The Collision Theory | Remus Lupin

26. A Little bit of Mischief

As the sun starts to rise, the others get up, one by one breaking my ribs in crushing embraces.  I don't sleep, partly because I don't want to be away from them, but also because the thought of unconsciousness terrifies me.

"Don't think we're leaving you some for one minute." Sirius scoffs, downing a loaf of toast, "No sir."

"Don't baby me Black." I raise my eyebrows, smirking a little, "Live your lives, don't let me hold you back. Be free."

"Drama queen." James rolls his eyes, "Sirius' flair has rubbed off on you."

"Isn't today the Hogsmeade trip?" Peter asks, and everyone goes silent for a second, "Padsy you might want to rethink your oath."

"Yeah," Black nods hastily, "I take back what I said. Every man for himself."

"You asshole." I fake a frown, and he grins.

"Well, might as well get you some get-well-soon chocolates." Peter smiles kindly.

"Thank you Pete." I nod, "See Sirius? That's how to be a good friend."

"Get some rest alright?" Sirius ruffles my hair as if I were a little kid before he leaves with Peter. James and Lily exchange quick glance to one another, as if having a telepathic conversation.

I sigh, "Go on then, have some fun."

"I beg your pardon?" James throws a quizzical look.

"You're both itching to follow Mr Black." I feign a pout, "Mr Lupin and I will have to do without your company."

"Thanks." They say at once.

Lily smiles at me, then just as she leaves, throws a smirk at Remus like she knows something, "Don't have too much fun without us."

"Says the one who won't be stuck in a hospital wing." Remus laughs.

I wait till the doors clung shut before I say sheepishly, "I'm sorry for ruining our little date thing."

Remus hands me a glass of pumpkin juice, "I'm more than happy to have it here. We can pretend we're in a bar or something, cheers."

"Cheers." I smile as we clink glasses. A thought suddenly pops into my head, "Where's Miriam?!"

"McGonagall didn't want her seeing you till you're definitely well." Remus avoids my gaze, "She's in a bit of a shock, saw everything. But the Professor's going over everything with her."

"Oh." Suddenly the juice isn't so tasty, and a weight sits itself in my chest.

"Hey," Remus straightens up, "why don't we quit pretending and get into a little mischief?"

"What?" I frown.

"A real bar, with real drinks." He grins, getting to his feet with a form in his eye that just spells trouble, "Let's sneak into Hogsmeade."

"How do you plan on doing this?"

Sometimes it's easy to forget that this boy who buries himself in books nearly every waking hour is also a member of the most infamous group in the school, "The Marauders way."

*

I get Remus to grab my cloak from my dorm, but instead he comes back with far more than I anticipated, "Are you trying to make me die from heat exhaustion?!"

"Just trust me and put everything on." He throws the clothes on the bed and turns his back. I pull on everything he's brought: my extra fluffy socks, a pair of jeans, a long sleeve shirt, a crimson jumper, my scarf and my thickest- though really not so thick- cloak.
In the end I feel like a ball of clothes. He pulls me off of the bed, "Now, I'll distract Pomfrey. You leg it alright?"