Dear Diary,

This week was pretty boring. I didn't dare go out flying again until I would meet the man. My Flock turned out to be in almost none of my classes. Only Fang and Iggy had a few classes with me, because we were in the same age group. Iggy had been placed in Gryffindor along with Fang ( lucky me). He has tried to approach me several times, but I managed to pull Remus or Sirius away with me to the courtyard or the other side of the common room.

On a brighter side, Jeb is here to stay! WOOHOOO! He is 'researching student behavior in the classroom,' which just happens to be following me around like a hawk. He seems to stare at me like a cut of choice steak. It sends chills up my spines, like ice spiders. Dumbledore also seems to have an interest for me. More than once, I've seen him coincidently in the hall. If he's trying to hide, he really sucks at it. He's trying to hide a four foot beard and an astronomical robe amongst sixteen year olds.

On an actual happier note, today I would be meeting the cloaked figure. Hopefully, Miss I-Need-A-Hair-Net wouldn't be there. What terrifies me the most is the fact a bird or some wild animal might have been caught in that up-do. I was still waiting for the perfect moment to tell Remus about my little outing. The fact that their clique was always at our tails made it impossible for me to tell him anything. Sirius and James may be funny and energetic, but that doesn't make good characteristics for secret keepers. Either way, I was packed over the top with homework from Potions and Transfiguration and they threaten to take away my food. My food! Now, I'm stuck in front of that god-forsaken fireplace in the common room, wasting away my life. The hag that taught it was set to make us all turn each other into rodents. I was stuck as a mouse for three hours, after Peter's spell backfired. I still have random cheese cravings.

The Flock was as on the edge as I was. The fact that Jeb was here meant trouble. We were on red alert, but making any move would result in punishment or immediate deportation back to the School. Other than that, they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Well, I have to head to Astronomy tonight, right after 10:00. Luckily, I would be meeting the cloaked figure at 10:30. Push comes to shove, I could sneak out. I'll bring it up with Remus at dinner. James and Sirius are doing some extra Quidditch practice.

Max

I taped the pen to my lip thoughtfully. Unlike most students, I keep an actual normal pen, instead of using feathers. I didn't even want to know where they got them from. I had a few for class, but if I can help it, I use the regular pens. Enough said.

I replaced the journal back to the bottom of my trunk and covered it with some jeans and my only pair of sneakers. I locked it shut and walked out to the common room. From the stairwell, I could see a blazing fire, where Lily and some other girls (including the one with the dinosaur name) sat around doing their homework. One whispered something, and they all burst into a frenzy of giggles. I rolled my eyes and jumped down the stairs, taking it three at a time. With a muffled thump, I landed on the carpet. My cloak swooped down behind me, giving me a Superman effect. If only I punched the ground and it split open, I would definitely match the description.

I walked over to the couches and plopped down. I nearly landed on Peter, who was peering at a small square of paper.

"Sorry, Pete," I said.

"It's Peter…" he mumbled, as if defying my nickname meant me releasing wrath.

"Can I call you Pete?" I asked.

"Su-sure…"he squeaked.

I shrugged and peered into the calming, soothing flames. My digital watch told me we had another ten minutes until we should head down for dinner. Kids began to descend from the dormitories in groups of twos or threes. I allowed my back to lean into the soft, yet supporting cushions. My limbs were splayed out, claiming half of the couch. Some girls sent me some disgusted looks, but I glared daggers at them. They quickly turned away or flipped their hair and walked away.

I zoned out, making the flickering flames fade into orange and yellows colors, dancing across my vision. My body felt numb from exhaustion. The week had been stressful and annoying.

"May I sit here?" someone asked from behind me.

Before I could open my mouth to make some snappy comment, Peter answered for me with a soft, "Sure."

The other side of the couch leveled out, but not before another body plopped down hard, disheveling my side.

"What's the…?" I murmured as I widened my eyes to a slit, allowing a shady image.

