Author's note: sorry I didn't get this chapter out Friday. Some stuff happened and my mental health suffered. I'm… doing okay now, I suppose, or at least well enough to get a chapter out. I decided to go ahead and release this one today and then get back to my normal schedule on Tuesday. I am sorry for the delay!

I also wanted to say regarding Blackened Sky, yes I will be continuing it, I had every intention of getting a couple chapters out a month for it but my backlog for the main story dipped very low and I wanted to focus on that. Now that my backlog for the main story is getting better I hope to get back to Blackened Sky very soon.

Also TW for internal homophobia in this chapter as well as mentions of cis male body problems.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

As soon as Remus walked into Defense Against the Dark Arts on Thursday afternoon, he was hit with a wave of feelings and wobbliness for Professor Prewett, especially since Prewett gave him a really big smile and a wink. It was a blast of hot, unwanted air all over his insides. He kept his head low through class, studiously taking notes until it was time to practice spells, and then he did his best not to look at his teacher. It worked somewhat well until Prewett dismissed class, and asked Remus to stay behind.

Crap.

Remus gathered his stuff, eyeing his friends with jealousy at their escape. Once the last student left, Prewett closed the door.

"I heard you were my champion when I was gone," Professor Prewett said, going over to lean against his desk. Remus looked at his shoes, giving an almost imperceptible shrug. "It was your… werewolf… instincts? Or abilities? That gave it away?"

"Yes, sir," he whispered, really not wanting to talk about his werewolf side. He could still feel the impact of his fist hitting Malfoy. It took over, whispered a voice in the back of his head. It howled for blood and you provided!

"Gideon was very impressed." For a second Remus had no idea what Professor Prewett was talking about. The punch? Then he realized and felt stupid. "I didn't tell him, of course, that you're a werewolf."

"I—I d-didn't mean to m-make things worse or—or difficult for you," Remus said quickly, glancing up through his fringe.

Prewett took a few steps towards Remus which sent the feelings into an even wilder state of being. "You didn't. It's fine. Everything went fine. I do appreciate that you did look after me, though. Albus said you were very adamant about it."

Remus ducked down again, blushing from embarrassment and wishing this were over.

Then Prewett was in front of him, his warm hand on Remus's shoulder. Remus felt incredibly dizzy and uncomfortable. And tingly. In fact, he felt like he might have a problem soon. He also wanted Prewett to hug him. To hold him. That was not good. Very not good.

The tingly feeling down there grew worse and he knew if he didn't escape soon it would be obvious.

"There's nothing wrong with going to someone if you think something is amiss."

"I—I know," he somehow managed to say.

Prewett tilted his head a bit, trying to look into Remus's face. "Thank you again."

"Yourewelcome," he wheezed out.

"Have a good day, try not to get into too much trouble."

It was, thank Merlin, a dismissal. Remus bolted out of the classroom, crashing hard into James this time and sending both of them tumbling to the ground.

"You're all sweaty," James complained when he disentanglement himself from Remus.

"I—I'm still—I still don't f-feel great after the—the incident this morning," Remus lied.

They wanted to know what was going on—why Remus stayed behind again—and he made up something about Prewett wanting to double-check part of his essay. It was believable enough, and the conversation switched to the mud prank and when they should do it. Sirius was quite certain the sixth years had class at that moment so he thought they should do it now. Or at least check the dorms.

James agreed, so the four of them went to their dorm in order to fetch the cloak. Remus tried to think of an excuse to not join them. Finally, he suggested he be the lookout outside the common room. James disagreed, wanting Remus to be the lookout outside the dorms. It'd be easier that way.

"I don't f-feel good," he complained again. All he wanted to do was get a cold shower to get rid of all the heat Prewett caused. To get rid of the problem he was hopefully hiding well enough by how he held his satchel. "Besides, I don't think the sixth year Slytherins have class right now."

"The least we can do is check," James pointed out.

"Maybe you should go to McGonagall about Malfoy," Peter suggested, giving Remus a worried look. "What if he does try to attack you again? Or—or about Silverlocke?"

"Aegis d-doesn't want anyone involved for some reason," Remus said, and Sirius muttered something under his breath. "Wh—what?"

"Nothing," Sirius said with a false smile.

