Well this one was some what of a marathon. POV changes around a fair bit. And I cried when I wrote it…Siriusly. (permission for rolling eyes etc)

Dedication: no dedication today. this is for me because i worked very hard all night to get it out of my brain before it ran away. now my fingers hurt from typing

Disclaimer: totally wishing it was mine.

Chapter Ten: Under the Tree

Snape glared at Sirius, "I know he's up to something. I'm warning you I will find out!"

"Don't you dare hurt Remus or we will hunt you down and kill you" Sirius growled, fiercely loyal. Snape sneered, "oh really. I'm not scared of you. You've denounced your right for respect; even your own brother won't acknowledge you…" with a growl Sirius lunged at Snape. He ran, throwing insults and threats over his shoulder. Sirius eventually cornered him near the Entrance Hall. They heard footsteps and both boys froze as Madame Pomfrey led Remus out the double doors and across the lawn.

"Where's he going?" Snape asked, "I know you know. Tell me or everyone will know about this."

"If you want to know so bad just press the knot at the base of the tree." He spat at Snape fury overwhelming him, and he strode off to meet James and Peter.

Remus (Moony)

The fifth years were settling into what looked to be a gruelling year of O.W.L preparation. A lot of students were already stressed and everyone was studying very hard. Everyone except the Maurauders that is. The Maurauders adjusted quite well to what had been dubbed (by Sirius) The Remus Betrayal, and were pranking as usual. As James had pointed out that fatal morning their letters arrived, it wasn't that bad, in fact it had some benefits. They now knew the prefect schedule and their routes and had access to the prefects' bathroom. However Sirius had pointed out, that when the Map was finished they wouldn't need this information. Their work on the Map was almost complete, yet Remus wasn't satisfied. He felt as though his friends were hiding something from him. Often he would return from a prefect meeting be unable to find them for hours. They frequently stopped talking when he walked into the dorm. Sirius had also told him that they had a secret and he wasn't allowed to know about it because You're one of them, Moony. You can't know. He sighed as he sat waiting. It was the full moon and he was already exhausted. He closed his eyes, the moon would rise soon.

Peter (Wormtail)

Peter felt bad, poor Remus was left out and it pleased him. It was Peter being included in the adventure. It would be him, Peter, who would become an animagi with James and Sirius not Remus, Of course the point of all their efforts was to help Remus. This is why Peter felt bad. It wasn't Remus fault he was a werewolf, and he was his friend so he shouldn't be gloating about the time he got to spend with James and Sirius. He still couldn't believe that they were friends with him, even after more than four years. Genuinely his friends.

"Come on Pete, it's your turn. Try and get more than a tail this time." James said encouragingly. Sirius smirked, "yeah Wormtail." He laughed, "that's your nickname now. Moony and Wormtail. James and me are almost there. You can do it too." They all laughed as Peter raised his wand.

Sirius (Padfoot)

Sirius watched Peter attempt to transform, a smile covering the gnawing uncertainty in his stomach. Then it was his turn, normally he could almost fully transform but this time all that happened was his feet changed into large padded paws. He stared down at them, what was he going to do. James and Peter were laughing hysterically, "Padfoot!" James sat up suddenly, "that can be your nickname" Sirius' face distorted as realisation hit him. James stopped laughing, "What is it mate?" he asked

"I – I've made a huge mistake James." he whispered, "I'm the traitor, not Moony" the story poured out.

James ran out of the room with out looking at Sirius. Peter stared at him, "it was a mistake right?" he asked Sirius nodded, and sank to his knees. Peter watched him uncertainly, "Err – I'll go find James." And he scurried out of the room leaving Sirius alone. Tears were falling down his cheeks, "I'm worse than my family," he muttered over and over as he rocked himself.

Lily

Lily was patrolling alone because Remus was sick again. Poor Remus she thought. Her thoughts were interrupted by a sound from classroom. She pushed the door open, "Lumos" she whispered, the room filled with light to reveal a red-eyed and tearful Sirius Black.

James

James ran frantically toward the Whomping Willow hoping desperately he wasn't to late. The Willow unfroze, James slid underneath its waving branches, receiving a wack to the jaw. He threw himself into the tunnel in time to see a terrified Snape backing away from the other end, "he's – He's a werewolf!" he muttered. James grabbed him by the arm, "we have to go!" he said urgently. Snape sneered at him, albeit shakily, "I'm telling Dumbledore and you and your little friends will get expelled" he said it loudly to make up for the waver in his voice. A loud growl rumbled down the tunnel, "Run!" yelled James pushing Snape in front of him. They ran to the entrance and Snape scrambled up. James climbed up behind him, Remus snapping at his heels. They both crawled free of the Willows thrashing branches. "I'm going to Dumbledore!" Snape said instantly, James sighed. "Fine. I'm coming too" he limped after Snape as they headed up to the castle.

Lily

Lily was confused; after she had sent Sirius back to the common room she continued her patrol. She had never seen that side of Sirius before. The Maurauders always seemed so…crude no that's not it. Remus was nice but she had never really seen the others as real human beings. They'd never really acted like that before. Her thoughts were once more interrupted,

"You can't stop me Potter." It was Sev. He sounded angry, but to her surprise James' voice was weary not obnoxious "I'm not trying to Snape." Lily rounded the corner and gasped, Severus' robes had muddy streaks down them as did Potter's. What made her gasp however was James. He was limping; his robes were torn and muddy. He stopped when he saw her. She stared at him; there was a large gash down the side of his face and a bruise on his jaw. "What in the name of Merlin?" she whispered, James shook his head at her and nodded towards the stairs Snape was walking up. She opened her mouth, but something in his eyes made her stop. She nodded slightly, and turned to leave. He mouthed 'Thank You' and began to climb the stairs. She followed him with her eyes. They were going to Dumbledore, she wasn't needed.

