Boy haha it's been a while. I'm sorry I really just lost interest and then I was like BUT WHY. THIS STORY NEEDS TO BE TOLD. And so I wrote and wrote and looked at beautiful art and fan work and decided that I had to tell this story, since I have so many ideas for this story that I just have to write down. So so so sorry about the wait, but here you go :)

So you and I both are caught up from the last chapter :D

Micheal Duke who has been accused of killing Maya Angus Hillbard is suddenly off the hook when it is revealed that Maya actually committed suicide. But because Peter told Mary that he thinks he might have saw Micheal Duke did kill her, and Mary believed it for a hot second, Mary and Micheal are no longer friends. Sirius and James have both advanced to 4th year transfiguration, much to McGonagall's dismay where they have taken a liking to a group of four 4th year girls- one of whom has a crush on Sirius. During Transfiguration class, Lucinda Gilmore sees Elvis creeping around the corridor and decides to follow him, sensing a story. She sees him about to attack a second year. Elvis fails to do this at the last minute and Lucinda runs away fearing for her life. Severus gets initiated into Lucius's elite club, the Knights of Walpurgis.

Chapter 38: Children of the Night

Peter had been afraid of many things, creepy crawlies, things that lurked in the dark, teachers, but never libraries. Perhaps it was the fact that they were in the library after hours, shuffling underneath the invisibility cloak that was perhaps getting a little too small for the four them- but Peter was absolutely creeped. Or perhaps it was the fact that Remus wasn't with them.

"James, why isn't Remus with us?" Peter whispered tapping the boys shoulder. "Isn't it kind of important that he be here?"

"Are you mad Pete?" Sirius barked turning to face Peter whipping the cloak off of them. "This is exactly why he shouldn't be here."

"But this is dangerous stuff," Peter insisted eyes wide at the older boy "and we're doing this for Remus right?"

"Exactly why he's not here," Sirius said stopping in the middle of the room. Peter tumbled into him, fumbling for his wand that dropped to the floor making a small noise. It was James who immediately scooped it up and handed it to Peter, holding a finger up to his mouth. "You know how Remus is, he would never let us go through with it Peter."

Peter nodded, understanding. Remus was certainly the type to stop his friends from doing anything that put them in danger and especially if it was something to do for him. But he was a Marauder nonetheless. While James and Sirius threw caution to the winds, more so Sirius then James, Remus only pranked when it was clear no one was going to get hurt. Peter wasn't sure where he fit in their group yet. For now he had a group and he wasn't planning on doing anything to leave it. It was like having friends, Peter thought. No. They were his friends. They were his friends.

"And here we are," James pointed to the shelves in front of them. They didn't look unlike the several ones they had past but Peter could feel that the atmosphere here was stranger..almost dark. "The restricted section."

Ah.

"Well I think we've seen enough from back here." Peter said stepping back but Sirius grabbed his sleeve. "Come on Peter, nothing here but old books."

Peter sighed but let the older boy pull him along to where James was looking through the shelves. "Come on you two, anything about werewolves and how to help them or how to make it easier for them to er transform. Maybe things about the new moon too."

Sirius sighed. "Alright Boss. Anything else you need us to do?"

"Just grab a few books that look important and then we'll look trough them at the end." James ordered scratching his head like he was unsure of himself. "Yeah." James nodded. "That should do it."

Peter let out a small laugh at the and Sirius looked at him appreciatively. "Come on Pete, let's make ourselves useful."

Peter nodded. The boys each chose a self and began browsing through the many titles. Peters eyes brushed over many titles that caught his eyes but none of them were the ones they needed. Most Potente Potions. Fraletts Foul Folices. An Inside Guide to Hexes and Hurtles. Transformation and Spells from the Banshee Realm...

"I think I found something!" Peter turned gratefully towards James's voice. His head was beginning to hurt from reading. Sirius was already sitting criss crossed on the floor craning his neck to the large book James had pulled off the shelf. It's dark blue cover looked worn and tattered,with something suspiciously looking like claw marks running along the edges. Intrigued, Peter sat across the boys, turning his head upside down to read the title that was facing James in silver letters.

Children of the Night.

"Children of the night?" Peter asked. "Aren't those like Vampires?"

"And Werewolves and banshees and ghouls." James agreed. "There has to be something in here that might help Remus." He looked at Peter and Sirius, who shrugged. "Won't hurt to look."

Peter eyed the claw marks along the edges. It certainly looked like it was something about a werewolf. He nodded, prodding James to open the book. The three boys forced through the entire book, eyes searching the small fancy scripted words for anything that might help their friends. There were many words and little pictures and over time Peters eyes seemed to glaze over the pages...