Remus was overruled, and he gave in, leaving the dorms with them to go down to the dungeon. At least they didn't mind him taking a bathroom break which was spent trying desperately to calm his body down. As he plunged his hands into cold water he recited all the Latin names of plants they had learned in Herbology this year. After splashing the cold water on his face, he dried off and felt a little bit better. The worst part of the problem was gone, and he was able to return to his friends. He hoped that the prank would be enough to distract him from thinking about what happened.

James and Sirius had pretty much stalked the common room every week or so to keep up with the password, so there wasn't any difficulty getting in once they got the cloak on. There were mostly first and second years hanging around, and a few older students studying.

The four of them cautiously went through the common room, trying to stay as quiet as possible. Remus couldn't believe that nobody was able to sense them! The other three still stank a bit from Herbology, and all four of their hearts were pounding hard, and Remus knew he was soaked in sweat.

They crept up the boys' side, searching for the sixth year dorms. There were two of them, due to the amount of sixth year boys, and both were empty.

"Which one is right?" James asked.

"This one," Sirius said, indicating one of the rooms. Peter and Remus had pointed out the culprits shortly after it happened, and Sirius knew their names so he was able to tell by the names on the trunks.

Remus stayed in the hallway under the cloak while his friends muddied up the rooms. A few Slytherins came down the hall, though none were the sixth years. He grew antsy, shifting from foot to foot, a bad feeling filling his stomach. Just when the bad feeling reached the boiling point, the door opened a crack. He lifted the cloak so they could scurry under (beyond them he could see that mud coated every single surface) then they headed to the stairs.

"Someone's coming up the stairs," Remus whispered, and the four staggered back, pressing up against a bathroom door as the sixth years whose dorm they ruined appeared down the hall. All four Gryffindors held their breaths as the Slytherins passed, laughing and obviously having a good time that would shortly be ruined.

"Go!" James urged once they were far enough down the hall.

They hurried down the stairs but they could clearly hear the Slytherins' screams when the door was opened. Everyone in the common room could. Heads swiveled, and everyone stared at the boys' stairs where the Marauders were emerging from. Remus felt terrified, as if they were staring at them.

"Merlin," Peter gulped.

"Shh!" Sirius hissed.

They stayed close to the wall, huddled close together—as close together as they could get. Remus was grateful he was pretty much physically wrapped up with James and not Sirius, not after the Prewett thing.

A male prefect hurried to the stairs only seconds after the Marauders got out of the way, followed by several other boys. The passing had been so close that the prefect actually paused, glancing where the Marauders had stepped, a frown on his face from having felt something so close. Then he shrugged it off, going up the stairs.

The Marauders scooted along towards the door, jumping back a little then the door opened to let some other students in. As soon as they went by, the Marauders hurried out, almost colliding with a couple more students.

They ran down the hall, away from the main corridors and into a secret passage where they collapsed on the floor, all of them laughing rather hysterically at the extremely close call.

"We should've tried to put the blame on Snape," snickered Sirius. "Shame."

"Right, and we probably would have been caught if we stayed any longer!" Pete said, smacking Sirius's shoulder.

James was rolling back and forth, clutching his sides. "It was so close—absolutely brilliant—bloody brilliant!" That triggered the memory of Aegis saying 'bloody brilliant' which made Remus laugh harder. "My blood is pumping so hard, Merlin!" James continued, sitting up. "That was as thrilling as scoring a goal!"

"Adrenaline," Remus explained, wiping tears from his cheeks. The scent was overwhelming for him; he couldn't really understand how the others didn't smell it. He wondered what they could smell, if anything. He almost asked them, but due to the incident of them finding out he could smell some hormones and emotions he opted not to.

By suppertime it had gotten around the school someone had slathered one of the Slytherin dorms in mud. Slughorn and the Slytherins were all quite irritated, and everyone was trying to figure out who had done it. James and Sirius's names were offered up, of course, but the age-old password protected prevented them from getting into any real trouble.

Why do they think it's so hard to get into common rooms? Remus wondered, glancing up at the teachers. The hardest one was really Hufflepuff, because you'd need a really good visual on the pattern, which was difficult to do considering how the hallway was set up. Gryffindor and Slytherin were simply listening in, while Ravenclaw was being able to guess a riddle. Why were those so hard?

