riddlelog | full moon with moon moon [partially open]

[It's the day after the full moon and Remus still looks and feels like shit! It was a long, rough night, like every full moon is since leaving Hogwarts and losing the relative freedom he'd had there. He'd had some help getting patched up but there's only so much one can do for werewolf wounds, so he's fairly heavily bandaged and sticking close to home for the day.

Normally Remus doesn't terribly mind doing things by hand, but he relies more heavily on his magic when he's feeling unwell. Laid out on his uncomfortable couch in his tiny flat, he is not moving unless absolutely necessary. It's a good time as any to get some reading done.

Should you knock at his door any time before half-blood curfew, you'll hear the locks click open followed by Remus' hoarse voice from the other side of the wall telling you to let yourself in. The list of people who would come to see him on a day like this (and actually bother to knock) is very short, and all of them are either relatives, close friends, or ministry officials he'd have no choice but to let in anyway.]

[Peter is very aware of the date. It isn't the first time he's been unable to join Remus on the night of the full moon, but that doesn't make Peter feel any less left out. He knows that he shouldn't make it about him. Even when the Marauders did wander the Forbidden Forest, the transformation still took a toll on Moony. Still, Peter hates the fact that he's been cut off from the other Marauders on the one night of the month that had been their own.

He can't think about that now. In his hands he carries a box of chocolate frogs and a bottle of firewhiskey. It was the normal post-moon aftercare special. Peter hasn't forgotten and he hopes Remus recognizes it.

Peter knocks on the door, waiting to hear the click of the lock before letting himself in. "Moony?" he calls, not seeing Remus on the couch right away. "Are you all right there? It's me. Thought you could use a pick me up."

Thanks, Wormy. Over here. [Despite his obvious exhaustion, Remus smiles to see his Peter, lifting a bandaged arm to give a short wave. His expression brightens further, seeing the familiar combination.] Close the door behind you and sit, yeah? I'll make room.

[Peter's not the only one that misses how things were at Hogwarts, the four of them running around together under the full moon. It can't be like that anymore, though. Honestly, Sirius and James shouldn't even be joining him, and he's not sure how much it helps, in such tight quarters. Full moons are getting worse and worse again, like they did before the Marauders figured out their animagus forms, leaving him more injured, more drained, every time.

He carefully shifts on the couch to make room for Peter, sitting properly instead of laying length-wise along it. There are signs of Sirius having been there earlier, mainly in that Remus is surrounded in pillows and blankets and has a cup of tea and a sandwich on the side-table next to him, all things he would likely neglect to do on his own.]

[Peter carries the chocolate and the firewhiskey over to Remus, setting them down on the side-table. He makes note of the sandwich and cup of tea. Sirius had been there. He knew he shouldn't feel jealous, but he does. Ever since he had the trace put on and registered as an animagus, the one special secret he had was gone. Sirius and James got to keep theirs a secret. It really wasn't fair.

He supposed he and Remus were similar in that respect.]

How are you feeling? You look... better than I expected. At least you made it through in one piece.

[Peter smiles and offers Remus a bit of chocolate.]

Did James and Sirius visit?

[It was definitely something the two of them shared with each other, but not Sirius and James. Both the losing of a secret they would have preferred to stay hidden, and the loss of a certain amount of freedom after Hogwarts.

He shrugs, accepting the chocolate with a smile. He is a man of simple needs and wants.]

Don't I always? I'll be fine. [Never mind that more of him is bandaged than the month before, and that keeps being true every time. He slowly opens the chocolate frog.]

Yeah. Pads spent the night. [It doesn't seem like it helped much, though, except in that he was right there once Remus transformed back.]

You always say you'll be fine. D'you ever think you'll be able to say that with a straight face? [Peter smiles and nudges Remus' shoulder gently. He's teasing his friend, like he's always done. Remus looks like shit and they both know it. It's easier to take when Peter makes light of it.]

Glad Padfoot could stick around. At least the flat is big enough for the both of you. [He feels a twinge of jealousy. He wouldn't take up much space at all. He'd love to be there, to spend the full moon just as they always had. It just wasn't fair.]

How 'bout I pour us both a drink, yeah? Cups in the cupboard?

Did I not this time? [He blinks with faked innocence, rocking slightly with the nudge. Peter's not off the mark with the teasing, lightening the mood of it has always done wonders to help it feel-- a little more normal. As normal as it could, anyway.

He huffs sardonically.] Barely. I mean, this part of it, sure... [But this isn't the part of the flat where he transforms. If he had to live in the room he chained himself up in every full moon, he might actually go mad. He needs the separation, even if it's only by way of a door. Out of sight, out of mind.]

Yeah, same as always. Thank you, Pete.

[Peter stands and walks into the kitchen. Hearing Remus brush off the fact that Padfoot had been there as though it was just the way of things made the jealousy turn into a stone. It weighed him down and allowed the ugly thoughts to float to the surface.]

If the other room is so small, maybe you should set up a room expander charm. [Ask me. I'm small enough and careful. Ask me.] That way all three of you could fit more comfortably. [You won't, will you? And not because of the curfew. You won't because you don't want me there. Not anymore. Maybe not ever.] As long as the safety precautions are there, I'm sure the Ministry wouldn't mind.

