Okay so, for those who think Sirius is hitting on Aurora – he's not. The thing with Sirius (at least here, in my story) is this: he grew up in a house without love, which means he's a very troubled young man who doesn't quite know how to deal with the feelings he has for Aurora and he doesn't feel like she should know about them. He made 'Ro promise not to date any of the guys not only because it would pretty much change their whole group dynamic, but also because he doesn't want to see her with his best friends (not that the idea of her with other guys is all that appealing either). You see, 'Ro means something very special to Sirius because she gave him the chance to start over with a new family, a family who loves him and accepts all of him unconditionally, and for that he will always cherish her as his most precious treasure. But at the same time, he doesn't feel like he's good enough for her and he doesn't want things to get spoiled and complicated between them, even though he is still selfish enough to keep her holding on to that promise.

Also, Aurora is the type of girl who's slightly oblivious to romance. The only things that matter to her are her family, her friends and the Marauders. But, of course, Remus falls into whole category all together. She has been in love with him since she first saw him, and she knows he feels the same because they can't keep anything from each other, which makes everything the more complicated. They have the sort of friendship that's really close to the limit and they keep dancing around the edge but without ever fully stepping over the line because they don't want to ruin what they've built with the Marauders and they know a relationship would make things a lot different.

However... that dance around the edge can't last forever and they're both hormonal teenagers who have loved each other for half their lives. It's bound to snap. And when it does, things will never be the same. But they're going to make mistakes along the way – all of them. They'll wish they could've done things differently. They'll wish no one had gotten hurt. But in the end, isn't that how it is for everyone? We all make mistakes, we all do stupid things and act without fully pondering about the real consequences of our actions. It is, after all, human nature.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I have no ownership over Harry Potter and its wonderful universe. I do own my OC's and story line.

Harry Potter - The Marauders Era

"The Princess Marauder"

January, 1976 - Fifth Year

After a draining career orientation session with McGonagall, all I wanted was to get to the Common Room and pass out on the couch for the rest of the year.

How could I still have no idea of what I wanted to do with my life? O.W.L's were zeroing in at the speed of lightening, and I simply couldn't come to a decision. There were so many people tugging me towards so many different directions that I was just plain confused about everything. On one side, Sirius kept pressuring me to become an Auror with him. Then James insisted I should try to go Quidditch pro after Hogwarts. Also, my parents were under the impression I had good teaching material so they were trying to coax me into the idea of becoming a professor. It was just too much.

Everyone's got something they want me to be except me!

God, I was frustrated.

If I really thought about what I would love to do for the rest of my life, there was just one thing that stood out from everything else, and that was helping Remus. I wanted to do something for him, for his condition. But I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out what.

Someone suddenly bumped into my shoulder hard, snapping me into reality. I looked up with a groan, only to then curse when I realized it was dear old Evan. He stared down at me with a malicious sneer.

"If I were you I would watch where I go, blood traitor," he hissed.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Evan, I didn't see you there. It must've been because your existence is so insignificant," I replied in a sickeningly sweet voice.

His cruel lips twisted into a snarl. "Do you think you're funny, Marauder Princess? Because you're not. You're just a little a kitten who thinks she's a lion and prances about the castle like she owns it. You and your pack of mutts are a complete joke."

"You think I'm a kitten, do you Evan? Aw, that's sweet, but I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you. I'm sure you already have a very ugly fiancé appointed by your dear parents that's waiting for you. I mean, you must have, right? After all, they forced your sister into marrying that obese monstrosity of Crabbe. Tell me, hasn't he squashed her to death yet?"

The wand was at my neck before I could blink. Pff. Pathetic. As if I was scared of him. Maybe when I was younger, but definitely not anymore.

"Don't you dare talk about my sister, Rosier!"

"Why? What are you going to do without her here to defend you?" I dared.

For a moment, I was sure he would fire a curse. His eyes were flaring with a hunger to hurt and his hand was shaking so hard I could hear the jiggling of his joints. But then, a hand fell on his wrist and lowered the wand. Evan turned to Snape with a growl.

"That's enough, Evan. Let's go back to the dungeons," Snape said. "We have businesses to take care of."

I couldn't believe my ears and my eyes. Snape actually stopping Evan? What's next, he would start dancing and singing like a ballerina?

"Whatever," Evan spat. Before following his friend, he shot me a death glare. "Better watch your back, princess."

How nice of him to warn me. I snorted, spinning on my heels and heading to the Common Room.

As soon as I stepped behind the Fat Lady, I made a bee line straight to the couch and literally plunged into it. The cushions bounced with the sudden action as I buried my face in the soft, fluffy pillows. I heard my friends making fun of my clear distraught.

