CHAPTER FOUR

As a proud and determined individual, Evanie posed a unique challenge for Remus Lupin. Lupin was no stranger to students who tested his patience, but the combination of her intelligence and stubbornness posed a different kind of obstacle.

Her prideful nature made it difficult for her to accept his guidance or suggestions, and she often bristled at the notion of needing help in the first place.

Remus Lupin usually managed to maintain his composure and civility, but Evanie pushed him closer to the edge than usual. His inner thoughts were starting to boil over, especially considering how easy Lily had it with her twin.

Ezekiel had been cooperative and responsive during his sessions, sharing insights and opinions. In contrast, Evanie consistently challenged every suggestion, and her argumentative tendencies wore on Remus' patience.

Remus' frustration mounted with each passing day, exacerbated by the approaching full moon. His patience was at its limit, and he was practically convinced that Evanie was determined to stress him into premature baldness.

"Evanie," Remus called out, but received no response. It was unlike her to be unreceptive to his attempts to get her attention. As the minutes ticked by, and an hour passed, he also began to notice a certain distance in her demeanor. It was becoming increasingly clear that they had now entered her problematic week.

It was an intriguing phenomenon that seemed to occur once every month. On regular days, the twins could often be seen discussing magical creatures with enthusiasm. However, there was a distinct shift during what they termed their 'problem week.' Some students found relief in their altered behavior, while others were left utterly baffled. No one quite understood the reason behind it, and no one had the courage to inquire.

Remus, in his own state of vulnerability due to the full moon, failed to associate the timing of their problem week with his own transformation cycle. His attention was consumed by the approaching full moon, preventing him from considering the connection.

"Nini," her brother called out, touching her gently, snapping her out of her daze. Remus silently cursed in his mind, realizing that he had been calling her name for almost an hour without any response.

The most vexing aspect of the situation for Remus was the fact that Ezekiel waited until he was tempted to fling a book at her before intervening. Remus felt a surge of irritation at the delay in her brother's response.

"I'm sorry—What were you saying?" Evanie straightened in her chair, finally acknowledging Remus' presence.

Ezekiel then chimed in, nudging his head towards Remus, "He's been trying to get your attention. I thought you were doing it on purpose at first." Remus' eye twitched involuntarily as he heard the last part, silently pleading that it wasn't true.

Evanie responded, her voice soft and apologetic, "Oh, I just got caught up in my thoughts. Apologies, Lupin."

Remus was taken aback by her sudden apology. He nearly let out a gasp but managed to control himself, simply blinking in surprise. "Um...it's alright," he replied, still slightly stunned by her uncharacteristic politeness.

As the session began to wind down, Lily couldn't help but let out a soft giggle at the unfolding scene before her. She gently lowered her book and suggested, "Well, it's getting late. We can arrange another session."

Ezekiel agreed, leaning back against his chair, his gaze frequently flickering towards Lily, not unnoticed by Remus. "Yeah, that'd be great," he replied with a weary smile. "I think my brain needs a break for today."

Lily nodded and suggested a follow-up session. "How about next Friday?"

Evanie and Ezekiel exchanged knowing glances, then Evanie spoke up, her voice firm, "Actually, we'll have to raincheck on that one. We're both busy that day for something important."

Remus quickly chimed in, attempting to cover up the falsehood in his excuse. "Right, I have to meet with Professor Binns about an essay," he said, aware that it sounded unconvincing.

The twins observed the weak attempt at deception but didn't pay it much mind, assuming Remus was likely planning to spend the Friday with friends, possibly engaging in mischief or partying.

The Scamander twins had a rather limited perception of the Marauders. To them, they were simply a collective entity, rather than seeing each member as an individual.

The twins were unaware of the identity of the other werewolf in front of them.

Moreover, they were oblivious to the fact that Remus, while not directly the mastermind behind the pranks, often played a pivotal role in ensuring that the Marauders didn't go too far in their mischief. His role was more about keeping the others in check and maintaining a balance, rather than being the instigator himself.

He was the voice of reason, often trying to rein in his friends' most reckless and draing ideas. He played the role of the responsible one, though he would be the last to admit it.

Remus had a deep-seated sense of caution and responsibility, particularly when it came to matters involving his secret as a werewolf.

He would often find himself in the unenviable position of trying to rein in Sirius' and James' often impulsive and adventurous nature, knowing all too well the potential consequences of their actions.

"Great!" Lily replied cheerfully, suggesting another time. "How about the week after?"

The three all nodded in agreement, feeling a pang of guilt for deceiving her.

As the conversation came to a close, the air was filled with a mix of guilt and relief, each of them aware of the secrets they were keeping from Lily. But they also understood the importance of preserving the delicate balance of trust and discretion, especially with such personal matters at stake.

Once the Scamander twins bid farewell and left, Remus and Lily continued to fulfill their roles as prefects, walking through the long corridors of Hogwarts together. Their footsteps echoed softly, the occasional whisper of a passing ghost adding a layer of intrigue to the ancient castle.