A/N: Awright, I know I'm horrible for not updating for the better part of a month... You can blame my lovely teachers all you like. Anyways, more graphic abuse of my favorite characters in this chapter, sorry..

Chapter Eight
Murder

Peter flipped around, and saw Remus, half transformed, running at him, extended teeth bared. Peter flung the potion to the side, which smashed against the wall, and drew his athame. The wolf/Remus drew back slightly, and continued to transform. Peter stared at the very bright full moon in horror. It was a blue moon! Why had he forgotten?

However, Peter didn't have much time to think about that, as the wolf jumped and pinned him down. Peter gulped, visibly, and as the werewolf went to his leg, he plunged in the athame. The wolf screeched, and started thrashing. Peter stabbed him again. And again. Until he could see the wolf's eyes rolling back into his head. He stopped, and moved out from under his friend.

He had done it.

I've actually done it, he whispered to himself in terror and glee. Suddenly, Remus began to change back to his human form involuntarily. When he had fully transformed back, however, Peter was horrified at the large stab wounds that littered the boy's stomach. Peter bit his lip, and quickly wiped off his fingerprints from the athame. He then stared at his bloody hands, and a small thought ran into his half functioning brain, telling him to go wash off his hands. He left the athame in Remus, and ran towards the bathroom.

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James dropped onto the floor of his dormitory. He got up and brushed his robes off, checking to make sure that the Time Turner was still intact—and froze. Light from the full moon streamed into the dorm, and Remus laid there, unmoving. James's eyes widened in horror, and he ran over to his fallen friend.

Remus... Moony.. wake up! You can't die, Remus, you can't.. James was close to tears, as he looked at the numerous wounds on his friend's lifeless body.

Who did this to you? Why? He looked up, and saw the moon, its haunting figure hanging ever so slightly out of the window.

Oh, jeezus... How could I have forgotten? It was a blue moon.. dammit, Moony, how could we have—how could I—we distracted you, Remus.. James pounded the stone floor in anger.

Oh, Gods, Moony.. How could we have done this to you? He suddenly saw Remus's chest slowly rise. James knelt next to him.


.. Remus? C'mon, wake up, Lupin, it's just a scratch.. just a scratch.. Remus blinked slowly, narrowing his eyes on James.

He gasped out, before going into a coughing fit. James shook his head violently.

No, Remus, no! It wasn't me! But Remus, it seemed, didn't hear this, as his coughing—and his breathing—halted to a stop. James shook his head, tears flowing from his eyes. No, he couldn't have been killed—not murdered. And Remus had thought it was him.

Suddenly, James gave a strangled gasp. A small knife with a skull and snake design was buried in Remus's left side. He touched the knife in horror, and recoiled as the handle burned his palm. James grimaced in pain, but turned back toward Remus. He couldn't just leave the knife in his friend, it was awful enough for him to look at as it was.

So James bit down on his lip to keep from cringing in pain, and put both hands on the handle. Instantly, red hot flashes seared throughout his body, but James didn't let go, until finally, he was able to release the blade from Remus's side. However, he was interrupted by a gasp of horror. James flipped around, burning handle still in his hand, and came face to face with Peter.

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Peter walked out of the bathroom and stopped short. James was in the dorm room, James had discovered Remus's body. Peter gasped, and James flew around, the handle still in his hand. Peter didn't know what to do. He had been caught red-handed. Suddenly, James spoke.

Pete.. it's not how it looks, I swear.. Peter blinked, surprised. James thought that Peter had thought that HE had killed Remus? Wait, that could work to his advantage. So Pettigrew used it.

What do you mean, it's not how it looks? What it looks like is that you killed Remus! James shook his head.

Peter, no, it wasn't me, it's all a big misunderstanding.. But Peter grinned, realizing secretly that he was off the hook! His blunder hadn't cost him after all.

I'd never thought you would be the one that would kill Remus, Potter. How could you? I thought you actually cared for him, James! James protested, loudly.

