Chapter 14
The boys were exited, they never would have thought that they would come up with a plan this good. The next day after their classes they all met up in the library. Chatting and coming up with ideas on how to make their prank happened and putting the plan in motion.
"Guys, I just realized something." Sirius stopped in his tracks, his face looking paler than ever.
"What is it?" asked Remus.
"Do you remember how I said I prefer living on the edge?" Sirius swallowed, his eyes staring blankly into the room. "I just realized I didn't do ANY of my homework. When is it due?"
"You idiot." Remus smacked his head. James and Pete shook their heads. "It's due Friday."
James, looking concerned for his friend, placed a hand on his shoulder. "Padfoot, why didn't you do it? You had no plans for the summer, did you?"
"He's an idiot, that's why." Spat out Remus.
"You can copy mine, Sirius. It's not really good. But you totally can!" Offered Pete.
Just as Sirius started to open his mouth to thank Pete, Remus cover it and answered for him. "No, thank you, Pete." Remus shot down Pete and didn't even let James, who was eager to defend Sirius speak up. "He will do it by himself. I can help him. You two get started on that amplifier." There was no arguing with Remus, especially not so close to a full moon.
James and Pete quietly stood up and moved to a different table to not disturb Remus and Sirius. They also didn't really want to be a 'nuisance' to Remus. They were making good progress, but James couldn't help but worry about Sirius and Remus. He knew how Remus could get during a full moon, and he didn't want Sirius to do anything to make things worse. They really liked their friend, however this full moon he was incredibly easily irritated, letting Sirius deal with him. It was the best thing they could do. Only him and Lily were able to knock at least a some sense into him during these times. James also knew, how much of a pain Sirius could be. So he could only hope for the best and focus on the prank.
"No need to be so rude, Moony. You could have just said you want some private time with me." Sirius winked at him, which only brought him another smack. "Alrigh, sorry." Sirius took the hint. "Not the time for jokes, got it."
"Finally," A small smile appeared on Remus's lips. "so what do you want to start with...."
They started with transfiguration. It was Sirius's best subject, so they got through it pretty fast. Only took them tree hours to finish the assainment. They occasionally got disrupted by Pete or James coming to show them possible formulas for the potion. Some Remus approved, some he teared. "I think..." he started looking at Pete's latest creation. "you should show this to Lily. Because let's be honest," he sighed. "all of us suck at potions...I just suck less."
Sirius swallowed a joke about sucking and continued working on his project.
"Alright! Let's find Lily!" Jumped up James. "We could also get some pumpkin juice and start the actual experimenting." He started to pack up his stuff, relieved he could leave the library.
"Make sure you check in with Lily first." Remined him Remus. "You can tell her about the plan. We don't want to take chances with Lily." That statement roughly translated to: 'You better tell Lily, because if I see her under the effect of the potion I will kill you.'
"I'm coming with you, James." said Pete. "Someone needs to keep you in check."
"Thank you, Pete." smiled Remus.
James objected as Pete walked him out the library. "HEY WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!"
Remus got back into helping Sirius with homework. They were mostly silent. Remus to write down what could to help Sirius what he could. As the day wore on, the library began to empty out, and the boys were left alone in their little corner. Sirius began to get tired. His eyes were closing and his head wasn't too far way from hitting the table.
"Hey, Padfoot, you should take a break," Remus saidgently, noticing how exhausted Sirius looked.
Sirius rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Yeah, I think you're right. My brain feels like it's about to explode." Sirius rested his head on the table Remus gently stroked his hair. Sirius looked so beautiful and peaceful like this, Remus thought.
They shared another moment of comfortable silence before Remus broke it. "Hey, Padfoot?"
Sirius made a sound to signal he was listening.
"I know we've been busy with the prank planning and your homework, but is everything okay?" Remus asked, concern etched on his face. "You seem a bit off lately."
Sirius hesitated for a moment before answering. "Yeah, everything's fine, Moony. I'm just a bit tired and stressed, that's all." Sirius, lied. But he couldn't tell Remus about everything that happened, right? Hid eyes teared up. Pushing his head on Remus's shoulder. "Let's just say I've had a really shitty summer, ok?"
"Ok. But you can talk to me, you know?" Remus tried to gently reassure him, he took his head in his hands. They looked in each others eyes. Holy, shit, Sirius is crying, he is actually crying. What should I do? Remus panicked a bit, his cheeks turning red. Remus leaned closer to him and put his arm around his shoulder. They were so close. A wave of nervousness washed over them. Sirius has been on Remus's mind a bit too often since the moment they shared at the end of last year. But he had no idea if Sirius feels the same. Especially after that comment at breakfast. Remus felt his heart racing in his chest as he looked into Sirius's eyes. He wanted nothing more than to take away his pain and hold him close. But he knew, this moment wasn't the time to make a move. Remus felt a knot form in his stomach as he saw the tears in Sirius's eyes. He knew his friend didn't cry easily and something serious must have happened over the summer.
"Do you know what time is it?" Asked Sirius.
"I will check." Remus pulled up his sleeve, revealing new scars, he got during the full moons in summer. "It's half past one, fuck we stayed up late." He said awkwardly.
"Moony? How are your transformations?" Sirius sounded concerned.
How riddicculus, he was on the verge of mental breakdown a second ago and now he's worried about me.' Remus thought, knowing there is no use in lying, he told Sirius the truth. "My little..furry problem..." he smiled a little "It's been getting so nasty. The wolf is hurting itself, it wants to run so bad. It feels like it's doing it on purpose. Like it's punishing me for not letting it run freely."
"Holy shit, that sounds terrible."
"It's not really, you get used to it. But that's why I've been so on edge lately, I am worried it will get worse and everything hurts so bad, I just wish I could disappear so it stops, do you know what I mean?" Remus's eyes teared up, just like Sirius's just a few minutes. They were sharing a very vulnerable moment.
"I know exactly what you mean." Nodded Sirius tearing up himself. They hugged again. It seemed as though they were making excuse to touch each other more. "We are such poltroons."
"Poltroon? Where did you get that word?" laughed Remus.
Sirius giggled and punched Remus. "I read, you dumbass."
They pulled away from each other. Avoiding each others gazes. They packed their bags and Remus put Sirius's finished homework into one of his leather folders, so it wouldn't get destroyed in Sirius's mess of a bag.
"We sure as hell missed dinner." sighed Remus. "I really wanted some steak."
Sirius's laughed. "It's ok, I keep some food in my bedside table. It's not steak, but it will do."
"Thanks Sirius." Remus smiled and let Sirius hold his sleeve as they ran through the castle, careful not to get caught by Filch.