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The map was a work of genius. It let them keep an eye on the comings and goings around Hogwarts - from allies like Dumbledore to enemies like Snape, there was no secret safe from the Marauders and their map.
On days like today though, Remus wished, he fantasized, he dreamed of a world without the map. On a day like today, when his body didn’t feel like his own, when he felt more monster than man, when his entire experience of existence felt like some cosmic mistake, he wanted to throw the map into the fireplace and shout incendio at the top of his lungs.
Of course, it was one of those days today and, of course, there was no way in hell he could actually destroy the map, so he climbed his secret place, the tallest part of Gryffindor tower, all the way up to the highest window. There, he sat with his long limbs curled up on the large window sill, scribbling notes in his copy of Catcher in the Rye , which they were studying in Muggle Studies that year. He was thinking a lot about where do the ducks in central park go, when he got the fright of his life.
“Moony-” Sirius began, map in hand.
“Ugh, of course, the fucking map!” Remus exploded. “Can’t have two seconds’ peace without someone playing bloody lost and found!”
“I just-“ Sirius stuttered, “You seemed really upset and stormed off after potions today. I wanted to make sure you were ok.”
Remus softened his gaze.
“I’m sorry Sirius. It’s just one of those days.”
“Full moon isn’t until next week-“ Sirius said.
“I’m allowed to have a bad day regardless of the moon phase, Sirius!”
“Moony, I’m sorry. I just want to help.”
Remus rubbed his temple, as if a headache had struck suddenly.
“There’s nothing you can really do . It’s just a bit too much today.”
Sirius climbed up to the rather spacious window ledge and sat beside Remus. He placed his hand on top of his.
“Can I just…be here? Just sit with you?”
Remus closed his eyes and slumped against Sirius.
“That would be nice.”
Sirius unceremoniously plucked the book out of the other boy’s hand and began to read.
“I was thinking about the lagoon in Central Park, down near Central Park South. I was wondering if it would be frozen over when I got home, and if it was, where did the ducks go. I was wondering where the ducks went when the lagoon got all icy and frozen over. I wondered if some guy came in a truck and took them away to a zoo or something…”