It had been a week since she had seen Remus with Headmaster Dumbledore, walking towards the Whomping Willow Tree. She hadn't the chance to ask him directly about it but she had asked Sirius how was Remus' cold and he responded that he was doing better but was sleeping a lot more than usual. While it didn't raise suspicions with him, it did raise some questions with her.
She had written in her diary about Remus. As she remembered that he had been sick the month before and the month before that. She started tracking the days he had been "sick", everything he had said and even going as far as taking note of his close relationships with the Professors and Madame Pomfrey.
It was Friday, which meant that she would find him in the library most likely with his nose in a textbook. However, she had overheard from James that he had to serve Detention from the stunt they had pulled before Remus had fallen ill and was unable to serve his time. She had plans to meet up with Lily and Severus but she had explained to them that she would have to miss. However, the secret reason being the fact that Sev had been in a rather foul and snippy mood since he had received detention along with Sirius after they had a fight in the Great Hall.
"That is a total eyesore," Jackie grimaced. "Can't believe that is in our sacred house."
Olivia snorted, "you are being so dramatic. I think it looks nice actually."
"Only you would agree to that thing being in our common room," she sighed
The three girls looked back to the large Gryffindor flag that was hung proudly in the middle of their common room above their fireplace.
It was one of the three conditions on the bet that she had made with Sirius Black if his house, Gryffindor, had won against Slytherin. To which they had. Much to her cousin, Jack's great sorrow, as he had been moping since the loss.
"I have to agree that the colors Scarlet and Gold look rather beautiful in here," Pandora stepped beside her
Jackie groaned, "not you too."
The brunette grumbled to herself as she left their house, claiming that only cauldron cakes could cheer her up.
"Pandora, I'm heading to the dueling club, would you like to join?"
The girl with white blonde hair smiled, "I'd love to join, can we look for my ribbons along the way? I'm pretty sure the nargles had taken them when I was sleeping."
Olivia and Gwen shared a smile, "of course we can look for them."
She clapped her hands excitedly, "excellent!"
The three girls walked out before separating as they went in opposite directions. Instead she was going to meet Sirius for their weekly Charms lesson per the bet they had made. He insisted that the Astronomy Tower was the perfect place for them to study for today.
She suspected that just like with everything else, he had some ulterior motive.
As she ascended the steps of the metal staircase, leading to the Astronomy Tower, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. And there he was, Sirius, already waiting for her. But her attention was immediately drawn to the blanket spread out on the ground, adorned with a few mismatched pillows.
Curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn't resist asking, "What's all this for?"
Sirius turned to her with an endearing smile and simply replied, "There you are."
Standing at the edge of the blanket, she couldn't help but feel a mix of confusion and gratitude. "Did you set this up?" she asked, searching for answers.
He met her gaze, his eyes shining with genuine kindness. "I thought it would be more comfortable for us to study here, considering we'll be sitting on the ground."
A blush crept up Gwen's cheeks, a common reaction whenever Sirius displayed such thoughtfulness. His words and actions always had a profound effect on her, emotionally and even physically. Their friendship had a way of touching her in ways she couldn't fully comprehend.
"Thank you for your consideration," she managed to say, subtly hiding her face behind her charms textbook, notes, and study guide. "Based on the quiz I gave you during our last session, I noticed areas where you struggled. So, I took the liberty of creating a study guide to help you with those topics."
Slipping out of her shoes, she settled down on the cozy blanket. Sirius followed suit, but instead of sitting, he lay on his side, facing her. His expression showed a mixture of surprise and admiration as she slid the parchment paper and additional notes over to him.
"You did all this last night?" he asked, his disbelief evident.
"I figured that since you're so dedicated to studying charms, it's only right for me to assist you to the best of my abilities," she replied, her voice filled with sincerity.
Sirius blinked, realizing that he hadn't revealed his true intentions behind pursuing charms. He hadn't mentioned the countless nights he, James, Remus, and Peter spent sneaking around the castle, mapping it out in secret. All in pursuit of creating an advanced charm that would allow them to break rules without detection.
A pang of guilt washed over Sirius. He had vowed not to involve Gwen or anyone else in their top-secret mission. But her earnest and heartfelt efforts to help him made him feel conflicted.
Why couldn't she be a bit selfish?
Then he wouldn't have taken such an interest in her.
"I appreciate the effort that you have put into my request."
Gwen smiled, a slight blush on her face.
