Chapter 33: Howling.

How Sirius, James, Peter and Naomi hadn't figured out about Remus, I didn't know but it was that time of the month once more. As per usual, we had told everyone that we were going home because our Mum was still 'ill' and we wouldn't return to the castle until tomorrow evening at least. Of course we wasn't really leaving but we can't tell them what was really going on and that Remus and I would most likely be in the Hospital Wing all through tomorrow instead of at home. It was a risk staying in the Hospital Wing considering it was a public place everyone was aloud to visit but we would just take that risk and try to hide behind the hospital curtains the best we could.

That was what I had to do each month. Hide behind the hospital curtains and sleep in the beds inside. They really wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world but then again it's a hospital, what do you expect? Madam Prompfrey was always nice enough when it came too my nights in the wing and always tried to make me feel comfortable like I would back in Gryffindor Tower which I was thankful for. She knew that the beds wasn't as comfy which is why she always offers me a couple extra pillows or blankets. I did appreciate it (although it barely helped whatsoever) and she always helped out with my homework when I needed it. Last month she helped me with my potions essay and explained it way better than the textbooks did, so every week that's what we did. I would go to the Hospital Wing and we'd just sit there having a cup of tea whilst she occasional helped with any of my classes.

* * *

"Is everything okay Meadow? You look a bit... confused" Madam Prompfrey asked placing a glass of water on the cabinet to my right.

"Yeah I'm just struggling with my potions homework that's all" I admit, placing my quill back in the ink pot. She came over and had a look at what I'd done so far and looked down at the text book.

"A Flobberworm Mucus' physical characteristics are that it is green in colour and has a slimy consistency" Madam Prompfrey smiled.

She smiles once more and walks out of the curtains pulling them too as she left. I wrote down the information that the nurse told me and finished the homework fairly quickly without further issues.

* * *

It was that day that I'd decided to visit the school nurse weekly. She was definitely surprised when I just turned up in the Hospital Wing the first time and asked if we could talk more about potions but she seemed really delighted at the same time. We all knew that most of the professors we teachers so they couldn't be available all the time so she really enjoyed the company and having someone to talk too. Of course all of my friends hadn't worked out that I was coming to see Madam Prompfrey each week or maybe they had but just didn't say anything. I don't know but it's not like I was trying to keep it a secret. If they were to ask I would simply tell them. It was as easy as that but they never asked so I never told.

* * *

It was getting close to ten when I heard one of the large doors open at the end of the hall. I was currently sat in one of the beds in the Hospital Wing with both of the curtains surrounding me. I was tucked away in one of the back corners as usual and Lynx rested in my lap enjoying my company. We both looked up when we heard the door close once more meaning that someone had either just poked their head in or someone was in the Hospital Wing for some reason. Why would anyone be in here this time of night? Except if they are forced to stay overnight to recover from whatever injury or if they were in the same situation I was why?

Quiet footsteps echoed off the floor as someone walked closer and closer to the door to the nurse's room and closer and closer towards the curtains hiding me from view. Only a small gap was in my curtains where they both met yet I had to hope the person wouldn't see me through them. Unfortunately for me the person looked through the gap and saw me instantly and it became even more unfortunate when I saw who it was. "What are you doing here? I thought you went home with Remus?" Sirius whispered walking towards me.

"I-i felt ill before we were meant to leave and thought that it would be best if I was to stay here. Just so I don't make Mum more ill than she is" I lied. How I came up with that on the spot I had no clue but he seemed to buy it and didn't press the matter further. "What are you doing here at this time of night?" I asked, petting Lynx once more.

"I came to borrow without intending to return some crystal phials. Someone seemed to have stolen all of mine" Sirius smirked. He seated himself on the edge of my bed with a cloak in his arms and stroked Lynx on the head. Our hands brushed a few times but neither of us mentioned it and just continued to pet Lynx.

"You could've just asked to borrow some, you don't have to steal them you know" I pointed out.

"Yeah but then I would feel bad and most likely forget to return them. I also know that your family hasn't got a large amount of money". It was true we may not have as much money as other families but I would much rather pay for a new set out of my money than have Sirius get in trouble. He would one hundred percent get a detention at some point but I didn't want it to be because his crystal phials were stolen. It seemed like a lame excuse if you asked me and I doubt Slughorn would be very happy if Sirius was to just say all his disappeared into thin air. It was January for crying out loud, we still have seven months of school for crying out loud.

"Don't worry about that really, getting new phials won't be a problem" I stated.

"But I will still feel bad-"

"Sirius really it's fine" I cut him off. I didn't like being so direct and demanding but I didn't want him to get in any sort of trouble especially for a silly reason such as losing phials. We both fell silent and just sat there once more listening to the harsh winds outside.

"Thank you Meadow" Sirius thanked me with a genuine smile. Not a smirk, a smile.

"Don't mention it".

"No really Meadow, thank you" he repeated, squeezing the top of my hand gently. A warm fuzzy feeling stored in my stomach but I pushed it back down and ignored the feeling. We sat there in a comfortable silence once more until soft footsteps could be heard through the wall connecting the Wing and the Nurses office. Her door creaked open quietly and I cast Sirius a worried look which he didn't return. Out of nowhere he got up and through the cloak over him making himself completely invisible.

