No Control // Wolfstar

Sixteen

Remus waits patiently in his bed. James' cloak is clutched between his fingers, the silky fabric light as water, and his wand tightly gripped between in the other. He shakes his foot irritably whilst waiting. In the dead of night something rustles. Soft footsteps make their way out of the dorm, and the door shuts with a dull click.

Remus leaps out of bed, throwing the cloak over himself hastily. His feet are clad in heavy knit socks from Peter's mum, and he doesn't bother with shoes as not to make a sound. Sirius' bed is empty - the sheets pooled at the bottom. Remus pries the door open, slipping through with ease. As his foot hits the common room, the portrait swings shut with little protest from the Fat Lady.

"Where are you going..." he whispers to himself. He pushes open the portrait, disregarding the Fat Lady's lecture on privilege and mangy teenagers. Sirius isn't far ahead, though he keeps a safe distant behind.

Sirius walks along the sides of the corridors briskly, making it hard for Remus to keep up in the dark. There is absolutely no sound - even the usually abrasive portraits remain inert. Remus covers his mouth with his hand to ensure that Sirius wouldn't catch him. For a bloke, he had a rather keen sense of hearing.

All movement stops when Sirius flattens against the wall. Remus freezes in his spot when Filch's cat slinks around the corner. It hisses at Sirius but at one glance, shrinks in fear before darting up the stairs. Remus' jaw is agape when the cat brushes past his legs. Sirius' eyebrows knit together as he stares into the darkness where the cat just ran off to. Remus swallows the lump in his throat, catching Sirius' wandering eyes. Sirius shakes his head, rounding the corner swiftly. He's still dressed in his uniform, minus the robe, standing with his wand extended. A beat passes before Remus follows along into the dungeons. The air has a bitter taste to it, coldness creeping up Remus' spine.

By now Remus is certain they're going to the Slytherin common room - but Sirius passes the entrance without batting an eye. Remus halts against the wall when Sirius barges into a seemingly abandoned classroom. The door remains open only a few seconds - long enough for Remus to catch the familiar faces of Snape and Nott. Quickly, Sirius' foot slams the door shut and the voices become muddled into nothing.

Remus slides against the cold stoned walls until his bum hits the floor. He tucks his knees against his chest, resting his head along the top.

So this is where Sirius goes... he thinks. What is he doing with Snape and Nott?

The thoughts pull at his mind the remainder of the time until the door flings open again. Remus jumps to his feet, gripping his wand tightly in case. Sirius appears in the light, flipping off somebody before storming away. He heads back the way he came when Remus realizes that he's heading back to the dorm. Immediately he runs the other way in hopes to beat Sirius there. His feet barely hit the floor as he tears down the corridors, the cloak slowly slipping off.

"Devil's Snare!" Remus shouts.

The Fat Lady scoffs, "In all my life -"

"Open the bloody door!"

The portrait swings open, and Remus sprints inside. Climbing the stairs haphazardly, he can hear the portrait swing open behind him. He bounds through the door to the dormitory and makes a leap into his bed. He shuts the hangings, stuffing the cloak under his pillow, and buries himself under the covers hastily. Pressing his ear to the pillow, he can hear his heart beating wildly against his chest.

The door opens again, much quieter than he had done. Footsteps grow louder, causing Remus to screw his eyes shut tighter. His curtains shift slightly, but nothing happens. Remus hears Sirius' kick off his shoes and the sounds of the mattress creaking as Sirius lies down. Once the noises stop, he lets out a heavy breath, rolling onto his back.

That was close. Too close.

*

*

*

"Looks like someone's more moody than Moony," James comments when seeing Remus aggressively stab his food.

"Piss off, Prongs," Remus grits. He takes a forkful of chicken into his mouth, chomping with his mouth closed.

"Sticks and stones can break my bones -"

"What the hell are you going on about, James?" Abigail scolds. She slides in beside Remus, wrapping her arm around his waist. "Just let him be."

"You're like a fun-dementor. You suck the fun out of everything."

Abigail rolls her eyes, holding Remus tight. "Are you ready for tonight?"

Remus shrugs, "Do I have a choice?"

She lays her head against his shoulder affectionately. "If you need anything I'm right here."

Remus breathes out a long sigh, his hand resting over her knee. "I know."

Though they had their ups and downs, the one thing that Abigail never failed to do was help Remus during those times. She was at his beckoning call, no matter how snappy he could get. It was one of the many things he found admirable about her. Her loyalty. After he revealed his secret to her in their fourth year, she didn't run away. In fact, it bonded them. It was like a weight was lifted from his shoulders; he didn't have to hide it anymore.

James pretends to gag himself with his spoon, his eyes trailing off to look at something more interesting. "Where's Wormtail and Sirius?" he asks.

"I'm pretty sure Sirius said they were going to try and catch Filch's cat," Remus answers.

"You're still friends with him?" Abigail whispers quietly for only Remus to hear.

James glares at her from across the table, unable to eavesdrop.

"It doesn't concern you," Remus snaps.

"Remy you know I'm just looking out for you."

"I don't remember asking for you to." Abigail bites her lip and shies away. "Shit. I'm sorry Abigail." He gently caresses her leg, running a hand through his hair tiredly. "I didn't mean that."

"It's okay."

"No it's not. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that."

"Hey." She tips his chin up, "I love you," she says gazing up at him.

"Love you, too."