"Should we tell him?"

For the first time, Sirius and James are both paying rapt attention, despite the fact that it is History of Magic.

"Someone has to tell him."

James and Sirius share a look before glancing at Remus. "You should tell him, Moony."

"Me? Why do I have to do it?" Remus demands.

"Well, there's the fact that he actually sort of knows your name." Sirius says dryly. "He called me Martin last week. Martin!" Sirius looks terribly affronted, and Remus can't help but snicker at him. This, of course, only exacerbates the affront.

Mutters have gone up from the rest of the class as well, everyone chattering all at once.

Their attention is pulled back to the front of the classroom as Binns questions, "Why is there so much talking? I'm teaching!"

Remus sighs. "Sir," he starts out tentatively. "Do you...well, do you know that you're a ghost?"

"That is a very rude thing to say to a person, Lupin."

"See, I told you he knew your name," Sirius whispers next to him.

Remus sends him a look. Sirius, at least, has the grace to look sheepish. He looks back up at Binns, trying to think of a better way to insinuate about his professor's current situation.

Evans chooses that moment to pipe up from the other side of the classroom. "Professor, I don't think Remus meant to be rude. It's just that… well, sir, you appear to have died."

Remus is surprised when James and Sirius don't laugh. He watches as his professor looks down at himself.

"Dear Merlin." His voice sounds slightly hoarse, the first time any of the Marauders can remember hearing any emotion in it. "It appears that you are right, Evans."

"Sir, are you all right?" Evans asks.

Much to the surprise of everyone in the room, Binns waves his hand absently. "Perfectly fine, Evans. In fact, never better. And, as there is nothing that can be done about this, I might as well continue teaching. Broderick the Bearded…"

The class groans in unison.

Peter leans over to the rest of the Marauders. "D'you suppose this means if I die of boredom, he won't even take that as an excuse for late work?"

Remus shoots Peter a disapproving look. But Sirius answers mournfully, "No, I suppose not."