Chapter 33

March 27th, 1977

James Potter spent his birthday content. Before spending the better part of his afternoon procrastinating, smoking weed, and drinking Firewhiskey with his mates, he hung out with his cousins: both McKinnons. Max bought him a new set of goggles for Quidditch, and Marlene bought him new boxers.

"Fucking why?" James asked irritably as the two cousins left Professor McKinnon's office. He shook the plaid cotton cloth at her face.

The normally hotheaded girl simply chuckled as she took the rather demeaning shake in the face. Once James was finished with his dramatics, she continued to smile at him, causing him to frown. "Why are you looking at me like that?" He asked shortly.

Marlene just continued smiling.

"You going mental on me?"

"You wish."

"Then why are you looking at me like Jack the Ripper?"

She shrugged and walked ahead of him through the hallway. Silence was never a good look on Marlene McKinnon. It meant something dangerous or something pure evil.

"Why'd you give me this?" He demanded again.

Without looking back, Marlene explained, "Because I reckon you're going to need more with the rate you're going at, aye?"

James stopped right in his tracks. He ground his teeth once before saying, "What'd you say to me, Marlene?"

"You heard me, Idiot," she scoffed.

James immediately caught up to her and tugged onto her shoulder. He swiveled her around and asked hurriedly, "How'd you figure it out? Did Lily tell you?"

Marlene huffed. "Oh, please. Like hell she told me. That being said, you can practically smell the sex coming off you two. Well, it's not sex-"

"And how'd you know that?" James asked again, this time through his teeth.

"Just because you're getting up-close-and-personal with Lily Evans doesn't negate the fact she's my best friend. I know everything about the girl - including the fact that I know she's a virgin. And trust me, even if you both decided to keep your pre-shags a secret, I'd definitely know when she would loose her virginity."

James blinked a few times, trying to keep up with everything his cousin claimed. He gulped and said, "Look, Evan is sensitive and-"

"I know, she's sensitive," Marlene retorted obviously.

"Perfect, so all I'm asking is that you keep it to yourself, aye?" James insisted. "I don't want to ruin what I got with her… whatever it is we're doing…" He began to trail off, getting quieter and quieter.

Marlene chuckled again.

"Why're you laughing at me, you sod?" James barked immediately.

"Because that's exactly what a best friend wants to hear," she smiled. James didn't reply at all, but tilted his head. He watched as Marlene beamed at him – she hasn't smiled at him with this much joy since they were seven; it was when James got down her stuffed cat, Perry, from the roof.

"You may be my cousin, James, and I love you dearly, always will," Marlene confirmed, resting a hand onto his shoulder. "But, if you hurt Lily, I swear to Merlin, Tituba, literally every magical being on the bloody planet, I will never ever forgive you for it."

James smirked. "Fair enough," he agreed. "Fair enough."

"Good," Marlene nodded. "So, you may keep the boxers. Oh, and Happy seventeenth, Cousin."

James lay on his bed, naked with a sheet over his legs. Also, there was a long lean leg draped over one of his legs too. The leg belonged to the beautiful sixth year prefect. She was taking a bit of catnap, after coming twice. He was on the verge of a nap too, because she really took it out of him.

One year ago today, James spent his time shit-faced with his buddies in the woods. He would've never thought that on his legal birthday, he'd be spending it with Lily Evans in his arms.

"Mmmm…" Lily moaned. She stretched her arms and sighed. She blinked a few times before looking up at James. "Did I fall asleep?" She asked groggily.

"Just for a bit," He said, pressing his lips to the top of her head. "Kind of cute actually."

"Sod off," she grumbled, snuggling further into the crook of his arm.

"You even snored a bit, like a little calf actually."

Lily hit him in the chest playfully. It was a sweet image as James took hold of her wrist and pulled her in for a long kiss. "You're ruddy annoying," Lily murmured into the kiss.

"Love, don't I know?" He laughed.

Lily smiled. "Happy Birthday, James." She leaned up to kiss him, with her hand on his cheek. He took a hand to her and kissed her back. Sometimes, James couldn't fathom how lucky he got. It was truly a spectacle. He wondered why Sirius and Remus never enjoyed having just one girl… friend.

March 31st, 1977

Dorcas Meadowes usually loved the library. She loved the smell of old parchment, the cool draft from one slightly cracked window in the eastern corner, and the absolute silence. Most of the time.

