Regulus started out the Great Hall door, breakfast uneaten.

"Where do you think you're going?" Sirius planted himself in Reg's path.

"Getting some air before classes start."

"What did I say last term?" Sirius didn't back off despite Reg's venomous glare. At least he hadn't resorted to hitting or shouting this time. "You're not skipping meals. I can't have you walking around looking like a skeleton. It's not fashionable."

Regulus' glower didn't dissipate.

"Come on, Reg… I mean it. If I have to make sure you eat, I will." Sirius hauled Regulus to the Marauders' spot at the Gryffindor table – much to Regulus' dismay – but he didn't protest.


Regulus had always wanted to be included, but now he wasn't so sure. The price was too high – not to mention the stares from the rest of the Gryffindor table. To avoid further humiliation, he buttered some toast. Why does he have to treat me like I can't take care of myself? Siri always does this! I'm fine. I wish everyone could see that…


Lily sat beside James, far enough away from Reg to watch him eat without being noticed. He still chewed the same bite he'd taken two minutes ago – if the nibble off the corner of his toast qualified as a bite.

We're back – just like the end of last term. But if we don't take care of Regulus, who will? His clothes bagged more than they should have, and his thin fingers picked at two bacon strips Sirius dumped on his plate.

"Regulus!" With a grin, Diane Diggory whisked over from the Slytherin table. She tucked neat, short hair behind her ears. "How are you people? Reg, first Quidditch practice next Friday. Don't forget. I need my Seeker to be sharp on, and tryouts are in three weeks, so keep an eye out for a good Beater."

As captain of the Slytherin team, Diane kept Reg's spirits up most of last year. When Lily asked her about it, Diane had said she couldn't let her star player drop out, or, Merlin forbid, not catch the Snitch during the match.

"Are the Life Defenders still on?" said Diane. "I assumed they were and didn't schedule practice on Thursdays."

Lily nodded. "We'll start this week. Would you spread the word?"

"To those still interested." She flashed a crooked smile. "Slytherin's got a bit of a civil war right now."

Since Penelope's death, Slytherin's internal state turned volatile. Many grieved, but others raged, disgusted to discover Penelope was muggleborn. Half the house determined to defy Voldemort to avenge Penelope, support her ideals, and confirm Severus Snape as their role model. The other half clung to Voldemort's ideology – feeling they'd been duped by a muggleborn.

"That bad?" James looked up from his breakfast.

"We're lucky a few of the armchairs in the common room escaped unharmed." Diane snatched the piece of bacon off James' plate and bit off half of it.

"Hey! That was mine!" James protested.

"Take another one from the serving plate." She pointed at the silver platter filled with bacon and licked her fingers clean.

"Why didn't you take one from there?"

"Yours was closer. Plus, you need to stay thin to be a good Quidditch player, Potter. Gain any more weight and your broom will drag. Unless you want to switch to being a Beater, then eat as much as you want. But you wouldn't want to lose those pretty boy looks of yours, now would you?"

James looked his skinny frame over in disbelief.

"At least we know the wheat from the chaff." Lily pulled the conversation back to the Life Defenders before the argument spiraled. "Within Slytherin, I mean."

James took another slice of bacon. "The younger Slytherins are so taken with Severus they've discarded any thought of joining Voldemort. The older ones either saw the light… or not… No offense, Diggory."

"As if I could ever take offense from a twerp like you, Potter." Diane tapped James' badge. "What's that? You made Head Boy? Congratulations. But don't think I'll go easy on you on the Quidditch field because of it."

"Please," James snorted. "My team will stomp yours into the ground."

"In your dreams," said Diane. "Your Chasers are pretty good, and the Keeper could be worse…"

"Hey!" Sirius raised his fork – a piece of fried egg still attached.

"But with such a lousy Seeker, and my star still on hand," Diane clapped Reg's shoulder, almost shoving him into his plate, "your team doesn't stand a chance."

Spots of ire colored James' cheeks. "No way!"

"Whatever you say," Diane waved over her shoulder as she walked away. "Remember to stay clear of the bacon, Potter. It isn't good for you."