"What crawled up your knickers, huh 'Ro?" Sirius quipped with a grin.

"Ugh," I groaned. "Don't even get me started. So far, this has been the worst day ever."

"Why? What's wrong?" Remus asked as he scooted closer to me on the floor.

"Well, at first it was just McGonagall, she gave me a really hard time today during career orientation. Then, on my way here, I bumped into Evan and we had a bit of a row, but I suppose that's really nothing out of the ordinary..."

Remus scowled. "Did he hurt you?"

"I'll kill him if he did," Sirius growled.

I laughed. "No, he didn't hurt me, but I appreciate the thought, Padfoot."

"It's odd of him not to try, though," Peter pipped in. "He's always dead-set on cursing your socks off."

"Oh I didn't say he didn't try. He did, but you'll never guess who came to my defence."

"Who?" James asked with a growing interest.

I took a moment for dramatic effect before sprouting, "Snape."

The "WHAT?!" was collective, making every head in the Common Room turn to us. Nothing new there then. Sirius shook his head in disbelief. "You're pulling one over us, right?"

"I swear on my life I'm not. The bloke came up, lowered Evan's wand and pulled him away from me."

"Well, maybe he's grateful to you," Remus offered, stroking his chin.

James hummed in agreement. "That's probably right. You did save his life after all."

"So did you," I shot.

"Yeah but I wasn't the one shifting mid-air and pouncing on a snarling wolf the size of a bus."

Remus visibly flinched. "Merlin, did it really happen like that?"

"It doesn't matter," I said quickly before he could try getting further into that. He tried asking about that night but I strictly told the lads I didn't want them telling him about it. I cleared my throat, sitting up, "So, about tomorrow night... here in the Common Room at the same time?"

"You're not coming tomorrow," Remus firmly prompted.

I scrunched my forehead. "What? Why not?"

"Because I'm saying you're not."

"But–"

"You promised me, Aurora," he hissed with a glare.

"I did not! You walked away before could I promise anything!" I bristled.

"Don't do this, alright? I can't have you anywhere near him until the last full moon of April."

"April?!" I paled. "You can't keep me out until April, Remus!"

"Oh yes, I can. You're not coming, even if I have to ask Lily to lock you in your room."

I gasped, squinting my eyes. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Don't test me, Aurora."

Sirius placed a calming hand over his shoulder. "Mate, just let her come along if she wants to. What's the deal anyway?"

"No, I'm not joking about this." His voice was almost on the verge of breaking. "She cannot come, and you have to promise not to let her!"

"Why? Just tell me why, Remus!" I demanded.

"It doesn't matter why! Bloody respect my wishes for once!"

"For once?" I shrieked. "When have I not respected your wishes?!"

James was pinching the bridge of his nose, looking completely exasperated. "Can't you two do anything else but fight?"

Sirius chuckled dryly, "I agree with Prongs. Sometimes you two look more like a married couple than best friends."

"Oh piss off, Padfoot," I snapped.

"Oi, don't lash out on me! He's the one who doesn't want you to come!"

Remus morphed into disbelief. "Is that your way of defending one of your best friends? Hell, Sirius, you're such a fucking great mate!"

"Bloody fantastic." Sirius threw his hands up. "Now I'm caught in the cross fire."

"Actually, you sort of jumped right into it," Peter joked, leaning back against the couch with his chubby hands folded on his lap.

"Enough," Remus said harshly. "This is getting nowhere. My word is final, Aurora. You're not coming. After April, knock yourself out with the wolf since you seem to like him so much, but until then you better stay inside this castle."

I crossed my arms, feeling my blood boil with rage. Who did he think he was to tell me what I could or couldn't do? He didn't even have the balls to explain me why I had to stay out until April.

"What will you do if I don't, huh?" I dared him with a smirk. Moving to be right in front of his face, I inched close enough to almost touch his nose. I stared deep into those glowing hazel green orbs that made me feel so much at the same time. Something flashed in them, his pupil dilated completely, darkening the colours into pure black.

"Don't. Test. Me," he drawled through gritted teeth and a clenched jaw. His voice sounded dangerous, it sent jolts of thrill down my body. And he was...

Wait... I pulled back in shock. He was growling!

Remus sprung to his feet like lightening and proceeded into storming his way out of the Common Room, bumping into a group of third years without even apologizing. I gaped. What the devil just happened?

"He's officially crossed now," James pointed out, scratching his neck.

Sirius groaned. "Just brilliant. It's going to be so much fun dealing with him tomorrow..."

The sad and frustrating thing was – I actually ended up not going, and I never even knew why.