Remus Lupin was not having a good day. He was currently sitting in the library and had been mindlessly re-reading the same paragraph in his textbook for the past half hour. Unable to absorb any of the content he ran a frustrated hand down his face. His troubles had all started about a week ago when James had been on another of his long winded tangents about none other than Lily Evans.

"I just don't see how she can be friends with a slimy git like Snivellus and not even speak to me. It's been three days what the hell did I do?" James had moaned, while Remus attempted to finish the remainder of his History of Magic essay. "It was a harmless prank for Merlin's sake! When is she going to stop being so sensitive about it and just forgive me already!"

Remus thoughtfully recalled the eventful potions class in which James and Sirius had decided it would be hilarious to add a handful of Blowfly wings to Severus' potion. Unfortunately Severus had been partnered with Lily during that particular potions class. It was decided that when Lily had gone to the front of the classroom to grab the ingredients needed in the potion, Sirius would distract Snape while James tampered with the potion. Everything had gone according to plan until Lily made an early return from the front of the classroom just as the potion had begun to become volatile. James had tried to warn her. Really, he had. However, by the time poor Lily had registered exactly what was about to happen the potion had exploded leaving her and Severus covered in the concoction.

"James she had purple hives and had to cut off a good amount of hair from the disaster." Remus deadpanned, looking up from his essay, and James withered under his reproachful stare. "I think she's more than entitled to be a bit cross with you."

"She wasn't supposed to be there though! Pete was supposed to keep her distracted up at the front!" James cried desperately.

"Come on mate, you're not still moaning about the potions incident." came the voice of Sirius as he stepped through the portrait door, Peter doddering behind him, and made their way to where their other friends were sitting around the massive fireplace. "Don't blame poor Wormtail here, it's not his fault he doesn't know how to talk to girls." he continued as he nudged Peter with his elbow. Peter gave him a sour look before taking a seat on the plushy maroon couch next to James. He began unwrapping a chocolate frog that had been in the pocket of his trousers for Merlin only knows how long, biting off the head in a brutish nature.

"I suppose your right. Ol' Wormy's never even had a girlfriend before." James snickered joining Sirius in his playful jesting towards their chubby friend. Peter turned redder than the couch he was currently occupying.
"Well Remus hasn't either!" he said defensively through a mouthful of chocolate frog. Remus had stopped scribbling away at his essay only to turn a similar shade of rouge.

Truth be told Remus had had the opportunity to date a few girls here and there through out his years at Hogwarts. However, he had either ignored or rejected them all. It wasn't as though they were ugly girls, some had actually been rather pretty, and unlike James he wasn't holding out for one particular girl to acknowledge his affections. No, Remus was simply afraid. Not of commitment, but of himself. A relationship was getting to know someone else on a more intimate level. It meant spending time with another person, and for Remus that was dangerous. Perhaps she would figure out his secret. He would be rejected of course, it was only natural. Just because his friends had been tolerant of his condition did not mean the rest of the world would. Being in a relationship meant accepting another person for their faults and loving every aspect of them, and who could love a monster? No, Remus would not put that kind of emotional baggage on some poor girl.

"That's true Moony you've never really been with a bird before have you?" Sirius said while scratching at the light stubble on his chin."I know its not for lack of interest on their part. Ursula Barnes said her friend Molly fancies the pants off you, you know, the one with all the freckles." he continued.

Remus was unsure if he should mention the reason behind his hesitance to pursue any girls. He learned early on that the Marauders had a knack for calling him out on his pity parties when it came to his condition. They would refuse to accept such an answer and force him to face his insecurities about his affliction head on. Probably set him up on a date with some poor girl without his knowledge or consent. Normally these uplifting gestures were appreciated, however when it would involve another person it was a dangerous risk to take. So when Sirius offered him an easy out to the question, he took it.

