Somehow, it felt like all was okay. For the first time in years, Freddie felt as though he could relax for once and actually enjoy being at school. Classes were easy, the great hall and its feast was inviting instead of a challenge, and he was able to be around those he cared most about. To think a mere week ago, he'd been furious with Brian and John had been locked in the room with him for the whole night. Yet now, it was as if nothing had even happened. Even when he and John were alone, he never brought any of it up. It was as if he was completely unfazed by the incident, something which he had decided to take a page from.

Today was no different. It was noon and the sun was in the sky, warming the frozen ground ever so slightly to rid the grounds of January's icy hold as February marched on. There was a gentle breeze in the air that rustled the bare branches of the trees around him as he looked through the photo album Brian had gotten him back at Christmas. His focus was on the colored pic of Charlotte who was exposing her belly to him and allowing him to pet her. It was a rare moment, one which he was glad that Brian had caught on camera. A feeling of longing filled his chest, one that turned into nostalgia and grief over his old cat. And yet, he wouldn't change it. It was a chapter coming to a close and at least he had those pictures to remember her by.

"Hey, Freddie?"

Roger's sudden voice jerked him out of his old memories as he looked up at him, an uncomfortable look upon his face as he stood there with his arms crossed.

"Hello dear, would you like to take a seat? It's a lovely day out, isn't it?" He asked

"I guess, hey look-" He took a seat. "Have you noticed anything wrong with John lately?" Roger asked.

A wave of panic rushed through his body, yet he took in a deep breath. It's alright. He told himself. "Not at all, dear. He seems the same to me."

"Really? Because he seems so much quieter lately..."

"This is John you're talking about. He's not exactly a chatterbox." Freddie replied as he turned the page of his book, smiling softly at the picture of Charlotte playing with a little light Brian's mother had conjured while visiting his house.

"I mean, he's just been acting weird. He's usually so eager to share whatever it is he's working on but he never shows whatever he's done anymore. Has he said anything to you?"

"No. Nothing." He said bluntly.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Roger recoil slightly as he looked down at the ground. "I'm just asking 'cause he's been spending more time with just you and Brian. He seems a lot more comfortable around you two, even when I'm there. But then it's just the two of us and he acts so much quieter and like he doesn't know me..."

Freddie felt a pang of sympathy at his stomach. You should say something...He thought. Yet all those scenarios began storming about in his head again. This was Roger, not John. It'd be like telling a lion to go vegan. He chewed the inside of his cheek, the few words hanging onto the edge of his lips as he toyed with the edge of his book.

"Y-you know, maybe talk to him? Perhaps there's something else going on..." Freddie began. "M-maybe it's something to do with his family?"

That seemed to work, more or less. Anger flared up in Roger's eyes as he tore a chunk of dead grass out of the ground. "Lousy group of muggles." He spat. "Treatin' him like he's this...this..."

"Monster?"

Roger just scoffed. "It's bullshit. The shit they say to him! No wonder he can't wait to come back here." His grip around the grass lightened. "Maybe I should say something to him. If it is his family, I'm gonna throw a brick through their window." He spat.

Roger remained quiet for a second as Freddie reached over and laid a hand on his arm. He sighed and looked over at him. "I'm just worried that I'll hear something I don't want to."

"Like what?" Freddie asked, now closing his book and setting it off to the side.

"What if it's something I did? Surely he's not upset over what happened with Canos; is he?" His brow furrowed. "I couldn't let him get away with insulting him with a word like that. He gets enough shit from his family back home, he doesn't need that here from some pompous dickhead who thinks he's better than everyone else because of his incestual bloodline!" He growled, ripping another hunk of grass out of the ground. "It's just...I need to talk to him 'cause I don't want him to be upset over something I did 'cause he's definitely not gonna say something to me."

Just say something. Freddie thought. It'd ease so much of his frustration. But then again, wouldn't it bring about a whole new mess if he did?