"Hey Max," a soft, familiar voice whispered, like a gentle hand caressing my cheek before slapping it hard.

My eyes shot open, the sudden light fogging up my vision. The one and only Fang sat casually next to me, as if we were best of buddies. He looked so… punchable.

"Get away," I grumbled, turning away from him.

My watch announced another three minutes until dinner. If this conversation wouldn't be over soon, I would end up going there late and get stuck with dessert. Don't get me wrong, dessert is amazing, but I would like of the juicy meat they serve. I would like to once thank the gourmet chefs that make this food.

His hand began to trace circles on my hidden wings. I practically melted at his touch, but he was invading a space that was no longer his. No, I corrected myself. It was never his. I slapped his hand, hard.

I heard nothing, but felt the hand retract. I began to breathe easier. The hand, however, replaced itself under my chin, attempting to pull it eyes level with his own. I jerked away and got up.

"Don't you even DARE," I challenged.

He smirked, but the feeling never reached his eyes. They seemed conflicted, not that I cared. A churning hurricane, threatening to strike, as if trying to get rid of his pupils. I shivered under the gaze. Luckily, no one had turned to see out little dispute, considering most of them had the brains to go to dinner.

"I'm going to eat," I announced to him, turned on my heel, and marched out.

The Fat Lady swung open and I stormed through, my cloak brushing the frame of the portrait. I couldn't hear any footsteps other than my own, but Fang was like a whisper when he ran. The portraits threw glances at me, but almost immediately returned to their conversation. As I reached my first staircase and it shifted over, I glanced behind me. Fang was nowhere to be found. However, a new problem had arisen; how in the world would I find my way to thre Great Hall with this new route? The stairs halted with an echoing clang. A few students raced by me and I, the sole rider, stepped off. The floor looked to be the second. That meant… you know what? I'll just wait for the staircase to go to the normal route. I hopped on to the oving death trap and waited.

After a few dead ands and pulled hairs, I walked into the Great Hall. The ceiling looked like the night sky, with a full moon hidden by clouds. Stars dotted the background, bringing the ceiling to life. Below it, wafted the aroma of turkey, chicken, smoked vegetables and some tempting pasta-looking substance swimming in sauce. Remus beaconed me over to an empty spot across form him. On the plate, he seemed to have put a roll and a nice, juicy piece of chicken.

"Thanks," I said as I sat down.

"So?" Remus asked, as if I knew the answer.

Through a mouthful of chicken, I mumbled, "What?"

"You promised to tell me something important," he explained.

His finger entwined and untwined, making it look as if he's attempting to make a quilt of his hands. His eyes darted around and his hair looked dead.

"Remus?" I paused to swallow my food. "Are you alright?"

He nodded nervously, and stopped fidgeting with his hands. I glanced around to spot Fang in a deep conversation with Iggy. At least he wasn't on my back.

"I did, didn't I?" I inquired.

Remus cracked a smile and nodded.

"Alright. Last week, I was approached by a trio of dark, cloaked figures. One of them was named Bellanix or Bellamix, something like that…" Remus froze up, like a wax figurine. Cautiously, I continued, "He suggested to meet up with him in a week to discuss plans about joining his group. He said that he has some stuff to teach us!"

The fact I said the words out loud send adrenaline into my veins. The idea made me giddy with excitement and possibilities. I wonder what Fang would look like with birds attacking him… oh, the cruel irony.

"Max," Remus whispered my name, as if it was a secret.

"Remus? What's wrong?"

He had turned deathly pale and wouldn't look into my eyes. His shoes suddenly began the center of his attention. Remus grabbed a roll and munched on it, refusing to answer my question.

"Remus," I repeated, this time firmly, as well as pressing my hand to his shoulder.

Remus' eyes shot up to mine. The brown looked conflicted and mortally terrified. Before I could get a better look at those open, unguarded eyes, he closed them and shook his head. They were so unlike Fang's, whose were always hidden behind lock and key. Stop it Max! Fang is unimportant in this situation! Painstakingly, he unslouched and reopened his eyes.

