As I walked into the Headmaster's office I saw something terrible. What was going on? What a hideous green sock! And with orange pom-pom's on the toes yet! However would one

put on shoes? What sort of sick freak would knit those! No, I am afraid to say that that is not what I saw. Indeed, 'twas something far worse.

There, in the middle of the room, sat my parents.

They wore identical shocked looks on their faces. To their right was a kind-looking man who had a long silver beard and flowing violet robes. I knew he was the Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore; I had a few chocolate frog cards of him. On his right was i my /i Headmaster, a severe man with a deep frown on his face and furrowed brows.

Something strange was going on. My Headmaster, Professor Ivanian Nura, was very strict, but he wouldn't bring my parents over because I snuck out past curfew. i Seven o'clock /i for Heaven's sake, can you blame me? It's enough to drive anyone mad!

Professor Dumbledore stood up from his seat.

"Please take a seat. I understand you got a few scratches on your arms, Miss Palmer. Would you care to show us?"

I did not have the slightest clue WHAT on earth was going on, but I kept silent and showed them anyway, shaking back my sleeves quickly.

"Yes, that is exactly what I thought. Miss Palmer, do you know what that scratch is from?"

"Uh... it's from… some poisonous tree?" I asked tentatively.

"Sadly, that is not the case. Minerva? Could you please bring back Remus Lupin? He ought to be waiting at the bottom of the staircase."

A woman I hadn't seen before gave a curt nod and headed for the door. A few moments later she returned with a pale and slightly shaking Remus in her wake.

"Please have a seat, Remus," said Dumbledore considerately.

"Yes, Headmaster."

"As I have just told your parents and Headmaster, Miss Palmer, that is no ordinary scratch, and that was no ordinary wolf. That wolf was Remus, who is a werewolf. And that "scratch" is a werewolf bite."

He paused to let his words sink in.

I was stunned. There was no other word for it. My parents are going to be SO angry, I thought. Not for of sneaking out, like most normal parents would be. Oh no, it was because they were only concerned about being "untainted", as they loved to call it. The school I went to was for pure-bloods only.

Now I was part werewolf. Ha-ha. I was suddenly thrilled. My parents would kick me out,

I would be expelled from my idiotic school, AND I would get to live with my uncle. He had trying to save me from my stupid parents for years. They were, of course, attempting to poison my mind with their pure-blood mania. But they wouldn't give in.

That is, until now. I smiled vaguely. Uh, oh! They're staring. Better look concerned.

Remus was a different story. He looked like he might spew at any given moment.

My Headmaster stood up.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot allow a... a... i wolf /i in my school."

With those few words, he bid my parents a good day, turned on his heel, and left. They were absolutely furious.

"How DARE you-"

"This is all your fau-"

"Stop!" Remus interrupted, his voice choked.

"This is my entire fault. Do not blame her. I must have not locked the door to the passage or this might have never happened."

I felt a sudden surge of sympathy towards him. He must have felt i awful /i , the poor dear.

"Don't blame yourself. I should not have been there in the first place," I said, hoping to calm him somewhat.

"I don't care WHOSE fault it is! You are out of my house!" my father shouted.

"Fine," I said cheerfully, turning to exchange a grin with Remus, only to find he looked as pale as a ghost. I sighed and turned back towards my enraged parents.

"I hate it there, anyway. I'll move in with Uncle Eric," I finished.

Speak of the devil, Uncle Eric burst through the door.

"I'll take her! She does not need to stay with such unloving parents."

How on Earth did he know, you ask? He's a seer, and... er... he was also i quite /i talented at hearing every word we were saying through the door... I did not bother myself to speculate on how he even knew to BE there in the first place.

"Well, it is a little late for that. You can have her though," my father said coldly.

With those final words, he and my mother strode out of the room, noses in the air. I hoped they would trip down the stairs. Dumbledore rose to his feet and said, "It's not the way we usually accept students, but does she have your permission to attend Hogwarts?" I had almost forgotten he was there. I looked at my uncle hopefully, who looked like he had never been happier.

"Of course she can!"

He then turned to me.

