The amount of homework assigned to us that semester was incredible and though Lily was determined to continue studying for O.W.L.s, the rest of us decided that Hogsmeade weekend was the perfect time for a break.

Apparently, everyone else thought so too, because we found the Three Broomsticks absolutely crammed. So after ordering our drinks, we left the crowded pub, walked down a ways, and eventually found ourselves sitting on the rock in front of the Shrieking Shack, swinging our feet, drinking butterbeer and eating chocolate.

"Is it really haunted?" I asked, nodding my head towards the decrepit shack.

"I hear the villagers talk about it all the time", Dorcas replied, "They say they hear guttural screams at night sometimes. Some nights the whole building will rattle violently."

Alice shivered and scooted closer to me.

"Kind-of hard to be too scared when we're just out here in broad daylight, eating chocolate though", Marlene commented, smiling at Alice, and I knew she'd said it for her benefit.

We met Lily in the entrance hall and headed for dinner together. We had only just sat down when an infuriated voice roared in the entrance hall, "You keep you big greasy nose out of other people's business, Snivellus!"A loud thud could be heard and by the time we had scrambled to the doors that led out to the entrance hall, Sirius and Snape were at each other's throats with their wands. A group of first years squealed in fright and pushed past us to the Great Hall, clearly wanting to avoid the scene.

"You follow us again and I'll hex you so badly even your filthy mother won't be able to recognize you", Sirius growled menacingly.

Snape retorted acidly, "At least my mother wants to recognize me."

"Levicor-"

"Sectumsempra!", Snape yelled triumphantly, but Marlene stepped in front of Sirius in a flash, shouting, "Protego!" and Severus was almost hit with his own rebounding curse.

Severus retaliated with a Stinging Hex that caught Marlene's forearm. She yelped in pain.

I found myself beginning to step forward to help Marlene but Sirius stepped forth, using own arm to push her behind his back to protect her. He was snarling in terrible fury as he pointed his wand straight at Severus and snarled, "Morsus!"

"NO!" Lily cried aloud, "Protego!" and she stepped in front of Severus, "That's a really dangerous spell, Sirius!"

"Evans, get out of the way!" Sirius snapped, his eyes shooting daggers past her at Snape.

"No", Lily said firmly, but upon realizing that she was also standing against Marlene, her cheeks flushed.

Marlene, her eyes filled with anger and hurt in the thought that Lily had chosen Snape over her, said quietly, "Fine. I see."

"Wait, Marlene!" Lily pleaded desperately, "Wait-", but Marlene had raced out of the hall into the corridor.

Dorcas snarled at the boys, "Good going, you bloody buffoons" before she and Alice ran after the girls themselves.

But neither of the boys had lowered their wands.

In the corridor, we could hear Lily pleading with Marlene, Marlene's angry retort, and Lily bursting into tears. A flicker of unease passed Snape's face.

"Marlene!" Lily called out and even in her voice, her tears could be heard.

"I hope you two murder each other", I spat out at them, and shoved past both of them, running towards the corridor.

As I left I heard Sirius yell, "You know what, you bastard, I'll tell you exactly what you can do! Press the knob of the Whomping Willow ten minutes to midnight and get down to the end of the tunnel. You'll find everything you want to down there, I promise you that. But then again, I doubt you'd be brave enough, Snivelly."

Dorcas had followed Marlene up to our dormitory room and Alice was sitting with Lily in an unlocked classroom.

"I j-just don't k-know what to d-do!", Lily blubbered as Alice rubbed her back.

"Lily" I said, my voice colored with sadness, and I immediately pulled her into my arms. She sobbed into my shoulder and I didn't let her go.

"I h-hate this. W-why do we have to h-hate Slytherins? S-Sev has always been so n-nice to m-me. And everyone t-thinks the M-Marauders are so great, but t-they go l-looking for trouble all the t-time."

She hiccupped and lifted her head away from me, mopping her eyes with her sleeves, "I-I'm sorry, but I c-can't pick between you guys and S-Severus. I spend every day of school with you g-guys and I love spending time with y-you but I spend every day of s-summer with Sev and it's j-just as lovely."

