The Marauders (a HP fanfiction)

Chapter nineteen

May 20, 1975

James and Sirius came running into the boys' dormitory where they found Remus, nose in a book.

"Remus," James yelled, trying to get his attention.

Remus glanced at him, and then returned to his book. He and Lily were made Prefects, but he was not really doing anything to keep his friends from getting in trouble.

"Not now, James," he said, looking annoyed. "I'm studying for our Transfiguration O.W.L.s."

Sirius pulled the book away from Remus.

"Remus, we did it," he said.

"Did what exactly?" he asked.

"We became Anamigi," James said.

Remus's eyes widened. He thought maybe he was hearing things.

"Really?" he asked.

"Sure did," Sirius said proudly.

Peter then walked in with his head down and arms crossed.

"You're not happy about this, Peter?" Remus asked.

"Oh, he is. He just doesn't like what he turns into," James said with a laugh.

"What's that?" Remus asked.

Peter sighed as he looked at Remus and replied, "I'm a rat."

"A rat?" Remus asked.

"Yeah. Whereas Sirius's a big black dog and James's a stag," Peter said sadly.

xxx

May 21, 1975

Peter gasped a he sat up in bed. He was thankful that no one had woken up.

"What's my problem?" he asked out loud.

He got out of bed and looked out the window.

"These nightmares need to stop," Peter whispered.

He raised his hand and put it on the glass.

xxx

September 15, 1975

Madame Pomfrey had stopped taking Remus to the Whomping Willow, so she had no clue Remus was being joined by James, Sirius, and Peter.

"Well, here we are," James said

James, Sirius, and Peter looked around the room Remus slept in once a month.

"How did I ever let you talk me into this?" Remus asked.

"We didn't talk you into anything," Sirius answered. "We volunteered."

"Okay, well, you better do it now," Remus said.

xxx

September 16, 1975

Remus had just been released from the hospital wing.

"Last night was brilliant," James said as they walked through corridors.

Severus stopped to listen in.

"It might be exciting to you now. But believe me; you'll get bored with it after a while," Remus said.

James, Sirius, and Peter just laughed.

"I doubt it," Peter said.

"So, we all agree that last night was a success?" Sirius asked.

"Yes," they all replied, Remus a little late.

They all stopped when Severus walked in front of them.

"What, may I ask, was such a success?" he asked.

"None of your business, Snivulus," James said.

"We'll see about that," Severus replied.

Remus had his head down as they began walking again.

"We shouldn't have been saying anything," he said.

xxx

September 17, 1975

As Lily was on her way back to Gryffindor Tower, she ran into Severus. He had been trying to get her alone so he could talk to her.

"Lily, I'm glad we met," Severus said.

"What is it?" she asked.

"You really need to keep your friends in check," Severus said.

Lily leveled her eyebrows.

"Who are you talking about?" she asked.

"Potter and his gang," Severus answered.

"And what exactly are you accusing them are doing?" Lily asked.

Severus had to stop himself for a moment. For the first time, she did not say she was not friends with them.

"They snuck out last night. I overheard them talking about it," Severus said.

"And since when have you cared if they get in trouble?" Lily asked.

"I don't care," Severus said defensively. "I was thinking of you. Being a Prefect with Lupin and everything."

"You're right," Lily replied with a sigh. "Thanks for letting me know. I'll talk to Remus. He should know better."

xxx

September 18, 1975

Lily was able to get Remus alone on the common room.

"Remus, we need to talk," she said.

Remus lowered his book and looked stared at Lily.

"About what?" he asked.

"I've been informed that you, James, Sirius, and Peter were out after hours," Lily said.

Remus's eyes grew. He should have known this would happen.

"Who… never mind, I already know who told you," he said. "Lily, listen, it was nothing. Everything was under control."

"So, you're attending to it?" she asked.

"Yes," Remus answered.

James, who had overheard, ran down the stairs.

"Remus," he gasped.

"I can't lie," he said.

"Why would you do something like that?" Lily asked.

He was about to say it, but the words would not not come out. He had admitted that they were out after hours, and was enough for now.

"I… I can't tell you," Remus said. Lily shock her head and left. "I'm going to have to eventually have to tell her."

"Why?" James asked.

"Well, if you two ever do get together, I think it's too big of a secret not to keep," Remus said, walking up the stairs.

James looked up the stairs in shock with his mouth opened.