A/N: Hey guys, I'm sorry it's taking me a while to update. If you've heard about the typhoon that hit the Philippines, then you can understand that internet has been hard to come by the past few days. So thanks for you guys who still have me on your alert lists ;) Hope you like this one! Enjoy!

I close the door behind me and toss my bag on the floor before flopping onto my bed, face-first.

My stomach grumbles, the result of me leaving the table way too early. I had thought that I would be able to handle lunch, what with James and Peter being there, I wouldn't be required to talk as much. I had been wrong.

Of course, Sirius had had a similar idea too. So we'd both sat in front of James and Peter, in total silence that did not go unnoticed. Peter wouldn't stop badgering us about what was wrong until Sirius lost his temper and snapped at the poor boy. James, on the other hand, had weakly tried to steer the conversation and focus away from our strange behavior, which had only made things more difficult to ignore.

Sitting next to Sirius was more of a challenge during meals, the time slots for our usual bantering. This time, I couldn't resort to fixating my eyes on my notes or listening to the teacher. Our elbows kept bumping against each other, and asking one another to pass certain platters had felt like a burdensome chore.

We'd endured it, ignoring the worried glance from James across from us, until Peter groaned and said, "What's wrong with you guys? It's like you're an old couple giving each other the silent treatment."

Sirius just shot him a murderous glare as James choked on his pumpkin juice. Sighing, and not wanting to explain anything, I hastily excused myself and hurried up the Gryffindor tower.

How long is this strain between me and Sirius supposed to last? It feels like I'm stuck between two options. Either I can confront him and most probably amplify the discomfort and unease, or I can ignore it which, to be honest, hasn't been proving to be successful so far. Neither option will yield positive results.

I lift my head to look at the clock on my nightstand. There are still 20 minutes left for lunch in addition to my following one hour free period. Feeling drained from the night before and the ongoing anxiety about Sirius, I let myself to drift into a deep sleep, abandoning my Sirius-centric thoughts even if only for a while.

THUD.

I wake with a start, sitting upright. Rubbing my eyes with my fist, I yawn. As my vision finally adjusts, I see Peter walking to his bed, looking guilty.

"Merlin, Peter. Would it kill you to close the door softly?!"

Peter, who is now sitting cross-legged on his bed facing me, mutters a meek, "Sorry."

Sighing, I wave his apology off. "Yeah, it's okay. I'm just a bit off today."

"I noticed."

I smiled sadly at him. "It's nothing, I was just up all night studying."

He looks at me with doubtful eyes. "And what, Sirius was studying with you? The only time he ever stayed up to study was for O.W.L.S., remember?"

At a loss for words, I shrug. "Just leave it, Peter..."

"What's going on with you two?" he says, exasperated. "I mean, I'll be honest, when he came up here after you fell asleep, I did think he was reading those books again but –"

Stunned, I cut him off. "He returned here before he had to get ready for class?"

Looking more confused than before, Peter nods at me slowly. "Yeah. Right after you fell asleep actually, which didn't take long because you were out the moment your head hit the pillow."

"How do you know this?"

Peter raises his eyebrows at me. "Don't you remember? When you came in at about three in the morning, I was going back to my bed from the bathroom. I was about to go back to sleep when you stumbled right into the door. You fell asleep on your bed before you even noticed I was awake. Sirius came in a few moments later, he looked a bit disoriented. Like I said, I thought he was reading up on those extra books again, but then during lunch he told me and James about his bag ripping apart from all the extra books he wanted to get started on so he must not have read them yet. So anyway, he comes in here looking battered and walked over to you before realizing you were already asleep."

Trying to process the new information, I don't know where to begin. "So he slept here? But his bed looks like –" I stop as I realize what Peter just said, "Wait, he walked over to me? For what?"

"He just put another blanket over you because he noticed you were shivering... He looked worried. Then he just asked me how long you'd been up here and if you were okay."

