𝐍𝐎 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒- Marlene McKinnon

𝐕𝐈𝐈.

𝐍𝐎 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑: 𝐕𝐈𝐈.

December 24th, 1977

Sitting at the Potter's dinner table, Mathilda already regrets this decision. Euphemia and Fleamont have been more than welcoming to her, but she's still petrified, absently pushing the food about her plate with her fork, trying her best to ignore the feeling of James's eyes on her as he murmurs to Sirius out of the corner of his mouth.

They don't know she can hear them.

"...full moon tomorrow..."

"...hate to leave him, but..."

"...think he'll understand?"

So maybe it is the truth. Maybe Severus's insane theory that Remus Lupin is a werewolf is actually right. Mathilda doesn't know. All she knows is that, if he really is, she feels awful for taking his friends away on the night of a full moon.

"I'm sorry," Mathilda says, and suddenly all eyes are on her.

"For what?" James asks.

"For ruining any plans you may have had. I just... I'm sorry."

James shakes his head. "'S fine," he says. "Just happened without warning, so we couldn't fix things. But it'll be fine."

"How long do you plan to stay?" Fleamont asks kindly.

"I don't know," Mathilda replies. "However long you'll have me, I suppose. I just need your library, I need to try..."

"We understand," says Euphemia.

Sirius swallows hard before he says, "You mentioned... that Regulus was there, as well?"

Mathilda nods.

"And did he..."

"I'm sorry, Sirius."

He gives a stiff nod. Then, he rises. "Thank you for dinner," he says, looking between Euphemia and Fleamont. "Mathilda, you can find me in the library."