If anything was going to bring Remus out of his bad mood and inevitable anger with Sirius it was the welcoming feast. As soon as he stepped through the grand doors, Sirius catching up behind him and looking rather sulky, he could already smell the food below them in the kitchens. He saw a girl be sorted into Hufflepuff and saw that they'd only missed a small part of the sorting.

"Moony" Sirius muttered over the sorting hat's loud voice.

"I'm not talking to you right now" Remus responded quickly as he sat next to Peter and Sirius sat opposite him.

Try as he might, Remus couldn't ignore Sirius' eyes on him. He wished he'd stop looking at him with those beautiful blue eyes otherwise he'd drive himself crazy. 

He watched as multiple other students were sorted and they ended up gaining 9 more Gryffindors that year, each announcement sending them all up in cheers. 

Finally they sat through Dumbeldore's familiar speech and no sooner was it finished than the hot food appeared on the golden plates. There were plates stuffed to the brim with roast potatoes and bowls of vegetables. There was the biggest turkey's all the way down the table that Remus had ever seen in his life. He couldn't help but dig in immediately and go straight for the mashed potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, turkey and carrots. He was reaching for the gravy when James cleared his throat. The two locked eyes and Remus just raised his eyes questionably.

"Grant's up in the dorm. Told him to stay there" James said quietly so no other students would overhear. 

Remus just nodded before pouring the rich gravy over his plate. The food was enough to distract him from Sirius but whenever he caught a glimpse of the black haired boy he saw that he wasn't eating. 

His instinct was the ask if he was okay but he stopped himself. He was mad at Sirius therefore he chose to ignore him and that was that. But he looked so pale and sad. Remus hated himself for it but he put down his fork and forced his eyes up to Sirius.

"You okay?" He asked with a slight sigh.

Sirius clearly hadn't been expecting Remus to speak a word to him and tensed slightly out of shock.

"I'm fine" Sirius said before his usual facade came back "Why do you ask? Thought you weren't talking to me?"

"Knew it was a stupid idea to ask. All you ever reply with is fucking sarcastic wit" Remus said he looked back down at his meal and stabbed his fork aggressively into a chunk of carrot.

Sirius just glared at Remus and pushed his plate away from him. With that Sirius walked away from them and out of the hall. The teachers and students were all very occupied with the delicious food that none of the seemed to notice him leaving, except the marauders who all exchanged glances.

"Moons" James said with sad eyes and Remus groaned.

"If you're gonna tell me to apologise for snapping then it's not going to happen" Remus said, his mouthful of carrots.

"I think you're both being immature" was James' response and Remus just raised his eyebrows.

"You're kidding right?" he asked reaching for his goblet of pumpkin juice.

James shook his head looking uncharacteristically serious.

"You're ignoring him to punish him and it's practically making Sirius lose his mind" James pointed out.

"You know why though. He deserves it" Remus said, the sting of betrayal hitting him again. 

"We both know he fucked up but...he didn't....intentionally..." James seemed stuck for words and just sighed to himself "the point is he's so sorry for it and has no idea how to make it up to you"

"He can't. End of story" Remus said slamming his goblet down, some of pumpkin juice pouring over the edge and splashing into Peter's dessert.

"Don't let his mistake ruin what you have...."

"I'm done talking about this" Remus snapped as he reached for a slice of apple pie, his main course vanishing from the plate.

James and Peter exchanged a look of defeat and the rest of the meal was in silence. 

...........................................

Even though they weren't talking, James, Remus and Peter stuck together as the crowd of Gryffindor students made their way out of the hall, all full and ready to sleep. James yawned as he walked and jumped slightly when he felt someone tap his shoulder. He turned to see Professor Mcgonagoll looking at the three of them through her glasses.

"Oh come on Professor, what could I have possibly done? I've only been here, what, half an hour"

"Trust me Potter, you have the potential to break the rules in the space of 30 minutes" she said and Peter held back a laugh. "But that's not why I've come to you. It's Proffessor Dumbledore, he wants to see you, Mr Lupin, Mr Black and Mr Pettigrew immediately" she informed them, a grave look on her face. 

"Alright, what about?" James asked curiously.

"I can't discuss it here but all will be explained. Go up to his office, the password is sherbert lemon" McGonagoll said as she looked at the 3 of them. Her eyebrows furrowed "Where's Black?Figured he'd be with you 3"

"He...left the feast early. Wasn't feeling well" James said only really bending the truth. "I'll find him, Remus and Peter can meet me at Dumbeldore's office"

Mcgonagoll nodded and quickly hurried off, making sure no other students were acting up. They soon heard her shrill voice shouting at Peeves who was dropping the hallway lights candle wax onto 2nd years.