"He put a blanket over me. And asked if I was okay," I repeat slowly. My head, though still trying to shake off the hangover, strains to make sense of what Peter is trying to say anyway. Sirius couldn't even look at me after the whole snogging session, yet somehow he suddenly decided that he should tuck me in? Well, if initiating the kisses wasn't enough proof that Sirius was more wasted than he was, then bidding me goodnight afterwards certainly confirmed it.

"Yep," Peter says nonchalantly. "Then..." he trails off.

"Then what?" I push impatiently.

"Then he passed out on the floor between our beds," he finished with an amused grin which fades quickly. "What happened between you two?"

"Nothing, Wormtail, just a misunderstanding," I murmur.

Peter dons a pitiful expression and walks over to sit on the edge of my bed, looking down at me. "Anything I can do to help?"

Focusing on the ceiling, I just shake my head. "'Fraid not, Pete."

Peter, looking crestfallen, just accepts this. "Is it... fixable?"

I display a feigned smile. "Of course it is."

He looks at me accusingly.

My face falls, knowing that Peter knows me too well for that. "I'm trying for it to be at least."

"Moony, will this be like in fifth year?" he asks, the anxiety evident in his voice.

I feel a stab in my heart, remembering how The Prank left Peter the most isolated when it happened. James' and my lives were the ones that had been at stake. Our anger towards Sirius kept us close, albeit bitter most of the time, and astray from the Marauders. Sirius, on the other hand, was not any better once he got rid of his pride. He had resorted to the kind of thinking that made him believe that he was better off without anyone, that he didn't deserve any sort of affection from anyone anymore. That behaviour left no space in his life for Peter's constantly offered consolation. Peter, although the only one among us who wasn't involved that night at the Whomping Willow, was affected as much as James and Sirius were. I've always felt guilty for not realising that at the time.

I let out a reassuring chuckle and sit up, slinging an arm over him. "Aw, come on, Pete. No, it will not be like fifth year. Just a stupid fight, that's all."

"Is it about the –"

"No, not about the prank," I cut him off hastily.

"No, I was gonna ask you if it was about the full moon on Friday."

I pale in an instant, remembering. Somewhere along the drunken conversation, I had agreed to let Sirius look after me alone during my next transformation. Mentally cursing myself, I search my head for some sort of excuse to retract my permission. Then I realise that I do not need an alibi to get out of the agreement. Sirius can't even talk to me properly and since that's the case, I doubt he could handle my – as James tastefully puts it – furry little problem.

"Yeah," I lie to Peter. Although it was the full moon discussion with James that had made me want to drink so much.

Comprehension fills Peter's expression. "Oh… You know, you really should let him help out, Moony. He can handle you better than me and James can actually."

I raise an eyebrow at him. "What do you mean?"

"Well," he starts off thoughtfully, "It's just that the wolf is more controlled when Padfoot is around... I heard James showed you his wounds?"

I flinch at the memory of James's body coated with deep gashes and yellowing bruises. "You have them too don't you?" I ask, apprehensive of the answer.

Peter smiles sadly, in an attempt to shake off my concern. "There is a reason why Sirius is the only one who isn't all scarred, you know. He's the only one who goes around shirtless here, other than Frank of course, but it's not just because Sirius is a vain arse," he jokes weakly.

I chuckle, nodding slowly. "Has it always been that bad? The damage? My damage?"

"No... Just towards the end of last year, I guess," he answers, looking down at his lap where his fingers are fumbling.

"Oh."

I understand without him having to elaborate. Towards the end of last year. Of course. The three full moons when James and I forbid Sirius to run with us, for obvious reasons.

"Please don't beat yourself up for all of this," he added, his eyes still avoiding mine. "It's not your fault. None of this is."

"I'm not blaming myself, Wormtail," I correct him dishonestly.

He stands up and claps my back. "You better not be," he halfheartedly warns with a grin.

I roll my eyes. "I can take care of myself, Wormy."

He frowns at me. "No need to make my nickname any worse than it already is."

"Hey, 'Moony' isn't exactly macho either," I retort.

He snorts. "Becoming a werewolf once a month isn't macho –" he stresses the word with air quotes –"enough for you?"

