BTW: Lucius was a seventh year in that last chapter, not first. I didn't exactly make that clear, lol.

Featherlegs

by angellwings

Chapter Two: The Secret of the Werewolf

They had all survived through first year splendidly. Sirius and Vivian had even survived two very vicious howlers from their mother. Both had grinned while their mother's shrill voice filled the Great Hall during lunch.

But this was second year. A new year. She was already growing concerned about some of the members of her circle. Specifically Remus. He was pale, and tired looking. He disappeared once a month every month to visit various ill relatives, and came back with mysterious bruises and cuts. Every one was a result of a fall or an accidental cauldron to the head. It was very sketchy in her oppinion.

This had happened last year, but she had never really thought about it. She thought his grandmother or whoever really was sick, and next year he wouldn't have to make those trips, but she was wrong. He was still making those monthly trips.

She knew Sirius and James had begun to suspect something as well.

James and Lily still went at it constantly. He would say something cocky and she would reply in a rude fashion or he would prank a slytherin and she would scoff. It had all become rather routine.

Peter had become more of a part of the group, suddenly. He was constantly tagging along behind James or Sirius. He was a nice boy, but he seemed to be quite a suck up. She wasn't sure what she thought of him. She was nice to him of course, but she never really trusted him.

Lily and Remus had been spending more time together. They studied in the library constantly. No one knew what they were studying. Remus and Lily always finished their work immediately after class so they couldn't be working on that potions essay Slughorn gave out so generously. She was often seen throwing Remus encouraging and supportive looks from across the table or room during lessons or meals. Vivian was quite curious as to what was going on with her sensible and quiet friend.

She sighed and continued her trek to the Fat Lady, but as she rounded a corner she heard Lily's unmistakable voice.

"Have you told them yet, Remus?"

"No I can't. What if . . ."

"I can't believe I'm saying this . . . but Black and Potter are your friends. They obviously care about you. They won't care what you are as long as you stay who you are. I think you should tell them, and if it all goes wrong then we'll come up with a memory charm or something. You should try regardless."

"Yeah, of course, I'll just say 'by the way mates I'm a werewolf, might want to stay clear of me once a month'" Remus snapped sarcastically.

Her eyes went wide. That explained everything. She supposed she should be scared or some other ridiculous emotion, but she just couldn't be. This was Remus after all. He was one of the sweetest boys she had ever met.

"Wouldn't be any different than anything I've told them." She found herself saying as she stepped around the corner.

Remus' face turned red, and Lily chuckled, "See what I mean. They won't care."

"I didn't know you were there." He murmured.

"I didn't tell you I was there." She told him with a grin, "and besides I'm glad I was. I was really worried about you you know."

"You were?" He asked in shock.

"Yes, every time you left you came back pale, and scratched to pieces. At least now it all makes sense, and I know what's been happening. Not knowing is so horrible. James, Sirius, Peter, and I have been worried to death. We thought about confronting you, but thought in the end if we needed to know you'd tell us." She said sincerely as she went to stand in front of him.

"I-I'm sorry for worrying you . . ."

"Please, Remus, it's what friends do." She told him with a bright smile, "Now, about telling the others . . ."

He groaned, and Lily glared at him, "Remus, you have got to tell them."

"I know, I know" He said quietly.

"Do you want me to help? I could, if you wanted me to, that is." She suggested awkwardly.

He gave her a small smile, "I would appreciate that, Vi."

She smiled brightly again, "Alright then, what are you waiting for? Let's go. I believe we'll be able to find the others in the room of requirement."

"Room of Requirement? What are they doing in there?" Lily asked with narrowed eyes.

"Sirius has something he has to tell the group in secret." She fibbed. Too bad Lily could see right through her.

"I'm sure he does." Lily said with an arched eyebrow.

"Yes," She said with a gulp, "Well, we better be going."

She looped her arm through Remus' and hurried along the corridor.

"What are they really doing in that room?" Remus asked her with a secretive grin.

"Plotting their next attack on the Slytherins, of course. But I couldn't tell Lily that. She would lecture me to no end."

"No offense, but you are really bad at lying. And knowing Lily she'll lecture you anyway."

"No need to tell me that, I am fully aware." She said as the room appeared and they entered.

"Who's there?" She heard Peter call in a shaky and nervous voice.

"Merlin, will the three of you relax!" She said as she pulled Remus further into the room.

"Oh, it's you." Sirius said as he crawled out from behind one of the overstuffed arm chairs.

"Nice to see you too, dear brother." She said sarcastically with a roll of her eyes, and a grin in Remus' direction. He looked scared stiff. She squeezed his arm with her hand, and smiled softly at him.

"I- I need to tell you all something," He said in a voice that sounded so much like Peter she had to look to make sure it was Remus that was indeed talking.

"What's up, mate?" James asked as he sat down across from Remus.

Remus told them his news including the story of when and how. He been bitten as a little boy by Greyback. Everyone knew who Greyback was. Most thought he was folklore invented to keep children from wandering alone, but he was very real according to Remus.

"Brilliant!" Sirius said cheerfully at the end of Remus' tale. He gave Vivian a confused glance and she shrugged her shoulders in return. She didn't pretend to understand her brother's method's of thinking, "Not that, you know, you turn into a snarling beast every full moon, but at least I know it's a normal thing, well sort of."

She smiled at her brother and his lack of proper vocabulary.

"Did you know?" Potter asked Vivian suddenly.

"I found out just before you all did, I sort over heard him talking to Lily about it." She said tossing Remus a pride filled smile. He had actually done it, and now he could breath easy. She didn't understand why but she felt such pride in him at that moment.

"You told Evans before you told us?" Potter asked indignantly.

"Please, you know Lily. She figured it out on her own." Remus said in an amused tone.

Vivian realized Peter had yet to say anything, and looked in his direction. She wasn't surprised to find him shaking slightly and standing back away form Remus, Potter, Sirius, and Herself. She rolled her eyes and walked toward him.

"Relax, Pettigrew. He won't Bite. At least not until the next full moon." She whispered to him disdainfully. Really, he was going to make Remus feel badly about everything, "Besides he's your friend isn't he? Pull your self together if not for yourself than for Remus."

He nodded and relaxed. The shivering stopped, and he inched himself closer to the group.

"So you go up to the Shrieking Shack, all alone?" She asked as she returned to stand beside him.

"Yeah, but I'm too much animal to really notice that I'm alone." He sad in a bitter tone.

"I wish I could turn into some sort of animal. Then I could go up there with you." Sirius said as he plopped back down in the arm chair.

"You know that's not a bad idea." James said thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?" Peter asked in a confused tone.

"I read somewhere about people who could turn themselves into animals . . ."

"Blimey, James, do you EVER study? That was Dark Arts and we had an entire week of lessons on the animagis. Great Merlin, I can honestly say I don't know how you make the marks you do." Vivian said in exasperation.

"We could become one of them. Learn how to turn ourselves into animals." He said completely ignoring Vivian's remarks.

"You do realize that it's not some simple hex you read about in a book right?" She asked incredulously.

"Blimey, James, that's brilliant!" Sirius said as he too completely ignored Vivian.

"Bloody hell, Remus, am I wearing an invisibility cloak or something?" She asked him sarcastically.

He laughed and shook his head. Sirius and James clamored out of the room with Peter tailing along. Remus stepped aside to let Vivian exit first. She smiled and nodded her thanks as they left. It was very rare for her to be treated like an actual girl.