Formation of the Marauders

Moony's Perspective Third Chapter The Poltergeist

*A few months later: *

I was walking dejectedly to the Hospital Wing. I was not only upset because the new school nurse, Madame Pomfrey, was about to guide me to the building in Hogsmeade where my transformations took place, but I had lied to my friends again.

-Flashback-

I was sitting on my bed in the dormitory reading a novel about a beautiful girl that must defeat a ferocious dragon to rescue her young child while my three comrades sat n the floor; Peter was watching James and Sirius play a poker match. Hogwarts did not allow gambling; therefore I had politely refused to play with them.

"Full house beats a straight," James argued.

"No it doesn't," contradicted Sirius.

"Peter, get the rulebook," ordered James.

Peter squeaked, "Sorry, we don't have one."

Sirius sighed, "Then how do we decide who gets this very valuable pot?"

I could not suppress the urge to look at the "very valuable pot" that had developed betwixt Sirius and James throughout the match. It was some chocolate frog cards and four dungbombs. I smiled with amusement at how ludicrous my mates could be and resumed reading.

As I red about the lovely maiden that had almost been set ablaze by the dragon I thought, Her beauty is nothing compared to Sapphire's. No, I can't think like that. I can't get a crush on someone because they would never care for me in return. Try as I might, I could not banish her from my mind.

"Remus? Hey Remus!" Sirius eventually captured my attention.

"Yes?" I answered.

"Didn't you say you were visiting Hagrid tonight?"

With a feeling of guilt in the pit of my stomach I recalled the untruth I had told my fellow Marauders (About a week ago we had decided to call ourselves that.) this month. "Indeed," I responded. It is not too bad of a lie, I reasoned. I would visit Hagrid if I could; he has a good and we can relate to each other, as most of the wizarding world classifies us as "half-breeds." "Why do you ask," I inquired then, attempting to sound as casual as possible.

James simply informed, "Because it's already seven o'clock, mate. You had better get a move on."

Seven o'clock? Only twenty minutes until transformation! "You're right; I should go," I stated quickly. I slipped a spare quill into my book as a substitute for a bookmark and exited the dormitory.

I never found out who won the "very valuable pot."

-End of Flashback-

I do not want to continue deceiving my friends, I sulked. But if I want to keep my friends I cannot tell them what I am.

Out of nowhere someone tripped me. After I fell hard onto my chest against the stone floor someone cackled and pulled off my left shoe.

Groaning, I heaved myself upright and came face to face with Peeves the Poltergeist. "May I have my shoe back, please?" I politely requested, though I already knew what the answer would be.

For a response Peeves broke into song. "Loony, loopy Lupin, loony, loopy Lupin!"

"Remus, are you all right?" questioned Sapphire worriedly, running over to me.

I smiled warmly at her concern. "Yes, I just seem to be missing a shoe." I gestured at Peeves, who was still chanting.

Sapphire commanded Peeves, "Give him back his shoe."

Peeves acknowledged, "Oh, did pretty Miss McGonagall come to help her boyfriend?"

The effect was immediate; Sapphire and I both turned a bright shade of crimson.

The poltergeist let out anther hideous cackle and commenced singing again, however, on this occasion he selected a different song. "McGonagall and Lupin sittin' in a tree-"

It seemed that Sapphire had had enough. She took her wand out of the pocket of her robes, pointed it at Peeves, and uttered, "Waddiwasi!"

Dirt, and presumably a pebble, from the bottom of my shoe shot up Peeves' right nostril, so he dropped the shoe and flew away swearing.

She's brilliant as well as beautiful, I noted.

She picked up my shoe and handed it to me. "Here you go," she cheerfully said.

"Thank you very much," I replied appreciatively, while putting on my shoe and lacing it.

"Anytime," remarked Sapphire in a genuine tone.

I glanced at the sky out the window. Five minutes until transformation!!!

"I am truly sorry, but I must leave. Believe me, I would much rather stay and talk to you than go where I must right now," I regretfully informed, straining to keep my voice calm. Without waiting for her answer I gave her a swift hug of gratitude and sprinted to the Hospital Wing. Only once did I look back, and when I did so I saw Sapphire glow with happiness at my embrace and skip back to the common room, humming to herself. This would be absolutely perfect if I wasn't a monster, I thought gloomily.