"Look, like I said, this is John. He's not one to flare up unexpectedly. It takes a lot for him to snap and I mean a lot. I doubt he's going to be pissed off with you but just say something to him. Even if he's not up for talking, at least he'll know you're there."

Roger sighed. "I guess you're right." He said. "Let's just hope this isn't the thing that does make him snap."

"I really doubt it." Freddie replied. "Just talk to him, he'll come round to you." Stop talking dammit. John better not say anything to him.

"Imma go see if I can find him. Probably off with a book somewhere; Brian's rubbing off on him isn't he." Roger teased, Freddie giving a weak smile in response.

Roger stood up and headed off, leaving Freddie alone with those guilt ridden snakes curling around in his stomach. He shut his eyes and sighed, wishing he could've found some kind of courage to say something, anything to Roger. But he couldn't, not yet. With his worries about John, the last thing he figured Roger needed was to find out he was the same thing that killed his grandfather.

...

"Wanna check out Hogsmeade?"

Brian looked up at him from his lunch with a raised eyebrow. "You know we've been before, right?"

"Oh of course, dear but when was the last time we actually went?" Freddie asked as he pushed his plate aside. "The monthly trip is tonight and I figured it'd be quite nice to head out." He placed two fingers on Brian's leg, making them walk around across it. "You know, just the two of us? We could relax down at that tea shop there! Ooh! We could go shopping! There's some lovely coats down there!" He exclaimed hopefully.

Brian pursed his lips for a moment, making Freddie worry that he was going to object. Without waiting for his response, he chimed in again.

"You know nothing's gonna happen, right?"

"Oh? Oh yes, of course. It's just...it's been so long, y'know?"

"Of course I know. That's why I wanna go there! It'll be gorgeous out tonight! Perhaps it'll get us in the Valentine's Day mood! Besides, I don't usually get to enjoy the nighttime scenery outside anymore." He said, something which brought a small frown to Brian's face.

"I know, I'm sorry. I just-"

"What did we say about apologizing?" Freddie asked.

"R-right..." Brian paused for a moment, pushing his now empty plate away. "Y'know, why not? It'll be nice to get out, like you said."

"Really?!" Freddie beamed. "Oh it'll be so nice! I mean, when was the last time we got to go out together?!"

"I think it was over the summer..." Brian said. "It's always so hard during school and-"

"My point!" Freddie interjected. "It's time we start doing more things together besides moping about in the castle."

"Freddie..." Brian began, a look of curious concern growing on his face. "Why the sudden energy? N-not that it's bad, I'm just wondering if something happened."

Freddie just paused for a moment. He didn't want to mention Roger, not just yet. For once he wanted to ride this wave of energy and excitement before it was forced out of him by the lunar cycle. Why worry him right now? Especially with others around, who knows who would be listening in, or if Roger would pop in and want to contribute something. Besides, when was the last time they'd gotten a chance to feel like this? Brian needed a break too and a lovely shopping night should help, or at least distract him for just a bit, just a bit of normality for once. If that didn't work, well at least he'd have a new coat to wear around.

"Oh, nothing. Honestly, I dunno where it came from. Guess I got tired of moping about the castle like I said." He replied, snapping his fingers up from Brian's leg and running them along his forearm.

Thankfully, the response was enough to ease Brian's concern as he smiled. "Alright then, let's get going. I think everyone's gonna be leaving in another hour or so."

"Thank god they let us out earlier during the winter." Freddie admitted as they stood up and headed for their dormitory. "It's such a bore waiting around all day to then go right after dinner."

"Probably 'cause they want us to get some daylight."

"In England? Sure, next we'll see McGonagall flash Jenk."

Brian gave a quick laugh. "Honestly, I think I'd rather see that than some daylight!"

They laughed their way up the stairs, listing off other completely probable scenarios.

"Let's put Jenk in a bright pink robe! It'll make his eyes pop!" Freddie teased.

"Yeah, right out of his head!" Brian said. "Or what about John rushing off to Roger to get rid of a baby spider!"

