely, it will show us all its secrets?" James's words dripped with sarcasm.
"I didn't mean it that way."
"Well its better than your other idea… 'let's shout Alohomora at random and hope not only that there's a secret door, but it can be unlocked by a simple first year spell.'"
And to prove his point James flicked his wand enthusiastically at the wall to his right. His mouth fell open as the wall rumbled and a portion of it slid open upwards.
"You were saying?" Sirius said smugly.
"That-well-you-," James stumbled over his words.
Sirius laughed. "That was more than luck. I'm just smarter than you."
"Right…" James mumbled, but he was smiling.
They entered a spacious room with a beautifully painted ceiling. The room was lit yet there was no visible light source. There were large cushions in dark rich reds, purples and blues. Though there were no cobwebs or dust, the air in the room hinted that no one had been in there in years.
James took a seat on one of the cushions stretching out. The moment he touched the cushion the door slid back down. Sirius took a seat as well leaning his head back against the wall.
"Mission accomplished eh?" Sirius asked. James nodded. "Except for the other reason you asked me to come with you."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Best to play dumb.
"Pretty convenient Remus only invited Peter to play Wizard's Chess."
"It's a two person game."
"Usually one of us would play the winner…"
"Ok…so you got me." James had thought he'd been more discreet, but apparently not.
"Well what did you want to ask?"
Again James hadn't expected the conversation to be so direct. James paused trying to search for the right words. "Did you get in a lot of trouble for trying to sneak out?"
"You know the answer to that," Sirius replied trying, but failing to sound casual. There was a tightness to his voice that hadn't been there before.
"I meant – how exactly were you punished?"
There was a long pause and Sirius looked as if he was trying to decide on something. Sirius closed his eyes and softly replied. "I was whipped."
James hadn't expected an honest answer and had been preparing to stop Sirius from skirting the issue.
"Why didn't you – if I had known something like that would have happened I wouldn't have insisted you come over!"
"Don't blame yourself. My mother was itching to use that whip again since I left – she would have easily found a reason to use it on me."
"She's whipped you before?" He was unable to hide the surprise or shock out of his voice.
"A few times. It's not that uncommon for pureblood families to use that sort of punishment."
"My parents would never-,"
"Yea…well your family's the exception in a lot of things. Appearance is everything and your children will be better behaved – if you hold a threat bigger than a verbal reprehend over their heads."
"So it's pretty horrible being home then?"
"You could say that."
James's mind jumped to another subject. "Your brother looks just like you."
"That's about the only thing we have in common."
"Not another Gryffindor in the making?"
"Hardly."
"Oh well…" James trailed off unable to think of something adequate to say to that. He was never sure if it was proper to joke about this subject with Sirius.
"Did you get in trouble at all?"
"No…" James shook his head guiltily, "I did have to promise my father never to use his work hawk again."
"You're lucky," Sirius whispered sincerely.
"I know." And for the first time James really did know. He'd always known he had a privileged life. Then again so did Sirius on the outside at least. James had one privilege Sirius was severely lacking and that was parents who loved and cared for him. His parents weren't perfect, he wished they'd spend more time with him and less on their work, but these were miniscule problems when compared to living in an abusive home. James still remembered how Mrs. Black had looked and talked to Sirius, like she only saw him as a vessel to carry the Black name – nothing more and nothing less.
It was now nearing the middle of January and the boys were in Charms class. Professor Flitwick had asked the class to break up in pairs; Sirius and Remus partnered up and James and Peter formed another pair.
Flitwick stood on the stool he always used when he was ready to talk to them for awhile.
"Each pair will be assigned a section in your textbook – you will have to come up with a way to present this information to the class. The presentation will be no more than ten minutes and please keep it theory based. At the end of the week, there will be a short quiz, so be sure to pay attention and ask your classmates if anything they present isn't clear. Now you have the rest of class to begin working on it."
There was a shuffle of desks as partners moved closer to each other. Sirius, Remus, James and Peter pushed their four desks together toward the back of the room.
