CHAPTER 10 - Sirius Black's Bad Day

January brought only more snow and cold but it also brought the students back to the castle of Hogwarts. The warmth invited the students in as well as the marvelous feast that lay ahead. Students were excited to catch up with one another, it was so loud Lily Evans could not hear herself think. She was still stuck debating with herself about what to do with the secret she had uncovered. It was not her place to pry but the more she thought about it the more worried for Remus she became. Snape knew about him, or was putting it all together. It was only a short matter of time before he figured it all out and acted upon his information. She knew he would show no mercy to Remus, he would seek to get him expelled or uncover his secret publicly. Neither of those would leave Remus with much of a future.

So while students were happily chatting Lily pretended to listen to Amelia, Braxton and Elayne catching up with one another. She listed out her options; talk to Remus, or talk to Snape, or keep it to herself, or talk to one of Remus' friends, or speak to the headmaster. Talking to Remus was the best option, she felt but she never wanted to pry and she wanted him to come to her with his secret. That did not seem likely to happen. No matter how she looked at it she needed to act sooner rather than later because Snape was a very clever wizard.

Lily's thoughts returned to the Great Hall and her friends, joining in on the conversation. She glanced in Remus' direction and smiled at him. They were discussing the missing students. Many of the students that had not returned had overprotective families that thought it best they stay home rather than go back to school. Lily couldn't imagine any place safer than Hogwarts. Especially after reading the lengthy article in the Daily Prophet about the "extra magical measures added" to Hogwarts over the holiday.

Before she knew it the feast was over and the Marauders were already out of their seats headed in the direction of Gryffindor tower.

"I'll see you in the common room," she stood and rushed after them, "Remus! Remus Lupin!"

The seventeen year old blonde boy turned around, as well as his companions, "Lily?"

Lily was suddenly at a loss for words, "Er…I just…wanted….to see how your holiday went."

"Great! How was yours?" Remus asked understanding she was having some sort of trouble with what she was trying to say and taking mercy on her.

The Marauders didn't leave the two to talk. James especially, stared at Lily with an odd expression on his face. She was too nervous to notice. She was losing her confidence and had no reason to follow through with her intentions. She thought back about her Christmas holiday. Petunia ignored her the entire time and Snape showed up on her door step one day. SHe spent the rest of the holiday avoiding the two of them.

"Mostly pleasant," she replied politely, "I had a question for you but I must've forgotten. I'll ask you once I remember."

She turned away and proceeded to the Gryffindor common room at a brisk pace. The Marauders all watched her go curiously. Lily Evans did not forget things.

"Bloody hell. What was that Moony?" Peter asked, saying what they were all thinking.

"No idea. Really. That was a bit odd, wasn't it?" Remus said starting the walk back up again.

"Seems like she may be interested in more than your holiday mate," Sirius barked with laughter.

"How did you know about our secret relationship?" Remus eyes sparkled playfully.

James stayed silent, ignoring the conversation.

"It was a joke Prongs," Peter chuckled, "lighten up."

Without another word James sprinted after the red head. It took him longer than he expected to catch up to her but when he did she was standing alone in front of the portrait looking confused. Lily Evans, confused?

"Oy! Evans! Forget the password?" James tried to hold back the urge he had to tease her further.

"Actually Potter, I have."

"Is everything alright?" He looked at her sincerely.

Lily was taken aback by the question that she had never expected from James Potter, "I'm fine. Perfectly fine. I've just got some things on my mind."

"Anything I can do? Sir Cadogan," James stated the password and they entered together.

"I appreciate that Potter but I will be fine," Lily chose her words carefully, James was being especially nice.

"You just seemed a bit off before we left and even now." He pressed.

Lily considered telling him everything, she was touched he noticed even before the holiday that something was off. There was something about the look in his eyes that told her it would be the right move. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. She was just feeling too many emotions at once and she second guessed her sudden desire to tell James all. She stopped and looked back at him with a smile.

"You're a good friend Potter."

"We're friends then?" He joked.

"Its only an observation Potter. I did not say you were my friend…but if you were I'd be lucky to have you."

He looked surprised. For Lily this was one of those times when you speak before really thinking about what you say. What she said felt very right and even though she had not thought about it before hand she knew it was true. She may have felt, ever since Hogsmede, that there was something about James Potter that was slowly growing on her. He certainly seemed different and she meant what he said.

