When you wrote this chapter, you said in the author's note that the encouragement from readers is especially important in a rough time! I hope an enthusiastic review now can help :)
Peter's guilt about working on the essay is sweet. I suppose it feels quite awkward to do this around Remus, and it's good that it's coming almost a year after their discovery because each of them has come to terms with the truth pretty well. I'm very glad Remus accepts James's offer to help despite his understandable reservations. It's sweet but sad how he considers how different authority figures would view it before he's willing to try it.
I just love this little scene so much. Peter reminding Remus that James will do his work and then expressing his indignant dislike of Culpepper. His words that you don't have to be spiteful to be wrong are so true! Someone can insist their words aren't motivated by bigotry or something but their hurtful effects are exactly the same. I'm glad Remus and Peter have this sweet moment and hug. "Fuzzy little troubles" is a very funny misremembering of James's words, I love it! And Peter making a solo venture with the cloak is very fun, was it his first raid or just the first one Remus has been informed about?
I absolutely LOVE their meeting with McGonagall and the detention she reluctantly assigns. I was gleeful that she didn't assign very much punishment - it recalls moments like "it unscrews the other way!" where she'll aid or overlook misdeeds on occasion! James's narration of how he and Sirius explained their reasons for the mischief is great, hyperbole and all. He's very right that there wasn't too much to do while maintaining secrecy and that as unorthodox as their solution is, not too many other options would work. Like their later raids on the Potions ingredients, it's such a very Marauderly approach to the problem! Anyways, I'm so happy with McGonagall's way of keeping of appearances of discipline without actually making James and Sirius suffer for their protection of Remus.
The mention of Van Dorn in Divination class made me think ahead to IDM! It's so interesting to reread, knowing how well these breathing lessons will serve Remus in the future in different ways. Each of the Marauders have great reactions to read of course, but Remus's is especially nice to think about in how he'll have something good from the old days.
I wish the excitement of Quidditch trials weren't overcast with another hateful howler. Remus's observations of various prefects and professors (particularly McGonagall and Dumbledore) make me think about how the budding order must be already discussing the matter. I love how later Dorcas mentions "we're all supporting you" before cutting herself off, making it very clear what their process of discussing Sirius's dilemma must be like!
James's coaching advice for Sirius is so interesting. As much bravado he has with assuring Sirius that he can outfly everyone else, he still has some nerves when it comes to Quidditch, and he wants to give him various recommendations.
Regulus's arrival is wonderful! he's just so sweet, and thank goodness for James helping to break the tension. Valen Viridian is a reminder of how I really wish Sirius could make more time to spend with Regulus... and Gil! Oh man, I laughed so hard. His boasting about flying better than anyone else, if ONLY first years could bring their broomsticks! Such a little Lockhart in every way.
It's very good indeed that James invited Regulus to the Gryffindor box! It's clearly crowded and full of friendly faces, unlike Lucius Malfoy. I also love Lily's continued annoyances at Sirius, and how baffled she is by Betta's friendship with him! I wonder when that might change, particularly with Betta?
Remus's relationship to Quidditch being described as extending "no further than his need to show his tireless support for friends who were more to him than he could ever have imagined" is so well-written! It's very true for Remus's interest in most of this story, supporting it more out of loyalty than anything else.
"But Sirius was quick, Sirius was skilled, and Sirius was determined." so interesting to describe his skill with this anaphora! It really drives it home and I like it.
I also love the description of how professional James is, fighting any distraction of watching Sirius! I wonder how tempted he would have been though to steal a glimpse of his best friend... It makes me think of Harry in OotP wondering with such curiosity how Ron's tryout for Keeper was going, when he was stuck inside in detention. James's only restriction on watching to see for himself was more just being professional and such!
I hate how concerned Remus has to be with his clothes and the heat with only two sets of robes. It's another one of those very well-done details, but I wish it didn't have to be like this...
I also wish Sirius weren't in such pain! I'm very glad Remus is helping him with the medicine and everything, but even with help it's too much for Sirius to have to go through. Remus is definitely right that moving up the trials wouldn't have been something he'd have missed watching since he's not a particularly avid spectator, but he might have really missed his friends while he was in the hospital wing, so it was so sweet of James to do it anyways and Sirius to suggest it at such personal sacrifice. Of course, he also didn't realize how he'd still feel... I have the same fear Remus has that even the worst of these whippings might not even be the worst of what he goes through, though.
I chuckled at how Remus tries to keep the mood light and say that James only noticed the difference in changing habits in how Remus now feels comfortable getting dressed in the dorm but not Sirius changing in the bathroom. If Sirius knew just how afraid Remus always was though...
James is very lucky Sirius was exhausted and didn't interrogate him about Eldritch's decisions! He already pretty much let it slip that Sirius was on the team, and with him being "obviously tormented" I wondered if he could have stood up to a determined Sirius at all!
Remus's ideas on why Dumbledore tried not to alienate the Slytherins was very well-reasoned! Unfortunately Lucius Malfoy was not exactly the optimum one to show trust in, but in a better situation it could have maybe worked a little...
Oooh, when James said 'I can finally get this secret off my chest!' and there was a "look of envy that flitted through Sirius's eyes" was it strictly about Quidditch, or actually about the relief of explaining a secret? It definitely could be that he wishes he could just tell the others about the bruises and everything as easily as James can get the Quidditch results off his chest.
Dorcas and Remus's interaction is nice to see! I wonder if they'll get to become closer in general. Her thoughts on Sirius being distracted by Quidditch and his mischief were definitely really interesting to see.
Peter and Sirius's jubilant interjections in Eldritch's speech were very funny! Once again, it was so very them.
And hurrah for the joyous news! I was a little surprised it was two third-years made the team and so two characters we know and love, but it makes sense. Sirius and Betta are both excellent players, and them both being in third-year is fairly logical for why they're good enough to be chosen for the team now but not been chosen in the past (when clearly two or three years ago they could have used decent candidates!)
Anyways, both of them making the team is definitely great news for excitement in this year! I noticed both Sirius getting an accidentally painful hug from James in congratulations, and Betta getting a kiss on the cheek from Elsie in celebration as well. I especially like that Dorcas was able to be happy and maybe have a little less worry weighing her down for a little while. With the war and so many other things making their lives difficult, this happy scene is wonderful!
Thank you once again for such a great chapter! I love going back to reread and review these older chapters, especially now in context of having more recent updates to think about!

