Four To The End (prev Shifting Lines) - Book One (Marauder Era)

Chapter Twenty-Nine - How To Be A Normal Human

Remus, Sirius, Inkwood, Nettle, and Colgate just stood aside, watching with wide eyes, though Remus did hear Sirius mutter, "Muggles can't have." He was about to argue that Muggle science was pretty advanced when he heard footsteps rapidly approaching. To everyone's horror, Filch appeared at the top of a nearby staircase.

"What's all this then?" the caretaker demanded, lifting his lantern. All the Gryffindors went silent. "A whole group out of bed, eh?"

"We were coming from Astronomy," James said casually, taking the position of leader in a heartbeat. "Go ask Spring if you don't believe us."

"Why are you all just standing around then, hmmmmm?" Filch leaned in close to James. "I know you, you're one of the troublemakers."

"Peeves was bothering us," he replied, turning to point at a spot in the air. "He was, at least. I think he said something about knocking some trophies over or something."

Filch glowered at James then began sneering. "Get to your tower immediately. Filthy little brats..." He hurried off, muttering about Peeves.

"Quick thinking, James," Sirius said, patting James's shoulder.

"We better get to the tower, before he comes back," Lily added nervously.

The thirteen students hurried off, the argument long gone. Remus was just glad everyone had shut up about the moon.

*

Dear Remus, 27/10/71

I know this is your favorite time of the year however you also know it is my least favorite. A week ago. I stayed up all night crying, wishing you were here where I could hold you and keep you safe. I know you are safe there, I must trust that you are. Seven years now. It's so hard for me to believe.

I had a nightmare. Of that night. Of what I saw. Of you. My precious baby. I see it so often. It makes it even harder waking up, finding your bed empty. I know I failed, as your mother. I couldn't protect you then. But I will do anything and everything I can to protect you now, you understand that, don't you?

One plus side of it being that time of the year, it's even closer to the Christmas holidays. Closer to when you'll be back where you belong, even if it's only for two weeks.

I cannot wait for you to be in my arms again

Love, Mother

There was a package with a dozen freshly baked pumpkin-chocolate-chip cookies. His favorite. He was tempted to shove half of them in his mouth right away but... Remus hesitated, then divided them up. "H... here..." He offered his new friends two each, planning on giving two to Lily, breaking up one to feed Arthur, keeping three for himself. The smiles from Sirius, James, and Peter made Remus feel good, warmth blossoming in his chest. It was the first time that he actually felt like a real friend, not just a hanger-on. After excusing himself (which he wasn't sure if he was supposed to or not, his friends rarely did that. Was it weird?), he went down the table. "M--my mum made these. I th--thought I'd share with you," he said, offering the cookies to Lily.

Next to her, Colgate and Inkwood began giggling. Lily just smiled. "Thanks!" she said, accepting them. "They look really good."

"My m-mum's p-pretty good at cookies," he replied, wondering why the other two girls were giggling even more now.

"Thanks," she said again, grinning. "Wanna sit with us?"

"N... no thanks, I'll see you later." As he walked off he could hear the girls whispering furiously to Lily. One of them said, I think he likes you! Remus just frowned at that. Of course he liked her, they were friends, weren't they? That seemed a very odd thing to say. Back with the boys, he realized James was smirking until Remus couldn't take another second of it. "What?"