A/N: Okay, so it's been awhile (sheepish feeling...) but I've learned my lesson! From now on, I'll just write whole stories at once, and I will post them chapter by chapter once they are complete! So, I will write the end of Sheepsuit tonight (warning, I have to go to work, so it may be very late/early) and finish the storieeeeee! I have also deleted "Resonance" from ff for now. I did NOT remove it from my computer, so I may re-post the whole thing once I have COMPLETELY finished the story. I have another one started that I will probably put up before then. It will be my first longer, chaptered L/J, so that's something to look forward to. Anyway, here is the almost-conclusion of Sheepsuit! Assuming you haven't read the last chapter in months, I would go back and find out where we are if I were you. of course, if I were you, I would have posted by now.
The Sheepsuit Removed!
It took me a few minutes to calm down and think. It's okay, Tonks. I mean, it's still the same old Remus Lupin. Nothing has changed! And the more important fact: Would the real Lila have freaked out? Had I given myself away again? I smacked my palm to my forehead. I must find Remus! I leapt to my feet and charged to the Gryffindor common room. The dumb old Fat Lady wouldn't let me in without a password, and the only way to get a password was from a Gryffindor.
Luckily, my Gryffindor had come to find me just in time! "I'm right here, Lila," Remus said, eyeing me apprehensively. Poor fellow was probably frightened after my reaction. How could I have been so cruel? It's the same old Remus Lupin, I reminded myself. That got me brave enough to talk.
He told me all about being a werewolf. I stayed quiet mostly, nodding and asking an occasional question. I found out that he wasn't dangerous except on the full moon and he had never eaten anyone. I found that I wasn't afraid of him at all, and my mantra just the same old Remus Lupin was very believable with him sitting right there, taking my hand and smiling sheepishly.
He walked me back to my common room and kissed my hand. Prince Charming, I thought. No fairytale monsters here!
"Goodnight Remus. I promise I won't ever tell anyone, so long as I live."
He grinned back at me. "I'm grateful. Goodnight Lila."
I danced into my dorm as soon as he had turned his back. I had cracked the secret of Remus Lupin! I know the man behind the mystery now! We shared something very real, something nobody but his best friends knew!
That thought made me freeze. If Remus knows I know his secret, but he thinks I'm Lila… he might bring it up with me later on. But what if I'm not me? What if I'm her? What if he inadvertently gives his secret away to the real Lila, that stupid girl! What if the rumors are true about her, transferring from Durmstrang and being a pureblood maniac? What if someone like her reveals everything? Remus's life would be ruined!
And it would be all my fault.
My blood felt chilly as it ran through me. I had to tell Remus the truth before something terrible happened.
The next morning, he and I went for a walk on the grounds. It was snowy outside, my favorite weather, but I could hardly enjoy it knowing what I had to tell him. I was also distracted by the knowledge that he and the real Lila had snogged. I knew it was silly to feel betrayed, but it hurt all the same. I also knew that I was nowhere near ready to kiss a boy myself! And now I see where lies get you…
I should have learned my lesson, but then I had an odd thought. Has Remus asked the other Lila to be his girlfriend? Am I expected to kiss him? Will he be mad if I don't? I meant to dig around, just to see what the situation was, but when I asked if I was his girlfriend, he said yes! Not yes in the "Well, obviously" way but yes in the "you weren't until you asked but you are now" way. This meant that I had once again mucked things up. The real Lila was completely unaware that she and Remus were dating now, thanks to me, and my lies began to tumble down one right after the other. I had even forgotten what I meant to tell him, because he did something that scared me so badly.
He leaned down to kiss me. I saw him coming closer, I could feel his peppermint breath on my face, the curve of his perfect eyelashes brushing closed on his cheeks, the world slowed down so that I had a moment to think and realize I could not let him.
Poor Remus didn't know that I was twelve, and I knew he was going to find out, and that he would feel very, very badly about giving me a kiss. I turned and felt his lips brush my cheeks. Confusion and a bit of hurt showed in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Remus," I could feel the stutter in my words. "I just don't think I'm ready!" Stupid, stupid girl. I'm so sorry!
"It's just a quick kiss, Lila."
Maybe to you! I've never kissed a boy! I made an excuse and ran in the other direction as quickly as I could. I had to get my wits about me. I had to tell him the truth before the real Lila found out Remus's secret or something worse! I had to stop lying before I became pathological.
I ran back to my dormitory and pulled the shades around my bed. What do I do, what do I do? I took a few deep breaths and summoned all of my courage. I would simply go find him and explain exactly what I had done. He would forgive me, I knew, because he was one of the kindest boys I had ever met, but he probably would be too embarrassed to ever talk to me again. I guess I could live with that. It's better than endangering his life.
What will he say when he finds out he tried to kiss a twelve year old?!
I shook my head. It doesn't matter. I have to do this. I left my dorm and was immediately ambushed.
"Okay, Lila, the gig is up!" I gave a squeak as Sirius Black pounced on me and wrestled me to the ground.
"We don't let girls treat our friends this way!" James Potter pulled his wand. "What'll it be, wench? The jelly legs jinx or a tickling charm?"
"Turn her into a newt!" Peter added.
I gasped. "Please, I can explain everything!" How did they already find out?
James did not lower his wand, and Sirius tightened his hold on my shoulders. "Oh? You can explain how, hours after you agree to be my best mate's girlfriend, you are caught snogging Amos Diggory in a broom cupboard?!"
"Yes, I can explain everything! That wasn't me!"
"The map never lies!" Sirius bellowed. James elbowed him sharply.
I narrowed my eyes. "What map?"
"It doesn't matter," James snapped. "We know what you did. We thought that you were okay! Are you still going to keep Remus's secret?"
"Or will I have to modify your memory?" Sirius let me go to draw his own wand.
"STOP!" I yelled. Take me to Remus, and I'll explain everything!"
They both lowered their wands and eyed me suspiciously. After a pause, James said, "Alright, but if we're not satisfied, I'm letting Peter try changing you into a newt."
Sirius nodded and crossed his arms. "Believe me, sweetie, that won't be pretty."
A/N: I will finish this before daylight tomorrow. It's decided. I kind of owe it to you guys... but to be frank, I'm not a fan of this story. It's been a bit of a chore to write. Can't wait to start on my next one!