a/n: help me choose a name for the cat! further down the boys and claudia will discuss it so pls tell me if you like any of the suggestions!

otherwise, if you have suggestions of your own, comment here pls!

happy 100 chapters my loves <3 this one's extra long just for you!!!

CLAUDIA WAS TOSSING and turning, trying her hardest to tire herself out and fall asleep by counting sheep and forcing herself to keep her eyes shut, but nothing seemed to help.

She was bound to stay awake for at least a few more hours, something that definitely didn't appeal to the girl who was going insane at the ticking of a clock she didn't even know was in the room.

Though, when she listened more closely to the ticking sound, it had come to her attention that it wasn't a clock. The ticking was way too fast for it to be.

So, the girl decided to explore the sound, considering that she wasn't going to fall asleep anyway. Her feet met the cold ground, causing her to debate putting on some socks but later deciding against it.

Claudia then realised that she could not locate the sound.

So, instead, she wondered if maybe it was coming from outside.

Now, Claudia Maple had zero to none experience with horror films, so she did not exactly think that anything bad could happen on her short journey of finding the source of the sound and somehow make the ticking stop.

Oh, how wrong she was.

Tiptoeing down the stairs, Claudia discovered that the ticking didn't get louder, nor did it get quieter. It was as if she was still in the very same spot as before. But that she wasn't, which made zero sense.

Her tired eyes searched for any clues
to explain the situation, but there were none.

Well, that was with the exception of the candles that were clearly lit in the kitchen.

Strange, Claudia thought. The girl neared the kitchen to blow the candles out and go back to her attempt on falling asleep - but the discovery that she made as she entered the room was enough to realise that she wouldn't, in fact, be sleeping anytime soon.

The first thing she noticed was the wet and sticky thing she felt against her foot, which caused her to immediately regret her choice of not wearing any socks.

At first she assumed it was water. But then, when she looked down, she realised that it was blood.

"Shit," the girl said, feeling every ability to move disappear from her body.

The girl stood staring at the large pile of blood near her foot, before she walked over and grabbed something to clean it up from her skin - her mind wondering why the hell there was blood on the floor and why the hell the ticking hadn't stopped.

But then, as she placed the paper towel she had found on the table, she saw a note lay on it as well.

"You were supposed to stay at Hogwarts, sweetheart", the note said.

Claudia frowned, her heart racing and her head pounding. And then, at the sound of a pained gasp, the girl turned around and looked to her left.

And there, on the floor, she found the bodies of every single person she had hours before had dinner with.

Fleamont and Euphemia.

Hope and Lyall.

Peter and his mum Beatrice.

James and Sirius.

Remus.

Claudia couldn't breathe. It was like somebody had devoured all the air that was left in the world and taken every sense of happiness and comfort along the way.

They were all gone.

"Claudia," she heard a small and breathless voice say. It was Hope, she noticed, and she was seemingly the only one still in consciousness.

"Claudia," the woman repeated, looking at her as her body bled out. "Come here, dear."

Claudia didn't understand a single thing. She couldn't see anymore because her eyes were flooded, nor could she breathe or talk or walk.

And, she most certainly could not look at Remus.

"Claudia?"

The brunette girl didn't know how she managed to do it, but somehow she tripped forward and ended up right in front of the woman on the floor, looking down at her.

"Shit, you're going to be fine," Claudia spoke, practically choking on her own words as she sat down and pressed her hands against the slit on Hope's stomach. "I-I...shit."

"Claudia," the woman said again, her eyes flickering as she neared the end. "You shouldn't-"

"Don't talk," Claudia informed. "Breathe instead."

"You shouldn't have come," Hope croaked out. "You ruined everything. It's all your fault."

"Don't talk, please-"

"You're the reason he killed us. You're the reason we're dead. You're the reason he's gone...my son."

"Please-"

"It's your fault," Hope finally spoke, and then she passed out, leaving only one thing to be left for Claudia.