Alice and I exchanged startled glances at this, we had had no idea that that was how Lily had spent her summers, though I had suspected something like this when she'd wrote to us saying she wanted to spend time with her family. No wonder I had gotten the feeling that Lily had been trying very hard to hide something from us. Lily, oblivious to the confession she'd just made, dabbed at her eyes and said in a panicked voice, "And M-Marlene's not going to forgive me."

"She will", Alice said immediately, "Of course she will. You both just need time."

"Yeah, Lils"', I agreed softly, "it all just happened so fast. No one meant anything by it."

But remembering the hatred etched on the faces of Sirius and Snape, I wasn't sure if I believed what I had just said.

Lily took a deep, shuddering breath and nodded bravely.

The tension between Marlene and Lily that night was too much for me to bear- the constant glares between long intervals of ignoring each other, the snide remarks, all of it. Marlene considered Lily's act of defending Snape nothing short of blatant betrayal and Lily was angry that Marlene was, and had always been, so adamant to make her chose between her closest friends. When Marlene made some angry comment about how Gryffindor prefects were supposed to be Gryffindor and Lily gritted her teeth together, I finally left, murmuring about getting food down at the kitchens.

Really, I just went down to the common room and lay down in front of the couch, my eyelids threatening to shut any second. Some minutes later, I was just about to slip into a deep sleep when I heard a whisper from the table closest to me, "Shouldn't we be going right now? The coast to the grounds is clear."

I heard a snicker and a reply follow, "Give it a few minutes."

"What, why?"

"Let's just say I did Snape a favor and told him where we go every month."

"Padfoot, what the bloody hell are you talking about?", and I could detect a bit of panic in his voice…

My eyes opened as I woke up fully.

"That sneaking slimeball… always trying to figure out what we're up to. Well, I told him he could just tap the knob at the base of the Whomping Willow-"

"NO!"

My heart jumped like a madman but I kept myself lying down on the couch.

"Sirius", a voice I knew to be James' growled, "tell me you didn't."

"Mate", Sirius said, sounding slightly shocked, "I just gave him what he deserves."

"Deserves? Deserves? Sirius, no one deserves death!"

I heard a clatter as a chair was pushed backwards and heard someone running to the door, wrench it open, and leave. A second later, the second chair also screeched against the floor as it pushed backwards roughly and hurried footsteps sounded across the common room.

Curious, I got up and walked over to the table in the corner and to my surprise, saw a thick piece of parchment I instantly recognized as the Marauder's Map.

It had not been swept clean. On it, James Potter was a dot sprinting down the entrance hall, with Sirius Black a staircase behind.

Sirius had mentioned the Whomping Willow. And sure enough, there was a passage I hadn't noticed before- a passage leading to… the Shrieking Shack? My eyes followed it all the way down for a few seconds before a jolt froze in my body- Remus Lupin was in the Shrieking Shack. Dorcas' words rang in my mind: They say they hear guttural screams at night sometimes. Some nights the whole building will rattle violently.

My mouth went dry and my mind numb. What if he was in trouble? Did the other boys know? What if…?

"Mischief managed!"

I knew I wouldn't be of any help if there really were violent spirits out there, and I wasn't even sure if my courage would get me all the way to the Shrieking Shack but I had to at least try.

I sprinted down the staircases and had to pause impatiently at the entrance for Filch to pass by- my heart was going to explode with frustration- but then it was out the castle, into the freezing night air, and a full-on run down the grounds to the Whomping Willow.

When I got there, the Whomping Willow was swaying madly in the air and when it sensed me, it swung a huge knob at me. I barely dodged it to the side and it left a massive crater in the snow-covered earth beside me.

How do I get in?

I dodged another branch before one caught my upper arm- ripping my shirt.

"Glacius!" I shouted and though the entire tree froze for a moment, the effort of restraining that much motion was quite difficult and a moment later, I'd released it. My eyes scanned the ground, looking for the entrance to the tunnel as my feet jumped and I ducked the branches as though they were Bludgers. There seems to be some kind-of opening in the ground right there! And there, next to it- the knob! That must be what Sirius was talking about.

