Disclaimer: I don't own anything. I do not claim to own the characters, plot, or anything else from the Harry Potter books. They belong to J.k. Rowling.

A.N.: Alrighty, I always forget to put on those disclaimers so I am very proud of myself for remembering. Anyway this is only my second fic. The idea just came to me a few days ago and I decide to run with it. It's not a Lily/James fic cause I'm sure there is enough of those out there already. It's the story of Sirius and how he falls in love. His love is later tested when the girl who he fall for asks him to make the extreme sacrifice for her and give up everything he has and knows. I'm not quite sure what is going to happen exactly yet but I have a lot of plans and the start of a great ending. Your info is greatly appreciated though and I would love to hear any suggestions you have about the story or my writing. So please enjoy and r&r!

Chapter 1: As the moon rises

The moon dominated the sky as four friends trotted happily over the vast grounds surrounding the castle. Bright yellow it gleamed and its light draped the grounds with a majestic beauty that it held only upon a full moon. Stars danced merrily about the large orb of light, trying diligently to out do its splendor, but failing abysmally in attempt. So brightly did it illuminate the magnificent castle, the backdrop of a perfect scene, and break the blackness the lay all about the silent lands around.

If anyone had looked out of one of the windows encrusted into that great castle they would glimpse nothing but the loveliness of the moon and the perfect night around her. The lands would seem still and soundless and utterly perfect and picturesque. No one would glimpse the four figures moving about below, masked not only by a guise none could see through, but also by the black of shadow.

They met under the shadow of the deep woods. One stood waiting, a ghastly shape was he, outline against the trees beyond. Three others crept near to him, though to the eye they looked but two. Two great shapes they were that crept ever so silently, careful of any ears they may be listening for their secret was best left unknown. But in their presence, there was in fact another, small and quick, he scampered ahead to the friend that stood waiting. Animal like was their movement, for they were indeed animals, but human also. They crept with stealth as only animals could and met together under the radiance of the moon.

A great howl escaped from the great form of a werewolf and met the ears of the others. The sound, chilling and frightening to those who knew it not, also held a great beauty to it. It was indeed a call of joy from the man turned wolf. It was the joy of seeing his friends, the joy of knowing he did not bare his burden, his pain, alone.

"Moony please keep it down! Do you want some one to hear?" Only a tiny squeak escaped the form of the little rat but his words crossed the minds of all those present.

"Relax, Wormtail. No one is around." The Stag pawed playfully at the ground as he tried to calm his friend who had all too much anxiety.

"Yeah, no one's going to hear." A loud howl escaped the great dog's throat as if it was his proof to his nervous friend. The howl rang long and matched the intensity of the one that had sounded only minutes before. "So how you feeling Moony?" The dog further questioned his friend after silence had again been restored.

"Much better now that you guys are here," the wolfman answered truthfully. The pain of becoming a werewolf once a month was harsh and bitter. As the moon began to rise its presence was ever felt by the boy his friends had dubbed Moony. As it came to its height he could feel his appearance beginning to change, ever so slowly, ever so painfully. His senses became heightened; his hearing, his smelling, and sight. But the one thing that truly mattered, the one thing that kept him human, became clouded. His brain could no longer focus on anything but the silvery sphere, the way it gleamed and shimmered. His wolfish thoughts conquered his own and the beast took over. He knew not what he did on these occasions as his memory of them was very clouded and dim. The only part of his transformations he could afterward recall were the memories made when he was with his friends. They alone seemed to bring him back to himself and drive away the wolfish instincts. They made him human again.

Padfoot looked at his friend. His heart became heavy and poignant as it did every time he looked upon Remus when he was transformed. When they were with him he became less violent and much happier, but still not himself. Sirius could see it in his eyes. The pain of those transformations and of the life he had led, remained still in those deep green eyes. It was not fair, Sirius thought for Remus to be fated such. It was not fair for him to have to suffer so when all he offered the world was great love and passion.