"I think he'd adopt one first! Imagine him having one of them giant spiders as a pet!"

"He'll get an acromantula before he gets a cat."

The two laughed as they headed upstairs towards their dormitory. Once back in their room, Freddie took a seat on his bed. He pursed his lips for a moment as Brian quickly changed out of his shirt into a jumper. His lip curled up for a moment at that horrendous color he had: burnt orange. Who on earth would want that color for a jumper?

"Colovaria!" Freddie said with a wave of his wand.

In an instant, the jumper changed from that hideous rotten pumpkin color to a lovely yellow that matched the honey they had with their tea earlier.

"Was that necessary?" Brian asked.

"Quite." Freddie answered with a grin.

"Glad you think I look good in yellow." Brian said, placing his hands on his hips and puffing out his chest to make the jumper stand out.

"Oh I think you look better without the jumper." Freddie commented, biting his index and bearing a wide grin.

Brian's face went as red as the soon to be setting sun, his arms falling to his side as he gave a sheepish laugh. Such a prude. Freddie thought. Belongs in America more than here.

"God could you imagine yourself in a proper pub?! Your face would be so red you'd end up fainting 'cause there's no blood anywhere else!"

"Probably wouldn't need to worry about what others are saying as you'll be completely pissed after two drinks."

"I'm not that much of a lightweight!" Freddie argued.

"Oh right, should've said three."

"Piss off!"

Brian just laughed in response as he "fixed" his hair in the little mirror on top of his dresser. Freddie fell flat on his stomach, perching himself up on his elbows, staying quiet for an unusual amount of time as Brian fiddled with his outfit once more. A smirk formed across his face as he bit down on his ring finger.

"Now back to that jumper."

...

The waning gibbous shined in the night sky, Freddie clinging to Brian like vines on a stone wall. Their classmates chatted around them, tidbits of their conversations making their way past his ears and piquing his interest.

"How've you never gone?! It's such a lovely town!"

"I saw Sheila snogging with Lily out in the garden!"

"Well when you pull something like that, of course he's gonna take away points! Just be happy you're not in detention with him putting it back together!"

Freddie just smiled, turning his attention towards Brian who had the faintest smile tugging at his lips. It was like their first time again: wondering what the town looked like in person, hopping from shop to shop, and lastly relaxing at the nearby restaurants with butterbeer for them to guzzle down to wash away any leftover cold that clung to their bodies.

By the time they arrived, most of the group had dispersed to the stores they were aiming to see. Most of the students had rushed off to Honeyduke's to get their Valentine's Day sweets before they were all gone, leaving the other shops open for others to browse. Brian stood still, peering around while Freddie caught a glimmer at the corner of his eye. He looked up, catching the shining moon in the sky as it bathed his face in its silver glow. For a second, he waited for his body to tense up, but it never came. Instead, he just shut his eyes and basked in its bright light.

"Freddie? You alright?"

Brian placed his hand on his shoulder, the moonlight sparkling in his eyes as he felt his stomach flutter.

"I'm just fine. Just taking it all in." He replied.

"So, where to first?" Brian asked

"Ooh, you know, I haven't been to Gladrags since third year!"

Without waiting for Brian's response, he hurried off for the clothing store. It wasn't nearly as busy this time of year; with the major holidays done with and winter soon coming to a close, it would have to wait until March before anybody really began clothes hunting again. Regardless of its popularity, it was a lovely sight to see the hundreds of apparel draped around the store. A small group of third year girls were off looking at the rainbow assortment of coats at the left side of the store, one of them squealing with joy as she pulled out one covered in shimmering glitter while another one pointed to one laced in blue feathers around the neckline.

"Anything here?" Brian asked when he finally caught up.

"Oh, not for me. Not now at least. I can find you something new to wear out!"

"M-me? Freddie I don't-"

"Oh stop it! I want to get you something and I'm going to get you something. So either take it," He picked up a jade colored jumper, "or you can give it to one of the house elves at the castle." He said, smiling at the soft touch of the fabric that enveloped his hands. "Now, do you have a preference for color? I'd love to see you in a dark green!"

