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There were many secrets that infested Hogwarts. From hidden passageways and secret alcoves meant for ‘private’ moments between lovers to the hidden chamber beneath their very feet that contained a monster no one could ever imagine. Yet, despite all the secrets and hidden tidbits of knowledge that existed, there was only one that seemed students were desperate to know more than anything: where would the Marauders strike next?
To be fair, though they were troublemakers through and through, there were very few people outside of Slytherin that would warrant a… direct attack from the band of troublemakers. A direct attack, by most standards, was more karmic punishment than anything else. Besides, who would want to purposely get on the bad side of the infamous Marauders and their endless pit of debauchery?
Alas, try as you might, there was nothing to do about the random victims that found themselves at the end of a prank meant to simply disrupt the student body, or, Merlin forgive, designed for someone else. After a few troublesome incidents, the Marauders knew when something would be too much, too dangerous, to play on anyone but each other (or those who really deserved it). Things like color-changing robes or gravity-defying hair did little to hurt the actual human, and, although embarrassing, no one would complain they were genuinely injured by being followed by a group of singing paper frogs. Dung bombs were a common occurrence, though mainly in abandoned classrooms just to cause a little ruckus, and sticking charms worked wonderfully when getting an entire house to topple over their Great Hall bench. Even McGonagall couldn’t help her lips from twitching when the main staircase turned into a waterslide, students finding themselves wet but full of laughter once they safely reached the bottom. Taking away their wands did little to stop them too. It only took one incident, when shortly after getting their wands taken away for the afternoon, a mob of first years came wailing into her office about a were-rabbit that ate first years who didn’t jump in a circle three times before leaving the common room. She knows better now than to think a group that meddlesome would be less disruptive without their magic.
Harmless, but fun. That seemed to be the motto for them.
For most of the students, however, it was always a safe bet to be amicable but to keep a fair distance. Once a Marauder sets their eyes on you, who knows what the outcome could be? But of course, that outcome was worth the risk for several students who were just dying to get the chance to be with a Marauder, no matter the risk of jinxes.
Sirius Black, the most infamous of the lot, took to the attention with a blinding smile. That smile was enough to charm a hippogryph into bowing first, and did he know it . Not only was it nigh impossible to get him to confess to any prank he didn’t want to take credit for, but the Slytherin in him somehow managed to get the conversation to completely flip in his favor without breaking a sweat. He took pride in his executions of plans and used his influence to openly flirt with anyone he deemed fit (to be fair, anyone he deemed fit ranged from people he actually fancied, random students he hardly knew, and enemies he just couldn’t help flustering in the worst way). Students flocked to him without much prodding.
Peter Pettigrew, on the other hand, found it impossible to conjure a powerful enough hex to noticeably make a difference in a fight, let alone speak to a woman without getting tongue-tied. That didn’t stop his own little group of admirers, though most liked him because of his connection to the other three.
James Potter was as handsome as he was brash, as loyal as he was loud. His smile was blinding, his jokes quickwitted, and magically powerful to boot. It was no secret he was the unnamed leader of his friends, at least to those outside his inner circle, and his bravado certainly did nothing to stop the rumors about his position. Despite his undying love for one Lily Evans, he was constantly swarmed with students wanting to be close to him, in either admiration or lust. It didn’t help that he was Quidditch Captain as well, soaring through the air with his untamable hair whipping around behind him.
And then there was Remus Lupin, an enigma to those outside his social circle, but a treasure within. Most found it hard to understand how a kind, gentle-mannered student came to be friends with the likes of the other three, but a single moment alone with the four of them was enough to see how his eye lit up with mischief, how he was the first to enter a suspicious hallway, how he really was the brains of the operation. His mile-high stack of books was just a cover for the smaller notebooks hidden within, detailing pranks and planning for the best moment to attack. Though he didn't have many friends outside the Marauders, only a fool couldn’t see the line of people just waiting for him to open his barriers just a little to let them in.
So, when a sixth-year just happened upon the usual quiet Gryffindor chatting enthusiastically with someone in the library, all bashful smiles and googly-eyed, the ruckus it caused amongst the student body was nearly enough of a distraction from the paint-exploding bubbles that had shown up in the Potions hallway the day before.
