Blackbird

Chapter 15: Werewolves and Chocolate Chips

Ever since breakfast that morning I was in constant company with the Marauders. Peter was a great listener, and would often offer me sweets whenever I'd be despairing over my schoolwork.

Remus was quieter, and practically a well of knowledge. Magical and non magical alike, and was a refreshing change from the rowdier members sometimes.

Things were slightly awkward with Sirius. He still hadn't explained anything to me, and although he was going to help me get out of Grimmauld place, I couldn't help but want to hear his reasoning for leaving me. After all, if he was able to do it once, he could do it again. And could I really trust him at my back?

He seemed content to pretend nothing was wrong, but was also painfully aware that things could never go back to the way they were. I hadn't seen a glimpse of the soft, caring older brother he'd been since the last time we talked to Regulus.

And Reg seemed to be avoiding the two of us. There should have been a whole load of consequences for hanging out with Gryffindors, and yet, for the past few days there'd been nothing.

The girls were probably a large part of that. They each held plenty of political weight, and certainly not afraid to use it. After all, Minette and Veronica hung out with the boys almost as often as I did, Willow drifting in and out, but preferring not to interact. She said it had nothing to do with blood, but she definitely viewed them with some sort of disdain.

Which was fair. The whole lot of them were children.

"Oh come now Moony, we all know you're the best in Transfiguration. Just look it over?" James was trying his best to give his friend puppy eyes and ultimately failing.

It was bogus. Not that Remus was the best at Transfiguration, but the fact that he needed any help at all. Potter was a smart boy when it didn't come to wooing ladies or connecting fractured families.

I was fairly certain he was top of his class in Charms, and probably would have been in more of his classes if he weren't constantly trying to show off to Evans or goofing off with the boys.

The boys were all fairly even in this respect. Remus was the one to go to for Transfiguration and Potions. Sirius basically had every star in the sky memorized, not that I would ever need help in Astrology, and Peter had a knack for Herbology. James was the Charms wizz, and was strangely into Care of Magical Creatures as well.

All of them were amazing at Defense Against Dark Arts save maybe Peter. He didn't really have the stomach for dueling and what wizarding kind labeled "monsters".

After all, Remus was a werewolf and he folded his socks and was obsessed with chocolate.

He wasn't looking too good now though.

"You've had an entire week to write that stupid essay, I'm not reading it over tonight." Snapping more than usual and looking so tired and sick Minette had ranted to me in a hushed voice earlier, he seemed dead on his feet.

James sighed in defeat. "Alright. But if I get a bad mark I'll be sure to let you know."

Remus scowled and I couldn't help smacking James up the back of his head. Gently, of course. It really hurt when someone did it for real, and I was always squirrelly about initiating contact.

"Don't guilt him, James. If you wanted him to edit your essay you should've asked earlier."

He ruffled his hair, pouting, before glancing worriedly at Remus when the werewolf slammed his head against the table. Turning to make eye contact with me, there was a desperate sort of plea for help.

I sighed. Figures he would try and distract Remus from the upcoming full moon with schoolwork.

"C'mon. I wanna see if the house elves know how to make the double chocolate chip cookies you told me your mom makes."