She looked down on the hand that was intertwined with Hope's, and she recognised that hand as if it was her own.

She had held that hand. She had kissed that hand. She had felt that hand against her cheek.

And now, that hand was somehow still holding onto the hand of Hope.

And Hope was dead. And so was everybody else.

Including Remus.

She finally looked at him. He was so pale. So cold and so bloody. But he still had that warmth in his open eyes that Claudia loved so dearly, and he still looked as if he would wake up any minute and kiss her face and cause her to giggle like a little child.

He was so perfect...but he was dead.

And, as Claudia took his free hand, she came to the realisation that he couldn't hold hers back. His hand was open, and holding onto an open hand would be impossible.

"Wake up," Claudia urged, squeezing his hand as she sobbed. "Wake up, Remus."

Wake up.

Wake up.

Wake up.

Claudia yelled and sobbed and tried to get someone to wake up and tell her that things were fine and that it was all a dream - but no one did.

The girl was all alone. And, as she held onto Remus one last time and he didn't hold her back, she felt lonelier than ever before.

However, as a small squeak was heard and Claudia turned to see the source of the sound - that wasn't the constant ticking that hadn't stopped yet - she saw her cat.

The poor slob without a name. With her white fur covered in blood. She was stroking her body against Claudia's, trying to bring a sense of comfort to the girl, and then she started meowing like crazy.

Over and over.

Until Claudia woke up.

The girl noticed three things as her eyes opened, her body shaking after what had been the worst nightmare she had had in forever.

1. She was crying.

2. The cat's face was right next to hers as it meowed like a maniac.

3. A stupid Muggle toy that Remus had gotten the kitten was next to her, ticking and ticking.

"Oh, my love," Claudia said, sniffling slightly as she sat up and scooped the cat up into her arms to comfort herself after the terrible dream.

The cat, who still hadn't gotten a name even after a night's discussion between Claudia and Remus, immediately started purring, though still glaring at the toy that she had brought up into Claudia's bed.

"You don't like the toy, do you?" Claudia asked amusedly after taking a few deep breaths and coming back to real life.

The cat merely looked up at Claudia again, and then back at the ticking toy that had driven both of them insane by that point.

"Let's get rid of it," said Claudia, sitting the kitten down next to her and somehow figuring out how to shut the toy the hell up.

"Don't tell your dad I did that," Claudia said warningly, pointing a finger at the tiny little ball of sunshine, who looked back at the girl with big adorable eyes. "Speaking of your dad, how does sneaking into his room sound?"

The cat showed no reaction to that, which didn't exactly faze Claudia considering that it was a cat.

"I agree, let's go," she said, scooping her up into her arms after making her bed, and then slowly walking over towards the door. "Be quiet now, alright? I really don't want to make a bad impression on his parents. I don't know how they feel about us sleeping together."

The cat showed no reaction, once again, but still followed Claudia's request considering that it stayed quiet all the way to Remus' room.

Though, the walk there wasn't entirely uneventful considering that Claudia walked right past James, who was mumbling things about quidditch to himself.

"What are you doing up?" Claudia whispered, receiving no response from the boy who didn't even look at her.

"Potter catches the quaffle...flies through the air," James mumbled, speaking incredibly weirdly which caused the girl to look around in confusion. "Score!"

"James..."

"And the snitch! Five laps! Let's win!" He continued, now waking down the stairs in a very unsteady way. "Think, Potter! Lily's watching."

The girl continued to watch James walk down the stairs, her heart beating as she hoped that he wouldn't fall and die, but since he didn't she then decided to continue to her destination.

"Weird," she mumbled.

Claudia then slowly opened the door to Remus' room, finding the boy sound asleep in his bed with his covers up to his ears. She smiled at the sight, though she felt terrible that she probably had to wake him up. However, she needed him to hold her after that dream.

She shut the door, and then she placed the kitten down on the end of the bad, which clearly was the spot for it considering that it immediately curled itself up into a ball.