"Don't tell me your hung up on one bird like Prongs? I don't think I could handle another case of that." Sirius moaned in an over exaggerated manner, while James leaned over to smack Sirius about the head for the remark. The two began playfully tussling around the common room, whipping pillows at the others head when the opportunity arose.
"As a matter of fact thats exactly the reason." Remus muttered quickly turning his attention to scribbling at his essay once again. Hoping that his friends would not pursue the topic further.
"What!?" Sirius and James exclaimed simultaneously as they halted their play fighting to whip their heads towards Remus. 'Shit.' Remus thought.
"I-I was only joking." he quickly back tracked, cursing his own stupidity. Of course they would want to know more, it was Sirius and James for Merlin's sake.
"No, no, no, no! There's definitely a girl!" James exclaimed in an almost giddy manner as he came to sit on the desk right in front of where Remus was writing. Remus sighed heavily, the progress of his essay once again being halted by the confounding topic.
"Who is she Moony?" Sirius said wearing a shit-eating grin, joining James and leaning on the wood table. "Has she got a nice pair? Oh! Is it Mary McDonald? Have you seen the knockers on that one?" he continued with an elbow to Remus' side almost knocking him from his chair.
"No, look I was only saying that beca-" Remus had started only to be cut off by James.
"Oh wait I know! It's Raquel Dabbleforth!"
"No James it's not-" Remus tried again in an exasperated fashion.
"It's not Lily is it?!" James asked with a horrified expression.
"What? No why would I-"
"Oh thank Merlin You near gave me a heart attack there mate." James said with a breathy sigh before joining Sirius in throwing out more names. The two had gone through almost two thirds of Hogwarts' female population before a frustrated Remus had decided to simply throw out a name. Someone that was rather inconspicuous. Someone who Sirius and James would be unfamiliar with.
"Well if it's not Polly Hanowitz then it's got to be Ava Rat-"
Someone like…
"MARLENE MCKINNON!" Remus exclaimed interrupting Sirius' latest guess.
"Who?" James said bewildered.
'Perfect' Remus thought with a smirk as he happily went about continuing his essay. Soon they would forget about all about the conversation topic and everything would return to the norm. Or so he had hoped.
.

Not even three days after the incident, Sirius had strutted up to him sporting a massive grin while his eyes twinkled with impish delight.

"I found her." he said with a devious look.
"Found who?" Remus replied in a bewildered tone. Confused as to who it was Sirius had so proudly managed to locate. Unless it was…
"Oh no." Remus moaned as his latest nightmare had been given life.
"Oh yes!" Sirius exclaimed his eyes dancing with mischief. "I found Marlene McKinnon. She's cute Moony. A little on the small side for my taste but still." Sirius said as he ruffled Remus' sandy locks.
"Is there anyway I could convince you not to share this with James, and pursue whatever it is you have planned" Remus brushing Sirius' hand away with irritation.
"Nope." Sirius called making his way up the stairs that led to the boys dormitories to share his latest discovery with Peter and James.
.

Since Sirius' unfortunate discovery, the three boys had taken to forcing he and Marlene together at every given opportunity. Whether it was pushing him into her in the corridors or jinxing her book bag to rip open spilling the contents everywhere, only to have Remus help her pick them back up out of guilt. Sirius had taken to implementing a favourite spell of his that created a rather strong gust of wind making the poor girls skirt fly up dangerously high, whenever she happened to be walking in front of them. So much so that she had taken to wearing a pair of shorts underneath the garment.

He really did feel bad for Marlene she was a sweet girl from what Remus had gotten out of their brief conversations. A little shy if anything, certainly not the type of girl to have earned the harassment she was currently being showered with.

His thoughts were interrupted by the rustic creaking sound of the library door opening signalling the arrival of someone. He glanced up from where he had been glaring at the table only to find the very object of his thoughts cautiously entering the library. She closed the door softly in an effort to keep the old doors creaking to a minimum. She began around the library for an empty table only to have her eyes widen and a look of fear wash over her features as she spotted Remus. Without a moments hesitation she spun around and tugged the giant door back open only to exit in a hurry. Remus instantly felt bad the poor girl was probably terrified of being bombarded with practical jokes as she had been the past week or so. Gathering his things quickly and shoving them in his bag he made to follow her.