"Got the map?" Peter asked James who nodded. The three of them looked around at the crowds of students and slipped into the spare classroom near the hall. The one Remus had been screaming at Sirius in not too long ago. 

Both Peter and Remus crowded over James' shoulder to watch as he pointed his wand at the piece of parchment, saying hastily "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good".

The ink formed their nicknames and the map's name and James rushed it open, his eyes searching for Sirius' name. "Where the heck is he?" James muttered, annoyed.

Remus let his eyes wander over the familiar map and eventually saw the name 'Sirius Black' very still in the corner the library's restricted section.

"Found him" Peter said proudly as he pointed at the map. James nodded and closed the map. "Alright, I'll go get him and you two go to Dumbledore"

"Alright but James..." Remus started but James quickly interrupted.

"I know" he said as the two shared a knowing glance. They both knew for a fact that Sirius hid in the library when he was really upset. A habit he'd picked up in first year when he and James had argued and Sirius had been convinced that their friendship was at an end. Of course the argument was resolved in minutes but they always knew that Sirius would be there when he was really upset.

Remus sighed and followed Peter out of the door, heading up the marble staircase in the direction of Dumbledore's office, watching James go in the other direction, making his way eagerly towards the library. 

................................................

"They'll be here any minute Professor" Remus said which earned a patient nod from Dumbledore who sat behind his desk, staring at the door.

As if on queue, the door opened and in walked James and a grumpy but eager looking Sirius. 

"Good. You're all here" Dumbledore said "now there's something we need to discuss"

Remus' heart sunk into his gut. Did he know about Grant? Was he going to be expelled and Grant have his memory wiped? 

"There's no easy way to say this but as you know Lord Voldemort's followers are being recruited faster and the numbers are growing. Sirius I believe your brother has recently joined their ranks?" Dumbledore said, looking at Sirius.

Remus' head whipped around to look at Sirius. He hadn't even known and he hadn't even let Sirius tell him either. 

Sirius just nodded, his eyes moving to the ground, clearly not wanting to think about it.

"If Voldemort is recruiting Hogwarts students then it'll only be a matter of time before he outnumbers us"

"But we have so many Aurors helping on our side. Alastor Moody joined us right?" James asked crossing his arms.

"Yes and we're lucky to have a man of his talents with us but....I have received information from one of my many spies that Voldemort's followers have a lot of tactics planned in order to gain more allies"

"Why are you telling us this?" Peter asked, his voice shaking with nerves. Just the sound of Voldemort's name made him stand back a little. 

"Because Mr Pettigrew, I recall last year you said you wanted to help in this war and I have a job for you, Mr Black and Mr Potter. I need you to watch out for Mr Lupin"

Remus looked at Dumbledore with a furrowed brow. Why him? He could defend himself just as much if not better than the others.

"What...why..." Remus stuttered crossing his arms impatiently.

"I'll get right to the point" Dumbledore said, his calm tone never vanishing. "Voldemort's followers are going to come here..."

"To Hogwarts?!" Sirius asked in shock "but they can't...."

"We've put in precautions but we can't be sure if Voldemort has another way in and from what I hear he's planning an attack in order to gain some of the students to his side"

"Then why protect Remus? He's the most talented student among us" Peter asked and Remus couldn't help but feel comforted by this. At least Peter knew he wasn't weak.

"Because it won't just be death eaters. Greyback and his werewolves will be coming here too and they'll find him in seconds. They'll want him on their side, he's a valuable ally"

Remus suddenly felt a little sick and like he needed to drink a whole entire bottle of firewhiskey in order to process this. He looked to the floor, closing his eyes and tried to think.

"Proffessor...are you saying that we have to..."

"Protect Mr Lupin by hiding him"

Remus' eyes snapped up from the ground at this "What?! No! Exams are next year and I have to study and I don't want to leave! I'm perfectly capable..."

"We can't risk you being here and the reason I want your friends with you is because I know they'll be good allies for your protection"

"I DON'T NEED PROTECTION!" Remus near but yelled and James placed a hand on Remus' arm to calm him down before looking back to the headmaster.

"Where would we go?" he asked, feeling Remus shaking under his hand.

"Our jurors have mapped out all of the different areas that Greyback's pack have taken refuge for the full moons and a few locations, they don't seem to know. My best option would be the Forest of Dean and I believe that you are gifted at Protective Enchantment Mr Potter along with Mr Black?"

James just nodded and Dumbledore smiled "Well that settles it then. Tomorrow morning all four of you will be sent off"

"TOMORROW?!" Remus said, actually yelling this time "But-"

"You're in danger here and I don't want you to get harmed. You're a target and they know you're here. This is for your own protection" 

Remus was minutely close to going over and punching Dumbledore but he felt James practically dragging him from the room.