Gryffindors' Bet

Remus is exhausted after a sleepless night when he sits next to Sirius during Potion class. Usually, he talks as much as he can, before the lesson starts, but today, Remus just opens his book, and waits for Professor Slughorn.

He feels content to catch a few glances from Sirius, who seems to be full of energy, and it makes Remus actually happy, though he keeps it to himself. He treats this day the same as any other, but he should focus his attention only on Slughorn, so he doesn't occupy himself with something else. Not taking any notes, while thinking of getting some sleep instead of listening, isn't really affordable for him. Taking notes is the only thing Remus is able to do, now, and that's why, he basically ignores Sirius. It doesn't make him as anxious as he thought it would, so Remus believes his and Sirius' relationship improved greatly, since he is comfortable enough with him, to not feel the push to chat with him, just because he has the chance. There will be other chances, other opportunities, and there are truly a lot of them. Remus will explain the situation to Sirius later, because he doesn't want him to feel anxious himself. But now is the lesson time, and this class won't wait.

What worries Remus, though, is that he wanted Sirius to feel only better, but instead, he adds problems to his life. And Remus believed that it's alright, since it's not his choice to decide what's the best for Sirius, but now he starts to doubt himself. At the same time, he can't really change the direction of his actions, now. Would Sirius want him to stop appearing in his alone moments? Would it change Sirius' situation a lot, if Remus took another approach? Maybe he should slow himself down, and limit himself to some small compliments for Sirius, that would make his day better, but wouldn't make his life worse? Without doubt, his presence in Sirius' life made it more complicated, and he believes that the boy has enough difficulties in his House and at home. 

Remus sighs, and glances at Sirius. Their eyes meet, so Remus smiles softly and focuses on the lesson, again. Professor Slughorn talks about Rat Tonic, and even though it's taught only on the seventh year, it doesn't sound too complicated, though Remus isn't sure if his half-conscious state of mind allows him to come to such conclusions. He almost omitted the information about the rat growing abnormally, if it drank too much potion.

While preparing the essentials, Remus feels Sirius' gaze on himself, and sometimes reacts, just by looking back at him with something that is supposed to look like a warm smile. Sirius furrows his brows every time.

At one point, he comes nearer Remus. "Did someone approached you yesterday, after we parted our ways?" Sirius asks quietly, and his face looks like he just asked about something needed for the potion. Remus wonders if the question was supposed to make him tell Sirius, who cast Imperius on him, but like he said the other day, he doesn't want Sirius involved. Especially since Mulciber wanted to hurt them both.

"No," Remus answers, and starts brewing the water.

Sirius doesn't speak for a few moments, while measuring the proportions, as if waiting for Remus to add something more.

"And you talked about it with Potter and Pettigrew?" Sirius asks the next question.

"Yes," Remus admits with no hesitation, and studies Sirius' reaction to see the signs of discomfort. But there is no such thing. He surprisingly looks relieved, hearing that, and Remus only now understands that Sirius was actually worried about him. Is it what Remus thinks? The questions he asks, are actually for him to know if Remus is safe enough, and if he has someone to defend him, just in case? What if Sirius believes it's his family that is after Remus? But would they hurt Sirius with an Unforgivable Curse? Remus sighs, not being brave enough to ask and knowing he wouldn't get the answer, either way. Remus wants to repeat, that he doesn't want Sirius being curious about the case, but whatever he would say, Sirius wouldn’t listen to him. The words of not being involved would only annoy him, and wouldn't change a thing.

So Remus goes along with the silence that he caused and focuses on doing the potion. He almost doesn't notice how Sirius is correcting his mistakes without words, deeply in his thoughts himself.

Maybe Rat Tonic isn't that easy, after all.

---

When the Potion class ends, Peter sighs. James nudges him and they both look at Remus, wondering if the silence between him and Sirius is caused by yesterday's events.

"He seems tired, but not anxious, right?" Peter asks. James looks at him with an amused expression.

"He surely is less anxious than you after this class."

Peter looks at the Rat Tonic they were making, and he feels like vomiting. James huffs out a laugh, so Peter glares at him as a response.

"Very funny."

"You would find it funny," James claims, "if someone would glare at the potion he's making like it's the most treacherous thing in the world. You don't even know how it tastes, and you react as if it's the nauseating medicine you remember from childhood."

