Four To The End (prev Shifting Lines) Book Three (Marauders Era)

Chapter One Hundred-Twenty-Eight - Tastes Like Burning

Author's note: CW underage drinking

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When Remus's alarm went off very early on Saturday morning, he moaned, turned it off, rolled over, and started to go back to sleep before vaguely remembering he was going to visit his mother today.

The Marauders had stayed up till three in the morning playing various games, mostly Wild Adventures with some Would-You-Rathers added in as well as one long period where they were daring each other to eat every flavor beans. James originally wanted to try something else: putting four identical beans in where they are different flavors to see who got a good flavor and who got a bad one, but they didn't have enough look-alikes, so James said he'd buy more in Hogsmeade.

It was also around that point where Remus realized he hadn't told his friends he'd be leaving in the morning for a few hours so he told them, and they all got quiet. Peter was the first to speak, saying that was fine. James looked upset by something while Sirius scowled, demanding to know weren't they supposed to spend the whole day together? Remus pointed out that Sirius had a date, and Sirius said that didn't count. Remus found it very unfair that they were making a big deal about him missing a couple of hours of Hogsmeade when he'd be back by one or two, yet they didn't care about Sirius's date. James calmed them both down by saying it'd be fine, it really wasn't that big of a deal, and they'd have plenty of time to hang out; he promised they'd wait till Remus returned to go to the Three Broomsticks.

Hopefully it won't be much after one or two, he thought as he got showered and dressed. He chose his nicest pair of jeans even though they were slightly short now, and a jumper that his mother had picked out for him over the previous summer. He brushed and dried his fluffy hair out, put his money and a few other things in his satchel, and then trooped off down to the entrance hall.

Hagrid was already there although McGonagall didn't show up for a few moments. Remus sat down, making conversation with Hagrid about knitting until the Head of Gryffindor showed up. She made sure Remus knew again to check in with someone when he returned to Hogsmeade, and said if nobody heard from him by four then they'd be sending someone to get him. Remus nodded.

Hagrid and Remus chatted some more as the carriage bounced its way to the town. Remus watched the thestral galloping along, still not entirely sure why he could see them. Soon he and the groundskeeper both fell into silence, listening to the forest waking up around them.

"My mum is meeting me in the tavern," Remus lied when they arrived at the Hogsmeade Floo network. "On the other side."

"All righ', then," Hagrid said, watching closely as Remus bought some Floo powder (enough to get there and get back) then tossed it in, saying as clearly as he could the name of Dragon's Field's little pub. He stepped into the whirling emerald flames and almost right away began coughing, getting dizzy and sick before he was spat out into the pub. It was devoid of customers, and the barkeep was sleepily waking up.

"Peidiwch â chael llawer dry fan hyn," she said. Don't get much through here, in an accusing manner.

"Rwy'n ymweld â fy rhieni," he replied. I'm visiting my parents. As soon as he started speaking Welsh, her countenance softened and she gave him a smile.

"Eisiau te cyn mynd?"

"Dim Diolch," he said, saying no thank you to her offer of tea. She gave a shrug and then rested her head back on the bar, falling asleep again before Remus even went out the door.

The sun was already up but it was still early enough that it felt empty. There was a lot of fog and mist everywhere, some curling around Remus's ankles as he walked. He had only gone about three buildings down when he stopped in his tracks, staring in shock at a mostly ruined house. It was one of the ones hit during the Easter holidays, probably the worst one hit—hopefully the worst one hit. He had no idea it had been this bad... one side was completely caved in and there was rubble everywhere. No evidence of any cleanup yet.