BLACK MOON ⍋ Remus Lupin

Chapter 132 - Think About It.

Marlene and I sat on Sirius purple sofa, his flat looking a lot better than when I had last previously stepped inside of it.

His curtains were open. Floors cleared of random objects and empty glasses and generally, was back to normal.

Though visually Sirius was still sporting an unkept look about himself. That was slowly becoming the normal, as his facial hair began growing past the stubbly stage, beginning to sport the early stage of a defined beard.

Marlene and I discussed whether we wanted to discuss Peter with him. Whether it was a good decision to present a question that could encourage paranoia.

We went back and forth. Discussing the importance of including Sirius.

We didn't want him to relapse obsessive behaviour that he was beginning to drop.

We also considered the fact that Peter was beginning to surpass his clear arrogance, his attitude changing into something neither of us could understand. Something more sinister. We didn't trust how he began to hold back in conversations, bite his tongue when you could tell he wanted to spit something out in spite.

He was less noticeable, which was unsettling because it appeared to be a choice.

Why was he silencing himself? Lingering behind the group? Saying he was happy for us all, though his eyes empty from any sincerity?

"So I don't understand, you've always had a problem with Peter?" Sirius said, beginning to stir his tea with an engraved silver spoon that he held delicately.

"Not always." I said truthfully.
"I actually thought he was rather lovely."

Sirius frowned, not truly understanding.

"But he's not the Pete we went to school with anymore, is he?" Marlene spoke up.

"You could say the same about any of us." Sirius stated.
"He's lonely. That's all." Sirius sighed.

Marlene rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Not to say he should ever settle, but it's not like he's never been asked out on a date. He rejects everyone. It's not like we don't include him in everything. We're single too, Sirius. We all have each other regardless. He has people." Marlene said.

"And we all deal with things in different ways, I suppose." Sirius mumbled, taking a sip of his tea.

"Marlene said he came to speak to you...the other day." I spoke up awkwardly.

Sirius shot her an exhausted look, as if he was beginning to lose his patience with the curly blonde.

"He did." Sirius bluntly replied.

"He was weird, right?" I asked cautiously.

Sirius hesitated for a moment but eventually began to slowly nod. He sighed heavily before pulling himself up from the armchair he was sat in, placing his mug of tea to the side.

We, Marlene and I, both watched as he began rummaging around a side table draw.

"He gave me a weird note." Sirius said.
"I don't know."

We both gently took it in turns to read the note:

Sirius,

There could be many brothers and sisters out there for you. Me being one, forever.

We can go off together. Leave those who are leaving us behind and moving on with their lives. If I could convince James and Remus to come too I would but I fear they'd reject my offer. I feel you're more open minded than the rest of our existing group, and we're more alike.

Think about it.

What future do you want for yourself? A community of people who protect each other or to watch life go on and progress from the sidelines?

If you decide you're interested, let me know.

Your dear friend,
Peter.

We all stood in momentary silence.

Sirius grabbed the note back and shoved it back into a draw full of opened letters.

"Is he now religious or something? What are you two gonna do, run off to become nuns? Brothers in Christ?" Marlene said confused.

"Is he, into you? I mean," I spluttered our awkwardly.

"It does kind of sound like he wants to run away with you, doesn't it?" Marlene said her eyes widening.

"As I said, I just think he's lonely and maybe saw that I was too. You two are the ones being weird." Sirius shrugged.

Marlene and I gave each other a quick glance.

"Sorry to have bothered you mate," Marlene said beginning to stand up.
"Just ignore what we've said."

"How am I supposed to ignore that you both think one of my best mates is someone to doubt?" Sirius sighed.

"Sonny thought so too." I said.

"And where's Sonny now?" Sirius quickly replied.

An awkward silence cut through the air.

It was wishful thinking to believe Sirius would understand our concerns regarding Peter; he was as blinded by memories and friendship as the others...despite his unnervingly calm and reasonable response to us.

"You know that's not fair, we had to leave Sonny behind." I said disappointed.

"Exactly. We've had to say goodbye to so many people. Sonny, Dorcas, Mary, Narcissa, Regulus...let's not push anyone else away, shall we?" Sirius spoke as if I were a child.

"You're right." I lied.
"Let's go Marlene, sorry Sirius."

We both began walking away when Sirius spoke out again.

"Not all of us are loved the way you are Arty, desperately reaching out isn't as weird as you think. Have some empathy." He said, regarding Peter.

"Let's just go. We tried." Marlene whispered and shut the door behind us.