I suppose there aren't a lot of places to hide near the entrances, he realized, thinking about the passageways near the Gryffindor and Slytherin entrances. Plus the fact they'd be seen in the common rooms, there was almost always someone around… the fact the teachers didn't know about the cloak did give the Marauders a huge advantage. All right, maybe the whole 'another house could get in and do the pranks' wasn't as likely, unless one knew about the cloak. Maybe the teachers weren't really being that oblivious.

/\/\/\/\/\

Friday morning everyone was still talking about the mud, mostly due to how covered everything in the dorm had been. Apparently, all the desk drawers and the wardrobes and even trunks were filled up. James confirmed this to Remus with a whisper, since Remus wasn't sure if it was an exaggeration or not.

"They deserve it," Remus said as a school owl floated above him, dropping a note in his lap.

"What's that?" Peter asked.

"Looks like paper," Sirius snickered, and Peter threw a scone at him.

"Probably my detention information," Remus sighed, opening it up. "Yes it is."

James frowned. "Detention? You? For what?!"

Remus glanced around then bent in. "Accidentally cheating? While they agree it was not my intention, I am still in trouble for breaking a very big school rule! Oh, good, it's with Professor Sprout." He folded it up, carefully tucking it in his pocket. "I was a bit worried they'd make me have detention with only Professor Slughorn, considering it was his class."

"Better Sluggy than Filch," James pointed out. Remus normally would agree with but was worried spending any extended period of time alone with Slughorn would make him bring up the Slug Club thing again.

Later in the day, when he was spending time with Lily, she asked about the detention too, then wondered how much detention he got. When he informed her a full week she gave him a long look.

"I know, I deserve it," he said. "I'm not denying it."

"I still can't believe you did that!"

They were outside, listening to Lily's record player. She was borrowing the most recent Hufflepuffskien's album from Colgate, and kept repeating her favorite song, dancing to it. She kept twirling and kicking her feet out, trying not to fall over.

"I wasn't thinking," he protested. "Let me guess, that is obvious?"

Lily smiled at him, twirling in another circle. "Next month are final exams."

"Ohhh! Don't remind me. I'm already really frightened about them."

She laughed, and wriggled her fingers in an eerie manner. "Finnaaaalll exaaaaaams!" she drew out in a spooky voice. Remus grabbed a flower and threw it at her. Giggling, she spun the other way, her hair streaming around her. She had recently had it grown back out to her shoulders. "What electives did you decide on? I don't think you ever told me your final decision."

Remus drew his knees up, wrapping his arms around his legs and resting his chin on them. "All of then."

Lily stopped moving, staring mouth agape at him. "All of them? You did? What—has McGonagall said anything?"

"Um, yeah, she—I can—I'm taking all of them."

Lily gave a squeal then dropped to her knees, throwing her arms around him. "That's fantastic! I know that's what you wanted but said you wouldn't be able to!"

Remus hugged her back. "I didn't think I could! Because of—because most students who take all of them become Prefect, and typically Head Boy or Girl, and even if they don't they go on do to do amazing things—"

Lily folded her arms, giving him a dirty look. "Remus, you're a bloody genius! First of all, you are bound to become Prefect—"

"No, I—"

"Second of all," she continued, ignoring him, "you are bound to go on to do amazing things. You're going to become famous for being super smart."

"No," he whispered, wishing she wouldn't say it. "No, I—I can't. On both accounts."

She plopped down next to him and tilted her head so she could braid her hair. "Why not?"

Remus shook his head. "I won't become a prefect due to the fact I am very ill and that will get in the way of prefect duties, and I am not only friends with the two biggest troublemakers in the school, I also cause trouble. I won't be able to go on to do amazing things after school due to the first reason."

Lily's hands dropped and the corners of her lips tugged down. "Is it… really that bad?"

He shrugged, averting his gaze. "It could be." He picked up a flower and began plucking the petals off. "I'd miss so much work I probably wouldn't be able to hold down a proper job."

"You don't get sick that often…"

"It—my—my mother does. It might turn out like that. It could progress."

"Oh." Lily scooted closer to him, pressing her arm against his. The music player was still going, a really bouncy, cheerful song playing as if mocking the situation. "You don't need a job to do amazing things. You could write books. You'd be brilliant at that."