I waved my wand, "Wingardium Leviosa!"

A branch lifted out of the snow and I levitated it so that it hit upon the knob at the base of the gnarled old tree. Immediately, it was still. I crunched through the snow towards the tree and apprehensively peered down the tunnel beside the trunk but to avail. It was pitch black. Fear gripped me and my concentration slipped. The crazy branches ignored my intention to go back and swept me off my feet into the dark tunnel. I slid a ways down before coming to a painful stop in utter darkness at the bottom of a dusty tunnel. Trembling, I got to my feet, my wand hand shaking and murmured hoarsely, "Lumos."

With my wand tip held aloft I carefully made my way down the tunnel when suddenly-

An ear-splitting shriek that was both a pained scream and an enraged howl could be heard at the end of the tunnel. My breath caught in my throat. My legs trembled as every cell in my body pushed for me to go back, but my mind reminded me, "Remus."

He won't thank me for getting us both killed.

Still, you've got to do what you can for him.

I stepped forward when suddenly the sounds of a scuffle could be heard at the end of the tunnel.

There was another howl that made goosebumps rise on my arm. Spirits! I thought and my heart leapt to my throat. The howl was followed by a frightened shout and a familiar voice roaring, "GET OUT OF HERE!"

James!

I have to help him!

There was another ferocious growl. Now or never.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before I raced down the tunnel, following its sharp left turn when- SLAM!

I screamed and jumped back. To my utter shock, Severus Snape had been shoved into the wall just beside me. His hair was everywhere and he looked incredibly frightened and enraged… but the next howl was so nearby us that death or not, all I wanted to cover my ears from the hideous scream.

But then James Potter himself appeared, running like all hell was behind him. He was closely followed by Sirius Black. "Impedimenta!" James shouted, pointing his wand behind him. The spell shot past Sirius and collided with something huge. A pained whimper slunk through the tunnel but it was only a matter of seconds before another terrifying roar shook the whole tunnel and debris fell down from the ceiling.

James frantically shoved Severus further down the tunnel with both hands, barely noticing me until- his eyes widened and he shouted, "Ray! What are you-?"

Suddenly, the most hideous monster turned the corner, mere feet away from us. He towered over us even though he was crouched down. His ghastly yellow eyes, those same ones that had pierced me in the Forest-

"RUN!", James bellowed and shoved Severus again, who seemed to have lost all strength in his legs. They ran past me and Sirius yelled frantically at me, "GO!"

But my legs were frozen- I couldn't- I can't- It was even more terrifying this time- Last time I had been in such a traumatized state that I couldn't comprehend what was happening- but this time- everything about this monstrous, savage beast filled my mind-

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!? RUN!"

Sirius pushed me in front of him and aimed his wand at the creature, "STUPEFY!" The beast yelped in great pain, allowing us to gain some distance.

But no, this wasn't right-

"No! Sirius, go back, go back! Remus is in there!" I yelled, coming back to my sense despites the horror thundering through every atom of my being "We've got to save Remus!"

I tried to turn back but Sirius grabbed me around the waist and roughly threw me in front of him, his strength easily overpowering mine. I made to pass him again, but he grabbed my hand in an iron-clad grip and dragged me down the tunnel towards the entrance.

"LET ME GO!" I shouted, "YOU'RE JUST GOING TO LET YOUR FRIEND DIE!?"

"SHUT UP AND RUN!" Sirius roared.

The creature was gaining on us- I hear its disgusting, heavy panting just behind us. There was no way to outrun that kind-of beast, it half-crawled, half-ran easily through the tunnel with its inhuman lithe movements, designed to kill us.

Suddenly, with a ripping snarl, the beast leapt-

"DEFODIO!" Sirius and I both shouted and our spells blast into the tunnel ceiling at the same time. The tunnel ceiling began to shake and come down. I screamed when a rock missed my head by mere inches.

"Keep going!", Sirius pulled me along- we were almost at the end of the tunnel.