"Max, you have to promise me not to go," he begged silently.

His eyes looked desperate now. He looked as the mere thought of going would kill him.

"Please."

"Thanks for the support," I muttered sarcastically, shaking off his hand.

"You don't understand!" he pleaded, replacing his hands on my shoulders, as if he could shake the idea out of me.

"Oh, please, enlighten me!" I growled, annoyed.

What was wrong with checking these guys out? Remus looked like I had died and come back from the dead, telling him to jump off a cliff: conflicted. He had his secrets and I had mine. It could be some wizard thing that I'm missing. He probably thought that I was too inexperienced. Ha.

"I… I can't…" Remus muttered, realizing how weak his argument was.

He would have to learn that fighting with my eternal stubbornness was worse than trying to choke down the food I cook. My arms were on my hips, waiting for him to spill the beans.

Sighing, I said, "Alright. Fine," I smiled to uphold my lie.

A smile lit up his face and he immediately looked better. He sighed as well, and returned to his dinner.

I poured out of the Great Hall with the other students, all eager to get some work done before the main crowd got back to the common rooms. I sat down on my bed as soon as I got back, I took out my Potions assignment. Professor Slughorn requested us to write a three page essay about choosing proper ingredients for two specific potions of our choice. Considering I didn't know any, I spent most of my time trying to figure out which Potion is which in my textbook.

My digital watch announced 10:30. Already, many of my female classmates had filed into the room, and changing for the night. Outside, in front of the couch sat Iggy. Other than that, there were two boys intent on finishing a game of wizard chess and a girl frantically searching for something. I tiptoed up to Iggy, who was sound asleep with a book and quill on his lap. I rolled my eyes and continued out. The Fat Lady let me out without questions, for once. I didn't need to creep around the halls, considering a few students were still milling about, saying their goodnights (a few a little to passionately). I rolled my eyes as I continued down the stairs. Luckily, none switched or began to move, allowing me to slip out of the castle undetected with 20 minutes to spare. I walk into the misty woods, allowing them to hide me and my secret.

My leather jacket zips open in the back, allowing my wings to unravall. The water crystals caught onto my feathers. They cooled the heat they had been containing from hiding beneath my scratchy robes. A full moon peeks out from the dark clouds of the night. The trees weren't too packed at the outskirts, allowing me a good view of the glowing, hearth-like home. I jogged a few feet and took to the air, rising above the tree quickly. If Dumbledore sees me, I hope that he freaks out and his beard falls off. THAT, would be hilarious.

I glided over the forest, my wings slicing through the crisp air like a hot knife through butter. My hair whipped behind me, streamers for a celebration loose in the night. I banked to the right, deeper into the Forbidden Forest, unchained and free. In a brief moment of bliss, I close my eyes and allow the good ol' oxygen kiss the tips of my fingertips. Just me and the never ending sky.

Of course, halfway through my moment of perfection, some annoying idiot decides to go an whoop like a cowboy. I rolled my eyes, sighed, then dived down. Upon landing in the safety of the trees, I tucked my wings in, which had been fed thoroughly with that flight, and snuck a glance out. Sirius, James, Remus and Peter were walking in the middle of the fields as if they owned them. Peter looked as if he's shaking and Remus was leaning on Sirius for support. My eyes widened.

To keep up with the rag-tag group, I weave through the tree as silently as I can. I duck to avoid a low hanging branch and check the scene out again. The group had been walking towards a large, looming tree smack in the of the castle grounds. Taking a wild risk, I stepped into the open.

Taking a long, deep breath, I called out, "Hey guys!"

They whipped around simultaneously. Peter looked as if he would pass out from fear, and Remus just looked like he would pass out.

"Max? What are you doing?" Sirius asked nonchalantly, as if these evening strolls were part of a class grade.

