BLACK MOON ⍋ Remus Lupin

Chapter ThirtyTwo- HallowsEve.

When I had properly calmed my nerves I continued the rest of the stairs and entered the common room.

Remus was sat next to Sirius, his arm slung loosely behind him on the back of the chair. They were both watching Peter and James have a heated discussion about animagi. Strange but not surprising coming from them both.

I awkwardly sat on the arm of the sofa, gaining a strained smile from Sirius.

"Ya alright?" He said casually, sitting deeper into his comfy position against Remus' side. I smiled and nodded at him.

"Actually I just want to speak to Remus-" I said, but Sirius didn't move to offer some privacy.

"You can talk in front of Sirius, Arty." Remus lightly chuckled.

"Oh yeah I- yeah I know. I just get panicked locked in rooms, it wasn't you and I'm sorry for my weird behaviour" I said trying to sound mature and casual. Sirius cocked an eyebrow up at both of us before continuing to watch the other boys in front of him, removing himself from Remus' arm.

"I should have known you were feeling claustrophobic. That's on me. Let's just forget it huh?" Remus smiled and I agreed.

"Art, what's your opinion on Animagi? Do you reckon you could make your own species of animal? Sounds like bullshit to me." James lightly shoved Peter.

*

A couple of weeks past.

James, Lily, Alice and Sirius were all excited for Halloween celebrations coming up, a fancy dress party in the works for tomorrow night. Peter, Remus, Frank and Marlene remained only excitable for the feast we were going to receive.

Remus' leg cast was finally off (after longer than expected) but surprisingly the scar that had formed across his face wasn't on its way to becoming more subtle and faded like the others.

He was letting it heal on its own. Which I could tell was out of character from the quick glances he got from others and the light questioning from the group.

'The potions Madam Pomfrey give me make me feel a bit ill. Anyway, it'll be decent for Halloween!' He told us all one day shrugging us off.

It had been a slow two weeks to everyone else but myself. I felt good, a change in the air.

The girls in the dorm stopped treating me as an outsider or an obvious newbie and though I wouldn't say we were all close friends yet, there was a positive change in their behaviour. Alice and Lily apologised to me about talking behind my back, Marlene did not as she felt she had nothing to apologise for but trying to sleep.

James and Frank had included me in jokes and conversation (that I wasn't really interested in, but appreciated nonetheless).

Peter was still slightly awkward but I was realising he was similar with Alice too. So didn't take it personally.

Sirius stopped giving me passive aggressive comments and looks; and though he hadn't replaced those gaps with anything else, it was nice to not feel I was actively annoying anyone.

Remus and I quickly got over that moment in the dorms, him telling me that of course we're just friends and I shouldn't overthink.

Things were finally looking up, feeling clearer now that I knew where my emotions were coming from.

Though, everyone complained the build up to Halloween was almost nonexistent and boring, I was kind of glad to have two weeks of nothing but easy. It was nice to feel somewhat relaxed and indifferent.

I yawned, not finishing off the wonderful dinner in front of me and took in my surroundings. Halloween decorations were already starting to show, art projects by the first years dangling from the ceiling beams. Outside of the windows was dark and windy and the enchanted night sky above us in the hall was starting to have the occasional fake bat fly across it. The mood was being set for tomorrow.

"Are you looking forward to your first holiday at hogwarts?" Peter blushed over at me, I was shocked at his forward question that wasn't provoked from anyone. I nodded excitedly.

"Yeah it should be fun! I don't really know what to expect but the food should be great right?" I laughed as Frank and Remus groaned heavenly at my comment and nodded dreamily, thinking about the food. Something in me felt tingly in me hearing the (dramatic and fake) sound come from Remus' mouth. I pushed it aside.

"You have no idea!" Frank practically dribbled.

"Halloween means half term though!" Lily smiled sadly over at Marlene and Alice "Marl, you're still coming to the theatre with me on the Thursday right?" Lily started engaging their half term plans.

"Half term?" I said in a small voice almost to myself, Sirius overheard.

"Yeah, just a week and a half off. People go home...the option to stay is open for people too though, if you need it." he mentioned. I nodded absorbing the information.

"Oh, guess that's me sorted then!" I laughed trying to sound like I wasn't bothered.

The fact is I was, I hadn't thought about what I was going to do when it came to half terms and holidays off. Christmas lingered on my mind at times, and I had already accepted I was going to have to stay here during the longer holidays, except summer... that thought really triggered anxiety.

I hadn't thought about the shorter ones though. So soon, just when things were starting to feel normal, I was going to be stripped from it all.

"What are you dressing up as, Art?" James asked with a big grin on his face. I was shook out of my pensive state, plastering a fake smile upon my face.

"I haven't decided yet! I'm already a witch, isn't that enough?" I said truthfully and jokingly, not actually owning any fancy dress options. James looked lost for words whilst the others laughed at my muggle joke and the fact they dress as witches.

"Well you better hurry up and pick something, it's tomorrow!" He gasped all in one breath.

"I have something you can borrow, Arty" Lily offered and I accepted.

(Sorry this is short, it's a pesky filler chapter. A slight time hop by only roughly two weeks- it's the day before halloween. Another party is coming up, what do you reckon is going to happen?)