Friends
Once the boys had gotten fully dressed, and James had helped Remus with the things he needed in the bathroom, they all headed downstairs. When they entered the common room, they were greeted by the sight of the others already gathered, talking in low voices.
Lily’s eyes immediately flickered to Remus, her concern evident. Before she could say anything, Remus darted up to her, his small frame practically bouncing with excitement. “Mum!” he exclaimed, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug.
Lily’s face softened instantly, and she returned the hug, though her expression betrayed a quiet sadness. “Remus... it's okay, I'm here,” she murmured, her hand gently rubbing his back. “Any updates?” she mouthed over Remus’s shoulder.
James nodded, though his eyes lingered on Remus, who had now dashed over to Christopher, shouting, “Da’!” with an enthusiasm that was almost painful to watch.
“Yes,” James said, his voice steady but filled with concern. “He’s been switching between... well, himself and whatever the hell this is.”
Sirius ran a hand through his hair, frustration and helplessness clear in his expression. “He’s... he’s not even recognizing us, sometimes. He... he’s just... a kid. He’ll call us by names that aren’t ours. And sometimes, he’ll snap back to himself for a second, but it doesn’t last. I don’t know how much longer he can keep switching in and out like this.”
He gestured toward Remus, who was now clinging to ‘Healer Ellie,’ his face full of trust and innocence.
“Every time he switches back to Moony, he gets more and more desperate,” Sirius continued, his voice trembling slightly. “He keeps pleading with me, begging for help, saying he doesn’t understand what’s happening. And then he just... switches back. All cheerful, asking James if he wants to play dinosaurs.”
His words hung heavy in the air as they all processed what he was saying. Just as James opened his mouth to respond, Remus suddenly snapped out of his foggy state, his eyes sharp and alert.
“Sirius!” Remus cried, his voice a mix of desperation and pain. “Please... please, what’s happening to me? It hurts, it’s so... foggy.” His hands clutched at his head as though trying to hold himself together, his eyes wide with confusion.
Before anyone could react, Remus’s gaze darted around the room, and the only person he locked eyes with—truly seeing—was Sirius. The moment their eyes met, it was as if a switch flipped, and the confusion in Remus’s expression softened, if only for a moment.
“Help me, Sirius,” Remus whispered, his voice trembling. “I don’t understand. I don’t know where I am...”
But just as quickly as the moment of clarity appeared, Remus’s expression shifted again. The light in his eyes dimmed, and his posture changed—childlike, suddenly eager. “Jamie!” he exclaimed, rushing toward Mary as though nothing had happened.
Mary looked stricken, face laced with concern for Remus. “How long do you think this is going to happen for?”
“I don’t know.” James said, voice laced with pain. “All we can do is stick with him.”
The others nodded solemnly.
“Graaaaaant I’m hungry.” Remus babbled.
“Alright mate… let’s go to the Great Hall,” James said, his voice steady but heavy with the weight of his role. He glanced at the others, his eyes meeting Lily’s for a fraction of a second. Her nod was subtle but spoke volumes: We’ll handle this together.
Sirius adjusted the collar of his robes, his jaw tightening as he moved to walk beside Remus. The others fell into step behind them, a silent unity forming as they prepared to face whatever awaited them in the Great Hall.