"Of all the nerve," James growled. He started to bite into his bacon but stopped to give it a suspicious look before throwing it back on his plate with a grunt. "Our team's way better than hers. She's just afraid of us. And I can afford to eat bacon!" He looked to Sirius. "Right?"

"Guys and their Quidditch." Lily shook her head. At least Reg seemed to have found his appetite – not that Sirius or James noticed. They were too busy talking Quidditch tactics, and with the Slytherin Seeker right next to them. Boys will always be boys.

An owl carrying the morning paper landed in Remus' cereal.

"Merlin!" Remus spluttered as he wiped milk off his face. "At least try to aim," he growled at the owl as the bird held out a leg to receive his payment. Remus gave him a Knut and retrieved his sopping paper. With a flick of his wand, it was crisp and dry again.

"Why read that?" said Sirius. "It's so boring."

"Considering the current political climate, I'm surprised you think that," Remus shot back.

"I'll be the first to take it off your hands when you're done." Lily took a sip of her water.

"As usual." Remus unfolded the paper and froze. "I… think it might take a while before I'm done."

"What does it say?" Lily scooted her chair closer to peer over the edge of the paper.

"Yeah, Moony," James joked, "what does it say?" He snatched the paper away and paled.

"What? What is it?" Lily said.

James licked his lips, like he always did when nervous. "Nothing important. Not worth reading. Pure hogwash."

Reg exploited James' shock and snapped up the paper. "Like you could even try to hide that from her." He glanced from the paper to Lily. "It'll be all over school before breakfast's over."

"What. Is. It?" Lily insisted.

"Here." Sirius took the paper and handed it to Lily. "Happy now, Reg?"

Regulus awarded his brother a sullen glare.

An unflattering picture of Severus followed by a long article stopped her heart. "Oh, Merlin…" She skimmed the first few sentences. Words like "wanted," and "dark wizard" leaped at her like snapping wolves. It described Severus as "an ardent follower of Voldemort."

"Ironically enough," said James, "had that article come out a year ago, I'd have believed it."

"Me too…" She let the paper flop over her half-finished breakfast. "But he's changed for the better."

"Death Eaters must've gotten to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement – at least part of it," Sirius groaned.

"Hopefully not anyone important," said Lily. "The question now is, what's Sev going to do? A small inconvenience like this won't stop him."

"Let's hope he's good at disguises," said James.

"He must be. It would explain why we didn't see him at Diagon Alley. He was there, but in disguise."

"You mean you don't know if he's good at disguises?" said James.

"There're hundreds of things about him I don't know," Lily snapped. "Mostly what he can or can't do. But he's capable of a lot. That much I do know."

A few minutes passed in silence as Lily deliberately folded the paper into a square and shoved it under her plate with a quiet crinkle not a moment before Professor McGonagall handed them their schedules for the year. She raised a brow at Regulus but gave Lily an approving smile, though her usual stern demeanor returned when she handed the boys their schedules.

Remus appeared pleased with his schedule. "Nothing for me Monday morning."

Lily had Potions right after breakfast.

"But you've got a tough Tuesday," Sirius tapped Remus' paper. "Looks like we'll have to wait until Thursday to check out Dawlish."

"You, maybe." Reg smirked and held up his schedule, freshly delivered by Slughorn on his way to the Slytherin table. "I'm heading there first thing today." At all the interested looks from the Marauders, Reg shut up and dug back into his breakfast.


When Regulus was done eating, he joined Diane and Jonas – the two other Slytherin Life Defenders in his own year – as they headed for Defence.

Just before the trio reached the classroom, Lucy came skipping down the corridor, just as messy and flustered as ever. She stopped so abruptly she fell right on her bum, and scrambled up before anyone could blink.

"You okay there?" Reg said.

Lucy blushed but nodded. "Aye. Never better."

"You sure?"

Lucy gave him a fake grin, swallowed, and marched into class, head held high.

"That was odd," Regulus said to Diane.

"Everything about that girl is odd, so, no surprise there."

Reg found a seat near the middle of the rapidly filling classroom. He'd hoped to have a table to himself, but Lucy joined him a moment later.

"Ya mind?" Lucy said nervously. "Everywhere else is taken."