[Peter carries the two glasses of whiskey over and hands one to Remus. He clinks the glasses together before taking a sip.]

I've a few contacts in the Ministry, you know. I could make a few calls.

Edited 2017-09-13 03:08 (UTC)

I’ll see if the landlord is amiable, but... [Remus shrugs, accepting the glass of whiskey. The building is in muggle London, but the owner and landlord is a Squib. It’s mostly people like that who live there, those who live in between the magical and muggle worlds, and people like Remus, who have little other choice.] It was enough of a hassle just to get this much. As for the Ministry…

[He shakes his head, taking a short sip after Peter clinks their glasses.] I don’t know if I want them questioning why I felt the need to expand the room. [And they will question it. He changes the damn curtains in his living room and there’s questions, every little thing treated with the utmost suspicion.

And of course, it’s highly illegal for anyone to be in the room with him on the night of the full moon, animagus forms or no. (And guess what the Trace would pick up on Peter, not that Remus knows there’s an issue there.)] I do appreciate the offer, though.

Yeah. [Peter expected as much. How many times had he tried to offer Remus a solution to his problems? How many times had the offer been politely declined. He knows he isn't the only one. He's overheard James and Sirius say as much before. Still, maybe one of these times Moony will take the advice.]

You should still think about it. The Ministry is shit, but it's always been that way. Not everyone in it is a raging arse. Maybe all it takes is just one person to look the other way. At least you'd be more comfortable in a larger room. No one would have to know of the other reasons.

I know not everyone is. You're there, after all. [Remus smiles faintly, taking another drink.] Problem is, I never know whether I'm going to get one of the raging arses or not. [That and he's convinced that a particular brand of raging arse is drawn to working in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.

It's right there in the damn title. Control.] Well, with the restraints, I can't exactly move around as is. A bigger room wouldn't help with that. [Has Peter even seen the shackles? Remus doesn't think he's ever had cause to go into the room he transforms in, since he can't join them on full moons, and Remus himself certainly doesn't go in there unless he has to. He hadn't had to use any restraints during full moons at the Shack, but a lot changed after they graduated. It's just another injury, really, the marks they leave on his wrists and ankles.] So it'd be a suspicious thing to ask for.

[Restraints. Peter never even considered the fact that Remus would be restrained. Then again, Remus has never invited him to see the room where he spends his Full Moon nights. Peter has never asked to see it. Even though it hurts to know they can never spend the Full Moon as they did at Hogwarts, Peter still remembers how it felt the moment he saw inside the Shrieking Shack for the first time. It's better that he doesn't see it.]

If you get a raging arse at the Ministry, you should let me know. I've a bag full of Howlers just waiting to go off. They may just mysteriously find their way into the stupid git's office.

[Peter smiled.]Honestly, though, if you need anything. Anything. Let me know, yeah? You'd be doing me a favor. My Mum is breathing down my neck most days.

[Remus huffs out a laugh, shaking his head.] You'd run out of Howlers, and then what would you do?

[Maybe the drink's getting to him already, or maybe it's just the exhaustion, but he sinks further down on the couch, feeling heavy and-- floppy.] You don't only have to come over when I need something, you know. If you want to get away, we can meet somewhere. Have lunch, or something.

[It's a good job Sirius is there then, isn't it? Though he looks rather tired, too, he's certainly not as battered as Remus is. He is around, though, as Padfoot if Remus wants something fluffy to lean against, or just to offer general tea and sandwich-making abilities so Remus doesn't have to get up. In fact, that's what he's doing right now, busy at the stove.]

Oi, Moony, d'you want some tea?

[It's the one time he'll just let the fussing happen, partially because he's too tired to protest. (And maybe some part of him enjoys it, just a little. Just every now and then.)

He looks up from his book, glancing over at Sirius, who looks far too at home in his kitchen. There's a flutter of something warm he doesn't want to admit to.] Sounds good, if you're making some.

[It's a good thing he'd managed to restock his cupboards before nightfall the previous day.] I hope I'm not keeping you from anything.

[Sirius quite likes fussing over Remus, if he must be honest. He's really the only one he does it over, except maybe he'd done it a bit over James' parents before they passed. He likes making sure his friend feels a little better, at least, and he's also never one to say no to Padfoot cuddles, should Remus need them. That's definitely all it is, he just likes making Remus happy.]

Just about to put the kettle on. [Which he does. See, he's learned some Muggle things, thanks to his friends. There's that bark of a laugh in response.] Am I ever doing anything?

[Now if only he'd learn to do his washing up. He settles back into the couch again, part of him wishing it was the far more comfortable couch at Sirius and James' place. He'll never say that out loud though, that'd just be inviting the "so why don't you come and live with us" argument, and he's far too exhausted to have it out over that right now.]

Other than generally causing havoc? [There's a smile, through the exhaustion.]

That's a constant. I suppose I could be working on Portia some of the time, but -- more important things to do today, right?

