I apologize for the duplicated chapter. I had my files labeled incorrectly. Thank you to those who let me know about it. 3
Rosie
It was late, and sleep eluded Hermione, as it often did. She strained her ears, trying to hear the eerie howling of Moony, but the only howling she heard was the deep autumn wind.
Because she lived in the Hospital Wing, it had taken some careful finagling for Madame Pomfrey to sneak Remus into and out of the infirmary to the Whomping Willow. Unbeknownst to him, it wasn't so much to fool Hermione as it was to fool him into thinking she was none the wiser about his lycanthrope.
She looked out the window at the cloud-covered moon; her privacy curtain was pulled back just enough for her to stare through it restlessly when she lay on her side. With the boys out for the night, Sirius was unable to sneak in to see her in the middle of the night like he customarily did to distract her from darker thoughts. But, that wasn't the true root of her unease. Ever since dinner, when she made eye contact with Snape, she felt tense. Her skin crawled with a sense of paranoia at being alone in the Hospital Wing. The shadows seemed longer and the quiet pressed in on her like a physical weight against her skull, adding an exhausting pressure to the constant ache that she still couldn't shake even with the help of her pale blue potion.
As far as Hermione knew, no one from the other houses was aware that she slept in the infirmary. It was something she had to keep telling herself while she simultaneously mentally attempted to convince her taut muscles to relax. Like most days, her anxiety was a cloying specter. Some days, she could pretend it wasn't lurking in the corner of her mind, but it never let her forget.
For a few weeks, she had felt like she was in this cocoon separated from reality. Spending time sitting next to Sirius as he told her about the latest pranks they were pulling felt like a pleasant dream. Being alone, left to her pain and memories, felt like a nightmare. Neither felt real. More like foggy daydreams that she'd wake up from when she eventually blinked. When reality did break, it was unfamiliar to her. She was on a playing field to a game she didn't know. She was the interloper but was powerless to even remove herself from the situation.
With an exasperated exhale, she rolled over, trying to shake her anxiety and think of something else. Her mind wandered as it was wont to do when it was late at night and sleep was nowhere to be found, no matter how tired she actually was. Her thoughts landed on Peter; it wasn't exactly a balm for her fraying nerves, but at least it wasn't ruminating over a current threat, just a future one.
It was amazing how different her impression was of the boy version of the cowardly betrayer he was in her time. He even looked completely different, less like the rat of a man she knew before and more of a cute, sweet boy. How had one transitioned into the other?
He wasn't neglected by his friends, even if he occasionally got bowled over by the stronger personalities of Sirius and James. When it happened, he would briefly look annoyed, but she also saw how his face would light up when he was asked for help with Herbology assignments or when he said something that made his friends laugh. And while he wasn't as boyishly charming as James, soft-spoken and mysterious as Remus, or roguish and dark as Sirius that had girls eyeing him as he walked by, he was on the friendliest terms with the girls from other houses; and while he was a bit plain he was attractive enough that he could be considered cute when you got to know him.
Before she had met him, she had assumed that he was an unpopular tag-a-long to the group and had resented them for that role. She wished she had asked her Sirius or Professor Lupin more about him now. Because in hindsight, she realized that this is what made the betrayal so shocking and painful. He had been one of them, trusted and loved, and logically, he had to have been a solid part of their brotherhood. Why else would he have been even in the running as secret keeper?
So, what had changed? At what point did he start following Voldemort, and why? Was he, even now, being swayed? Is there someone with a silver tongue whispering in his ear?
She didn't know how to approach it. How was she supposed to figure out where everything went wrong with him? And how did she prevent it? Could she prevent it? She wanted to. The more she got to know him, the more it broke her heart to think of his eventual descent.
Hermione eventually fell asleep with these thoughts on her mind. Her dreams, as usual, weren't pretty. When she tried to recall it later she would remember the feeling of being trapped inside her own body, groping hands, giant chess boards, peals of laughter, and fire licking every nerve ending in her body.
When she did wake up, it was to shooting pains that started spreading down her arms and legs. Gritting her teeth, she cursed herself for forgetting that Sirius wasn't going to come and bring her potions. Madame Pomfrey definitely knew about her overnight nurse, but she didn't know about his monthly habit that would get in the way. Madame Pomfrey of her time knew about Sirius' illegal animagus form, but it was silly of Hermione to assume that she would have known now.
