Chapter 13

Too Late To Apologise

I'm holding on your rope
Got me ten feet off the ground
And I'm hearing what you say
But I just can't make a sound
You tell me that you need me
Then you go and cut me down
But wait...
You tell me that you're sorry
Didn't think I'd turn around and say..

That it's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late

Anisha's P.O.V

Things were going according to plan. I was in pure shock when I found out, how could Remus Lupin be a werewolf?

It all added up though – when I really thought about it, how he was always ill once a month, only when the moon came out. He had lots of scratches and scars, and he usually looked ill. Him being a werewolf suddenly made sense.

What really shocked me was the fact that I realised none of my feelings for him had really changed, despite the fact that I had found out that he was actually an animal, I still felt deeply in love with him.

It didn't matter that I was in denial; I mean I couldn't possibly in love with a werewolf right? It was insane. But it was true. My feelings hadn't changed at all.

What was worse was that I felt more affection towards him, more sympathy, because I knew he was a really nice guy, and he didn't deserve this.

But until yesterday, I didn't even believe that werewolves had feelings, I mean, they couldn't could they? Not according to what I had learnt.

I was confused. Especially at Dumbledore, how could he have let a werewolf come to school with us? It was insane!

But I was more confused at my feelings, I had felt shocked when I had first found out that Remus Lupin was a werewolf – but this had slowly dissolved into triumph, I felt like I had achieved something, I knew the biggest secret of the most popular group at Hogwarts.

I had been waiting for something like this, something that would trap my ex-friends, this was perfect, sweet revenge. It was Saturday night; I sat in the common room, when I had heard the loud voices of Peter Pettigrew, who was by far the only marauder who still stayed nice to me. He was talking about transforming, and full moons, and then he said 'I'll go see how Moony's doing in the Shrieking Shack, God knows he needs some company.'

Surprised though I was to hear Peter speak about their secrets without any secrecy, I was glad, it was an opportunity for me to know what they were up to. For all I know this could have been a fad. What I did know was that Remus Lupin was in the hospital wing, so why was Peter saying he was going to meet him in the Shrieking Shack of all places? The haunted house in Hogsmeade?

My curiosity was aroused, and before I knew it, my feet were acting on their own accord and set off to follow Peter Pettigrew quietly. I was bubbling with excitement, hoping to find out something very precious about the Marauders, but what I did find out what was nothing as I had expected, not even in my wildest dreams.

Because there in front of me, Peter was transforming into a rat.

And that's when it made sense.

Wormtail – because Peter was a rat.

The Marauders were unregistered animagus! And there I was expecting Remus to be shagging someone in the Shrieking Shack, cheating on Fiona.

My curiosity grew; I wanted to know what other animagus the rest of the Marauders were, because at that time, their names didn't make sense to me – except Peter of course.

And as I had followed Peter, I started to notice that he was heading towards the Whomping Willow, where not so long ago Severus Snape had almost been killed, and then James Potter had saved his life!

Either all of this was too much of a coincidence or maybe I was really onto something. So I had followed Peter, trying to be as quiet as possible, as one little sound would have given me away. I stayed behind a bush as he stopped; it was hard to keep track of him, as he was really fast. And with that he was gone, and I had groaned with disappointment. I wasn't going to give up though, I was certain the rest of them were animagus too. Though it didn't explain why Lupin had said he was in the Hospital Wing, and it didn't explain why he was in the Shrieking shack either. I was more confused than ever, but determined to find out the truth that would sink the Marauder's ship.

And after about ten minutes, I had seen James and Sirius, who also disappeared somewhere, but I hadn't been paying attention or I would have followed them.

I had no idea what would be in store for me in the next fifteen minutes, and then it appeared that they had come from inside the Whomping Willow, a stag, a black dog, a rat, and (I had to restrain myself from not screaming) a werewolf!

I was amazed, scared and shocked. It was like a jigsaw puzzle, the pieces were all coming together.

If I hadn't seen Peter transform, I wouldn't have known that these were the Marauders, but it all made sense didn't it?

How Remus was always ill once a month, how his nickname was Moony. He had to be the werewolf.

Prongs – the antlers, which had to be James.

And Padfoot wasn't hard to figure out – that had to be Sirius.

So this was the Marauder's 'escapades', their biggest secret.

And I had smiled at my triumph, I was truly proud of myself for finding this out. The next thing I had to do was to make sure that it really was them, I couldn't risk being wrong, it would just be humiliating and empty threats weren't going to get my anywhere. So I devised a plan then and there, I decided to stay and watch, out of sight, they wouldn't be able to see, but I would be able to see them.