B-b-but it wasn't me! Some— Peter narrowed his beady little eyes.

James, that's an imprinting dagger. Anyone who uses it gets the mark burned into their flesh, and something very burnt looks like it was on your hand! James dropped the dagger in surprise, and, sure enough, the imprint of the skull and snake was there. Peter pretended to recoil in horror.

How could you, James, I mean, it was Remus! James looked at his friend, a terribly innocent look.

But I didn't DO anything! Peter hung his head.

The Ministry'll think differently. James suddenly got a haunted look in his eyes.

You don't believe me. Peter shook his head.

Why should I, you murderer? Suddenly, James whipped out something strange that Peter couldn't see properly. He ducked, thinking his former friend was going to aim a curse at him, but James suddenly disappeared into thin air. Peter blinked in astonishment. Now what was he going to do? But, he noticed with glee, the Athame was still on the floor. If he didn't touch it, he could still convict James, and everything'd be right. Yes, everything'd be all right.

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James realized that he had no choice. The odds were against him. Peter thought he had murdered one of hi best friends. It was too much. So he quickly grabbed the Timekey from his robes and sprayed. Blackness shrouded his vision once more, sending him into darkness. Thankfully, this time, he didn't pass out. He blinked his blue eyes as Sirus and Lily came swimming into focus. They both looked horrified as he appeared. He looked up at them, his body still shaking from the shock.

So... So I guess time didn't change, huh. He managed to say, between ragged breaths. Sirius didn't respond, just stared at his Hogwarts robes. James looked down and noticed they were covered in blood.

Sirius.. someone.. they killed Remus... Out of defense, I don't know, but Sirius, it was a blue moon that night... it was a blue moon and we didn't know. Sirius's eyes widened.

You're—you're joking! It couldn't have been.. James nodded, slowly, registering the looks of pain which appeared on both of his friends's faces.

James.. James, you have to go back. Lily said, rather abruptly.

He asked, a bit more under control.

It's Severus—Snape, James, Snape. He ran off to tell the Ministry. They'll be here any mom— Her speech was interrupted by a pounding on the door downstairs.

This is the Ministry of Magic. Open up or we will be forced to enter! A voice yelled. Lily, turned to James, panicked.

James turned to Sirius, who was as white as Lily.

She's right, get out! Now— Suddenly, a huge crash was heard downstairs. That all but made up James's mind. He walked over and looked Lily straight in the eyes.

There's a chance that I'll be eliminated. Or splinched. Or even if I do make it back, I won't be the same person I am now. Lily stared back, a hopeful look on her face.

James, you'll always be you. That's who I need. But you won't be alive if you don't go— James cut her off and enveloped her in a kiss.

I love you, Lily. Remember me. He turned to Sirius, but his friend shook his shaggy black haired head.

Get out of here, you pirate. James hugged him, and stepped back, starting to turn the Time Turner. As he did, everything in the room seemed to slow down, and as the group of Aurors burst through the door and aimed a curse at James, he blinked out.

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A/N: I am terribly, TERRIBLY sorry for making you all wait so long. The good news is, the next chapter's already written and will indeed be released within a week.

Taracollowen - Yeah, I know.. Snape's just a sweetie inside, right..

Bunni Girl - -_-; I know. I didn't want to make Lily abused, but unfortunately I can't think of anything else that makes Snape go from adoring fiancée to an evil person who reports them to the ministry..

Aurora - You really think I'd stop it? Nah.. I don't stop stories when I have reviews.. :p

mikala - Aye, I know I'm STILL waiting for a couple of authors to put up the next chapter of their fics. -_-;

Tidmag - Awright, here's the deal. Snape, I don't think, was originally abusive, otherwise why would Lily want to marry him? I also think he was acting rather rashly, jumping to conclusions and when Lily didn't deny them, he just blew. Anyways, you'll see nicer Snape in the sequel, which is edging right up, since there is only one or two more chapters to go..