Peter looks at the Rat Tonic, again, wondering if something made from the ingredients that unpleasant could be tasty. The weirdest thing, is that Peter feels like he knows the taste, and it's not comforting, nor common thought. James probably is so amused, because he knows, that in theory, they could give Peter a taste of it, if he would only change into the rat. Thankfully, Peter is clever enough to never take anything from James after his transformation.

"It must taste awful," he states, almost feeling the taste on his tongue, like some sort of strange sense of déjà vu.

Marlene turns around from the table before them and grins. "What? You want to try it?"

"Thank you, but no. Maybe in another life."

"Aww, Wormy," James pinches Peter's cheeks. "You fancy the idea of trying out the Rat Tonic?"

"Sure," Peter rolls his eyes and take a glance at Remus, who, unusually, isn't talking with Sirius. And what's more surprising, Sirius isn't dashing out of the class like he used to do. Peter has an odd idea, that Sirius stopped being familiar with Remus ignoring him, so it makes him worry about Remus being unwell.

Peter remembers how Remus came to their room last night, at a late hour, and studied them for a few moments, before asking questions about girls. Peter was confused, but told his friend everything he knew. It got weirder after Remus asked if Mary came back to the common room and neither of them knew, so he just left the room. Peter exchanged perplexed glances with James and both boys followed Remus, landing in the Gryffindor common room, waiting for Mary to come back. It was until Lily informed them, that Mary was in her room all day, because she was behind schedule with her homework and needed a lot of time to catch up.

Remus seemed extremely relieved at first, though later he seemed irritated. When asked about what happened, he hesitated at first, but told them everything in the end.

Peter now feels anxious and slightly jittery, not only because of Remus, but also because of himself and James. It's the most probable that Remus or James are vulnerable to attacks, but Peter is the one closest to them, so it makes sense for him to be the bait. He isn't sure if this interhouse integrity is worth the trouble they have to face. He sighs again, and looks at Remus, who is leaving the class, accompanied by watchful Sirius' gaze. Peter guesses it is worth it. Though for what price?

---

Peter chills out with Ted, knowing he has spare time and both Remus and James are probably chasing after Blacks. He wanted to tell Ted about Mulciber, but decided against it, since it's a secret that could get Remus in real trouble. Although Ted is far from someone, who would want to make Remus' life harder, it's still not something Peter can tell. They chat about other things. They chat about Peter's friends, about Ted's friends. Mostly about Remus, James and Andromeda, but sometimes other witches and wizards are present in their topics. Also, Peter let himself talk about Emmeline.

"I would talk with her, if I were you," Ted advises. "She said some nasty things, that she should be sorry about, but also, she could tell some things, because she got emotional. You should talk it out, mate."

Pete feels like it's a threadbare topic, which is long worn out, but he still has the urge to talk about it. To sort it out in his head. "Yes, I'm getting ready for it all the time, but you know, I actually don't think it would change anything. The situation has changed already, and we kind of avoid each other, or ignore each other, but I don't know… I feel like it doesn't need changing."

Ted thinks about it for a while, and Peter is truly grateful to have someone to talk about it with. Maybe that's what he needs. To talk it out. He has a lot of friends in Gryffindor, but who among them isn't friends with Emmeline? He doesn't want his friends to take sides. He just wants it to pass already.

"That's what you feel like, because you're getting used to the situation." Ted opens his mouth and closes it to gather his thoughts. "You should talk with her, the sooner, the better, because the more you're going to delay the inevitable, the more you feel like it's actually avoidable, and possible to ignore. You start to think it's just as it is, but the conflict is here, and her words are deep in your mind, even if you turn a blind eye to it. You're getting used to the discomfort, and it's the worst you can do to yourself."

"What are you talking about?" Andromeda's voice suddenly arises, succeeding in making boys jump. She sits down next to them.

Peter blushes, and Ted scoffs, but tells nothing, for what Peter is really thankful.

"Girls problems," Ted dismisses.

"Peter has girls problems? Maybe I could help?" Andromeda grins.

"I'm sorry, Dromeda," Ted says. "But I believe the girls you know are a bit different from typical girls in Hogwarts." Peter thinks about Ted's words and deems them true. Andromeda being a Black, and sister of Narcissa and Bellatrix, surely hasn't got many chances to talk with someone, that is not specifically her sisters or other Black household members. She has mostly Ted, and maybe other secret relationships, that Peter doesn't know about. Either way, in some sense, it's extraordinary to see someone raised by a family so conservative, yet growing up as someone wanting to befriend those considered not worthy by family's standards. The same goes to Sirius and Regulus. They don't act like they hate Slytherin or their family, but they don't act by their principles, either. They just try to live. They were raised the same, but born differently. Met different people, befriended wizards and witches that turned out unconnected with their reality. It made them different. Peter doesn't know if Andromeda was so interhouse-friendly before Ted. He also doesn't know if Regulus and Sirius would be this casual if they hadn't got each other.

