hey i hope you are well. the marauders reaction to finding out hat remus is a werewolf and their jokes about him being grumpy before the full moon. please.
âHey, have you ever noticed how often Remus goes to visit home?â Sirius asked James and Peter out of the blue, closing his book and putting it away rather than pretending as though he were actually going to do his homework.
âYeah,â James answered unconcerned, looking at his quill, hoping that it would just write his essay for him so that he didnât have to, âHis momâs sick. So, he got special permission to go back and visit her once a month or something.â
âI thought it was his grandma that was sick,â Peter corrected.
âNo,â James answered definitively, âIt was definitely his mom.â
âRight,â Sirius answered slowly, âIt was his mom this month. But last month was his grandma. And the month before was his aunt.â
âSo, his family has a lot of health issues,â James answered with shrug, his eyes still focused on the blank sheet of parchment sitting on the desk in front of him, âSome families are like that. Plus, he looks a little sickly too, sometimes. Maybe itâs something that runs in the family.â
Peter looked up startled, glancing in between his two friends, âDo you think Remus is okay?â
When both boys shrugged, Peter continued, âDo you think itâs contagious?â
Sirius rolled his eyes, âMost diseases donât work like that.â
âBesides,â James added, âthey wouldnât let him come to school if they thought he would infect the other students.â
Peter relaxed in his seat. âGood point,â he conceded, turning back to his own homework.
âBut, thatâs whatâs weird,â Sirius tapped his fingers against his knee, âI couldâve sworn he told me he didnât have any aunts and Iâm pretty sure his grandma has died at least three times now.â
James finally looked up from his paper and looked at Sirius, âYou probably misheard him.â
âI know I didnât,â Sirius answered confidently, âI think heâs lying to us about where heâs been going.â
âBut, where would he be going?â Peter asked, abandoning his homework as well.
James shrugged, âI donât know if it matters. Maybe thereâs something that heâs not ready to tell us yet.â
âBut why wouldnât he tell us?â Sirius implored, furrowing his eyebrow, âweâre his friends.â
âWeâve only been friends for a year,â James reminded Sirius, âIâm sure heâll let us in on his secret in time.â
Sirius clicked his tongue a few times before nodding in agreement.
James turned back to his work, ignoring Peterâs sighs as he pulled out his homework as well, muttering under his breath how none of this made sense.
Sirius simply looked out the window, staring at the bright full moon lighting the sky as he thought about his friend.
--
âYou okay, Remus?â James asked, looking at his friendâs hunched shoulders.
Remus was sitting on his bed, head bent down towards his chest as he took shallow breaths.
âI donât â feel so good,â he answered.
âYou donât look good either,â James agreed, grabbing the chair from his desk and dragging it over so he could sit next to Remus.
âYou need something?â James asked.
âI think I need to see Madame Pomfrey,â he answered slowly.
He stumbled slightly as he stood up off of his bed, shooting James a grateful look when he reached out to help stable him.
âCome on,â James said, throwing his friendâs arm around his shoulders, âIâll help you down there.â
--
âWhereâs Remus?â Sirius asked as they sat down for class.
âI believe he went home to visit his mom whose unwell,â their Professor replied, overhearing Siriusâ question.
James learned forward and whispered, âActually, I took him to the Hospital Wing earlier this morning. He wasnât feeling well.â
âThatâs weird,â Sirius answered, looking back at their professor who was writing instructions on the chalkboard, âUsually Madame Pomfrey is good about notifying teachers.â
Sirius had a hard time paying attention in class that day.
--
âHe wasnât there,â Sirius told the other two, âI checked. Madame Pomfrey said he was visiting his grandma.â
âWhy would she lie?â Peter asked confused.
Sirius scratched the back of his neck, âI have one theory.â
James and Peter looked at each other before turning back to Sirius expectantly.
Sirius pointed at the window of their dorm room.
âWindow?â Peter guessed, âGlass?â
James took a step forward and looked out the window to see the night sky.
âThe moon?â James asked slowly.
âFull moon,â Sirius answered.
