The Journal of Remus Lupin

19

I am now here, in my bed, while James, Sirius, and Peter are snoring around me. Today went a lot better than yesterday.

Early in the morning, madam Pomfrey let me out, warning me to come back if anything else hurt. I crept up the stairs and muttered the password (devils snare) to the common room. As I went in, I was surprised to see James, Sirius, and Peter, all looking awfully tired, all sitting down, all looking at me.

James had a different look in his eyes. He spoke calmly and clearly.

"Remus, what happened?"

I looked at the floor. "I fell."

Sirius stood up with such force that Peter nearly toppled over.

"You fell? YOU FELL? Lupin, your face is covered in scratches, we saw that you broke a few bones, and you look bloody awful! YOU FELL? IS THAT THE BEST EXCUSE YOU CAN GIVE US?"

James silenced Sirius with a look.

"Remus, tell us what happened."

I felt awful. I felt like I was going to hurl. I lied to them.

"I fell down the staircases. Okay? I was in a hurry, and I fell from the fourth floor!"

Peter bit back a laugh. "Then why wouldn't you tell us?"

Sirius almost smiled. "Yeah, why?"

I groped in my head for an explanation, why? Why?

"Uh...I didn't want you guys to think that I was a total klutz..."

They all burst into fits of laughter.

"That's ridiculous! Gosh, Lupin, you had us worried!"

"I agree, James....But really, you fell down the stairs, how clumsy can you be?"

Sirius was laughing really hard now.

I sighed with relief and trudged to our room.

Now, I'm here writing this. We got some sleep, went to classes, pranked some Slytherins, and did the usual stuff. Sirius keeps calling me a klutz, James tells me to be careful of stairs, Peter held onto the railings tighter than usual. Now, they are all asleep...obviously tired because of how they stayed up waiting for me. My friends are great, but what happened....that was too close. I have to stay away a bit. It hurts, but I have to.

I feel awful! Lying to them like that. I am a worthless friend. I don't deserve them.