Sirius spent the next hour going over what he had missed the day prior as he revised his charms. She then helped him create an outline for his charms essay that they had just been assigned today, While Sirius studied, Gwen had pulled out her diary. Studied what had been written in it about the symptoms that he would exhibit before he was called to the Infirmary. She had even gone to talk with Madam Pomfrey to check on him and had been told that Remus wasn't allowed visitors.
None of it made sense.
The lies of fake illness, Headmaster Dumbledore leading him to the Whomping Willow. Or even his severe need for sleep in the days that followed. Since she had met him, he'd always look a bit sickly. But she assumed that he just had a pale complexion.
The young Ravenclaw had assumed it to be some type of illness. As the symptoms were real. She just needed to pinpoint exactly what illness it could be.
Her mother had worked as an intern and then healer at St. Mungo's for years. When she had become older, her mother had taught her healing spells and about illnesses. However due to the limited knowledge she had, she could only narrow it down to a few possible choices.
The diary was plucked out of her hand by Sirius.
"What are you reading?"
Gwen didn't know how to respond.
What was she supposed to answer with? I've been taking notes and studying one of your mates because I know that he is hiding and lying about something. She swallowed and decided that she would let him just read her findings.
Sirius furrowed his eyebrows, "what the hell is this?"
"I've been keeping track of Remus."
He snorted, "what for?" before he grinned mischievously. "Does our little ravenclaw have a crush on Lupin?"
Gwen rolled her eyes, knowing that is of course what his first thought would be once seeing her diary. "You are so juvenile."
Sirius didn't stop grinning.
"Since the start of Term, Remus has caught ill at the end of every month. He has symptoms of aggression, insomnia, followed by drowsiness, and hunger."
The boy with silver eyes frowned before he grinned after a moment completely disregarding her statement, "is this your diary? Is it filled with Lupin?"
Gwen huffed, "I'm being serious."
He wagged his eyebrows, "so am I."
She couldn't blame him as she had walked into that one.
"Think about it. Remus has been acting rather funny at the end of every month. Making up excuses of being sick or claiming he needs to suddenly see his parents."
She watched as he frowned, his eyes going back to the pages of her diary. His eyes roaming and seeming to quickly read what she had compiled on him. She explained to him what she had seen the previous week about Remus being with Headmaster Dumbledore heading towards the Whomping Willow.
"Perhaps he's just a sickly bloke," he finally stated, his tone tinged with skepticism.
Realizing he wouldn't believe her, she decided to let the matter go and swiftly retrieved her diary from his grasp.
"Forget it," she declared, snatching his completed work and delving into it.
"Is that what you intend to do?" he inquired once she finished reviewing his paper and indicated where corrections were needed. "You seem quite knowledgeable about illnesses."
Gwen paused, caught off guard by his remark.
She was unsure how to respond.
Although Gwen's mother, Roselyn, had worked as a nurse at St. Mungo, teaching her a few things about what she encountered and treated, explaining that her research began when her mother fell ill seemed complex. She had hoped to prove the healer wrong about her mother's deteriorating health and, in turn, her own fate.
As she took a trembling breath, she shared, "In the past, my mother possessed the remarkable gift of healing and imparted her knowledge to me during my childhood."
Sirius maintained a solemn silence, his curiosity piqued.
"But as fate would have it, when she fell gravely ill, I delved deep into the realm of medical research, tirelessly exploring the mysteries of various ailments and their corresponding symptoms, hoping to find answers for the afflictions she endured." She felt a lump grow in her throat, "I was rather stupid to think that I could uncover what had claimed her life."
A powerful surge of tears threatened to escape as she felt the sharp stabs of pain welling up behind her eyes. In a moment of strength, she inhaled deeply through her nostrils, directing her gaze towards the ceiling to suppress the overwhelming emotions tied to her mother.
But how could she simply brush it aside? It had only been nine months since she lost her mother. The void left by her passing had torn a gaping hole in her heart and her existence. Growing up, her mother had been an ever-present force in her life.
"It's alright to let it out," he finally uttered.
Sniffling, she glanced up to find him extending another handkerchief, a black silk one adorned with delicate dark green lace.
"You always seem to have these at the ready," she accepted graciously, gently dabbing at the corners of her eyes.
"Actually, my younger brother Reggie cries quite often, so I've made it a habit to keep them handy, even though I haven't seen him in months."
The girl with white hair observed as he awkwardly scratched the back of his neck, his gaze drifting towards the silk fabric in her hands.
They hadn't broached the subject of Reggie; she was afraid to bring him up, given the noticeable shift in his demeanor and attitude that had followed.