Glancing out the window with a grimace as the dim light from the early sunrise stung her eyes, and increased the developing headache between her temples and at the base of her skull. Closing her eyes, she debated with herself if it was worth it to take her missed potions now, or wait and suffer until her morning doses so she doesn't completely throw off her schedule.
She decided to bear with it. The tremors that had started in her leaden legs and suddenly blurry, tilting vision, made the decision for her. Getting up wasn't really an option, and she didn't trust her wand skills at the moment to summon the phials. So, she closed her eyes in an attempt to breathe through the pain and vertigo.
The sunlight grew brighter behind her eyelids, and her headache grew proportionally to the light. She dare not open her eyes. Perhaps she dozed off, or perhaps she was distracted by her discomfort, but either way, she didn't hear the footsteps approaching her bed until she felt a warm hand on her forehead, making her jerk a little in surprise.
Opening an eye with a hiss, she looked up at the worried face of Poppy Pomfrey.
"How are you feeling?" She asked, waving the privacy curtain fully closed, defusing the light only a bit.
"Not good," Hermione croaked. Her throat was shockingly raw as she tried to talk.
Pomfrey tutted to herself and looked a little stressed as she summoned a pot of tea and a jar of honey. "Here, drink this," she commanded, pouring a mug of tea and adding a generous amount of honey. She helped Hermione sit up, supporting her as she worked past a spell of lightheadedness.
Taking the mug, she tried to inhale but found her airways blocked up, making her cough. Taking a sip, she was surprised to taste peppermint, eucalyptus, ginger, lemon, and a sharp tangy flavor she couldn't recognize. The sweetness from the honey seemed to soothe down her throat, and the menthol from the herbs seemed to help open up her lungs and drew out of some tension she didn't know she was holding in the back of her neck and head.
A piece of buttered toast appeared under her nose. Hermione looked up into the matron's expectant face and immediately knew not to say anything. She ate the toast under her hawk-eyed healer and took the uncapped potion phails that were passed her way without a word even as she was given more than usual.
Hermione was in the middle of swallowing a mouthful of a foul pink potion when Sirius came crashing through the Hospital Wing doors panting. He looked exhausted with dark shadows under his eyes and pale skin. His hair fell across his face in haphazard, tangled waves.
Rushing up to her, he grabbed her hand and looked her over. "Hermione! I'm so sorry, I wasn't thinking," he blurted out. "Are you okay?"
Hermione didn't get a chance to open her mouth as Madame Pomfrey began scolding Sirius. "Sirius Black! I thought we had an understanding?"
Sirius looked up at her like a deer in the headlights. "Um…"
"I see no reason to tolerate your blatant disregard for curfew if you can't even be useful," she folded her arms under her chest and looked at him sternly down her nose.
"Please, Madame Pomfrey," Hermione croaked, beginning to feel panicked. What if she stopped Sirius from coming to see her? She feared the isolation. "It's not that big of a deal." She immediately regretted saying anything when the woman rounded on her.
"No big deal? Your immune system and nervous system are hanging on by a thread! You only missed one dose of your potions and you came down with a cold, and I can see how you squint at me, and how your arms and hands shake. It's very much a big deal, young lady!" Madame Pomfrey's voice was reproved and her glare was icy.
The scathing look the nurse gave her had Hermione recoiling. Ducking her chin she looked up at the matron cautiously. But, Pomfrey didn't seem interested in continuing on with her as she rounded back on to Sirius.
"You better have an excellent excuse as to why you missed last night or I'm banning you from the infirmary and letting Minerva know that you've been sneaking out of your dormitory after curfew," she demanded with an arched eyebrow.
Sirius' hand involuntarily tightened on Hermione's as alarm and guilt warred on his face. She looked at him and watched as he struggled to come up with an adequate excuse. His pulse hammered against her hand and squeezed his hand in an attempt to calm him down.
"I accidentally fell asleep and didn't wake until this morning," he said sheepishly.
The lie was flimsy, and they all knew it. Madame Pomfrey eyed his pale skin, and fatigue shadowed face with a look that was deeply unimpressed.
"You may leave Mr. Black," she said, disappointment evident in her voice and face as she went back to tending to Hermione, who sat stunned at the events.
"No, wait! Please," Sirius interjected pleasingly. His eyes were wide. With a glance at Hermione who looked up at him nervously, he squared his shoulders. He directed his gaze at an expectant Pomfrey, and spoke with the false bravado of a teen who was admitting a wrong-doing they knew would get them into trouble but didn't feel guilty over. "I was out. With Remus."
"You were out, on the night of the full moon, with Mr. Lupin?" She said skeptically.
