It wasn't easy for Remus to keep Sirius at a distance while he was staying with the Potters. The house was big enough, but that didn't matter much in a family home; something Remus was only just learning. Mrs Potter gave Remus his space during the first couple of days, but after that it was clear that she had no idea of the rift between the marauders, and expected the three boys to spend all of their time together as usual.
As much as they were each uncomfortable with this arrangement, for their own reasons, none of them wanted to disappoint or worry Euphemia. So an uneasy truce was struck, and Remus spent most of his time reading his book, sitting close enough to James and Sirius that it did not look suspicious.
Grant had said that it wouldn't always hurt - and though he hadn't had the full facts of the situation, Remus was starting to believe him. He still felt very angry towards Sirius - but it hurt less, as the final weeks of summer drained away in a flood of sunshine and blue skies. He was able, at least, to be civil, and Sirius seemed grateful. At any rate, he had stopped trying to corner Remus into a conversation every five minutes.
Besides, after his conversation with Moody, Remus had other things occupying his mind. For years now, he had been labouring under the assumption that Greyback did not know him, that he would have the element of surprise in his corner. But now it seemed that Greyback might be looking for him, too. He would not tell the marauders this, not until he knew more. No use getting them worried; if Moody said that Hogwarts was safe, then Remus was inclined to believe him for now. The Potters clearly trusted him, and that would have to be enough. What was more; he knew Ferox.
Remus had had Ferox on his mind too. Once again, his old professor seemed like the safest option when it came to asking questions. He understood Remus's need to know more - even if he didn't know why, exactly. And Remus didn't want to bother Mr Potter, not when he seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders already. He would send an owl to Ferox as soon as he was back at school - and as soon as the dust had settled on this recent revelation.
In the meantime, Peter came over every day, and they went out on their brooms, or else lounged about on the lawn, smoking, listening to Sirius's record player and sunbathing. Remus turned a warm hazelnut brown all over, which made him look healthier than he ever had, and his hair bleached a shade fairer.
On the penultimate day of the holidays, they were doing just this - it was too hot to move, and all four of them were lying on their backs baking in the sun. Remus had positioned himself a little further away from the others, just to show Sirius that he was not off the hook. (Also because Sirius had an annoying habit of taking his shirt off, and Remus was trying not to notice.)
"So tell me again," Peter yawned up at the sun, arms behind his head, "What was the Knight Bus like? I've always wanted to go on it."
"Dream big, Petey." Sirius drawled.
"It wasn't that great," James replied, "Can't wait until we can all apparate - lessons start in January."
"I'm going to be rubbish at it." Peter said, forlorn, "Dezzie has been reading the theory books, I can't get my head around it."
"Well it's better than relying on that stupid bus." James removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes, "It's fine for magical locations, but the driver kept getting lost on the way to St Edmund's."
Remus's stomach flipped. He really, really hated the idea that James and Sirius had been there. He felt as though they'd seen some private part of him he would have preferred to keep hidden. Like the first time he'd transformed in front of them.
"I can't believe I missed that too." Peter sighed. "Were there loads of muggles? What was it like?"
"C'mon Pete," James said, "That's Moony's home you're talking about."