Regulus gave her a short nod and received a genuinely appreciative smile, but once Lucy settled in, the cheerful facade slipped. A haunted look – the one that plagued her in weak moments, when she thought no one was watching – broke through. Had anyone else noticed? She's not okay. That's got to be the reason for the baggy robes. We're stuck in the same leaky boat, her and me. She'll have to bend, or she'll break.

Lucy spoke first. "Are ya happy to be back?"

"It's fine."

Her fingers drummed an awkward beat. "Weather's nice, isn't it?"

"It is." This isn't going to work. We have nothing in common. Relief came when Dawlish marched in, back straight as a flagpole. He closed the door with a firm jerk and took stock of the full class.

"So, you're my N.E.W.T. students," said Dawlish on his way to the front. "I decided to accept students who scored an Acceptable or higher on their O.W.L.s, but only because of the troubled times we face. Everyone should be able to defend themselves. However," he faced the class, "I also expect everyone to work hard and do their best. Be diligent and you can expect to pass, but slack off, and you'll be out of here faster than you can blink. Basic Defence should be imprinted on the inside of your skulls by now, considering the advanced level of this class and current affairs."

Dawlish toured the room. "Whether you're a pretty girl," he glanced at one dark-skinned Ravenclaw, "or a tomboy outsider who hates their family," he looked at Diane. "Or a bit on the heavy side," his attention shifted to a Hufflepuff boy. "It doesn't matter to the dangers that lurk behind every corner." He pointed to the paintings lining the walls. They showed the effects of various curses.

Reg studied the images in fascination – and missed Dawlish's approach. But when the new professor leaned close – too close – Reg pushed his chair back a few inches. So did Lucy.

"Whether you're of fine, old blood, used to silver spooks, dark magic and superior manners, or a dirty farm girl with troll blood in her veins." Dawlish's rough laugh filled the room. "Though there's some potential here. Two total opposites sitting side by side but looking like a team. Very good indeed! Class," he straightened and stepped away from Regulus' and Lucy's table, "as an Auror, it's important to be able to cooperate with the most unlikely people. Your partner must compliment you or you'll be of no use to each other – even though the risk of a clash is greater."

Dawlish started back to the front. "It takes training and patience to work together peacefully. But to become stronger, you must cooperate with people who least resemble you. Not everyone is capable of that. It takes great maturity to realize you aren't always right." He slipped behind his desk. "Let's see how capable you are. How many of you can do a Stunner on reflex?"

Reg slowly raised his hand along with Lucy and the other three Life Defenders.

"Deflection?"

Everyone raised their hand.

"Shielding Charm?"

All hands stayed up.

"All right. Show me. Up with you, and – Wait. Who can do more than four defensive spells on reflex?"

Only the Life Defenders raised their hands, and even they were hesitant.

Dawlish eyed the five. "You'll have to show me by the end of class."

"Think we're up to his standards?" Reg whispered to Lucy.

Lucy shook her head. "We're Manticore food."

Over the next hour, Dawlish drilled them. He complained about everything – "not powerful enough," "do it nonverbally," "stand straight," "be ready to dodge" – nothing was good enough for him.

Regulus didn't even earn an acknowledgement when he combusted a chair on command. Why does he have to be so rough? He doesn't appreciate any of our hard work. I did well! I know I did! Why can't he just give me that much?

By lunchtime, Reg's frustration still boiled as he stomped toward the Great Hall, but when he noticed Sirius, he quickly left so his brother wouldn't drag him to the Gryffindor table to be spoon-fed. I'm sick of his mothering! If he was honest with himself, Regulus didn't know Sirius at all. His brother had doted on him since last March but acted like a brain-dead goofball the rest of the time. And yet…

The summer holiday had been strange. It felt like another world with that house so warm and welcoming, the unconditional friendship between the Marauders. Sirius wasn't mad, sullen or gloomy and without their mother to yell at or fight with…

Until last year Reg ignored Sirius, and his brother was content to do the same. The few glimpses Reg got of Sirius made his older brother seem a menacing bully, an arrogant showoff. It was like Sirius had two sides, so different even Regulus had trouble figuring out which person his brother was.

