Fading Stars ☾ Remus Lupin

Chapter 16: Jelousy

Remus noticed the way Sirus' eyes twitched at the mention of James' names, and he scoffed at the childish behaviour, but he couldn't help but agree with Sirius that there was something familiar and something off about her.

"Maybe you're right Pete" Sirius let out a sight and rested his head in the palm of his hands "But that doesn't change the fact that she did something to James"

"What do you mean by that" Peters eyes widened, and Remus ears twitched in anticipation

"Don't you see it?" Sirius said, taken aback "He doesn't hang out with us nearly as much, and he's suddenly acting so proper, do you get me?"

"I mean, I see your point" Peter shrugged, "But maybe he's just maturing?"

"Augh you don't get it at all do you?!" Sirius tugged at his hair, dragged a hand over his face. After he was done he looked Peter in the eyes unblinking "James isn't mature, he's gonna be a man baby, we all know it"

Remus swallowed a chuckle, and tried his best not to let out a laugh, afterall, he was still upset with Sirius.

Sirius, once again leaned in close to Peter in case someone was listening, and whispered silently into his ear "Ever since that full moon, he started disappearing", Peter nodded along hesitantly, and Remus sucked in a breath at the mention of the last full moon.

It had been harsher than usual,. Remus not only found himself waking up alone, but also in the forbidden forest with multiple unusal wounds. He had tried asking his friends what happened, but they always changed the subject whenever he asked, so in the end he gave up, since even Peter would tell him the truth of that night.

"And then suddenly his cousin from America transfers" Sirius continued "Do you realise how rare it is for someone to transfer in the middle of a school year, Pete?"

"I don't know, since it hadn't ever happened since we enrolled"

"Exactly Pete, because it's very rare, happened probably less times than you can count on your hand" Sirius paused, his eyes narrowing as he continued to scrutinise Adelaide. "And yet, here she is, shaking things up. Have you noticed how James acts around her?"

Peter hesitated before nodding, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, but maybe they're just close. Family, you know?"

Sirius leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on Adelaide, who was now engrossed in a conversation with Marlene. "I don't buy it. There's something about her, something that's affecting James. He's not the same, Pete. Not since she arrived."

Remus, who had been quietly eavesdropping on their conversation, closed his book with a soft thud. He couldn't dismiss the growing suspicion gnawing at him. The events of the full moon, James's mysterious disappearances, and now the arrival of Adelaide—it all felt interconnected, like pieces of a puzzle waiting to be solved.

Finally deciding to interject, Remus' voice was calm but firm. "Sirius, don't you think you're jumping to conclusions? People change, and it's not always because of someone else."

Sirius shot Remus a glare. "Moony, you've been acting like a stranger since the arguments yesterday. I don't need a lecture from you."

Remus sighed, pushing his bowl away. "I'm not lecturing, Sirius. I'm just saying, let's not make assumptions without evidence. We don't know anything about her."

Sirius scoffed. "That's the problem, Remus. She's a mystery. James is keeping secrets, and I don't like it."

Peter chimed in, trying to mediate. "Maybe we should talk to James, or maybe you should get to know his cousin?"