Brian had gone silent. Freddie turned and watched him just stare at him as if he'd swallowed a litre of a love potion: his eyes were lost in thought, but focused on him while a lovestruck smile stretched from cheek to cheek. Freddie just blushed and reciprocated the smile, leaning forward to place a kiss on Brian's lips to break him out of his trance.

"What-oh sorry I-"

"You're cute when you look like that." Freddie said with a grin. "Now, wait here." Freddie ordered as he dashed off to the register.

While hunting for change, Freddie spotted a gaudy pair of socks that pained his eyes within a second of looking at them. Perfect. Before the lady at the till could ring him up, he grabbed the pair and the extra cash to pay it off, his stomach bubbling with glee as he thanked her and tucked the socks into his pocket while rushing back off to Brian, who was toying around with a set of trousers that might actually have been long enough for him.

"Here, think of it as an early Valentine's Day gift!" Freddie beamed.

"Does that mean I can get you a jumper too? Or do I have to wait until next week to get you your gift?"

"Oh come now, I prefer to do it myself! Much more fun if you ask me. I know my style."

They were greeted with the chill of the wind once more while a group of fifth years howled behind them, throwing massive snowballs at each other with one tripping over in front of Brian, who promptly apologized before the fifth year was even off the ground.

"Wonder if Roger and John came by tonight." Freddie said.

"Might've. It's a lovely night so they might be off somewhere quieter." Brian replied as they started walking off the path and away from the town.

"Has Roger said anything to you about John?" Freddie asked as they walked through a patch of moonlight.

"No, nothing. Has he said something to you?"

"Yeah...He mentioned John and how he's been real quiet as of late and...and seems to be hiding something."

Brian stopped in his tracks, looking down at the untouched snow that glittered under the moonlight. Freddie looked over at him and raised his eyebrows, crossing his arms over his chest.

"He thinks John's angry with him 'cause of how he handled Canos, but he's also saying stuff about how John's been quiet around him and how he just hasn't said much to him regarding what he's working on." Freddie paused and pulled at his cloak. "Brian, what if he's catching on?"

"No, no he couldn't be. Roger's not gonna be suspicious like that. If he's worried about something, he'd say something."

"But he did say something. What if this gets worse? He's not gonna drop this suspicion until he gets an answer." Brian's face scrunched into a grimace. "Maybe we should talk to John about this. He's the one Roger's concerned about and is the one out of us who'll get Roger to listen."

"Maybe we should tell him." Brian muttered, his face paling a second later.

"What?! Brian no, we can't tell him, not yet at least."

"Fred, you think he's gonna be happy if he finds out on his own?"

"Of course not! That's why I don't want him to know at all! I-I don't want him to know while we're still here. I just...I don't want him to flip out and let it slip to anyone else. If we do tell him, I want it to be after he and John have left the school."

"I know...It's just, I dunno how we're gonna get John to properly act around him. It's not fair to drag him into all this and leave Roger out of it."

"None of this is fucking fair. It's not." Freddie growled, looking around to make sure nobody was close enough as they went behind one of the shops. "But I'm not gonna tell Roger about this while we're here at school. I don't want anymore people knowing about this shit. I already didn't want John to know but he found out on his own. I don't want Roger to know about this. We got lucky-very lucky-with John. But Roger's a loose cannon. You saw how he attacked Canos like that-which is completely fine if you ask me-but what's he gonna do when he finds out about me? I don't need him blowing up at any of us while we're in school. If a story about a student attacking a hidden werewolf happens, it'll spread like wildfire. I'm not letting you or John get hurt because of this."

Freddie took a deep breath to settle the fire that was flaring up in his stomach. "Look, I just can't do it right now. I...It's not safe to mention anything to him now. We should try talking to John first. He's the one that Roger's concerned about."