Great chapter! I have a feeling that Remus is going to have a lot of trouble later on feeling them in. I’m looking forward to see what the training to transform might be like.

Finally found the time to write another review! :) I hope you're doing well and this can encourage you some.
I hate seeing how much pain Sirius is in after the strain of the informal Quidditch practice! I'm so glad Remus decided to do something about it though.
His conversation and reunion with Madam Pomfrey is so lovely. Obviously their relationship is so beautiful, and I love these happier days.
Her concern for Remus is so touching, and I only wish he could listen to her or Professor McGonagall's worries. I can't help but think it's good Remus didn't ask Lily for help with notes when he was missing though, because he might have struggled to explain why he knew he would need them. While obviously her suspicions wouldn't be as keen as the other Marauders' were, it created quite the to-do in the fall of first year when he revealed he'd known in advance that he would have to be gone for a few days.
The fact that Remus is confused for a second at the thought of being injured in a non-full moon related way... he really needs to see himself as normal more!
While obviously it wasn't accurate, I chuckled at Madam Pomfrey's thought that Sirius wouldn't be able to admit he's not playing Quidditch at the professional level quite yet. Good thing for Sirius that it diverted her suspicion, though in the long run it'd obviously be better if Remus wasn't the only one to know...
The interaction with Prefect Prewett made me chuckle. We'll see if Remus can manage to call him Fabian at all, since that absolutely does sound like Sirius or someone trying to be sarcastic.
Very sweet that Sirius wanted to go on an Invisibility Cloak expedition to find Remus! It's funny how Remus left intending to help him, and I'm glad they didn't have to risk being out after curfew just yet.
Remus's sadness at Sirius's injuries is so touching, and really how I feel too. It's just so incomprehensible how she could be so evil.
I'm so glad Sirius has a friend like Remus! And it's very funny how concerned Sirius is with his Muggle clothes.
Their conversation about needing help to heal being bearable because the alternative just isn't! Both a touching moment of bonding, and it seems foreshadowing with Sirius's almost savage concern for Remus. Seems like it could be motivating him even more in his determination to help him.
Regulus's attempts to plead Sirius to give into their mother or convince her to be lenient are always so heartbreaking. He really has such faith that things are much easier than they are, and that everything could be fixed quite easily, but he hasn't realized that they just can't. It really adds another layer to Sirius's bitterness in OotP at how his brother so easily obeyed and sought to please their parents...
Sirius's attempts to get through to him... gah, I wish that the fact "She's wrong about Muggles, and she's wrong about me" could have gotten through to Regulus more. He never realized how wrong his parents were about so many things - not until it was too late, at least.
Remus's conversation with him is touching. I love that Remus sought to help Sirius without breaking his promise of confidentiality, and attempt to help Regulus understand why it's wrong. He doesn't seem to get it though, unfortunately. And not knowing what he needs to hear in support of his troubles with Muggle Studies... that really encapsulates it all! What can Remus, or Regulus, or anyone who has a fraction of an idea of the reality of the situation do to help Sirius?
An absurdly/elegantly simple sabotage of the Andrews! I utterly love it, and how determined James and Sirius are to assist him, not matter what. Running away with such reckless abandon with no attempt to conceal what they're doing is just so them!
If only Culpepper hadn't begun with the register, having realized its wisdom! He would have seen James and Sirius come in late obviously, but it might have been slightly less obvious.
Sirius's sass is just so funny. Obviously he could carry on with many teachers for a while - we hear he does so with Flitwick on the regular and it'd be hilarious to see that! - but I imagine that today of all days, he's happy to take up much of the lesson with frivolity. I suppose if there were any material left though, it'd carry on over to a lesson with the Andrews twins there again so that's rather less than ideal...
James's reassurance of Remus and his smile of gratitude is so sweet. I forget how many times I've said this but I really love their occasional sweet and thoughtful interactions.
I can only imagine how difficult it is for Remus to sit through all of this, with everyone speaking in such a dehumanizing way and being thoughtless with their words.
I wonder what question Peter was considering asking before catching himself and being ashamed? Was it just a question about Remus was registered, and the shame was that he could have slipped up and asked such a thing in public, Or something else?
I love how you describe each of the Marauders' actions and responses to Culpepper's proximity to them! All of their respective tension or cool facade is so characteristic.
James's and Sirius's attempts to speak up against Culpepper are wonderful! I hate the bigotry and illogical ideas he's spewing, but it's certainly a glimpse into what people tend to think. Also, Sirius's snappy cover-ups of his own muttered comments are incredible! He's very quick on his feet, that's for sure.
James's offer is so heartwarming! Also, I couldn't help but think about Remus's first reaction being that James meant the Werewolf Registry... I wonder how the other three Marauders will react that he has to do it when that comes around?
James's offer, though. It's a little bit foolhardy to turn in two essays with presumably the same handwriting, but decent reasoning that it wouldn't be noticed. That does make me think ahead though... the mention that Culpepper doesn't return his students' essays but only gives a slip of parchment with the grade might not bode well for Remus in the future.
I chuckled at how Sirius made the exact same offer, but it's probably for the best that James beat him to it! Sirius is wonderful in so many ways, but it could have been hard to make him remember to write Remus's essay to be inconspicuous rather than argumentative or something. His righteous fervor is quite enough for his own essay! I love these boys and how they look out for Remus so much, around the full moons and beyond. This was such a wonderful chapter and I'm glad I finally made it back to review it!