"The better question is, why are you out here?" I replied, cocking an eyebrow.

"We take care of the Whomping Willow," James replied easily.

"The what?" I asked, taken aback.

"That tree," Sirius added, gesturing towards the odd tree.

"Why would you need to take care of a tree?" I inquired, staring at it.

As if on que, the branches began to shift around unnaturally, shaking something off, then dipping towards the ground.

"That's why."

"What about Remus? He looks horrible!" I pushed on.

They stared at his form for a few seconds and then looked at me.

"Ugh…"

That pause right there told me they were lying. They were prepared for questioning on their purpose, but not on Remus' condition. On the note, he looked literally uncomfortable in his own skin. His face was either reflecting the pale moon or he was as pale as snow. It was mortifying.

"How about I help you," I asked, relieving James of carrying Remus on his shoulder. "with the tree?" I added, winking for an effect.

They smiled gratefully for my silence on the matter. As long as they didn't ask, I guess it was fair. However, curiosity ate at my insides like a parasite. Shaking the feeling off, I focus on supporting the dead-weight that used to be my friend.

"Are you guys sure we shouldn't take him to that nurse? He looks..." I began, staring at Remus' pleading eyes. "Nevermind."

Another grateful nod. We walked across the castle grounds in silence, only the occasional wheeze from Remus and the leaves crunching under our shoes. I allowed Remus to wrap his arm around my torso, as if chaining himself to me. Although he looked ashen, he had a determined set in his eyes. He wouldn't be going anywhere unless he decided to.

"We can stop here," James broke through the silence.

We were a few yards from the trunk of the tree. Before I could question why we can't get closer, a branch crashed down two feet away from me, rattling my teeth as well as the earth around us. You know what? I kind of like it here anyway.

"Why can't I come with you?" I protested.

They shared long looks that made me want to itch the back of my neck from its awkwardness. A soft breeze picked up, blowing blonde locks in front of my face, masking it like the clouds and the moon. The moon looked like a half moon now, as if it was checking if the coast was clear. Seemed like we were bothering its nightly routine.

"Please Max," Remus begged, speaking for the first time tonight. "Don'y make this harder than it needs to be."

His voice was scratchy and alien. He sounded animal-like. Remus looked like he wished that the earth would open up and swallow him whole. The moon above us finally made a descion and began to make its way out of the shadows.

"Max! You have to go!" Sirius commanded me, sending me a look that should have sent me running.

But it didn't. I stomped up to him.

"I'd like an explanation!" I demanded.

"Padfoot…" Remus moaned.

Oh great. We have another delusional freak.

Sirius whipped around as Remus pointed to the moon. It was on full display. It was gorgeus, but not necessary to bring up at a time like this.

"Now you've done it!" James groaned as Remus began to have a seizure in front of me.

"Oh my god!"

I raced forward and kneeled next to Remus. James and Sirius grabbed my arms and started to pull me back.

"Are you crazy?! He needs to get inside!" I screamed, struggling against them.

Remus' twitching subsided and his cold eyes locked on mine. He held it there for a deathly quiet second.

"Run." was all he said, eyes of a possessed person, trying to hold back the demons within.

Like heck I ran.

I'm proud to present an extra long chapter! I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've been overloaded, and I'm trying to squeeze in writing AND reading. If I can ask you to please (pretty please) go to my profile and vote on it, it would mean a lot. As usual, please leave a review on this story. My next goal is to update Ascend. If you haven't read it, check it out on my page. I'd like to give a shout-out to trufflemores and NotesFromAClassroom. I highly doubt your reading my story, but I am inspired by your writing and dream of reaching that level. I've wrote a story similar to your set-up, truffles, and I'm going to post it up (if the people vote for it, of course). If you read Star Trek fanfics, those are your gals! Yup. That's about it. Read on and pairing Four/Tris (I just got hooked on that series. PM me if you know any good fanfics!).