"I might not have had a sibling but I'm grateful that I had cousins to care for me as much as you care for your brother," she handed him back the handkerchief with a gracious smile.
Sirius finally smiled, "you are a compassionate person."
"And you are a loyal person."
Halloween faded into the depths of memory, the grand castle braced itself for the onslaught of the changing weather. On the morning of November first,, Hogwarts awoke to a mesmerizing spectacle: a delicate layer of snow had gracefully adorned the grounds, turning them into a mesmerizing winter wonderland.
Though the snowfall was modest, barely enough to cloak the blades of grass, the boys saw it as an opportunity for some post-Defense Against the Dark Arts revelry.
With unspoken agreement, they forged a pact to partake in an exhilarating snowball skirmish during their lunch break. Yet, their plans swiftly crumbled like the melting snow. By the time their Defense class concluded, the victorious afternoon sun had triumphed over the fragile snowflakes. James, disheartened, pushed his glasses up his nose with a disgruntled expression.
"How is it that classes possess an uncanny talent for sucking the joy out of everything," he grumbled.
Gwen approached them from behind, her books neatly nestled within her compact blue bag, the one carrying the secret extension charm she had slyly cast before the school year commenced.
"Don't you have a potions essay to tackle, James?" she smirked.
James huffed in irritation. "Don't you have a diary to jot your thoughts into?"
At the mention of the diary, Gwen's gaze flickered momentarily to Remus, then back to James, who wore a rather triumphant smile.
"Lily is right," she snorted. "You can be a complete arse. No wonder she refuses to give you the time of day."
Upon hearing her words, James seemed to perk up. With a wide grin, he approached her. "Evans talks about me?"
Gwen rolled her eyes and sauntered towards the Great Hall, claiming to be in need of lunch.
Two weeks prior, Evans, the fiery-haired beauty, had finally reached her limit and confronted James in the courtyard after a particularly malicious prank they had pulled on the sniveling Snape, involving a pimple jinx they had learned from the mischievous Prewett twins and had been itching to try out. Unfortunately for the big-nosed Slytherin, he happened to pass by at that very moment.
Since that incident, Evans had cleverly put James in his place, delivering a scathing insult and even smacking him on the head. Ever since, James had found himself captivated by the fiery spitfire.
Sirius wondered if his friend had figured it out that he had a crush on their fellow house mate.
Undeterred, the boys trudged across the grounds towards the Herbology greenhouses after lunch. Even though the snow had vanished, Sirius managed to scrape together just enough to throw a dirty snowball the size of his fist at Peter. Poor Peter danced about as the snow disintegrated and slipped down the back of his robes.
Sirius leaned in and whispered mischievously, "We should go exploring again tonight. Especially on the Third Floor. There must be a concealed passageway we've overlooked."
James, always up for an adventure, eagerly agreed. "We owe it to future pranksters to map out every nook and cranny of this place. Detention and some lost points won't deter us!"
Remus, however, being the voice of reason always had reservations when it came to sneaking out at night. He stared intently at the sky, contemplating their nocturnal escapades. "Maybe it's not such a wise idea," he cautioned. "Getting caught by Filch or McGonagall could have severe consequences."
Sirius scoffed, challenging Remus's caution. "Are you afraid of Filch, then?"
Remus shook his head. "No, I just think it's risky."
Peter, seizing the opportunity to be included for once, chimed in. "Count me in."
"Great!" Sirius exclaimed, already devising a plan. Having Peter along could serve as a convenient scapegoat if they needed a swift escape. "You come with us, Peter. Remus can stay in the Gryffindor common room like a swot."
"I'm not a swot" Remus retorted, his voice filled with frustration. "I just don't fancy getting expelled!" With that, he stormed off, leaving the others behind.
Sirius rolled his eyes, perplexed by Remus's sudden uptightness. "When did he become such a stickler for the rules?" he mused aloud to James.
"It's probably just nearing that time for him to leave again," James shrugged
Sirius furrowed his eyebrows before shrugging it off. Deciding that he would confront the matter later.
Back in the common room, Remus was nowhere to be found. Sirius assumed he had gone off to brood in solitude. He grabbed the roll of parchment they had been using for their map, preparing a fresh sheet for the next floor they planned to explore that night.
Meanwhile, James and Peter did their homework before they needed to leave for supper. But when the time came, Remus failed to show up.
"He's disappeared again," James whispered to Sirius.
Sirius nodded, lost in thought. This was the fourth time Remus had vanished since the term began. What could be happening at home to repeatedly draw him away? He rubbed his chin, lost in contemplation. Four times in four months... August, September, October, and now November... something seemed off. Perhaps Gwen had been right about Remus. He hated to admit it, but he had been subconsciously keeping tabs on the bloke in question.