It was tiring and I barely got any sleep that night, might have been because I was out in the freezing cold, sitting on twigs and leaves behind a bush, trying to stay hidden.

There was a time when I had drifted off to sleep, I couldn't believe I was actually doing this, sleeping outside of all places, near the Forbidden Forest, I must have gone crazy, but this was important to me. I was angry at them. I needed revenge.

And after what seemed like three hours, I saw them return, sure that this was the Marauders, it was too much of a coincidence that the four animals returned together, and then went to the same place together, right?

I was tired of waiting, I was sleepy, exhausted and I just wanted to know what was going on. But I had come too far to leave, and I waited for another twenty minutes. When I saw James Potter come out – and then disappear.

I couldn't believe my eyes, maybe it was just the fact that I hadn't got any sleep, but I had my proof.

Three of the Marauders were unregistered animagus.

One of them was a werewolf.

And then I knew what I had to do. Threaten to expose them. Get Remus to break up with Fiona, then they'd know what it felt like as well.

So I gave them a note.

And the look on their faces was priceless.

I have them right where I want them.

So the negotiation could start.

One by one, all of them would pay. And they would regret being horrible to me, betraying me, they would regret it.

-- End Of Anisha's P.O.V --

'You did well. How did the girl find out?' asked a drawling voice.

'I lead her to it, she didn't realise it was me,' squeaked the boy.

'Good. And you mustn't let her either. You have impressed me. Something I didn't think possible. The Patel girl acted as we presumed she would. Everything is according to plan. You can be very manipulative sometimes, what exactly did you say to her?' said the man.

'Just how I thought that Evans and Potter were being unreasonable, and that they had betrayed her, and if they ever really liked her they would have done everything in their power to get her with Lupin,' the boy replied nervously. 'And – I – I told her that I had heard them all laughing behind her back, and how they always used to make fun of her.'

'She believed you?'

'She did. I think she was at a point where she would believe anyone, she probably wanted someone to blame,' he answered. 'She said she always felt insecure around them, so saying all this probably added up to everything.'

'I see,' the man said coldly, and then he let out a laugh, 'Jealousy is a very fickle thing.'

'Y- Yes, sir. It is,' said the boy letting out a nervous laugh.

'You mustn't let them know you had anything to do with Patel finding out, it will ruin everything, you hear? Look distraught about what has happened, and go along with it. She thinks you're on her side, they think you're on theirs. One mistake, and it will be your last,' said the man.

'N-No m-mist-takes, yes, sir, never,' the boy said, trying to say it confidently.

'Good. I shall inform the Dark Lord, he shall be pleased this is going according to plan,' the man said, 'The Dark Lord is planning another attack. You must be prepared for it, we cannot afford you getting injured.'

The boy nodded and turned out of the forest, his wand leading the way.

x—x

'I don't get it,' said Lily desperately. 'How could she have found out?'

James shrugged, he stayed silent, cursing himself inside, and how could they have risked someone else finding out? Now Remus was in jeopardy because they had been too careless, what exactly did Anisha know anyway?

The fact that they were unregistered animagus or that Remus was a werewolf?

They had worn the invisibility cloak, they had done all the procedures, then what had gone wrong that someone had found out?

But how did they even know what Anisha knew? Maybe this was an empty threat; perhaps she knew nothing and was doing this only to scare them. But they couldn't just carry on believing that, they needed to make sure of what she knew, of what she was planning to do.

Lily's voice broke into James's thoughts – 'I mean, how would she have gone all the way inside the Shack and see Remus transform? And if she did, how did she come out alive, how did Remus not smell her? She must have used another way, I don't get it. Unless she does a very good disillusionment charm or something, which I don't think she does - but then, I thought Remus stayed in the Shack? Ugh! It doesn't make sense! There is no possible way for her to stay inside the Shack whilst Remus was a werewolf and then come out alive. Unless she was an animal – which I don't think she is, because I would know if she was an animagus, it takes years to become one, plus its not like she has the brains to be able to become one at this age, I mean no one can right now can they? No, I don't think so. She wouldn't be an unregistered animagus, that's too dangerous-'

'Me, Sirius and Peter have been unregistered animagus since fifth year,' said James.

'And there's too- WHAT?' said Lily, her eyes widening in shock and surprise as she realised what he had said. 'James, for god's sake, we are trying to figure something out here, no time for jokes!'

'I'm not joking Lily, we've been animagus since fifth year, we found out Moony was a werewolf in out third year and it was then we started studying to be animagus, and we finally pulled it off in like fifth year,' said James nodding his head, trying to be as calm and casual as possible.

