Good Things • Remus Lupin •

15: The Owlery

Meg climbed the cobbled staircase that wrapped around the Owlery, her heart thudding in her chest, waiting for the worst. Her hand closed around the cold, brass doorknob, pushing slowly into the room.

"Hello?" She called out into the room, "Reggie? Are you here?"

Only the echoing hoots of owls and scratching of claws scraping against stone came as a reply. Where could he be? All of a sudden, Meg head the a sound of footsteps. Se drew her wand and turned around.

"Reggie?"

There, crouched in a corner, was her brother. He was quite tall, his hair grown out, he looked different. Except for his sorrowful, silvery-grey eyes. Regulus stood up to his full height, now a bit taller than Meg. He flew into her arms, hugging his sister tight. Meg rubbed his back comfortingly. The last time she hugged him was the night her and Sirius ran away. She pulled away after a moment,

"Are you alright? You wanted to see me." She said. Regulus gulped, pressing his lips together. Taking a deep breath, he said, "They've invited me, to become a Death Eater."

Meg's face fell, her heart thudding in her chest. She had a suspicion that this was what he wanted to tell her, and yet, it still hit her hard.

"Tell Dumbledore, he'll get you out," Her tone was laced with desperation, "We could run away, me and you. We wouldn't have to deal with this anymore."

Reggie shook his head and smiled sadly, "I couldn't ask that of you, you can't leave Sirius, he needs you." Meg's brow furrowed, "You know he loves you too, Reg, it may not seem like it, but he regrets not taking you with us. He misses you just as much as I do."

Her brother's face softened as he tilted his head, an expression of confusion and happiness crossing his face. "Really?" He asked her, staring at the floor. She nodded and smiled. He threw his arms around her once more, "I've missed you both so much," He sobbed quietly.

"Me too," Meg said quietly, "Promise me something, would you?"

He pulled away and beamed at her, "Anything for you."

"Don't join, I don't want to find you dead corpse somewhere, it'd break my heart."

Reggie gave her a small smile, "I'll do my best."

-

"How did it go?" Remus asked, walking alongside Meg, his hand in the pockets of his brand new jumper. Meg gave no reply, she seemed to be lost in thought. The two were on one of their afternoon strolls during a free period they had whilst the others were in lessons. Soon meg stopped and sat down in the dewy, wet grass, placing her head in her hands, looking out onto the rippling lake.

"It was good." Remus nodded, "Shall I even ask anymore?" She shrugged, giving a small shiver. Meg had the brain enough to forget a coat on a freezing day like this. Remus noticed an pulled her towards him, resting a warm arm on her shoulder. She placed her head on his shoulder, letting her eyes close,

"I don't know what to do, Moony," Meg sighed, "I wish I could do more."

"You've done what you can," Remus assured her, "I'm sure that what he wanted."

"It's not like that," She whispered, "They've. They've asked him to join them." Remus watched one, lonely tear rolled down her cheek. He pulled back a piece of hair from her eye, wiping away her tears with his thumb.

"I didn't cry when he told me," She whispered, "I didn't want to believe it."

"No one would," Remus reassured her, "No one wants to hear something like that."

"I'm not telling Sirius," She said quietly, hugging her legs to her chest. Remus tilted his head questioningly, "Why not?"

"Any time I bring up Reggie he acts like it doesn't affect him," She sighed, "He misses him really."

The wind howled, sweeping dead leaves into the air, floating gently overhead. The sounds of three boys running down the well-trodden forest path started to get louder and louder. The bushed behind Meg and Remus rustled and shook wildly. Meg sighed, rolling her eyes,

"Get out of there," She shouted, "We know its you." Three boys wearing expressions of mock guilt across their faces rose from the leaves. "What is it?" She asked, hands on her hips. Peter, Sirius and James exchanged knowing smirks.

"How come you didn't tell me I kissed Laurie?" Sirius burst.

James joined in as well, "And what about me kissing Lily, hm? Isn't that something important?"

"Now that I think of it," Meg's words dripping with sarcasm, "That is quite important, what do you say, Moony." He laughed, "Very important."

Sirius snorted, "I know something you two don't."

Meg narrowed her eyes, raising an eyebrow, "Say it or I'll beat you up." Sirius smirked, "On one condition."

"What?"

"You have to kiss Moony on the cheek. Right now."

Heat rose in Meg's cheek, looking to Remus, his eyes wide, "Fine." She whispered hoarsely.

"Sorry, didn't quite hear that," Sirius smirked, "Say it again." James had a hand clamped over his mouth, his eyes watering from holding in laughter.

"Fine." She said loudly, "Fine!"

"Good, kiss him and I'll tell you." He said, a smug look on his face.

Meg breathed deeply. Getting up on her tiptoes she pressed a kiss to Remus's cheek. She heard the donkey-like laughter behind her. She turned back to her brother, her face completely red, "Tell me or I'll hex your ass." She said.

Sirius wiped a tear of laughter from his eye, "For muggle studies, we're going to London."

"YOU MADE ME KISS MOONY FOR THAT," She shouted, fuming, "No offence, I mean-" She fumbled on her words, trying not to make eye contact with Remus.

"Well I'll see you boys for dinner," She said, slinging her satchel over her shoulder and making a run for the castle. James chuckled as he watched the ebony-haired girl trip on a tree root, quickly picking herself back up and continuing her way back to Hogwarts.

"You liked that, didn't you, Moony?" James teased. Remus gave a stiff nod, trying not to look at any of his friends.

"I can't wait to have my best mate for a brother in-law," Sirius snickered, his head falling back with laughter.