Mischief Managed Y2 Part 2: The Truth of the Tournament

Chapter Forty-Eight: An Invisible...Something

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Peter was really glad he had decided to go see Remus while Sirius and James were preoccupied. He would have felt special for being the only one who knew the truth about Remus' transformations if it wasn't so awful. He had gotten into the hospital wing by faking a stomach ache which then became real and even with Madam Pomfrey eyeing him like a hawk, he had somehow made it to Remus' room. Peter was a Marauder after all.

Perhaps his chances of succeeding were helped by Madam Pomfrey still being busy with the students, primarily Slytherins, who were recovering from their burned sore throats after having spent the morning spitting fire. Peter hoped that the reason Patricia had targeted the group she had was that they were the ones still calling Remus "Loopy Lupin." After being told about the incident, Peter's sympathy for his friend had grown even more. Peter knew all about hurtful nicknames having been called Puny Petey by multiple Slytherins who were trying to get him to cry. Last year Peter would have, but he just knew he was going to be even taller next year and more fit than his friends. Then he would be the one girls wanted to date, not Sirius Black, who didn't even appreciate the attention he got from the opposite sex!

"Peter...you don't have to stay," Remus whispered, addressing Peter who had come to visit his friend for the second time. The hurting boy probably spotted the envious scowl that appeared on Peter's face anytime he thought too much about how popular Sirius and James already were. Peter jumped, having thought Remus was asleep- after Peter had gained access to Remus the first time the lonely werewolf had wisely decided Peter could visit again, provided he wasn't followed. Peter shuffled a bit closer to Remus, having been about to leave the room after checking on his friend. Peter wished the injured boy was sleeping and didn't understand why he wasn't. If Peter was as torn up as Remus still was he'd be passed out for sure.

"No. I'll stay. I want to stay. Plus, James and Sirius are being mental and trying to track down an invisible girl. They...didn't invite me though. Besides, I like staying here with you," he added the last bit, which wasn't altogether untrue. Remus frowned in response but seemed more puzzled than upset. Peter wasn't sure it was possible for his friend to get jealous, ever.

"An...invisible girl?" the boy covered in bandages and bruises asked slowly, voice still hoarse from all the screaming and howling he had probably done. Peter gulped and pulled his thoughts away from beasts with claws and sharp teeth.

"Another one of Sirius' games I reckon, why?" Peter asked, deciding not to mention how the lad in question had used the invisible girl to justify why he had a bag of Remus' mail, letters that had obviously been opened. Even if Sirius wasn't lying there was a consensus that Remus finding out his mail had been read, by whoever it was, would end up way worse than their friend never reading his letters. There was nothing too terribly revealing in the cards that had been sent for the werewolf's birthday, the other Marauders had obviously read them all. None of it was of dire importance for Remus to know except for what Corbyn was trying to ask him. But James had explained he would handle the situation. Since neither Sirius nor Peter wanted to touch the matter with even the Quidditch goal post, they decided to let the chaser do his best. 

But even without Corbyn wanting Remus to meet with the werewolf that had visited the class, which could be construed as due to interest on Remus' part or making up work because he was sick so often, there was definitely more information in them than their mate would have been comfortable with anyone knowing about him. In fact, Remus would downright hate knowing even his friends read the letters, let alone a supposedly invisible girl. So, if Remus ever found out about it, which Peter hoped for all their sakes would never happen, it would not be from him.