Marauders Era⁷

Remus Lupin had always known he was different. He didn't have Sirius's wealth or James's loving family. He was an orphan, a lonely boy carrying a secret that set him apart from everyone else: he was a werewolf.

No matter how much his friends tried to make him feel included, a small part of Remus always felt there was an invisible line between him and the rest of the world. He couldn't help wondering whether anyone could truly accept him if they knew the whole truth.

Fifth year brought changes Remus hadn't quite prepared for. The boys were growing up, and their attention was slowly shifting towards romance.

James was constantly trying, and failing, to impress Lily Evans. Sirius seemed to have a new admirer every other week, effortlessly charming anyone who crossed his path. Even Peter had started showing an interest in girls.

Remus, however, couldn't relate. He didn't get butterflies when girls smiled at him, nor did he dream about love letters or romantic gestures. He told himself he simply had more important things to worry about.

What he hadn't realised was that his feelings were rather more complicated than he wanted to admit.

Especially when it came to Sirius.

He found himself noticing things he shouldn't: Sirius's laughter, his ridiculous grin, the way he casually draped an arm around his shoulders, and how easily he could make Remus forget whatever he had been worrying about.

Remus dismissed it as friendship. It had to be friendship.

One afternoon, after classes, James, Sirius, Peter, and Remus were walking through Hogwarts together. James was talking about Lily, Peter was enthusiastically agreeing with everything, and Sirius was teasing them both.

James:"Honestly, Moony, you need to get yourself a girlfriend."

Peter:"Yeah! You can't spend your entire life studying!"

Sirius:"Leave him alone. Perhaps he's simply waiting for someone extraordinary."

James:"And who would that be?"

Sirius:"How should I know, Prongs?"