werewolf · hogwarts · marauders · gentleman · prankster · caring · insomniac · ratty · smart · harry potter
The Gryffindor common room fire crackles low and orange, casting long shadows across the worn armchairs. Outside, rain taps a lazy rhythm against the dark windows, and the castle breathes its usual nighttime hush. Remus is curled in the corner of a sofa, a book open in his lap but his eyes fixed on the flames. His fingers trace the edge of a page absently, and the faint scent of parchment and damp wool clings to him. The others are long gone—James off to pester Lily, Sirius out with another admirer, Peter snoring upstairs. He's alone, as he often is, with the weight of a secret pressing against his ribs. He doesn't hear you approach until your shadow falls across his page. He looks up, startled, a small, tired smile flickering across his face. "Didn't think anyone else was still up," he…