"Moony! You're back!" James said excitedly, sitting up in bed. "Where were you last night?"

"Is that any of your business?" Remus said sleepily into his pillow.

"You sound sleepy. Why are you sleepy? You're never sleepy."

"Go away."

"It's just a question."

"That's how every interrogation starts." Remus said coldly, sitting up and running a hand through his hair. "With one question that turns into two that turns into three and the next thing I know, I've got to tell people everything."

"Moony. Remus, calm down." Peter said, clambering out of his bed and sitting on Remus'. "No one's trying to interrogate you. We're just worried, that's all."

Remus looked up from scratching at the scars on the back of his hand and there was real vulnerability in his face. He looked like a child, a far cry from how he looked most of the time.

"Well don't be worried." He said, his face closing off. He looked back at his hand and started scratching again. "I'm not worth worrying about."

Peter reached out hesitantly and took Remus' hand in a way to stop him from scratching. Remus jumped and looked at Peter.

"Don't. You'll bleed." Remus pulled his hand back but didn't start scratching again. He closed his eyes and sighed.

"I'm sorry, guys." He said when he opened his eyes. "I was a real jerk yesterday."

"No, we're sorry." Sirius nodded along in agreement. "We were being really horrid."

"Thanks for winning us back our points, Moony." Sirius said, grinning at Remus, who quickly looked down. Sirius' smile faded. Was Remus still mad at him?

"It's no problem. Just don't expect me to do it next time." Remus let a small smile pass across his face. "Now, what are we going to do today? Apart from homework, obviously."

"I bags the bathroom first!" Peter yelled, jumping up and running off to the bathroom.

"He's going to wake the whole castle." James raised his hand as if he was in class.

"Er, yes?" Remus asked, looking down his nose at James. "Mr Potter, do you have an answer?"

Professor Lupin, I think we should plan for our prank today."

Remus nodded, barely containing a smile. "And how is your homework, Mr Potter?" James scowled and Sirius burst out laughing. "What about you, Mr Black?"

"No Professor Lupin."

"Then get to it." Remus said, clapping his hands twice. They all shared a look and started laughing.

"Okay, so if Padfoot is right next to the doors-" Remus' planning was interrupted by a flurry of many thousands of wings and a parcel landing on top of the pumpkin juice jug.

"You've got a package, Moony." James said after checking the label. Remus grabbed the small package and put it in his pocket.

"Peter, I think I've got an idea for what you can do."

"Oh, I really don't need to be part of this, guys."

"No, you do. Cause Padfoot is busy and I'm not gonna be here so the plan is-"

"Why aren't you gonna be here?"

"Prior engagement." Remus said smoothly. "Wormtail, you and Prongs are going to have to sit here and cause a loud distraction. So people don't notice Padfoot's missing."

"Won't being loud draw attention to the fact that Padfoot's missing?" Remus shook his head.

"I tried being loud myself when I was alone yesterday and it worked. Being quiet will draw attention because it's not normal. So, Wormtail, do you accept your mission?" Peter nodded enthusiastically. "Perfect. We're on time for Halloween."

Lockdown is the only time you can eat a whole bar of chocolate and not feel guilty... Don't ask.
Bye,
Blaize