Thanks for the review ookamilupin, I wasn't sure if the political cartoon idea would work but apparently someone liked it : )
O.K. Here's a quick little update. Not much advance in plot but it just explores Remus's feelings about his friends and himself. Also, Maku the raven 0o
Chapter 13
Little Loony Lupin
Remus lay in bed, exhausted. The months had flown by, but how wonderful were those months. The Marauders had indeed become somewhat of a minor legend in the months since the groups inception. Even seventh years would talk about The Marauders latest prank with reverence over breakfast. Though he lectured his friends about Marauding at every opportunity he relished the sense of adventure he did not even know he possessed.
Oh and Christmas! Christmas was actually enjoyable. James's mum had sent delicious fudge to all of James's "little friends". Peter had sent him a new set of quills to replace his few remaining battered ones. James himself had sent him a book on the history of Quidditch "maybe if you read about it, you won't be so hopeless." And Sirius (who had stayed over the holidays as well), Sirius had given him something wonderful, something incredibly expensive.
He explained it to Remus with embarrassment, "It's a Sense Box. I noticed you seem to, I dunno, smell and hear and see just about everything. I thought it was weird until we read about people who were born with those senses in Defense Against the Dark Arts," he said quickly and opened the ornate, golden box, "You put your head in it like this, and it just makes all these cool smells, and pictures and sounds."
Remus was so grateful, but he could only give his friends homemade gifts in return. A charm to keep muck from James's glasses, things of that nature.
Remus heard a tapping on his window, he slid out of bed and wobbled towards it (for it was only a day after the full moon). He opened the window and Maku, his raven swooped in with a large hare in tow. The bird dropped the prey on Remus's bed and fluttered over to rest on the nightstand. Remus picked up the hare and noticed its eyes had been plucked out. Maku felt entitled to a treat for his work. Remus sat on the bed and gnawed quietly on the hare's sweet flesh. Maku was a wonderful bird, it brought him regular messages from his grandmother and the food he so craved for…
So why did he feel so terrible? Certainly he was happier at Hogwarts than out in the shed. He always carried the terrible fear of being exposed as a werewolf of course, but—
Snivelus
Yes, Snivelus. He was Snivelus in a way. Both boys were small and quiet, though Remus did not have quite the mean streak Severus had. Remus could have easily ended up like Severus: alone, disliked and the butt of many (especially The Marauders') jokes. He would have, if not for Sirius. He heard what James had called him in the compartment on the train, though he seemed to be asleep. There were so many other students like him at Hogwarts, shadows. The only reason he was not picked on was because he had popular friends, who no one dared to offend.
Remus vanished what was left of the hare and plopped on the bed. He stifled a whimper. What if his friends did not even like him? What if they sniggered at him behind his back? What if they used him simply to accomplish their silly pranks? No one had ever liked him before, why should anyone now? Remus fell into an uneasy sleep, his heart feeling as though it had been dipped in ice water.
Remus awoke groggily in the pink, early hours of the morning to find Maku standing on his chest, peering at him with one invasive, orange eye. The bird almost seemed to be smirking.
"You're a goddam loon, y'know that? Quit worrying so damn much!" Maku chirped.
Remus gave a great shout and rolled off his bed. Maku flew out the still open window, his caws sounding suspiciously like laughter.
James hurled his alarm clock grumpily in Remus's direction, "Quiet o'er there!"
"Mrrf, what's going on? Remus ?" said Sirius groggily.
Peter continued to snore loudly.
Sirius slipped out of bed and rummaged for James's Invisbility Cloak. He put it on but left his head visible.
Remus sat up on the floor, "Where are you going?" he inquired.
"To the kitchens," said Sirius, "To get you some food."
Remus flushed, "You don't have to do that, I'm fine."
"No you're not," said Sirius defiantly, "You're always so ill looking when you come back from your Gran's. I know it really takes a toll on you," Sirius grinned and tried to make light, "You look like a dementor with a flu and a bad hair day."
Sirius put the cloak over his head and slipped out of the dormitory before Remus could say another word. Remus rubbed his hands together nervously and sighed, then he looked down at his hands. They were raw and cracked from fretting. Remus put his head on his knees, feeling guilty for telling a lie to his friend rather than feeling elated he had a friend who cared so much.
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