under the mistletoe ! maraudersbby

[Taylor]

Looking around thoughtfully, avoiding all hanging mistletoe. This was going to be annoying. This was the first time he was staying here for Christmas because his parents were taking a vacation to some random place. Walking into the Great Hall, not much people were here. Looking up with boredom, snow drifted down and faded about ten feet above people's heads. He wore casually black pants, a white button up shirt that stopped a little above his elbows, a gray sweater vest over that, and ending it with a loose Ravenclaw tie.

A couple of large trees surrounded the Great Hall, and the largest one in the front. A large fireplace was on the left side, which heated the room well. It was still lit with the fire, getting held by gargoyles about ten feet up. All together, it was rather beautiful. The four long tables were still there, and the teachers table in front of huge tree. Holding his potions books, he went over to sit at the Ravenclaw table.

Putting his book on the table, he opened it and flicked his wand. "Accio parchment, ink bottle, quill." He murmured, learning not to say 'and' or a giant 'and' would come and smash into your face. Soon the things came flying to him, landing on the table. Skimming to the right section, Ashton began to write his extra credit potions essay.

[Remus Lupin]

Remus Lupin entered the great hall with excitement. He loved this time of year and hoped that it would go on all year long. He had decided not to go home for Christmas break because his mother and father were out of town. They had mentioned in a letter that he got not too long ago that said they were going to his aunts house for Christmas Holiday on into the New Year. Wreathes and mistletoe hung everywhere, but what really caught his attention was the giant tree that stood behind the staff table. Beautifully lit with tiny lights and stars. There was an ornament from each house that was placed near the top, close to the star. Each house had their hand in the project that took place right after Thanksgiving.

He looked around to see if he could find any of his friends anywhere, James, Sirius, and Peter. Those three were the reason Remus was still able to attend this school. They were the only ones, including Dumbledore, that knew what he truly was. They were smart enough to find out... but there was also one more person who knew that was sworne to secrecy and someone whom he despises for getting his big nose into other peoples business. Severus Snape. Everything was OK though, after Sirius and James gave him such a fright last year that it almost cost him his life.

He looked at the candles that lined the hall, just above that was the falling snow. Lupin's eyes twinkled as he approached the Gryffindor table and sat himself on one of the long benches. He cracked his knuckles and took out a letter that his mother wrote to him that she slipped into a small photo album she had given Remus before he left for Hogwarts on the train, and began to read it for the fourth time.

[Taylor]

Even though the snow fell down, it was extremely warm. Trying not to pay attention to that, he resumed writing down his potions essay. Slughorn didn't like him much, though he had gotten a Slug Club invitation before. He wrote in a neat script, knowing that if he wrote rather messy that would loose points. His current grade in potions was a P, which he was extremely uncomfortable with. Finishing the first paragraph with a small smile, he looked up.

That was Remus Lupin, right? Yes, gryffindor, with those marauders. Now he remembered him vaguely. He stretched and turned the potions page, reading it, thinking. He was going to put a lot of effort in this, knowing he couldn't fail anything. Potions was the only thing he was getting a P or lower in.

[Remus Lupin]

Every time he read the letter his mother sent him, it always put a smile on his face. He was one of the lucky kids whos dad was a muggle, and to have that much support from the both of them, backing him up in his studies. He folded the piece of paper back up and tucked it inside his robes. He hadn't eaten much all day because he knew that in one week, he would turn into a werewolf. It upset his stomach to think about it and he would soon lose a lot of sleep over it. It stressed him out something terrible, but it was something that he had to cope with. It was a part of who he is since he was very young.

He looked around and saw that there was another person at one of the other tables writing something down. He didn't want to go and bother him right then, because it looked like he was deeply into what he was doing. However, the sneak that he was, he decided to check it out anyways. Maybe he could help him?

Remus fixed his robes and plopped himself across the table form the boy that was studying, seeing if he would glance up. He cleared his throat and began to force a smile through his pale, tired face. Folding his hands together in front of him, he layed them on the table and watched the boy write. He had seen him before, he just can't remember from where. Puzzled, he finally opened his mouth and began to speak.

'Don't I know you form somewhere?' He managed to say in a pleasant voice, but you could tell that he was sleep deprived as he gave out a huge yawn, arching his back to where is cracked, and relaxed on the bench seat. He sat hunched over, which was unusual to him, becaus he was always proper and sat up straight all of the time.

[Taylor]

Hearing the boy approach, he looked up and sat straight. Wow, the boy looked extremely tired. Why didn't he sleep late? It was Christmas vacation. "I go to school here. I'm Ashton Abercrombie. The one Slughorn hates. Ravenclaw. Quidditch.." He said with a smile. Ashton looked to the watching a first year with bright blue hair run around in just his boxers.

Sighed, he looked back at Remus. "You're Remus Lupin, gryffindor, yes?" Ashton asked, really hoping he was right. It would be pretty embarrassing if he wasn't, but he was pretty sure. Looking up, the snow began to fall down even harder. Hm, he didn't know that was even possible, really. He was now slightly hungry.

[Remus Lupin]

'Indeed I am.' Remus smiled at Ashton, feeling a bit of pride well within himself. He sat up, taking a little bit of effort to sit up a little more than he had. He rubbed his face, feeling the small stubble. He had forgot to shave today. He hated looking like suck a wreck. He was nothing like this even before he turned into a werewolf. This was peobably going to be the worst transformation ever, as well as the most depressing.

He saw Ashton look up at the snow that was falling from the ceiling and pushed a smile to see that it was snowing slightly harder than it had been. He loved the snow.

'So you play Quidditch.' He paused, looking at Ashton, folding his hands in front of him. 'You know my best friend James Potter?' He was good on striking up conversation.