I laugh, shaking my head. "Whatever, Pete... Hey aren't you supposed to be at class in a while with James and Sirius?"

"Yeah, I just went up here because I offered to get Sirius's book. He said it might be with you?"

"What? Oh yeah." I suddenly remember the books I offered to take up for Sirius. I shift to the other side of my bed and pull my messenger bag off the floor. Unbuckling, I open it and retrieve Sirius's copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. I hand it to Peter.

"So you'll be okay here?" he asks, clutching the book.

"You're gonna be late, Pete," I remind him, maneuvering around another lie.

"Well, if you say so," he says with a tight-lipped smile, concern in his blue eyes undisguised, before he walks out of the room.

Just as I'm about to collapse back onto my bed, I spot a scrap of parchment among my cluster of sheets – something that fell from Sirius's book. Curious, I gingerly pick it up and read the bunch of messy scrawls on it.

Moony, the full moon's tonight, what are you doing in class? - Padfoot

Stop babying me, Sirius

It's the first full moon of the term. Those are always your worst ones. You need to rest.

I'll be okay.

At least we'll be there this time.

Exactly. Now bugger off. Slughorn is glaring at us.

Okay.

Good.

Moony?

WHAT?

Can you pass me your notes?

I smile to myself, looking down at the conversation. It is bizarre to try and wrap my head around the fact that this was just two months ago because it feels like an alternate reality.

I fold the parchment up and reach under my bed, retrieving a small wooden box. Grasping my wand, I tap it and murmur Canicula. As it unlocks, I hear a faint click and lift the lid, depositing the paper in it. With a wave of the wand over it, sealing it shut again, before stuffing it under my bed and lying back down, slipping beneath the thick blanket.

I pull the sheets closer around my body, warding off the chilly November air that continuously seeps through the window cracks. Despite myself, I grin, remembering that the breaks in the glass can be traced back to an afternoon in our third year. It was when James was accepted into the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Sirius had decided that the only way to properly celebrate was to steal a Quaffle and play with it the dorm with James and Frank. Of course, thanks to their rowdiness, our window panes suffered. Whenever I tried to use Reparo, Sirius ended up whining dramatically ("Moony, if you fix it you're erasing a good memory!") and I resorted to giving up.

I curl up, indulging myself in memories, even if just for a little while.

Just as I am about to drift into a much needed nap, I hear the door bang open.

I groan and turn to the door. "Look, Peter, I really am – oh."

In the door way stands a very angry looking Chaser with a black eye and I sit up, bracing myself for whatever else is coming.

"He's really getting on my nerves, Remus," he mutters as he walks in, standing over me.

"Being friends with you guys has really robbed me of sleep you know that? I should really talk to Dumbledore about this whole just-one-dorm-room-for-each-year thing," I manage to say before yawning.

Ignoring my irritated remarks, he just continues. "Merlin, I swear he's got the shortest temper when he's in a bad mood. That twat..."

I sigh. "Aren't you supposed to be in class?"

"We were on our way to it, actually. Since Peter wasn't with us, Sirius took the opportunity to tell me about last night – don't worry, I put on my best shocked face," he adds at my concerned expression. "So I asked him how he felt about it, and said he was so confused. Because a part of him liked it."

My heart does a little jump and I feel myself freeze. Trying to hide it, I gesture for James to go on.

"But..."

Oh there it goes.

"...when I suggested that it was perfectly normal to like blokes, well that was how I got the bloody black eye! Fucking exploded because 'I'm suggesting that he's a fucking queer'. As if it was a fucking insult!" he finishes, plopping down next to me in frustration.

I can practically hear my heart shattering. "The very idea of homosexuality makes him punch his best friend in the face. That's reassuring."

"He just being a defensive prick again, Moony," James says bitterly.

I sigh. "Yeah...I guess. I hope so."

Then, James's expression turns comforting and gentle, as if readying himself for the next few words he has to say.

"Prongs, there's more to this, isn't there?"

He inhales deeply. "He said... Okay, he said he wasn't sure if he was gonna make it on the full," James mutters slowly, laying a hand on my shoulder in an unsuccessful attempt to reassure me.

