As the Yule Ball drew nearer, everyone was becoming increasingly frantic. The hype was in the air; Remus could practically see boys and girls making heart eyes at each other and people constantly whispering during lessons and meal times asking their targets( he decided that crush was not the right word to use because, well, the person you asked didn't have to be your crush) to the ball. Sometimes loud cheers broke out with a bunch of girls oohing and wowing, sometimes it ended with a weep and a few hexes. Anyway, after nearly a month of adaption, Remus was immune to sudden emotional outbursts and life continued the way it had always been.

'No, but thanks for asking,' Remus ducked away from the gaze of a hopeful girl – a Hufflepuff third-year, he made a mental note to think about where he had possibly met her after the emergency of having a piss. He was surprised that someone had actually bothered to ask him, but as usual, he was not going to make himself noticeable among the new Hogwarts crowd.

But life did become more interesting for his friends. His fellow time travellers (the male ones in particular, he noticed) were caught up in the same frenzy as the other students. Sirius, charming as always, had earned himself a reputation among the fairer sex within the mere few months since he came and a fans club for him had since been established. He had been receiving invitations nonstop since the day the Ball was announced, and every night the Gryffindor prefect had to shoo away the mass of girls congregating at the Gryffindor Common Room for normal students, demanding to see the non-existent Black boy, ignoring the prefect's claim that he had no idea where the transfer students lived.

James, on the other hand, was no weaker rival to Sirius. Apart from his resemblance with Harry, the Hogwarts champion, his easy-going, friendly personality had also added to his popularity among the students. At the same time, the frequency of Lily protesting had been increasing at an alarming rate which Remus found worrying.

'Go away, Potter,' said Lily, her nose buried in her Charms notes. 'No matter how many times you ask, the answer is still "no".'

'But we're Harry's parents!'

'He understands perfectly the situation we're in,' said Lily evenly without looking up at James. 'Also, for the sake of protection, I don't think we should get too close with anyone else. Yes, Black, I'm talking about you.'

'Remus told Cho his middle name,' Peter chose to comment at this precise moment. Remus resisted the urge to smack him on the back.

'Well, not any closer. Not outside the Gryffindor crowd of our year,' said Lily.

'What about not outside this room?' asked James hopefully. 'Then we don't have to worry about our safety –' He shut up at Lily jabbing her wand in his direction.

'Actually,' Peter cleared his throat, 'I was going to say that Remus telling Cho his middle name was a clever act. I think it's time we make up fake names, like, can I just stop pretending to joke that I'm Saint Pettigrew? '

Lily stopped reading and studied him for a moment.

'Call me Petunia.' And then her attention returned to her work.

The few days leading to the Ball were the most chaotic. Classes could no longer continue normally with students' attention wandering to Merlin knows where, even the teachers were buzzing with excitement. Flitwick even made his double a free lesson and simply announced that they would 'rest a bit for the Ball'.

Remus felt himself burning with agitation. It was uncommon that he was like this when the full moon was a good two weeks away, given that he was normally good-natured (towards outsiders, at least). Though he and Sirius had made up a few days after the Cho incident, things did not seem to get better but became increasingly annoying: James's nonstop wooing assaulted his hearing, Sirius's nonchalantly throwing winks at girls but never actually accepting to be their date made him nauseous, even Peter talking to new girls got under his skin.

At the same time, he also found himself paying unnecessary attention to who his friends were going to the ball with. Despite the Marauders' help, Harry and Ron still hadn't managed to find a date. Guiltily, Remus found it relieving because it meant that he was not the only one stuck in the date-less situation, willingly or unwillingly.

'Oi, Jenkins is watching you like she can eat you alive,' James said while cutting his steak into little cubes. Is she The One?'

Sirius smirked. He smoothed his overgrown bangs. 'No idea.'

'I think not,' Peter munched on his share of fish and chips. 'Is it the one with plaits at the side? You were talking in a corner this afternoon. I saw you.'

Remus snorted. They had been having the guessing game since yesterday in which they tried to guess their respective dates. Remus had so far refused to speak on the matter; what was the point when he himself was not taking anyone to the ball anyway?

'Don't look at me, I told you I'm not playing this stupid game,' he said flatly before clearing his plate and left the hall.

'I'm going stag,' declared Sirius finally in their dormitory while the Marauders prepared themselves for the Yule Ball.

'What! The Hogwarts heartthrob is going stag!' James turned from the mirror, looking genuinely surprised, his hopeless hair sprang up once the comb he was pressing into his hair came to a halt.

