CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The group was situated in the hospital wing, the two werewolves in a deep sleep while the rest were still awake. The atmosphere was quiet, punctuated only by the soft, rhythmic breathing of the sleeping males.

James, Sirius, and Peter sat in chairs nearby, their eyes occasionally flickering to Remus and Ezekiel. They whispered amongst themselves, trying to keep the volume low so as not to disturb the sleeping figures.

Evanie sat on the edge of her brother's bed, gently running her hand through his tangled mane of hair, just like she always did after full moons. Remus rested on the bed next to Ezekiel, and the three other males were seated around them, forming a makeshift circle of worry and concern.

The apologies were quickly brushed aside, as Evanie made it abundantly clear that she didn't want any more of them. The group agreed to put the whole situation behind them and move on. With secrets no longer separating them, the anger and tension began to dissipate between them, and it was decided that it wasn't worth holding onto any lingering hostilities.

The group now sat in a more relaxed atmosphere, free from the weight of secrets. Evanie chose to forget the past animosity and looked at the group with an air of acceptance.

James looked puzzled, tapping his foot on the ground in frustration. "I'm surprised we've never had a run-in with you both on full moons," he muttered.

Evanie snickered at his words, a spark of mischief in her eyes. "Why do you think, Potter? I did a damn good job of keeping my brother from going off the rails," she replied with a hint of pride.

"The confidence you have is annoying," Sirius mumbled under his breath, making her chuckle in response.

She simply shrugged, indifferent to the remark. "Don't hold back, Black," she replied casually. "I've been called worse before. I'm practically immune to insults by now."

James chimed in, "That's not a good thing, you know."

Evanie retorted snarkily, not particularly concerned about the issue. "Does it seem like I care?" Peter, caught off guard, scratched his head uncomfortably before she added, "It was a rhetorical question, Pete."

Sirius glanced at her brother, contemplating his question. "Is it rude to ask how old he was when it happened?" he queried, scratching his cheek awkwardly.

Evanie took the initiative to answer, "Ezekiel was only 4 years old when he was afflicted with lycanthropy," she revealed, knowing the males were curious.

"My grandfather trained me when I was 10, and I mastered my animagus training at 12," she continued, "So the first year Dumbledore and grandfather had to help on the full moons until I was ready to take over."

"Wait, so you did it all by yourself?" Sirius inquired, his eyes filled with curiosity.

She nodded, a hint of determination on her face. "Yes, I'm the one who should have been bitten, but Ezekiel pushed me out of the way and took the hit instead," she explained. "It's only right that I feel responsible, and he's my brother. I'd drop everything to help him in a heartbeat. That's why I'm so determined to become a magizoologist."

"Is it to continue your grandfather's legacy?" Peter questioned.

"Yes, that's part of it," she responded, "but the main reason is to find a cure for lycanthropy. I'm determined to find one, no matter how long it takes, because I'm fed up with the way people with the condition are treated. Once my brother and Remus graduate, they'll find it tough to hold down a job, with all the faking sick or disappearing once a month."

"So, that's why you're always so engrossed in your work," James observed, receiving a confirming nod from Evanie.

"Exactly" she agreed, "That's why I don't care how people insult me. Being taunted or pushed around in the halls is child's play compared to the inner struggle my brother and Remus go through every single day of their lives."

A small part of the others felt a pang of guilt or remorse as the reality sunk in. Although they had been unaware of the hidden truth behind her indifference towards their previous insults, it didn't erase the fact that they had indeed resorted to such behaviour before.

As the minutes ticked by, the atmosphere continued to thicken with an air of guilt and remorse. James, who was usually quick to break the tension with some form of humour, remained uncharacteristically silent.

Meanwhile, Peter fidgeted restlessly, his gaze darting in every direction, avoiding direct eye contact with any of the other present.

Among the group, Sirius was the one who seemed to be feeling the heaviest weight upon his shoulders. He sat up straighter, his jaw clenched tightly as he fought the wave of guilt washing over him.

Finally, after a long silence, James spoke up, breaking the tension that had filled the room.

James shifted in his seat, his expression serious and sincere.

"Evanie," he began, his voice soft and filled with regret, "You know... even if you hate apologies, you still deserve one. What we did, Sirius and I- telling Peter and Remus- it was completely wrong and unjust. So, even if it takes us a long time, we want to make you forgive us."

Evanie let him finish, then cut in, "I'll take the apology and I forgive you."

Sirius looked at her, surprised and suspicious, his brow furrowed. "Just like that? Is there no catch?" he inquired, searching her face for any sign of deception.

She smirked, the hint of a challenge in her eyes. "I didn't say there wasn't one," she responded, her tone light but filled with an underlying tone of mischief.

James and Sirius exchanged a look between the two of them, clearly wondering what she had in mind. Peter sat back, silently observing the interaction.

With a slight edge to his voice, James asked, "Alright, what's the catch then?"

"I want you to let me study you guys while your in your animagus forms."

James and Sirius exchanged a look of surprise, clearly taken aback by the request.

"Wait, what did you just say?" Sirius asked, blinking in confusion.

"You heard me," Evanie repeated, her arms crossed firmly.

James chimed in, cutting off any more protests from Sirius, "I don't mind."

Peter, seeing the resignation on Sirius's face, added his own acquiescence, "Same here, go ahead."

James and Peter's agreement made Sirius realize objecting further was fruitless. He sighed in defeat, mumbling, "Alright, I guess I'll do it too."

"I thought you were specializing in magical creatures," Sirius questioned, looking at her with a curious expression.

"Yes, but it's not every day you get to study a Stag, Rat and an oversized dog," Evanie explained, a hint of excitement in her tone.

At her description, Sirius flushed with embarrassment, protesting, "I'm perfectly normal-sized!"

"Right, keep telling yourself that," Evanie smirked

"Whatever," Sirius muttered, crossing his arms sulkily.

James stifled a laugh, enjoying seeing his friend getting teased. "Come on, Sirius, just admit that you are a bit oversized as a dog."

"Yeah, mate, embrace your inner overgrown canine," Peter chimed in, grinning at their friend who was now pouting.

Sirius shot both of them a glare, his eyes narrowed in annoyance. "You both are so annoying, you know that, right?"

James chuckled, unable to contain his amusement. "Yeah, but someone has to keep you humble, Pads."

"Fine, keep teasing me. I'm the perfect size thank you very much." Sirius defended, the pout still on his face.

Peter and James shared another look, unable to hold back their grins. They both knew they were getting to him.

"Sure, let's go with 'perfect size'," James quoted, using his fingers to make air quotes.

Peter added, grinning widely, "If that's what makes you feel better, Padfoot."