𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 [𝐑. 𝐋𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐧]

𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘

Song:
Song to Say Goodbye (Placebo)
"Before our innocence was lost, you were always one of those."

The return back to Hogwarts found everyone in a turmoil. Remus Lupin wasn't all that much of a birthday fan, knowing that everyone's attention was on him making him nervous on another level. This time it was no different, other than the fact that it was even worse. There was no party, that was a plus, but, that didn't mean that people he barely knew didn't barge in and out of the compartment to wish him a happy birthday.

Callisto had disappeared in the middle of the train ride, only to come back with the ghost of worry in her eyes. She sat the entire way back to Hogwarts in silence, her nails nervously picking at the skin around her thumb, or twisting the charm of her necklace until her hands bled and the small charm felt as if it was burning under her touch. Remus didn't know what was happening, but he didn't ask either. The forced smile on her lips as she instinctively leaned closer to him made it clear that something was going terribly wrong.

Yet, that wasn't the only reason his birthday was a turmoil. When the trolley lady started giving out copies of the Daily Prophet to each compartment, he never expected to read the following headline:

The Liquid Miracle of the 20th Century.

It wasn't all that interesting. Actually, it sounded an awful lot like something old ladies would fawn over just because the creator was conventionally attractive. It sounded like every other youth replenishing potion with non-lasting effects and a foul smell. That was until Sirius shoved the article under his face, pointing animatedly at Callisto who had finally managed to fall asleep. Her hand was wrapped around Remus' sweater in a fist, her teeth chattering either because she was cold, or because whatever worried her hadn't eased with sleep.

"Read the fucking article!" James pressed, motioning got Sirius and Peter to do the same thing.

Remus felt like he had forgotten how to read. It started just like every other article, way too vague and deeply superficial with frivolous words and bold statements. This time however, the statements were true. It took him three times, the phrases "Wolfsbane has successfully passed all trials", "Experts say this is a new era for werewolf registration processes throughout the country" and "One step closer to a definitive cure" making his head spin.

"She fucking did it..." Sirius murmured in awe, letting his newspaper down. "That bloody devil did it!"

The compartment door barged open, an excited Lily jumping inside. Her hair was sticking out in every direction, looking wilder than what James' hair would ever look, her cheeks flushed red from the running and a single newspaper between her fingers as she tried to catch her breath. She just engulfed Remus in a huge hug, shoving the newspaper under his face like James had done.

"Lily, it's time we tell you something." Peter murmured, a wide grin on his lips. "Promise not to throw a fit."

"Promise."