“Look what you’ve done now, Moony,” Sirius remarked, faining disappointment that afternoon. “And after knowing how hard James and I worked to get those up before breakfast.”
“What are you talking about?” Remus furrowed his brow as Sirius sniggered.
“Don’t play daft, you silly wolf.” Remus gave him an exasperated look at the nickname, knowing full well that the zip of fright down his spine was unwarranted. After all, they had been calling him that since fourth year, and no one had figured it out yet. He did wish he wouldn’t say it so loudly in the hallway, though. “We know all about your secret randevu in the library.” When Remus continued to look at him quizzically, Sirius’ smirk dropped. “Wait, you really don’t know?”
“I have no clue what you’re talking about.”
“Come on, don’t play dumb. Lewis said Wright said Felton said Watson saw you snogging someone in the library near the restricted section!” Remus immediately blushed bright red, whipping his head around before pulling Sirius into an alcove. Thank Merlin the school was built with seemingly no rhyme or reason, and was filled with hideaways. Sirius’ smirk returned at the thought.
“Where in the hell did you hear that? How-when…no, it doesn’t matter. How many people heard that?”
“Come off it, Mooneykins.” Sirius patted his arm condescendingly. “You don’t have to keep a secret anymore. I do have to say I’m a bit disappointed I had to learn from bloody Lewis that you’ve got yourself a secret shag, but if it was going to be anyone it would be him. Can’t keep a thing to himself can he-” He paused abruptly when Remus grabbed his shoulders.
“I’m serious.”
“Actually, I’m Sirius.” When Remus didn’t even give him a good-natured huff, Sirius frowned. “What’s going on? I understand if you want to keep it a secret-”
“That’s not it!” Sirius jumped at the urgency in his voice. “Oh, no, no, no. This is just awful.”
“Remus, mate, what’s going on?”
“I didn’t kiss anyone, I promise.” Sirius’ shoulders deflated a bit. As happy as he was for his friend to have found someone, he did admit a small portion of himself was upset Remus hadn’t told any of them. “The library…I’ve become study partners with someone from my arithmancy class. It was Professor Grant’s idea to have designated study partners for the class since there are so few of us this year.” Remus finally let Sirius go, rubbing his upper arm absentmindedly. Sirius eyed the action; the full moon was fast approaching. “I-uh. I’ve enjoyed it so far.”
“Oh? What’s this? My devious little Moon Pie has a crush on someone?” Remus flushed, and this time Sirius could tell it was out of embarrassment. The creeping red spread up his cheeks to his ears, and Sirius noted the twinkle in his eye before he looked away. “Oh, just wait until James finds out. You will have a partner by the end of this term, Moony, just you wait.”
“No!” Remus yelped, stopping Sirius as he started to head back into the hallway. “You…you can’t tell James.”
It was Sirius’s turn to look confused.
“Why the hell not?” he asked, crossing his arms. They were best mates, brothers without all the legality, and they told each other everything. Remus knew this better than anyone, as they spent the first three years of their friendship just trying to get the wolf to admit this condition, then sticking around well after to prove that they tell each other everything , even if it’s embarrassing or life-threatening, so you have someone in your corner when things get tough. That’s what friends do. That’s what family does. After watching Remus continuously beat himself up, go in and out of bouts of depression thinking he was undeserving of love and happiness, and then finally seeing some actual happiness outside of his found family, wouldn’t that make Sirius a bad friend for ignoring it? Shouldn’t he do everything in his power to make that happiness last for his family?
Sirius huffed as he waited for Remus’ reply. As irrational as he could be, and knew that very well, there was a time and place for it. Egging on Snivillus? Absolutely! Sitting in McGonagall’s detention again ? Maybe. When Remus looks meek while hiding out in an alcove? He knew to bite his tongue at least a little. After all, there must be some reason why Remus had kept this a secret from them, something that kept this person at a distance…
Remus flickered his eyes up once before looking down again, metaphorical ears pressed against his head. Ever the kicked puppy.