Remus was shocked too. He got up from the bed and propped on his elbow (he had long given up getting ready for the ball. Again, what was the point?) and said, 'you're going stag too?'

'Well, two single blokes make a pair,' Sirius grinned.

'Who was that you turned down yesterday, Remus? Bolt from Ravenclaw?' inquired Peter. 'Pity you turned her down … hmm…' his voice trailed off as he turned and examined himself in the mirror.

Remus shrugged. 'She would have anyway if she knew what I really am. So I'd better do it myself.'

Sirius frowned; he opened his mouth but closed it a second later. Peter, who was oblivious to their exchanged, laughed and clapped Remus on the back. He stole a sideway look at James, who were trying his best to spray gel onto his messy hair. 'James, I bet Evans isn't your date tonight?'

James said indignantly, 'a Gryffindor never gives up. Plus, it's not like she won't be there tonight. I still have to look good.'

'Okay, okay, whatever you say. So, my three single friends, are you ready for the Ball?' Peter grinned, straightening his blue robes one last time. Laughing and half-wrestling, they left and went down to the Hall.

The Entrance Hall was packed with students, all milling about and congregating to meet their partners from different houses, waiting for eight o'clock when the doors to the Great Hall would be thrown open. Lining in front of the door was the judging panel, followed by teachers and the champions and their partners.

'Without further ado, let the Yule Ball begin!' Dumbledore's voice boomed in the Hall. The door opened, revealing the silvery world within. Snowflakes were falling down form the enchanted ceiling, hundreds of fairies perched on the great chandelier, their glitters magnifying the intensity of candlelight so that it was as bright as daytime. Amidst applause and cheers, the throng of students parted, leaving a narrow way for the teachers and champions to enter the Great Hall.

'Harry!' James shouted excitedly, pointing at the fourth pair in the queue. He didn't seem to hear him though; he was walking slowly behind Cedric and Cho, his right arm dangling loosely in the crook of the arm of a redheaded girl in laced magenta robes, who was peering nervously at the crowd and trying to walk with her back straight. The robes on her resembled the ones ladies wore in the 18th century in Gothic novels. Nonetheless, it accentuated her curves; she was pretty and elegant like a doll which was a perfect match for a Hogwarts champion.

'Poor Weasley, no hand-me-down robes for the only girl,' someone drawled behind the Marauders. Remus had no difficulty recognising it was Malfoy. 'Or is it directly inherited from her dear gran?'

Crabbe and Goyle giggled behind him. Rolling his eyes, Remus tugged at Sirius sleeves and led the Marauders away from Malfoy.

'I think he made the right choice,' said James. 'Better than Cho, better than Delacour. Doesn't he look perfect with a redhead next to him?'

'You're seeing him as the mini you and Evans, that's all,' Peter grabbed a pudding on their way to the middle of the Hall. 'And guys? I told Evelyn I would be waiting for her in front of the stage. See you in a while.'

'What kind of friend are you, Pete?' James ruffled his hair, examining the environment. 'Won't you stay for your three single friends? We're the Marau – oh, wow,' he suddenly paused and took a deep breath. 'Take care of each other, will you? I'll be right back.'

Remus watched him make his way through the thick crowd to a corner, where Lily Evans was talking animatedly to Neville. She wore emerald green robes with white puffed sleeves, which brought out the green of her eyes and was a good match for her deep red hair now tied into a messy bun.

Sirius and Remus looked at each other. A second later they were both bursting with laughter.

'He meant he'd be back a hundred years later, after he and Evans have spawned a dozen more Harries,' Sirius wiped away his tears from laughing too hard. 'Lucky that I brought Exploding Snaps. It's not illegal to play Snaps at the Yull Ball, is it?'

'No, Dumbledore would probably toast to that. How romantic, playing Exploding Snaps among dancing couples to the beat of waltzes,' Remus deadpanned. Chuckling, he casually extended a hand to Sirius. 'Care to be my date tonight, Mr Black?'

'Not unless you bring me food, Mr Lupin,' Sirius smirked. 'I'm starving.'

After eight rounds of Exploding Snaps and all the food devoured, Sirius sat at the table near the candyfloss fountain, a goblet rolling between his palms, golden Butterbeer swinging against the glass, feeling extremely bored. Not that he didn't enjoy his time with Remus, but a ball wasn't supposed to be like this. James sodding Potter was off chasing Evans and ditching him, while Peter was on the dance floor actually dancing. Then there was Sirius Black, who was meditating like a monk, watching magical snowflakes fall and couples kiss under mistletoes. He looked left and right, squinting for the sight of Remus, who had gone to take dessert for them.