Remus

Remus woke in the hospital wing as usual. To his surprise, James was in the bed next to him. Sirius was asleep in the chair next to James' bed. A haunted expression adorned his face. Remus stared at his friends in horror. James had a large gash on his cheek. It was healing but obviously new.

"Please no..." Remus whispered. Sirius' eyes opened, "Remus…" he croaked his eyes filling with tears, "I'm so sorry." Dread filled Remus, his eyes flittered from James to Sirius.

"What happened?" and Sirius told him, and apologised. With a last look at James he stood up and left. Remus sat very still Sirius' voice still ringing in his ears. Snape knows. I told him. James sat up, "Sorry I didn't get their sooner mate" he said sadly, "but Snivellus had to promise not to tell. Dumbledore made him."

"It's not your fault." Remus said, James frowned sadly. They heard footsteps outside and Remus quickly pulled his curtains shut. He hated people seeing him in his weakened condition. Lily Evans walked into the Hospital Wing. James raised his eyebrows, "just can't stay away from me can you Evans" he smirked. She scowled and perched on the end of his bed. "Are you going to tell me what happened last night?" she folded her arms across her chest. James laughed, "Nope." Lily's eyes sparkled with anger and frustration, "why not? I mean I found Sirius in the old Charms classroom bawling his eyes out and going on about how he is worse than he family and something about a moon…moony?" James' calm façade flickered at this, but only slightly, "I don't know then I run into you and you look like you've been attacked by a hippogriff or something. And now you're not going to explain?" she took a huge breathe. James looked amuse, "yeah that's right."

"Oh come on. You have to tell me!" she scowled at him.

"You are so cute when you're angry" James mused, there was practically steam coming out of Lily's ears. "How about I'll tell you if you'll go out with me."

"NO!" Lily yelled. James' raised his eyebrows, "What a pity. I guess you'll never know." To James surprise, Lily falter, "I guess I…No! What am I saying? I will never go out with you. You are an arrogant jerk."

"Well maybe you should ask your buddy Snivellus what happened." James said, no longer smiling, "DON'T CALL HIM THAT!!!!!" Lily stormed out of the Wing just in time to avoid a lecture from Madame Pomfrey.

Lily

She ran into Severus as she neared the courtyard. "I don't want to talk to you." She muttered. He looked taken aback, "what'd I do? You haven't spoken to me in four days! You completely ignored me the other day in the library...

…I thought we were supposed to be friends?' he said, 'Best friends?'

'We are, Sev, but I don't like some of the people you're hanging around with! I'm sorry, but I detest Avery and Mulciber! Mulciber! What do you see in him, Sev? He's creepy! D'you know what he tried to do to Mary Macdonald the other day?' Lily had reached a pillar and leaned against it, looking up into the thin, sallow face.

'That was nothing,' said Snape. 'It was a laugh, that's all – '

'It was Dark Magic, and if you think that's funny - '

'What about the stuff Potter and his mates get up to?' demanded Snape. His colour rose again as he said it, unable, it seemed, to hold in his resentment.

'What's Potter got to do with anything?' said Lily.

'They sneak about at night. There's something weird about that Lupin. Where does he keep going?'

'He's ill,' said Lily, 'they say he's ill – '

'Every month at the full moon?' said Snape.

'I know your theory,' said Lily, and she sounded cold. 'Why are you so obsessed with them anyway? Why do you care what they do at night?'

'I'm just trying to show you they're not as wonderful as everyone seems to think they are.'

The intensity of hid gaze made her blush.

'They don't use Dark Magic, though.' She dropped her voice. 'And you're being ungrateful. I heard what happened the other night. You went sneaking down that tunnel by the Whomping Willow and James Potter saved you from whatever's down there –'

Snape's whole face contorted and he spluttered, 'Saved? Saved? You think he was playing the hero? He was saving his neck and his friends' too! You're not going to – I won't let you – '

'Let me? Let me?'

Lily's bright green eyes were slits. Snape backtracked at once.

' I didn't mean – I just don't want to see you made a fool of – he fancies you, James Potter fancies you!' the words seemed wrenched from him against his will. 'And he's not…Everyone thinks…Big Quidditch hero – ' Snape's bitterness and dislike rendering him incoherent, and Lily's eyebrows were travelling further up into her forehead.

'I know James Potter's an arrogant toerag,' she said, cutting across Snape. ' I don't need you to tell me that. But Mulciber and Avery's idea of humour is just evil. Evil, Sev. I don't understand how you can be friends with them.'...[It was doubtful…Snape even heard her strictures on Mulciber and Avery. The moment she had insulted James Potter, his whole body had relaxed, and as they walked away there was a new spring in his step…(Deathly Hallows pg 540)

"Does everyone known about the other night?" Snape asked eventually. Lily paused, "I heard from Sirius. But I think I'm the only one he told." She partly lied. Sirius had told her James had saved Snape from the Whomping Willow. But she wasn't sure why she left out seeing him and James.

"Since when were you friends with Black?" Snape frowned.

"We're not friends."

"You called him Sirius." Snape muttered petulantly.

Lily rolled her eyes, "he's not that bad. And he's quite upset at the moment for some reason Remus and James aren't talking to him. Peter follows their lead." She didn't notice Severus' smirk.

A/N well there it is folks. Longest chapter ever written…in this story. Hope you appriciate it.