So I usually review as a guest as I hopelessly lost my password years ago, but I feel like this sort of message feels a bit hollow coming anonymously! Just wanted to post to say a big THANK YOU for sharing such beautiful and honest creative content with the world. I can imagine it's hard to fully appreciate the true impact you have on your fans when you're the source of all the praise (and I know full well how damningly hard we all are on ourselves!) but I hope you do believe it. Noticed you'd dropped off the radar a bit so felt it might be nice for you to hear how appreciated you are right now. You're a wonderfully talented writer and your depth and passion are so clear to see. We need 1000 more like you! And if your muse does return (and there's no pressure for it to of course, as such great output cannot be rushed!) I look forward to experiencing yet more of its genius x

Hi stoplight!
I have to admit I'm a spoiled reader. You don't update for a week and i become all a-frenzy! You are a wonderful writer and I hope you will take it as a compliment that you have dedicated readers who whine a lot about how they can't wait for the next chapter. By the way - I can't wait for the next chapter!
:-P
In the meantime, even though I've already sung praises for this chapter in an earlier review it makes sense to re-review the chapter after rereading it! I have to say I'm a fan of Judith. She seems an alright sort and i hope remus and she will talk about his lesson. Best of luck in the meantime!

So, my plan of reviewing every chapter failed over a week ago, so, here are the last few chapters condensed into one... Firstly, I love how Remus handled the classes. It was nice how Culpepper gave him a glass, as it gave him more confidence! "'A little less noise, please,' a firm voice requested. 'I'm speaking.'" was probably my favourite bit from the teaching part, closely followed by expelliarmus and how he handed the wands to Culpepper. I do think he should have gone to Culpepper about it though, he was the teacher, the class was his responsibility, and so it was to a certain extent his fault, but Remus is silly about these sorts of things. I loved how he handled Snape! I do like how you write Snape by the way, but oh, the minute you feel sympathy for him he goes and does something like this! James, so generous, I love him! It was nice how they tried so hard to fix the book too. The exploding ink was genius! Especially how it couldn't be removed by magic! The perfect revenge! I do like Culpepper, his stance on werewolves really is a shame, and Remus has such a talent for teaching! And back to an earlier chapter as I've realised what I've missed out now ... the revenge on Narcissa was inspired! I understand why Remus didn't like it, but I have to say that I agree with Sirius, she's helped to make his life hell, and 75 Galleons isn't much to the Black family. I am worried for him though, I know he needs to have some control over his stuation, but his mother is sooo not going to be happy!