"Hey, Sirius, are you even here with us?" James asked, playfully kicking his friend's knee.
"Huh?" Sirius snapped back to reality, his mind still lingering on Remus's mysterious absences. He glanced at James and Peter, who sat across from him at the table. Peter laughed. "Sorry, just lost in my thoughts."
James smirked. "If you're that lost, it must be something worth noticing."
The boys shared a laugh, momentarily forgetting about Remus's absence. "We should declare it a proper holiday," James suggested, grinning mischievously.
"Absolutely," Sirius replied with a smirk. "The ministry would have to create a holiday to let it be known."
The two friends burst into laughter, while Peter chuckled and savored his carrot, blissfully unaware as he continued to stuff his face with sweet rolls and potatoes.
With her wand poised and her purse tightly gripped, Gwen moved silently towards the enchanting courtyard. The air crackled with anticipation as she discovered that everyone else was engrossed in their evening meal. Determined to intercept him, just as she had done before, she knew time was of the essence.
As Gwen ascended the massive branches of a nearby tree where the Whomping Willow stood, a surge of adrenaline coursed through her veins. This vantage point would grant her an unobstructed view of the mysterious boy's actions. To ensure her invisibility, she cast the powerful disillusionment spell, enveloping herself in an ethereal veil. Nestling into her cloak, she felt the comforting warmth of the charm she had skillfully woven into its fabric.
Now, she had to bide her time.
With anticipation shimmering in her eyes, Gwen delicately retrieved her diary from her bag, its blue leather cover beckoning to her. Determined to uncover the truth that haunted her friend, she tapped her wand gently against the diary's surface. The diary opened with a soft click.
Gwen had devoted countless hours to unraveling the mystery behind his lies and the incessant appearance of fresh scars. She meticulously studied his eating patterns and sleep routines, stealthily tracking him until that fateful day. As she observed him, sleeves rolled up, her heart sank at the sight of the newly-formed, tender pink marks that marred his once flawless skin.
A gust of frigid air swept through the leafless trees, offering no respite from the cold. November had arrived, bringing plummeting temperatures, strong winds, and frequent showers.
However, Gwen found solace in the fact that other students were forced to seek refuge in the Castle when not in class, unless they wished to endure the downpour and risk falling ill.
A small figure darted from the castle grounds. A dark cloak billowed behind him as he rushed towards the Whomping Willow with urgency. Gwen narrowed her eyes, glancing from the diary to the figure. The moon, still climbing towards its zenith, cast enough light to illuminate him. He produced his wand, murmuring words that were lost in the howling wind. The once enraged Whomping Willow yielded to the spell, allowing Remus to climb into the tunnel.
It will be a long night.
Settling further into her spot, Gwen wrapped the cloak more snugly around her as she put away her diary, switching it out for the muggle novel she had brought with her. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin. One of her favorites. She hadn't found the time to read for leisure much as she spent a lot of her time studying or following around Remus.
She couldn't help it.
It wasn't a common occurrence for one to find out that one of your friends is a werewolf.
On a crisp autumn evening, the library at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was alive with the soft rustling of parchment and the muted whispers of students studying for their upcoming exams. Remus sat at a corner table, hunched over his books with a troubled expression on his face.
Unbeknownst to Remus, Gwen had known that she would find him here, hiding out after last night. Finally, with a mix of worry and determination, she mustered the courage to approach and confront him.
Taking a deep breath, Gwen walked up to Remus, tapping him on the shoulder. He jumped in surprise, fumbling with his quill, as his eyes widened in panic. Gwen could see the fear and vulnerability in his gaze. She knew that his secret was not one to be taken lightly.
"Remus," she whispered gently. "Can we talk?"
Remus looked at her with caution. He nodded and followed her to a secluded corner of the library. His hands trembled as he clenched his book tightly.
"I know," Gwen said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know about your lycanthropy."
His face paled, and his breath hitched with panic. He felt a pain deep within his chest, knowing that his carefully guarded secret was now exposed. He had always believed that he was a monster, unworthy of friendship or love.
"I-I'm sorry," Remus stammered, his voice choked with emotion. "I never meant for you to find out. I didn't want anyone to get hurt."
Gwen reached out and took Remus's trembling hands in her own, offering him a reassuring smile. "Remus, you're not a monster. You're still the same person I've come to care about. Knowing about your lycanthropy doesn't change that."