But the world was an unfair place. He had learned that long long ago. Life was cruel to him, cruel to him just as it was to everybody who dwelt on the earth. But was it cruel to everyone? Sirius looked at Prongs beside him. James Potter did not see the brutality of the world; he did not see the harshness and pain. He had a family, one that cared. He was loved and had some one to love and trust and run to in times of need. Sirius had no one. But he could not condemn James because of that. James, Remus and little Peter Pettigrew were the only family he had; the only family that loved him.

"So what are you up for tonight, Moony?" Prongs cantered along side Moony joyfully. Full moons were his favorite time of the month as they were to all the members of the infamous Marauders. They meant freedom; freedom of rules, freedom of school, and the freedom to truly be themselves, unmasked and exposed.

"I'm not much in the mood for a trip to Hogsmaede, so how about a walk around the lake. The moon may be a curse but even I must admit I find it quite beautiful on a perfect night like this."

A faint growl escaped his lips but the others heeded it not, for when they had all transformed they could communicate with out words. Whether by a queer supernatural force or by a unique bond of friendship or some other unknown cause, they could understand perfectly what the others were saying without words or voice. This, although quite unexplained by either magic or muggle theory, was a very handy tool when all the Marauders were transformed.

"Good idea Moony," agreed Padfoot. "While we're down there Prongs could probably jump in and have a quick bath. By the smell he is giving off he hasn't had one in a week."

"Well hey now Padfoot, if I need a bath then you most certainly need a haircut," Prongs said in his defense. "That uncontrollable mop of yours is quite out of hand. Your mother would be ashamed."

"She already is." Sirius hung his great furry head as the though of his mother entered his mind. Ashamed was too kind a word to describe the feelings of his mother. Hatred was probably more true, or loathing. Whichever it was, was not very pleasant. Years of negligence and beating and shame filled glances whenever he entered a room was more than enough to make Sirius feel the same about his parents. He held a hatred for them that could not be known to any who had not suffered as he had. James knew but he did not rightly understand Sirius' feelings, he just could not. He could not know the pain his beast friend's heart housed.

"Sirius mate, I'm sorry," James began.

"It's okay. Don't worry about it. I know you didn't mean it."

James looked upon his best friend. Even then, in the form of a dog, Sirius was handsome. He had a charm no other could match, not even James himself. He was the envy of the school and every girl strived tirelessly to capture his attention, which was not very hard as he indeed had a great love of pretty girls. But also present, though not clear to all, was the sorrow in his eyes, in his face, in his language. Sirius put on a fake persona of strength and determination and was resolved to proving himself so, constantly. James had no doubt that Sirius was indeed the strong person he claimed to be, but also he knew that inside that tough guise was but a meek boy wishing to find the love he had long been denied.

"Come on," Padfoot continued. "I'll race you down to the lake for that swim!"

The stag smiled as well as any stag might, but Sirius sensing his joy let out another howl before racing down as fast as he might to the edge of the lake. He watched the moon's reflection dance upon the water as he waited for Prongs to catch up to him. All was still and silent and Sirius stood motionless and just gazed out across that lake and up toward the darkened castle. His eyes lay unfocused and his mind void of thought. He just let the peacefulness and tranquility of the night wash over him like the small waves below breaking upon his feet.

As he glanced across the lake he thought he saw a slight shadow against a large rock on the opposite shores of the lake. He peered hard in that direction but the darkness strained his eyes and he was unable to discern for sure what it is he saw.

Sirius shook his head and brought himself back to attention as thudding footsteps behind him told of James' approach. "It looks like you won this time Padfoot, but you won't be so lucky next time."

"While I guess if I decide to finally let you win," Padfoot smirked. "I always win Prongs. Not to disappoint you or anything."

"You flatter yourself Sirius, dear friend. But come on. We still haven't had that swim. Care to join us? Moony, Petey?"