That was fantastic retaliation James and Sirius! I’m so pleased! And I love how they didn’t have motive, because that would give away the crime this is revenge for! :))) And I do agree that since Snape was the second one to get it, everyone but Judith was guilty, even just by not saying anything. I love Regulus, and feel bad that he is so upset, but Lucius really was asking for it, though I do feel a bit bad about Narcissa, it would probably be better if they broke up now, except them Draco would never be born and that would break my heart. This was a fantastic chapter and I cannot wait for the next update! :))

It's been a week and I'm too spoiled by thrice a week updates now to bear it. Please let us have a new chapter soon?

I heard from someone that my earlier comment could be construed as ignorant and unintentionally offensive... and- if you found it so- I'd like to apologise if my overt projection made me sound like an idiot. I'll try to put my opinions aside and enjoy your story for what it is

Just want to agree with the previous reader. Love this universe so don't mind any negative reviews. Just keep up the good work and please update before too long. We're DYING for more

Just got a bit concerned when you posted "When someone misinterprets your words so badly that it's almost like they were reading something else entirely..." on twitter. Since I don't have a twitter/ ff account, I'll ask as a guest instead: are you okay? Don't take negative comments to heart...
Cheer up, we're all waiting with bated breath to see what happens next in this awesome story. :)

There is something odd about Sirius at the beginning of the chapter. He isn't usually reluctant to admit what he is up to, even if it doesn't involve mischief-making. I have no doubt he was truthful about Gobstones and Mack's newspapers, and perhaps he could have been embarrassed to admit it, but when he did start talking about The Times, he didn't seem embarrassed at all. He waved off his lack of mischief very easily since there truly was no one worthy to hex or jinx. Perhaps his absence at the beggining of the chapter is explained by being in the Divination tower where his friends didn't look, but wouldn't he rush to meet them (since I believe they were expected to be back by the time for supper), if he already spent the whole afternoon reading old newspapers? Most suspicious of all is his increased appetite: for someone who's only played Gobstones, had lunch and then read newspapers all afternoon, Sirius really did work up his appetite. Remus, James and Peter had been walking far more than Sirius and had only Butterbeer and probably some sweets for lunch. But interestingly enough they aren't described as particularly hungry, unlike Sirius, who keeps putting food on his plate, speaking with his mouth full, and eating enough food to have at least one of his friends notice his appetite. So either he missed lunch, or he really had to focus a lot of energy into reading newspapers. Unless he really was up to something he would rather hide than admit. Or I am reading way too much into his table manners.

Speaking of my suspicious nature, let us discuss Mr Mack. It seems his concern is genuine and he truly thinks he is the one who is at fault for Remus's "bad vibes". Obviously he has no reason to suspect Remus's nature (and thankfully no extra homework was given). But I am interested in the crystal Mack gave him. He said it was an entirely different crystal: does that mean a completely different amethyst or is it another crystal? If it's the latter, I wonder what kind of crystal it is and what significance will it have to the story. It is noted that the crystal doesn't have to be cleansed and that Mack could make something of that. Maybe. In any case, Remus has been singled out.

On a lighter note, Remus finds there is nothing suspicious about borrowing a book from a (very sweet and nice) classmate, and he made a progress in Ancient Runes. Luck is on his side at the moment.

I absolutely loved this chapter. Probably analyzed too much, but I enjoyed it immensly. I suppose the long awaited presentations will start soon?

Sirius, at 13 - "I trust you shall lean upon my wisdom and respect the dignity of my years from here on out."
1.3 seconds later: "Oh, prezzies!"

My heart! This last scene was so emotional and beautiful! It really shows well how no matter how well Remus knows his friends stand by him, every time they understand a bit more of the reality of being a werewolf, his friends overwhelm Remus with their compassion and sympathy. And each time he can hardly believe he has such good friends. It stabs me in heart every time.

I don't really know how to take Bellatrix consorting with Rodolphus - it doesn't seem like it will have any significant effect on Marauders, but one can never be too sure. I am keeping an open eye.

And oh James, the most charming and generous customer to have. If only more people were like that. I love how you write Rosmerta, cheerful and friendly, and very good at handling her customers.

I realised this is the first and only time you described what the actual transformation is like. The first time we got the point of view of the Wolf, not Remus. I wonder now what its going to be like in the fifth year, when the Wolf does have both companions and the ability to move around freely.