"Peter!"

Peter's eyes flew open immediately and he looked at James and Sirius's expectant faces. "Sorry-I must have dozed off."

"It's okay." James told him. "Show us what you 've got Sirius didn't find anything useful." James added giving Sirius a side glance.

"I found a love potion and thought James might want to give it to Lily Evans." Sirius explained.

James rolled his eyes. "I don't think a love potion would work on Lily Evans."

"Alright. I'll just give it to Harley- she's already half-way in love with me."

James rolled his eyes. "So Peter what have you got?"

Peter gulped. He had forgotten entirely about the books he was supposed to find. "Er- one sec. I left it on the shelf, because they were too heavy."

If James and Sirius didn't believe him, they didn't show it. Wordlessly Peter walked towards his section of the shelves and picked four of the heaviest books he could find so that his lie would look at least a bit believable.

"Alright," Sirius grinned. "Let's see if Pete's out done me."

Peter laughed nervously praying that at least one of the books he picked would help. Worse than lying to the boys, was feeling useless and Peter's biggest fear was that they would realize it one day and kick him out.

James shoved his glasses further up his nose and peered at the titles. "Well Peter, I don't know if Paranormal and Paranomia would help since we know Remus is real."

He began to shove away the pale cream book away while Sirius made a grab for it. "One second thought it might help with Binns. There's no way he's just a ghost."

Peter immediately agreed hoping Sirius would believe him. "I think he might be part Goblin."

Sirius looked thoughtful. "Or part troll since he just drones on and on and on and on-"

James put a hand on Sirius's soldier. "Remus. First Remus, Sirius."

"Right." Sirius nodded turning back to Peter, "What else have you got for us Pete?"

Peter's brain was scrambling as he reached for the next book hoping it was something useful. Origins of the Wolf. "Well there's this one I think might help with Remus background history, even though he's not full wolf." Peter said quickly, words coming too fast out of his mouth to process.

James and Sirius looked impressed flipping through the pages and muttering to each other, Peter forgotten.

Peter didn't like that.

He looked at the last two books remaining. One was written in some language he couldn't read and the other was something about plants used in deadly potions. James and Sirius were whispering urgently now and Peter wasn't having it.

"Hey I think this one says something about werewolves but I'm not sure because it's written in elfish or something-" Peter began excited as James and Sirius finally looked up at him.

Satisfied that he had gathered their attention he quickly flipped it open so that he wouldn't lose their attention once more but the book had other ideas. It let out a shrilling scream and Peter helped scrambling back in fear.

"SHUT THE BOOK PETE!"

"Peter make or stop!"

Well he definitely had their attention all the mayhem Peter decided he didn't like libraries, restricted section or not. There was a clatter of foot steps approaching them and Peter was suddenly being pulled up by James.

"Someone's coming-hurry Peter!"

Peter nodded grabbing the cloak and throwing it over them as Sirius slammed the book shut, silencing the screams.

"Who's there?" came a voice followed by a wand light just as the boys quietly slipped away.

Colton Breckbridge had enough problems on his mind. Pre-NEWTS testing was just around the corner, he had had to change his entire Quidditch line up because his beater had suddenly discovered that balancing school and quidditch was harder then it looked, his seeker, Dawn Shallow, was due to graduate this year and he had yet to find her replacement, and McGonagall had decided that this was the year that Gryffindor would win its first Quidditch match, constantly reminding Colton anytime they made eye contact.

His day couldn't get any worse, Colton though taking a long gulp of his cold coffee. As he set his cup down he was met with the face of Emma Vanity.

"What now?" He grumbled.

"You haven't heard?" Emma sighed lowering her voice. "There's a 2nd year in the hospital Wing!"

"So?" Colton picked up hid coffee cup again. "I'm a rubbish captain, my teams falling apart, I'm going to fail my NEWTS and one of my chasers refuses to play until I go out with her, so what if I don't sodding care."

"Elvis tried to kill the boy, Colton." Emma whispered urgently ignoring his Quidditch talk. "He's doing what we failed to do last year."

"Why though? Maya's gone, we don't need to do anything anymore."

"That's what I told him last night when he came running to me after attacking the 2nd year." Emma sighed rubbing her forehead, something she did often when she was stressed. "Elvis has a theory."

Colton shook his head. "I've had enough of his theories-"

"I think he might be right about this one though," Emma glanced at him earnestly. "Think about it Colt. When we opened that book and we were asked to pay a price, she said a soul for a soul."