[Remus tries not to be bitter over his friends' wealth, especially because Sirius and James have always been all too willing to share it, but sometimes-- sometimes.

He can't even fully explain why Sirius choosing to have nothing to do but work on his bike most days irritates him, but it does. And then he wonders if Sirius is only here because he has nothing else to do, and oh bloody fucking hell why is he always like this? Can't just be grateful for one day, can you Lupin?

He shrinks into himself even more, if that's even possible.] Right... [A pause] If you'd rather do that, I can take it from here. You've already done plenty for me. [He doesn't want Sirius to go, but...]

[Sirius turns, lifting his eyebrows a tad.] Did I say I wanted to go? You've got me as long as you want me, Remus, you know that. [He'll happily hang out all day and Padfoot will likely beg for pets, but - really, there's nowhere he'd rather be at the current time.]

[Remus knows he's a bit-- emotionally squishy, for lack of any better term, the day after the full moon, so he tries (rather valiantly) not to read too much into things. It doesn't always work. He picks at a bit of fuzz on the blanket, feeling ridiculous.] I think I might have a nap, after the tea, I mean. If you want to join. You make a good pillow. [As Padfoot, anyway. Well, probably normally as well, but Padfoot is the safer option.]

[The tea's ready now, or at least the water's boiling, and he pours it into some mugs before turning back to Remus.] Alright. [With a quick grin.] I like being your pillow. Or, well, Padfoot does, I guess.

Not that I mind it, either.

[He manages a smile, reaching out for one of the mugs before settling back onto the couch with a poorly hidden wince.] Well, you get plenty of ear scratches for your trouble, so that's no surprise. [He takes a perfunctory sip of the tea, then simply lets the mug warm his hands. Food and drink are a good idea in theory, but his appetite hasn't quite returned yet.] I could put on some music for you, so you at least have that. [He still feels vaguely guilty for not being better company. He still always feels like he should be some manner of entertaining, to make up for how troublesome he is, instead of just tired and sore and boring.]

You're the best at ear scratches. Just in case you'd forgotten. [Hand-warming is good, too. Partially why Sirius made the tea in the first place.]

If you'd like. I don't mind talking to you, Moony. Or sitting. Whatever you're up for.

[James doesn't really have an excuse for coming so late in the day, except that he spent a good part of the afternoon at Lily's shop and lost track of time. But he comes bearing food, both actual supper and a giant pile of chocolate to make up for it. And he doesn't bother to knock. What a good friend, that James Potter.]

Oi! Moony. Sorry I'm late. But I brought you something to eat.

[It's fine, Remus is used to James' refusal to knock like a normal person does when entering a living space that is not their own.

He was actually having a bit of a nap as James barged in, and the smell of food starts to wake him before James' voice finishes the job. He groans, shifting to sit up against the mound of pillows behind him again. Every part of him aches at the movement.]

Hey, Prongs. S'alright. You didn't have to. [He rubs at his eyes tiredly, making the standard protests. His stomach disagrees; food is absolutely a necessary tribute for anyone wishing to enjoy his company right now.]

I'd tell you to shut up but that hasn't worked in the past. So. Here.

[James rolls his eyes when his friend's stomach growls and hands over the bag he's carrying. Here. Eat. Be merry. Look a little bit less like death warmed over. There's nothing he can do about how hard the transformation affects Remus. He can change into a stag, and he can run the forest with him (or he did, they haven't done it in over a year thanks to the curfew) and he can bring all the food he wants-- but he can't stop it. So sometimes he overcompensates.]

Pads leave already?

Thanks. [Luckily for them both, he doesn't put up any more of a fuss than that, summoning two plates, forks, and spoons with a lazy flick of his wand and moving slow to pull the food out of the bag. He eats in small, careful bites. He's famished but he's also nauseous and eating too much too fast is just asking for trouble.

Once he's piled half of it onto his plate, he pushes the rest of it towards James. Don't make him eat alone, he'll feel guilty.]

He left when I fell asleep earlier, I think. [Which is fine. Remus doesn't expect him to stay, he's boring enough company the day after the full moon when he's conscious. Of course Padfoot would leave soon after he drifted off.]

[ the day after the full moon, lily pops by to see remus and tell him the Interesting News she has been given over the past couple of days - news she's sure that no one has told remus, because the boys are useless for things like this.

she comes bearing a couple of potions, one for headaches and general aches and pains, and one for any lingering nausea. it's the least she can do - she knows that the boys are at least useful for food and other creature comforts so potions are usually her monthly forte.

still, knocking, she rocks side to side once before letting herself in, practically vibrating with the news that she has to tell him. a son and a grandson. imagine. ] Remus?

Edited 2017-09-14 17:19 (UTC)

[He's still settled on the couch when she comes by, and it's only when he sees how excited she looks that he remembers she'd had news to tell him.

Thank Merlin, he's itching for a conversation topic that's nothing to do with full moons or how terrible he looks and feels right now.] Hi, Lily. Thanks for coming by.

[He shifts to make room on the couch, not completely able to hide a wince at the movement.]

full moon with moon moon [partially open]

September 3 - remus' flat [open granted you know where he lives?]

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