This new life, without the finery and propriety, felt strange but good, even if his old life still rooted deep within him. Manners were always his greatest resort in difficult situations. Now that they'd been taken from him, he felt exposed.

But the curse of knowing he wouldn't be where he was now if Voldemort hadn't murdered Penelope… it weighed, stole his appetite. The price for his new life… was far too high.


This was the same room the Life Defenders always used – the one Severus found for Penelope. Wasn't it? How could this have begun so long ago…?

Lily stood near the front of the room with Remus. She and Reg were now the unofficial engine of the group, and Lily regarded their responsibility with great pride.

Life Defenders trickled in, Regulus one of the first. He stood near Lily. "Hey," he muttered. "You… doing good?"

"Great." Lily offered a weak smile. "And ready to start." Even she knew her confidence level lacked.

James and Sirius arrived as Lily began a head count. Not everyone from last year's here. Some students left, some decided not to come to the meeting, and some had been fan girls vying for the Marauders' attention. Eight Slytherins, five Gryffindors including me, five Hufflepuffs counting the three fawners in the corner, and four Ravenclaws – two more droolers there.

Right. Lily began the meeting. "Good to see so many made it, and good to see new faces." She gave the fan girls an insincere smile. "Since this is our first meeting of the year and we have new people, let's spend today talking and getting to know each other. This group was created for different people to get better acquainted and learn to accept and respect each other. That's what we do here." She looked pointedly at the girls gawking at James and co. So far, they'd done a good job of avoiding the Slytherins.

"It's important to know we have someone to rely on within the school, no matter their house. We all know people out there in danger. Many of us have already lost someone… And that's why we need to stand together – be there for each other. Let's introduce ourselves and say something about our situation to start building trust with each other."

The door squeaked open and in walked Barty Crouch Jr., hair slicked, grin wide, blue eyes as crazed as ever. "Good evening."

Reg glared through narrowed eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted a place to fit in. I heard this was an open club and decided to drop by." Crouch feigned innocence.

All exchanged wary looks.

"Of – of course," Lily managed. "We were just about to start. Please, take a seat."

Crouch sat right beside Regulus, to Reg's great dismay and Crouch's delight.

Lily fumbled but tried to keep on track. "As I said, let's introduce ourselves and say something about who we are and what our situation is in the war." I'm so bad at this… but here it goes. "My name is Lily Evans. My parents are muggles and they're on the run. For their safety, I don't know where they are, and I don't know where my boyfriend is – only that he's out there fighting, and I want to join him as well-prepared as possible." She sat and nodded to James.

"I'm James Potter," he said as he stood. "My dad's an Auror, and that makes me and my mum targets. She does her best to stay safe while she's at work, but you never know. I also have a friend out there on his own, someone I owe a lot and want to help. I'd do anything in my power to ensure my friends' and family's safety."

Sirius took the floor. "Sirius Black. All my friends are targets – highly wanted targets. They're constantly in danger, and I want to do my part to protect them." He sat, expecting Lucy to pick up, but she stared at the ceiling. "Lucy?" He nudged her. "Carrot?" He snapped his fingers in her face. "Say something, Carrot!" He looked concerned.

"Gnarling… slubberworm sauce…"

"That's nice, Lucy, but it's your turn. Unless you don't want to say anything."

"Huh? Oh! Yes, I… Ahem. Me – me dad is – He's –" Lucy almost fell back into her blank stare.

"It's okay. You don't have to," Remus said.

Lucy's eyes darkened and her voice fell two octaves. "He's dead. Like Penelope. They killed them. They killed them!" She held her head in her hands. "Those horrible people! I want them to pay! I'm not scared. I'm not!" she hissed into clenched fists.

"Hey…" Lily scooted next to Penelope and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We're all scared. It's nothing to be ashamed of."

Lucy deflated. "I'm sorry… please forget it…"

Remus took over. "I'm Regulus Black, and I think we're forgetting something – namely saying what we're up against and why. Once, I thought I'd join You-Know-Who sooner or later. I thought what Severus said about him was hogwash. I didn't realize he was right until it was almost too late. You-Know-Who is evil. The lengths he'd go to reach a goal, no matter how pointless… He doesn't have any real power. He can't offer his followers anything substantial. He kills people just because he can – because he doesn't feel anything! I found that out the hard way – by seeing him enjoy killing, enjoy torturing his followers. The ones who fear him the most are his closest servants. What kind of lord is that?" Reg sat. "I'm done."