Lily shook her head, 'Once a Marauder, always a Marauder. Really, how do you manage to keep a straight face though?' she said.

James sighed and held Lily by the shoulders, 'I'm being serious; I have never been this serious in my life. I swear to you, Lily Evans, what I just said was true.'

Lily walked back a step, 'What? But – how? I mean – it takes, years, McGonagall said – and, well, since third year? Peter too? And unregistered? It's illegal! You cant be serious!' she said, looking extremely muddled.

'I am. And thank god you didn't say that in front of Sirius,' said James, hoping this would make her smile.

'Are you kidding me? You just tell me that your little group includes three unregistered animagus and a werewolf and all you can say is how you're glad I didn't say 'serious' in front of Sirius? Are you off your head? Yeah – that's right. This is what this is,' said Lily, her eyes suddenly lighting up, she gently touched his arm. 'James, you're in shock, someone has just found out a big secret of a very close friend of yours and this is just a mild affect, you'll get through this, we'll get through-'

'Lily for Merlin's sake I am not in shock and I am not suffering from any mental illnesses! I am telling the truth!' said James, amused and angry at the same time. 'Fine, you don't believe me? I'll show you.'

He pushed a bewildered Lily onto her bed, and walked a few steps back, 'Watch,' he said, and with that he positioned himself, and in about a difference of a second, instead of James stood a magnificent stag.

Lily gasped, her eyes widened in amazement, and then realisation hit her and she shortly smiled, 'Prongs,' she whispered as she walked towards the stag.

She stroked the leathery brown skin, 'How?' she asked, still smiling. 'This is amazing.'

She moved back as the stag turned back to James, he looked at her carefully, trying to work out what she was thinking, but her face was full of amazement, shock and admiration. She shook her head, 'I can't believe this,' she said finally, 'This is extremely advanced – I never thought – its – wow.'

James grinned sheepishly, 'You like my form?' he asked her.

'It's beautiful,' she gushed, 'It really is – but, why? Why did you decide to turn animagus? It doesn't make – oh – oh! That's so clever! And – and so dangerous! James! Are you trying to get yourself killed?'

'No,' he said, 'We're not trying to get ourselves killed, we're keeping our friend away from danger, and that's worth risking our lives Lily.'

'But – but, we? You mean Sirius and Peter are as well?' she asked, looking thoroughly confused.

'Erm, yeah, Sirius is well, he's a dog, and Peter's a rat,' James said.

Lily smiled lightly, 'Wow, this is just – wow. And for two years? Remus didn't stop you? I mean, it's so dangerous, you could get bitten, or what if you get caught? It's illegal!' she exclaimed.

'Lily you don't think we realise that? We know the risks! But they were risks we were willing to take for Remus. And well, he didn't know that we were trying to be animagus, we only told him when we had properly mastered it,' he said. 'He was angry at first, but you know us, we weren't going down without a fight were we? He had to agree in the end. And now, well, the full moon is something we all look forward to – or did anyway. Before Anisha had to get involved.'

Lily continued to look amazed, 'This is unbelievable though, it's so – so genius. I mean, how did you pull it off? It takes fully qualified wizards a couple of years, so how could three underage wizards do it in less than two years? And Peter? Wow,' she said.

James almost sighed with relief out loud, he couldn't believe his ears, Lily was amazed more than angry, which was the first reaction he was expecting. 'But – but, aren't you angry? I mean, I hid this from you, and its illegal, and you're – you're not angry?' he asked, cursing himself inside straight after he said this, why was he pushing his luck? He could have easily gotten away with it, him and his big mouth.

'Angry?' she said with surprise. 'Why would I be angry of all things? I mean, we've been going out for what, almost four weeks? I can't expect you to tell me everything already can I? Plus,' she said moving closer to him, not meeting his eyes, but her hands on his chest softly stroking it, 'I have never been more glad to have you as my boyfriend. I mean, this just proves how brave, and how loyal you are. Willing to risk your life for a friend-' she looked up into his eyes, '- well, that's just the most amazing thing ever.'

James grinned, looking down into her emerald green eyes, feeling so thankful that he had such a gorgeous and considerate girlfriend. Without saying anything he put his lips to hers and kissed her tenderly, enjoying the taste of her in his mouth.

'You are amazing Lily,' he said softly, 'I am so lucky to have you.'

'And you James,' she said smiling back at him, 'I love you.'

'Love you more.'

'Back to the problem?'

'Way to ruin a moment Lily.'

x--x

An hour later

The Marauders and Lily sat in the Head's common room, feeling overwhelmed and positively defeated.

