Chapter 7

I could tell the guys weren't happy with me following them, but I wasn't going to leave. When dawn came, the werewolf began its change and I couldn't help but be sad. I knew of the thoughts going through his mind and could feel the pain as if it was my own; I was the lucky one though. I didn't have to go through that.

The stag, dog and rat shifted into human form after Remus had completed his transformation and they looked at me with anticipation. I felt the wolf form melt away and looked up into the shocked faces of the Marauders.

"Dom?" Sirius asked.

"Who else, Sirius?" I replied.

I looked over at Remus who had turned his head away from me. "I don't care, Remus." His head shot round at my comment. "It doesn't bother me, so don't you dare think otherwise. Okay?" Remus gave a small nod before I threw my arms around him in a hug.

"You never said you were an animagus," James asked after I had let go of Remus.

"Neither did you."

"….touché."

"We haven't seen you around before." Sirius asked me, as we walked back up to the castle.

"Well, the grounds are pretty large and I haven't seen you before either." I noticed how things were a little awkward around Sirius; maybe showing myself wasn't a good idea.

"They needed to know." Faolan said, "Especially Sirius."

I didn't reply, but I knew she was right. Sirius deserved to know. Perhaps I'll talk to him later when he's alone. The five of us walked in silence up to the hospital wing, where Madam Pomfrey fussed over Remus.

"Sirius? Can I have a word?" I asked.

"Sure."

I lead Sirius out of the hospital wing and over to a small alcove in the corridor.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to spring this on you." I said, keeping my head down.

"It was definitely a shock to see you, Dom, but you don't need to be sorry."

"I know, but things have been a little awkward this morning and I just feel that perhaps I should have done it differently." I said, leaning against the wall.

Sirius grabbed my hand and I looked up at his face. "I was shocked, Domino, not angry. Don't look so upset." I gave him a small smile. "I'm happy you accepted Remus so quickly."

"I know what it's like to be different."

Before Sirius could question me on my comment, James, Remus and Peter came out of the hospital wing and the five of us headed to the common room.


"So, they were perfectly fine with it?" Penny asked me later that day.

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. They were quite happy."

"You know maybe you should go lie down for a bit; I'll take notes for you." Penny asked with concern.

I laid my head back down on the desk and muttered, "No, no, I'm fine. Honestly." I didn't have to look at Penny to know she was giving me a look of scepticism and truth be told I was shattered after staying up all night. I was determined, however, to stay awake.

Penny guided my out of History of Magic and, from what I could remember of my timetable, towards Potions; but don't quote me on that.

When lunch rolled by, Penny sat me down at the Gryffindor table and placed a plate of food in front of me.

"How are you this fine day, Dom?" A far too cheery voice sung from beside me. I was too far gone to recognise the voice and it wasn't until an arm snaked its way around my waist, that I realised it had to have been Sirius. "Dom?"

"Urgh! How do you do it?" I muttered quietly, my face now planted on the table, dangerously close to my plate.

"Do what?" he asked.

"Stay awake."

"You get used to it after a while."

"Thanks, that's really helpful."

"Well, there's no need for the sarcasm!" He said, taking his arm from around my waist.

I suddenly felt very uncomfortable and grabbed his arm to put it back around me. It was weird; I had feelings for Sirius and he clearly had them for me and ever since that kiss we've become closer. More couple-like and it hadn't gone un-noticed.

"Oh, get a room!"

I turned towards the voice and saw Emily stood with her hands on her hips. Emily was generally pretty quiet; always caught up in her dreams. Since the Hogsmeade trip and becoming and item with Peter, she has definitely come out of her shell more; I liked it, it suited her.

There had been a number of changes to the dynamic of our group, since the trip to Hogsmeade, not just Emily. Much to the surprise to everyone Lily had finally agreed to go out with James; when she said 'yes', James fainted and had to be carted off to the hospital wing for risk of concussion.

Sirius' ego had gotten bigger; if that was at all possible and the two of us were very close.

Penny and Remus were constantly on edge around each other, even though they both clearly had feelings for the other. I'd told Penny about the Marauders; I didn't like telling her about Remus, it wasn't my secret to tell but since I'd told her about my first encounter with them, if I had only told her about James, Sirius and Peter she'd have worked out that Remus was the werewolf. She has happy enough, telling me what I'd told Remus; that she didn't care, that she would stand by him through it all. Penny was waiting for him to tell her himself, when he was ready.

I knew Remus was battling with himself. He clearly cared for Penny but he didn't want to hurt her; he didn't want to hurt anyone. I knew how he must have been feeling; even telling someone that you're a werewolf is a dangerous thing, especially if they don't accept it. I'd lost a friend because of the wolf and it's something I don't ever want to go through again.

I managed to swallow down some toast before lunch was over and everyone headed off towards lessons. When I stood up to leave, I could have sworn I had felt someone watching me but looking round the Great Hall, I could see anyone looking at me. I shook it off as my lack of sleep and followed my friends to Transfiguration.


"Am I boring you, Miss O'Connor?"

"Huh?"

"Am I boring you?"

I blinked a few times, trying to take in the blurry figure in front of me. Sirius elbowed me in the ribs, causing me to sit up straight and that's when I saw who had spoken. McGonagall, shit.

"Well?"

"Sorry Professor, I didn't sleep well last night."

"Hmm. Please pay attention, Miss O'Connor. Your OWLs are just around the corner and I will not have a student fail. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Professor. Sorry."

Penny chuckled as McGonagall walked away.

"Hush your gums!" I hissed, which just made her chuckle more. McGonagall continued with the lesson and I tried to concentrate but my focus kept slipping and I'd stare off into space before coming back round and wondering why she'd skipped half the lesson. She hadn't…I had.

A small piece of paper was shoved under my nose and my first thought was to glance at Sirius, but he was busy whispering with James. When I looked down at the paper, I recognised the curly writing as Penny's.

You still haven't told me about what happened in Divination the other day. Don't tell me you forgot! You looked so shocked, I didn't want to say anything but well, I need to know what happened! X

I had forgotten and now that she'd mentioned it, the horrible feeling that I'd felt in Divination had come back. I felt sick at the memory and did my best to scribble a quick reply.

Sorry Pen, I honestly forgot. I can't really tell you about it now but I will. Easter is probably the best time, at the wedding. I don't know what to make of it Pen, it really shook me up. X

I passed the note over to Penny and watched her face contort into a frown.

What was it that shook you, Dom? Was Sirius really that bad at Divination? X

I smiled at her attempt at making me feel better and wrote down a short reply.

Trelawney made a prediction. X

? POV

She'd been out last night, I could tell. She'd been asleep in most of her lessons. Normally she doesn't stay out all night; I wonder what made her stay out?

I chuckled when her head hit the table beside her plate, which got me a few odd looks from my table.

The small smile on my face quickly vanished when Black sat down next to her. I saw him put his around her slender waist and it made my blood boil. I'd heard she was going out with Black; who hadn't, but I hadn't believed it. I guess it's true.

I felt my grip tightening on my hold of the edge of the table and only released my hands when I felt a warm liquid drip down my fingers. Looking down, I saw I had splintered the table slightly and a few slivers of wood had pierced the skin on my fingers.

I got up without any notice from my house mates and decided to take a walk to the hospital wing.

I will get her back. One way or the other.

AN: Who was watching her? They clearly know what she is, but how? Let me know what you think. More about Domino's past will be revealed soon!

Okay, so in a moment of utter stupidity I have entered NaNoWriMo! This will be the first time I have done it, so, come November 1st I will be writing like a mad-woman trying to get my 50K words out. Perhaps I should have waited until next year? Wish me luck!