Of Deer and Flowers

Chapter Ten

Remus

December 26,

Dear Kate,

I was walking up to speak with Professor Flitwick this morning, about the Crysius charm, when I saw Sirius, Peter, and James sneaking up to the hospital wing with an armload of Presents. Apparently Remus is sick again. Can you imagine being sick on Christmas?"

"How long is he going to be sick!" James muttered grimly.

"Yeah and how long is Pomfrey going to keep us out!" Peter huffed over the top of his astronomy chart.

"What are you doing Peter?" Sirius asked, looking up from his spot on the floor, "we don't have any homework."

"I know. I just wanted to check something."

"What?"

"Well professor Hawk wanted us to pick fresh Knotgrass right? Well, the first full moon was last night. We could get some today and be done with it. We could also pick Remus's Portion just in case he doesn't get better in time."

"Knotgrass," Sirius muttered, "now what does that remind me of?"

"Probably the state of your Brain!"

"Hey!"

"You know," James yawned, "he's been sick a lot. Last month he had that horrible cold.

"And the month before that he was in the Hospital wing with . . ."

"No he wasn't." James cut Peter off, "I had detention with Pomfrey Remember!"

Sirius snapped his fingers, "That's what Knotgrass reminds me off! When I was headed back from my detention with Hagrid I saw Pomfrey and Remus headed out towards the willow! Hagrid said Pomfrey was picking Knotgrass!"

"I remember," James grinned, "you came back and asked what he'd done to get a detention."

"Yes but by that time he was in the hospital wing with a cold, so I figured it must have been someone else."

"Wait a minute you guys!" Peter piped up, "if Remus is always sick on a full moon . . ."

"You're not suggesting!"

"It's possible!"

"Hold on!" James paused, "we have no proof. Think, has he been sick every full moon?"

"I can't remember, "Sirius sighed. James grabbed Peter's chart and placed a check on the date.

"We'll place a check on this chart every time he gets sick!"

"For how long?"

"Three months. I want to wait. If we accuse him before we're sure, and he's not a werewolf . . .I just want to be sure."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Remus sat on the window seat in the dorm staring out at the grounds. It was an early April morning and everything was green.

"Glad your back!" Remus turned around to see the other's entering the room.

"What was it this time? And please don't lie!"

"James I . . ."Sirius handed him a star chart and Remus turned it over. To his horror he turned it over to find every full moon since December marked with his absence and the excuse that had been used. It was bad enough when Professor Marshwick gave false in formation, and it was horrible that some students not only believed it but had a growing fascination with Werewolves. But the possibility of loosing his friends . . .

"We've known since Christmas." Sirius told him."

"I'm so sorry . . .my own Family . . .I didn't think . . ."

"That's the problem."

"We're you friends Remus,"

"That's not going to change,"

"Not ever!"