Where the hell has he gone to?

'If you'll excuse me,' mumbled Sirius as soon as he saw a flicker of brown hair at the front of the Hall where the Weird Sisters, a popular wizarding band, were playing bizarre music. He stood up, pushing the giggling girl away from his lap. She fell, head first down the floor. He ran in the direction of Remus, who was holding two plates and were apparently in the same predicament. The only difference was that he was not as cruel as Sirius as to shove the girl off brutally but was trying his best to talk her out of it.

'I'm afraid, ah, I am rather hungry,' Remus stuttered, awkwardly avoiding the girl in apple green satin robes, now having her arms draped over him. 'Maybe later?'

'Later?' she purred, her hazel eyes strangely bright and shiny, a dazed look rested on her face. 'It's now or never, but "never" is not an option.' She giggled, her hand already slicing down Remus's trunk, into his robes.

'Oi! Piss off!' Sirius sprinted as anger rose up his chest. 'Can't you tell that he doesn't want you!'

'Don't –' Remus paled visibly, wiggling and struggling under the girl's arms. With a duck he successfully escaped, the two plates still upright and intact on his palms (Sirius had to commend him on his agility). He backed away hurriedly, but the girl, who was by far the most adamant female Sirius had ever seen, got up and lunged at Remus again. Startled, he ran to the nearest exist, which led him away from the enchanted Great Hall and into a dark corridor. She followed suit, her hand already getting hold the hem of his cloak.

'Ouch!' Sirius heard them scream. Speeding up, he halted himself in front of a shifting great lump under a velvet curtain. So we're in the backstage preparation room then, thought Sirius, which is good, because no one will be here to witness the torture I'll execute on the clingy bitch.

'Stop – get off me!' Remus's muffled protests came under the curtain.

'Oooh, touchy. Can I have a look?' the girl spoke in a singsong. 'Take off your cloak, uh-huh, what's inside, I wonder –'

'Stupify!' Sirius bellowed and pointed his wand at the flying red lump which he was sure was the girl.

'Ouch.' Grumbling, the great lump stood up, revealing a flustered Remus under the curtain with gravy spilled all over him, the two plates he was holding crashed into four pieces at his feet. He placed the girl horizontally in his lap; half his robes were pulled off, baring his undershirt.

'You knocked her out,' breathed Remus. He steadied himself, still panting heavily, beads of sweat trailing down his cheeks. 'She would've fallen and broken her neck, if I hadn't caught her.'

'She would've fallen and got laid, if I hadn't stupefied her. Drop that monster, will you?' Sirius mimicked Remus in a high-pitched tone, reaching out to pull up Remus's robe so that it was in the proper place again. 'She's as aggressive as an Inferi wanting to skin you alive. Birds nowadays,' he tutted, making his comment in a voice much lower and more mature than it usually was.

Remus stilled. Inhaling deeply, he put her down carefully on the floor. 'She's drunk, I reckon. Or under a love potion.'

'Or under a spell,' a cold voice called behind them. Sirius and Remus spun on their heels, coming face to face with a sneering Snape, who was standing crossed-arm and blocking the way entirely.

'Let me see,' said Snape softly, bringing his hooked nose down to them. 'What have we got here? Two male students in a dark room, an unconscious girl on the floor… one has his robes pulled off…' his black, beady eyes wandered to Remus's shoulder, on which lay his robes, pulled up sloppily by Sirius, 'and one has his wand out… why, I think it's self-explanatory.'

'Fuck off, Snivellus,' Sirius growled, bringing himself up to face Snape fully. 'It's not what your perverted mind thinks it is.'

'It is not?' Snape whispered dangerously, his black irises sparkling a menacing glint. 'And when it comes to perversity, I'm sure you know a lot more than me, Black. Time will tell.'

'She groped him! Molested him! Would've raped him if I hadn't barged in!' Sirius snarled. He jumped and lunged at Snape, but Remus rushed forward and pulled him back.

'Sirius –'

Paying no heed to Remus, Snape continued, his beady eyes boring straight into Sirius like they could burn holes on him. 'What a good guard dog you are, lying for the werewolf,' he lifted his gaze from Sirius for a moment as he shot a sidelong glance at Remus. 'Tell me, Lupin, since when are you attractive enough to have someone dying to rape you?'