Colton nodded. "Right. We tried to sacrifice-"

"We tried to kill," Emma hissed lowering her voice. "We tried to kill that little girl and-"

"But we didn't." Colton grabbed her hand, she was shaking. "We didn't get to and then Maya died and we didn't have to anymore. She was the price."

"No." Emma looked down. "She wasn't the price because nothing has changed. Elvis is right. Maya didn't die for the curse to end, she committed suicide because she was terrified of what would happen if we didn't pay the price." she looked up at Colton. "We tried to kill, and we failed and now...it's back."

Colton was breathing unevenly now. Elvis's theory wasn't wrong. The book had still show up even after Maya's "death" meaning the price still hadn't been paid.

"A soul for a soul." Colton nodded.

"A price to pay, for every demand must be equally weighed." Emma nodded. "She's not satisfied yet, she still wants us to pay the price, and fast-" she looked up at him. "I'm scared Colt."

He wanted to tell her that honestly he was too. He wanted to run and hide from it all.

"What are we going to do Colt?" Emma asked. "We can't live like this forever. I'll be gone after this year, but it'll follow me, I know it will." She looked up at him. "And you and Elvis, You both will still be here. what will you guys do?" Looking down at their hands she said. "I'm really worried about Elvis and what he'll do. He's only a 4th year, and he's even more terrified than Maya was.

"I don't see a way out of it." Colton told her honestly.

Emma's eyes widened. "You don't mean we actually-" she lowered her voice so that anyone sitting nearby them couldn't have heard. "Kill?"

"We have to." Colton said, voice hardening. "I don't see another way."

"But who?"

"Someone who deserves to." Colton decided. "At least that way we're benefiting someone."

"We're only benefiting ourselves." Emma finished quietly.

"Either way we're on this together." He gave her a firm nod. "Together Emma."

Emma nodded. Well if we're in this together I might as well ask you to accompany me to Slughorns Ball?"

She looked at him, smiling slightly, in a way that he couldn't have said no.

Lily eyed the invitation wearily. Severus looked at it like it was going to erupt any moment now.

"I think it's safe to open it now." Lily decided fingering the fancy script that spelled out her name in ways that she didn't know it could be spelled. "It's not like Slughorn would stuff a Draught of Living Death in there."

Severus looked at her impressed. "Draught of living death."

Lily grinned. "Yes, I actually did my reading today." She looked back at the letter. "So it can't be something regarding that right?"

"But the Draught of Living Death...I wouldn't put it past him either." Severus added curtly. "I'm not sure what it is, Slughorn looked way to happy when he handed it to us."

"Why does it have to be bad?" Lily wondered. "Although it's a bit odd that he only gave it to the two of us and not everyone else."

"I'm not opening it."

"Sev," Lily warned. "I'm sure it's a fine letter complimenting our hard work and ethic, and for advancing to 4th year potions or something of that calibre."

"Calibre?"

Lily laughed. "It's a word I'm trying out. Lucinda thinks I should increase my word knowledge so that I can advance in the Holy Grail."

"But calibre?"

"Shut it, Sev."

Severus let out a shy smile, he showed less and less these days and Lily grinned at him. She liked seeing her friend happy despite what a certain few did to hurt him.

"There you are!"

Lily turned at the sound of her friends voice. Mary was waving her over, square glasses once again on her face(she had a bad habit of wearing them to see something and then taking them off before anyone could notice),her signature crimson bow on her head.

Lily turned back to say good bye to Severus but he has already disappeared leaving her alone in the corridor. Lily shrugged, Severus really needed to start telling her when he left so she didn't look like she was taking to nobody.

"Wearing your glasses permanently, I hope?" Lily inquired touching the square frames playfully.

Mary rolled her eyes. "My mom says if I don't start wearing them all the time I'll permanently go blind." She twirled around. "And Lily I can see everything. You know that corner in Flitwicks class, there was a crack there that I didn't see until today!"

"I won't disagree with that. Of course you can seee, silly. They're sole purpose is for you to see." Lily nodded watching Mary look at the walls in awe as they trudged to the Gryffindor Towers. "Besides they make you look cute."

Mary scowled. "You're only saying that because you don't have glasses. Only people with glasses understand the pain of wearing them." She looked down at the invitation on Lily's hand. "Lily, where did ever you get that?"

Lily looked down alarmed. "Er Slughorn gave it to me and Severus-why do you know what it is?"

"Do I know what it is?" Mary laughed. "Do you even know what it is?"

Lily shook her head. "Honestly no- I haven't found the strength to open it-Mary!"

Mary had immediately snatched the letter opening it hastily, and pulling out a single parchment encased in sliver lining that looked rather heavy. She gave it a quick glance and nodded. "I knew it."