"I hope it'll work." Brian whispered. "It just sucks that Roger's like this. Wish he'd just listen to us but there's no fucking guarantee. I mean, I can't blame him for being afraid-"

"Well yeah, werewolves are pretty fucking scary."

"Exactly. He's got a reason for being afraid of them, just like you do."

Freddie's jaw twitched as he looked up to the sky, the moonlight bathing his face in a brilliant white. Nothing happened: no muscle spasm, no searing pain, no rampant adrenaline from the beast inside. It was silent, almost as if it didn't exist. A cool breeze came from his left, Brian soon wrapping his arms around his waist.

"Let's just wait, okay?" Freddie repeated as he laid his hand on top of Brian's.

"Okay."

...

The moon sat high in the sky as the song of the Forbidden Forest made its way across the castle grounds. With their shopping in tow, Freddie headed back inside of the school with Brian beside him.

"You'll look absolutely lovely in that jumper!"

"Which one? You got me three."

"All of them!" Freddie beamed.

They walked up the stairs with a few other Ravenclaws. Within seconds, he and Brian had collapsed onto the floor of the common room, the purple flames of the fireplace casting a dark glow across the floor.

"Now! Look at these!" Freddie exclaimed as he yanked out the gaudy socks from earlier.

Brian's face lit up as an amused smile spread across his face. "Why on earth did you get these?!" He asked as he took them out of Freddie's hands.

"I thought they'd look great with the jumpers!"

Brian just marveled at the socks, Freddie unable to hold back his giggling over the neon orange socks that were covered in glowing stripes of blue, like some radioactive zebra was skinned just for these socks.

"Glowing socks, honestly better than those Zonko's socks that randomly combust on certain floors." Brian commented.

"Alright, come on! Try them on!"

"What?! Why don't you?!"

"They're for you, not me." Freddie teased. "Come on!"

Brian rolled his eyes at him, Freddie laughing as he kicked off his shoes and black socks, tossing both aside and pulling on the tawdry pair. The blue stripes glowed even brighter until the color began to lighten to a brilliant shade of yellow.

"Color changing socks? That's pretty tame. The yellow looks pretty nice."

"They're supposed to match your mood, apparently. I dunno what the colors mean, especially yellow."

Brian looked up at him and within seconds the yellow began to darken, Freddie's face going red as the stripes turned a lovely shade of rosy pink, Brian's own face starting to match the color of the stripes.

"You look good in pink." Freddie commented as he leaned in closer and laid a kiss on Brian's cheek.

"You say that about every color."

"Hm, no. If I ever see you in neon green I'll hit you."

"Noted."

Freddie got closer and sniggered. Two people walked past them, rolling their eyes as they headed up the boys' stairway, a first year girl trailing behind them until she disappeared up the girls' staircase.

"You look cute when you blush." Freddie teased as he poked at Brian's nose before wrapping a curl of his hair around his index finger.

"I should blush more often if it means you'll get like this."

Freddie pushed himself closer and rested his head against Brian's, his eyes meeting his as he bared a smarmy grin. He looked away for just a second before making a little biting motion towards Brian's face, just barely missing his nose.

"Stripes are red now." Freddie whispered.

Somehow Brian's face went darker, looking almost crimson. Freddie felt his hand sneak under his jumper up his back, a shiver running down his spine as he reciprocated the blush upon his boyfriend's face.

Hands began traveling across each others' bodies, the clothing getting pushed further away. Their lips met, each trying desperately to pull the other closer and deeper in as a rush of heat spread through his body. His outfit began to grow tighter with each passing second, his awareness dimming as he focused solely on removing more of Brian's clothes. He felt Brian's hand run across the freshest scar upon his arm, his mind snapping back into reality for a brief second. Freddie pushed it away, focusing instead on the light dragging of Brian's nails across his chest.

One of Brian's hands made it down his trousers, Freddie's leg twitching as his hand froze upon the dark scar that stained his skin, memories slamming into him like a train as he opened his eyes, his own meeting Brian's suddenly concerned ones.