"Touching," Crouch simpered. "Really. I mean it. It touches me right here." He laid a hand over his poisoned heart. "You touch me so much it changes everything!" His smile grew sadistic. "Just look at you all. So close." He clapped once and focused on Lily. "It's so inspiring. The targeted muggleborn pines over her lost boyfriend."

Lily bristled, but held back any reaction, determined to be the better person.

"The wealthy boy worried about Mummy and Daddy." Crouch faced James. "I can so feel that, you know. Dearest Daddy is in a similar position, after all. Tsk, tsk. He risks so much for the greater good every minute of every day. It's so horrible!"

Nothing in Crouch's tone indicated sincerity – only unnerving madness. "He's actually doing something instead of sitting here sharing sob stories. But what else can you do," he eyed Sirius, "when your family's disowned you? But you still worry so much because you have such a big heart." Crouch's grin spread so wide Lily thought it might split his face. "I think my own heart grew three times hearing little Carrot missing her mummy and daddy. But she's brave. Not scared at all. I'm sure she doesn't have problems with nightmares and has no need to prove herself to all these good friends who would never hide anything important from her. Now would they?" Crouch's mad gaze turned on Remus. "But then again, would it all still hold together if a dirty secret escaped?"

"Stop it!" Lily growled. "You can't just sit here and insult us."

"I don't see how I am. I'm just saying what a magnificent assembly you are."

Lily wanted to object, but found little reason to throw him out. No one had been thrown out of the Life Defenders before. It wasn't the nature of the club. What do I do?

"And Reggy, little brother Reggy, how you've grown," Crouch went on. "That speech – magnificent! So nice of you to care about little innocent muggleborns, though I must ask myself, if the Dark Lord has no real power, then why is that little flower over there so scared?" He pointed to a girl cowering behind two other students. "Why are you all determined to become stronger in the futile hope that you may defy him? He is strong," Crouch's expression became reverent, "and growing stronger every day while those who fight him grow weaker. So much power…" The glint returned to Crouch's eyes. Lily knew that glint. Severus had it once – that greed, the lust for power – it was the one thing that scared her most. "It's only logical that if you join him, you'll become stronger too. Why would you be so afraid of being close to power?"

"Out!" Lily stood and pointed to the door. "We don't speak of Voldemort fondly in here. He murdered the founder of this club, and we fight in her honor, so, out with you!"

Crouch batted big blue eyes, like a toddler caught with candy. "I still don't see what I did wrong."

"I said, GET OUT!"

Crouch raised a brow.

That's it. Lily pulled Crouch off the floor. "Get out. Right now," she sneered into his face, "and don't come back if you can't behave."

"Better do as she says." James took Crouch's other arm as Regulus and Remus stood to ensure the boy found the door. "You don't want to be on her bad side. Trust me. I speak from experience."

Crouch smirked and twisted out of Lily's and James' grip. "You could've asked nicely if you didn't want me here. See? I'm going, and I'm behaving. I really think that was uncalled for, Miss Evans." Crouch closed the door without so much as a squeak.

"That," Sirius whispered, "was the creepiest thing I've ever seen."

"Who was that?" said James. "That kid isn't right. And he's up to something."

Several others murmured agreement.

"He's in my dorm," offered Matthew Flint from the other side of the room. "And… yeah… he's not right in the head… We're the same year as… Penelope was. When she died, he…" Matt swallowed hard. "He seemed… happy about it. Woke us up in the middle of the night to jeer and taunt. Thanks for throwing him out," he said to Lily. "He was way out of line."

"Nobody thinks I'm blaming Slytherin as a house?" Lily said, concerned. "Because I don't mean to."

Diane shook her head. "We're at war in our own house. Everyone from Slytherin against You-Know-Who is in this room. Crouch obviously doesn't belong to that category."

"He wanted to mess with our heads," said Regulus.