James turned to his friend, his lips thin as he pressed them tightly together, deep in thought.
âThatâs a serious accusation to make,â he finally spoke.
Sirius flinched slightly, âI wouldnât make it if I didnât think I was right.â
James folded his arms, a permanent frown on his face as he waited for Sirius to present his case.
Sirius jogged over to his nightstand and pulled out a journal, tossing it to James who caught it with ease.
âWhat is it?â Peter asked confused, âWhat does the moon have to do with anything?â
The boys ignored him as James opened the journal to reveal a list of dates Remus went out-of-town. Everyone of them coincided with the full moon.
âItâs not just that,â Sirius assured James, bending forward to turn the page for him, âIâve noticed other signs too.â
James looked down the list, seeing symptoms like: prone to anger before the full moon, bouts of exhaustion after the full moon, likes rare meats, and feeling ill before and after the full moon.
Underneath the list, Sirius had written the word werewolf? and underlined it three times.
Peter glanced over James shoulder and gasped, âWerewolf? You think heâs a werewolf?â
Sirius shushed him, despite they were the only three people in their dorm room, fearing that someone may hear Peterâs shouting if they walked by at precisely the wrong moment.
âWh-what do we do?â Peter asked wide-eyed, looking in between the two, âDo we tell someone?â
âIf the teachers are lying for him too, they probably already know,â Sirius answered thoughtfully.
Peter scowled, âThatâs not right. They canât let his kind in the school.â
James immediately turned on Peter, fury raging behind his eyes, âWhy not.â
Peter blinked once, his scowl lightening softly as he insisted, âItâs dangerous. What if he attacks someoneâs pet?â
Sirius interjected, âActually, I read that werewolves wonât harm other animals. Itâs just people that they attack.â
âThatâs even worse!â Peter exclaimed, throwing his hands up into the air, âWhat if he bites someone? Heâs a monster, he shouldnât have been allowed in the school.â
âShut up,â James growled, âI donât ever want to hear you talk about Remus that way again. He is our friend.â
âBut,â Peter startled, unsure how to handle Jamesâ anger directed towards him, âBut heâs a werewolf.â
âHeâs allegedly a werewolf,â James reminded it, âAnd if we find out itâs true, it wonât matter. Remus has been nothing but kind and loyal and funny. We may have only just met him last year, but heâs one of my best mates.â
âBut,â Peter started, but James cut him off.
âWhat about you?â He asked, turning towards Sirius who was watching the two with his mouth agape, âYou got a problem with this too?â
Sirius shrugged, slightly embarrassed, âI mean, thereâs precedent to what Peterâs saying.â
James shook his head in disappointment, âNo, there isnât. This is Remus weâre talking about here, mates. The guy who helped me study Quidditch moves before I went to try-outs and then waited there for them to finish to support me. This is the guy who stays up late to help you both with your homework, trying to make sure you actually understand the material so you can get a good grade in our exams. This is the guy who reminds us not to take our pranks too far, as he doesnât want to see anyone get seriously injured.â
James took a couple of deep breaths, attempting to calm himself down before he continued, âWhen we first met Remus, you were the one to see how funny he was, Sirius. And Peter, if it wasnât for Remus standing up for you, telling us that you were cool, we may not be the friend group we are today.â
Both boys looked down at their feet, shuffling nervously.
James looked in between the two of them, scoffing when neither of them spoke.
âThis changes nothing. And if you think it does, maybe youâre not the friends I was hoping you would be.â
He turned and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him, leaving the two boys staring back after him in stunned silence.
--
Several hours had passed before James finally convinced himself to go back to the dorm. He knew both Peter and Sirius were just reflecting the prejudiced views of their society, but he couldnât help but be disappointed in them.
His own parents had taught him to always judge people by their character, rather than their status (whether it be blood, or in this case condition).
When he entered back into the dorm, both Peter and Sirius were sitting there waiting for him, sheepish smiles on their faces.