Sirius pursed his lips, looking him up and down. He did it again, trying to catch his friend's eyes. There was a beat, then understanding flashed behind his eyes.
“ Oh .” He winced, unfolding his arms to relax his posture. Of course, it had to be this , he thought to himself. “You’ve got yourself in quite the pickle here.”
“Tell me about it,” Remus whispered, huffing once before collapsing against the wall. He ran a hand through his hair, pushing it every which way. Merlin, this is probably when having a nicotine addiction would help , he thought miserably, just to take the edge off . “But, it’s not what you think.”
“It’s not?” Remus sighed again. “How could it not?”
“You know how James is, ever the unobservant one when a prank is getting set up. It was an accident, but he managed to stop it just in time and save the day .” Sirius had never heard the bitter tone come from his friend the way it had as he spoke the last few words. He could tell this full moon would be a ringer already. “Besides, who would ever want to date a monster like-”
“How bad are we talking?” Sirius interrupted, moving to stand a little closer. Remus looked at him strangely, though he was used to his friends cutting him off when he got too self-deprecating. Sirius's fingers curled into his hand. “How bad? Come on, Remus. I need to know if this person is just using you to get to James, before I decide to hex them into oblivion.”
“No! Merlin, no. Nothing like that.” Remus shook his head, though his smile had a little bit of gratitude in it. “It…It’s just studying. Promise. James has never really been brought up, except by me.”
Sirius sighed, relaxing finally against the opposite wall. He tapped their shoes together softly before asking, “So they’re one of the good ones, then?” Remus nodded. “That’s good to hear.”
There was a second silence. A loud silence, apparently, because Remus gave him a strange once over. Then, standing abruptly, nearly putting them face to face, it was Sirius’s turn to avoid eye contact.
“Wait…wait, wait, what is that look? I don’t like that look.” Sirius’ face was curling so much Remus worried it would bend into itself. “Pads, please, don’t do anything foolish.”
“Me?” Sirius did not have the right to look so offended, placing an innocent hand on his chest. “Come off it, Moony. When have I ever been foolish?”
Sirius laughed at the incredulous look on his face. Remus grumbled under his breath in return, but did nothing to stop his friend from throwing an arm around his shoulder, pulling him along to the Great Hall. Their late arrival caused James and Peter to raise a brow at them, but thankfully, Sirius kept his mouth shut (though he hadn’t wiped away that smug and devious smile).
Remus would only have to keep his partner - study partner , he reminded himself - away from his friends until they grew bored and found something else to entertain them.
And he was right, for the most part. Almost exactly a month had passed since Sirius and Remus’ conversation in the hall, and there didn’t seem to be any moves to embarrass him in front of the first person he decided to open himself up to. They continued to meet at their regular time, bumping up their biweekly meetings to three times a week much to his glee, and besides catching James and Sirius snickering while looking at him, or the much-unappreciated stopovers at his table during said study time, they hadn’t done anything to raise alarm. That didn’t mean Remus was any less tense during meetups, just in case one of those idiots decided to let things slip.
“Are you okay, Remus?” The question startled him, his eyes rising from the paper he was practically glaring into. You were looking at him with pinched brows, your lips upticked in a gentle smile. He could tell the expectant way you were looking at him meant you had said something he didn’t hear.
“What?” You gestured gently to his hand, which was curled so tightly around his quill it was nearly bent. “Oh! Sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize. But, are you? Okay, I mean.”
“Yeah. Yes,” he said, waving his hand gently to placate you. Although your smile didn’t change, you returned to your work, letting him think in peace. His face flushed lightly. How dare he sit here and think the things he was when you were so innocently sitting across from him, not a clue in the world?
He was on edge. Not only because you made his heart beat out of his chest, but also because he hadn’t seen James or Sirius since this morning, not since they parted ways after breakfast where they insisted on whispering secretly to one another. The full moon was far too close for Remus to get involved in something mischievous, using most of his brain power to tame the beast within him. It was a triple threat, one he wasn’t the most fond of, but he needed to reign it in a little, or else he’d lose control of one of them, and that would be utter disaster.