"Marlene!" he called out to her as her little legs scampered down the corridor her head down and one hand on the rear hem of her skirt.
"Marlene wait up!" he called again as he switched to a light jog, his long legs powering him forward to reach her side. He reached out to gently grab her shoulder in an effort to stop her and she jumped at the contact before turning to face him. She was trembling before him, head lowered as she scrunched up her face as though she was waiting for a rather painful hex to be delivered.
"Marlene, look I know the past week has been rough on you and I just wanted to say-"
"It's not funny you know." He heard a soft voice mutter as it stopped his apology. He looked down but could only make out the crown of her blonde locks from his height, her face still lowered refusing to look him in the eye.
"I'm trying to be a good sport about it all." She continued. "I-I may not have been very n-nice to him but I hardly think it warrants this sort of treatment." her voice cracking towards the end.
"What?" Remus said with a confused stare.
"Sirius," she said softly in a miserable tone "that's why you're all doing this aren't you? Because I wouldn't let him sit and smoke his cigarette under the oak tree." Finally, looking up to meet his curious gaze. Remus was horrified to find her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Remus never did particularly well with crying, particularly crying girls. It made him uncomfortable and he was rather oblivious as to what to do.

"It's not funny." she whispered again letting one of the tears fall to cascade down her pale cheeks that had been dusted red - irritated from the salty water trailing down them. Remus felt his gut twist in guilt at the thought he was the cause for her distressed state.
"No it's not Marlene, I know that. This isn't about Sirius. You didn't do anything wrong this is all my fault. This ones on me." He said looking away from her and awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. Marlene looked at him with confusion and let out a shaky breath. The past week of Hogwarts had been less than ideal for her. She had taken to skipping meals and taking longer routes to class solely to avoid the barrage of jinxes being sent her way from the four boys. She hardly thought her admonishing of Black's nasty habit had earned her the full ire of the Marauders yet she could not manage to produce another explanation as to why they had chosen to target her. Nor could she comprehend as to why Remus may have been at fault for her current tormenting. As far as she was currently convinced he seemed to be the only half descent one of the bunch.

"It's going to stop though Marlene, I swear it! This has gone on quite long enough." Remus continued chancing a glance down to her tiny figure, where he felt a jolt reverberate through his body. Her neck was craned to look up into his face, her eyes large as saucers gazed at him with unfiltered hope and trust. As if she truly believed he could right all of her problems with the flick of his wand.
"It will?" she questioned softly, never breaking her penetrating stare. She trusted him to make things better. Remus felt the weight of her gaze and the tips of his ears began to burn in embarrassment. He quickly looked in the other direction breaking the brief connection they shared with an awkward cough.
" have my word Marlene." Remus replied swallowing thickly, chancing a small smile in her direction which came out as more of a tight grimace much to his dismay. However she hardly seemed to mind as he heard her breathe a heavy sigh of relief.
"Thank you Remus, you really are a good person you know." She said with a small smile in his direction. Gone were the heavy tears spilling from her eyes and Remus felt the twisting pressure in his stomach instantly release.

Had he been in a better mood, Remus could have laughed at the irony. Here was little Marlene McKinnon, who was almost the embodiment of innocence, telling him he was a good person. His thoughts took a darker turn as he realized; if only she could have known what lay just beneath the surface, she would have been running in the opposite direction screaming in horror. Remus returned her smile with a slightly bitter one of his own as they both made their way back to the common room a comfortable silence falling over the two, leaving Remus to stew in his thoughts. Without pity or judgement in her gaze, 'a good person' she had said. Remus could have scoffed at the idea. Some nights he barely considered himself to be a person at all, let alone a good one. Very few people had looked at Remus Lupin in such a manner as Marlene had. He was mostly accustomed to glances of pity from family members and even occasionally his friends, though they had made an effort to be discrete about it. If someone felt particularly bold, he was also familiar with people blatantly staring at the rugged scars that twisted and wound along his face. Disgust, fear, sadness, sympathy. Remus was familiar with them all. In the strangest of ways, Marlene's wide eyed stare brimming with trust, filled him with a rare almost incomprehensible feeling. He felt needed and useful. So often was he used to being the one looked after, whether it was from his friends or the strict matron in the hospital wing, he was constantly relying on others. Yet, here was little Marlene McKinnon vulnerable, and choosing to rely on him. It made him feel... good.

