the_debt_of_time

condition with such a tone in her voice; hearing it now hurt more than he was willing to
admit.
Once the word left her lips, Hermione gasped and covered her mouth as though
she had cursed, regret in her eyes.
Remus did what he could to remain calm in the situation despite the fact that Harry
and Ron were now staring at him, horrified.
"Not at all up to your usual standard, Hermione," he said with a slight smile, trying
to hide the hurt. "Only one out of three, I'm afraid. I have not been helping Sirius get into
the castle, and I certainly don't want Harry dead. But I won't deny that I am a werewolf."
Ron made a valiant effort to get up again, but he fell back with a whimper of pain.
Frowning at the sight of the injured boy, Remus instinctively moved to help.
Gasping, Ron shouted, "Get away from me, werewolf!"
Remus stopped dead and swallowed down the anger and familiar feeling of rejection
that came with discrimination. Then, with an obvious effort, he turned to Hermione, who
looked mortified over what she had done. Despite already knowing the answer, he asked,
"How long have you known?"
Hermione frowned, clearly upset with herself. "Since Professor Snape set the essay."
"You really are the brightest witch of your age, Hermione," he said with deep
admiration.
There was a long breath of silence that hung in the air until a quiet squeaking sound
came from Ron's pocket, and Remus felt more than saw Sirius lunge forward. He turned
to catch his friend in his arms, using his superior strength against Sirius, who struggled to
free himself.
"We're wasting time! He dies. Now! If you won't do it with me, Remus, I'll do it
alone!"
"Wait! Padfoot―"
Sirius pushed away from Remus and shouted, tears in his pale grey eyes as he
pounded his fist against his chest. "I did my waiting! Twelve years of it! In Azkaban!"
Remus finally noticed the filthy clothes that Sirius wore; they were Azkaban clothes,
no doubt: dirty and mildewy and very nearly shredded. Sirius's chest was easily visible, and
there, in the centre was a scarred brand marking him a prisoner. Remus frowned at the