Then, the whole tunnel began to cave in. A large piece come down over our heads- "PROTEGO!" I shouted, and the shield that burst from the tip of my wand acted as a sort of umbrella over myself and Sirius as we continued running. But then another large boulder fell, falling at such a speed that we couldn't speak fast enough to get a spell out. Sirius grabbed me and shoved me up against the tunnel wall, pushing us both to the side and protecting me with his own body. It barely missed us both, but instead fell upon the huge beast just behind us, pinning him to the ground. It howled angrily, though, clearly still alive.

We were at the end, or should I say, the bottom of the tunnel. Sirius pushed me up before climbing out himself. The Whomping Willow made a throw at us but I dodged it and set a large branch on the knob.

"Protego Maxima!" Sirius shot a spell in the cave and I knew it was to prevent the beast from climbing out of the tunnel.

But then I realized that the tunnel was caved in and there was no way to get to Remus now.

"NO!" I screamed, and started to run back inside but Sirius blocked me again, grabbing my wrists.

"How can you do that!?" I yelled furiously, "How can you leave your friend-?"

"Remus is fine!" Sirius shouted back to me, looking me straight in the eyes, "He's fine, you hear me?'

"Fine?" I said, uncomprehendingly.

Sirius started to nod but he was caught by a hex that threw him off his feet.

"Sirius!" I shouted in surprise but turning, I saw that Severus was running off, James close behind.

Sirius snarled, got up, and began to run after them.

I, on the other hand, stared at the Whomping Willow with worried eyes, expecting to see Remus any moment now, climbing out. Is he really fine?

Please, I prayed, please.

I didn't go back down during the night, afraid to chance a battle with that monster again. Instead I tried to conjure a small hold-able fire, as we had learned in Charms. It took me a couple tries and burns but finally I succeeded and the cold was bearable. And when the sun came up and the howls faded off, I guessed that the beast had retreated to nurse itself. At least, I hoped. After I extinguished the flames, I gripped my wand tightly, held my breath, and slid down there again. The rocks and boulders that had buried the monster were all over the place. I shivered- so he had gotten free. I clambered over the many boulders strewn about and made my way cautiously to the end of the tunnel.

I had to pull myself up a trapdoor-like hole into the Shrieking Shack. It was a very dusty, ancient room. The windows were all boarded up and whatever furniture was in there had huge holes chewed out of it or was smashed to bits…

But in the middle of it all lay-

"Remus!"

I ran over to him and dropped to my knees beside him. He was unconscious and looked absolutely terrible- bruises all over his body- his shirt had been ripped badly all the way down the middle- cuts all over his arms and chest and his face was badly maimed as well. He was not only bleeding but feverish, sweating, and incredibly warm to the touch.

"Oh, Remus", I whispered in anguish. What do I do? I'd never learned any Healing spells, really. I'd just… He stirred and moaned in his sleep, obviously in deep pain. I bit my lip and laid my hand on his forehead, trying to think of what-.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps running down the tunnel. I panicked, not wanting to be caught.

Nonsensical as it was, I hastily clasped my protection necklace around his neck, tucking it under his ripped clothing. Please let it work for you.

I then quickly hid behind a badly ripped couch. By peeking through a hole in it, I saw Professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey arrive.

"Oh dear!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed and immediately set to work on Lupin.

I crouched uncomfortably and that swooping feeling, as though a bird had dove just above my head, must be due to the heart-thundering discomfort I was feeling as I waited for them to leave. Being caught by none other than the Headmaster himself, imagine!

They left soon enough, carrying Remus on a conjured stretcher. Breathing more freely, but still on my guard, I waited for a bit before I made my way to the castle through fresh snow. I kept my wand in my hand just in case I confronted that beast again, and I made my way back to the castle, heading straight for a hot shower while the other girls were still asleep.

a/n: I always wondered how it was that Harry and Ron were always able to sneak out of the castle. I know they had the Cloak, but didn't they always just go through the front door? You'd think it'd always be watched at night or that there'd be enchantments on it from the inside-out and the outside-in because there are obviously curfew hours where Filch closes the doors. Maybe it's because he's a Squib? Hm... But oh well... we'll just have them slip through the front doors throughout this one too.

haha, the irony in thinking about how terrible it'd be to be caught by the headmaster.