Just Like Me -Remus Lupin

4.

Fourth Year

My mum had been diagnosed with bone cancer in July. It sucked, knowing that I couldn't do anything to stop her pain. I couldn't be in the same room as her without physically feeling how she was feeling. Her thoughts were too real. They were too much. A nurse was hired for my mum. She was nice. Her name was Mandy. My mum told her that I went to a boarding  school 10 out of the 12 months of the year.

My mum insisted that I went back to school, despite me literally begging her to let me stay because I couldn't bear with the fact that if she died while I was gone. Mandy drove me to kings cross. I got out my trunk. Petunia had died last year. I ran through the wall and saw Remus waiting for me by the train.

"Hi, Rem," I said, not giving him a hug as I stepped on to the train and into a compartment.

"Where's my hug?" He asked as he followed me.

"Sorry," I muttered and gave him a short hug before sitting down.

"Hey, Cal, talk to me. What's wrong?" He crouched down in front of me. I refused to look at him, because if I did, I would start crying.

"My mum, erm got diagnosed with bone cancer in July. She's not doing so well, Rem,"

"Come here," I stood up and he hugged me tightly. I started to cry the longer he held me. "She's gonna be okay, Cal," he whispered

I pulled away slightly so I could look up at him. He used his thumb to wipe away a tear that was falling down my cheek. "She's gonna be okay,"

"Oi! Stop snogging Moony and give your best friend a hug!" James shouted. I giggled, wiped my face and went to hug James. "Hey, loser," he said into the hug.

I pulled away and gave Sirius a hug, he got a lot taller. "Come here you little shit," he said as he hugged me tightly.

"Petey, come here," I gave him a short hug and we all sat down.

"What's going on?" James asked as I set up the chess board.

"Things with my mum," I replied. "Choose,"

He tapped my right wrist. Black. "How the hell do you always get white?" James groaned. Cheater.

"I'm just that good," I said as I turned to Remus who smiled at me with a chuckle.

"Start," Sirius said and I punched the button. James had to of not practiced over the summer, because damn. He was worse than Sirius.

"James, I beat you in 2 minutes. Did all of your knowledge of chess just disappear?"

"I haven't played in a while, I've been practicing for quidditch, Jones," he sighed

"Well if you don't step up your game, I'm going to have to find a different partner. You know what, I just did. Rem, come here. Let's play,"

"Good luck, Moony," James mumbled as he and Remus switched spots.

"Choose," I said. He tapped my left wrist. Black. He blocked me out.

We set up the pieces and waited for Sirius to tell us to start. "Now," he said and I punched the clock. Remus and I played almost exactly alike, making it very difficult. Half and hour later, and we were still going. Only a few pieces were left on the board. Most of his pawns were gone, as were mine. Another half hour, and we were still going. Remus was about to win. But he didn't. He surrendered.

"You could've won," I said as we shook hands

"What do you mean?" He asked

"You and I played a move called the Queens Gambit. D4, D5 then C4. It's an old opening, but it works. Makes it very difficult for your opponent to win. Usually, I play that move every time, but you caught on,"