"Remus," Claudia spoke softly, brushing the hair from his forehead away slowly so that he woke up in a comfortable way.

"Claudia?" He questioned groggily as his eyes opened, squinting as he was only able to feel her presence and see the silhouette of what he hoped to be her. "Is that you? What're you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep," the girl said, sitting down on the edge of the bed as Remus, out of pure concern considering the shaky voice she spoke in, sat up and turned the light on.

"Claudia, you're all red and puffy," he said, adjusting himself and taking her face into his hands. "Have you been crying? Are you alright?"

"I had a nightmare," she shrugged. "I just needed...you right now, is all."

"What was it about?"

"You don't wanna know."

"I do, if you want to tell me," he spoke, his thumbs drawing tiny circles on her cheeks. "I want you to be able to talk to me."

"My father found out," she said quickly. "In the dream. My father found out I was here and all of you...you were all gone."

"Oh," Remus whispered. "It's okay. It wasn't real."

"I know," Claudia said, her voice shaking slightly again. "But it was just so fucking scary. It felt so real. And you were all cold and pale and...you couldn't hold my hand back."

"I'm okay," Remus spoke, taking her hands and squeezing them both. "I can hold your hands, see?"

Claudia closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she tried to only think about his hands in hers.

"We're all okay, love," Remus spoke softly. "It was just a dream. We're all okay."

Claudia nodded, sniffling slightly, and then smiling a little bit. "I don't know if all of you are okay."

"What do you mean?"

"I just met James in the hallway. He was acting all weird. Talking about quidditch and not acknowledging my presence."

"He's just sleepwalking," Remus chuckled.

"He sleepwalks?"

"Yeah, he does it quite a lot. I'm surprised you haven't noticed after all the nights you've spent in our dorm."

"It was kind of funny," Claudia chuckled slightly, causing Remus to smile brightly at the sight of a real smile on her face.

"It's hilarious is what it is," Remus laughed. "One time he even stepped up on my bed and accidentally stood on my face. It was a weird fucking experience, I'll tell you that. Waking up at three am with a foot in your face isn't something I'd ever like to experience again."

Claudia laughed, a laughter that quickly quieted down, "Can I stay with you tonight?"

"Of course," Remus said, laying back down and holding his arms out. "Come here. Let me hold you."

Claudia wasted no time on wrapping her arms around his torso and placing her head on his chest.

"What will your parents think if they find us like this?" She asked, yawning slightly.

"I don't think they care," Remus mumbled. "Don't worry. Plus, you had a nightmare and any good boyfriend would comfort their girlfriend after that."

"True. No one is better than you at comforting me. Not even the kitten."

"Who's biting on my toe right now, for the record," Remus spoke, wiggling his foot slightly so that the little cat would leave him alone. "Are you sure you like her?"

"Are you bloody mental?! She's my best friend already."

"I thought I was your best friend?"

"You're a close second," Claudia grinned. "She's a better listener. Doesn't interrupt me when I talk. Just listens."

"That's because she's a cat," Remus sighed. "She can't talk. And I don't interrupt you too much, do I?"

"No, I'm only messing with you. Remus?"

"Yeah?"

"You're my best friend, silly," she smiled. "Poor slob without a name is my child."

"Who would've thought? Claudia Maple a teenage mum."

"Well, you're a teenage dad then."

"Am I? I'm the cat's dad?"

"Don't act all surprised," Claudia spoke, adjusting herself so that she was even more comfortable in his hold and then closing her eyes. "She's our child."

"And she really needs to stop fucking biting my toes!"

•••

"Have any of you boys seen Claudia or Remus yet?" Euphemia asked James, Sirius and Peter the next morning as they all gathered for breakfast, "They should be up by now."

"They probably are," James shrugged. "Claudia's bed is made."

"Her bed's made?" Lyall asked with a small grin.

