"You want to ask Remus?" Sirius exclaimed. "You can't be serious. James, he's barely around anymore. He's always off doing so-called secret missions. Don't you think it's suspicious?"

"He is doing secret missions," responded James, exasperated. "They're for Dumbledore so it's all very hush-hush. He told me himself."

"Dumbledore told you?"

"Well, no." James paused. "Remus did."

What should have prompted an indignant scoff only resulted in a deep frown and a loud sigh. At this, James raised his eyebrows expectantly for an explanation. Sirius shook his head slowly, his eyes hesitant. But at James' continued staring, he finally relented.

"I know you're fond of Remus." Sirius put up his hand to silence any protests. "You've always been fond of Remus. But don't you think your judgement is clouded? Don't you think that everyone else thinks he's been acting suspicious recently?"

James rolled his eyes. "Suspicious? He's just doing what he's been told to do."

"I'm not saying he's with Voldemort," Sirius continued, ignoring his friend's indignation. "I'm just saying that he's been acting a bit shady. When he is here, he's always covered in scrapes and bruises. Seems like he might be hanging around some unsavoury people, is all."

At this, James fell silent. It wasn't that he agreed. He didn't. Not in the slightest. But even he had to admit that Remus' behaviour of late had been a bit odd of late. Truthfully, it reminded James of their earliest years at Hogwarts, when Remus had made an active effort to distance himself from the three boys in order to conceal his secret. The thought made James baulk. Perhaps Remus had more secrets now than he did then.

"Just ask Peter," Sirius pleaded. "He's just as good as Remus, isn't he?"

"Fine," James relented. Then, tipping his head back against the wall behind him and sighing, he added, "I'd still rather it was you."

"It's not safe."

"Yeah, yeah. I know."