'What the hell are we going to do?' Remus said finally, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had surrounded them.

'The only thing we can do,' Sirius answered matter-of-factly, the others turned to look at him, 'A memory charm.'

Lily and Remus groaned at the same time, while James looked hopeful at what he thought was a good idea, 'Sirius, be reasonable will you? First of all, it's illegal, secondly, none of us are experts on memory charms,' Lily explained. 'So if we do use it on her, we don't really know what we'd be erasing, we could erase all of her memory, which would me really suspicious because I think people would notice if Anisha suddenly had amnesia. Or, we might not really erase what we want to be erased. It's too much of a risk, plus, if Dumbledore or any Healer confronted her, they would probably be able to break into the Memory charm, as neither of us will be able to perform a really powerful one.'

James looked crestfallen as Lily finished and Sirius pulled a face at her, 'Fine, but I don't see any of you coming up with any better ideas,' he said.

'Well,' said Peter to everyone's surprise, 'One thing we could do is negotiate with Anisha, I mean, maybe convince her not to tell anyone?'

Sirius let out a harsh laugh, 'As if! She has the chance to send us to Azkaban, kick Remus out of school, we can't just convince her not to tell anyone,' he said mockingly. Lily glared at him, 'What?' he said, 'Oh come on, my idea was better than that.'

'Even so,' said Remus, trying to cut the tension, 'It might just come to that in the end, it's the most reasonable idea after all, and who knows? Maybe she might listen to us, I mean not so long ago she was your best friend Lily, she cant have that much hatred could she?'

'I don't know,' said Lily guiltily. 'I mean we might have had a chance a week ago, but, after I snapped at her the way I did, I don't think she's ever going to forgive me.'

'She should be the one asking for forgiveness, not you Lily!' snapped James. 'You haven't done anything. Anyway, negotiating with her is out of the question, you know what she's going to tell you to do don't you?'

Lily nodded sadly as she looked at Remus, 'Break up with Fiona,' she said to him.

Remus nodded stonily, not saying anything. Sirius looked angry, 'Anisha was the nicest one though! What's gotten into her?' he said furiously.

'It's 'cause I'm going out with Fiona, after I rejected her,' Remus said, looking guilty.

James scratched his head, trying to figure something out, 'But, wait… didn't you, I mean, I'm sure you said last year that you liked her?' he asked Remus, looking confused. 'So when she asked you out, why did you say no?'

Lily, Remus and Sirius exchanged looks; James and Peter were the only one who didn't know about Remus's crush on Lily.

Remus shrugged, trying not to look at Lily, 'I just didn't like her anymore,' he said, trying to be casual.

James looked unsure, but decided to take this answer. 'How jealous can a person get? Merlin!' he said.

'It's love more than jealousy James,' Lily explained impatiently. 'Anisha's liked – no, loved Remus for a really long time. And well, Fiona and me knew this, with Fiona and Remus getting together, after Remus said no to her, well it must have been a big blow on her, she probably feels betrayed, and then she's got this idea that all of us made fun of her, and treated her like dirt. And sometimes when someone's got their mind set on something so firmly, it's really hard to distract them from it. I bet she thinks that finding out this secret is perfect revenge. And it is, is it not? She's got the perfect hold over us; she can make us do whatever we want because we're scared she'll spill whatever she knows. And then with not telling us what she really knows, she got this sort of, power of mystery over us as well, I mean, isn't this what we're worrying about, what does she really know? Basically well, it's the perfect revenge.'

All four of them looked at Lily in amazement as she finished.

'And this is why I call you my girlfriend,' James said proudly. 'You're a pro!'

'Thank you,' she said sweetly. 'But you know what I'm getting at right? She's prepared to go at very extreme lengths to get Remus.'

Sirius grinned, 'I remember when Prongs used to be like that about Lily,' he said teasingly.

James turned red, 'Oh come on! I wasn't evil about it though, was I?' he scoffed.

'You used to follow her around everywhere, trying to get her attention, you practically stalked her mate,' Sirius said.

James shrugged, 'Some call it stalking, I call it love,' he said simply.

Lily laughed at this, 'That's very erm, sweet,' she said.

'Prepared to go to any lengths to get Remus?' said Remus looking really worried.

Sirius nodded, 'I know, what's so special about you anyway?' he asked.

'Oh shut up,' said Lily pulling a face at him, 'He's only the nicest one out of all of you, I wonder why that would appeal to a girl.'

'I know,' said Sirius, 'Why would it? Girls like a guy who's got a mean rough exterior.'

