And I'm back! Enough time had been wasted so let's just get to the chapter, shall we. In case you've forgotten what happened in the last chapter, here's a short summary :)

James, Peter, and Sirius sneak into the restricted section of the library at night to find something on how to help Remus during his transformation. Emma and Colton discuss their dangerous choice last year, that caused Maya Angus Hillibard to commit suicide and Lily's feelings for Lucas are growing stronger by the day.

Dorcas had never felt more alive than she did at Hogwarts. Back home she didn't have many friends but here at Hogwarts she had Marlene and Mary and Lily and now Annie who had somehow talked her into joining chorus full time this year. She had been panicking last year when she tried out but sweet Professor Flitwick has assured her that with a bit of training she could very well sing professionally. Like Myriad!

"Dorcas?" Annie snapped causing Dorcas to blink out of her daydream at once. "What are you doing?"

Dorcas gasped, realizing she had stood in the middle of the crowd, causing a steady group of students to wait behind her. "Sorry!" she muttered stepping out of the way with a small squeak as the passersby huffed in response.

A few passersby rolled their eyes and Annie's eyes blazed after them, one in particular whom she called out loudly. "Yeah like you've never stopped in the middle of the hallway Redkins!"

"It's fine," Dorcas assured her, struggling to pull the second-year back. "I should have been paying attention."

Annie shook her head, eyes narrowed. "Yeah but still..." The 2nd year was feisty and Dorcas admired the way she stood up for everyone with a trace of fear. Sometimes she wished she could take just a small piece of Annie's confidence for herself. They passed the charms corridor and Mary waved to them as she walked past with Lily, who was smiling as if in a trance.

"What's with her?" Dorcas asked curiously.

"Dunno." Mary shrugged noticing her friend's vacant expression. "I'll see you in the common room then?"

Dorcas nodded and looked at the time. She turned to Annie, bewildered. "We have a minute to get there!"

Annie rolled her eyes and stomped her foot, imitating a temper tantrum Dorcas was often accustomed too in young children. "It's all Redkins fault!"

"I think it's mine," Dorcas told her as their feet hurriedly made their way towards the Chorus room which wasn't too far. "I was the one who stopped-" she stopped suddenly, her legs aching and body suddenly erupting in pain.

"Are you okay?" Annie asked, falling next to her.

"Uh-leg cramp," Dorcas told her evenly trying to breathe. "Go on, I'll catch up. Tell Flitwick so he doesn't lock the doors." Annie looked unsure but nodded at Dorcas's insistence. Dorcas watched as she disappeared from view and lowered her head ashamed. She had lied to Annie. She didn't have a cramp. She didn't even have a real excuse for not being able to run except that she was...fat.

Curvy.

That's what Marlene had told her. You're not fat Dork, you're curvy and trust me everyone loves a little curvy.

Was it true? Dorcas faced the window where raindrops streaked down the window, making her look like she was almost crying. Did curvy mean extra rolls under your arms and back? Did curvy mean thick legs that gave way after a few minutes? Was that something that people loved as Marlene claimed they did?

No.

She's only saying that to make you feel better.

And she wasn't the only one.

Dorcas had once asked Mary what she thought of Dorcas being fat and the dark-haired girl had gasped and began to explain that Dorcas wasn't fat but fun-sized...Dorcas didn't know what to make of that and the conversation abruptly ended with Mary claiming that she had to show Lily something. To her credit when Lily had been asked the same question she simply shook her head and put a hand on Dorcas's shoulder before asking if someone had said something.

But what would they know? Mary could eat a million things and still not gain any weight. Marlene and Lily already were slim, with long legs that Dorcas envied on a daily.

And Dorcas?

She turned to look at her reflection in the window once more, she was nothing but a box of HoneyDukes finest in the largest size they had.

She sped into the chorus room just as the band had finished a soft ballad. Annie waved her over hurriedly but Flitwick wasn't one to miss a student coming in late.

"Ms. Meadowes, a word please."He ordered lowering his baton and beckoning her over to him. The rest of the group continued playing the soft melody they had been working on as she walked in.

Dorcas sighed and gave a shrug to Annie, as she made her way towards him. Of course, he had seen her, she wasn't exactly tiny now was she? "Professor."