Sirius and Remus had been assigned a section on the basis of charms that effect your emotion, such as the ever popular cheering charm. James and Peter had a less interesting topic having to learn about the founders of some of the most popular charms still used today.
Looking at the sheet of paper that stated the date of the presentations Sirius exclaimed, "Hey, we have our presentation on my birthday."
"We'll have to have a party!" James said excitedly.
"I'd rather the four of us just hung out…you know in that room we found on the fourth floor."
"Sounds great," Peter said and James nodded eagerly. Only Remus had grown quiet and looked unhappy at the suggestion.
"Your birthday is on January 21st? Next Friday?" Remus asked timidly.
"Yes. Why? Do you already have plans?" Sirius had sincerely meant the question as a joke.
Remus threw him a guilty look before speaking. "I-I won't be there that night. I'm visiting my mother."
"Your mother?" Sirius asked disbelievingly.
"It's already been set," Remus replied hastily, "Couldn't we celebrate Saturday night?"
"My birthday isn't on Saturday," Sirius stated stonily.
"I can't change the visit…"
"Why not?" Sirius looked at James for support, but he didn't seem to want to express an opinion on the matter.
"I just can't. I'm not lying. I do wish I could come, Sirius."
"I don't believe you!" Sirius knew the last few words sounded childish and selfish, but he couldn't help sounding that way.
Their voices were rising and Flitwick walked over. "Boys please keep your voices down and it might be wise to discuss your projects and not your weekend plans."
"Sorry, Professor," Remus answered reverently, while Sirius stared at his desk in silence.
The conversation for the rest of class was forced and when the bell signaled the end of class, Sirius gathered his books quickly. He didn't wait for any of his friends like usual.
Perhaps he was being unfair, but he'd been hoping for his birthday to actually be special for once and without the usual disappointments. At home Sirius had never looked forward to birthday celebrations because they always turned out to be boring and formal affairs. There was a birthday dinner of his favorite foods, except that his parents never asked him which foods were his favorites. The presents were always something boring, such as a book or quills - not sugar quills- ones that only wrote. It seemed his parents went out of their way to buy him something they knew no child would ever want. Then if there was a party, it was an adult party, where he was shown off to various relatives, friends and coworkers.
"Sirius! Sirius!" Remus caught up with him. Remus was breathing heavily and caught his breath before saying, "Don't be like this."
"I thought we were friends."
Remus looked tired and drained, as if this conversation was costing him. "We are –."
"Then tell me the truth!"
"I have."
"Not the half truth or part of the truth or eight five percent of the truth, the full truth."
"I've told you about my mother…"
"You aren't a very good liar," Sirius said tersely.
"What do you want to hear? That I'm hanging out with Snape behind your back? That I'm snogging Bellatrix in the broom closet? I'd change it if I could and that's the truth. If you don't believe anything else, believe that."
Sirius shook his head. "It's not enough."
He wasn't going to let Remus get away with these stories any longer. Enough was enough, but unfortunately he didn't have James and Peter backing him up. James told him to give Remus a break and that anything Remus confessed they couldn't really believe now because he might be pressured to make something up. It wasn't as if Sirius didn't feel guilty, because the next week was very awkward and he missed Remus's presence, for his secretive friend had grown quieter and more withdrawn with each day.
--
The week did not end on a happy note and Sirius was betting that he'd be adding today to the 'worst birthdays' list. James and Peter had broken into song the moment he woken up, but when Remus didn't join in, it ruined the entire moment. Not that Sirius blamed Remus and even though they were fighting, Remus did have the courage to wish him a Happy Birthday.
Then their presentation in Charms went horribly. Remus looked exhausted and since they were barely speaking to each other, neither was as prepared as they should have been. Sirius could tell Professor Flitwick was disappointed by their performance, telling them they barely earned a passing grade and assigned them extra homework about their topic.
After dinner Remus handed him a neatly wrapped present before leaving to see his mother. Sirius did thank him and almost apologized, but he held onto the hope that Remus would get tired of this all and just blurt out the truth. James had to go to Quidditch Practice and Peter tagged along with him. Sirius was in a brooding mood and obviously Peter didn't want to be stuck alone in close proximity.
