Game Over▬RL 2

Would've-Should've

Remus would watch as they sat together, laughing. His arm would be around her shoulders, she would lean into his touch. He'd look down at her with the most sincere smile he could ever muster. Sirius Black and Renee Potter; the 'it' couple. Remus would try to stay as far away from them as possible. They had what he had longed to have with someone. Unfortunately, Sirius shared a dorm with him. Renee would often visit it considering her obnoxious brother stayed there as well. The only one of the boys that he could tolerate would be Peter Pettigrew. For five years the other boys wouldn't bother to even look at Lupin. They would just keep to the trio they had formed. James Potter would be convinced his sister would marry his best friend. That's how it would go. Black would get out of his old family home, stow away with the loving Potter's, eventually Black would propose—she'd say yes of course. They'd have a small wedding and go on to have two or three kids. Remus would hear about it in a couple of years, mumble a 'good for them', and continue on his day. Sirius and James would forget the fourth boy they shared a dorm with and Renee would remember his name because they sometimes had prefect rounds together.

That's how it would've—should've gone. Unfortunately, James Potter wanted to be friends with everyone. And Renee Potter took in strays. She doesn't get her prince or any part of a fairytale. She for some reason chose the monster all those years ago. Then again, it seemed like she could still choose the prince. Run off together. Find somewhere quiet and raise a family together. Remus knew that's what she wanted before everything happened. No matter how much she fought him on it. They had built the white picket fence and she demanded they get married. However, they hadn't talked about where to go from here. Renee Potter is considered dead in the Wizarding World. If he hadn't had the map he wouldn't have known that the past week she had been missing from Hogwarts grounds. He assumed that she was with him. Probably in the Forbidden Forest or down in Hogsmeade. Somewhere just off the map, but close enough to Hogwarts.

Remus wanted to talk. Just sit down and lay it all out there. It had been twelve years that they'd been apart. He barely remembers it. Lots of dead-end jobs. One drunken mistake. His days and nights mostly consisted of staring at the unfinished accent wall in the library.

All of Remus' classes had taken their exams, and he still hadn't heard much from Ren. She was all over the castle. Visiting Hagrid, Harry, and even McGonagall, but not Remus. He had hoped that she would join him for his transformation again. He had woken to her the last couple of times.

✿

"Sirius?" Renee called out in the Shrieking Shack. She had been there waiting for him, for what seemed like forever. Screaming echoed down the small opening that led to the Whomping Willow. She didn't think twice before turning into Hedwig. It being the night of a full moon, she'd be stupid not to. A large black dog dragged Ron by his arm. Ren could see the tears in his flesh and his leg was twisted at an awkward angle. She was about to turn back when she spotted the rat poking out of his pocket. She screeched loudly, causing Padfoot to look over at her. Hermione's cat followed behind them. Sirius brought the boy into the bedroom, closing the door with his paw. She figured it was his way of securing Peter. Now there was no escaping. Sirius quickly transformed, gripping Ron's wand in his hand. The cat perched itself on the four-poster bed and Renee stopped in her tracks. Her eyes shot towards the door that burst open.

"Ron—are you okay?"

"Where's the dog?"

"Not a dog, Harry, it's a trap." He cried out in pain. "He's the dog, he's an animagus." He took shallow breaths, staring at Sirius. Black closed the door behind the children, revealing both of them. Renee is still in her animagus form.

"Hedwig?" Renee acted out of panic, quickly transforming and placing her hand on Sirius' shoulder. There was a second before the realization kicked in.

"Expelliarmus!" Sirius cast, he tossed one of the wands to the woman behind him. But he didn't move his eyes from his Godson. "I thought you'd come and save your friend." He took a step forward, looking over the boy. "Your father would have done the same for me. Brave of you, not to run for a teacher. I'm grateful..." Renee listened as he said his thanks, her heart quickened as Harry's eyes met her own. Before she knew it, everything had gotten out of hand. Harry had lunged for Sirius and the girl held him back.

"He killed my mum and dad!" His vicious stare landed on his aunt again. "Was this your plan all along? Be my first friend and trade me off to your Death Eater boyfriend!" Renee stepped back in shock, still too stunned to reply. She didn't expect the first time she saw Harry, as a human, to be like this. Within seconds Harry had ambushed Sirius, both of them falling backwards. Renee had turned just in time, almost getting pushed to the ground with them. The commotion was quite overwhelming. Ron was yelling, Hermione was screaming, and Renee was screeching. Not to forget the two on the floor. Renee had barely seen the hand wrap around Harry's throat, she dived down, nipping Black's skin. Quickly, she changed, standing over them. She summoned the two wands from Harry's hand.

"That's quite enough!" She pointed whoever's wand at them, tying Sirius up and lifting Harry, moving him over towards Ron. She gave one look at Hermione and the girl scurried to her friends. "This is going to go nowhere if I let you take the lead, Sirius." Black bowed his head, giving a light chuckle. "Right. Now. That thing in Weasley's pocket is our dear friend Peter. I suggest you get him out." She watched as none of the teens made a move. "Now!" Hermione went to grab the rat but was cut off when they all heard footsteps ascending the tunnel.

"We're up here! We're up here! Sirius Black! Quick!" She yelled, glancing around Renee to watch the door. Remus burst into the room after they sat in shock listening to his footsteps get closer. His wand was aimed and ready. He looked curiously at Renee. She had her hand on her hip.

"Close the door love, don't want anyone running off." Remus did as he was told, now seeing Sirius tied up behind the door. He smirked down at him, and Sirius just huffed.

"Where is he?" He asked now standing beside the Potter. She pointed at Ron, who sat in the middle of the three kids. His back pressed against the four posters.

"Can you at least get the damned cat away from me?" Sirius piped up, pushing Crookshanks off of his chest with his entwined hands. Both adults ignored him, turning to each other. They whispered to each other, glancing at Ron. Well, Ron's jumper.

"Professor Lupin? What's going on?" Remus walked over to Sirius, undoing Renee's spell and helping him up. The three stood in front of the other three. Remus stared down at Harry. His mouth opened to reply but was quickly cut off.

"I don't believe it!" Hermione yelled. Renee huffed, frustrated with the situation. The girl just went on. Remus tried to interject each time she started. The three, Hermione, Remus, and Harry argue back and forth, Renee raising the wand once more. "He's a werewolf!"

"Silencio!" She wasn't quick enough. The girl had given Remus' deepest, darkest secret.