"It's come to my notice that you've been arriving late for the last few practices." He peered down at her from his stack of books. "Is there something keeping you?"

"No!" Dorcas said rather quickly. "It's-it's nothing professor." She finished. "I promise I'll be on time from now on."

Professor Flitwick didn't press her further and she retired to her seat next to Annie at last. "What took you so long?" The second-year asked. "Did you break a leg?"

Dorcas shook her head. "I might have gotten a little lost my way here." She lied. Better the girl thought she was a little dumb than slow.

"Whew. And here I thought you were in trouble." Annie handed her the music sheet Flitwick had passed around. "I was even going to ask Benjy to let out a dung-bomb so I could go and find you."

Dorcas smiled at the girl, for someone who has introduced her to the wonderful music of Myriad, Annie had also become one of her closest friends.

"We're doing Christmas Lights by Ghouls," Annie informed her just as Benjy made his way to his seat behind them. "Have you guys heard?"

"Heard what?" Dorcas asked peering towards the music notes. It was nothing complicated, but she wondered if her voice had the ability to changes tones as fast as the music demanded.

"Myriad gave a statement to Witch Weekly that he's not releasing an album this year because he's lost his voice."

"WHAT?" Annie and Dorcas twisted their torsos towards the 4th year Ravenclaw, eyes wide.

"Is he okay?"

"What do you mean he's "lost" his voice?" Dorcas asked. "Is it gone gone or will it be back later?"

"Uh-" Benjy shrugged. "I'm not sure, the article didn't clarify, really. I'm sure he'll get his voice back. Anyways..." he trailed off as both girls began talking to each other worriedly at once.

"I hope he's fine."

"Maybe it's Harrenn," Annie concluded. "I got it once as a little kid-" Dorcas gave the second year a look "Oh you know what I mean- I was like seven. Anyways if that's it his voice should be back in a few weeks or months at the latest."

"Weeks? Months?" Dorcas cried. "I wonder if It could be laryngitis too."

"What's that?" Annie asked looking puzzled.

"It's a muggle thing," Dorcas tried to think of the best way to explain. "Like a sore throat but worse so you can't talk for a few days at least, and you have to take a bunch of nasty medicine." she frowned remembering when her brother had gotten it, the sudden stench of cherry medicine filled her nostrils.

"Better days than weeks." Annie nodded. "Oh, we should send him a care package!"

"With tonics and those heating drops they sell at Honeydukes!" Dorcas added eagerly. "Yes...that would make him feel better right?"

"Oh my gosh, that's right! You get to go to Hogsmeade this year!" Annie sighed. "You'll get me a few things right?"

"But Myriad first." Dorcas nodded. "We can make a list today..."

Benjy looked between the two girls incredulously before shaking his head and moving to sit by Leo and Harley way in the back.

Dorcas made another excuse after choir ended about how she had to find some plants for her Herbology assignment so Annie wouldn't follow her.

"You take Herbology?" Annie asked, bewildered.


James hadn't planned to find the room, somehow it had appeared. He had been deep in thought thinking about something that he could do to help Remus. Remus who was a werewolf. Remus who had shied away from talking about what he did every full moon but James, Sirius And Peter had pieced it all together that one evening.

"What do we know so far?" James asked looking towards the other two marauders.

"Remus is a Werewolf." Peter was the first to respond.

"SHHH!" Sirius hushed the boy rather loudly even though the common room was almost entirely empty. "Someone could hear you!"

Peter looked around. "But Sirius there's no one he-"

"SHHH!"

"Okay," James our a hand on Sirius's mouth and turned to Peter. "besides that what else do we know?"

"He transforms on the night of the full moon," Peter said this time lowering his voice.

"Right," James rubbed his hair nervously. "But we still don't know where."

"Back home?" Sirius suggested. "His parents probably know how to deal with it so maybe that's why."

"Maybe.." James gave it some thought. It would make sense for Remus to go home and transform as the boy left the day before the new moon.

"What about the forbidden forest?" Peter suggested suddenly remembering something from his last Care of Magical Creatures class.

"You know what Pete," James looked at the boy in awe "you could be onto something."