There were moments, though, moments where his wolf's thoughts and his were so close he couldn’t stop them from overlapping in his mind. Even now, as you so innocently leaned closer to look over the book in front of him, his mind was overrun with thoughts of pressing his face into your neck and finally, finally , getting a whiff of your scent uninterrupted by the other teenage hormones around them that he had to suffer through all day. He indulged himself in just the smallest of imaginations, thinking what he could do if you weren’t in the library full of other students-
“Are you sure you’re okay, Remus?” He shivered at the way you said his name. “Because I wouldn’t mind taking a little break.” His smile turned soft at your kindness.
“That’s probably a good idea,” he whispered, setting his pen down despite not having used it for the last ten or so minutes. “I’m…uh-just a little distracted today.”
“I get days like that too. And it’s no help when focusing is on arithmancy , of all things.” His heart fluttered, his inner wolf growling. “What would you like to talk about instead?”
“How has your day been?” You laughed lightly. Remus never seemed to want to talk about himself, always nudging you to talk instead or simply talking about what his other friends were up to. Baby steps , you thought to yourself, one day you’ll get there with him .
“It’s been alright. I got an E on that potions paper you helped me with, thank you again by the way, and my roommates and I were thinking a Honeydukes run is in order for this Hogsmeade weekend. Are you sure there isn’t anything I can get you while we’re there?” You wanted to invite Remus to go with you and your friends, but he declined with a frown, stating he wasn’t going able to leave the castle the coming weekend due to plans. With whom, you didn’t know, but Remus missing a Hogsmeade trip usually meant the Marauders were up to no good, and a trip to visit the Hospital Wing was already penciled into your plans come Sunday.
“That’s great news on the paper! I knew you could do it. You just needed a little push in confidence. You’re very talented, even Slughorn knows it.” You blushed at his praise. “Thank you again for the offer, but I can’t let you do that for you. I always have next trip.”
“If you’re sure…” Your voice trailed off before you jumped a little in your seat, a sudden memory springing to mind. “By the way, did you say anything to James about…us?” All at once, his heart fell then leaped.
“Wh-what do you mean?”
“He came up to me this morning and introduced himself.” Remus shared your bewildered look. “I was equally as confused. I know he’s never said anything directly to me when he comes to talk to you, but at least he would mention me vaguely being there, so I assumed he knew who I was. So, there must be a reason he introduced himself today. I was just wondering if there was something he was playing at.” Remus couldn’t help the fond smile twitch the corner of his mouth.
“James is always up to something.” Then, he frowned. “But why would he introduce himself to you? Why now?”
“That’s what I was wondering.” Your cheeks blushed slightly. “I was worried that he was going to bring up how I used to feel, so I ran away quickly after that.” Before he could even think about, let alone form words to ask what you meant by ‘ used to ’, a hand clapped him on the shoulder, then another right after. You both jumped.
“Ah, there he is! The pride and joy of Gryffindor house, our lovely genius, Remus.” Sirius’ smirk could be heard without him even turning around, much too loud for the quiet of the library. On his other side, James leaned down so they were face to face.
“You don’t mind if I borrow your…absolutely lovely study partner , do you, Moony?” Remus’ brow raised. “I just have something I want to ask.”
“Ask?” Both you and Remus spoke at the same time.
“Come on, Moonykins, let’s give the lovebirds some space.” Sirius’ remark made Remus whip his head back and forth, looking between the three people surrounding him.
“Lovebirds?” James smirked lightly.
“Well, cats out of the bag, I supposed.” His smirk was all devilish charm. A great big danger sign, though the warning was more of a specific ‘run away before you get too attached’ rather than a general warning. “What do you say, darling? I’ve seen the way you are around our Moony and I have to say I’m a bit jealous. Won’t you ease my breaking heart and join me for some time alone at Hogsmeade?”
“James…” Remus’ voice was low, dangerous, more so than you had ever heard it. You made brief eye contact with Sirius, who looked just as alarmed. James, on the other hand, just kept smiling brightly, meeting Remus’ glare head-on.
“You haven’t staked your claim on this one yet, right?” Remus jumped up at that, hands reaching for his wand that was on the table beside him. Sirius, just as quickly, wrapped his arm around his wolfy friend, trying to pull him back. James’ face was suddenly a lot more serious. “Moony?”