"Er…yeah," he answered, uncomfortably.
"And how is it that you are standing here with me, looking only a little fatigued if you were out with Mr. Lupin last night," she egged him on with that faux patience that only a grown woman could manage.
Hermione's heart was pounding in her ears. Madame Pomfrey knew a lot, knew that Hermione knew about Remus, that he was from a war-torn future, but the older woman didn't know details. The nurse had never asked to know more, and Hermione hadn't offered up much. Not that she didn't trust Pomfrey, just some secrets that were still secrets at this time and she didn't want to betray those she had begun to get close to.
"The truth is…" Sirius began, stopped, and then swallowed. His hand was sweaty in Hermione's. The nerves about divulging his biggest secret to an authority was so obvious that Hermione was reminded just how young this Sirius was. "I, um, I'm an animagus."
There was silence. Sirius looked down at his feet and Hermione held her breath as she stared up at Madame Pomfrey, who just watched Sirius with a stern look on her face.
"What kind of animagus?" She asked with an unreadable voice.
"Uh…A black dog," he answered, a little confused.
A moment passed, then Madame Pomfrey barked out a laugh, making both Sirius and Hermione flinch
"Minerva owes me 15 galleons." She patted Sirius's shoulder in an affable gesture.
Sirius and Hermione looked at each other stunned. The 180° change in demeanor from the witch had them reeling.
"Wait. You knew?!" He asked indignantly.
"Of course we suspected," she said, her face unusually bright as her laughter redoubled at the look on his face. "Oh, don't be so surprised Sirius. Did you think we wouldn't notice that Remus was coming back with markedly less injuries than before? Or that you and your friends were always extra fatigued after a full moon? Not to mention the multiple attempts to keep mandrake leaves in your mouths? Did you really think no one noticed? Especially me or Minerva, who –might I remind you – intimately knows the process of becoming an animagus herself!"
"Are you going to turn me in?" He asked, anxiously.
"No, I think it's quite brave and noble of you to do that for your friend. Stupid and imprudent, as well. Worth a good scolding, sure, but not worth risking your wand being snapped over," she shrugged. "Besides, war is brewing, as you both know. It's not a bad skill to have in your pocket, unbeknownst to the ministry of anyone else who could look into the registry."
It was surprisingly practical and sly coming from someone who, Hermione assumed, would be concerned with following propriety. But, thinking back, Pomfrey never seemed to care why someone ended up in her care, just that they were. The only time she seemed to care was when it pertained to altercations between students.
"Now, how far have you gotten in the book I gave you?" She asked, ignoring the dumbstruck look on Sirius' face.
He swallowed. "Cell structure and basic chemistry."
The rest of the morning was spent with Madame Pomfrey quizzing Sirius and teaching basic infirmary chores and procedures.
Sirius was in a daze. His most closely held secret wasn't as secret as he thought, and seeing Hermione that weak and ill from one missed dose of her medicine opened his eyes to how tenuous her condition really was. He was grateful that Madame Pomfrey didn't ask him about James and Peter. He assumed she knew anyway, but it felt like less of a betrayal. It also made him realize that they needed to step up their stealth skills.
He looked up from a worksheet on chemical organization that Madame Pomfrey had made up for him, and glanced at Hermione's sleeping form. She didn't stay awake very long. She watched as he was quizzed, and taught how to take temperature, and how to cast a diagnostic spell, but as soon as Pomfrey let him sit next to her and spend the rest of the morning reading his anatomy textbook she fell asleep.
She lay on her side, facing him. Her hair spilled all around her head and shoulders. The curls – as tight as his thumb – were illuminated by the cascading sunlight through the tall windows. Sirius studied her for a bit, taking in her pale skin, and thin frame. She was definitely healthier than when he first met her, but when he compared her to the Hermione in the memories she had shared – the one who was rosy cheeked, full figured, and healthy – she was obviously still emaciated and sickly. He wanted to see a Hermione who was strong and vivacious and ready to tackle any problem that came her way.
He reached over and carded his fingers in the curls along her temple. He found her effortlessly beautiful, even in this diminished state. He saw nothing but that which was admirable. Every pain, every struggle that marked her, told the story of her bravery, loyalty, and how she would risk everything for a brighter future.