Madam Prompfey drew open the curtains quietly peering in only to see me and Lynx curled up on the hospital bed. "Who were you talking to?" she asked.

"M-myself" I stammered. "I talk to myself when I'm nervous".

"He'll be okay don't worry, now I suggest you get some sleep" the Nurse advised drawing back the curtain and returning to her quarters. When we heard the door shut, Sirius removed part of cloak and smiled.

"I best get going, goodnight Meadow" he whispered. He walked over and wrapped his arms around me which was very unexpected but I wrap my arms around his back and return the embrace. When I pulled away, he fully covered himself with the cloak and pulled back the curtain slightly and left.

* * *

Daylight had just broke out across the land yet I was already awake but very sleep deprived. I had struggled sleeping all night and knowing that Remus was out there facing a full moon didn't help me whatsoever. I'd already been up for an hour or so just tossing and turning yet no sleep came too me and which ever way I turned I was always uncomfortable. Thoughts about Sirius plagued my mind as I wondered what he was thinking mere hours ago. Did he work out what was really happening? Or was he just suspicious? Or did not think anything of it and actually believed I was feeling 'ill'? I don't know but I would be lying if I was too say I didn't care.

I sat up, waking Lynx in the process and reached over to my charms book and just started to read. I had homework too do later for Charms class so there was no harm in reading ahead. Lynx rested her head back down on her front two paws and swiftly fell back asleep but was only woken once more when the curtains surrounding my bed were drawn open slightly. Sirius stood there once more with a small smile and... flowers? What on earth was he doing with those?

"Morning" he uttered, running his hand through his long hair.

"Morning" I replied before nodding to the flowers. "What are they for?"

"The flowers on your nightstand are dying so I figured I should switch them out" he smiled almost nervously. Sirius walked over and quickly switched out the flowers an placed the dying ones in the bin in the corner. "How come your up?" he asked looking down at me.

"I could be asking you the same thing" I smirked, looking up from my textbook. He mimicked the smirk before saying that he couldn't sleep. "Same here" I sigh, "I have too much on my mind right now."

Sirius' eyes narrow confusedly. "Do you want to talk about it?" I only shake my head and glance down, trying to avoid all eye contact. It's not like I could talk about it after all I definitely would if I could but I couldn't be the one to reveal my brother's secret. Even then he couldn't either, he would only have to leave the school and have to learn magic elsewhere without me. I didn't want to sound desperate or anything but I needed him. He was the only one who knew of my visions here and he was the person I trusted most (no offense to the others of course). "I'm here if you ever do need to talk" Sirius smiled placing a hand on my shoulder and squeezing it lightly and reassuringly. When he removed his hand he lied down across the end of the bed and asked me what I was reading.

"I'm reading my charms book. I plan to write the essay at some point today so I figured I could get a head start before I actually go and do it" I explained rereading the summary of the Dancing Feet spell. I silently thought to myself how funny it would be to use on my friends as a prank but I didn't plan to let them know that.

"Can you help me with my essay later too?" Sirius asked, batting his eyelashes as if he was going to persuade me. I was going to say yes anyway so it didn't really work.

"Yeah sure but only if you actually do it".

"I will, I will" Sirius rolled his eyes. "We can't do it in the library though, I don't want to lose to James especially this early on".

"Are you really still doing that stupid competition about being the last one to enter the library" I sighed.

Sirius just smirked. "Well yeah I want to win the seventy galleons by the time we leave. That way I can move out as soon as I'm old enough."

"You really want to escape your family don't you" I whispered loud enough for him to here me whilst closing my book and placing it on the night stand.

"There full of Death Eaters, of course I do" he answered.

"I don't blame you" I whispered again before pausing. "Do you... do you think that Regulus will become a Death Eater?"

"I wouldn't be shocked if he did. He has always been Mummy's perfect little angel" Sirius said very much annoyed.

"Sirius, I know you both don't get along as much nowadays but I can see that you still care for him".

He didn't answer for a good few seconds but he knew he would have to at some point so he did. "When I was young, I promised myself that I would protect him from the world. But as you can see I broke my own promise. He is one of them and too far out of my reach. I can't save him now Meadow."

"Yes you can, and I will help you in anyway possible" I said confidently. Sirius didn't answer and so we just sat in silence listening to the wind and the birds. After long Sirius asked me how things were going with the other Slytherins. "It's going okay. Too be honest, I haven't spoken to them much lately. I've spoken to Andromeda and Narcissa in classes but that's about it."

"In my opinion they are defiantly the better ones. Narcissa not so much but Andromeda's alright I suppose. It's not them who worry me though, it's the others" he sighed.

"Stop worrying they won't hurt me. Besides if it makes you feel better, I might be able to find out a few of their plans for the house war" I smiled, locking eyes with the boy.

"Your a genius you know that" he laughed lightly holding his gaze.

I giggled but just shook my head. "No your just dumb."

The ending is a bit rushed I'm sorry but I'm now back at school and wanted a bit of time to adjust and I ended up completely forgetting that I had to write the book. Thankfully I can still get this out on time.

Thanks for reading

The5thMarauder