âWe talked about it, after you left,â Sirius started, âand youâre right. Remus is the kindest of the four of us, and while he may not be quite â himself â once a month, heâs still our friend.â
James nodded once in approval, âGood. Glad to see youâre both starting to come to your senses.â
Peter cleared his throat, shooting James an apologetic look, âWeâre sorry for the way we reacted.â
James shrugged, already ready to let it slide as he scooted back into his bed, ready to fall asleep.
Realizing this was their silent dismissal, both boys sighed and followed James in returning to their own beds.
--
They were walking out of the Transfiguration class the next day when James got the idea.
âMcGonagallâs a cat.â
Peter looked at James confused, âNo, sheâs a human.â
âA human who can turn into a cat,â James reminded him.
âSo?â Sirius asked, looking just as confused as Peter.
James looked around, making sure no one within their vicinity was listening in on their conversation and whispered, âWerewolves donât harm animals.â
âNo,â Sirius answered, taking a moment before he realized what James was suggesting.
A big smile crept onto his face, âYouâre bloody brilliant.â
âWhat?â Peter asked, having no clue what the other two were talking about.
âI impress even myself sometimes,â James answered boldly.
âWhat are you talking about?â Peter asked again.
âDo you think itâs difficult?â Sirius asked, pausing in his step as he looked down the hall to where the library was.
âWhatâs difficult?â Peter interjected.
âProbably,â James answered honestly, joining Sirius in changing their direction towards the library, âbut I donât see why we couldnât.â
âWhy we couldnât what?â Peter whined, following behind the two.
The boys ignored Peter as they walked into the library, searching the shelves for twenty minutes before Sirius found what they were looking for.
He opened the book to the right page and pointed at it for Peter.
Peter mouthed the words animagus, his eyes widening with every word he read about itâs description and process to become one.
âThis looks impossible,â Peter answered dejectedly.
âNot your standard run of the mill transfiguration, sure,â James admitted, âBut I think we can do it.â
Sirius smiled bright, sticking out his hand, âFor Remus?â
James immediately placed his own hand on top of Siriusâ, âFor Remus.â
They both turned to look at Peter who was chewing his bottom lip nervously, looking back and forth in between the book and his friendâs outstretched hands. Finally, he took a breath, sucking in as much courage as he could find and placed his hand on top of theirs.
âFor Remus.â
--
Remus hated his transformations. The days prior he had a hard time controlling his annoyance at the other boys in his dorm, while the days after he struggled to hide from them how exhausted he felt. He never thought heâd have friends, and to now have three was a dream come true.
He didnât want to do anything that might jeopardize that friendship.
He paused in front of their roomâs door, taking a deep breath as he reminded himself to act normal. He hated not being normal.
When he opened the door, he was immediately met with his three friends, sitting on their beds as they stared at him.
Remus closed the door behind him, feeling a little uncomfortable at their piercing stares.
âHey,â Remus started slowly, not feeling prepared in the slightest for this strange situation, âWhatâs up?â
âWe know,â Sirius informed him.
Remusâ heart dropped.
âKnow what?â he asked, desperately hoping against all odds that they didnât know.
Perhaps they were talking about something else, something that he wasnât thinking.
Sirius shattered his hope, âWe know youâre a werewolf.â
Remus felt his world crashing down around him. While heâd only had friends for a year, itâd been one of the best years of his life. He would look back fondly at this time and cherish the memories forever.
âI understand,â Remus answered, working to keep his voice steady so they didnât hear the devastation creep through, âIâll pack my things.â
The other three boys shared a look.
âPack your things?â Sirius repeated.
âWhy?â James immediately interjected.
Remus looked back at the other three confused, âSo I can move out. I know you donât want to live in a room with someone like me.â
Peter shifted slightly in his seat on his bed while James spoke up, âYouâre not moving out.â
Remus blinked slowly, unsure what he was hearing, âIâm sorry, what?â
âYouâre not moving out,â James repeated, gesturing to himself and the others, âWe talked about it and we decided we didnât care.â
âYou donât â â Remus looked around, taking a steps towards the side so he could lean against a side desk for support while he stared at the others in disbelief, â â you donât care?â
âNope,â James answered, popping the âpâ at the end of the word as a great big smile grew on his face.