The boy grinned happily and began explaining what Professor Kuren had been telling them about the unknown creatures that lay in the forest and thus why it was forbidden.

"That actually makes sense," Sirius pumped a fist in the air. "The forest is forbidden because they don't want anyone to follow Remus there!"

James nodded. "That must be it. Remember when we got sorted first-year Dymbeledorr made sure to tell us that the forbidden forest was off-limits to everyone twice!"

"I don't think he said it that many times..." Peter began before taking a look at James' face. "Actually now that you mention it he did. Yeah, he did." He finished nodding.

"So now that we know he's still on Hogwarts grounds it'll be easier for us to help him!" James concluded.

"How?" Peter asked.

"We can follow him when he goes and help him," Sirius answered. "I imagine it's quite boring to wait for the moon to die down."

"Er-" Peter looked slightly nervous. "It's just that-" he rubbed his hands together. "aren't werewolves dangerous?"

James looked at the boy and noticed how he wasn't wrong, but Sirius wasn't listening. "No no he's a werewolf so he's half-human right?" James and Peter nodded. "So even though he's all in werewolf mode he's still Remus inside. And we're not just any bodies, were his friends." Sirius concluded. "He wouldn't hurt us."

"I guess." Peter looked unsure "But are we super sure that he wouldn't hurt us?"

"Of course," Sirius laud back casually. "Have you met Remus? He folds his socks and color coordinates his trousers."

"You've been through his trousers?" James asked cracking a smile at his long-haired friend.

"Trousers, socks, all the works." Sirius winked back as the boys shared another laugh. "But," James said quickly sobering up. "How are we going to follow Remus without him seeing us?"

"Invisibility cloak?" Sirius said like it was obvious. James blinked, feeling stupid. "Right. And what if Remus gets mad at us, what are we going to do?"

"He won't," Sirius said. "It's Remus we're talking about."

"I don't know about this..." Peter told them looking nervous. "Maybe we should wait a while and see how...Remus is."

James stares at his friend for a minute before asking. "Are you afraid of Remus, Peter?"

Peter's eyes widened and the boy shook his head. "No! I'm not afraid- I'm a Marauder!"

"I kno-"

"That's the spirit, Pete!" Sirius interrupted throwing his arms around the boy. "Alright it's settled then, then next time Remus gets "sick" we're gonna follow him."

James didn't get much say after that. The trio spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the room. Other than several books on Werewolves, a potions area and a plethora of couches nothing of interest seemed to catch the boys eyes. Peter did come across a box full of sterling silver teacups though that made James laugh. They reminded him of his mum's tea set that she'd spend hours laying out whenever they had guests over.

At half-past five Sirius Black made an announcement.

"Again?" James asked. They had just finished their series of detentions with McGonagall.

Sirius shrugged. "It's Heathen, actually. And I won't be alone this time." He grabbed Peter by the collar. "Pete here is joining me."

"Peter too?" James shook his head bewildered. "What did you guys do?"

Sirius winked. "We'll tell you when we get back-come on Pete."

Peter waved half-heartedly and James made it a point to follow them out until they turned left and he turned right heading towards the Gryffindor towers. It was a Saturday evening without his friends, what was he going to do?

Perhaps he could find Remus and convince him to do something other than reading by the fire.


"Really Sev I think they look nice- oh stop fidgeting with the collar you're ruining it."

James' ears perked up at the voice and he immediately hid behind the nearest pillar raising a single finger to his lip, this was directed towards the portrait that was eyeing him suspiciously.

The pretty redhead walked by unaware wearing the nicest green dress James had ever seen. Unfortunately, she was also accompanied by Severus Snape who had donned a pair of dark dress robes.

"Lily, you're suffocating me." Severus frowned looking at his shoes, that Lily had now directed her attention towards. "Severus, why didn't you polish these as I told you to earlier?" She demanded.

"Is that really necessary?" Severus rolled his eyes.

"Yes!" The redhead answered pointing her wand towards them to add a bit of lustre to them. "There."

"This better be good." Severus was saying as they rounded the corner. James waved a quick goodbye to the portrait, that shook his head but had otherwise deemed James unworthy to investigate after all, and sped after the duo.

Now, this was certainly going to make his evening interesting.