'That's not what you're like with Kate,' said James raising his eyebrows suggestively, he then faked a cough which sounded like 'Poof'.

Sirius turned red as the others laughed, 'I am not a Poof!' he protested.

'Really, why was it then that just this morning, Kate said you were very sweet?' said Remus a hint of a smile on his face as he attempted to keep a straight face.

Lily hit Remus playfully on the arm, 'Oh leave him be, he's in love!' she said laughing.

James sighed dramatically, ' Our Siripoo – in love, what a sight!' he said fluttering his eyelashes at him.

'And they call it puppy looooove,' sang Peter, as everyone laughed.

'I'm not in love!' Sirius suddenly said loudly.

James laughed again, 'Oh calm down you big lug, we don't expect you to be in love in a mere week, we're just messing with you,' he said.

'And we're getting really off the subject,' said Remus.

'Yeah, and we cannot afford to do so,' said Lily, her face turning serious, 'This is no time for joking around.'

'Especially about Padfoot's love life,' added James.

'Though fun it may be,' sighed Peter.

Silence fell over them as the truth sank in; they were in a tight situation, with no possible way out. Just then, the portrait hole opened as Fiona walked in, looking annoyed.

'There you all are!' she said breathlessly. 'I've been looking all over for you! What's going on?'

They all murmured answers at once, she shook her head. 'Well you all know something I don't,' she said. 'What's going on?' she asked again, as she slipped into a space next to Peter.

'What is it?' she asked again, 'This is about the note isn't it? You all know what it's about and you wont bloody tell me!'

Lily got up, tugging on James's hand, 'Come on James, we'd better go.'

Sirius and Peter also got up saying they had things to do.

Fiona looked around looking crestfallen, 'What?' she said, 'Wait, I demand to know what is going in!'

Lily shrugged, 'We'll let Remus handle this. Come on you lot, we'll sit in the Gryffindor common room.'

They headed towards the door, Sirius looking as if he wanted to stay, Remus distinctively heard Sirius moan 'You never let me have any fun', most probably to Lily.

Fiona looked at Remus with her arms crossed, 'You want to explain?' she asked desperately.

Remus moved from the chair he was on and sat next to Fiona on the couch, not meeting her eyes, he took her hand in his, and then he dropped it.

'After this you probably wont even want to be near me again Fiona,' he said. And then he put his head in his hands, 'I probably shouldn't even tell her this' he then said to himself quietly.

'Remus! What is going on? You're scaring me!' Fiona said. 'Shouldn't tell me what?'

Remus looked at her, 'The – the note that Anisha gave Sirius, said she knew our secret. And well, that secret is – that. Fiona – I, I'm a werewolf,' he said finally, and then he got up abruptly. 'You don't have to say anything,' he said as he saw her shocked face, and then he turned away, 'You can leave if you want, all I ask from you is,' he turned back to face her, a desperate look on his face, 'Please, don't tell anyone. Its – it's my last year, our last year, and I want to face all the prejudice after school. It's not like I'll be able to get a job 'cause of my condition. And this is the last thing I'll probably be able to do. And I'm really really sorry that I didn't tell you. I didn't tell anyone really! Sirius and James and Peter found out by themselves – and, and so did Lily and also Anisha. So don't think I left you out on purpose, because you mean a lot to me and I wouldn't do that to you, but I mean, why would I want to tell anyone anyway? I'm a werewolf for fuck's sake!'

And he let out a laugh; he looked over at Fiona, who was staring at the couch with a deeply shocked look on her face.

'You don't have to say anything Fi,' he said. 'If you want to leave, I understand.'

'I'm not leaving,' she said quietly. She got up and took his hand, and he looked at her hopefully, 'I've always thought werewolves were wild creatures, harsh – animals. But, but, Remus you're none of that. If Lily, and, and your friends can accept you for who you are. I can as well. You mean a lot to me Remus. I don't want to lose that.'

'Thank you,' whispered Remus, he got up, and took her other hand. 'I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I was scared you'd – do a runner, or tell everyone. Though I needn't be scared of that anymore, as Anisha will probably do that for me.'

'Don't be sorry,' Fiona said softly. 'And Anisha will do no such thing. I wont let her.'

Remus smiled at her, 'Erm, that's not all we think she knows…' he said guiltily.

x—x

Anisha's P.O.V

I saw them all sitting together, with the exception of the new addition to their group. How could they all sit there? Pretending nothing had happened? Happy and laughing?

