The Marauders: Year One (female)

42. Bored

Remus sat curled up in her favourite oversized jumper, on a comfy chair by the window of her ward. Rain plashed against the panes, and Remus breathed against it, watching it fog up. She had cracked the window open to smell the fresh scent of the rain that she loved; the old lady who had unsuccessfully attempted to become an Animagus clucked her tongue in irritation. Remus ignored her as she tilted her nose up and closed her eyes, inhaling.

She wondered what was going on at school, what with all the Slytherins and Professor Paisley. Lillian hadn't mentioned her in his letters. Maybe he was afraid of having his owl intercepted. It wasn't uncommon, these days.

Remus had been confined to the ward, as she had caused quite the uproar earlier. She had charmed the water for the Healers' tea to cause them to grow whiskers and antaenae.

Leah, laughing, with a set of thick white whiskers, had escorted Remus back to the ward when she was caught. The wizard whom she had knocked over looked finally vindicated. Remus made a face at him as she had passed. She also had a new letter from Lillian.

She unfolded it as she cuddled further into her jumper.

Dear Remus,
Don't worry about bothering me at all!
Your letters are quite a relief. Life has been, well, pretty boring. Until yesterday. You told me to try to get to know your friends, and I can tell you that they have exceeded all my expectations.

They broke into the boy's dormitories, went through my stuff, extracted information from Mason by underhand tactics as he told me later (you really have to speak with Sirius on that one), ransacked all my belongings, and stole your letter to me.

So yeah, I think I'll stick with the mates I have now. I still haven't completely ruled out telling McGonagall, you know.

Anyway, you should know, that I've promised to mention them to you in my letter. They really are worried about you, Remus. Please write to them. I know they're obnoxious and incredibly annoying, but deep down, I belive they really care about you. Sirius is really getting out of hand. I can try to keep an eye on her, but I can't promise anything. And I won't tell anyone, don't worry.

The rumours have calmed down a lot, but they're not very far off what you listed. I heard one last week about how you'd moved to Romania to fight dragons. And it's your choice to tell me whatever you want, but please write to your friends. I fear for my sanity, and that of the whole school if you do not.

Love, Lillian.

Remus sighed as she finished the letter. She should have known that sooner or later, her friends would start making pro-active attempts to contact her. They cared too much. Remus couldn't have friends like that. Perhaps she never should have been friends with them in the first place.

She could ignore them. She could shun them, and make enemies of them for the rest of her life at Hogwarts, and maybe they would not find out her secret. No, that was impossible. The deal had been done.