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

Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Nine - "I Can See Remus In A Skirt Already!"

Author's note: CW for very short description of slight gore. It is after the nail varnish bit, and then when you see dialogue again it's over.

-x-

The final night of June's full moon stretch was another windy one, resulting in multiple rapid transformations. It was a good thing they hadn't left Captain Squeakers out in the living room because by the time Pomfrey showed up, Remus was too tired to even move. His wounds weren't very bad, at least; it was just his exhaustion level. As soon as he went to the hospital wing he slept until Pomfrey woke him up to get food in him.

"You've lost some weight," she said when he first argued, preferring to sleep than eat. "I also doubt you'll be up for your lessons today."

It was obvious he wasn't feeling well as he didn't bother arguing about not going to his lessons. He simply ate his food and went back to sleep until his friends showed up. Pomfrey checked with him, and he sleepily agreed to let them in. He really didn't feel up to trying to be a human, but also wanted to see his friends. Almost needed them, really. When they came through the door, Peter had Captain Squeakers with him, in his pocket.

"You look rough," Sirius said, going to his side immediately.

"I feel rough." He yawned, eyelids fluttering close. "It was awful."

"I don't see many bandages at least," James said.

"Mmm. No. Just. A lot of back and forth." Remus slid under the covers and curled up. "Transformations I mean."

"You sure you're up for company, mate?" Sirius asked, and Remus nodded, then fell asleep.

*

It wasn't until the afternoon that Remus started feeling more awake and active. After a lot of sleep and a huge lunch, he wanted to go to Care of Magical Creatures, but Pomfrey refused, saying it would be too much for him. She suggested he not go to Runes either. Almost an entire week of lessons missed... It hurt a lot, but at least it was after the exams. Plus he knew Lily would give him notes for most of their classes, so he'd be able to catch up easily.

When the Marauders showed up again they were very sweaty and smelling of sunshine and grass which made him a bit jealous. He wanted to go out and lay in the sun. They exclaimed over seeing Remus feeling better, and then almost immediately went into something about a costume day coming up. Remus's forehead wrinkled as he tried to make out what they meant.

Then, suddenly, Sirius was next to him with a grin. "We have a group costume idea. You'll join us, right?"

"I—er—"

Sirius elbowed him. "Come onnnn...!" When Remus remained silent (he wanted to know what he was agreeing to!) Sirius then gave him the puppy dog eyes. "Pleeeeaase?"

"Oh, very well." Remus rubbed his forehead, trying to sort through their words. "Could you at least explain to me without overlapping... what is going on? What costume thing? Is it just us going in costume?"

"Nope, it's school-wide." James stretched his legs out. "Charlemagne talked about it the other day since the fourth years found out about it and apparently want to do it. He talked to Dumbles and the Heads, and got permission! He told us today. It's something called... errmmm... Lou... Lou day? Lou something day. They celebrated it at Beauxbatons with costumes."

Realization finally sank in. "The Day of Lourey?"

"You know about it?"

"He is French," Peter pointed out, before Remus could reply.

"Only a little," Remus argued.

Sirius crooked his arm over Remus's shoulder. "You're a little everything, shorty."