What really hurt me was that they didn't even miss me not being there, I had half expected Lily and Fiona to come running back to me,

I feared that they saw my note as an empty threat; perhaps they assumed that I knew nothing and I was making it all up.

Well they didn't know just how much I did know, and if they did, they would be wrapped right around my finger.

I knew deep inside that I had no intention of actually telling anyone; I just wanted them to do what I wanted. I was too much in love with Remus to actually be that nasty. But not enough to not want revenge on him.

Maybe I was being completely unreasonable, perhaps I should go and ask for forgiveness, be nice to them and completely ignore the fact that they treated me like dirt and betrayed me. I liked Remus first! That was the rule!

Remus liked Lily, but he followed the rule, James liked her first, and it worked that way. Not that I was okay about Remus liking Lily, but he followed the rule did he not? Was it too much to ask from Fiona?

And then Lily, telling me to get over it, how was that fair? Oh, it was all right for her, she was going out with James Potter, Head Boy, Quidditch captain, what else did she need?

How dare she take Fiona's side over me? Completely shun me, as if I don't mean anything anymore. We were friends from first year, we'd bee through so much together, then how could they do this? My so-called best friends. How could they not even care that I was suddenly not there?

Anger, sadness and betrayal had become one emotion.

I knew that I wouldn't be happy until I saw them suffer. And making me happy was most important. It didn't matter to me that after this they would be in my control, but they wouldn't like me, I bet I had already created a lot of hatred for me in them. I probably had no chance of ever being friends with them.

But with friends like those, who needed enemies?

End Of Anisha's P.O.V - -

'We – find something out about her and threaten her back!' said Sirius, they were all back in the Head's common room, which they decided would be the safest place to talk as they had no fear of being overheard.

'That's a waste of time,' said Lily, 'She was a prude. I don't think she'd have ever done anything illegal or – Azkaban worthy. What she's got on you could get you expelled. There's no chance we find something equally bad about her and attempting to find something like this out would just take a lot of time and have a disappointing result.'

'Wow, that totally ruined that idea,' said Fiona, almost laughing.

'Hey! We need to face all the facts here; we can't go through with an idea that has too many flaws or that has no chance of working whatsoever,' said Lily.

'She's right,' said Remus, he then took a deep breath and said, 'This is all my fault. You shouldn't all have to get involved and be blamed for this.'

'Yeah Remus,' said James sarcastically. 'I clearly remembering you putting us three at wand point and forcing us to turn animagus.'

'This isn't your fault mate,' said Sirius. 'If it's anyone's its mine and James, for not being careful with the cloak and the map. We should have made sure there was no one there.'

'You couldn't have helped it,' said Peter unsurely.

'But how are we even certain that she knows this? What if all she really knows is – that Remus has a weird addiction to chocolate or something,' said Fiona.

'We can hope,' said Remus.

'Yeah but we mustn't take any chances!' said Lily. 'If she does know, we'll back to the same place we are now.'

'Yeah, but if she doesn't, we're just wasting precious time,' said Sirius.

'Well what would you rather we do?' said Lily heatedly. 'Sit around hoping that Anisha hasn't found out that Remus is a werewolf and you three are bloody animagus?'

'No,' said Sirius forcefully, 'Maybe we're just wasting too much time on this, we should be taking immediate action, confront her! Ask her what she knows! If she knows the worst well then we lock her up in a broom closet and make her swear she wont tell anyone!'

'That's the most stupid idea I've ever heard!' Lily answered back. 'And you were laughing at Peter. We can't lock her up in a broom closet! Do you want anymore reasons to be expelled?'

'If it works we wont have any reason to get expelled because no one else will no about us being animagus!' protested Sirius.

'You're acting completely irrational Sirius Black,' Lily said.

'And you're acting like a complete control freak Lily Evans,' he said back with equal heat.

'That's enough,' James said to Sirius. 'Don't talk to her that way. Of all the days not to get along, you have to pick today?'

'This is what she wants you guys,' said Fiona weakly. 'She wants us to get like this. We can't give her the satisfaction that she's gotten to us. We have to stick together, and only then can we get through this. Remus, we're all in this together okay? You fall, we fall. Its no one's fault,' she added firmly.

'Well said,' squeaked Peter, Fiona smiled warmly at him.

'Maybe we should confront her?' asked Lily looking uncertain, and afraid that she would say the wrong thing.

'Maybe,' said James looking around for support.

'But what are we supposed to say to her?' asked Fiona. 'Hey Anisha, we just wanted to know if you knew if Remus is a werewolf and James, Sirius and Peter are animagus so that we could figure out how we're supposed to stop you from telling anyone so that they don't get expelled?'