Heat rose up Remus's cheeks; mortified, his grip on Sirius slackened. Something fell from the pocket of his robes, but Sirius was too occupied to see what it was. Seizing the opportunity, he broke free from Remus, the most vicious, cruelest hex rolling at the tip of his tongue –

'Expelliarmus!'

The wand flew out of Sirius's grip forcefully, landing in Snape's left palm with a perfect arc. At the same time, he felt himself freeze in midair; stumbling, he fell to the ground as ropes appeared out of thin air and snaked up his limbs and body.

'Ah,' Snape's foot tapped on the thing that fell from Remus's pocket – a small piece of parchment, now that Sirius saw it as he struggled to get up – 'A parchment. Don't tell me you're studying to the point that you carry notes around in the Yule Ball…'

Sirius saw the muscles on Remus's arms contracted and relaxed a second after, clearly having thought better of snatching the parchment from Snape. His face turned bright red then green then white in a few seconds, his knuckles white within the sleeves of his robes.

Snape was clearly relishing the moment. He peered at the parchment, his right hand paused on its way to the pocket, as if contemplating whether to use his wand or not. And then, seeming to have decided against it, he slowly unfolded the parchment, making sure that Remus saw his every move.

'Re, can we meet?' Snape read out slowly and loudly, his black brows arched up a little. 'Nice pet name, indeed. Should've known a werewolf wouldn't understand a word that's not monosyllabic.'

'Y-yes, that's my nickname.' To Sirius's surprise, Remus spoke, his composure regaining though his voice was still shaky. 'It's a letter. Someone sent it to me and I was just going to chuck it to the fire. May I have it back?'

'No,' Snape's lips curled unpleasantly. 'The last time I took a parchment from a student, it turned out that his parchment was coded.' His gaze swiveled back and forth on Remus's letter, but his wanded hand held still. Instead of casting a revealing spell, he refolded it and put it in his pocket. 'Who knows if it's your bait to lure your victim to your trap? I'm confiscating it.'

'I told you –' Sirius's temporarily suppressed temper flared up again once the shock of seeing Remus's letter getting confiscated was over, ' – that we were the victims, not her –'

'We shall see who the real victim is, then. Prior Incantato,' said Snape idly, his own wand pointing at Sirius's wand on his palm, ignoring Sirius who was barking protests on the floor. A shot of red light erupted from the wand tip, narrowly missing Remus who ducked and dodged it in time.

'I see, a Stunning Spell,' Snape's lips curled up maliciously. 'No doubt cast on the girl before performing your debauched business.'

'Yes! A Stunning Spell!' Sirius roared at the top of his lungs. 'You bloody, stupid, perverted motherfucker, for God's sake she was groping him –'

'WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?'

A beam of white light shone from the door, illuminating a scarred face and a blue magical eye rolling madly in its socket. Moody.

Snape's arms fell to his side, his cloak flying as he turned to face Moody fully. 'Just caught a werewolf in heat, and his guard dog licking his leftover.'

Moody's lipless mouth pressed into a very thin line. He looked at Remus, at Sirius, then at the still unconscious girl on the floor, his magical eye whizzing. Without a word, he edged forwards on his wooden leg and pointed his wand at Sirius.

The ropes disappeared. Sirius got up at once, jabbing his finger at Snape and barked, 'the bitch threw herself on Remus and Professor Snape here has the genius mind to accuse us of assaulting her –'

'SILENCE,' Moody growled. 'Was it true, Snape? That she assaulted him? Not the other way round?' He said, word by word, as if threatening Snape to contradict him. 'The Headmaster wouldn't be very happy if we wrong anyone on our side …'

Snape said nothing. Lips pressed together, his scorching gaze landed on Sirius across his hooked nose, and for a split second Sirius had the haunted feeling that Snape could read his mind. Sod the motherfucker, sod Snivellus. Why didn't he arrive earlier to see the bitch grope Moony for himself? Bloody Snivellus, thinking he is better being the bloody professor…

'Very well,' said Snape abruptly, his voice void of any emotions. 'I trust that you'll have the right judgement as to the situation on hand, and from now on I shall have nothing to do with the matter.'

With that he turned and strode out with a flick of his cloak, blowing up a layer of dust behind him. It fell down the air, making itself a cheesy replication of the enchanted snowflakes sprinkling down the dancing crowd in the Great Hall.