Author's note- This file has been sitting around in my computer since I first read the Harry Potter series, which was many long years ago. As such, I cannot vouch for the literary elegance one might expect from my work. How fast I update depends on how fast I can prune and graft the story, making it somewhat presentable while retaining its original caliber, which was measured before I grew deft with the pen, as one might say. Since it is already written down, that will, hopefully, be daily.

Disclaimer= The characters and everything associated belong to J.K Rowling, and respective publishers.


CH. 1- The Nightmare

Remus approached the portrait of the Fat Lady which marked the entrance to Gryffindor Tower.
"A
micis Aeternum." He said. The fat lady nodded soundlessly as the portrait swung forwards, revealing the cozy, but uncharacteristically under populated Common Room. The fire shone red, having nearly exhausted its supply of firewood. Three very familiar boys were perched around the fireplace on squishy armchairs, an empty seat among their midst where the werewolf usually sat.

Remus calmly took his place among the little group of mischief makers. Yet, something seemed… off. Sirius's eyes had lost their sparkle. Peter was cowering in his seat, as if he was forced to watch something exceptionally terrifying, like a rampaging hippogriff. And James... Looking at his face was like looking at a slab of rock. He could decipher nothing from it. Yet a storm raged about inside, hidden so convincingly. Somehow, that made it even worse.

It was Sirius who finally started it.
"We know."

Remus froze. This couldn't be happening…

Sirius proceeded relentlessly, voice filled with disgust.

"All this time… All this time, we've been friends with a MONSTER." He spat.

"Remus…?"

They knew. They knew and they hated him.
James looked up. The betrayal was the most prominent in his eyes.
"How could you?"

He would be shunned by his friends, expelled at nest. At worst…

"Remus, wake up! It's only a dream!"

"I... I'm…" Remus stammered.
Sirius had taken over again.

"WEREWOLF!" he screeched. His eyes were filled with anger. In the background, he could see James with his head in his hands. The terrified form of Peter, backed up against a wall, reaching for his wand…

"REMUS JOHN LUPIN JUST WAKE UP ALREADY!"

Remus's eyes snapped open, only to stare at the hazel orbs of the real James, magnified by his glasses.

His eyes filled with tears.
"I.. I'm sorry…" he choked.
James clambered onto the bed, softly cradleing Remus's shoulder, letting the terrified boy lean into him.
" 'S OK Remy, just a dream, you were having a nightmare. A really bad one, judging by how you were thrashing around."

"I… I know… And what have I said about calling me 'Remy'?" Remus sniffed.

James only grinned in response.

Silence reigned in the dormitory, punctured only by the snores of Sirius and Peter. James shook his head.

"Those guys can sleep through anything. I mean it. ANYTHING."

"Was I… Did I disturb you?" Remus asked, feeling a little embarrassed. James, however, fixed him with an uncharacteristically stern glare. 'Too much like my mum…' Remus thought.

"Blimey, Remus, you were lying curled up, sobbing and shaking. I'd say it's my right to get disturbed when one of my best friends was having a nightmare. You'd do the same for me, wouldn't you?"

Remus looked down, feeling, if possible, even more embarrassed. "I guess so… " he whispered.

For a while, the two boys quieted down. James straightened up. "Come on. We are going to the kitchens to grab some hot chocolate." He looked Remus up and down. "And some dreamless sleeppotion." He added.

Remus stared at him. It was not usual for James to act like this. And why was he so concerned?

Anger, inflamed by embarrassment, flashed in his eyes.

"What do you care? You're the one usually prancing around the castle, hexing people!"

"I'll go prancing around again when my friends no longer need me!"

"I'm not weak!"

"I never said you were."

For a few seconds that seemed to stretch into eternity, they both glared at each other. Finally, Remus lowered his eyes in submission.

James stretched, leaping off the four-poster.

"Come on, unless you want to throw another tantrum." Though his mouth was twisted into a somewhat serious expression, his hazel eyes seemed to laugh down at him.

The surge of anger died down. Remus blushed, lowering his face to hide it.

"In our pyjamas?" He asked in what he hoped was an incredulous tone. In reality, he had already resigned himself to the fact he would be dragged out of bed whether he liked it or not.

James flashed him one of his famous lopsided, cocky grins.

"Sure. Why ever not?"