She sighed against the warmth of his hand, turning her face into his palm, trying to catch the comforting heat. It made him smile. He hoped he was a strength to her. He had never had many goals. No passions or overwhelming purpose for his life before she had dropped out of time into it. When he was around her, something lit up inside of him. Now there was some great impetus that drove him forward. Now, all he wanted was to protect her; he wanted to protect her future as she fought for theirs. Then, maybe, once the future was saved…
He heard the doors to the infirmary open and shuffling feet making their way in. Madame Pomfrey appeared from her side office and addressed the newcomers making Sirius' insides to leaden.
"Oh dear. Regulus, what happened?" She asked, her voice sympathetic.
"Quidditch practice," Regulus answered, his voice gritty from pain. "Didn't get out of the way of a bludger in time."
Pomfrey tutted as she led him to a bed nearby.
Sirius' heart was pounding in his throat. The resolution to talk to his brother, to try and reconcile their relationship, and hopefully save him from the tragic and lonely path that awaited him, suddenly weighed down on him. He wasn't prepared for this. He had thought he would have to seek his little brother out, not that the opportunity would come to slap him in the face.
"Sirius," the nurse called from his brother's bedside. "Come here."
He swallowed and took a deep breath, trying to get rid of his nerves. After combing Hermione's hair back one last time and readjusting her blanket back up over her shoulder, he stood up and emerged from the safety of being contained in her cocoon.
His eyes immediately locked with Regulus'. The surprise on his brother's face was still present for a moment before a sour look crossed it and he shifted his eyes away, focusing on something behind him. Sirius closed the curtain when he realized the focus of his brother's gaze. He walked over to where they sat, attempting to seem unbothered by the turn of events the morning had taken. He got a look at Regulus and noticed his forearm was bent at an odd angle.
"Sirius dear, I'm going to show you how to perform a numbing spell and how to set a break. Okay?" Pomfrey informed him, unbothered by the odd tension between the two boys.
"Yes, Ma'am," Sirius said, ignoring the questioning look on his brother's face.
He watched the whole procedure, even successfully suppressed his flinch when she snapped his bones back into alignment.
"I'm going to splint it and put it into a sling before we give him skele-gro," she explained. She summoned a splint and gauze silently.
"Why do we need to splint it before the skele-gro?" Sirius asked, he stood behind her watching her very closely.
"We need to make sure the bones are lined up properly and not moving around before we speed up the healing process. If the bones shift at all today or overnight after we give him the potion then we risk it healing together incorrectly, and the only way to fix that would be to re-break it and start over," she explained. Sirius nodded as he followed what she was telling him.
"How long would it take for the bones to heal if we didn't use a potion?" Sirius asked curiously as he leaned over to watch her attach the splint carefully. There were two pieces of wood that she lined up on either side of Regulus's arm that had three attached straps that wrapped around the arm and could be tightened down.
"A compound fracture like this on the arm, around six to eight weeks. Maybe nine depending on the individual. Blood clots around the break to protect it and then nutrients and mineral like calcium are transported to the break to be used to form a fibrocartilaginous callus – you'll be learning about tissues after you finish on chemistry and cells – then it forms a bony callus, then, finally, it goes through the remodeling phase which will add compact bone to fully heal the break," she explained, not taking her eyes off of where she was wrapping the gauze. "Muggles typically use a cast, made of cotton and plaster, to sort of permanently splint a break until they cut it off when it's fully healed."
Sirius continues to ignore his brother's perplexed glare as he thought through Madame Pomfrey's explanation. There were many concepts he didn't understand in her explanation, but he thought he grasped enough. Learning about how chemicals worked and cells gave him enough to understand that the body was a hugely complex and meticulous machine to a microscopic level. Chemical transport was mind-boggling when he first read about it, which had made Hermione laugh. She told him that learning basic chemistry and biology were the standard in muggle education, which made him desire to fill in the gaps in his education.
"Sirius, can you run back to the storage closet and get the skele-gro? It should be easy to spot."
"Yes, Ma'am," he answered and jogged back to retrieve the potion. She was right about it being easy to find. It was in a gaudy bottle with the top half being a small model of a skeleton with the cap being the skull.
Sirius watched her administrator the potion to his brother, shuddering in sympathy he watched him drink the foul liquid.
"Regulus, you're going to stay here for the rest of the day until tomorrow morning. It should be healed up in time for you to get to class in time. But, it's going to be pretty unpleasant until then," she explained to the younger boy. She then turned to Sirius. "Are you going to be here for a few more hours?"
"I was planning on it," Sirius answered, honestly even though part of him wanted to run away back to the safety of Gryffindor tower and avoid confronting his brother. The other part of him knew he needed to try and reconcile with Regulus, and if reconciliation wasn't possible, he needed to stay and guard Hermione from him.
