Remus Lupin hated those few nights before the Full Moon. He couldn't sleep at all, consumed with anxiety and fear for his reckless friends. So every now and then the boy would sneak out of their bedroom and wander through empty corridors… straight to the kitchen.
It was always busy, and the house elves were delighted to bring him as much chocolate as he could possibly eat and not get sick.
The blonde took Marauders' Map from James' night stand and after examining it thoughtfully, went out of the Common Room. He was lucky not having to hide or use hidden passages on his way.
He tickled the pear on the painting, which giggled and transformed into a door knob.
Lupin got inside and a happy noise that greeted him, instantly made him feel better.
-Mr Lupin, sir! What can Kooky do for Mr Lupin tonight, sir? – a familiar voice asked.
-Hello Kooky, just a bar of chocolate, please – murmured Remus and sat down on a chair that another elf brought him.
-Certainly Mr. Lupin, sir! – screeched Kooky, obviously delighted to be able to help him.
Not a minute later, the eager elf placed in front of him not one, but several different chocolate bars.
-Kooky couldn't choose which flavour Mr. Lupin would want tonight best, so Kooky did bring one of each, Mr. Lupin, sir!
Remus tried to smile, despite his somber mood, but he must have made a poor job out of it, since Kooky's smile faltered a bit.
-Did Kooky do something wrong Mr. Lupin, sir? – he asked tearfully grabbing his big ears.
-Not at all. Thank you Kooky, I'm sure the chocolate will help me feel better – He assured quickly, feeling slightly guilty.
The elf's face brighetned immediately.
-Kooky is going back to work, but if Mr. Lupin needs anything else, please call Kooky's name Mr. Lupin, sir! – and he disappeared behind numerous elf-occupied kitchen counters.
Remus started chewing on the first bar when another, quite unexpected mocking voice startled him and he almost choked.
-Aww, how sweet of you Mr. Lupin, sir!
The boy turned around on his seat and was greeted by a friendly face.
-Wormtail! – gasped Remus – You're going to give me a bloody heart attack!
-Sorry – he said simply and sat down next to him. – Hey, Heeky! Do you by any chance have some left-over pudding? It was heavenly!
-Heeky will bring some right away, sir! – beamed a big-eyed elf.
Lupin continued eating in silence while Peter loudly complimented the pudding.
He waited for his friend to speak. Lupin wasn't stupid, he knew there was something he wanted to discuss.
-So Moony… - started Wormtail nervously poking the remaining pudding with his spoon. – What exactly is going on between you and Padfoot?
Lupin closed his eyes with a sigh. He should have seen it coming. Of course someone would finally notice that something was different between them.
-I mean, i-it's not like I'm against it, whatever „it" is, but James and I were talking the other day, and…
Remus almost groaned.
-There is nothing going on. – He stated firmly. – We're just… fooling around, I guess. – he kept his gaze on his half-eaten bar.
-And now I feel officialy offended.
The two boys jumped slightly in their seats, when two other heads appeared in front of them in mid-air.
-Merlin, you should've given us a warning or something – muttered Peter
-There was no way we would let you get Moony all to yourself! – James leaned on the counter with a huge smile on his face.
-Yeah, you'll have to share, mate. – Sirius ruffled Lupin's hair and looked down on him with an unreadable look on his face. – Although I'm not so sure if I should be talking to him, since there is nothing going on between us, but obviously there is something going on between you.
-What, are you jealous of Wormtail?
When Sirius furrowed his eyebrows and didn't answer, James and Peter laughed.
-Oh Merlin, how sweet! – James almost cried
-Shut up – Black pouted.
Lupin rolled his eyes. Was it too much to wish for a quiet night alone?
-You're worried about your „furry little problem", aren't you? – asked Peter when they stopped laughing.
Immediately the mood changed. Remus felt his fists clench anxiously and nodded.
-Don't worry Moony, we'll be there with you the whole time, as always – James put his arm around Remus and gave him a big smile.
-That's what scares me the most… - murmured Lupin in a low voice, that no-one heard.