"Let's continue, shall we?" Lily sat beside James and smiled encouragingly at the Hufflepuff girl next in line. "Your turn."

The girl's kind face, curly brown hair and orange-gold eyes seemed familiar. "I'm Leila Dickinson."

"Oh, David's sister!" Lily said. "He mentioned you wanted to join at some point. Where is he?"

"Dead."

Stunned silence.

Leila's eyes clouded with emotion. "Both our parents are muggles. Death Eaters found us over the holiday."

Another Hufflepuff girl hugged Leila. "It's okay, we won't make fun of you."

Many looked away, scared and uncomfortable.

"Let's do something else," said Lily. "I'm not nearly as good at this as Penelope was, and it's starting to get awkward."

"Why don't we practice the Shielding Charm?" Reg stood. "Come on, people. Let's get down to it."

Everyone scrambled into position; the newcomers followed along.

Lily took her position opposite one new girl. How did Pen and Sev make this look so easy? They were the perfect team. Pen took care of the social part, challenging people to come out of their shell – not to mention the Slytherin slyness to sometimes trick them into opening up. Sev was the perfect instructor. He knew every Defence spell. He had such power and passion – and inspired everyone to do their best. The younger Slytherins devoured his every word. They admired him. If only one of them were here, this would go a lot smoother. But there's nothing for it… I've got to keep this running. I have to.


Later, Lily sat in the common room frowning over her Potions homework. According to what Sev told her, what was written in the book about the moon stone was wrong. But she couldn't remember what he'd said it really did. Maybe I should just write what the book says and get it over with. That's probably what Slughorn wants, anyway. But there was a big difference between brewing a potion and following a recipe. Any idiot could follow directions, but few became true Potions Masters.

Lily huffed. Spent too much time around Sev last year. But, dear Merlin, how I miss him!

An owl landed on the coffee table. She purred, demanding attention. Lily almost missed catching the parchments the owl delivered before they scattered as Mona pushed against Lily's hand. "You're impossible, silly bird. Tomorrow you'll have to make another delivery to my family, so you should rest."

Mona clicked in delight.

"Happy for an excuse to see your mate?" Lily smiled sadly. "At least he's bloody bound to you…" She checked to make sure no one heard her, but James and Sirius hunched over their own Potions essays while Remus worked on Care of Magical Creatures on the couch across from Lily.

"I have a bad feeling about that Barty Crouch fellow." James looked up from his essay.

"We all have a bad feeling about that creep, mate," said Sirius.

Lily didn't know what to add, so she kept quiet.

"No. I mean, I think he's planning something – something to do with You-Know-Who," said James.

"The same thing Severus was planning last year?" said Remus, skeptical. "Prongs, you really should learn not to assume."

"But Severus was up to something," James said. "Just not what I thought. His intentions were good. I don't think we could say the same for Crouch."

"I agree," said Lily as she gave Mona another pat. "I think he's actively working for Voldemort."

James and Sirius seemed surprised. "Really? But –"

"I know," she said. "He's still in school, but there's no denying he's up to serious mischief – really serious."

"I think so too," said Remus. "Sorry, James. I just wanted to make a point, but we saw him in Diagon Alley. He's in league with Death Eaters. That's enough reason to keep an eye on him."

"Death Eaters?" James sat straight. Sirius too.

"Right. We never told you," Lily groaned. "In Diagon Alley… he was with a man called Rookwood. Regulus recognized him as a Death Eater. Crouch and Rookwood were the ones who discovered us."

"And you didn't think that was important?"

"I forgot!" Lily huffed. "Merlin, James, we were being chased by Death Eaters, and Sev was obviously there!"

"Sorry," Remus seemed embarrassed at the lapse too. "Guess my mind was on other stuff."

"That's not like you, Moony," said Sirius.

"I saw Fenrir Greyback for the first time since… you know…" Remus said. "So, forgive me if I was a little distracted."

"He was the one who… bit you?" Lily said.

Remus nodded. "He targets little kids. Waits outside the house for a day, and when the full moon rises, he charges in and… If the kids survive the next few years, he collects them. Calls them his 'children.'" Remus looked away. "Can we not talk about this?"