Mary was going to get into Slughorns party one way or another. She had thought to ask Fabian or Gideon to take her as plus ones but then again she had already set them up with their prospective dates.

Way to go, she chided to herself watching them fix their dress robes as they waited for their dates to arrive.

"You alright, MacDonald?" Fabian asked looking towards her once his bow had been fixed to his liking.

"Yeah, why?"

"I didn't hear you tell me I looked exceptionally handsome tonight."

"I suspect she didn't want to inflate your high esteem ego." Gideon joined in spinning to show Mary his own set of dress robes, identical to his twins.

Mary laughed, any jealously or regrets of not being able to score a date to the ball gone. It was Fabian and Gideon's last year, after all, she supposed they should be allowed to go with girls they actually liked. She liked them well enough but it was more of a platonic sister bother relationship than anything.

"You both look very..slim." She decided, grinning. "Oh look they're finally ready."

Fabian and Gideon both smiled as their respective dates took their hand and they exchanged compliments. Armonia gave Mary a quick wave before heading out with Fabian and Gideon's date, a shy Hufflepuff prefect by the name of Hestia Jones, simply smiled before she bid them goodbyes.

After a good five minutes of then exiting the common room, Mary liberally applies the red gloss she had taken from Marlene and headed out behind them.

She was going to get into that party whether it was the last thing she did. Fixing the crimson bow on her head, that matched the dress she had picked out- she walked towards Slughorns office- where Lily had told her the party would be held.

Of course, Lily had no idea about this and Mary was never going to tell her on her own.

She would have only told Mary that she was being materialistic, that she didn't need to get an invite to Slughorns party, and that it meant nothing.

But to Mary it did.

And it was only easy for Lily to say it didn't mean anything after she herself had gotten an invitation. And not to mention her creepy friend, Severus.

Other than that only Liam Carter from their year had been given an invite and by the time Mary had found out he had already decided to take his fellow Ravenclaw, Theresa Mendez.

Mary halted on her steps and squinted at the two prefects standing guard outside of Slughorns office. She couldn't make out their faces from this far without her glasses and put them on. She recognized one of them as Anthony Dale but it didn't help her. No matter, she had after all anticipated this. Reaching for her wand she sent a redcutus charm towards one of the suits of armour. They toppled slightly, and she thought for a moment that she hadn't done it right before the pieces fell with a clang knocking on the stone floor. It echoed in the empty corridor just like she needed for her distraction to work. She, however, didn't anticipate a boy to scramble from behind the ruins and run towards her- knocking to the ground.

"Mary?"

"James?" She asked looking at the bespectacled boy, bewildered.

"You wear glasses?" He asked fixing his own that had nearly been knocked off from their encounter.

Mary's eyes widened and she pulled them off, stuffing them into her robes. "What are you doing here?" She demanded instead.

"Who's there I ask?" A urgent voice came from the right. "Humano Revilio!" A blue jet of light shot towards the fallen armour.

Oh no.

She and James looked at each other, eyes wide. She had completely forgotten about the prefects standing guard outside the doors!

Mary scrambled to think of what to do. They could run back and gamble for their chance to not be seen or pretend they were just walking by and happened to be there-

"Here." James pulled her close and threw something over the both of them. Mary felt her vision distort as a pale silver sheen slid over her vision and she looked towards James confused. He simply held a finger over his lips.

Anthony Dale walked past them, the other perfect joining him to inspect the damage. "There's no one here." He looked right at Mary and James. "I don't see anybody who could have done this."

Mary blinked. Was he pretending not to see them? Next to her James gave her a wink. She frowned and turned her attention back to the prefects.

"It couldn't have fallen by itself." Anthony scratched his head, confused.

"It's an ancient castle," the other prefect said airly. "I'm surprised it's still standing."

"Oh like Beauxbatons is any better-"

"I can't believe you're about to start this again."

"You're the one that's brought it up with that comment of yours! Hey, you think maybe Filch's cat did this?"

"Who?"

"The new caretaker." The prefect told him. "He's a bit weird but he beats Pringle any day..."

Their voices drifted away and Mary let out an easy sigh. James waited a moment before looking at her and grinning. "That was close."

