AN: Chapter 9. Confession time.

Using all her experience in the DA, Mya set about teaching the Marauders all sorts of defensive and offensive spells. They knew a wide range of jinxes, but not much else that would actually be useful in a fight. Despite this, they didn't immediately see the point of Mya's training.

"If you can't defend yourselves, what's going to happen if you end up in a fight with Voldemort or his Death Eaters? You'll lose, that's what!"

She'd never had an outburst like that since falling through time and ending up in the past. Harry and Ron were used to it by now, and knew what to do when she lost her temper. The Marauders and Lily, however, were shocked.

"Well, someone has got a temper." The comment was made in a snide voice that seemed somehow familiar, but she couldn't place it. Or, at least, not until james got involved.

"Why don't you get lost, Snivellus?"

Hermione turned round to face the young Severus Snape. He hadn't changed an awful lot in twenty years - the hair was still greasy, the nose oversized. The only thing currently missing was the bat-like cloak.

"James, let me deal with this."

Before Snape had time to react, she'd cast several hexes and banished him from their spot by the lake all the way back to the castle. Looking rather smug, she sat down.

"I always wanted to do that."

"What do you mean, always?" Lily looked confused for a moment. "Oh, I get it. He's one of the people you know in the future, right?"

"Yes."

"Can you teach us how to do that? Please?" Sirius was begging, using the puppy dog eyes that usually had girls falling at his feet. To his disappointment, Mya seemed immune to that trick.

"I'll teach you that when you've mastered defensive spells. And the most important of those is the Shield Charm. Now, when you're ready…"

They formed into pairs again, and Mya found herself working with Peter.

"Ok, I'm going to cast jinxes and you have to repel them. Ready?"

"Ready."

It took a long time, but Peter finally produced a Shield Charm that could repel Mya's spells. While he jumped up and down excitedly, Mya sank to the ground, leaning against a large tree. Sirius came to sit with her.

"Sorry about leaving you with ol' Wormtail, but I'm sure you've noticed he needs the most help. He tries hard, but he's just not very good."

"He managed eventually. I think I'll do patronuses next. He'll struggle more with those, probably."

"Why are we doing all this anyway?"

"It's just in case we ever have to fight Death Eaters. I want, and Dumbledore wants, everyone in the Order to know these spells."

"Well, in that case…" He trailed off, realising that Mya wasn't listening to him. Following her line of vision, he saw James and Lily messing about in the shallow water at the edge of the lake, splashing each other and laughing. For some reason, Mya looked sad.

"Don't tell me you have a thing for James, and are upset about him and Lily? I thought you were going to Hogsmeade with me."

Shaking her head, Mya forced a smile onto her face.

"No, it's nothing like that. In fact, I shouldn't even be talking about it. Forget I mentioned it, Sirius."

"OK then."

He leaned back and stretched, casually slinging one arm over her shoulders as he did so.

"Sirius, leave the poor girl alone! She doesn't want you groping her."

Sirius growled as Remus plonked himself down on the grass.

"Sorry about Padfoot, Mya. He gets a bit enthusiastic at times.

Sirius was glaring by this point, and he looked as though he was about to hit his friend. However, the situation was sorted out when James came bounding over, soaking wet, cheering.

"Lily said yes!"

"Said yes to what, Prongs? That she'd marry you? That she hates your guts? What, James?"

"She agreed to go out with me, that's what!"

Sirius leapt up to congratulate him. Remus sighed, and Mya reached out to pat him on the arm.

"What's up, Remus?"

"It's always the same. They get the girls, then dump them and break their hearts. I don't even try any more; I mean, how can I compare to that?" He gestured to the two tall, dark-haired wizards bouncing around and yelling.

"It's not even just the looks, it's…" He stopped abruptly. "Can I trust you, Mya?"

Suddenly she realised what he was about to confide in her. It didn't matter that she already knew; this Remus hadn't told her.

"Of course you can, Remus."

"I don't want to talk about it here, though. Can we go back to the castle?"

She nodded, and they got up to leave. No-one else even noticed them go.

………………

Back in Gryffindor Tower, which was once again deserted, Remus took a deep breath and began to tell Mya his secret.

"You might have heard the guys mention my "furry little problem" occasionally, yes?"

"Once or twice."

"It's, um, not a little problem at all, and most people would be horrified if they knew, so if you're totally disgusted and hate me for it, I'll understand." He paused, watching her closely.

"Go on," she prompted.

"OK. I'm… I'm a werewolf." He closed his eyes, not entirely sure he could cope with her reaction. When he felt her arms wrap around him, he was astonished.

"Oh, Remus. I don't hate you for that, how could I? It wasn't your fault."

Relieved, and now openly crying, he hugged her back.

AN: You people want long chapters - is this one long enough for you?