Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters. I only own Riley Patton. Any of the storyline that seems familiar, I most likely do not own.

Riley POV

Each step I took towards where I was meeting Filch was one step closer to my sinking displeasure. My heart was in my throat and my stomach was knotted. I clenched my fists so hard I was surprised my nails didn't cut into the palms of my hands. I had no idea if Sirius would be in the detention, but knowing my luck, there was a pretty good chance he would be. I finally made it to the room where I would be serving my detention. It took all of my inner strength to force myself to walk into the room. And to my surprise, Sirius wasn't in the room. But James Potter was. Any other day and I would've thought about which one would've been worse to serve detention with, but for once in my life, I was actually happy to see James. Never again will I think that... Ever.

"Hey, Patton." James grinned, getting excited.

I just raised an eyebrow at him, in no mood whatsoever for human interaction. I knew for a fact that the next chance I got, I was going to sneak into the Forbidden Forest as Stripes so I could visit the Thestrals and the Unicorns. It was a great way to calm myself down. Magical creatures were my favorite beings. They were so amazing, and so misunderstood. I guess that's why I liked them so much. Because I related to them. Also because, unlike humans, the didn't talk back. I shook those thoughts out of my head, zoning back into the real world so I could get the rundown of what I would be doing for detention this time.

"Now, since they weren't finished last time, you'll be completing polishing trophy cups. Without magic." Filch instructed.

Like usual, he took us to the trophy room and just left us there. I sighed and got a rag, intending to just get through this detention so I could go back to my dormitory. I was tired of doing detentions and I just wanted them to be over.

"So Patton,"

I groaned aloud.

"What? I'm not that appalling am I?" James mocked being hurt.

"I don't want to hear it, Potter. Just let me serve the stupid detention in peace." I grumbled.

"He feels terrible you know."

"Who?" I asked, feigning stupidity. I was thinking that maybe if I stalled long enough, I wouldn't have to deal with this conversation.

"Don't play dumb. It doesn't look good on you. I know what happened as well by the way."

I whipped around, furious, "He told you?!"

"Actually, no. You two aren't the only illegal Animagi."

I thought his words over, "You, you're the stag! Prongs! That's why Sirius, Remus, and Peter call you Prongs isn't it?"

"Bingo."

"So, wait, if you're Prongs, Sirius must be Padfoot then, correct? Because he's the dog."

"Yes." James looked uneasy, I was figuring it out. And he knew it.

"Peter's Wormtail, so he's obviously the rat. But, Moony? Why Moony?"

It suddenly dawned on me.

"Werewolf," I whispered.

"Yeah, so, that's crazy talk. There's no way Remus could ever be a werewolf. Where'd you get that idea from?" James chuckled nervously.

"No, no you don't get to lie to me! You don't get to play dumb!" I hissed.

"Please, you can't tell Remus you know! Or you can't tell him that you found it out from me! I'm not even supposed to know! Sirius, Peter, and me,"

"I." I automatically corrected it.

"Really? You're correcting my grammar now? Whatever, it doesn't matter. Well, we became illegal Animagi to help Remus. We've found out that he does better when we're there in our Animagus's."

I took a moment to let this new information sink in. How he was always sick during the full moon, how he wasn't in classes for a few days, why they all snuck out together that night. It all makes sense now. Sweet Remus, the guy who helped me with my school work. Was a werewolf.

"So, so you were trying to protect me?" I was starting to put two and two together.

"Yes. But then we saw you change. And we didn't know what to do."

"I appreciate you guys trying to help me. But, just for the record, I can take care of myself."

James mumbled something that I didn't hear. It suspiciously sounded like he said the words Sirius and lies.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

My brain was racing at a mile a minute. I had to apologize to Sirius, even though I really didn't want to. How was I supposed to apologize to him when the last time I saw him, I stopped him from kissing me? But he saved my life, so it was only proper to apologize and to thank him for what he had done. What was even worse is that I couldn't say that I had hated him kissing me. Far from it. How could I tell him that though? I pushed him away.

"You look like your brain is going a mile a minute." James interrupted my train of thought.

"Nothing. I'm fine." I murmured back, shaking away my thoughts for the time being.

Every time James would try to make conversation, I pretended as if I didn't hear him. The rest of the detention took what felt like days to complete. Once Filch finally dismissed us, I practically ran back to Gryffindor tower. Once I reached the common room, I let out a groan. Sirius was sitting on one of the plush chairs by the fire.

"That excited to see me?" Sirius raised an eyebrow.

"It is too late and I am too tired to deal with you right now," I muttered, running away and up the stairs to the girls' dormitory.

I ran into my room and collapsed to the bed in frustration. Within minutes, I was asleep from exhaustion.