Ella Potter was currently running down the corridor, pushing past anyone who got in the way. She was late, very late, and she knew she was going to get into trouble. Not that that is a new thing but anyway, she tries to avoid it when she can. Running into the class room she stopped dead when she seen the Professor looking at her with those eyes that everyone was a bit scared of.

"Well well, late again are we Miss Potter?" Professor McGonagall was standing behind her desk waiting to start her lesson. Everyone knew this was not a teacher you could joke around with. Everything about her just screamed 'don't mess with me'. So when Ella entered the classroom sweating and out of breath she couldn't help but flinch at the harsh tone in her Professors voice.

"I'm sorry Professor." she mumbled.

"What is the excuse this time may I ask?"

"I um…" she was looking down at her feet, trying to avoid looking at her. "I slept in."

"Hmm." It was obvious that McGonagall didn't buy this at all but by some miracle she let it pass. "Very well. Take a seat then Ella. Oh, and 10 points will be taken from Gryffindor."

With a sigh Ella opted for a seat right at the back, away from everyone else. She could really do with not having to go to classes today but she figured turning up late would be better than not turning up at all. Although seeing as she would have lost house points either way there wasn't much of a difference. What else could they do? Stick her in detention? Again…

She wasn't listening to what McGonagall was talking about, no doubt it would be something important but Ella is a very fast learner, top of most of her classes to the surprise to some, if not all, Professors. Despite her reputation she really was a clever girl. Just some things are far more important. Like, let's say, the fact one of your friends is a werewolf.

Yes, last night was a full moon and, as usual, she was helping Moony. Hence the complete lack of sleep. She had been running around the forest all night keeping Moony entertained while helping make sure he doesn't eat anyone, and rip himself to shreds. She found it very hard to think that Remus could hurt anyone. Even as a werewolf he seemed gentle somehow. Like he is the same Remus he always is. Shame he doesn't see himself that way.

Another sigh left Ella's lips. Every time she thought about how much Remus hates himself it hurt her. He didn't see himself the same way everyone else does. The gentle, kind, loving Remus that has been the centre of Ella's affections for years (Not that he knows that of course). All he can see is the Werewolf. He thinks he is a monster but, of all the things he is, a monster is definitely not on the list.

When the class ended Ella quickly gathered up her things and was planning on heading straight to the Great Hall to meet up with the rest of the famous Marauders for lunch. Her plan was disturbed however when one of her roommates, Hannah, stepped in front of her.

"Where were you last night?" She asked without as much as a greeting.

"Out." Ella said vaguely as she tried to get past her but all Hannah did was step in her way.

"With who?"

"What is this?" snapped Ella "Why are you interrogating me?"

"I just want to know where you were. I worry when you don't come back at night. Who knows what you are getting up to! Where you with your brother and his friends again?"

"Yeah I was, so what? Is it a crime to spend time with my brother? And they aren't just his friends, they're mine too."

"You really shouldn't hang out with them." She said in disapproving voice.

"You're not my mother Hannah, you can't just tell me who I can and can't hang out with." she laughed.

"Are you dating Black?" Hannah blurted this out quickly. The only response Ella could muster was to laugh of her.

"Me dating Black?" she said when she caught her breathe. "Have you actually gone insane?"

Ella didn't wait for a reply she just stepped around her and started to make her way to the Great Hall for lunch in a much better mood than she had been earlier. Dating Sirius? Of all the things she could have asked her that was definitely the most hilarious. She loved him, of course she does, just not in that way. Sirius is like a brother to Ella. A brother she never wanted but a brother all the same. And besides, she knows what Sirius is like with girls. He is not the relationship type guy. He's the 'Shag 'em and leave 'em' type of guy.

She didn't stop laughing till she got to the entrance to the Great Hall and looked over at the Gryffindor table. First thing she noticed was that Remus was missing. Understandable in the circumstances. Having your body torn apart and healed back together twice in the one night didn't seem like much fun. He was probably in his dorm sleeping off last night, or still in the Hospital wing. But still, it didn't stop the small frown that appeared on Ella's face whenever he was missing. Stupid really when you think about it.

Walking over to her friends she noticed that, once again, James was trying to get Lily's attention. That boy just did not give up.

"You know." she said as she sat between him and Peter. "Some people would have taken the hint by now."

"And what kind of person would that make me little sis?" he said with a smirk on his face. He said time and time again that it is only a matter of time before Lily caves and confesses her undying love for him. And he is probably right as well. Ella had overheard her talking about him in one of the corridors with a friend. She most definitely does not hate him as much as she pretends to. A fact Ella has kept well hidden from her big brother. It is fun to watch him beg. And his head was big enough already.

"How was class?" Peter asked.