"We will go to Hogsmeade tomorrow and get your new things!"

He walked over and enveloped me in a hug. But pulled back and blinked.

"Is she to stay here for the night? Will she be okay?" he asked, sounding more serious.

"It would be the best thing for her; we will talk about her illness tomorrow. Remus, could you escort her to the Hospital wing? I also would like you to show her to the Great Hall at breakfast so she may be sorted."

Seeing how he was incapable of speech, Remus just nodded. My uncle...er, I guess dad now...well Eric flashed a grin at me, and I felt a surge of comfort. Everything was going to be fine. He gave a wave to Dumbledore and left.

Remus stood up and offered a hand to help me up as well. As soon as we walked out the door, he began apologizing.

"Look, this is my fault. I don't care what you say; I could have killed you, for Merlin's sake!"

"Remus, relax. If it were not for you, I'd be at that school getting whipped for sneaking out. I'd rather be a werewolf."

"A what?!"

I didn't realize it, but the boys were still at the bottom of the stairs.

"He bit me, and I got kicked out of my pure-blood school. Oh! And my parents kicked me out. I'm going here now and moving in with my uncle!" I said quite cheerfully.

"Looks like a Marauder in the making! After a few trials, of course," said Sirius.

"Be serious, Sirius," laughed James.

"I'm already Sirius. Siriusly."

"I don't get it," said Peter.

"There is nothing to get." Remus hissed. "YOU two don't get the big picture. SHE IS A BLOODY WEREWOLF NOW! I COULD HAVE i KILLED /i HER FOR MERLIN'S SAKE!" Remus stated, his voice steadily growing louder.

"Calm down," I said, patting him on the arm.

He turned to me to say something and his eyes grew wide in shock.

"What happened to your eyes?" he asked, confusion etched upon his face.

"What do you mean?"

"They're...blue..."

i What? /i

"Don't be stupid Moony," said James. I sighed with relief.

"They're blue- i green /i ," Sirius finished, handing me a mirror.

"AUGH!" screamed I.

"She's must a Metamorphagus as well as a werewolf," said Peter quietly.

"First Sirius, and now PETER?! Am I the only not-too-smart one left?!" James yelled.

"No. I only know because my second cousin, twice removed's aunt's brother-in-law is a Metamorphagus," Peter said.

"Oh."

"Oh wow! That is SO cool! I wonder if I can do it again," I exclaimed.

"I doubt it," said Peter, happy to know something.

"It took him a long time to master it. I bet he will give you lessons, though."

I grinned and gave him a hug.

"Oh, so Peter and Moony can hug her, but I can't!" Sirius huffed.

"I hugged him, you moron," I rolled my eyes.

"Sounds like someone's jealous," said James. Then he looked past Remus.

"Who is that guy with Evans? Is that i Diggory?!" /i he scowled.

"Can we go now? It looks like Moony's gonna collapse."

It did look like he would, I was probably heavy. I tried to shift my weight, and I could nearly stand.

Sirius came over and helped, too. Suddenly, there was a voice right near us.

"Who's the new kid, Potter?" he sauntered over and smirked.

"I'm Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy. Seventh year."

"I'm Palmer, Lauren Palmer. Fifth year," I said, mimicking him.

"Really?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow, ignoring my tone.

"You might not want to stay around this lot. They're filthy blood traitors."

"Really?" I inquired, raising my eyebrows.

"Well, thanks for pointing that out. I'm going to stop speaking with them and join you, a total stranger, and be friends with you. Now tell me, just who do you think you i are?" /i

During the whole time, I had been getting the feeling back in my leg. I tried to walk towards Malfoy to yell at him more, but Remus led me away to the hospital wing.

"Don't want to mix with that lot. They are like your parents, no offense though; mine are worse," said Sirius.

As soon as we got there, Madame Pomfrey led me to a bed and put more potions on my arms. Luckily, they felt MUCH better this time.

A few games of Exploding Snap and a flagon of pumpkin juice later, the boys left for dinner.

After my (tasteless) dinner, I drifted off to sleep. Despite the sudden changes, I felt as though I had never been happier in my life.