“Don’t talk like that!” You nearly jumped out of your seat, ready to round the table and approach…whatever was happening in front of you. Your kind, gentle Remus was so unlike himself. A side you had never seen before. Was this what he was keeping a secret all this time, you thought, or is something causing this? Your heart throbbed painfully in your chest at what could possibly be causing that agitation.
James reached out to stop you, a gentle arm bumping against your body as he stuck his arm out in a makeshift barrier, but the small contact was enough for Remus’ eyes to flash gold. You gasped.
“Moony. You need to calm down.” People were looking now. Whispers filled the usually quiet room, no doubt a million rumors starting only to guess at what was happening. Madam Price was headed over too, eyes glaring daggers at the commotion in her library.
Your shocked face was enough to move Remus’s gaze, his face softening just a touch, though it didn’t stop the quiet growl from escaping his curled lips. Sirius managed to haul Remus away at the distraction, nearly dragging him down the isles towards the exit. Remus did not go easily.
James sighed, running a hand down his face, before abruptly remembering you were there. He spun on his heel, practically mowing you over, peering so close to your face you could smell his hair potion. His eyes were narrowed, as if that would help him figure out what you knew. After a moment, you stepped back, clearing your throat.
“I’m flattered, Ja-Potter, really,” you said, your eyes darting between him and the pair that were being escorted out by a very angry librarian, “but I-”
“Oh!” James huffed, laughing. “I’m sorry, for dragging you into this. I’m sure you’re an amazing person, what with Moony acting the way he did for you, but I’m head over heels for a certain Redhead with no other space in my heart.”
You couldn’t stop the confusion from sweeping your face. “Then why…?”
“Why? Because Moony is…” James stopped himself suddenly, looking you over once more. You could have sworn you heard him say ‘ having his time of the month ’ but he moved on before you could dwell on it. “He’s bad at expressing how he really feels. Always holding himself back, that kind of thing. Pads and I thought it would be a good idea to get him to realize he was being a bit of an idiot by…pushing things along.” You raised a brow.
“And you thought angering him was a good way to do that?”
“He isn’t usually like that, promise, but every once in a while, it works to get the outcome we want.” James looked at you again, taking another step closer. “You’re…okay, right? Moony didn’t scare you or anything, did he? I didn’t expect him to react quite like that.”
“Neither did I,” you admitted, sighing. “But no, not scared. He was acting a bit strange before, but I hope he’s going to be okay.” James’ eyes softened.
“Don’t worry,” he said, gently placing a hand on your shoulder, “our Moony always bounces back after a bit. Things are a little…complicated, but I have no doubt he’ll tell you everything one day.” You nodded once, satisfied. His goofy smile returned. “Now, was I in the middle of being rejected ?”
“Oh, shut up,” you laughed, punching his shoulder, “you idiot. You knew I was going to say no, weren’t you?”
“Have to be a bit more of an idiot than you think not to notice the way you and Moony ogle at each other.” You blushed, opening your mouth to retort. “Plus you haven’t been as shy when speaking to me recently.” At that, you didn’t have a response. “Moony is a bit…out of it, and is really hard on himself. I’m sorry to tell you, but if you want anything to happen with him, you’ll be the one to make that first step.”
“But, how do I know if he even feels that way about me?” James laughed once, sharply, before looking at you incredulously when you didn’t join in.
“You’re serious?” He gestured to the door. “He was one second away from casting a very real hex in my direction when I so much as insinuated you were a plaything. Moony doesn’t do that for just anyone.” At your shy look, James sighed. “Look, by Sunday, Moony will be back to his disgustingly adorable self and you can return to the way you were, or you could make my best friend the happiest I’ve ever seen him. It’s completely up to you.” James swiped Remus’ things from the table, shoving them into his bag. “If I were you though, I wouldn’t wait too long. Looked like our dear Moony has a bit more animal in him than I thought.” He laughed evilly, only spurred on by your gobsmacked face.
Just you wait Moony , he thought, you’ll thank me by Monday.