Carve Me Open / r.l. + s.b. /

Dreadful

It irritated him that the only time Sirius opened his lips was to complain or yell instructions. Of course, some of the things he rambled on about were quite sensible. That term's most popular topic had been Walburga, whose harshness only grew worse as Sirius grew older and more disobedient. His disobedience had undoubtedly won him some special attention throughout the vacation, as he made apparent.

But to say something as cruel as he did just ground against Remus's gears a bit too hard that time.

"Stop being dramatic," he snapped in a severe tone, voice lowered. "I would be terribly depressed."

Sirius waved a dismissive hand, "But you're always terribly depressed, so that doesn't count."

"How am I always terribly depressed?"

"You're always reading those alarming poems," Peter pointed out lightly. Remus scowled.

"They are not alarming!"

"Then what are you reading now," James asked with that oh-so innocent voice of his, not daring to reveal the sneer on his smug face. Peter turned his head, awaiting an answer, as Sirius continued to brood on his forlorn.

Blood shot through Remus's body, flushing his cheeks and ears, and he hid the book from plain view.

"It's nothing," he whispered, and he cast his eyes to the floor, trekking his way to Potions.

Remus felt depressed when he arrived at Potions. So far, the year had been a disaster. Every one of his companions seemed to be in a grumpy mood. He had been in such a bad place mentally. He'd spent a full year secretly detesting Sirius, envious of James, and complaining about Peter's heath. In fact, he'd been so preoccupied with everything else that he hadn't even realized Frank Longbottom had taken his seat. He sprang back, alarmed.

"Frank," he questioned. "What are you –"

"Good morning, boys," Slughorn called, lively as ever.

Anybody who was anyone knew that their Potions professor was virtually bursting at the seams with delight, whether he wanted to acknowledge it or not. He'd not only been summoned to the "wedding of the century," but he'd also been presented with the future Heir of the Ancient and Noble House of Black. One was preferable than none. As a result, their classes were bound to be loaded with extra credit and quite intriguing jokes that only he thought hilarious.

Even if it meant Sirius would suffer, Remus liked it this way. The only failing grades Remus had gotten during his time at Hogwarts were in Potions. Transfigurations, Divination, Defense Against the Dark Arts — you name it, Remus can get you top scores in anything. Set a cauldron in front of him with a variety of potions, and he'll struggle to brew your lemonade. He felt mortified by his performance, because even Peter got good grades in class without trying too hard, yet he battled left and right.

Sirius, who was almost a master at the technique, had been his single guiding light. Perhaps it was Walburga's pagan roots springing to life within him, but Sirius was an authority on all things tincture-related. Because he was his companion, Remus was tutored throughout the classes, and this arrangement was the only reason he'd gotten so far.

"What's all this about," Sirius growled bluntly. It was very apparent he was not too fond of this fresh idea, and he had no trouble communicating it with everyone else.

Slughorn's eyes squinted with happiness as he lumbered across the room, "I've done a bit of – er – rearranging if you will. Wanted to – er – how would I put this... Shake it up! Yes. I wanted to shake it up. Erm, Mister Black you'll be seated with Miss Jerome over there."

Sirius deadpanned.

"Mister Potter, you'll be paired with Frank Longbottom."

With stiff shoulders and watchful eyes, James pushed past Sirius to his seat near the front — the one he hated the most. Sitting at the front ensured that there would be no simple way to charm snails or tip over potions without being discovered. Because Slughorn had thoroughly unraveled the Marauders' ranks, it was clear that there would be no nonsense from them this year.

"Mister Pettigrew, if you'll please make your way over to Mister Andrews?"

Sirius opened his mouth to speak, ignoring the way Peter mumbled obscenities under his breath.

"Horace –"

"And Mister Lupin, ah, you'll be paired with the lovely Miss Evans."

James' head literally swiveled off its axis, his lips so low that Slughorn and his potbelly could have made themselves at home. Sirius sat in the back of the room, sneering, watching Remus as he made his way to his table. Lily smiled brightly, her red hair neatly twisted in two elegant braids.

"Hullo, Lily," Remus murmured, pulling out his parchment and quill.

He managed to appear half-excited to be her partner, given the fact that she'd been such a wonderful friend amid the fallout with Julienne. Keeping some kind of calm, however, became difficult as two of his closest mates stabbed daggers in his back with their looks.

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Sorry, this was a short one, so I'll do one more update today :)