JULIET {remus lupin}

SIXTY SIX

Settling back into Hogwarts was easier than Juliet anticipated, her fellow Slytherins knew the Dark Lord had given her a task, and for that, they respected her. Evan and Ophelia Rosier were bitter, as was usual, both jealous of the secret attention that the witch had been getting. Regulus had ensured that Caius did not spread the truth of Juliet's birth any further than he had. If people did know about Nathaniel Romilly not being her father, certainly no one showed it.

"Nathaniel is weak in everyone's eyes," Regulus had said to her one night on their prefects patrol. "Everyone believes you're strong so no one cares if he's your father or not."

Lucius and even Bellatrix Lestrange had written to her several times regarding her task to kill her 'muggle blood family'. 

How was she feeling, when was she going to do it, does she know how to do it, does she need help doing it?

Each letter had been read and promptly burnt. Regulus had not pushed her about it, he knew she couldn't do it so, since Christmas, his predominant concern had been finding someway to keep her safe for the rest of the war. He felt that this was not betraying the dark lord. 

Lying and being a little deceitful, perhaps, but certainly not betraying.

The marauders had completely thrown themselves into their roles in the Order of the Phoenix, the four of them got stronger by the day, and the marauder's map proved very useful with sneaking in and out of Hogsmeade to the Shrieking Shack to practice. Lily had also begun to attend meetings, along with Marlene, with both agreeing that any future career plans would be put on hold when they graduated in Summer.

In spite of everything, the endless murders, fear and constant fatigue from balancing NEWTs and the order, the marauders still managed to be extremely excitable about the fact that they were apart of this 'secret club', and wore their secret badge with pride.

"I'm gonna be an auror," Sirius said excitedly, as they sat in the corner of a meeting observing Dumbledore talking to the aurors Kingsley Bolt and Alastor Moody. "Like Frank," he grinned.

Remus rolled his eyes, "you've got such a crush on him, Sirius." He said, watching Frank and Alice Longbottom laughing in the corner with a tall ginger man.

"No, I just think he's fucking cool-"

"He is cool," Peter agreed eagerly.

"There's nothing wrong with idolising powerful wizards, Moony," Sirius snapped.

Remus rolled his eyes and turned back to observing. As had everyone, he had been pondering his own future and could not help but not see one. Of course, he would fight, but if he survived where would he be? James and Sirius would be aurors, James married. Peter was desperate to get a job in the Ministry. Marlene would be playing quidditch. He didn't think a werewolf could, or was even allowed to do any of those things. Sure, being an auror perhaps wasn't for him. But what was?

"Black, Lupin," Alastor Moody called out from where he stood with Frank Longbottom, as the other order members trailed out of The Hog's head.

"Fuck off," he snapped gruffly at where James and Peter loitered at the door.

Frank laughed and cocked his head, the door shutting in their faces.

"Wandless magic?" Sirius asked, blatantly in awe.

"Is it hard?" Remus asked, secretly impressed.

"Comes more naturally to some than others," he shrugged. 

"And comes mightily easy to Franky boy here," Alastor grinned, ruffling his hair.

Remus grinned to himself as he watched Sirius nodding and clinging onto every word the two spoke like an eager puppy dog.