Peter laughed but stopped abruptly as he saw Lily glare at him.

'Well, not exactly in those words Fiona,' she said to her.

'What else are we supposed to say to her then?' Fiona asked her.

'Well something along those lines,' Sirius said, 'But more subtle.'

'Yeah,' agreed Lily.

'Ask her what she really thinks she can achieve from all of this,' Remus said.

'I thought that was a bit obvious,' said James. 'She's going to tell you to break up with Fiona, most probably in the most humiliating way possible. Probably get Fiona and Lily to be her personal slaves. Make Padfoot ask her out or something, and then she be able to reject her in front of everyone. 'Cause that's what she wants doesn't she? Attention more than anything. She got jealous because suddenly two of her best friends got with two, and if I might say, very popular boys. And then Kate's on the scene, going out with Padfoot, so she feels replaced doesn't she? Like suddenly she doesn't matter.'

'But she did matter! She just assumed all this from herself! I mean, who put these idiotic thoughts into her head?' Lily said angrily.

'I didn't want to stop being friends with her,' added Fiona sadly.

'Well its better that you're not,' said Sirius. 'You don't want to be friends with a person like her, you never know when she'll turn on you.'

'She didn't used to be like that! She used to be lovely,' said Lily.

'Used to be, being the emphasis here,' said Sirius.

'Yeah but what happened?' said James looking confused. 'It feels like I missed a big chunk of everything. One minute everything is fine, the other I find out Lily and Anisha aren't speaking, and then everything's fine, and then I find out Fiona and Remus are going out and Anisha isn't speaking to you again. I mean, seriously, what the hell went on then?'

Remus and Lily exchanged guilty looks, 'It's a long story James, and it's unimportant,' said Lily.

'I don't believe that,' James said, but when he saw the distressed expression on Lily's face he added, 'but you can tell me about it after this has blown over.'

'If it ever does,' said Peter darkly.

'Well we need to make a plan, at least do something!' said James, 'We cant just sit here and moan, I say one of us asks Anisha what she's playing at, try to find out as much as we can from her, and then well – try and decide what we do.'

'What if she does know – everything? How are we supposed to stop her from not spilling?' asked Peter looking worried.

'I don't know,' said Remus, 'But we're going to have to listen to her terms, it's the only thing we can do.'

'What if she tells you to break up with Fiona?' asked Lily.

Remus looked at his hands, trying not to meet anyone's eyes, 'I'll have no choice,' he said sadly.

'You cant do that Remus-' started Lily determinedly.

'-Yes he can Lils. I don't want any of you to get expelled,' Fiona interrupted, looking at Remus and the Marauders. 'If it's the only way, I understand and well then we're just going to have to learn to live with it.'

And then she looked at Remus with a grin and said, 'And, after we leave school, and maybe them three can register as animagus, we can go out again?'

Remus smiled at her, 'I'll hold you to that,' he said, and he leaned over to kiss her on the lips.

Sirius cleared his throat, 'As much as I hate to break this love-fest, I have one teeny question. Who's going to talk to Anisha?' he said.

Lily grinned at him, 'Well I thought that was obvious, you of course,' she said simply.

'Me?' asked Sirius bewildered.

'Him?' asked James and Peter at the same time.

Lily nodded, 'Well yeah,' she said. 'He's the only one who can seem dangerous but strangely calm at the same time.'

'But you just called me irrational a few minutes ago.' said Sirius.

'Well yeah,' she said, 'Because you were being irrational. But I know that you're the only one who knows how to stay dangerously calm at the same time, growing up with the Blacks of course.'

'Wow, Evans, was that almost a compliment?' asked Sirius slyly.

'No,' scoffed Lily. 'Who said being dangerous and calm at the same time was a good thing?'

James smirked at Sirius, 'Where's Kate anyway?' he asked him.

Sirius shrugged, 'Library probably,' he said, trying not to look too bothered.

'Still a closed book?' asked Fiona raising her eyebrows.

'Yeah,' said Sirius exasperatedly, 'I mean, what is she hiding?'

'For Merlin's sake,' sighed Lily, 'You never understand do you? She's been through a lot, and she's probably going through a wide range of emotions at the moment.'

James shook his head at her, 'I thought being friends with a guy like Moony was confusing, half of the time I don't even know what you're going on about!' he said.

She rolled her eyes, 'You don't get it,' she said, 'Kate's a very – keep to herself sort of person, like, she doesn't open up to people a lot, and she probably never has. As far as I know, the only person she did talk to was Zeke Myers, her brother. And in the summer she lives in an orphanage, and I'm probably right in assuming she has no – no one to talk to over there either. And then suddenly, out of nowhere, the one person least likely to grow close to her, is being the most important person in her life. I bet she's feeling overwhelmed and scared, and probably confused as well.'