"Good. You can make a lunch run at noon and administer the next rounds of potions," Madame Pomfrey said. "You already know the doses Hermione takes, just make sure she also takes an extra dose of pepper-up potion than usual, half a dose more of the pain potion. I also decided to supplement her immune system with a vitamix potion. Also make sure she is drinking more fluid, at least one to two cups of herbal tea an hour when she wakes. I have mixed that mixed in a jar over on my desk. Have her take it along with some honey. When she next wakes up you can also check her bandages, they might need changing. Regulus will need a second dose of Skele-gro after eating. Fill the cap to half full. There's a line that marks how much to administer. Just remember to sanitize it after he takes it, " Madame Pomfrey babbled off instructions and Sirius nodded along, making mental notes. "I have to go to see Slughorn about restocking my shrinking solution, so I'll leave these two in your care for now. If anything happens, find me in the dungeons."
"Yes, Madame Pomfrey," he answered dutifully.
He watched her out before turning to his brother again, who was watching him with a scrutinizing look. The air was uncomfortable between them as they assessed each other.
"Are you in detention again?" Regulus asked dryly, his eyebrow arched in a way that reminded Sirius uncomfortably of his mother. Regulus had inherited the more delicate features of Walburga Black. They had the same arched black eyebrows, oval-shaped face, and upturned, almond shaped eyes.
"No," Sirius answered, fighting back a scowl at the immediate deduction that he was in the middle of being disciplined. "Madame Pomfrey is my mentor. I'm learning healing from her."
The other eyebrow followed the first as Regulus' surprised expression became incredulous.
"That's certainly a surprise," he huffed out a derisive laugh. "It's not nearly controversial enough to make mother mad. She might even be pleased. Doesn't that go against all of your principles?"
This made Sirius frown and fall into the visitor's seat next to his brother's. "Not everything I do in life is to piss that woman off."
Regulus scoffed and tossed his head to look out the window away from Sirius. "Could have fooled me," he mumbled low enough that Sirius wasn't sure if it was for him to hear.
Sirius sighed, and looked down at the skele-gro bottle. This was going to be hard.
"You know, I'm sorry. For leaving you, I mean," said Sirius, awkwardly. He continued to stare at the bottle, not ready to look at his brother. "I don't know if it makes any difference at this point, but I will always regret leaving you behind. You were the only thing in that house that I loved." He looked up at Regulus. The sunlight outlined his brother's grecian nose and the noble brow ridge that was a trademark of their family, as he continued to look out the window.
The younger boy didn't respond right away. Regulus turned to look at Sirius, his silver eyes a shade darker than the elder, and searched Sirius' for a moment. With a heavy sigh he looked away, his eyes drawn to the curtain hiding Hermione.
"I don't want to discuss it right now," Regulus said, tonelessly. "Not while my wand arm is out of commission."
Sirius huffed out a laugh and shook his head. "Already planning on what hexes I deserve?"
"You think I don't already have hexes planned out?" Regulus responded, his voice still flat but his face softened somewhat, letting Sirius know that he was going along with the joke for now. It lifted Sirius' spirits. Perhaps it wasn't too late for them.
"Who's the girl?" Regulus shifted the subject.
Sirius tried to stop the tension that shot through his body. Regulus might not be a lost cause yet, but that didn't mean that he was trustworthy. The boy was passive and obedient towards their parents. While Sirius knew that Regulus didn't necessarily agree with all of the Black family values, he was compliant towards them.
"Transfer student," Sirius answered simply.
Regulus raised his eyebrow. Inwardly Sirius cringed, knowing that the cover story Dumbledore had created was only just believable, but was highly questionable. Hogwarts didn't have a history of taking in transfers. In the nearly nine hundred years since its founding there were only a few cases; they were rare and usually only the most extreme circumstances led to the admittance of a transfer.
"I figured that out, since I've only just started seeing her around. I mean, who is she? What's her name?" Regulus rolled his eyes at Sirius. There was a particular glint in his eyes that Sirius didn't quite like; something a tad too curious.
"Her name is Hermione Granger," Sirius answered, somewhat begrudgingly. Being too cagey would be even more suspicious. Nothing was more dubious than someone who couldn't even share their name.
"I'm not familiar with that family, unless there's a relation to the Dagworth-Grangers?" Regulus probed. He leaned against the pillows on his bed, relaxing into a comfortable slouch that he had always adopted when their parents weren't there to scold him.
