(And they were never really stars at heart)

[lupercusna]

Exams begin next week, and the library is absolutely teeming with worried expressions, sleep-deprivation (though nothing approaching the magifnicent delirium of Draco and Millicent) and panic attacks. Friday evening I escorted two fifth-year Hufflepuff to Poppy after they began gnawing at their books. I have to start keeping Sugar Quills on hand to slip to the ones who look like they're just about to snap.

No word of Peter, no sign nor hide nor hair nor worm-like tail of rat to be found. I have had a few owls on the subject, none of them bearing any sort of news at all. No news is never good news, in times of war, but unfortunately it leaves me in a rather useless position of not being able to do anything but worry, and wonder. And I have really no interest in doing that all of the time, so I have just instructed Harry to never let his wand out of his sight in the hopes that he will never be caught offguard. We can only wait and see, at this point.

Speaking of Harry, he and Sirius spent last night working on his motorbike. I don't know what they were doing to it, tightening grommets and clanking spanners about, Muggle devices, haven't a clue where Sirius got his hands on them. They seemed to have a good time, and they returned far too late covered in motor oil and laughing about some dirty joke or another. I read my books and finished off some overdue correspondence, because they certainly didn't need me around mucking up their fun. At any rate, I love to see them spend more time together, the two of them. Sirius has become an excellent dogfather.

I took a walk today, in the woodsy area on the other side of the lake. From there you can see for miles, and there's a spot (you may remember it, Harry) that is excellent for watching the Squid perform its afternoon water aerobics. I must have sat under the tree for hours, and it wasn't until the sun began to set that I remembered having found the spot as a boy. A favourite escape, from schoolwork and pranks, and myself. I am happy to have rediscovered it again now, twenty years later. And the boy is still there under the tree, happy to share it with the man. I am glad to have found him. I was wondering where he'd got to.

There is no moon tonight, it has hid its face among a crowd of stars, and the air is warm. Sirius is dozing on the sofa beside me, and I don't want to disturb him so I think I shall read, perhaps have a bath. It is a lovely, quiet night for doing quiet things. I love this time of year, when the days are long, the shadows longer and everything just stretches out as lazy and relaxed as Padfoot here, who is drooling upon my leg. So perhaps the first thing I shall do is scratch him behind the ears.

And then, I think, I will sleep.

Comments

[blondenarcissa.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you are well, Remus. May you find time in your schedule in the next few days for a visit from a friend?

[lupercusna]

I don't see why not. Are you free Tuesday?

[blondenarcissa.livejournal.com]

I believe I am free until evening. Would tea be all right?

[lupercusna]

Certainly. Hogsmeade, then?

[blondenarcissa.livejournal.com]

Hogsmeade it is! I am quite looking forward to seeing you; I've something I'd like to give you.

[lupercusna]

That's not necessary, Naricissa. I require nothing.

[blondenarcissa.livejournal.com]

I know it isn't necessary; that's why I'd like to do it. No arguments. I insist.

[lupercusna]

All right, I shan't argue then.

See you Tuesday.

[blondenarcissa.livejournal.com]

Tuesday it is, then!

[just-harry.livejournal.com]

I'm hungry and you aren't giving me any Sugar Quills, is this the opposite of favouritism?

[lupercusna]

How can you possibly be hungry? You ate Canada at dinner tonight.

[just-harry.livejournal.com]

Canada's not very filling though. I should have had China instead.

[lupercusna]

No, because you'd only be hungry again an hour later.

[just-harry.livejournal.com]

Well I'm hungry now anyway. I think you should give me permission to sneak down to the kitchens after curfew.

[lupercusna]

That would be favouritism, Mr Potter. I'm not that kind of fellow.

I have biscuits. They were Sirius's, but he is asleep. You can help me eat them all before he wakes up.

[just-harry.livejournal.com]

He'll never know it was us. We should take his records and throw them in the lake, too, so it'll look more random.

[lupercusna]

That is an excellent suggestion. I should like to start with the Whitesnake.

How can anyone listen to Whitesnake, Harry? Where did we go wrong with him?

[jadedsirius.livejournal.com]

Any part of you that touches my albums you will get back via owl.

Whose side are you on, anyway!

[purestblood.livejournal.com]

And I do so love a happy ending, don't you? Your tales of domestic bliss (albeit not the drooling) do make me feel rather nostalgic. Maybe you can buy something to celebrate your reunion. A silver tea set, perhaps?

[lupercusna]

One day, I will kill you.

[purestblood.livejournal.com]

Promises, promises. I never knew what a tease you were.

[jadedsirius.livejournal.com]

You forgot to say it in French.

[purestblood.livejournal.com]

Would you like me to? You used to, as I recall.

[jadedsirius.livejournal.com]

"Used to" being the operative phrase.

You're pathetic.

[purestblood.livejournal.com]

You're the one drooling on Remus's leg. Q.E.D.