The Pettigrew Perspective

Chapter 8. Into Winter

!TW! Large talk about suicide, harming others, self suffering. Please don't read this chapter if any of it affects you as this is just a filler chapter. If you are struggling with this actions or thought please reach out for help.

          The boys got 10 days worth of detention for their little stunt at Halloween. James and Sirius didn't mind, of course. Remus seemed a little over it. Peter was bored. They were forced to clean 'Zonkos magical forever tasteful bubble gum' off the bottom of classes desks. Sirius and Peter were paired with each other and James and Remus. Peter was constantly wondering what they were doing and talking about. Perhaps Remus was going to become closer friends with James than him. Maybe James made it into a sort of game like who can successfully scrape off the most gum before the entire classroom is done? James probably won. He is competitive.

Peter, who was constantly studying his friends in his free time, noticed Remus start to disappear about once a month. Peter hadn't been keeping a list to be exact but- ok well it only started 2 months ago so it only has 2 entry's- he had been paying attention to the calendar.
At first Peter thought it was Remus having his time of the month like girls do... and Remus. Peter thought this because that was what Remus was saying and why not believe him? However there were 2 things that pointed to the fact he was lying. It might, of course, be different because who was Peter to say all woman had the same vagular experiences? But neither Mary, Marlene nor Lily had theirs that "heavy" (Peter hates thinking of periods as heavy. Like, ew?) in fact, Mary, apparently, hadn't even gotten hers yet.

There was also the second piece of evidence that Peter noticed. Remus had been complaining about cramps. About 2 1/2  weeks after he went to the hospital wing. Peter decides it was time to confront Remus on this little game he thinks he's playing with Sirius, him and the rest of his friends.

Luckily, the amazing offer arose after herbology one early December day. James and Sirius had detention from bullying the mandrakes for the year 2s.
They were walking back to their dorms together and nobody was around so Peter clears his throat.

"Ahem... Remus?" He tries.

"Hm?" Asks Remus, not seemingly in the a mood to talk.

"So I've noticed some things with your... behaviour recently," Peter starts.

"What are you, a professor?" Jokes Remus, seeming to note Peters serious tone.

"Hahaha... Uhm no... well it's just that... you've been not sleeping in our dorms for once a night every month for... well the entire time we got here?" Peter questions. It was really a statement more than a question. A fact. But Peter was nervous.
He didn't handle confrontation very well. He usually left that part for James or an adult to handle. But James wasn't here so he needed to man up.

"What are you saying, Peter?" Asks Remus, attempting a smile but looking a bit more ill.

"Nothing I just want to know why," Peter says.

"Why what?" Remus continues. He's really not gonna say it, is he?

Peter sighs. "Why are you leaving every month for one night only?" Peter says, shutting his eyes like Remus might attack him with his book.

"Usually just have my period," Remus shrugs.

"Ok yes but 6 weeks ago you said you had cramps. Then you didn't sleep here a week and a bit ago. So unless you get your period more than once a month..." Peter fades away, not really sure what else to add. Remus was looking pale.