Obsession • Sirius Black

Chapter 15

The boys snuck out last night, I was trying to sleep on the common room sofa because Marlene was sleep talking again, which she does an awful lot, I could hear their whispering voices as they tiptoed down the stairs to the boys dormitories. I couldn't hear Remus' voice though, so I guessed that it was the time of the month where he disappears for a week. The trio went very quiet when, I assume, they noticed me.

"She's asleep it's fine, Pads," James assured Sirius, I know it was Sirius he was talking to because of their weird nicknames they have for each other.

"Come on, it's almost time," Said Sirius and their footsteps got quieter and quieter.

I heard the door to the Common Room close and jumped up in an attempt to follow them, I hardly got two feet out of the door before the Fat Lady stopped me.

"No students out past 10pm, girl!" She announced, adjusting her rose-gold eye mask.

"But-"

"No. Don't make me report you to McGonagall!" The Fat Lady crossed her arms and gave me a stern look.

I sighed and went back to bed, I wasn't facing the wrath of McGonagall for those idiots. Back in my bed, I thought back to what Black had said about it being "almost time" and wondered what he meant and if it had anything to do with Remus' monthly hospital trips. What if those boys were hurting him?!
No. If there was anything I knew for certain it was that the Marauders were closer than brothers and would never hurt one another.

The next day I woke up and set out to find them, leaving Lily and Marlene sleeping soundly in bed.
I needed answers, especially if this concerned Remus.

Entering the Great Hall for breakfast, I saw Peter, James and Sirius picking at their food in silence and immediately knew something was wrong, silence was not something I was aware the marauders knew how to do. As I walked over to them, I noticed that they were hurt, James had a black eye and a bandage around his hand, Peter had a bruised neck and Sirius seemed uninjured but his eyes were wide and he was staring at nothing with a frown on his face, I knew that look all too well, something awful had happened.

What caught my attention the most was the absence of Remus (surprise, surprise). He had been supposedly ill these past few days and had been absent from class. I needed answers, nobody disappeared to the hospital wing for an entire week every month. I could hear my heart beating in my ears, if Remus hadn't told me this big secret then it must be something serious.

"Where is he?" I questioned, trying to keep voice level, not wanting them to see the overwhelming panic that was building up inside of me.

The three boys looked up at me in unison and then exchanged anxious glances, like they were having some sort of silent conversation.

"Parker, I'm sorry but we can't tell you." Sirius stated, his grey eyes staring into mine. His face was stern but his eyes were soft, pleading, almost. There was something about those eyes he was giving me that was almost hypnotic, like if he looked at me like that a second longer I'd do anything he asked. So I diverted my gaze and stood my ground, remembering why I was here.

"Cut the bullshit, Black. This happens every month without fail. Did you think I wouldn't notice?" The trios eyes went wide at my words. James started rambling about Remus visiting his sick great auntie. He was so obviously lying, when James Potter lies he talks at 100mph.

"I'm going to see him," Was all I said and I strode off in the direction of the hospital wing, behind me I could hear the boys scramble out of their seats to try and stop me.

Their footsteps behind me grew alarmingly louder and I broke into a run. I knew I wasn't thinking straight but I couldn't stop from swinging the door open and heading towards the only hospital bed with the privacy curtain pulled around it. I think Madam Pomfrey was shrieking at me but it was all a blur, all I could think about was making sure Remus was okay.

I pulled back the hospital curtain. A few seconds went by, I think, and my cheeks felt wet and I hadn't realised I was crying. I was frozen on the spot, I couldn't move, I couldn't speak. All I could do was stare like a statue.

He was white as the sheets he lay on, he had a cast on his left wrist and an open wound that went from his jaw to his collar bone. His shirt was open as one of the nurses was applying some sort of healing potion onto it.

Remus stared up at me, sweat dripping down his forehead. He dropped the book that his non-injured hand has been holding.

"Sophia, what-" He started coughing and I flinched slightly, questioning how hurt he really was, "What are you doing here?"

The nurse that was treating his wound put the potion on the bedside table and walked away, realising this was going to be a private conversation.

I took a deep breath and placed myself on the chair next to his bed. The sight of him and the extent of his injuries overwhelmed me and I needed a moment to make sure I could catch my breath. Remus understood this and let me take a few seconds.

"Parker! How dare-" Madam Pomfrey started behind me but I didn't care, my sole focus was on Remus.

"It's okay, Madam Pomfrey, I'd like her to stay," Remus assured her, trying to give her a smile.

She let out a long sigh, "You have ten minutes," She added in a softer tone and left, closing the curtain behind her.

"Remus, what- I mean, what on earth has been happening to you? Please, just talk to me," I pleaded, feeling more hot tears streaming down my cheeks as I placed my hand over his.

"Sophia, I can't, I'm sorry," He didn't quite meet my eyes as he spoke but I could see him tearing up.

"Remus, you are my best friend, I thought you knew that you can tell me anything. Every single month, you have to go to the hospital wing and I need an explanation. I'm scared, Remus, I'm scared that I'm going to lose you."

One lone tear ran down his too-pale cheek as he looked up at me in a deep thought. My heart was thundering in my chest, terrified of what he was going to say next.

After what felt like hours, he took in a deep breath, "I'm a lycanthrope."

Confusion overcame me, a werewolf? How had he managed to hide this? How long for? From birth? Was he bitten? I had so many questions.

"I- um- I understand if you would like to stop being friends with me, but I beg you, please don't tell anyone." The look on his face as he said these words broke my heart.

"Stop being friends with you? Why on earth would I want to do that?" I said, shocked that he would think I would do such a thing.

"Because I'm a fucking monster, Sophia!" He yelled, hysterically and I jumped slightly at his harsh tone.

"No," I squeezed his hand tighter and he turned his head to look at me, "You're a boy who has been through hell. You are not a monster, so don't ever say that again. Remus Lupin, you are pure, you are kind, you are good. You are my best friend and I will be with you through this. I will help you however I can. It's me and you forever, Rem."

He moved over on his hospital bed and I lay next to him, gently pulling his body into mine and I held him. We stayed silent for I'm not sure how long and I could feel my shirt grow damp from his tears. He pulled back and his eyes met mine, full of gratitude, "Thank you."

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Authors Note: I'm so bad at updating I've been writing this story for like two years now i'm so sorry. I really don't like this chapter and might edit it later. Please leave comments and opinions it really motivates me!!