But now that the Slytherin has been spending every free moment of her spare time coped in the ridiculously small space, researching folklore on snakes, she now detests the sight of Madam Pince and all the books. For the past five days, Dorcas studied harder than she ever has in her life. Not that she ever studied much ever since she had a photographic memory. No sight was new to the Slytherin. So, one would imagine that she'd find something useful on her house creature.

As she passed into the magical creature department, Dorcas found something actually new. And cute. Remus Lupin sat at a desk with the intention of writing or editing an essay. However, he must've lacked conviction or proper sleep since he was currently doing the latter. His eyes were closed, and he propped his head up by leaning against the wall. His shaggy brown hair flopped over his long eyelashes, and his jaw slacked a bit.

Dorcas never thought of terming Remus Lupin cute until this moment.

But it ended shortly, once he began twitching. It was like he had been electrocuted even – it was abrupt and severe.

"Remus!" Dorcas called out, dropping her books to the ground. She fell to her knees, catching his head before it hit the hard floor. "Merlin…" she whispered.

A few younger students emerged, watching in horror. Dorcas looked up and pointed at a wide-eyed student. "Go get Madam Pince! Now!" She shouted.

"D-Dorcas?" Remus asked, waking from whatever episode he just experienced. He blinked before his eyes darted around, reacquainting himself with his surroundings. "What happened?" He asked cautiously.

Although relieved, Dorcas' body was still tense. She turned to the same wide-eyed students and his whispering friends. "Go get Madam Pince," she insisted again. This time the students obeyed their upperclassmen and skittered off to find the librarian.

"Here," Dorcas said, cradling his head. "Let me help you sit up."

"Did I just have a stroke?" Remus asked, holding his heart. He settled against the leg of his desk.

"Looked more like a seizure," Dorcas explained. "You began shaking in your sleep."

If anyone else had told him this, Remus would probably freak out. But, Remus wasn't your normal sixteen year old. He simply rested his head against the wood and sighed, "Not again."

"Again?" Dorcas repeated. "You've done this before?"

Remus nodded. "James found me seizing in my sleep two nights ago. Poppy will want to run some tests again."

"Is this a… lunar thing?" She couldn't find the words to properly express herself. But, Dorcas did keep track of the full moons.

"No, it's not, but it may have to do with it. Or so Poppy assumes," Remus said casually, as if he were talking about the day. He hoisted himself up, holding onto the edge of the table. He collected his books and slid them back into his bag. He then noted the concerned expression on Dorcas' pretty face. If he hadn't been so tired, he would be very much pleased by such worry on her face. "Don't

look at me like that," he said.

"Like what?" Dorcas frowned.

"Like I'm an beaten puppy."

Dorcas' expression relaxed, and she almost even laughed. But then, Madam Pince appeared behind Dorcas, causing both students to turn and look at the anxious witch. "Mr. Lupin, would you like an escort? Maybe Miss Meadowes ought to take you?" She offered quietly, but was just as nervous as the students behind her.

"Maybe I ought to," agreed Dorcas, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I think I can manage across the hall, Doe," he said reassuringly as he plopped his bag over his shoulder. "My pride can only take so much damage," he said, patting her on the shoulder before walking past her.

Madam Pince and the other students scattered quickly, giving Remus an exit out of the Magical Creatures section. Before he could leave entirely, Dorcas called out, "Lupin, we have to stop meeting like this. Seriously."

Remus paused and turned back to her. "Are you asking me on a date, Meadowes?"

Dorcas was never the type to be outdone, but she was the type to be misunderstood. "I thought you don't date."

Remus smirked, "This is true, but I can break my own rules every now and then," before walking away, leaving Dorcas behind. There was no way a half-depressed, half-wolf teenage boy should be that cute.

Sirius Black looked cute as he sat on a rock. He kind of looked like a lone wolf, howling at the moon. But the boy was just singing in reality. He was singing "Show a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding and banging on the rock, like Ringo on the drums. He was so adamant about his art that he didn't notice a figure turn up behind him.

"Sirius," the dull voice said.

"Got to show a little tenderness!" He stood up on the rock and even began dancing. James Brown would've been proud.

"Sirius."

"Ow!" He added at the end, clapping his hands.

"Sirius, get the fuck down," Regulus Black demanded. "You look like a bloody spastic."