"Ah, in there? It's probably freezing!" complained the tiny rat with a squeak. "I think I'll pass."

"How about you, Remmy? You always like a good swim." Sirius moved on to Moony, who stood just on the edge of the water.

"Sorry, Padfoot. I'm afraid I have to agree with Wormtail tonight. You two are going to end up in Madame Pomfrey's care if you go in that lake. It almost winter." Remus refused the offer with his usual warning of carefulness. He most among the Marauders thought about the consequences of actions before doing, while Sirius and James preferred to dive right in and sort themselves out later.

"Suit yourself," Sirius said as he followed James deeper into the water.

"Yeah, the water is lovely. You don't know what you're missing." James called, though Sirius was sure he was only saying it to prove a point, because the water was indeed very cold and had chilled Sirius within minutes of its exposure.

The next hour passed joyfully as Sirius and James ran back and forth between the icy water and their dry friends. The four engaged in numerous conversations that ranged from Quidditch to Sirius' latest girlfriend, Angalie, as the time passed, and just like time the shore of the lake was passing all too quickly.

"We're almost back up to the castle. I think it's time to call it a night," Moony advised when they had again fallen under the massive structure's shadow. Sirius knew that though Remus had made the suggestion of retiring to their beds, he dreaded the moment they would leave. Without them he knew the wolf would take control again, the pain would return and the agony. But he loved his friends dearly and knew that they could not stay any longer and avoid both trouble and revealing their secret. He knew they had to return up to the castle and stay not with him. But still he wished they could.

"I suppose you're right Moony," agreed Prongs as the walked along the side of the lake nearest the castle. "It is getting late."

"Wish we didn't have classes tomorrow. Then we could stay out in the Shrieking Shack with you," Padfoot agreed.

"S-s-st-stay, in the S-s-shrieking Sh-shack? Are you mad? That place is haunted," stuttered Peter as if he thought the idea ludicrous.

"How thick are you, Wormtail? You know that they only say it's haunted because of..." he trailed off as he looked at the friend whose name he had been about to say. His face had gone rigid and he twitched violently. His eyes lay focused on a spot some distance ahead. Sirius feared he knew what lay in his friend's vision.

Slowly he turned his head to the spot where Remus gaze fell. There sat a girl, no older than he and indeed no younger, as far as he could tell. She sat upon a large rock, arms wrapped around her knees, staring aimlessly out across the lake. The moon illuminated her face and revealed a look of deep thought mixed with intense sadness. At her side, he noticed lay a guitar, and he wondered if she had come out that night to play quietly into the darkness, as he often did.

Sirius did not wonder this long because a long howl erupted from his friend beside him. It rang long and chillingly, unlike the first he had sung that night. This howl was not a call of joy but a mark of the wildness retaking the heart and mind of Remus even as he fought it. It was a fight he could never win.

"James look! A girl!" shouted Sirius to the stag. "We must hold him back! We must warn her!"

James eyes too filled with fear as Sirius' heart had. They knew what could happen if they did not keep their friend from attacking. It would not only be the death of an unsuspecting victim, but ultimately the death of Remus himself. For surely the ministry would show no mercy to a werewolf, a half breed, a monster. They would pack him up and send him to Azkaban without trial or appeal, and there, the dementors, would devour him.

"Peter, hurry, and warn that girl! Change back if you have to! Just get her out of there and into the castle!" Sirius ordered.

"Me?" questioned Wormtail, obviously scared near enough to death. "Why me?"

"Because you great smelly rat, you would be no help to us trying to fight off a werewolf!" spat Sirius a little too harshly. "Now go before I tear you to pieces and feed you to the first cat I find!"

The rat ran off into the night squeaking madly. Little did his friends know that little Peter Pettigrew was already corrupted by the dark side.

