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What's this? Why'd you call it- no, Sirius, stop I-

[ there's a pause, sounds of a struggle and what could probably pass as a triumphant laugh. ]

Right! Name's James Potter. 'pparently you can leave things here for me to read later? Brilliant.
Uh, what am I even supposed to say?

Wait, no, this is my bloody-

[ and the feed is cut off. blame sirius. ]

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[Thank god. Not that he thought James would reject her, per se, or even make fun-- but still. James' approval has always meant the world to him.]

Er-- whenever you like, I suppose. I'm not keeping her away from you.

You're not, no, but you do have to introduce us. I'm not about to go around searching for whatever blue girl I can find on the ship, Remus.

Oh, honestly. Come by my rooms sometime, then, I'll arrange a meeting.

I can be there in twenty.

[ he's kidding ]

James . . .

Really though. It's not like I have many other plans.

Whenever you wanna do it, I'll be free.

Yes, I understand.

[A beat.]

Er. There's something else. There's other werewolves here. And-- and it's not a secret anymore, what I am.

[ a pause, while that sinks in, before a very excited laugh. ]

Really? And they're okay with it? Remus, that's fantastic!

[ but wait... ]

How come some bloke told me to be careful about it, then? Said something about hunters?

Because there are hunters. They're-- well, it's a long story, to be honest. Where the other werewolves are-- it's not like us. It's a secret, but there are hunters-- hunters that quite literally hunt them down, that slaughter them like beasts. But their lycanthropy is far better than mine; it's not painful and it's-- it makes them better. They can see better, smell better--

[He takes a breath.]

And that's the other thing. They form packs. And they-- I'm in theirs.

Does that mean the hunters are going to come after you? Because you know them or are associated with them or what have you? And that's not bloody fair for you if they get it easier. Hunters or no you shouldn't have to--

[ Oh. Well. That changes things a little. ]

A pack? [ A pause, in which James is actually quite glad this isn't on the video format. So Remus can't see the way his face screws up a little. ] So you change with them? During the full moons? [ His voice sounds fairly calm, more curious than anything. The idea of a pack is interesting - he doesn't remember reading about that much in school, but it would have been easy enough to skip over. ]

I do. With Sirius-- and you, obviously.

[Another beat.]

I just-- Sirius didn't-- doesn't like the fact I have a pack. But just because I do, doesn't mean that I'm not a Marauder anymore. Or that I don't want you to transform with me. Or that I don't appreciate it all. All right?

[ A sigh, because of course Sirius doesn't like Remus having a pack. That's what the Marauders were originally created for, wasn't it? So they could join Remus? James doesn't like it either, but if it's better for Remus then he's not going to say anything. ]

Mate, it's fine. Don't- you don't have to defend yourself, alright? It's fine. If you want to be a part of their pack, that's your decision. As long as it's what you want, and they're not complete pricks.

[ Meaning: James needs to approve of them. As he needs to approve of all of Remus' friends and acquaintances. And then he laughs a little. ]

It's not like you can get rid of us that easily. Once a Marauder, always a Marauder - being in another pack won't change that.

[He chuckles softly.]

Nor would I want to. They're quite nice people-- Isaac is almost puppy-ish, really, and Erica reminds me of Lily, and Derek-- well, Derek is rather gruff, but he's also quite nice, and he cares quite a bit for all of us.

Thank you, James.

I can't tell if the fact you've got another girl reminding you of Evans is a good or bad thing. Dunno how I'd feel about bringing her along on our treks, but you never know. [ Remus' laugh makes him feel better about this whole thing, even if it still doesn't sit well with him. ] A gruff werewolf, I never would have guessed.

[ And then it's his turn to chuckle a little. ]

What're you thanking me for? It's not like I did anything.

You were far easier accepting it than Sirius was.

[And now his voice grows a bit more excited.]

It's remarkable, James, it truly is: I'm stronger when I'm with them. My sense of smell has never been better; I can actually smell other werewolves, and I know which ones are part of our pack, or which aren't-- and my sight is better, and I'm faster, and stronger--

Yes, well, Padfoot always was the jealous one.

Whoa, okay, slow down. [ The excitement in Remus' voice makes him smile a little, just trying to imagine him sitting wherever going off about werewolves like it's a normal thing. ]

How does that work? Is it because they're different or is it just that pack thing that ups your own instincts?

Both, I think-- definitely the latter, it's only because I joined them that I'm improving, but I think it's also part of their version of lycanthropy. They have to transform during the full moon, but they can control themselves, they don't go mad like I do.

You didn't go mad, but what you're saying makes sense I guess. Kind of like a hive-mind mentality, right? Bouncing off each other? [ That makes sense, right? ] How does the transforming work up here, anyway? Without a moon you'd think it'd be different.

We're all on different-- er-- cycles.

[A beat.]

Please don't make a joke.

[ that's not a snort, nope. ]

I don't know what you're talking about.

You absolutely do, you horrible man. In any case-- I follow the same cycle I would have at home, as do all the others. It's a bit confusing, but we've got it covered. Sort of. And there are werewolves beyond our little pack-- this man Josh is one, he's quite nice. But James-- god, they're so proud of being werewolves, they really are. It's not a curse; it's a gift.

[a beat.]

They were horrified to hear of what happened to me. Even Derek's uncle-- he's not-- Derek doesn't like him, apparently he's bad news, but even he was horrified. It's nearly tantamount to child abuse, being changed without asking permission first.

Now now, horrible's a little extreme don't you think? Crude, maybe. [ but then James is just listening, but Remus is rambling and it's nice to hear him so excited about being a werewolf. For once. ]

That fantastic, Remus. Really.

[ the mention of Remus' history makes James quiet for a moment, trying to wrap his head around the idea of there being so many werewolves by choice. ]

Guess that would make sense, if their transformation is so much easier. Having that many want to change like that. Can they help you with yours? To make it less painful?

No. We've tried, but all it does is make Moony calmer during the night. More obedient. Since he's not the alpha, so he's not so inclined to bite everyone.

It's a start, at least.

Who's the alpha, Derek?

Very much so, yes.

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