Sirius stopped his dancing and looked down at his little brother. Regulus Black, dressed in his robes and heavy trench coat, was just as handsome as the elder Black, but fuller than his brother. Sirius, whom had been occasionally starved by his parents throughout his childhood, looked a bit ganglier and was a little bit shorter than his younger brother. But, the rock made quite the difference.

"What do youuuu want, Brother o'Mine?" Sirius asked, now inspecting the grime under his nails.

"Come down here," Regulus said tiredly. He examined his brother once over and asked, "Where's your jacket, by the way? It's bloody freezing."

Sirius looked to the sky and shouted, "Oy, Uncle Al! You're right, he does care!"

"Right," Regulus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're a functional alcoholic. You can't feel cold."

"Ha. Ha. Ha." Sirius said. He jumped from his spot on the rock and faced his brother, almost eye-to-eye. "Yes, very functional. Now, what is it you want?"

"Mum sent me a letter to give you to you," Regulus explained in a clear voice. He pulled it out of his coat pocket and handed it to Sirius, who did not take the enevelope.

"Why didn't you burn it?"

"Just read it."

"I'd rather tear out my own eyes."

"I'll help you once you read the letter. Now, will you just take it?"

Sirius reluctantly took the letter and then let it drop to the ground. "Content? Now, you can fly off like a good little owl and tell mummy you did her bidding. Off you go, Reggie."

Regulus rolled his eyes before turning around. He took a few steps back towards the castle with his hands in his pockets. He looked back at his brother and sighed, noticing that Sirius' singing continued. Regulus turned his back again and made his way. A part of him wanted to tell his older brother how he really felt, but he had a House meeting to attend.

Once Regulus was clearly out of sight, Sirius' singing turned into a dull hum. He cautiously reached out to the letter and sniffed it. He gagged a bit, sniffing the terrible overly-floral scent of his mother on the parchment. He ripped it open without much thought, unafraid because he could tell the difference between a howler and a complaint.

Sirius,

Give your brother the owed inheritance from Alphard's will. He has big plans for the wizarding world and needs as much financial support as necessary. Half will do.

Walburga

Sirius read it two more times before pulling out his bottle of Fire Whiskey. He then doused the parchment in alcohol. He placed it on the ground gingerly so that it would remain soaked. He then pulled out his cigarette tin and wand. He slid a cig against his lips and lit it up. The inhale was long before he tapped his wand against the parchment, setting it a flame like a bloody bonfire.

"Fuck your financial support," he said shortly.

Sirius watched it burn as he sang, "Smoke on the Water." He hoped that his mother was stupid enough to use a link charm on the letter, so that she could know when Sirius read it. He prayed that she at least felt a bit warmer now, or maybe she burned.

Either one was fine with him.

From the Hospital Wing, Remus Lupin watched the bonfire. Soon enough, Filch or Hagrid would come to put it out. Remus' green eyes travelled away from the orange flickering light and to the moon. It was so close to full that Remus wondered if his bones would start contorting.

Remus leaned his head against the bed frame and took a sip of his tea set out by Poppy. He began to flip through his Magical Creatures textbook for the upcoming midterm, when the Nurse Ivy Yung appeared. "Hello, Lupin," the small Chinese woman smiled. "Anything I can get you?"

"Nurse Yung," Remus nodded politely, shaking the collar of his shirt. He suddenly felt warm. "Can you open a window for me please?"

"It's a chilly night out tonight," she said, trying to remain indifferent.

"I have many blankets," he smiled.

"If it's too cold, I'm closing it when I get back from the lou, understand me? Poppy wants a close eye on your health."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Nurse Yung nodded her head before leaving. Remus began to concentrate onto his studies again as he heard Yu's heels click away. He had a hard time focusing on the words – it's like his body was too energetic to lay in this bed. Normally reading would calm him down for sleep, but apparently, not today. Remus kicked the sheets off and gave them a little shake.

The little shake wouldn't stop though. He couldn't stop shaking – it felt like he was loosing control of his body. He grabbed his leg, willing it to stop, but it wouldn't work. "Yung! Nurse Yung!" He called out when his other leg began to shake.

And soon enough, Remus Lupin couldn't stop shaking.

A/N - I'm so sorry it's been so long. The end of the year was chaotic for me. I couldn't focus on the story since I had a lot of other things going on in my life in terms of work, school, and my social life. I hope you understand!

But, it did feel good to come back to return to this story. There isn't much left, so thank you to everyone for sticking with it. Lemme know what you think in the comments, or by favoriting or following this story.

Happy New Year!

Rose