Flint
Breakfast went over without much trouble. A few students came up to Remus, to which he responded with various degrees of recognition. One Ravenclaw had walked up to him, and he almost tackled the poor girl, muttering something about “Cousin Gloria”.
Sirius hated every single person who came up to their table. He knew that they were just curious, but it really hurt to see Remus’s reactions. He really thought that he was six years old.
Regardless, about six different students from each house; with the exception of Slytherin, came up to Remus, asking if he remembered them.
He didn’t.
It was obvious that the students didn’t quite believe what they had been told about Remus’s condition.
Sirius watched with disdain as a 4th year Hufflepuff walked up to Remus, who was munching on the toast that James had cut into quarters for him (and put peanut butter, marmalade, jam and butter each on a separate section).
“Hi Remus. Do you remember me? I’m in your study group. Usually for Defense.” The younger boy asked.
“Mmm? Who’re you?” Remus responded, voice child-like and laced with curiosity.
“Jack Gilmore?”
“Never heard of you. Grant, why are so many people coming up to me?” Remus said, turning back to his toast.
James looked up at Jack sadly. “Sorry mate, he’s not being rude on purpose. He genuinely doesn’t recognize you.”
Jack nodded, walking back to the Hufflepuff table, looking less chipper than he had before.
For several minutes, nobody else approached the table, and Remus continued eating as if nothing was wrong. He was eating more than he had before, which was a good sign, but they still had to make sure that he didn’t have too much, with his disorder.
When he had finished, and told them that he was full, he began to play with the remaining food on his plate.
After a few more minutes of silence that was only interrupted by Remus’s quiet humming, a sixth year Slytherin came up to their table, a smirk plastered on his face.
“Remus, you can come out now. We all know you’re faking whatever this is.” The Slytherin said, voice malicious.
“Who are you?” Remus asked, slightly upset that he was interrupted from rearranging his food into a smiley face.
“Oh, come off it. We’ve been taking classes together since first year.”
“I don’t know you.”
James looked up from his food, obviously annoyed. “Leave him alone, Flint.”
“I’m sure you’re eating this up, Potter. All the attention. What is this? Some clever scheme to get out of homework? How old is he pretending to be? Six?”
“I’m not six!” Remus interjected, sounding pissed off, “I’m six and three quarters!”
Flint scoffed. “Got him memorizing scripts now, do you? Merlin, you’ve sunk low. And you, Evans? Really?”
“Mr. Flint, what are you doing over here?” Professor McGonagall had just appeared behind them, and was now glaring daggers at Flint.
“I-”
“Did I hear correctly? Are you assuming that they’re lying about this?” The Professor snapped, “You know Mr. Lupin. Would he ever agree to create a scheme to get out of schoolwork?”
“No, but-”
“Precisely. Let this serve as the only reminder to anyone who antagonizes Mr. Lupin or his friends.” McGonagall said, raising her voice. “Are you quite alright, Remus?”
“Yes ma’am.” Remus responds, looking down at his food.
“Then I shall leave you to your meal.” She says, before turning and briskly walking away.
Flint spluttered, but turned around and stormed back to his table, hands in fists.
Sirius wanted to whoop and cheer in delight at Professor McGonagalls’ words… but he physically couldn’t. It hurt too much to see Remus like this. It made his heart ache in ways he didn’t know it could.
“Grant, I’m bored.” Remus says, after a minute of awkward silence.
“We should probably get to class anyway.” Lily tells him, standing up.
“Okay Mum!” Remus shouts, turning a few heads.
Sirius could hear people begin to sigh and sniffle.
Fuck them.
It doesn’t matter.
He rose to head off towards class too.