Upon arriving at the Gryffindor commons, Marlene gave Remus a small nod before heading up the stairs leading to the girls dormitories, while Remus began a slow trek in the opposite direction to confront his friends. He did not particularly relish in the idea of confrontation especially with the boys who had done so much for him. There was once a time where he had been scared to put a single toe out of line in fear they would abandon him and he would be left alone to brood in isolation. Yet the years of unshakable companionship were a testament to their solid friendship. They were a close knit group and there was not much that could come between the four boys. In fact, Remus was usually the one to speak up when a joke had gone too far, and in most cases the others had the good sense to respect his decision. With a resigned heavy sigh Remus knew it was high time he came clean to his friends, in hopes they would leave the poor girl alone.

Approaching the wooden door to the bedroom he shared with the others, Remus heard the unmistakable loud noises that told him his friends were inside- followed by a few crashes and the sound of furniture scraping against the hardwood flooring. While Remus often preferred a quiet atmosphere, he would be lying if he said he did not find some semblance of comfort in the warmth their noisiness created. Letting a small smirk fall onto his features as he thought of his best mates he reached out to pull the door open only to be greeted by a peculiar sight inside the room. The room itself was an absolute disaster, although that was to be expected of his roommates. Over the years at Hogwarts Remus had discovered that he was really the only one of the group who prioritized cleanliness. However his efforts to keep the dorm in any sort of organized state were in vain, as the other three boys were shockingly good at returning it to its chaotic mess. Sometime around third year Remus had given up on trying to keep the place tidy and instead sufficed for ensuring his section of the room was at least presentable. Yet it was not the state of the room that caused him to have a near panic attack at the sight that greeted him. As Remus entered the room his eyebrows shot to his hairline and he quickly scrambled to slam the door shut behind him. There in the middle of the room was a large black dog tumbling around with a giant stag who had what appeared to be a curtain tangled in its antlers, while a small rat scurried up the side of the banisters attached to the beds to avoid getting trampled. At the sound of the door shutting the animals froze in their rough housing to look at the pale wide eyed boy in their door way. While Remus was not so much shocked at the animals themselves, but rather the audacity that they would be in the middle of the dorm in broad daylight.

Upon discovering his condition in second year his friends had made it their goal to offer any help they could to make his transformations easier. The full moons had often left him with a litter of new scars as he had nothing to take out his aggression on but himself when he had been cooped up in that small shack, it took quite a toll on him. Every morning after the transformation was over his friends would wake up before the crack of dawn to sneak out to the shack. They would bring bandages, blankets, and his personal favourite; chocolate. However upon seeing their friends battered body they had always desired to do more for him, this in turn lead them to research other ways to help Remus. The sheer shock had nearly paralyzed Madam Pince when she discovered James and Sirius quietly researching books at a table in her library. It had taken her two whole weeks of watching them like a hawk as they poured over various texts for her to determine that they were not in fact up to their usual tricks. However, despite her careful watch of the two boys she neglected to actually notice the books they were so interested in. In their hours of research James had been the one to discover that a werewolf bite would not affect other animals. This lead them to stumble upon the idea of becoming animagi- a wizard or witch who could transform into an animal at will. The notion of becoming an animagus at such a young age was simply unheard of. It often took wizards nearly their entire lives to perfect the skill. His friends had mastered it in just over three years. Through sheer determination the boys had pushed themselves to their limits to master the skill, not to say that this was done without any hiccups. Remus could distinctly recall a time where Peter had been stuck with a rat tail for a solid week before finally managing to rid himself of the extra appendage. Just nearing the completion of their fifth year the boys had managed to become fully fledged animagi. Sirius had been the first to perfect his form of a large black dog, followed shortly by James who had become a regal stag. And only a few weeks after, Peter had gained the ability to transform into a rat. If they had been properly registered by the Ministry, Remus was positive they would be the youngest animagi in history. It truly was a feat of sheer genius. However, Remus thought with contempt upon looking at the three animals before him 'genius' was hardly the word that came to mind.