All in all Sirius was glad to be alone, even if it was pathetic. With his school bag still slung over his shoulder, he decided to go to the room they'd be celebrating in later on the fourth floor. The door opened when he said the magic word and Sirius was greeted with a banner (Happy Birthday Mate!) and some balloons in bunches in all four corners.
On a small table that hadn't been there before were eight bottles of butterbeer and an assortment of sweets. Sirius admitted it did make him feel better to see his friends had at least put some thought into his very small party.
He took a seat on the cushion, but soon grew anxious and bored for James to return from practice. The package Remus had given him bulged out of his bag and curiosity took over. Inside a box was a long-sleeved t-shirt with Gryffindor on the front in block letters and two red stripes running down the sleeves. It was a better present than his parents had ever given him in thirteen years.
Still bored Sirius started his essay for Charms with lack of anything else to do. He finished the essay and read the Transfiguration reading assignment by the time James and Peter arrived. James was still clad in his Quidditch practice clothes and Peter's cheeks were red from the cold.
"Oi! What in Merlin's beard are you doing? Homework on your birthday?"
"Did you hit your head on something?" Peter asked with concern.
"I was bored…it took you long enough."
"Sorry…it was a full moon out tonight and it lit the sky enough that McCoy was able to drag the practice out longer than usual."
Something suddenly dawned on Sirius. "Full moon did you say?"
"Yea," James said taking a seat.
Sirius scrambled over to his bag, jerking out his moon chart and the piece of paper with the dates of Remus's disappearances. His heart beat wildly at the idea of spotting a pattern. Yes…yes…yes… "They are all on full moon nights…" he said out loud unsure of what that meant.
"What are?" Peter asked, he'd been staring longingly at the food.
James had already caught on; bending to his knees and helping him double check all the dates.
James shook his head in wonderment still staring at the moon chart. "So you think Remus's mother is a…?"
"When does the library close?" Sirius demanded already standing.
Peter looked at his Muggle wristwatch. "It'll be open for fifteen more minutes."
"Let's go!" James said jumping to his feet.
Peter was still confused, but they had not time to explain it to him at the moment. He followed them as they ran down the hallway, passing a group of Prefects yelling at them to slow down. The library was nearly empty and the librarian gave them a suspicious glance. Not giving her a chance to question them, they went straight to the magical creature section.
They grabbed every book on werewolves and poured over them at the nearest table.
Sirius read quickly through the symptoms: tired, pale, peaky, irritable, preference for raw meat before full moons…and then about how after full moon nights a werewolf would look exhausted –as if they hadn't slept the night, drained, with mysterious cuts, bruises and scrapes. There was a part that mentioned how dangerous werewolves were to humans…
Peter was staring at a particularly gruesome painted picture of a man being torn up by a werewolf. "So you think Remus's mother is a werewolf?" Peter whispered eyes wide.
Something was bothering Sirius…there was something that didn't make sense. Why would Remus visit his mother on the one night she was the most dangerous – unless –
Sirius felt his stomach jolt when the truth hit him. It was so obvious! Remus had all the symptoms and that essay Adair had assigned Remus as punishment about werewolves…
"No," Sirius managed finally, trying to wrap his mind around the truth – that Remus, the kind, gentle boy he knew was right now a savage killer. "His mother isn't the werewolf."
"What?" James asked gesturing at all the proof they had on the table and Peter's scrunched his face up in confusion as well.
"Remus is. Remus is the werewolf."
A/N: Thanks for READING, now please take time to REVIEW.
So they finally know the truth. I was originally planning on having the confrontation about Remus being a werewolf between Remus and James, Sirius, Peter in this chapter as well, but then I saw I needed more substance to add to the chapter before Remus's secret was unveiled and then I couldn't help ending it the way I did. So you'll have more to look forward to next chapter.
I want to thank all my readers for sticking with the story and for all the reviews I have received. The reviews mean a lot to me because it's the only way I know people are out there reading and enjoying the story.