There are as many possibilities, as many thoughts you can gather.

Andromeda shrugs it off. "I'm observant, though. Is it about this blonde witch from your House?"

"Blonde girl? You mean Elspeth?"

"What? So you weren't talking about her?" Andromeda asks surprised.

Ted laughs. "I see you're not that observant."

Peter smiles, but gets up, either way. "I will leave you alone, I have something to do."

While he is walking away, he hears Andromeda. "Don't say, I'm your girl problem."

"Oh, Dromeda," Peter hears Ted answering. "You're everyone's girl problem."

Peter bets Andromeda grins.

---

The situation unfolds quickly. James goes to where the Slug Club takes place, looks around, greets Lily really quickly, remembers to glare at Severus for a few seconds and walks straight towards Regulus. The boy has his back turned on him and is just taking something to drink, but it doesn't stop James from patting him on the arm to quickly announce his presence, grabbing his wrist and pulling him outside. For a moment, he thinks Regulus startles in alarm, but the slight fright fades after their eyes meet.

"Run!" he whispers to Regulus' ear, and is amazed to see him actually following James. It's probably, because James is clutching him and the boy doesn't have real choice, or maybe he is too surprised to do a thing. It doesn't change the fact, that Regulus runs with James for around twenty seconds. Until they disappear from others sight, when Regulus just get his hands out of James' grip and looks at him stunned.

"I thought I know what you're capable of, but you're still able to astonish me."

James starts laughing, a full, joyful laughter, making his body shake, his cheeks flood with red and his eyes closing themselves.

"I love surprising others," James announces with a wide smile. "Though I haven't planned what to do after." James, watches Regulus, in a cheerful mood. He barely notices that the boy looks at him, as if James finally went crazy, because he is too focused on the greyish-blueish eyes before him. Out from behind the unbothered mask that Regulus likes to wear so much, emerges a thin layer of annoyance, though there is something more. Something James can't quite decipher.

That is, until Regulus rolls his eyes. "Of course, you haven't."

James forgets about what he tried to see in the eyes in front of him, and grins.

"Hi," he says. Regulus' lips twitch at the corners, like he's struggling not to smile.

"Hello, James," he plays along, making James' grin broader.

"Do you want to play Quidditch with me?"

Regulus scoffs.

"Not now," he says. "Maybe another time."

"How about a dance?" James offers his hand, because he hasn't exactly planned it well.

"Maybe another time," Regulus offers a small smile and walks away, what James can only watch. He watches it with a bashful expression on his face. That's all for dragging Regulus away for the day. It was worth it, though. 

And maybe even Slughorn saw nothing.

---

Remus isn't actually sure, why is he looking for James. He sometimes awakens this sixth sense, when it comes to James, and then he has this unusual feeling saying his friend is going to do something he shouldn't. And because James went to the Slug Club meeting, Remus is telling himself, there is nothing much James could do in there. Because really, his options are really limited. Remus is aware of his friend's creativity, but what James could do in the Slug Club? Snatch Regulus?

It hits Remus that he actually believes, that's a genuine possibility. On the other hand, would James really be able to make Regulus come with him? Regulus is probably too level-headed for this.

Remus still feels a relief of some kind, when he sees the younger Black brother on his way.

He approaches him.

"Have you seen James?" Remus asks, instead of greeting the boy.

"Do I look like James' nanny?" Regulus apparently doesn't care about greeting, too.

"You surely spend a lot of time together," Remus comments, and is surprised to see a faint blush on Regulus' cheeks. He holds back a pleased smile.

"Yes," Regulus agrees. "Because he keeps pestering me."

"You don't seem to mind."

"It's called being composed," Regulus scoffs.

"You say your brother is not composed?" Remus asks instead. He means, that Sirius doesn't really act like he despises Remus' attention, but he sometimes looks like he minds.

Regulus studies him with a frown, then starts walking. Remus falls into step beside him.

"Sirius has reasons to act his way," Regulus says casually, though Remus knows it's not a trivial topic to talk about.

