a/n: thank you so much for 11.4k reads!!
the order tunnel
The aurors sat at the table, as Moody, Dumbledore, and McGonagall walked in. Moody walked to the table, sitting down.
"Where are the Prewetts?", Moody grumbled, "Those two are my favorites, you know?", he said, his face breaking into a rare smile. "Don't tell them I said that.", he said.
"Moody, sir, they didn't return from their mission.", Kenna Livingston, an auror said.
"Has anyone gone yet?", Moody asked calmly. The aurors shook their heads, Kenna biting her lip. "They're some of the best aurors in this program. I'll go, just to make sure they're safe.", Moody said, taking his wand.
"You want backup?", Stanley asked. Moody shook his head, already walking into the fireplace.
camden
Moody through the street, the tip of his wand lit up. "Prewetts?", he called, his voice echoing through the alleyway. He came across an exploded wall, looking at it closely with his magical eye.
"Dolohov.", he whispered, walking forward. "Prewetts?", he asked, louder. He looked at the pile of bodies, his heart beating faster and faster.
"Fabian? Gideon?", he yelled, running to the people on the ground. He fell to the ground, picking up his wand. "Rennervate.", he said, pointing it at them, back and forth, his breathing quickened.
"NO!", Moody said, checking for a pulse with his rough hands, "If you're pranking me...", he trailed off, waiting for the real Fabian and Gideon to pop up from behind the wall, laughing.
But they didn't.
A rare tear slid down Moody's face, as he wiped it away gruffly.
the flat
"Let's go out tonight.", James proposed, "A triple date?".
"Mhm, Em's on a mission for this week. I'll come next time?", Peter suggested. "Nonsense, Pete, just come with us now, and we'll go again later.", Sirius said, waving his hand.
"There's this really amazing wizarding library they just opened, the Canna Bibliothecam. There's bookshelves, and there's a river down the middle, with gondolas.", Remus smiled, his eyes sparkling.
"A library?", Lily asked, grinning. James and Sirius looked at each other, understanding in their eyes.
"Oh- we don't have to go if you lot don't want to.", Remus reddened. "Course we'll go.", James smiled.
"There's Floo fireplaces there, if we need to go on a mission, we'll just go from there.", Remus said.
"Can we race gondolas?", Sirius asked, tying his hair up. "Absolutely.", James shot back, as Peter laughed.
"Bloody idiots.", Lily grinned.
canna bibliothecam
The five of them walked to the library, marvelling at the glamorous building. Remus was practically drooling at the mouth. The building had big glass windows, and you could see the tall bookshelves, and people in the gondolas, laughing.
"I ate your chocolate, Moony.", Peter grinned.
"Mhm, that's great, James.", Remus said, ignoring him.
"I'm Peter."
"Let's go!", Lily smiled, as they ran up the stairs. There were two security wizards, waving their wand over people that entered the library. The five of them were the last ones in line.
Lily was the first to be let in, as they deemed her safe, then Peter, then Sirius, and then James.
The taller guard waved his wand over Remus, his mouth etching into a frown as it beeped. "Step over to the side for me.", he grunted.
"What's wrong?", Sirius asked, from inside, as Remus stepped to the side, his heart pounding.
"Can all of you with this young man please step over here?", the guard asked, as the other four did.
"Sir.", the guard trailed off, looking at Remus. "Remus", he said quietly. "Remus, I regret to inform you that you're not allowed inside.", the guard said, rubbing the back of his head.
"What? Why?", James asked. The guard looked at Remus, and he immediately understood. "James.", he whispered. "Why isn't he allowed in?", Lily asked angrily, as Sirius glared at him.
The shorter guard walked over, sensing the commotion. "Is anything a problem?", he asked.
"They won't let my friend in.", Peter said. "Why is that?", he asked, to the taller guard, who's name tag said Owen.
"Derk, we've got a.. a code black.", Owen said. "Code black?", Derk asked, looking disgusted.
"I'm sorry, I'll go.", Remus said, turning around. Sirius grabbed his hand, "Wait.".
"Why isn't he allowed in here?", Lily asked, her eyes flashing. "Miss, your- friend, here, is classified as a dark creature. A monster.", Derk said.
Remus looked at him, as if he'd been slapped. "You guys go. I'll go home, get some coffee.", he whispered, looking down, His four friends stared at the guard angrily.
"He's not a bloody monster.", Sirius yelled, glaring at the guard. "He's the exact same as us. It's not even the full moon.", James said, gritting his teeth.
"Just let it go.", Remus said, shaking his head. "Be careful darling, this bloke will eat you right up.", Derk snarled, turning to Lily.
"He will not. And do not call me darling.", Lily yelled. Derk reached out, punching her in the mouth.
She staggered back, touching a hand to her bloody lip. James shouted something, as Owen lunged towards him.
Sirius lunged forward, dropping his wand, punching Derk in the nose.
"Stop it!", Lily yelled, reaching for her wand in her pocket. Derk reached out, shoving Peter. "Don't touch him!", Remus yelled, pulling out his wand.
Derk turned to Remus, shooting a spell at him. Remus flew back, hitting the wall with a sickening thump.
"Remus!", Sirius yelled, running to him. Lily lifted her leg, kicking him in the groin.
"I'll press charges!", he yelled, tears coming to his eyes. "You will? I'll tell Alastor Moody to keep an eye on you, and I'll kick you again.", she said grimly, looking at Owen as well, who nodded fearfully.
Lily ran to the wall, where the three boys were crouched. "It hurts.", he choked out. "I'm so sorry, Rem, we'll get you home right now.", Sirius said quietly.
the flat
"This is going to hurt, I'm sorry.", Lily apologized, pulling out her wand.
"I'm used to it.", Remus said, without emotion, as he turned his head to the side. Lily bit her lip, casting the spell. A wave of light washed over him, as Remus gritted his teeth. Sirius took his hand, and Remus took it gratefully, wincing as his ribs mended themselves together.
"Thank you.", Remus said, turning over. "Remus.", Peter trailed off.
"I don't want to be a monster.", he said quietly "You're not a monster.", James said.
"Dark creature, then.", Remus swallowed, "I just wanted to go to the library.".
"I know, mon chéri.", Sirius said softly, kissing his cheek, "We'll go one day, all of us."
James found an ice pack, performing a cooling charm on it, as he pressed it gently on Lily's lips. "Does it hurt too much?", he frowned, as she winced.
"I'm fine, James, really.", Lily laughed, taking the ice pack from him. James looked angry, muttering something that sounded a lot like "that bloody idiot."
"Should've hexed him.", he said bitterly. "I kicked him in the balls, he deserved that.", Lily said, as Peter grinned at her.
"You lot could've gone.", Remus said softly, looking away from them. "Yeah? We'd have had no fun.", Sirius said, as Remus laid his head in Sirius' lap.