"No relation," Sirius answered. Although he wasn't entirely sure that was the case.
"Hm…" Regulus hummed his acknowledgement.
Sirius could practically see the wheels turning in his brother's head. Regulus might not be a Death Eater yet, and might never become a truly dedicated follower of Voldemort, but that didn't mean he wouldn't pass along information he found to people who were. It didn't help that Regulus wasn't a fool. Sirius could tell that he had already made several logical deductions about Hermione.
Blood pounded in his ears. This is what Dumbledore wanted. He wanted people to notice the oddities and question Hermione's origins. At some point, someone would become curious enough to take action. There was no guarantee that it would be a Death Eater. The approach of those that got curious would likely be a factor in discerning allegiances.
Icy fingers seemed to wrap around Sirius' chest at the thought of someone waiting to ambush Hermione and trying to make her talk. The memory of her laying on the floor with his cousin bending over her surfaced in his mind. He had to clench his hands to stop the fine trembling that was threatening to take over his limbs.
Regulus eyed him for a moment and opened his mouth to ask another question when the Hospital Wing doors opened and admitted three fatigued figures.
James, Remus and Peter, all tiptoed into the room. They looked like they hadn't slept in a week, not like they had missed only one night, but spending the night chasing around a teenage werewolf was more exhausting than the average all-nighter. Remus, predictably, looked the worst.
"Hey!" James whisper-yelled, as they approached the brothers. His smile was wide even as he glanced at Regulus before returning his gaze to Sirius. "We couldn't sleep. Figured we would come hang out with you and Hermione before getting lunch."
"Hi, Reggie," greeted Peter with his typically friendly smile. Though Sirius could pick out the slightly uncomfortable edge to his expression.
"Pettigrew. Potter," Regulus greeted with a shallow nod. His eyes shifted to Remus, who hung back slightly, and sniffed. "Lupin," he tacked on.
The back of Sirius' neck broke out into goosebumps. How much had Regulus deduced? Or had Snape gone blabbing his fat mouth in the Slytherin common room before being sworn to secrecy? Or was Regulus simply being critical about the shabby state Remus was in. The Black family was rather stuck up about appearances.
"Where's Hermione?" asked Peter, glancing around like she was going to walk out of the back room.
"Sleeping," answered Sirius, tilting his head back towards her enclosed bed. "She caught a cold yesterday."
The three boys simultaneously frowned.
"She seemed okay yesterday though," said James, looking worriedly towards the curtain hiding the curly haired witch.
"She missed a round of potions last night," Sirius said, fighting a guilty cringe, but not missing that Remus couldn't suppress his. "She's probably also just a little worn out. First week of school and all that," he added, trying to wave away the sad look on his friend's face.
"Should we go?" asked Remus, his voice was worn. The skin on his face was sallow from the ordeal of transforming. It said a lot that he wasn't sleeping and had come down from the dorm to see Hermione. Sirius wondered if he could get away with giving Remus something.
"Nah," He waved away the notion. "I bet Hermione would like to see you guys when she wakes up. I'll have to make a food run in a bit for these two." He gestured between Regulus and Hermione's curtain. "One or two of you can come with, and help me and we can all eat together."
"Awesome," smiled James, looking enthusiastic to just sit around and hang out. He plopped down on the end of Regulus' bed. "Quidditch accident?" he asked the younger Black, motioning to the splinted and slung arm.
"No, whatever gave you that idea," answered Regulus with dry sarcasm. He was still wearing his training robes.
Sirius barked out a laugh while the other three also showed signs of amusement.
Remus finally fell into a chair, relaxing against it once the atmosphere showed that his presence wasn't causing any more friction.
"Oi, Moony," Sirius addressed his friend. "You doing okay?"
"Tired," he answered briefly. He rested an arm over his eyes as he slouched farther into his seat.
"He ran out of chocolate," Peter announced to the group which had James and Sirius bursting with laughter. Peter grinned.
"That won't do," lamented Sirius. "We'll have to get you a new stash. Need any tampons while we're at it?"
Remus blindly chucked a water cup at Sirius' head, not even dignifying him with a response.
"Lucky for us Hogsmeade weekend is in a week. We can visit Honeydukes legally," James intoned, patting Remus' knee patronizingly.
"When are you going to ask Evans out?" asked Regulus. "I'd like to know so I can be as far from the disaster zone as possible."
James' face colored a bright cherry red and Sirius could almost see steam coming from his ears as they all fell apart laughing at his expense. Regulus just watched with a sly smirk.