"You don't known anything!" he snapped before grabbing his things, rushing out of the library, leaving her all alone.
"Hello?" she exclaimed, snapping her book shut as she caught sight of Sirius ascending the metal spiral staircase of the Astronomy tower. "Is anyone else around? Sirius?"
"Gwen?" he called back, his voice echoing in the empty space. He reached the top of the stairs and scanned the area cautiously before his eyes met hers. "What are you doing up here all alone?"
"I needed some time to reflect, and being surrounded by the stars felt like the perfect escape. No one ever comes up here," she explained, shrugging nonchalantly as she marked her page and closed the book.
"Reflect on what? Is something troubling you? Or someone?" Sirius inquired, concern etched on his face. Gwen hesitated, unsure if she should confide in Sirius again, after he had dismissed her last time. "Or is this about Lupin?"
With a sudden jolt, her attention snapped towards him, nearly causing the book to slip from her grasp. Sirius gracefully settled into the seat beside her, his face etched with seriousness. An overwhelming desire to confide in him surged within her, fueled by the confusing encounters with Remus earlier. Despite her relentless efforts to locate him, she suspected he was taking refuge in his secluded dormitory, an inaccessible sanctuary she couldn't breach.
"I've unraveled the enigma behind Remus's peculiar behavior," she cautiously broached the subject, mindful of her choice of words.
Acknowledging and accepting Remus for who he truly was came naturally to her, but she understood that not everyone shared the same open-mindedness. Moreover, it would be unfair to Remus to betray his secret. All she could do was hope that her sincerity would shine through, persuading Remus to embrace her genuine friendship.
"His lycanthropy, huh?"
"Merlin's beard, how did you manage to figure it out?"
Sirius couldn't help but smirk. "Well, my dear, I am the one and only Sirius Black."
The girl with striking white hair rolled her eyes playfully, finding his arrogance oddly charming. "Okay, but seriously, how did you really uncover the truth?"
With a flick of his wand, he skillfully twirled it between his fingers. "Well, let's just say I thought about what you said and what I had read. The lies and inconsistencies caught my attention, and then I started keeping a close eye on him. After putting two and two together, it wasn't too difficult to notice how he conveniently disappeared yesterday, right when the full moon was about to rise, just like all the previous times."
As Gwen recounted the dramatic events that had transpired earlier, her voice filled with a mix of emotions. She had confronted Remus about his true condition, and his reaction had left her shaken. The look of fear and hurt in his eyes had pierced her heart, but she knew it was a necessary conversation.
Aware of the rampant prejudice and fear surrounding werewolves, Gwen understood why Remus had been hesitant to believe her at first. The burden she carried was heavy, not just for Remus, but for herself as well. It was a secret they shared, one that necessitated a careful balance of truth and trust. She had hoped that by opening up to Remus, they could find a way to navigate their complicated situation together.
Yet, as she poured out her heart to Sirius, he listened intently, offering her the comfort and support she desperately needed. In the dimly lit room, their words hung in the air, woven with a depth of understanding that transcended their years. The flickering candle on the table cast dancing shadows on their faces, mirroring the tumultuous emotions within.
"Jackie makes it known quite loudly every morning and night about the flag being an eyesore to our sacred house's common room."
Sirius chuckled, his wand behind his ear. "She'll have to deal with it until the end of term."
"Or until my house beats your own," she grinned. "It's only fair as my house has yet to lose a match this year."
Sirius snorted, "neither have we."
"Care to make another wager?"
The lion grinned, "what would you like if you win?"
"If my house wins," she tapped her cheek in thought before snapping her fingers. "You are to wear my tie, properly, for the first week of next term. As well you have to hang our flag in your common room."
"You're on sweetheart," he paused. "What do I get if I win?"
"If you win, you can cash it in for whatever you want."
The young heir wouldn't admit it, but the thought of having something like that pleases him. To cash in for a favor later on? Merlin's beard was a genius way to make a wager.
"You've got yourself a deal,"
Gwen began to talk about her friends, but Sirius could only watch her as she spoke. In that moment, the depth of Sirius' care and understanding was palpable. He made an unspoken promise to himself to bridge the gap between Gwen and Remus, sensing her emotional vulnerability. He knew that though his friendship with Remus had its own complexities, Gwen needed support and unity now more than ever.
But for now, they decided to shift the conversation to a lighter topic, discussing their impending exams and the upcoming winter break. The weight of their worries lifted, if only temporarily, as they laughed and exchanged stories. It was a respite from the storm that had been raging through their lives.