The Fifth Marauder

Year One: Explorations

The next morning, Annabeth Chase had come over to the Gryffindor table for breakfast. Technically, there was no explicit rule about students sitting at different tables for meals, it just was not done. Ever. Percy and Remus had been very surprised to see the Slytherin claim a seat on the bench across from them. In fact, every student and professor remaining at Hogwarts over the break stared in disbelief as Annabeth walked from the Great Hall arch leading from the dungeons, across the room, and plopped down at the Gryffindor table on the opposite side. Even better, she started piling her plate with food as if there was nothing odd about it.

Remus tried to catch Percy's attention, making wide eyes at his friend at this sudden intrusion by a Slytherin that he did not know. Percy wondered what this friendship was getting him into--Annabeth was bold and strong-willed and he was sure this would be the least of the drama from a Gryffindor and Slytherin being friendly.

Percy smiled, turning to explain the situation. "Remus, this is Annabeth Chase. I met her at Slughorn's potion class last night. Annabeth, this is my best friend, Remus Lupin."

Oh god. Percy's eyes widened and he turned to look at Remus, panicked. He had just called him his best friend! What if Remus did not want to be his best friend? Even worse, what if he did not think they were good enough friends to say that? What if Percy had completely misread how much Remus liked him? What if Remus only tolerated him? What if--?

But a smile spread across the other boy's face, one of the very few that Percy had ever seen from him. There was even a little gleam in his eyes. His shoulders dropped, relieved. Percy beamed at his friend--no, his best friend.

"Hi," Annabeth greeted, either completely oblivious or uncaring of the interaction that had just occurred between the two boys. She was devouring pancakes, a food that Percy did actually recognize.

He helped himself to eggs and toast, preparing his breakfast along with Remus's while his friend pulled out their notes. They had taken to reviewing the map during breakfast and then spending the day wandering around and adding passages, secret doors, moving portraits, and trap steps to the papers. They were not organized, so right now it was all just scribbled sketches and notes on pieces of parchment from an old muggle-style notebook that Percy had brought.

"What's this?" Annabeth asked as she forked syrup-covered pancake into her mouth, looking at their notes.

Remus's lips thinned, clearly uninterested in sharing their project. They had wanted to keep it private for now. But Annabeth was smart, she might be able to help. Percy was going to point this out to Remus when he saw the possessive expression on the boy's face.

"Just a project," Percy yawned as if it was uninteresting. "Hey, have either of you started that essay for McGonagall?"

The rest of the break was like this: Percy and Remus would spend the earlier part of the day wandering around the castle and adding things to their map. After lunch, they met up with Annabeth in the library or the Great Hall to do their homework. He found that doing his homework with Annabeth and Remus was great for his performance. Percy knew that all three had the same reading problem--they all knew but no one spoke it aloud--which made him feel much more relaxed when studying. Even better, both Remus and Annabeth were brilliant not despite of, but in addition to, their challenges with reading. 

Remus was best with Charms and Herbology, and Annabeth had a knack for Transfiguration and History of Magic, and Potions. Percy was really good with Potions and Defense Against the Dark arts. Their well-rounded abilities allowed them to help the other two with certain subjects and get assistance in their weaker ones. It was the best study group.

Annabeth had even helped them with their map, although she did not know it. She had helped them find spells to enchant drawings even though Percy and Remus had not told her why they were looking for it. She had just shrugged and helped them research in the library, anyway.