The wolf then lunged. Remus was unable to fight himself off anymore. James leapt up on his hind legs and knocked the beast backward. He stumbled slightly and moaned but jumped again forward, wanting only to catch his prey.

To see Remus like this nearly broke Sirius' heart in two. To see the pain and torture of the curse he was destined to live with forevermore. To know that no matter what he could never help his friend, was grief beyond any other to the heart of Sirius, who had no others to love. To have to fight and his friend like this seemed too much like mutiny to be love, but Sirius knew it could not be helped.

He felt his teeth dig into the flesh of the werewolf as he attempted to pull him back away from the girl. He knew not if Peter had yet warned her and if they had reached safety but he could not let go, he could not risk it.

He felt one of the wolf's paws crash heavily upon his side. His howled as he felt the claws scrape across his back leaving behind long gashes that went deeply past the skin. The wolf threw Sirius from him and his already bleeding back crashed against a tree. Sirius moaned in pain as he watched James take over the duel with the beast, who only mere hours ago had been the image of Remus Lupin, one of his best friends, a Marauder, a handsome boy with ambitions and dreams. And now, now under the moon that he had deemed beautiful, was the full effect of his curse felt. He had become a beast, a monster; he was no longer human, but animal, cruel and vicious. As Sirius lay he cursed the moon and never again did he see its beauty, but only its evil, to turn those of kindness, fowl and horrid.

Sirius knew he was in pain but he couldn't feel it. In fact all his senses, usually heightened when he was transformed, were numb. He watched James hold off the wolf, but it was as if the world had slowed its pace, for they moved slowly and their images were distorted. Behind them he could see the castle, still dark and glorious, but it offered no salvation from the reality surrounding him. No one inside knew where they were and even if they did they would offer no help, but only more pain if their secret was found out.

Suddenly a loud neigh of defeat met the ears of Sirius, followed by a thud. He looked to where seconds before James had been fighting off the werewolf. Now the stag lay on the ground. He moved not and Sirius was unsure of whether he was unconscious or, dead. His fear was too great. He did not want to know, because if James was dead, then he too would be dead inside.

A scream echoed across the grounds. A sudden knowledge awoke inside of Sirius. The girl was still in danger. Remus was advancing her. Sirius moved as quickly as he could to his feet and as he did the strength that had momentarily left him, mounted again.

He passed the form of James' limp body with a glance. He could not bring himself to look at him just yet. Remus fast approached the girl. She let loose another scream and retreated further until her back lay against a giant rock jutting up from the ground. She held still the guitar Sirius had glimpsed earlier.

"Stupefy!" she shouted her wand pointed at his chest, casting the only spell she could think of. Red sparks hit him directly in the heart. The spell worked to no avail. The power the moon had wrapped around Remus was too great. The spell did nothing stop the beast from creeping ever closer.

She cried out again, no words did she seem to have, for fear has taken control of her mind. "Please don't hurt me!" she begged losing all her sense.

The wolf stopped momentarily. He held his head high to the moon and let out a great howl. Loud and long, it pierced the night sky. She sank to her knees against the stone wall blocking her way behind. Tears streamed down her face as she realized she had met the end of her short life.

The howl wavered and ended. The beast was now so close she could see the green of its eyes. Cold they were and animal like, but she would have sworn she had seen the before. They reminded her of something or someone. However that though gave way as she then glimpsed the huge teeth jutting from its mouth, barred and dripping with drool. Its fur, a dark brown stood on end as it was now so close to snatching his prey. A horrible growling met her ears and the tears poured forth more heavily. "Please, I don't want to die. Please," she begged. But her only reply was but another snarl from the beast.

She watched the horrendous creature crouch slowly as if to pounce on her. Knowing this was the end she did the only thing she could possibly think of. As the wolf sprang forward, she swung the guitar in hand heavily and smote the werewolf upon the head. The monster fell backwards and moaned loudly. The guitar had smashed upon impact and she now held but half the fret board while the rest of the fine instrument dangled uselessly below.

