ROSEKILLER

BREAKING BOUNDARIES

The corridors of Hogwarts were unusually quiet that evening, the muted sound of footsteps echoing through the stone halls. August Lupin kept his pace steady, his mind whirling with thoughts of the day's events. He couldn't shake the feeling of restlessness that had settled in his chest since breakfast—since his time with Barty and Evan.

They were pushing him, in ways he wasn't sure he was ready for.

The flicker of torchlight reflected off the dungeon walls as August made his way back to the Slytherin common room. He had been avoiding this conversation with himself for days now. What was happening between him, Barty, and Evan wasn't something he could ignore anymore, but it scared him to admit it out loud.

Just as he turned a corner, he came face to face with a familiar group—his brother, Remus Lupin, accompanied by James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew. The infamous Marauders.

"Well, well, look who it is," Sirius drawled, crossing his arms with a smirk. "The other Lupin."

August straightened, his jaw tightening as his gaze met his brother's. Remus looked tired, his eyes betraying an exhaustion that August knew all too well. He'd seen it in his own reflection, especially on nights like these, so close to the full moon.

"Remus," August greeted coolly, ignoring the other three for the moment. "Out for a stroll?"

Remus hesitated, clearly unsure how to navigate this sudden encounter. "We're just heading back to the common room. What about you?"

August shrugged. "Same."

James raised an eyebrow, glancing between the brothers. "It's always strange seeing you two. A Lupin in Slytherin—it just doesn't seem right."

August shot him a glare, his temper flaring. "Well, here I am, Potter. Sorry to disappoint."

Sirius snickered, leaning against the wall. "Guess there's more to family than blood after all."

Remus stepped forward, placing a hand on Sirius's arm to calm him, though his gaze remained on August. "Can we not do this tonight? I'm not in the mood for more arguments."

August's eyes softened briefly as he looked at his brother. He hated how things had become between them—strained, tense. Growing up, they had been close, but once they were sorted into different houses, something shifted. Remus had made his own friends, and so had August. The divide had only grown.

"Are we really going to pretend everything's fine, Remus?" August asked quietly, his voice edged with frustration. "You avoid me every chance you get."

Remus winced but said nothing, his silence speaking louder than any argument.

Sirius, sensing the discomfort, stepped in again. "Maybe your brother's just too busy hanging out with the right people."

August's fists clenched at his sides, but before he could say anything, another voice cut through the tension.

"What's this?" Barty Crouch Jr.'s smooth, amused voice echoed down the corridor as he strolled toward them, Evan Rosier close behind. "The Marauders picking fights again?"

August immediately relaxed at their arrival, though the tension between him and the Marauders remained palpable. Barty's presence always had a way of shifting the mood, whether for better or worse.

"Crouch," James greeted, his voice tight with disdain. "Surprised you're not off hexing someone's cauldron for fun."

Barty grinned, completely unfazed. "Hexing cauldrons? That sounds more like your group's kind of thing. How's that map of yours coming along, by the way?"