Circle the Drain | R. LUPIN

5 | apologies and apprehension

R E M U S L U P I N

The four boys made their way to the Great Hall in silence, no one wanting to be the first to break it. Once they entered, James remained by the door as Remus, Sirius and Peter returned to the table.

"She's probably fine, right?" Peter inquired as they took a seat. Their voices were low as they spoke so no one could listen in.

Remus sucked in a breath, "I think something happened in Hogsmeade. But she's alive, that's for sure...Her name was on the map."

But Reggie's wasn't, the stupid voice in his head reminded him. His name wasn't among his friends. But that didn't mean anything. He probably left Hogsmeade early or maybe he had parted ways from the group and went to his spot in the woods.

The door to the Great Hall opened to reveal Coralena and Pandora. They both appeared shaken but overall looked fine.

"Good evening, everyone," Dumbledore greeted and everyone turned their attention"I am sure you're all wondering why you were asked to come here." The room was dead silent. "There was an incident in Hogsmeade this evening."

Everyone started talking at this revelation but Remus wasn't surprised. It was kind of obvious. Dumbledore cleared his throat and the room fell quiet again, "It is currently being handled but we thought it would be safer that you all be in one area until we are certain that the threat has been neutralized."

Remus's leg began to bounce up and down anxiously. What sort of threat would need to be neutralized?

"I assure you that this is the safest place for you to be right now," the Headmaster informed them. "I realize you were probably hoping for more information but that will have to wait." He stepped down from the podium and the room erupted once more, the students tried to figure out what had happened and bombarded Pandora and Coralena with questions.

Remus felt a hand on his knee and he looked up at Sirius immediately. The boy quickly withdrew his hand and muttered a quick apology.

He stood up from the table and Sirius stared down at his hands. "It's fine," Remus informed him and he looked up at him. "Really, it is."

Sirius was surprised at this but he nodded in response. Remus sent him a tight smile before he made his way over to Ravenclaw table.

He managed to push past those who were crowding Pandora and Coralena. He pulled his wand out, "Muffliato." The pair looked up at him and he asked, "Where's Reggie?"

Coralena's expression showed no emotion, "We're not supposed to talk about it." Pandora had a faint frown on her face.

Remus looked between the two, "I won't tell anyone you said anything."

"We can't tell you," Pandora replied. "But you'll know soon enough." Know what, soon enough?

"I'm sorry," Coralena apologized. He looked at her in confusion and his eyes widened when he saw that her eyes had filled with tears, "I'm so sorry."

Remus shook his head. It wasn't the end of the world that they wouldn't say where he was and it certainly didn't call for crying. Pandora frowned at the girl as Coralena pressed her forehead into her friend's shoulder, a sob escaping her.

He stood up at this, "Er, I'm sorry for asking." He started to walk away but bumped into Pomfrey who was escorting Xenophilius to the table. Xenophilius appeared as though he had been crying and when they locked eyes, Remus felt a surge of sympathy.

Remus shook his head as he walked away, glancing back at the group for a moment. He started his way back to the table. He stopped when he found Ophelia right in front of him. She appeared tired but other than that, he couldn't get a read on her.