No matter how handsomely a grin suited his features, Remus didn’t know what to make of Black calling him<span style="font-style: italic">mate</span>, leaving him stranded between two polar emotions. Theirs was a highly competitive field, and it was a known fact that the school didn’t budget for all five enrolled students to make it through their four years degree. With their degrees offset by years, Black shouldn’t have any vested interest in Remus’ failure, and yet his interest seemed unwarranted, regardless of whether or not they were to share a dorm.<br/>“You will, yeah,” his tone of voice unintentionally rising to a challenge he thought he heard in Black’s voice.<br/>Taking advantage of Black’s farewell, Remus once again set in motion, offering Black a smile as he did, if only to take the edge off of his words.<br/><br/>__<br/><br/>Remus had intentionally stalled for time, quite disinterested in making it back on campus for dinner, not willing to risk being dragged into sharing a meal with the rest of Mulligan’s students. That would soon be an inevitability, but for now, Remus had had a quiet meal at home before packing up but few belongings.<br/>Having worked to save up for tuition the past year, Remus had rented a furnished room at an older woman’s house. Though comfortable, sharing a dorm still came out cheaper, through Remus had already started to regret that decision in the early afternoon, having passed by the porter’s office to retrieve a key to his flat - and to confirm that Black would, in fact, be his flatmate.<br/>It was past eight when Remus finally made it back on campus. On the door were space for two brass plaques. As of then, only one hung on the door, spelling<span style="font-style: italic">S. O. Black</span>. Beside it, an discoloured mark where another one had been.<br/>For good measure, Remus knocked before opening the door, hoping to find the room empty.