"What does that mean?" Hope asked, receiving a grin from all the boys.

"She probably slept in Remus' room," said James.

"And now they're probably shagging, right Wormtail?" Sirius asked, not thinking before speaking. "Did I just fucking say that?!"

"Language!" Fleamont scolded.

"That's what you're concerned about, Fleamont?!" Euphemia questioned. "Why do you say such things, Sirius?"

"No reason," the boy said nervously. "You know, just me and my silly thoughts. Not thoughts! I don't exactly think about that, like at all! I just meant that maybe, you know, they're teenagers so it's not weird if they..."

"He's not wrong-"

"Fleamont!"

"I cannot believe we're talking about this right now," Hope sighed. "You all need to learn boundaries. Poor girl, she's probably still asleep! And here you are, taking about something that is completely-"

Hope stopped speaking as Fleamont and Lyall ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

"What are you two doing?! Get back here! NOW!" Euphemia scolded.

"Are you two crazy?! What the hell do you intend to do up there?!" Hope yelled.

"Tell them that breakfast is ready!" Lyall called back. "Geez, Hope, I'm not a pervert! He's my son!"

"What is going on?" They all suddenly heard the confused voice of Remus ask as he and Claudia entered through the front door. "Why is everyone yelling?"

"No reason," Sirius said with a grin. "Where have you two been?"

"We just took a walk," Claudia shrugged, looking at Remus with a big smile as they recalled the long and hilarious conversations they had had all morning and the long snowball fight they had just gotten out of.

"Oh, come on in loves!" Euphemia called after them. "Let's get you two some breakfast, alright?"

"Great, I'm famished," Remus said happily, sitting down next to Peter and immediately feeling the weight of the kitten on his legs, who had jumped
up into his lap. "Hey, you little slob."

"I still can't get over how adorable she is," Euphemia smiled excitedly, causing all of them to turn to the tiny little kitten who was cleaning her paws on Remus' lap.

"Me neither," said James, reaching over and patting the kitten on her head as Claudia sat down as well. "Can we get one too, mum?"

"I don't know," Euphemia said. "If we get one we'll end up with 100. Your father has a problem."

"What can I say, I love fluffy little things," Fleamont spoke, causing Sirius to choke on his juice.

That boy really needs to get his head out of the gutter, Claudia thought.

"Have you named her yet, Claudia?" Lyall asked the girl who was helping herself with some breakfast.

"No, I don't know what to name her," Claudia sighed. "Anyone got any ideas?"

"Oh! How about Bear?" Said James.

"Why Bear?"

"Because she kind of looks like a miniature version of a polar bear."

"I like it," said Euphemia.

"I've got an even better one," Sirius grinned. "How about...Sirius?"

"I like that," said Fleamont, causing everyone to look at him out of pure confusion. "What?! It's a nice name."

"For a teenage boy, yes, for a female kitten cat, no," Claudia said, immediately regretting saying so as Sirius pouted like a child. "But I'll add it onto the list. Thank you, Sirius."

Sirius smiled like an idiot, and then James scoffed dramatically. "Hey, how about James?! It is so much better than Sirius!"

"I'll add that to the list as well, James," Claudia spoke, feeling absolutely no motivation to deal with their bickering that morning. "What about you, Pete? Got any ideas?"

"Uh...how about Nalah? It's nice."

"I like that," said Claudia with a smile.

"Have you got any ideas of your own?"

"Not really. Well, I've got one but I don't know-"

"What is it?"

"River," she said. "Because of the song Moon River. I love that song a lot. And we could call her Ri for short. But I'm not sure yet. I quite like Nalah too."

"And Sirius!"

"And James!"

"And Sirius and James," she chuckled. "I guess I just need to do some more thinking."

"Sounds good," Hope smiled. "Now, are you ready for our girls day?"

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a/n 2: imagine the cheesyiness of there being moon (remus), river (the cat), and me (claudia) like the song. gross but cute???? maybe idk