âBut,â Remus was grateful he moved to the desk for support as he was sure his legs would have given in by now otherwise, âIâm a monster.â
Peter and Sirius both flinched slightly while James narrowed his eyes.
âYou are not a monster,â he growled, âYou are our friend. And we like you no matter what â â he paused, snapping his fingers together as he tried to think of the right phrase, â â furry little problem you may have.â
Remus choked on his own spit, âFurry little problem?â
James shrugged, looked pleased with himself.
Remus could barely believe. Was it true? Did they actually really not care?
He immediately turned to Sirius and Peter, asking for a confirmation, âWhat about you too?â
âYouâre a good friend,â Sirius answered back honestly, âItâd be a shame to let prejudices get in the way of that.â
Remusâ heart skipped a beat as he realized that they werenât lying.
Peter spoke up, nervously wringing his hands together, âYou gave me a chance when no one else would.â He paused, remembering back in their first year when Remus convinced James and Sirius to give Peter a chance to be their friend, âItâs our turn now to do the same.â
Remus felt tears pool in the corners of his eyes as he sat down on the ground.
James jumped off his bed to join him with Peter and Sirius not too far behind.
âWeâre with you,â James assured him, âevery step of the way.â
âLiterally,â Sirius added, handing Remus a book he was holding that he hadnât noticed before.
Remus took the book, his hands shaking as he read the title of the entry.
It didnât take long before he understood what they were implying.
He couldnât hold back the tears that poured from his eyes, too exhausted from the brutal transformation just the night before.
He had thought he was walking into his worst nightmare, but instead discovered this was a dream come true.
He had no clue how he had gotten so lucky to have such wonderful friends, but he planned on doing whatever it took to keep them close.
--
BONUS:
âMan are you grumpy before a full moon.â
âYeah, well you would be too if youâre body tore itself to pieces month after month,â Remus grumbled, grabbing the cup of coffee Sirius was holding out for him.
âBe careful there, buddy. You don't want to burn your throat by wolfing it down too quickly.â
There was a beat of silence.
âGet it?â Sirius promoted, âwolfing it down? Cause you're a wolf?â
âYes, I get it,â Remus answered hastily, slapping at Siriusâ hands to try and remind him not to say the word out loud.
They may be alone in their dormitory, but he shuddered at the thought of someone else in the school finding it his secret by accident.
James and Peter both walked in through the door, arms full of pastries and fruit from breakfast.
âBreakfast is served,â James announced as he dropped all the food onto his bed, motioning for Remus to come and get some.
âFinally,â Remus muttered as his stomach growled aggressively.
Sirius tapped James on the shoulder to get his attention, âI told him to be careful not to wolf his food down.â
James let out a loud laugh, giving his best friend a high five, âyou always leave me howling with laughter.â
âOooh!â Sirius answered excitedly, returning with another high five.
âHa ha,â Remus spoke with no emotion, grabbing the food he wanted and carried it over to his desk, âvery original.â
âDon't mind him,â Sirius reassured James and Peter, failing to keep his smile off of his face, âRemus isn't a fan of Moondays.â
Remus sighed, trying to ignore his friends laughter and wishes silently that it was any other day than Monday.
He took a bite of a muffin and calmly reminded himself his friends weren't usually this annoying.
âI'm aware that you all think you're funny, but I'm here to reassure you, you're not,â Remus nodded definitively, satisfied that he'd had the last word.
That was until James's eyes sparkled with glee.
âYou're a-were?â
It was a brief moment before the pun registered on the others mind and left Sirius and Peter on the floor, rolling with laughter.
Remus merely groaned and dropped his head to hit the top of his desk.
âCome on, Rem,â Sirius said, leaping forward to drape his arm over his friendâs hunched figure, âYou know you love us.â
Remus looked up at the mug of coffee and mountain of food his friends had brought back specifically for him so he didnât have to make the trek to the Great Hall.
He smiled softly, he truly did have the best friends.
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