"Knew what?" Lily asked nervously. "What does it say, what does it mean? Oh!" She snatched the letter from Mary unable to contain her nervousness. "The Slug Club?"

"Oh lily, do you even know how lucky you are?" Mary sighed. "Only the best of the best get into the Slug Club. Slughorn hosts the best parties and he starts to favor you and you get-"

"Wait," Lily stopped her friend, "How do you know?"

"Fabian and Gideon, of course." Mary told her. "You do know that they've been in the Slug Club since 4th year, right?" They turned the corner, Mary walking faster than Lily who had to leap to catch up as the dark haired girl continued. "You know, I've always asked them what it is that I could do to get in and they brushed me off saying 'Mary it's honestly not all that' but I know that's just a nice way of saying I don't think you could get in but Lily" Mary's eyes were wide when she spoke "imagine parties all the time, dances, balls, pretty dresses, who wouldn't want that? You are so lucky." Mary finished. "So what I want to know is how you got in."

Lily shrugged. "I'm not really sure." She racked her mind. Other than being exceptional at Potions Lily really didn't have anything exceptional about her. "I'm guessing maybe that I'm doing well in potions-"

Mary groaned. "Of course. Of course it had to be that." she laughed. "The one thing I'm dreadful in."

"You're not dreadful, Mary." Lily assured her trying not to think about the last potion Mary had made. She had somehow solidified a cough tonic, that Lily had to help scrape out of her cauldron. "You're just a little behind, that's all."

Mary sighed again. "And we have double potions today too." she peered at her schedule to double check. "Yeah double potions."

"I'm sure Micheal will make sure you don't screw it up this time." Lily laughed. The Gryffindor boy always managed to save Mary from hearing the worst of Slughorns rants.

Mary stopped suddenly. "Lily I'm not going to partner with Micheal this year at all."

Lily was surprised. "Why not? You guys always pair up, it's practically set in stone that Slughorn will pair you two together." She frowned. "Is that why you've missed potions for the past week, because you didn't want to pair up with Micheal?"

Lily put her hands on her hips. "Mary he didn't really," she lowered her voice. "kill that girl. She committed suicide. Are you afraid of him?"

"No." Mary shook her head. "I'm not. He's been my best friend ever since we got sorted together!" She shut her eyes. "This is all Peter's fault."

"What's Peter got to do with this?" Lily asked, bewildered. "What's Peter got to do with anything of it."

Mary sighed. "Nothing." She started walking fast once again, and Lily leaped behind her. "He's just got everything to do with it. I'm not friends with Micheal anymore, that's all Lily."

Lily opened her mouth, for she was curious but Mary shook her head. "Please lily I don't want to talk about him. Besides Remus is a good potions partner too."

Lily nodded. "That he is. I don't think he'll mind putting up with you for the entire year too much."

"Hey!" Mary reminded her, pulling her along. "We were potion partners first year too!"

"Yeah and you exploded a cure for boils." Lily added remembering the sticky yellow substance that had coated the entire first year class. Severus hadn't shut up about Mary being an idiot and Lily being the loyal friend had gotten him to tutor her. Needless to say Mary was getting better.

"Hey where are we going?" Lily asked suddenly. Mary stopped. "Charms, right?"

"Charms is that way." Lily pointed from where they had come.

"No," Mary shook her head. "It's definitely this way. Lily I know this school like the back of my hand."

"Looking a little lost Red, need a hand?"

Lily's eyes widened and she turned around her heart pacing back and forth. Lucas Anderson was leaning against a stone pillar looking at them with a grin. He had gotten a new hair cut and Lily wasn't sure why she had noticed. She noticed the scraps of parchment sticking out of various pages in the two books he held, his wand stuffed in his back pocket that Kingsley had told them to never stick a wand.

"Red?" Lily blinked. Lucas's face was so close to her, she could see his every pore, and the faint green in his blue irises.

"Sorry about her." came Mary's high voice. "She always does this. And we don't need help. Professor Flitwick just walked over there."

Lucas nodded. "Well this is the charms corridor, I wouldn't expect little Flitwick to be anywhere else." he looked down at them closely. "You guys are still in the Holy Grail this year right?"

Mary said something and Lucas nodded his hair moving with him in slow motion. And then Lily felt herself moving, Mary was chattering away about how she was right, "honestly Lily I can't believe you forgot the way to Charms, isn't it like your favorite class. Hey do you think they're going to have the muffins from morning at lunch-I barely got a bite this morning..."

But Lily didn't hear any of it. She could only think about a small smile and the words 'Bye Red' ringing in her head.