Mischief Managed Y2 Part 2: The Truth of the Tournament

Chapter Forty-Seven: The Need for the Truth

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Sirius wasn't sure why he expected Remus to show him the wolves the next day. It was probably because that would have been preferable to dreading the YSCs meeting with Regulus, Lily, and James; who would normally be good to have around except he was a right dolt anytime he happened to be in the same room as little-miss-know-it-all. The night before the full moon, the Marauders stayed close to Remus who looked like he'd pass out any moment. They were able to convince their poor friend to skip the last two classes they had that day because both Corbyn and McGonagall would undoubtedly be understanding. Sirius swore both professors looked downright relieved not to see Remus in class, which he felt rather proud about accomplishing. But, even with their show of being excellent mates, Remus, rather predictably, refused to let them keep him company before the full moon or the next morning.

"He has so much bloody pride," Sirius muttered, hovering outside the hospital wing with Peter, who, unlike James, still seemed unconvinced Remus would be fine this time. Sirius appreciated this since it helped him feel less insane. Of course standing outside the hospital wing didn't really do much good but at least it helped them both feel a bit better to be closer to Remus.

"Hmm, that reminds me of some other friends of mine," Peter pointed out in a teasing manner that fell a bit flat from the worry still on his face. If Sirius didn't know any better it would have seemed Peter was more worried about Remus than even him. Impossible!

"You okay, mate? We're probably freaking out over nothing. We all know Madam Pomfrey probably just keeps Remus for days after most moons because she's overprotective," Sirius explained, though even as he said it, he found it sounded foolish. 

Peter just grimaced. "Do you think I should feign some sort of illness? Then it would be a 'coincidence' for us to enter the hospital wing," the younger boy fretted. He had informed Sirius and James that he was pretty sure the more sick Remus was before the full moon the worse he would injure himself. When James had pointed out that even then the injuries wouldn't be that bad Peter had dropped the matter. But the smaller boy had insisted on joining Sirius, who thought it was not to be left out, but even when James ditched them for Quidditch practice Peter came along, despite it being early morning. They were hoping to catch Madam Pomfrey coming back from the Whomping Willow but they were pretty sure they had come too late because she would have left to get Remus by now. Peter and Sirius had been hanging out around the hospital wing for so long, that it was almost breakfast.

"You're a good friend, Peter," Sirius grinned, patting his mate's back. Peter smiled a little but seemed distracted. Odd. Normally the boy loved to receive praise, and even though he wouldn't get as excited over Sirius praising him as James there still should have been a better reaction than what was received. Sirius frowned and began to consider the possibility Peter knew something the rest of them didn't. Pettigrew was better at keeping secrets than Potter, who grew physically ill anytime he had to, poor bloke. Still, Sirius was sure he could get anything out of any of his friends if he pressed them hard enough. He was about to open his mouth to ask Peter what he was hiding when Madam Pomfrey bustled out from the hospital wing, spotting them immediately.

"Shoo! Off with you lads. Mr. Lupin told me about you promising to leave him alone. I better not catch you loitering around again," she tsked, already halfway down the corridor. Sirius bolted after her, Peter doing his best to keep up with the matron's long pace.

"You're not just going to get him, are you?" Sirius asked accusingly. Madam Pomfrey shot him an annoyed look, though sped up a bit faster.

"Mr. Lupin knows I will reach him as soon as I can. This morning I had a whole new group of students come in coughing flames and covered in hives. You wouldn't happen to know something about that now would you, Mr. Black?" Madam Pomfrey asked, narrowing her eyes at Sirius suspiciously.