"Sure… Sorry, Moony." James fiddled with the corner of his essay. "In any case, that Crouch is in league with Death Eaters makes him a lot more dangerous."

Sirius adjusted his robes three times as he said, "I hate to ask, but… what do you think the chances are that he's… already marked?"

"He's only fifteen," Remus frowned. "Who makes a fifteen-year-old a Death Eater?"

Lily snorted. "An evil madman, maybe? I'm pretty sure he'd have marked Regulus last March if Reg had gone through with it. And Crouch isn't just any fifteen-year-old. He's mad, and his father is Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. You told me. Remember?"

"How barking mad is this?" James ruffled his hair.

"But logical," Sirius added. "Think about it. If he's a Death Eater and his father is Head of the Department, it explains how the Death Eaters got such a grip on it."

"You're right," said Lily.

James cast her a calculating glance. "I didn't know you were the rash type."

"Mum always said I get in trouble because I never think things through."

"So, we all agree to keep an eye on him?" said James.

Lily nodded. "And you're not sneaking around without me."

"Never in my life would I have thought I'd hear you say that." James chuckled.

"Shush, you," Lily grumbled. "And I mean it. I don't want to sit around doing nothing."

"That's part of being a Marauder. But I'm afraid there's nothing to do right now and this essay's due tomorrow."

"Like you'd care about that." Sirius grinned, though his own essay was almost finished.

"It's the deal if you want to be accepted at the Aurors', Pads." James flipped the page over.


Just before curfew, Remus took a walk outside. The almost full moon hung overhead, and the bitter taste of Wolfsbane Potion lingered on his tongue. But it was still a blessing.

The conversation from earlier returned. Greyback… Remus stopped, shut his eyes. I was five! Five! He burst into my home and… Mum screamed. Dad drew his wand, tried to fend him off… But his father was too late. Greyback had Remus in his jaws. In that instant, he was terrified he'd die. Had he known the even crueler fate awaiting him…

His mother had held him tight, sobbed so loudly as she almost crushed the life out of him. Back then, Remus hadn't understood what happened, or why his mother cried so hard. But now…

Soft footsteps thumped in the grass ahead.

Remus discovered he stood on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, a line students weren't permitted to cross. Who's out here?

Lucy had a buetroll perched on her arm. "Remus?" The buetroll jumped, startled and scratched Lucy's face. "Auch!"

Remus hurried over. "You okay?"

"Ow…" Lucy held her cheek, the buetroll long gone. "It's just a scratch."

"Let me help." Remus took out his wand and cast a healing spell. The scratch vanished, leaving not so much as a scar.

"Thank you." She stared after the buetroll.

"What were you doing?"

"At me parents' farm, buetroll bark was one of the things we harvested. Me dad and I used to go out in the forest and harvest it together. This summer… no one did it. At least, I don't think so. Are you okay? Ya look… awful." Lucy stepped toward him. "What is it you're not tellin' me? You, Lily, James, Sirius. Please, Remus? I know ya don't like me the way I like you. That's okay. Ye don't have to. Ya can't force someone to like someone else."

Remus winced.

"I just want ta help! You're hurting, aren't ya? If there's something I can do… I know I'm not very smart. All I'm good for is helping at the farm. Still… If there's anything…"

Remus tried to ignore the ache in his chest – the effect of her words. "Sorry. It's not really…"

"Everyone's hurting so bad," said Lucy. "Lily, Regulus, you." Her eyes misted. "How can I help?"

"You want to go back to that farm, don't you? The farm you grew up on – with all the anthraxes and buetrolls and grindylows. It'd be great to see it one day. Concentrate on that. Make it through this so you can go back there safely."

Tears started down Lucy's cheeks.

"We should get back. It's almost curfew," Remus turned away. "It… was nice to see you."

"Remus!" Lucy grabbed his arm. "I… Whatever's bothering you. I hope it'll be all right. You – you're kind and sweet. Ya don't deserve ta be so troubled. Please, take care a yourself!"

"Yeah…" Remus muttered and hurried back to the castle, leaving Lucy standing in the trees, crying out pieces of her broken heart.


This Chapter has been edited by Dtill359