"He's more afraid of publicity than you?" Remus asks, trying to get information from Regulus, since they speak to each other. The boy only glances at him.

"It's not that Sirius is afraid of what will happen to him, but what can happen to me," Regulus tells him, and whatever reason he has for doing so, Remus almost stops in his tracks. Because what he surely hasn't been expecting, is for Regulus to reveal something so… personal. But it makes sense, that Sirius wants to protect his younger sibling. Remus doesn't know if it's from their parents, their family, or maybe their Slytherin colleagues, but it doesn't truly matter. It does make sense, because doesn't Regulus have more to lose, than Sirius? Has Sirius any real bond with Slytherin or his family members that isn't his brother?

"Oi, isn't that loony, loopy Lupin?" Remus hears a familiar voice, so he looks towards its source, just to see Evan rolling his eyes and Barty grinning madly. They are sitting on the floor, both in positions looking comfortable. 

"Isn't that Baby Crouch?" Remus answers and seeing how Regulus walks towards his friends, he joins them, too. Remus is surprised, that no one questions his action, and stands there, with hands in pockets, watching three Slytherin superstars.

"Why is silly Gryffindor chatting with our Slytherin boss?" Barty asks with a grin. Remus nudges his foot with his own.

"Why didn't your boss get you something comfortable to sit on? You like to be looked down upon?" Remus bickers.

Barty smirks. "On the contrary. We don't have to have eyes on the same level, for us to be superior."

Remus nods sympathetically, bending his knees and lowering himself to meet his gaze level.

"I understand. Even when you're standing, I'd have to look down on you, so it's better this way."

Evan huffs out a laugh, but Regulus doesn't react, so Barty turns to him with a dumbfounded expression.

"I like him better than the other one," Barty says to the younger Black. "He's not getting offended on ever word we say."

Regulus rolls his eyes, but Remus needs a few seconds to understand the meaning of said words.

"You mean James?"

Barty shrugs. "Yeah, I said the other one."

"I guess James is just too polite to make you feel bad about yourselves," Remus claims.

Barty grins. "And you believe you're able to make me feel bad?"

"I'll spare you, just in case you'll turn Regulus against me."

"Can you stop doing… whatever you're doing with my friend and sit or just go away?" Regulus snaps, but there is an amusement in his eyes.

Barty gasps. "Did just an almighty Regulus called me a friend? Evan, catch me!" He dramatically closes his eyes and turns his body to fall on Evan's legs. Remus only raises his eyebrows, but Evan rolls his eyes. "And mark the date on the calendar."

"Of course," Evan responds with a sarcastic tone. "I'll write today's date in the journal I diligently keep for you."

And Remus does know why, instead of walking away, he just sits down.

---

James is walking through Hogwarts corridors with a self-satisfied grin, when he unexpectedly sees Sirius. And maybe it wouldn't be such an odd sight, if not the position Sirius is in. He is standing next to a door leading to a classroom, but he isn't going in. James wouldn't have even dreamed of thinking that Sirius is eavesdropping, looking at his easy-going position, but his face betrays him. Sirius has closed eyes, so intense focus on his face, and he is tilting his head slightly to the right, in the direction of the door. So it's an easy conclusion, that Sirius is listening in to something or someone, and James is really curious what that is about.

James sneaks up on him, and now is certain the boy next to him is focused entirely on the sounds next door, because he doesn't even flinch, after James' approach.

"Who are we listening to?" he whispers, and Sirius jumps in his place, then glares at James. He takes one deep breath and leans his head against the wall.

"This git, Mulciber, is planning something," Sirius answers. James is sure that Remus hasn't told anyone, beside him and Peter, that Mulciber is responsible for casting an Imperius, so he wonders if Sirius knows. Maybe Remus told him on Potion classes? "He's plotting something, and I have to make sure it's nothing against Regulus," Sirius adds, like an afterthought.

James nods, looking at him dubiously. Because why would Mulciber scheme against Regulus, is beyond James.

"Aren't you both, like, kings of Slytherin?" James says, meaning Black brothers.

Sirius glances at him. "We were, until some Gryffindor fools decided to make us the main object of gossips. Thank you, by the way, it was my dream come true."

"No problem," James grins. It's then that Sirius surprises James, by hushing him.

"I'm sick of these blasted Gryffindors and Lupin," the voice of Severus Snape is audible from behind the closed door. James would probably notice how stupid it is not to cast Imperturbable Charm or even Muffliato Charm, while planning something wrong. That, is, if he wasn't so angry, just by hearing the familiar voice saying the name of his friend. "I'm sick there's always someone rescuing them, like they're some great stars, not just ungrateful bullies."