"Ugh crap." Elle reached for some chicken. "McGonagall took ten points off me for being late. The rest of the class I just sort of blanked out on. Pass me the bread Sirius."

"Say please." he teased

"I'm not in the mood Padfoot, can you just pass me it please?"

"Why, what's wrong there kitten?" he said with mock sympathy. "Missing your boyfriend?"

"What boyfriend?" demanded James, his attention being pulled away from staring at Lily.

"There is no boyfriend. Sirius is just being a prat. As always."

Sirius leaned over the table handing Ella the bread basket whispering "So you don't miss little Remy then?" low enough so that neither James nor Peter could hear him.

"Shut up Sirius." she spat back.

One annoying thing about Sirius was that, no matter how hard you try to hide something he always managed to figure it out. She has never confirmed that she has a crush on Remus. Okay, maybe it is a bit more than a crush. Not that she will ever act on it or anything! She is about 100% certain that he doesn't feel the same way about her. It just about broke her heart every time she thought about it. Sirius has been teasing her about it for weeks; he was slowly driving her insane. If he didn't quit it soon, she was going to hurt him.

Just then Severus walked passed where they were sitting to get to the Slytherin table. Ella tried to hold back a sigh. And, as if right on cue, James spotted him.

"Hey, Padfoot, look who just walked in." A cocky smirk was now plastered on James' face. Nothing pleased him more than ruining Severus' day. And in front of the whole school as well.

"Ah yes, I do believe out friend Snivellus is over there. Perhaps we should go say hi."

And before Ella could say anything James and Sirius were walking over to him. She didn't bother to follow them; she knew what they were going to do. They will make some stupid remarks that will wind Severus up causing him to fire a hex at them, and then they will use that as an excuse to embarrass the hell out of him. It was childish.

"I'm just going to go back to the common room I think Pete. Try to study or something before next class."

"Yeah yeah, sure, see you later." He wasn't listening to her. He was too busy looking at his idols.

Some people to idolise. She thought.

On her way up to the common room she couldn't help but think about the way James treats Snape. She couldn't understand why he likes torturing him so much. The one time she asked him about it his reply was "I just do." and that was it. "I just do." Hardly a good reason to pick on someone if you asked her. Perhaps she should try talking to him again. Try to make him understand that the way he treats him is wrong. Especially when the guy is best friends with the girl he loves. But then, she would have to talk to Sirius as well. And there was no talking sense into that boy. None at all.

Once she was through the portrait hole she froze in surprise. There was Remus sitting in one of the comfier armchairs by the fire reading a book. He normally doesn't surface for a whole day after the full moon. He tends to like to be alone. Although the common room is always empty this time of day, maybe he does this all the time.

She walked towards him and her stomach clenched when he turned round to see who was there and smiled at her.

"Hey, what you doing here? You're normally down at lunch." He asked.

"James and Sirius." was all she said as she sat in the chair opposite him.

"Ah." there was a knowing look on his face. He hated there treatment towards Severus almost as much as Ella does. If possible, it makes her love him more.

"How are you feeling? You okay."

"Oh yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit sore is all." another smile was aimed at Ella. She suddenly realised that it is never just him and her together. Someone else is always with them. The butterflies in her stomach went crazy.

"Good. I mean, it's not good that you are sore; it's good that you are okay. Of course it isn't good you are sore, that would be a stupid thing to say." she mentally scolded herself. What the hell was she doing? She was acting like a stupid eleven year old rambling away. But Remus just laughed. "Sorry, not had much sleep you know."

"Yeah." he looked down at his book. "Sorry."

"Don't be an idiot. Being there for you is worth a night's lack of sleep." He looked up at her not knowing what to say. They just stared at each other for a few seconds till Ella broke the silence. "What you reading?"

Remus smiled slightly. "It's a muggle story, Romeo and Juliet. It's a love story."

"Oh, really? Do they have a happy ending?" Ella asked growing a bit nervous for some reason.

"I don't know." He said giving her a strange look. "Haven't managed to get to the end yet." Smiling he added. "I'll let you know when I get there."

"Thanks." After another awkward silence Ella stood up. "I should probably be getting to class. Don't want to be late for History of Magic now do I?"

"Oh, most definitely not. I'll see you later."

"Yeah, bye."

Before she exited the portrait hole she looked back at Remus once more. She wanted to stay and talk to him but she knew she shouldn't. She would end up saying something that she would most likely regret. And she didn't want that.

What she failed to notice, though, was that Remus was fighting thoughts in his own head.

Ask her to stay.

No you can't ask her to stay!

But, I want to!

She is your best friend's sister.

So? He would understand.

Why would he possibly understand?

Because…I love her.

...

Hey, this is a re-upload. I'm starting this fic all over again cause I wasn't happy with it. Hope you guys enjoyed it and please review and tell me what you thought.

xxx