Ch 9 Close to the truth

Remus was sitting in the library reading and deep in thought. He didn't even notice when one of his best mates sat down next to him until he spoke.

"Remus, you alright?"

Remus jumped, "James, I didn't hear or see you there."

"You seem deep in thought, everything alright?"

"Of course, everything's fine. How'd Quidditch practice go?"

James sighed, "Alright I guess, it started raining midway but we continued to practice until a bludger knocked me off my broom. I'm alright, I was only a few feet off the ground, but that's why I'm all dirty."

"When the first match?"

"A week Saturday, we play Slytherin."

"I heard Snivy tried out for the Slytherin team but got rejected instantly," Remus said with a smirk. James roared with laughter.

"I'd have liked to see that."

"Yea it would've been a laugh," Remus said. "What are you doing in the library anyways?"

"Oh, looking for you. I wanted to talk to you." Suddenly James felt uneasy and Remus could feel it.

"Everything ok?"

"Yea, come on, let's go somewhere private."

"Alright," Remus got up and put the book he was reading on the shelf behind him then followed James out of the library. They walked in silence for a while until they reached a tree by the lake.

"So, what'd you want to talk about?"

"Well, I, uh, have this th-theory, and, uh, I thought you could um, help me with it."

Remus noticed James was pausing a lot when he spoke and felt he was uneasy.

"Sure mate, what's the theory?"

"Well," James cleared his throat, "it's about werewolves,"

Remus froze and stared at James. "And-and why, why would I be able to help you with this theory?"

"You're the smartest mate I have,"

"That's not entirely true; you and Sirius are smart as well,"

"Yea, but I asked you and if you can't help me no one can."

Remus took a breath, "Alright, uh, ask away."

"Well, how would you know if someone really is a werewolf?"

"Oh, uh, well, I haven't really researched that exactly," Remus muttered.

"Oh, alright, I guess I could always look it up myself," James couldn't continue on. He couldn't put his friend through it. If Remus really was a werewolf, he'd have to wait until Remus was ready to tell them.

"If you're sure," Remus said sighing in relief.

"But there's still something I want to ask you,"

"What is it?" Remus asked, a little nervously.

"Where do you really go every month?"

"Well, I told you, I need to take medication,"

"I'm sorry mate, but I find it a little hard to believe. I know you look tired, exhausted and a mess when you come back but honestly, I'm your mate, you can tell me."

"Alright, the truth is," he took a deep breath, "my mom is very sick and I have to go home once a month to visit her. I didn't want to tell anyone because she seems to be really sick."

James wasn't sure if he was telling the truth but friends have to trust each other.

"I'm sorry mate,"

"It's alright; I've been going there every month to make sure she's alright."

"Have you taken her to St. Mungo's?"

"The healers can't do anything for her. My aunt is a private healer for her. All we can do is wait and see what happens."

"You should tell the others," James said.

"Yea," Remus sighed, "I guess you're right."

Just then James saw Sirius and Peter walk outside, noticed them and run towards them.

"Mates, we've been looking everywhere for you."

"We were just coming to find you,"

"Well then, what's the plan for tonight?"

"First off, I think Remus has something to tell you," James said. He glanced at Remus and gave him and encouraging nod. Remus took a deep breath.

"I haven't been completely honest with you," Sirius and Peter looked at each other and then back to Remus. "I'm not going away every month to take medication like I told you," he took another deep breath and closed his eyes, "the truth is my mom is sick and I have to visit her every month."

"Remus mate, why didn't you tell us?" Sirius asked breaking the momentary silence.

"I was ashamed I supposed," Remus muttered.

"Well you have nothing to worry about mate, come on, let's go in before we get in trouble."

"Curfew does end in ten minutes,"

"Sirius," James said, "we'll meet up with you in the common room." He said to Remus and Peter. The boys nodded and walked away.

"Mate?"

"I don't think Remus is being completely honest with us."

"Mate, who would lie about their mother being sick?"

"Someone who's hiding a bigger secret," James said.

"You can't honestly still believe that?"

"Sirius put the facts together. He's absent every month during the full moon, last year we learned a student in our year was a werewolf, the signs point to Remus."

"James do you want Remus to be a werewolf?"

"Of course not, that would be terrible."

"Then stop trying to convince yourself he is," and Sirius walked away. The truth was Sirius believed it himself but he didn't want to point it out. He'd rather trust his friend to say something rather than accuse him first.

The days went by and James and Sirius hadn't discussed anything about Remus being a werewolf. James was too busy getting ready for his first Quidditch match. Slytherins had been taunting them all week in the corridors, it didn't bother James all that much, he'd just hex them the next time he saw them, and living up to his prankster name, but it was irritating.

The day before the match, their captain, Ryan King, called an emergency team meeting.

"I know you're all wondering why you're here. The fact is, Slytherin house plays dirty. I know you all know this, everyone but Potter has played them before, but the new edition to their team worries me. They have a new beater and I've seen him, he's vicious with the bat, sent a bludger right at his own team mate and caused him to have to go to the hospital wing.

"I've been told this game is going to be heavily supervised. The fact is, I heard this Hoggle is the son of a death eater, you know, one of You-Know-Who's followers so he will play dirtier then before."

"Ryan, everything is going to be ok. Dumbledore is going to be there and he won't dare try anything. He's the headmaster, he can be expelled." Destiny said. She was a chaser, as was James.

"I know I just wanted to warn everyone, that's all."

"Can we go then?" Hank asked, "I have prefect duties,"

"Yea, you're all dismissed," everyone walked out of the Gryffindor change rooms but James.

A death eater's son on the team, he thought to himself, this could be bad. And he was right.

A/N: sorry this chapter is so short…I didn't know what to write so I stopped and wanted to write the next chapter. I hope you liked it though and please review!