Mischief Managed Y2 Part 2: The Truth of the Tournament

Chapter Eighty-One: That's No Way to Live

AN: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH FINALLY!!!!! Please read the AN at the bottom for important updates. I hope you all are as happy to read this as I am to post it. Thank you to everyone who is still here despite the multiple month-long waits ;_; 

And to celebrate the important news at the end of the chapter. Year three will be starting tomorrow! :D

.................................................

"We'll stay with you until we see your dad." James' quiet determination broke the silence as the scenery showed they'd arrive at King's Cross Station in thirty minutes. Remus' heart leapt into his throat, and he struggled to swallow, his mouth bone dry. They had discussed this several times over the past two days. Why must it be brought up for a seventh time?

"T-that's not n-necessary..." The werewolf pressed his throbbing head to the chilly window, wishing the train would never arrive.

"Yes, it is!" James' insistent voice rose, but he lowered it dramatically at a pained groan from Sirius. "You can't just live alone. You'll come with me if your dad doesn't show up."

Perhaps Remus hadn't communicated how bad staying with the Potter family would turn out. He didn't want to get into it...again. He could feel the unjust frustration building, which wasn't fair to his ridiculously generous friend trying to help. But Remus couldn't end up in Azkaban. Plus, he had enough Galleons that if he was careful, he could get himself through the summer. The uncertainty made the scary prospect insurmountable. Remus' eyes burned, and he blinked furiously, unable to face James.

Why did it come to lying so often? Why couldn't everyone leave him alone?

Well, you'll be alone soon enough, the pessimistic whisper in his head insisted unhelpfully.

"James, have you forgotten our whole conversation?" The politely described argument remained painstakingly fresh in Remus' mind. He faced his impossible friend with raised eyebrows. "I can receive and deliver owls now that my dad knows you are my friends and acknowledged it. He wouldn't do that if I weren't going to come back home with him." Oh, how I hope that's true! "That's why we agreed Sirius would keep half the mirror." Yet another necessary lie.

However, it's not like the mirror would help the werewolf. Even though the werewolf's father accepted he had friends, there was a difference between discussing it and rubbing the man's face in it. Should Remus even be allowed home, he couldn't risk stirring the pot. Besides, Sirius obviously needed it more, considering the possibility Death Eater Bellatrix could be around and the chance he'd behave himself for long nil. After reminding James of this critical point, he continued with barely surviving patience, "I'll write to you in a week. And you can send me half of the mirror if I give you the okay. You all have my address." He didn't want to know how they had managed such a feat, but he blamed Sirius-snoop-Black.

James grinned sheepishly, his eyes shimmering with concern as he opened his mouth to protest. Remus never wanted to argue with any of his friends again, but he would settle for at least waiting until next year. "Besides...if, and that's a big if, my dad doesn't show up, I can floo to your place temporarily." The werewolf's voice didn't wobble, almost convincing himself he could keep the promise. "You made sure I memorised your address and Peter's, remember?"

At James' look of disbelief and Peter's switching from pacifying an ever-restless Elvis to anxiously shifting- working himself up to speak, Remus continued in silent desperation. "Look, he runs late. Last time, I waited for hours. I don't want to hold up your family." He pointedly met James' unhappy eyes, knowing it was necessary but mean of him to stress this: "I can't afford to seem suspicious to them in any way. I'll be fine, promise."