"You alright?" Brian asked, his fingers hovering above it.

"Y-yeah...It's fine, it's fine."

"Freddie, are you sure?"

He broke eye contact with Brian and got up, the stripes on his socks now a matching ginger color. Freddie grimaced as he brought his knees up to his chest and turned his attention towards the fire, his stomach churning with anxious snakes inside the growing pit of guilt.

"I-I'm sorry...I thought I'd be fine but..."

"What're you sorry for? You really think I'm gonna be upset over that?"

Freddie pushed his tousled hair out of his face, grabbing a fistful of it, his knuckles turning white within seconds.

"No but...it bothers me!" He snarled. "It's stupid 'cause you've seen me without anything on countless times! We've done stuff before! But I just...I dunno it still feels weird and just...why can't I be comfortable yet?! I want to! I want to go all the way but I just...It still feels weird to me."

"Freddie, that's fine. Besides, I really don't think we would've gone all the way on the carpet here. I'd prefer something a tad more private if I'm being honest, or at least a bed."

Freddie gave a weak smile, his grip around his knees weakening as he looked back over and released his hair.

"It's just...I'm trying to get over it but it still feels weird. Almost every time you see me like that, I'm a fucking mess, a fucking shell of a person. Hmph, I'm just becoming a person again..."

"I know it bothers you. It's alright. Not like we're not gonna have time later. It's not exactly the first thing on my mind every time I see you without your clothes on."

"Yeah, there's a few things that get your attention, I know."

"Freddie that's not what I mean." Brian took a deep breath. "Yeah, it hurts seeing the scars." His heart sunk as he rubbed the new one on his arm. "I don't like them just as much as you, but it doesn't detract from how I see you. Of course I'd love to help you get rid of them, but that's not possible. I could never begin to understand how scary it was or is to deal with this every month because I can't; no matter what I'm not going to understand. That's why I want you to be open with me, let me try to understand as much as I can about this so I can be there when these things get rough. I want to know because you shouldn't go through this...alone."

Something flashed in Brian's eyes as he broke eye contact. Brian looked down at his hands, the pit in his stomach sinking as Freddie shook his head.

"Brian no...No, you can't, I don't-"

"I want to. I-I want to understand. I've never seen it. You see that thing, you're attacked by that thing every fucking month and I need to see it. You shouldn't deal with this by yourself, it's not fair to you."

"Brian...John already had to see it. I don't want anyone else to deal with it. It's not your duty to keep a werewolf at bay every month."

"Nor is it yours! I'll stay safe, don't worry. But I need to see it. I...I want to see it. You shouldn't bear the brunt of that thing every single month. You really think that's healthy for you?!"

Freddie clenched his jaw and shut his eyes, stressful tears hanging on to the edge of his eyelids. It's not his job...He can't do that...what'll he think of you?

"I won't do it if you're not okay with it, but I want to know. You see that thing every month and it's not fair to you to suffer by yourself. Fred, you need someone there every now and then so it doesn't take all its anger out on you. That's not your job nor should you bear that burden. You're sixteen! Nobody should have to do that, let alone a teenager!"

"I...I don't want you to think of me like that. Y-you've seen what they can do, what they're like. I know you'll take precautions, I know you won't get hurt, but you're gonna see me like...like that and I don't need you to think of me like that."

"Freddie, that isn't you. I know it's not you. I could never think of that thing as you."

"It is me. It's my body."

"But it's not your mind or your soul. It'll be okay, I just want to help you. Let me share some of the burden, okay? It'll be alright. I'm not gonna leave you because of that."

"I know..." He whispered, the snakes pulling at his words as his lips trembled.

"It's okay, c'mere." Brian said as he pulled him into a hug, Freddie resting his head against his chest. "I'm not gonna do it if you're not comfortable. It's up to you."

Freddie took in a shaky breath as his nerves went haywire. It's not his job...It's not his job...it's not your job...If he leaves, then you'll know. The tears fell down. I don't want him to go though...I want him to stay.

"Okay."