Hogwarts for the Marauders

Chapter 12 Arrangements

It had almost been a month since they arrived at the castle. Each day James would have to be woken up by atleast two people and dragged down to the Great hall. And each day the four boys would be late to class, getting a frown each from Lily and just a mere giggle from Alice.

Though, the full moon was round the weekend, and yet, Remus had no idea what he was going to do and where he was going to transform. He obviously can't do that in the castle. That would risk a lot many lives and neither can he go to the forbidden forest, fearing that someone might spot him.

And yet, Dumbledore had made no contact with him regarding his condition. Not that it was needed. Remus was doing pretty well in the classes and went well with the boys as well as Lily and Alice. He had the highest grades in the batch other than. Lily ofcourse. And no one had suspected him of his condition. Yet.

That day, when Sirius woke up, he was shocked to see James up already chatting animatedly with Peter. Probably making fun of him. He didn't like Peter at all. And neither did Sirius. He was just a tag along with the three of them.

That was when Sirius realised why he had slept late that morning. It was because Remus hadn't woken them up. And that was contributed by the fact that he was still asleep. Remus Lupin, in the bed. This late!

Surely Sirius was dreaming. He crept over to Remus' bed and when his face came to view, Sirius let out a soft gasp. It was enough to grab James and Peter's attention and they too, walked over to where Sirius was standing.

Three pairs of shocked eyes looked down at Remus Lupin's face which was covered in sweat and was deeply red as if from exhaustion. It was true that Remus was the only one of them that stayed up late doing homework, but it had never been so bad before. But this, his condition right now, was more than physical exhaustion.

It looked as if he was in pain. Extreme and unbearable pain. Remus was whimpering slightly and his body shook in cold shivers. Sirius kept a soothing g hand on Remus' head, was not surprised to find it blazing hot.

Without any words, James magicked some water and placed a dampened cloth on Remus' forehead as Sirius pulled his sheets down and unbuttoned Remus' shirt.

"I think we should call professor McGonagall. Remus looks terrible." Peter squeaked from behind his shades, as if afraid of Remus.

"No, I think we should just let him rest. Professor might become too serious. Let's go down to breakfast and then we can bring him something to eat. Let's see if he gets better by then." James said, ending the topic.

Once they had made sure Remus was alright and tucked comfortably in his bed, they went down to the Great hall for breakfast.

Lily rushed over to them, her face red.

"Where the hell have you all been to. You know how angry professor McGonagall gets if we are late. And I didn't want Remus to get scolded so I waited for you all and it must have been you two", she said pointing towards James and Sirius, " that caused Remus to be late. You are such an-" she said all of it in one breath until she was cut off by James.

"Oh, oh, calm down, love. It was your beloved Remus that slept in late today, all feverish and sweaty and we, being the great friends that we are, were just tending to him before he died. So you see you have nothing to worry about, your boyfriend's well taken care of." James said, a huge mocking grin plastered on his face.

Lily turned a little red and walked away, not wanting to show that egoistic beast how she was affected by the last part of his speech.

A while later, when Remus woke up, he found himself tucked neatly into the bed, covered in his own sweat that dropped down his face and Burned the scars on his back. His shirt was unbuttoned and his forehead felt cool under a damp towel.

"Ha, you have nice little friends, Mr. Lupin, I see." Came a voice from around James bed.

Remus sat up as a sharp pain shot through his bones and sent a shiver down his back. There sitting with a serene smile and his greying hair and half moon spectacles, sat Dumbledore, smiling patiently at Remus' struggle to get up.

"Goodmorning, professor. Am I really being expelled?" Remus asked panicked in his voice.

"Expelled? Why son, would I be needed to do that?"

"Because I am pretty sure I missed my class today." He answered innocently.

"Oh, no, dear, no. You're not being expelled. However, I indeed am here for a very important discussion." Dumbledore said solemnly.

"Yes...?" Remus asked nervous. And then on second thought, "professor?"

"You must know the reason behind your present...um... Condition?"

"Yes, sir. My lycanthropy."

"And you also know that the full moon is on the way? Therefore, I am here to inform you of your residence on the night of full moon. It's just a little while away from here. And its as comfortable as I could make it. Though I had made arrangements on the campus itself to accomodate you, but unfortunately, they had to be delayed."

"Thats all right professor. I really appreciate what you are doing  for me. But... Won't it be, you know, um... Dangerous to be on campus?"

"Oh no, not at all. I have taken care of it quite extensively you see. Plus, I really like bright students and seeing that you are one of the smartest in you batch, I would like to keep you well taken care of." He said and winked at Remus.

"So, Mr, Lupin. If you are ready we shall leave straight away. Seeing as the full moon is in two days?"

Remus got up and got dressed hurriedly, eager to see the place. Once he was done, he went over to where Dumbledore was sitting.

"Professor, I am ready."

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Hey guys!!! I have the next three chapters planned out already, so I will be updating back to back!

Enjoy! And let me know throught the comments if you all have any suggestions.

XOXOXO YUKTI