downfall // marauders era

e i g h t e e n

Eve and Remus were walking down the hall towards the common room after finishing their final class of the week, Herbology. Eve was very thankful that, not only was it Friday, but they only had one more week of school left until they could leave to go home for the winter holidays. She couldn't help but smile at the thought of seeing her parents and having a real Christmas.

James and Sirius had gone separate ways from the two after the Herbology lesson to do something Eve and Remus couldn't be bothered to care about. After all, that night was the full moon and the Fanged Geranium they had been dealing with in Herbology bit Eve more times than she could count.

"I really think I should be able to-"

"I know what you're about to ask," Remus sighed, cutting her off, "and we still say no. It's too dangerous, I'm too dangerous. I wouldn't be able to stand it if I hurt you. Besides, James and Sirius wouldn't allow it either."

"I'm just as safe as James and Sirius are, and you let them go with you! Why can't I? It's already been a couple of months since Peter left, and don't think I haven't heard you three complain about how much more difficult it is for you to get past the Whomping Willow without him there to press the knot. I'm a bird, I can help you!"

Remus shook his head again, "I just- what if I hurt you?" Eve merely shrugged.

"Alright, then I'm hurt. Big deal. You're just overthinking this, I'll be fine!" She insisted.

"James would never allow it..." Remus trailed off, not knowing what else to say.

"Well, it's a good thing James isn't the boss of me."

Remus sighed before mumbling the password to the Fat Lady to gain access, and the two walked over to an empty couch, collapsing in relief. They stayed like that for a while, Eve only paying attention to the throbbing of her fingers from where she'd been bitten by the plants and Remus trying to avoid thinking of the night to come by reading. Much to Eve's relief, he didn't look nearly as sick as the first couple of times she had seen him before a full moon, so she hoped for Remus' sake that this meant tonight might be easier to handle.

They sat in peace for awhile, ignoring the loud chatter buzzing around them, until James and Sirius rushed into the room, covered head-to-toe in vinegar, but laughing loudly at their own antics nonetheless.

"Bloody hell, you two are getting vinegar all over the place! Speaking of which, why are you covered in it?" Remus stood up slowly as he spoke, and Eve raised her eyebrows at the two.

James looked at them and began laughing even harder before he raced to the stairs with Sirius just behind him. Remus and Eve shrugged at each other before walking after the trail of vinegar that lingered on the common room floor and up the dormitory stairs.

Remus and Eve walked in only to find both boys now in just their boxers, arguing over who would take a shower first.

"Did you two try to get into the Hufflepuff Common Room? I read about this happening in Hogwarts: A History, but I never knew if it was true," Remus questioned as the two boys finally stopped bickering.

"Yeah, we were heading to the kitchen and Pads here saw a hot sixth year Hufflepuff go into her common room, but before he could reach her she'd already walked inside. So, like any sane people would do, we ran over and started banging on those barrel things to get her attention. Then this vinegar just fell from the sky or something! And now, here we are, covered in vinegar-"

"-and I didn't even get her name!" Sirius finished with a playful pout.

"It's not like you'd remember it tomorrow, mate," Remus clapped Sirius on the shoulder before making a face and wiping his hands on his pants.