"By Merlins beard! What in bloody blazes are you three doing?! What if it hadn't been me who walked in? How were you planning to explain three animals galavanting around the common room?" Remus said in an exasperated tone while pinching the bridge of his nose. At his words the massive canine jumped towards the nearest bed before morphing into his friend midway through.
"Relax Remus! James put charms on the doors to keep anyone thats not us out way back in second year." Sirius said with a smirk gesturing over to James who had now transformed back to his human form and was sitting on the ground covered by the curtain that had previously been entangled in his antlers.
"Yeah, nothing to worry about mate!" He said throwing off the red fabric and adjusting his glasses. Remus scoffed before seating himself on his own bed as Peter let his rotund form slide down the bannister he had climbed up.
"What if I had been with someone?" Remus said with a pointed look at the three.
"Like who? Marleeeene!" Sirius said with a wink nudging James who had joined him on his bed. Peter snickered at Sirius' words, but that was typical for him. Pete had always been seeking Sirius' approval since back in first year. While everyone considered Peter a friend Sirius had a bit of a habit as treating him as the groups personal whipping boy. Then again, he supposed the all had at some point or another. Peter didn't seem to mind all that much he was more or less happy to be included and he knew his friends would have his back in any given situation.
"No not like Marlene." Remus snapped back before continuing in a heavier tone. "Listen I need to talk to you about that."
"Looking for girl advice there Moony? You've come to the right place!" James quipped with a large grin, puffing out his chest in a manner that was both joking and typically arrogant James.
Sirius let out a loud snort at his words.
"You're hardly any expert Prongs! Tell me when was the last time you spoke to Evans without her trying to hex your bullocks off?" He said with a laugh before shoving James off the bed.
"No, no it's nothing like that. I need you to lay off Marlene alright?" Remus said looking sternly at the other occupants in the room.
"Oh come on Moony we're just providing you with opportunities to play the hero. You know, help pick up her books and what not. Stuff to make you look good." James said picking himself up off the floor and lightly smacking Sirius upside the head before sitting down on his own bed.
"Well, that's not how she sees it. She thinks we're bullying her. Something to do with Sirius and some sort of tree." Remus said mildly confused before casting a glance over at Sirius' lounging form. At Remus' words Sirius burst out in his barking laughter.
"Pfft! We're hardly bullying anyone, she's just being over sensitive. It's nothing but a few harmless pranks. Besides she got her precious tree back." Sirius said with a thoughtful grin, recalling the events under the old oak.
"Sirius she's genuinely upset about this. She was crying!"
"Well thats just stupid! She really needs to learn to toughen up at some point. Merlin Moony you fell for a barmy one. Crying because of a couple little practical jokes." Sirius said with a scoff.
"I didn't- She's not barmy! Marlene is just... more fragile than other people." Remus defended with a sharp look in Sirius' direction.
"Hope she can handle all your wolfy love bites!" Peter called with a lecherous grin making all the other boys laugh.
"I don't even like her like that! I was just saying it to get you guys off my back! I didn't think you'd actually meet her!" Remus voiced as his cheeks began to burn at the thought. Remus had never been comfortable when conversation drifted in to this sort of territory. "She's just a friend." He continued.
"Alright Moony we'll lay off. You really need to find yourself a bird someday though." James replied reaching into his trunk to grab his polishing kit, before setting away to shining the new Cleansweep 500 his parents had given him for his birthday.
"What?! Oh come on Prongs we were just having a little fun! Besides she going to need to develop a thicker skin at some point. There are worse things out there than us." Sirius finished in a dark tone. The rooms atmosphere became heavy as the three boys thought of the events that had been popping up in the Daily Prophet. There had been a series of planned attacks on muggle born individuals in the Wizarding Community that appeared to be connected to a particular group. The attacks had become more frequent as of late and had set many wizards on edge, it was clear something was brewing in their midsts. Most recognized it was only a matter of time before an all out war ensued.
"Well we hardly have reason to be the ones to give it to her. We barely know the girl. She's sensitive to this sort of stuff." Remus said softly breaking through the silence.
"S'not like she's made of glass Moony!" Sirius replied in an aggravated tone.
"She's a nice girl Sirius, leave her alone."
"Fine, fine! We'll leave her alone. But you know... she might be tougher than you give her credit for Moony." He said with a devilish smirk as he thought of the sour look on her face and knocking knees, as she confronted him for enjoying his cigarette. Remus replied with a pointed look as if telling him not to push this theory. With light chuckle Sirius proceeded to walk over to ruffle Remus' hair earning an annoyed yelp as he tried to fix it back into some semblance of tidy. Eventually the boys fell into their usual routine of goofing about with one another.
As if unconsciously sensing that she would no longer be under fire, Marlene McKinnon slept soundly that night.