"I don't care about Lupin or his friends, Severus," Mulciber's voice comes out of the room. "I care only about them, destroying the peace we have in our House."

Someone snickers. "Of course," the voice of Avery is the next one, that James recognizes. "You, sure, don't care about anything else."

"But Black actually helped Lupin," Severus grumbles. "We could have expected it, he's never been normal."

"Black is our slightest problem," Mulciber scoffs. "He is a coward and is more interested in Regulus' life than his own."

James is surprised hearing it, but it could make sense. They all are Slytherins, and their families are often close. They know about each other facts that these from different families don't. James heard that many pureblood families has similar way of upbringing their children, and it's not the enjoyable one.

"What about Gryffindors, then?" Avery asks.

"We can just attack their weak point," Mulciber says. "A girl should do."

"But not Lily," Severus demands instantly, and James isn't sure how he should feel about it. Because they know now, that Lily is safe, but only from Mulciber. Severus' obsession isn't as consoling. Sirius quirks an eyebrow, looking at James.

"Mary," Mulciber declares immediately. "I want Mary. She's pissing me off."

The tone, in which he said the words, gave James shivers. He doesn't even know, how Mulciber knows the names, because Slytherins don't seem too interested in other Houses. Or how Mary got under his skin.

"But what about Blacks?" Avery puts the question.

"Blacks won't do a thing, they're too involved with Gryffshits to do something against them, but they're still Blacks, so they won't be able to punish us."

"It's a shame, though, that Lupin wasn't able to curse him with a Crucio," Avery sighs.

"There will be time to take care of Black and Lupin peculiarly," Mulciber snickers. "Especially if you're right about Lupin, Severus."

At the last moment, James manages to grab Sirius, before he throws himself on the group of Slytherins. James, feeling how Sirius is emotional, decides to take him to a calmer place, where Sirius starts to pace furiously.

"He thinks I'm bloody stupid," Sirius grits his teeth. James wants to say something about Mary, but Sirius isn't finished. "He even walked around with Remus, because he wanted everyone to see and think that they conspired against me. The bloody arsehole, didn't know he is bloody dumb, and that I'll recognise the bloody Imperius Curse. Can you understand it? He bloody plotted against me," Sirius looks at James, his expression full of fury and revenge written on his face.

"That's a lot of blood," James says with a reluctant grin. "But listen, mate, I think you should leave Mulciber to me."

"You have no idea, what're you saying," Sirius rolls his eyes. James, though, rolls his eyes too slowly to consider it serious.

"I believe I have. Listen, you want to show Mulciber he messed with the wrong person, don't you?" Sirius nods hesitantly. "And what do you want to do? Embarrass him in front of everyone, so everyone knows they shouldn't mess with you? Punish him the way it's clear, it's your doing, so he is only more bitter and resentful? So he will want to take revenge on you? Again and again? And maybe he will turn Slytherins against you, because you're punishing him, after he hurt one of the Gryffindors?"

"I'm not doing it because of Lupi-"

"I'm not saying you are," James interrupts him, though he truly believes Sirius is doing it, because of Remus. "I'm saying they're going to think this way, and Mulciber might not be that dumb, because it could be his plan B. So if you wanted to punish him, he could turn it against you. Paint you in Gryffindor's colours instead of Slytherin ones."

And it would make sense, really. Remus told them about his theory a day ago, that Mulciber wanted to be seen with him, so Sirius couldn't claim, that Remus was innocent. This way, Mulciber couldn't be punished. Because it seems like Mulciber guessed that Sirius is going to recognize Imperius Curse and know that someone is behind Remus' actions.

Sirius falls deeply in his thoughts.

"So what are you going to do?" he asks. James grins.

"You're not the only one wanting to avenge someone. Remus has a lot of friends, and what's more, there is no way, we let Mulciber hurt Mary."

"You have a plan?"

"We have something more than plans," James beams, and Sirius takes a step back, like he got scared and blinded by James' cheerfulness.

"Don't say anything like power of friendship, or something equally pukeworthy."

Oh, Sirius, James thinks. He believes Sirius would fit so well, if he wasn't in an environment that was trying to hide behind the mask of indifference.

"No, we have something equally powerful," James puts his arm on Sirius' shoulder. He flinches, but doesn't shake James off. "We have pranks."