snow white (r. lupin)

one

Something had shifted between Caroline and Remus that day in fourth year. Neither verbally acknowledged it, but both felt it. For her, it was the realization that Remus was the only person other than her mother that she had been honest and open with. Of course, her response to this was to put up more walls, and distance herself from him even more. But Remus was quietly persistent, because that glimpse past her facade had completely changed how he saw the Slytherin. She wasn't so untouchable anymore - she was more real, and all the more important to him because of it. He had made up his mind to keep his promise. He'd make things better for her when she needed it. After all, she was one of his best friends, and was there for him every full moon. It was only fair.

A few years flew by, and by the time the four Gryffindors and lone Slytherin were a few weeks into their final year at Hogwarts, their world was at war. Inside the castle, it felt like nothing had changed, which Caroline supposed was the point. Their cheery surroundings couldn't protect them from news from the outside, though.

"Another attack," Sirius spoke at breakfast one morning, the Daily Prophet in his hands as his eggs and bacon grew cold. "This time on a Ministry official. Killed him and his whole family, apparently."

"Thank you, Padfoot, for that daily dose of good news," Snow White said dryly, taking a bite of her toast.

"I wish you wouldn't read that every morning," Peter muttered, looking a bit peaky. He was always the most nervous when it came to their conversations about the war. They were all scared, of course, but they either hid it better or just had more of a fighting spirit than he did. James and Sirius in particular were eager to be out there, fighting. James, ever the stereotypical Gryffindor, seemed to like the idea of playing the hero and ridding the world of Voldemort's evil. Sirius, while he felt the same way, also seemed to have something to prove. He came from a family of proud Death Eaters, and while he had been disowned and made it clear where his loyalties lied, that was a hard reputation to shake.

"It's important to stay updated," James chimed in. It was his issue of the Daily Prophet that Sirius was holding - Both James and Remus were almost obsessive in the way they checked the paper every morning, eyes searching for familiar names.

"It's morbid is what it is. We'll be out in the war soon enough, why worry about it before we have to?" Peter responded, pushing his cereal around his bowl.

"Have you studied for the test we have in Defense today?" Caroline asked as she turned to look at Remus, who had been quiet. She was tired of the conversation. Talking about the war was draining in a way she couldn't describe.

"Obviously. Did you?"

"A bit, but I had Quidditch practice yesterday, so I didn't spend much time on it." Anyone who knew Caroline Ennis knew that Quidditch was her passion. She had joined the team in her second year, as a Seeker after the last one had graduated, and it quickly became clear how talented she was. When she was younger, she was sure that was what she wanted to do after she left school - play Quidditch professionally. But by the time it came time for her to actually choose a path, the demand for Aurors was high, and she was persuaded to take that route.

"The Quidditch Cup is ours again this year, Snow. No amount of practicing on your part will stop that," James interjected, a smirk on his face as the girl rolls her eyes.

"I wouldn't be so sure, Potter."

"You willin' to bet on it?"

"Of course," Snow White answered, sitting up straighter. She was highly competitive by nature, but so was James. That was part of the reason their friendship worked so well - they were constantly challenging each other and trying to outdo one another. Their rivalry was just another thing that made them more like brother and sister than best friends.