As James words sinks in, I try to feel relieved like I thought I would be. But instead, I feel nothing but disappointment stir in the pit of my stomach, and James senses this.

"He'll come around, Rem..." he says but the uncertainty is obvious in his voice.

I nod slowly, staring blankly ahead.

"And if he doesn't in time of the moon-"

"You are not going with me. You have a game the following morning and there is no way I'm letting you stay up all night beforehand." He opens his mouth to protest but I cut him off immediately. "Last year, when we started this whole fucking routine in the first place, you three promised me you guys would respect my decision about these things. You promised."

"I'm worried, Moony..." he mumbles. "If something happens to you while you're alone... I don't know what I would do..."

"Don't go soft on me, Potter," I joke with a weak smile.

James' solemn expression dissolves into a grin as he punches me in the arm, sitting up next to me. "Arse. I'm trying to be serious here."

I smirk. "Well, all of this is shit and honestly, I don't think worrying will do us much good."

"You're right – as usual," he chuckles. "Damn, since when did I become the sappy one in this relationship?"

"This relationship?" I repeat, raising my eyebrows. "I may be gay, but you're not my type."

"Tell that to very passionate kiss we shared in third year," he retorted, flipping his unruly hair dramatically.

I stare at him, blinking rapidly, then break into laughter. "CAN YOU PLEASE NOT BRING THAT UP?!"

Cringing at the memory, I remember how back in third year, I came to James saying I couldn't figure out whether I liked blokes that way or not. He was overwhelmingly accepting and understanding. But the moment I complained that I'd do anything to decide, I regretted saying so, because James kissed me in an instant. I pulled away, shouting every curse word my innocent thirteen-year-old mind could bear to say. He, on the other hand, just shrugged and asked, "So, are you gay or not?" To which I replied, "Okay, yeah, but definitely not for you, mate." It was the first time I managed to dent his ego.

"But that was a very important moment in our friendship!" James protests, stifling a laugh.

I roll my eyes. "Crappiest first kiss ever."

He lets out a fake gasp. "How dare you, Remus John Lupin? Besides, I'll bet anything I was better than Sirius."

Shaking my head, I chuckle. "Your lips weren't as soft. Weren't as warm. Besides, you didn't give me any tongue while Sirius was amaz-"

James shoots up the bed, covering his ears. "THAT'S MY BEST YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, LUPIN."

I grin triumphantly. "You started it."

"When you and Sirius finally end up together, I'm gonna have to learn new silencing spells if I want to still sleep in this room, huh?"

My smile fades. "Me and Sirius. Right."

James sighs and looks at me. "I could happen, Remus. You know that, right?"

"That black eye on your face says otherwise," I quip. I stand up to get ready for my next class, walking over to the other side of the room where my Arithmancy book is placed on the windowsill. Something outside catches my eye.

From the other side of the room, James is still insisting, "This is just a product of him being a stubborn little tosser. That's not enough to prove he won't ever like you back."

I scoff and point to the window. "Is that enough proof for you?"

Before I know it, a very curious James is at my side.

I glare, not even trying to hide my dismay. "Looks like you aren't the only one who decided to skip classes."

James squints, following my gaze to Sirius on the grounds.

To be more specific, Sirius's lips attached to Margaret Kerrigan's.

James' jaw drops. Sirius definitely hasn't played around with girls for a while, and even his best friend really thought he had grown out of it. "Padfoot, you idiot..." he mutters.

"I don't know," I reply. "At least this time, it's not just another drunken mistake."

Lucky her.

I hope that was even the tiniest bit worth the wait. At least it was a bit longer yeah? I promise to be more consistent with my updates. But before I update, I need some feedback because I'm kind of confused about how to play out the storyline I have in my head. How do you like the story's progress? Do you guys like long multichapter fanfics? I'm definitely gonna do a Sirius POV sometime into the story. Maybe even James for a chapter or two? What do you guys think about that?

But anyway, thank you for your ongoing reading! Please review, guys :)