Remus wasn't foolish enough to believe Potter would keep his promise. Only one full moon stood between him and the end of the school year. As the date steadily approached, he used his heightened senses to monitor his roommates, ensuring that he was never followed, whether openly or from under Potter's invisibility cloak.

His careful precautions proved unnecessary. While Remus obsessed over the waxing moon, his classmates turned their attention toward the end-of-term exams. Potter was no exception. Remus caught sight of him and Pettigrew in the library more often than he ever had before, anxiously pouring over textbooks to complete assignments they should have submitted weeks ago.

Black, on the other hand, seemed to have other things on his mind. He became gloomier as the end of May approached. By the time Remus was ready to report to the hospital wing, Black's miserable appearance rivaled even his own.

"Cheer up, mate," Potter advised as he checked his Charms essay against Pettigrew's, "It's only for the summer. It won't be that bad."

"Easy for you to say," Black replied testily. "You actually like your parents."

True to his word, Black had remained at Hogwarts over their winter holiday. He hadn't been back home since notifying his parents of the results of his sorting. Remus had overheard him discussing the matter with Potter more than once. Apparently, Black came from a long line of Slytherins, and the news of a Gryffindor in the family had not been received well at all. Remus did not believe Sirius even wrote to his parents all school year. For Black, summer vacation meant returning to a home which he had grown to despise.

"Well, maybe you could come visit me this summer?" Potter suggested, finally glancing up from his essay. He had crossed out several lines in Pettigrew's paper and handed it back to him. As Pettigrew nervously began copying down the new draft, Potter continued with enthusiasm, "That's not a bad idea, is it? I could have my parents write to yours. We're purebloods, too, so it's not like they'd object…"

A warmer smile than his usual smirk suffused Black's usually cold features, and he sat up on his bed with a renewed sense of hope.

"Yeah! That might actually work. It's not like they'll want me at home all summer anyway…"

Remus quietly slipped out of their dorm while they were thus distracted. Confident that he wasn't being followed, he nevertheless had the trio in his thoughts as he made his way toward the hospital wing. Black's family problems were of particular interest. Though Remus knew that a return home would bring about further nights locked in a cellar, most of his time would be spent in the company of two parents who had done nothing but love and care for him. Cursed as he was, he could not envy Black.

His meditations were interrupted as he approached the entrance of the hospital wing. Raised voices echoed off the lofted ceiling in the hall, and he paused, struck by the angry tones.

"There's only so much I can do!" cried a high voice. This was unmistakably Madame Pomfrey. He had mistaken her tone for anger, but soon he realized she was distraught, even desperate. The voice that replied to her was more subdued. Even with his improved hearing, Remus strained to hear the words.

"... nothing anyone can do, Poppy. This isn't about…"

"You ought to go to St. Mungo's!" Madam Pomfrey continued in the same strained tone as before, "The healers there…"

"Would be no more help than you have been. We both know there's no cure…"

Remus knew who was speaking then. Professor Corvus had come to see the school matron once more.

He didn't want to be caught eavesdropping on what was obviously supposed to be a private conversation, but time was limited. They would need to leave for the Whomping Willow soon. Taking a breath to steel himself for the inevitable embarrassment, Remus quickly sidled into the room, startling the two women, who seemed to have forgotten there was anyone else in the castle except for themselves.

"Oh! Remus, it's just you… Yes, of course…" Madam Pomfrey said nervously. She patted her hair, as if afraid her argument with the professor had been vehement enough to disarrange it. Muttering something about how she would "just be a moment" she swept away without another glance.

Professor Corvus watched her go. Though her back was turned toward him, Remus could read sadness in the set of her sloping shoulders. When she turned to face him, however, a smile had been fixed steadfastly to her face.

"How are you this evening, Remus? Well enough to focus on your studies, I hope?"

"Yes, thank you," Remus replied. In truth, his symptoms were much the same as they had always been, but he was getting better about managing the side effects of his heightened sense of smell lately. At the very least, it wouldn't impact his ability to sit the final exams with the rest of his class.

Madam Pomfrey seemed to be taking longer than usual. Remus suspected she was actually taking a moment to calm himself. Seeing an opportunity, Remus asked Professor Corvus about her own condition.

"I'm well enough," she replied with a knowing smile.

Remus could tell this was a lie. If she were really well, Madam Pomfrey would not have been so frustrated. Professor Corvus was hiding the truth from him.

Proceeding carefully, Remus said, "Professor, I'm sorry, but just now… I overheard you talking and…"

She stopped him with a gesture. Indulgent toward his curiosity, just as she was when he asked questions in class, she merely stated, "It's alright, Remus. You don't need to explain. You're wondering if there's been any change with my curse, correct?"

He nodded, then said, "I just thought… Is there really no cure? No way to… to slow it down…?"

"There's no cure for a blood curse, Remus. Just as there's no cure for a werewolf bite."

Remus was silenced. He knew there was no point in arguing with the professor. This, however, was apparently what Madam Pomfrey was attempting to do when he had arrived. His glance drifted toward her office door, still firmly closed behind her.

Professor Corvus must have noticed the direction of his gaze, for she soon observed, "It's getting late. It will be best if I'm gone before Poppy returns. Best of luck tonight, Remus. I'll see you for your final exam."

Moments later, as if she had been waiting only for Professor Corvus to leave, Madame Pomfrey returned, fixing her cloak around her shoulders fastidiously. She hurried Remus along, making no mention of her heated conversation with the Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher. He couldn't help but observe that her eyes were red and puffy, though he wisely remained silent.