I used the prompts 'Write about someone happy or innocent' (Harry) and 'Write about a sour experience' (Remus)

Bittersweet Act

She'd had a baby. Remus had seen the photos. A little boy with a head full of jet-black hair, looking like James probably had when he was that age.

Remus wanted nothing more than to meet this little boy, to see the life James and Lily had brought into this world, but how could he? He was a werewolf now; he was someone who they all believed to be working for Lord Voldemort.

Even Fenrir Greyback – the reason Remus was the monster that he was – believed it.

Remus was good at convincing them.

He hated it, though. He hated every moment of it, terrified that he was going to be found out. It was as if the others were watching his every move, waiting for him to slip up.

Paranoia, of course. The other werewolves didn't have the brains to realise they were being double-crossed. They didn't understand how a creature such as them would even consider protecting loved ones.

No, they just liked to kill. Remus knew this. He had to endure their discussions on the subject, pretending that he thought killing innocent Muggles was hilarious.

He'd never been more ashamed of himself.

"That bloody owl's back again!"

Remus – who had been wasting time with a book – glanced up at Greyback's words. Owl? Only one owl had made the journey here multiple times, and that was the snowy white one belonging to James and Lily Potter.

He smiled. Later that night, when the others were snoring, he'd go and collect the letter Lily had sent him. It would be hidden in the same place all her letters were, waiting for Remus to read it. The owl would then meet him there, and he'd reply on the other side, informing her that he was still alive.

This happened once a week. It was the only contact Remus had with the outside world.

"I'm starting to wonder one of us has a secret lover around here," Greyback said, looking around at his fellow werewolves. His eyes landed on Remus. "Is it you, Lupin?"

Remus feigned innocence. "Would I be here if I had one?" He shrugged.

Greyback grumbled something unintelligible, and looked around again. Remus looked back down at the book.

Soon, he thought. Soon, he'd be able to read Lily's letter again.

For now, though, he had to pretend that he was a werewolf for Voldemort. It was why the book in his lap read: One-Hundred-and-One Ways to Make a Werewolf.

He had to keep up the act.

OOO

Dear Moony

Harry is doing wonderfully. He's gotten so big even in the past week. Can you believe he's almost a month old? Time's gone so fast!

Oh, I wish you could meet him, and James and I still have faith that one day you will. When he's still small, of course. He's so cute. He now smiles at Prongs and Padfoot (not me, though – apparently I'm not funny enough) and will sometimes laugh. It's wonderful to watch.

I know I must keep these letters short, but there is so much I need to tell you. We're all worried, Moony. So worried about you, and we're thinking about you every day.

Please stay safe, and I hope you're still well.

Reply quickly.

Lots of love,

Lily

Remus smiled. It was the only contact he had with anyone other than Death Eaters, and he loved it when she wrote him.

Sitting down on a rotting log, Remus picked up the quill Lily had sent with the letter and began scribbling a reply on the back of the parchment.

Lily

I am alive – that is as well as I can be at the moment. I am still holding my cover well – the others don't suspect at all, which is good, I suppose.

It's good to hear that Harry is doing so well. One day, I'll be able to see him! I promise you I will, but for now, he's safe, and that's all that matters.

Thank you for the photo you sent of him. He does look a lot like James, doesn't he? The poor kid…

That's all I have to say. For now, just know that I am well.

All the best,

Moony

The snowy owl, Ingleburn, fluttered down to land beside him.

"Take this quickly," Remus said, attaching the letter to the creature's leg. "We don't want anyone getting suspicious."

Ingleburn hooted.

"See you soon!" he said. He watched as the owl fluttered away. "Until next time," he mumbled.

So this is technically the final round of this competition, and I know they're meant to be drabbles that can stand alone, but I don't feel like it's finished. I'm going to mark it as complete so my OCD mind can rest, though there's a chance I may update again. I just don't know when. I might try and make it 5.

I hope you all liked. Also, if you're interested, I'm holding a competition ( : / / w w w . fanfiction forum / The-Quidditch-League-Fanfiction-Competition / 134505 / . Just remove all the spaces. There's still plenty of spots open, but in under 4 days, 40 people have signed up already, so it's going pretty fast.

Anyway, your reviews are much appreciated!