He couldn't resist a smile, and also thought she was right. He could write and maybe publish under a pseudonym. "Perhaps," he relented.

She nudged him. "Not perhaps. Probably."

He wondered what one needed to do for that. Obviously he'd need to be in contact with someone, a middleman. Would that be possible? Could he secretly write books? Was that feasible for someone like him? Or was it another pipe dream?

"What do you think you'd like to do?" he asked, purposely changing the subject, not wanting to think about it.

She blew some of her hair out of her face and fell back into the grass. "I've no idea. Severus—" she began, then stopped, flushing a little pink.

"What about Snape?" he asked, laying down next to her, their heads close.

"He—he talks often about opening up a potions shop. Together, I mean, since we're both so good." She gave a laugh, as if the idea were silly.

"I—well, uh, he's a twat but… you're definitely good with potions," he said, trying his best to sound encouraging instead of gagging over the idea of Snape doing anything. "You're best in our class."

"No," she said, reaching up as a butterfly fluttered above them. She put her finger out but it was flying too high. "He's best."

"You're still very talented. Better than everyone else, no matter what you say. Which is amazing, you know. I bet it makes a bunch of the really snobby purebloods really mad that the two best potioneers in our year are a half-and-half and a Muggleborn."

He could feel her smile though couldn't see it. "I bet it does," she giggled softly. "And our most brilliant student in everything else is a half-and-half."

Now he smiled, tilting his head a bit. And a werewolf, he thought, briefly imagining everyone's faces if they ever found out about that. Before they turned into a murderous mob, of course. One of the reasons I want my grades to be so good. Not that anyone would find out, of course. Hopefully. Besides the Marauders. But it did feel nice to secretly know a 'slobbering beast' was doing better than them.

"What electives are you taking?" he asked, realizing he never even asked her. Everything that happened the past week had wiped it from his head. "Did you decide on Ancient Runes and—"

"Arithmancy, yes," she confirmed. "I'm so excited and—oh!" She bolted upright, a huge grin on her face. "You'll be with me!"

"Yes," he laughed, then squeaked a bit as she hugged him.

"Sorry, I—well, I figured you'd simply end up sticking with them," she said, settling back down. "I'm happy we'll have those classes together. Cassie is taking Arithmancy, but Ali's not taking any of the same as me. I was really hoping you and I would be together but I wasn't sure because as I said I figured you'd be with them." She plucked a bit of grass, tearing at it. "By the way, what are the others taking?"

"Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies."

She gave a snort. "Potter and Black? Muggle Studies?! Ooh, right. Easy class."

Remus wanted to argue that that wasn't why they wanted to take it but then realized he couldn't, since that was the exact reason they were taking it. "I'm sure it will be interesting," he settled on saying.

"Ali's taking it too," she said, blowing away all the torn-up bits of grass.

Remus couldn't help reign in his curiosity. "What… what electives did Snape choose?"

Lily plucked some more grass. "Ancient Runes and Arithmancy."

Remus wondered if he had chosen them before or after Lily chose hers. "I am very excited for all the electives."

"I hope you don't push yourself too much—oh!"

A shadow fell across them. Remus had heard footsteps approaching, however since it was a nice day out and there were loads of people out and about he hadn't thought twice about it. He had assumed the person was just walking around. But he glanced up to see Snape looming above them, a slight sneer on his face. He almost felt like he summoned the Slytherin because of his question.

"Lily," Snape said, folding his arms, conspicuously avoiding looking at Remus.

"Hey Sev. Want to join us?"

His gaze remained unwaveringly on her. "I needed to speak to you a moment. Alone."

Lily glanced at Remus who shrugged. Sighing, she held out her hand. "Could you help me up?"

Snape took her hand, a very faint blush sweeping through his cheeks as he pulled her up. The two of them wandered off, out of hearing. Well, 'out of hearing'. He could hear everything, though he pretended not to. Apparently, Lily was supposed to be having supper with Snape in 'their usual spot' but he couldn't make it, since Malfoy apparently wanted the Slytherin Slug Club members to sit together. Lily wanted to know why Snape couldn't say no. Snape said he couldn't, because what was he supposed to tell them?

"That you had a prior engagement," she said rather sharply. "With me."

"I—" he started, then fell silent.

"You what?" she demanded. "You can't? You can't tell them you're having supper with a Muggleborn?"