"You're very lucky I didn't hit you." Mary folded her arms and told James seriously. "Why were you hiding behind it anyway?"

"Why did you try to destroy it?" James asked, folding his own arms. "You almost killed me!"

"I didn't know you were standing behind it!" Mary defended quietly not wanting to attract the prefects attention. "And besides you're the reason I'm not in Slughorns party!"

"Slughorns having a party?" James asked. "Why wasn't I invited?" He looked confused for a moment. "Wait, why was Snape invited?"

"Your guess is as good as mine." Mary sighed. "Wait...were you trying to get in?" She pointed towards the doors the prefects were guarding.

James took a moment to answer. "Yeah...but I guess I can go with you now."

Mary scoffed. As if she would ever go with James. "No!"

"Shh!" James clamped a hand over her mouth. "Are you trying to get us caught?" He looked back to make sure the prefect's hadn't hears. " And, what's wrong with taking me? My mom says anyone would be lucky to have me."

Mary resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She pulled off his hand. "I don't want to take you."

"And why not?"

Mary sighed, looking at the boy. He had already ruined the plan as it was. "Look I wasn't invited either. I was trying to create a distraction for the prefects so I could sneak in."

James states at her for a moment before replying."That actually might have worked, if I hadn't been there huh?"

Mary sighed. Maybe it wasn't meant to be. She recalled Gideon telling her they had gotten in during 5th year so she still had time to work her way into Slughorns good graces. And she had to thank James for helping hide her from the prefects- "Hey what is this?" She asked marvelling at the shimmery silver fabric that James has thrown over them.

James' eyes shined. "It's an invisibility cloak."

"Woah." Mary stared at it fascinated. "This is so cool. I want one."

James shrugged. "Well, it's one of a kind. And I have the last one."

"No way." Mary shook her head. This cloak in James' hand was dangerous but it had also saved her from losing house points today- and him to she reminded herself as an afterthought.

"We should get back though." James said looking towards the prefects. "I don't think they're moving anytime soon."

Mary glanced at them. Both prefects had slid to the floor and were playing an intense game of wizard chess, not planning to move for a while.

Mary nodded and followed James who decided since he was the owner of the cloak he would get to lead them back to the common rooms.

"So why aren't you with your other buddies?" Mary wondered trying to mark conversation. She did hate long silences.

"Well Sirius and Peter both had detentions today-" Mary grimaced. She wasn't a huge fan of Peter at the moment. "And Remus doesn't do much on the weekend but read by the fireplace so I decided to follow lily and Severus to see where they were going- maybe play a prank-"

"That's my best friend you're talking about."

Mary reminded him.

"Right but I didn't do anything did I?" James answered. "What about you? Why didn't you go with Lily?"

"She thinks I'm being superficial for wanting to go."

"That sounds like her."

"But it's okay, I can get in next year for sure."

"You really want to go that much?" James asked, curious.

"Well yeah." Mary nodded. "Apparently only the best of the best get in and the only reason I didn't is that I suck at potions."

"Well, in that case, I'm mad too." James told her. "I have an O in potions. And Remus."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." The stopped in front of the common room where the pretty pink lady was snoring lightly. "Dandelion roots," James whispered and the door swung open to reveal Remus who blinked at the pair of them. "Hi."

"Hi."

"Hi."

"Where are you two coming from?"

"The library." James answered for both of them. Mary raised her brow but nodded anyway.

"The library?" Remus repeated.

"Yes Remus, I understand you might find it hard to believe that Mary here would ever venture into a library-"

Mary smacked him. "I actually am always in the library- you know researching...stuff."

"Uh-huh." Remus nodded before adding. "Anything I can help with?"

"As a matter of fact, you can." She grinned at James. "both of you actually. I heard you both have O's in potions and I need this paper finished before Monday."

James sighed. "I have nothing better to do anyway."

Remus nodded. "Well it's settled then, but Mary do you maybe want to change?"

Mary sighed. "No why would you.." she shook her head impatiently, "look I just wanted to wear this dress, okay?"

"Okay." Remus said quickly glancing at James.

"Okay." James answered as if he would get in trouble if he didn't acknowledge her.

"Good," Mary grinned satisfied, "now which one of you wonderful boys is going to teach me first?"