*Disclaimer*
Summary: A/U [Remus is not a Marauder yet.] Remus gets to be himself at the Masquerade Party. When Sirius falls for this masked man, he is determined to find him, at all stakes.

Chapter I: Getting Ready

I tightened the knot of the tie loop, and tucked it beneath my button down collar, then re-thought, after it seemed a bit tight, un-did it. I did this 2 more times, until I became frustrated, and rather had it dangle, though still tied, not tucked, but loose. I flattened the wrinkles and creases that had formed during my mini-tie war, and made sure everything was in order. Then, ever so slowly, I took the fragile white and black mask in my shaky hands. I delicately placed it on my face, making sure it fit properly. It felt cool against my skin, being in it's packaging since I bought it from Hogsmeade a few weeks back after Dumbledore announced that he would be hosting a Masquerade Party during Christmas Break.

I took this as a huge opportunity to get to be myself, the self that rarely showed itself to others, that never was shown in front of my dorm mates. My dorm mates: Peter Pettigrew was a nice boy, who was a bit plump, not so bright, but kind all the same. He followed around James Potter mostly, who followed Lily Evans around. James seemed rather different from Peter, for he was much more brilliant, had messy black hair instead of blondish hair like Peter, and had a knack for trouble and sarcasm. His best friend, who shared everything but blood, was Sirius Black.

Sirius had amazing, black, long hair, that waved down to his shoulders, and looked oh-so soft. His eyes were a cloudy gray-silver. I'm not sure which, but I like to think silver, because it's more shiny and valuable, as gray is a color used to described either Elder people's hair, or bland people. He was a very lean man, who was very similar to James. As I said, they were like brothers that had everything in shared basically, but blood. He had the brains like James', and they were both great at Quidditch, though Sirius was a better Beater, which defines his muscular arms. He too, liked to cause chaos to the students, especially Slytherins, and pulled pranks constantly, though were always caught. I knew ways they could avoid this out-come, but they wouldn't notice if they tripped over me.

Which is exactly why I need this Masquerade Party, so they won't know me. Because, when I go behind this mask, I will be a new person. The new person that is actually the real me that I've hidden for 5 years.

I've rarely spoken to the Marauders, as they liked to have labeled themselves, despite living in the dorms with them. They rarely acknowledged my presence. I understand their reasoning though: During first year I didn't try to seek out friends, or any type of connection with the Hogwart's students, and rather keep to myself. I didn't want anyone to figure out my lycanthropy, for that would only lead to questions, rumors, stories, problems, and somehow, I wouldn't just be expelled - I would be in great guilt of putting Headmaster Dumbledore in trouble for having a werewolf around school grounds once a month, having the risk of escaping, and hurting another student. Though I don't fully see how it's possible to hurt another student if they're in the dorms, and I can't speak the password to even make it beyond the common room. So when those three boys, during the first night together, after the Feast and Sorting, tried to be-friend me, I acted rather hostile towards them, hoping they would give up before they tried. It had worked, and in its place, left loneliness, and solitude. Until of course, in 3rd year, I became friends with Lily Evans.

She was a nice lass, bushy red hair, curious green eyes. She seemed drawn to my remote, private self. She knew there was something different, off as she had put it, about me. She cautioned to me then, that she was determined to find out what I had. At first I was quite afraid that if she noticed, who else had. But then I got annoyed and how blunt she had been examining me day to day. By 4th year though, she did figure out who, or more like what I was, and was rather shaken. She eventually got over that, because she was still drawn to me in an odd way. We quickly became friends, which I found wasn't as bad once you got to be yourself. We had a lot of common interests, outside of school topics, too. She was the only one who knew a part of the real me. Near the end of 4th year, she kissed me, but after I told her I was gay, and she said that she wasn't fazed by it; she just wanted to wish me good luck for the holiday, to see me next year. Easy acceptance, I guess.

Glad that we seemed to have forgotten, or more like, haven't mentioned anything of the kiss, I went and told her my new infatuation for a Mister Sirius Black. She seemed taken aback by this, but agreed to help me win his heart anyways. I was soon for gratified to have at least obtained one friend through these years.

Our basic, and simple plan, was not to win Sirius' heart tonight, but for me to have fun. That was it. And without risking my identity. Which is why I have many precautions to what might throw me off.

First, my mask was a full one, so people could only see me eyes and lips. And no-one ever looked into my eyes because I tried to never catch anyone's eyes, so they never saw the golden amber beneath. It being a full mask, they wouldn't identify me easily by my scars either, so I was not recognizable by the face.

My voice would be my normal, real voice, that I never really let anyone hear, for they only heard my calm, collected, quiet voice. And I only used that to answer questions during class, and speak to Lily.

No one, (besides Lily again) knew my body - even if that does sound wrong. Being covered by the layer of the blouse, sweater vests, tie, and then large, black sweeping robes, that were hand me down by my berk of a father. He had left me at age 5 upon hearing my disease, and being against it for the Ministry, rather keep his reputation than protect his own son. So, they would see that I wasn't as frail and bony as they most likely thought I was, because of my 'brains over brauns' they would say about me. I was actually very strong because the strength was a deluxe with the werewolf traits, along with my lust for raw meat, which made my muscles healthy, and then having going through the transformations each month, made me very strong indeed, since you have to endure so much bone snapping, skin stretching 'fun'.

And then no one, and I don't even think Lily fully knew this, was my original personality. I get to be myself tonight. One no-one knew about me.

I took my hand and froufted my hair up in a similar way like James', smiled wearily at myself in the mirror, then gave one last glance at my shining eyes, and left the 5th year dorm to the Common Room waiting with Lily Evans, who, had a matching short dress like myself.

"You look breath taking Lily" I gave a light smile. She eyed me, a slow grin spreading across her features like a wild fire.

"As do you Remus. You know Sirius will be on you like a dog, right?" she smirked.

"Only in my dreams, Lily. Now come, we are 20 minutes late already."

"What's that Mr. Lupin? Do my ears and my eyes deceive me, as you were the one who was up there for a good extra 15 minutes, as I was already ready?" she asked, with a hand over her heart, trying to look hurt and vividly shocked.

"Come on." I said with a grin, and together we went to the Masquerade Party.