Her only weapon was now spent as she watched the beast climb slightly disoriented to its feet again. Anger was now etched across its ghastly face as it made to pounce once more. This time she knew for sure that this was it. She took one last glance at the castle before cowering as far down as she could and waiting for death. She hoped it would be painless, but she trusted not to that hope.

Sirius had seen all this as he raced as fast as his legs might to her aid. He saw Remus set himself to jump a second time. He forgot the pain in his back and thought of nothing but reaching that girl. He leaped just as Remus did, and crashed into the wolf in midair. Both crashed to the ground painfully. Remus growled at the dog that had stopped him from reaching his prey. Anger grew in the beast as Sirius attempted to drag him backwards again and stood between him and the girl he wanted. Remus swung madly and Sirius felt many blows break against his body.

He lost track of time as he held off the raging wolfman. He knew not whether the girl had escaped or James lived, all he knew was that he had to hold Remus off, he had to.

The beast lashed against him again and again, but he could feel no pain. Pain had left him long ago. He couldn't feel his skin tearing and his bones cracking under the pressure of the beating, but beatings were nothing new to him. Hadn't his father beat him just for the knowledge that he was his son? Hadn't his brother, Regulus, beat him for the shame of seeing his face? He hated them all and as the blows kept coming, his hatred mounted. Greater and great did it come until something awakened inside him.

Quite suddenly, and unexpectedly, he found a new strength from within himself. It was indeed the same strength that had helped his push his father off him, the same strength that made it possible for him to fend off Regulus. It was the same strength that encouraged him to forget about that disgusting people others called his family and dwell not on the pain they inflicted into his life.

He leaped in the air and caught the wolf off balance. They toppled backwards and when they hit the ground the head of the beast smashed against a rock encrusted in the ground. Sirius watched as Remus' eyes flicker shut as the blow had knocked consciousness from him.

Padfoot climbed tenderly off his friend, who now that the presence of the moon touched not, looked peaceful. The anger and hate that had built inside of him, now waned like the night at daybreak. As it left him, the pain, that blessed was at absence, finally came upon the dog. He moaned and stumbled as he tried to walk back to where the girl had stood defending herself.

He tried to navigate the rocky shores as best he might in the form of a dog, but his paws slipped on the wet stones and he staggered until, coming to him senses, he returned to human form. When he reached the rock, he saw that she lay unconscious beneath it. She was not wounded but fear had taken its toll upon her, and lifeless her body lay.

Sirius was able to see her face then, for the cursed moon illuminated it. She was beautiful. Her long brown hair was sprawled across her face and Sirius gently brushed it away. Her face though quite understandable pale, was softly carven and feminine, but also it also held a look of strength and even some would go so far to say a fierceness. Her soft cheeks were shaded a slight pink and her lips divinely red. She was slender and slightly tanned and Sirius estimated at least as tall as he. Her long eyelashes fluttered slightly in the wind and gave her a lovely look of one who was just waking.

As he scanned her face, though beautiful as it was, a slight frown creased his own. He had never seen her before, and most certainly she didn't go to Hogwarts. But where then did she come from and why was she about the grounds so late at night?

He wondered this question as he glanced at her face so fair, and the cool wind blowing through his hair, as dark as his name. The water splashed lightly upon the rocks and the trees filled the night with the soft sound of their rustling as the wind blew gracefully through them. Sirius was awed by the peacefulness of the grounds that only moments ago were filled with screams and the vicious sounds of battle. The last thing he remembered wondering was if James was alright.

James smiled as he looked down at Sirius. How like him it was to be found with a beautiful girl? His hair lay messy and robes torn and stained with his own blood. He looked terribly pale and not at all well, but still James smiled.

Ah Sirius, he thought, Will you ever change?

He crouched beside his friend, who lay draped over the girl, and muttered, "Enervate."

