Taking a bit of a break from reviewing 500 Miles at the moment. Partially because of my cross-stitching project and partially because I said I'd review Against the Moon again when there were ten more chapters. The time has come, my friends, to speak of other things. Of werewolves, wizards, and my unending hatred for a little rat...
Against the Moon, chapters 52-61 by Stoplight Delight
Okay, so maybe me having an unending hatred of Peter Pettigrew is a bit harsh... just a bit. I mean, at this point in the story, he's 12. Years away from betraying his friends and causing some of their deaths. But still, I find him quite annoying in these chapters. I will elaborate more on that later, though.
When we last left our lovely young Marauders, or rather "the second year Gryffindor boys in the third dormitory" as Remus so eloquently puts it, they'd just found out that Remus is, indeed, a werewolf. And he'd almost killed himself in standing up to them the first time. Which was stupid, but there you are. Anyway... James and Sirius accept Remus back into their group with open arms... well... James has to think, but that was last section, wasn't it? Peter still has gigantic issues with Remus' being a werewolf. He still has a problem for seven of these ten chapters. And Remus is apparently mostly okay with this so long as Peter doesn't go blabbing. To his credit, he doesn't.
Sirius is his boistrous, crazy self throughout these chapters. He's also quite sweet and protective of Remus. I'm still really disappointed that the pair aren't going to be a couple, eventually, in this universe... it just seems so natural. But they aren't, so I guess I'll just have to keep looking at those sweet protective moments and sigh dramatically... and giggle hysterically. James is his lovely self, wishing Remus luck with his next transformation and generally just being a very good friend. Oh, and he's now on the Quidditch team, isn't that marvelous?
Sirius also spends a good chunk of chapter dead set on finding a cure for being a werewolf. Remus gets uncomfortable about it. James grumbles a bit, but goes along with it anyway. And Peter... Peter gets the book least likely to have anything terrible in it. I may have no mentioned that during that seventh chapter of this section, Peter apologizes to Remus and takes him back as a friend.
The last two chapters focus on a little mischeif, because no Marauders story would be complete without it. Five Slytherins, including Mr. Severus Snape, invite James and Sirius for a midnight duel. Well... technically, it wasn't stated explicitly that there were to be five Slytherins, but we're a crafty bunch... and we cheat. The Slytherins' plan was to have five of them against just James and Sirius. But James and Sirius know better than that and so concoct a plan involving Remus and Peter hiding under the Invisibility Cloak. Chaos ensues in the corridor and the Marauders get away mostly scot-free... Remus had a bit of a bump...
Now for the cliff-hanger. Oh yes, there's a cliff-hanger. I'm slightly annoyed by this. But exceited to see what happens. You see, it's Sirius' birthday and they boys have decided that instead of presents, Sirius is getting a prank. This prank is not detailed. It's also not completely finished by the end of chapter 61... 
My Problem With Peter Pettigrew
I did say I'd detail this later, and so here it goes. Peter's reaction to Remus being a werewolf is annoying. It's annoying when people do it in real life upon finding out that a friend is, say, gay. Peter is thoroughly disgusted and wants nothing to do with Remus. He has a talk with Dumbledore about things, but that doesn't help. In his mind, Remus is suddenly not the Remus he's always been just because he's a werewolf. He even goes so far as to strike a deal with Remus that they have nothing to do with each other unless they can help it. In the beginning, he's even frightened enough of Remus to balk at any accidental touches -- as if lycanthropy is contagious by touch.
Now, I'm not saying I'm perfect, but I don't think that this is a reaction I can abide by. This, right here, is the first hint at what Peter later becomes. I kept wanting to slap him. Even though Madam Pomfrey sorts him out in the end, I know he's got that kind of prejudice in him, and it doesn't help.
What I'm basically trying to say is, don't ever do this to anyone. It's stupid. If you've known the person for years and they decide to tell you they're gay or have some kind of disease, don't treat them like they're less than human. It's stupid. It's annoying. And, if you do it, you'll regret it. If you're on the receiving end of this kind of treatment, don't lash out. Just let the person be and either they'll come around or you'll be better off without them. Take a leaf out of Remus Lupin's book and keep being who you are.
Housekeeping
The sub-header link for Against the Moon will take you to chapter 52, so if you haven't read the rest... there's a way to get to the beginning of the story from that page. Also, the next review for 500 Miles will be coming soon, I promise.
Love ya, Jessie. 
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