Empty Bed
The boys were not expecting Madame Pompfry to burst unannounced into their dorm at five in the morning.
“Boys!”
“Gah!” Peter immediately lurched awake and stared wide-eyed at the dark silhouette hovering in their door frame. “I didn’t do it!”
“Do what-?" She huffed out in exasperation. "Nevermind, Lumos,” The tip of her wand lit up, lighting her freckled face and small eyes in harsh shadows. Sirius rubbed his face awake. One look at Pompfry’s speechless expression caused his eyes to immediately dart to Remus’ empty bed.
“Where is he?” Don’t be dead don’t be dead don’t be dead-
“We don’t know, I was hoping you boys would have some clue.” Pomfry walked over to Remus' bed and pulled back the covers before opening his top bedside drawer. She didn't seem to find whatever she was looking for.
“We?” Sirius tossed his leather jacket on and threw a pillow at a still dead-asleep James.
“Wha-?” James turned over and covered his head with a pillow.
“I already alerted Professor Dumbledore, he’s searching for him now.” She swished her wand and the magical lights in the room's sconces lit up gold.
The light and the sound of her voice woke James up quick. He swiftly read the situation after blinking his eyes and began lacing his boots wordlessly alongside Peter as the healer interrogated Siruis.
“-was he acting strange last night?”
“Strange how?”
“Emotional? Angry? Quiet? Has he demonstrated any behaviors that would be cause to worry?”
Sirius exchanged a look with James. Which one?
“He said he had a really bad ‘headache’ last night," James supplied. "But that was the only thing different from usual.”
Sirius eyed the door. “We need to look for him now. You can ask us questions on the way.”
Poppy regarded him for a long moment before nodding. “Let’s make haste and keep our heads on our shoulders.” She motioned for the pajama-clad trio to step through and followed them out of the Gryffindor common room. She flew down the stairs leading to the grand entrance two steps at a time. “We should head to the grounds and split up.” She rushed ahead, short legs deceptively fast underneath her billowing white dress and apron. Peter jogged closer. “Why outside?” He asked.
“He’s-” she seemed to re-write whatever she was going to say. “We have enough people searching for him in here.” She looked over her shoulder briefly at them. Sirius couldn’t help but feel like she was sizing them up. “Whatever you find, don’t panic. Really think before you speak- and stay calm, alright?” She opened the giant wooden doors with a silencing spell so as to not wake the castle. Sirius found that interesting. He also found it interesting that she was employing third years to search for a missing student instead of professors.
It seemed like only they and Dumbledore were informed of Remus’ absence despite Pomfry claiming otherwise. He wasn’t sure why she wasn’t getting actual adults to search for him, but Remus always spoke highly of her so Sirius decided to trust her for now even though she was clearly withholding information.
They formed a small circle outside of the Castle gate. Sirius couldn’t help but notice her shaking hands.
“Are you boys okay to split up?”
They glanced at each other and nodded.
“If you find him, cast a green flare in the sky, and a red one if you get lost. Do you know how to do that?”
“Yes. What aren’t you telling us?” James stepped forward and met her eyes in a very direct and un-James-like way.
“I am telling you what is in my ethical boundaries to tell you as a healer. Now go!” She shooed them off before sprinting in the opposite direction.
They stood there for a moment and watched her form rapidly shrink, processing both the oddity and gravity of the situation.
Sirius gripped his wand and glanced at the Forbidden Forrest. He had a hunch about what was happening.
“Let’s go.”