Aw, Remus and rent problems! *squishes him. And James too and his taxes.* I love adult details here and how the Marauders are slowly learning what it's like being out of Hogwarts.

Also, I love how you use dialogue in relation to the scene and atmosphere. They add tension and they say things out loud, but we know that something else is happening silently. Very nice balance, and I love it, as well as the game of chess. :)