"Lily, I did not mean it like that."

"I'm a member of the Slug Club," she pointed out. "Though I expect some of them would rather I not be."

Snape looked aghast. "Lily, I did not mean…"

"Mean what?" she asked when he didn't say anything. They stared at each other then, "Fine," she snapped. "Fine. Have supper with that arsehole Malfoy."

"Lily! You shouldn't call him—"

"He is an arsehole!"

"No…"

"No he's not? Because he is. A total and utter one at that."

Snape shuffled his feet, obviously discomforted. "I'll meet you for supper. I shouldn't have—I wasn't—no, I will meet with you."

Lily sniffled loudly. "No need."

"Lily!"

She turned on her heels and stomped back to Remus, face flushed with anger. Snape stared after her with big eyes until he noticed Remus looking; then he glowered, and whirled around to stomp off, his cape billowing behind him. Lily didn't say anything until he was out of sight and then she gave a frustrated grunt, punching the ground.

"Is… everything all right?" Remus asked, trying to act like he hadn't heard everything.

"No. Yes. I don't know." She covered her face and fell backwards. Soon she began crying and Remus panicked, having no idea what to do. He never knew what to do when she cried. He couldn't take her hand, since they were both still over her face. He couldn't give her a hug since she was laying on the ground. Finally he lay down next to her, scooting closer.

"Do you want to talk about it, or just be here in silence?" he asked, thinking of what the other Marauders sometimes offered him when he was distraught; an offer he always enjoyed being given.

"Silence," she whispered.

He got even closer, his arm flush against hers. "Okay."

After a moment Lily rolled over, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his shoulder. He tried his best to hold her, remaining silent as she cried into his shoulder.

After several more minutes Remus said, "Malfoy's jaw was broken earlier this week." He tightened his hold on her. "Just thought that might cheer you up."

Lily's sniffles turned into slight giggles and she tilted her head to look up at him, her face very close to his. "It does, thank you." Then she pulled away, wriggling free from his hold. "I—I appreciate the comfort but I realized what this must look like to others."

"What do you mean?"

She got onto her knees, rubbing her face again. "Cuddling."

"It was?" he asked, confused. Wasn't it?

"Yes," she agreed rather awkwardly. "I liked it. However most people seem to think only couples should cuddle. I—I don't want to set off another Valentine's rumor."

Remus swallowed, realizing she was right. "Oh, yeah. That—yeah." He thought of when James went under the bed with him and held him, and how nice it felt. He liked holding Lily too. It didn't mean anything. Why should it mean anything?!

"Thank you though." She reached over, taking his hand and squeezing gently.

He sat in silence for a moment, trying to sort through his thoughts, trying to figure out how to say what he really wanted to say.

"If—if you ever need to—uh, um—if you—well, I mean… I wasn't—I didn't—" He struggled to figure out the words, and even if he wanted to say the words. "I didn't mind doing that. It didn't mean anything to me, I—no! I mean, it didn't—it didn't mean anything like that," he quickly amended. "I—I don't think that's something only—I—friends should be able to—oh, never mind."

"I think I know what you mean," she said softly. "I don't think cuddling is only for couples. I liked it too. Not like that. As friends."

"I don't mind," he admitted. "Cuddling I mean." His voice dropped, as if he were confessing to a shameful secret even though he knew it wasn't shameful. "As friends."

"Nor do I." She tucked some hair behind her ear, smiling. Then she bent forward, hugging him again and he hugged back, feeling embarrassed for what he said but also a little… good. He probably shouldn't be cuddling with anyone. Especially not someone like Lily who didn't know the truth—didn't know what he was. But it had felt nice and comforting, and it's something he thought he'd like to do again.

Even with one of his other friends like James or Peter or—

Well. Maybe not Sirius. Cuddling with Sirius did really seem like a lovely thought, just… not until he got rid of whatever was wrong with him. Not—not until he sorted out his unwanted issues regarding his mental and physical reactions towards Sirius. So it didn't ruin anything. 'Course Sirius probably wouldn't want to anyway. He seemed less inclined towards that sort of thing than James did, or even Peter.

Remus sighed quietly, part of him wishing to curl up against Sirius, part of him knowing it probably wouldn't—and really shouldn't—ever happen.