James held back a grin, he was unsure how to respond. It was funny how the smallest things about Lily could make him happy. The little smiles she had more often for him, the slight compliment she had given him and the fresh start he was using as wisely as possible. He could jump for joy at the idea that Lily might be his friend. It would be easier to win her heart if she would open up to him and friendship was a great way to get to know each other more.

"We'll see," she answered his last question before turning away from him.

The first week of school went by without Lily making a decision but she knew what she had to do. She was a Gryffindor, bravery came naturally but she still had not managed to work up enough to approach him. Remus was looking a bit peaky and she assumed this was a result of the upcoming full moon was that very night. She told herself that today needed to be the day, she made it her goal to at least make sure that Remus would be safe from being discovered. She understood that he would disappear long before the sun set so she had to talk to him and soon.

Lily Evans was not the only one lost in thought. Sirius Black was pacing down a Slytherin corridor unhappily while the rest of the students were eating lunch. He waited impatiently for his brother to exit his common room and walk to the Great Hall, late like he always was. Sirius was not disappointed, he placed the Marauders map in his pocket and crossed his arms, wand in hand. Regulus Black approached the shadowed figure, already knowing.

"Sirius. What do you want?" Regulus spoke without a trace of the former admiration he held for his older brother.

"Regulus, you're my brother whether I like it or not. I won't let mum mold you into her little pet and get you killed. I've heard things Regulus," Sirius glowered.

"You left Sirius. You left me. I don't think its your business anymore. Don't poke around in my life." Regulus shot back at him.

"Your still in school. You can still get out. You don't have to do this. You don't have to follow the Black tradition," Sirius' scowl faltered.

"Bellatrix said you would try to dissuade me. After you heard about her."

"It's true then? Shes joined?" Sirius could believe, his cousin only a couple year older had chosen her side.

"Why not be on the winning side Sirius? Doesn't mean we have to like it but it means we live." Regulus' confidence changed to the young fifth year he really was.

"There are ways to stay hidden. You don't have to be involved at all."

"Sirius there are things you just don't understand." Regulus gave him a look, daring him to ask.

"I wont let you do this Regulus. You can live with me, as soon as I'm out of here." Sirius looked on the verge of pleading.

"Sod off Sirius. I can take care of myself and I can make my own decisions," Regulus stormed off, trying not to show any emotion for his brother.

Sirius stood in place, shocked. The conversation had spun out of control. He hadn't meant for it to turn out that way. He lost control for only a moment, slamming his fist into the castle wall causing only himself damage. He knew Regulus was not like the rest of the Blacks, though maybe too worried about pleasing his parents. A fifth year could not decide properly what to do with his life, expecially when it was about choosing sides in a war. There was too much fear to get in the way. Sirius began slowly walking back to the Great Hall. Maybe James would have a bright idea.

In talking with Regulus he had discovered that not only had his wretched cousin Bellatrix joined up with the death eaters but it looked as if Regulus Black was just waiting in line as well. He was searching for his best friend but found only red. Well, a pretty red head to be exact. She stood in front of him with a nervous look on her face. Sirius was already having a bad day and he had an inkling that talking to Lily Evans, by the look on her face, it would not make things better. He let his shoulders hang as he glanced at her defeatedly.

"Yes, Evans?"

"Have you seen Remus?" She looked a little desperate.

Sirius' stomach lurched, "Gone to visit his mum I'm afraid."

"Really? After only being back a few days?" Her eyes bore into his.

Sirius' anger was quickly turning to panic, "She much worse since yesterday. Could be any day now Evans. Let him be."

"Listen Black I need to find him. Warn him. And if I can't find him right now then you will have to do. Someone needs to know and I know that you are in on it." She looked at him expectantly.

"I don't have a clue what you are talking about." He denied it, pleading that she would leave it alone but curious to know how much she really knew.

"Remus Lupin is my friend. I care about him. I wouldn't say a thing if it wasn't important. Its about Severus," Lily said nervously, "He's catching on, Black. He'll try to expose Remus. You have to be more careful, he is watching all of you. Speak to Dumbledore, he'll know what to do. Warn Remus. You cannot let Snape find him tonight."