'Elaborate,' said Sirius as Fiona nodded.

'Its like this, I'm guessing the reason she stayed away from people was because she was scared of getting hurt, she's afraid they'll leave her, like Zeke did. And now she's getting all this attention from well, Sirius Black, and as much as I hate to say it, he – you, are a very popular guy. And then she's suddenly friends with me and Fiona, and she's talking to the Marauders, I mean, I bet its really overwhelming, going from, sorry Sirius, a loner to – someone who's not a loner. And confused because she's not sure if you really like her, and no offence to you but you have always been sort of a player. I mean how does she know that you aren't going to get bored of her and leave her for the a better blonde that shows up? And plus, she's opened up to you – sort of, and in her life she's always been ridiculed and pranked and stuff, she doesn't know if you also known for his pranks, could just be playing with her? She might be thinking that you'll tell everyone and then she'll just end up being humiliated and getting laughed at.'

James stared at Lily in amazement, he leant over and kissed her firmly on the lips, he broke apart with a deep breath and said to her, 'How the hell do you do that?'

'What? Kiss or know things about people?' she asked.

'Knowing things about people!' interrupted Sirius. 'How do you know all that? I mean, is that true? Is that what she thinks?'

'I don't know,' said Lily shrugging, 'It's probably true, but then again, its just a guess.'

'But how the hell can you guess all that?' said Peter in shock.

She shrugged again, 'Dunno, it's probably a girl thing,' she said with a laugh.

Fiona shook her head, 'No it's not,' she snorted. 'I couldn't have guessed all of that.'

James put an arm around her, 'Well,' he began proudly, 'You know, Lily has this, has this, special talent, she can just figure things out by looking at people.'

At this Fiona let out a laugh, 'Yeah right!' she said. 'And for like, six years she couldn't figure out you were madly in love with her!'

James shrugged as he looked at Lily, who had crouched down looking sheepish, 'Nobody's perfect,' he said.

Lily smiled up at him and pecked him on the cheek.

Sirius was looking distressed, 'I'm not a player anymore though am I?' he said looking up at Remus and Fiona for help. 'I haven't been with a girl for three weeks. And I don't know why. I just – I really like Kate, I don't know why, I mean, she makes me laugh at the smallest things, and she's so kind – and she's a really good artist, and she's so creative. And she means a lot to me, I mean, how could she think that I would humiliate her or do anything to embarrass or hurt her?' he said helplessly.

'Only because you've been doing it for the past six years,' said Fiona matter of factly. Remus lightly smacked her on the arm, 'You're not helping,' he said in her ear as Sirius's face fell.

She looked at Sirius apologetically, 'I'm sorry,' she said, 'I didn't mean that, well I did, because it's true, I mean, well, if you don't want her to think that way why don't you set her straight? Show her how much she means to you.'

'And don't forget,' said Lily looking guilty, 'It was just a guess, I was probably not even right.'

'Oh I'm sure you were Lily,' said James reassuringly but stopping suddenly as Lily gave him a blow in the stomach.

'I've got to go,' said Sirius, appearing to be fine, as he got up, 'I think I'll erm, meet Kate.'

Lily smiled at him encouragingly, 'When are you going to talk to Anisha though?' she asked him.

'The minute I see her,' he said, his expression clouding.

'Good luck with your girl problems, mate,' said James.

Sirius nodded at them, and walked out of the door, looking all the part of the mysterious handsome boy he put on most of the times.

'Wizard chess anyone?'

x--x

Don't kill me for being so late with an update!

But I swear, I have been really busy!

And well, lack of inspiration really. :[

I'd promised myself I'd post a chapter before Christmas, as an early lame Christmas present from me. I'm really sorry, I had no time at all.

Anyway, please accept my apology, and this chapter can be an on-time Christmas present I guess, since I'm posting this on Christmas.

There will be definitely more humour and romance in upcoming chapters, I tried to have a bit of humour in this chapter as well, but I felt it had way too much drama to go over the top funny right?

Kate will be showing up next chapter… hopefully.

And in time, you'll understand Anisha's motives behind everything else, if you already haven't.

Thanks for everyone who continuously review, and have been doing so loyally since the first chapter. If you don't review, please, they mean a lot.

Criticise or compliment, I appreciate all.

Tell me what you liked, how I could improve, or what you hated.

Thanks for being patient.

Love you all!