Sirius woke with a start. The memory of what had happened seemed far away and distant and he could not rightly remember how he had gotten to where he lay. He turned over and pulled himself up and as he did so he saw who had revived him.

"James!" he exclaimed at the sight of his friend, "I-I thought you were de..." He trailed off as he could not bring himself to say the words.

"Nope, only knocked out," he smiled. "Wormtail here came and roused me. You've only been out for a few minutes I think."

"What happened to Wormtail?" questioned Sirius. "How come he didn't warn her? How come he didn't get her to safety?"

"R-r-remus was already at-ttacking her," Peter whimpered in his defense. "I c-c-couldn't sa-save her s-so I h-hid."

Sirius angered at his small friend. "So you hid, you cowardly rat! You did nothing to save an innocent life?" You fled when-"

"Sirius." James now spoke calmly but firmly. "He couldn't do anything. It's not his fault."

Peter stood slightly behind James, as using him as a shield to fend off Sirius' anger. Peter short, squat and mousy when not transformed was the opposite of the rest of the Marauders. Fear was his middle name and Sirius had often wondered why the sorting hat had put him in Gryffindor. He had never really like Peter or fully trusted him. In fact he only called him friend because he pitied him. At the command of James though, Sirius dropped his anger and spoke not again of the cowardice of Wormtail.

"What happened to Remus?" questioned James.

"He's over there. I had to knock him out," Sirius pointed, as he replied once again composedly.

"What happened to her?" Peter questioned as he looked at the girl. She lay unconscious and still and on her face was etched a look that seemed to hold both fear and peace.

"Fainted," answered Sirius looking again at her pretty face.

"What should we do with her?" questioned Peter.

"We can't leave her here," said Sirius a little more strongly than he had intended.

James smiled crookedly at him. "Of course not," he agreed. "We'll have to take her up to the hospital ward. Madame Pomfrey will take care of her."

Sirius nodded. "But what about Remus?" he questioned.

"I don't think there is much we can do for him," replied James. "He won't be dangerous once the sun comes up and when he wakes he'll have enough sense to go back to the Shrieking Shack."

"It starting to get light out," observed Peter.

"Yeah, do you think you can stand, Sirius?" asked James. "I think we better hurry and get back inside."

"Yeah I'm fine," Sirius lied but was revealed as he pulled himself to his feet and uttered quiet wail as the pain in his body stung violently. He was surprise to see how much blood stained his robe and the ground around where he lay.

"You're not fine," protested James knowing full well that he would not persuade Sirius to visit the matron if he didn't want to. "You must see Madame Pomfrey."

"No, it's okay. Don't worry about it," Sirius replied a look of Pain etched on his handsome face. "Come on, let's go. She needs to get to the hospital ward more than I do."

James muttered a spell and the girl lifted elegantly into the air and drifted slightly ahead of him supported by his wand. He started slowly to maneuver his way back up to the castle. Peter followed his closely.

Sirius lingered though, for he glimpsed a few feet away the remains of the girl's guitar. He walked to where it lay broken and smashed, yet still it was charming and held still the beauty of the craftsmanship of which it was carven. Most would have deemed the instrument useless and left it but he could not for he had too great a love of music and song. Only those who knew the passion of music could know why he cared so about that instrument. He took out his wand and muttered, "Repairo." Obediently the ruined pieces of the wood reattached themselves to each other and the acoustic guitar again began to take shape. Sirius picked up the guitar, returned again to its former loveliness, and followed the others back up to the castle.

A.N.: Oh, I know how terrible this is. It's so cliché. I mean what Marauders story doesn't have a chapter where Remus almost kills some one and Sirius and James come to the rescue? I'm sorry but I thought this was a good way to introduce the characters on an emotional level instead of on a day to day level if you know what I'm talking about. The next chapter will be more creative I promise. Oh, and if you're confused by the guitar/music stuff don't worry, it will be explained next chapter. Please r&r! Thanks!