Thank you to everyone who has been reviewing this story. Sorry I haven't had anything new out for a few days, but the two chapters I'm posting today should make up for it. Hope you like it, and keep reviewing! ~SaraBeth

Chapter 18: Telling Addi

The rest of fourth year passed by quickly. James and Lily admitted to liking each other, and began going out. So did Sirius and Erin. Then they started bugging me because I didn't have a girlfriend. Sirius suggested that I asked Addi out. I wanted to, but the only problem was that she didn't know I was a werewolf.

"Sirius, how can I ask her out when she doesn't even know what I am?" I asked. "It would be like lying to her."

"Well, then you'll just have to tell her," said Sirius, as though it was simple.

"But how can I?" I asked. "She'll hate me when she finds out."

"She won't, Remus," said Sirius. "She's my sister, and I can tell she really likes you. She won't mind, but I really think you need to tell her."

"But she doesn't even know that werewolves exist," I argued. "She probably doesn't even know what they are."

"It doesn't matter, Remus," Sirius insisted on the train ride home that year. "She likes you a lot, and that won't change her mind. You've got to tell her this summer."

"I don't know," I said doubtfully.

"Well, would you rather have one of us tell her?" asked Sirius.

"No!" I shouted quickly. As much as I didn't want to tell her, the thought of Sirius, Peter, or James telling her seemed ridiculous. Then she'd think I was too afraid to tell her, which, in all honesty, I was, but she didn't need to know that.

The thought of telling her was like a nagging voice in the back of my head that I couldn't get rid of. As soon as I wasn't thinking about anything else, I would remember that I had to tell her. About three weeks after the end of school, everyone was spending a week at my house, including Addi. I was certain I would hear it constantly from Peter, Sirius and James until I told her. I prayed that the three weeks would pass slowly, and that I would work out exactly what to say to her. Needless to say, either of these two things happened.

James was the first to arrive, early Saturday afternoon. The main focus of our conversation before the others arrived was Addi and Sirius.

"I wonder when Sirius and Addi are going to be here?" I said.

"I don't know," said James. "Hey, did you notice how reluctant Sirius seemed to go back to his grandfather's house?" I nodded. "And the way he's always hurt all the time?" I nodded again, instantly knowing what James was implying. I had thought the same thing myself.

"He says he falls down the stairs," I said, raising my eyebrows. "Do you believe him?"

"No one falls down the stairs that much."

"You don't think his grandfather does it to him, do you?" I asked. "I mean, you don't think he could be that violent?" James shrugged.

"I hope not."

"And it's not only him. I've noticed that Addi is injured more often too," I added.

"Yeah," James replied, sighing. "I hope there's nothing wrong, but I've got a really bad feeling about it. Do you think we should say something to them?"

"I guess so," I answered. "I don't want anything really bad to happen."

"Should we say anything to anyone else, like Peter, or Lily or Erin?" asked James.

"I don't think so," I said. "We don't know anything for sure, and they've probably figured it out for themselves already." James nodded, and our conversation was ended as the doorbell rang. James followed me to the answer it. I swung the door open. It was Lily.

"Lily!" James shouted, faking an overly enthusiastic tone and throwing out his arms. She laughed and rolled her eyes, but went greet him with a hug and a kiss. Peter arrived soon after, and his mother brought up sheep pajamas again, causing us to erupt into a fit of uncontrollable laughter. Peter cursed under his breath and Mrs. Pettigrew gave each of us an extremely odd look of disgust and left. I sensed that she didn't seem to take a liking to us much. Peter, angered about the sheep pajamas, whined loudly at us for laughing, and by the time we had finished, Erin arrived. Now, only Sirius and Addi were missing.

They didn't arrive for several hours. James and I continually shared worried glances, which were unnoticed by the rest of the group. Finally, I heard the sound of a muggle vehicle coming up the drive. A large black stretch limousine came into view and pulled up in front of my house.

"They're here!" I called to everyone else. We ran outside to greet them. Addi got out first. I felt my stomach lurch remembering how Sirius had made me promise that I'd tell her this summer. Sirius, emerged next. His arm was in a sling. James glanced at James. He raised his eyebrows, looking concerned. The driver got their trunks and handed them to Sirius and Addi.

The limo driver sped away as quickly as he came. Sirius and Addi began walking towards the porch.

"Hi mates," called Sirius. Addi waved.

"Hi," we called back. They reached the door, and I allowed them to enter.

"Padfoot! Addi!" said James in the same over-enthusiastic tone he'd used to greet Lily. And Peter, and Erin. And, come to think of it, even me.

"Hi Remus," said Addi when everyone else was heading upstairs. She smiled her beautiful smile, and I felt a shiver go through my spine. I shuddered. I was going to have to tell her soon.

"Hi Addi." I found it difficult to look her in the eye. I'd never been this way around her before. What was it? I felt the same sensation I'd felt after she kissed me, and shivered. We went upstairs. The girls went to the spare room, and James, Peter, Sirius, and I went to mine. James gave me a questioning glance, and knowing instantly what he meant, I made a small nod.

"So, um, Sirius," said James.

"What?" Sirius asked.

"Sirius, you're our friend," I began. "We don't want anyone hurting you. So, we want to ask you something." Sirius looked at us, trying to keep his normal expression.

"Sirius, your grandfather," said James. "Does he, er, hurt you at all?"

"No, of course not," said Sirius, color draining from his face.

"So, how'd you hurt your arm?" I asked casually.

"I-I fell down the stairs," said Sirius quickly.

"Again?" asked James.

"Well the stair's broken!" Sirius snapped.

"That's what you say," said James. "But why do you always get hurt over holidays? And you always act like you don't want to go to your grandfather's house."

"I hate it there, because he hates me," Sirius muttered.

"You and Addi won't even talk about it," I pointed out. Sirius just shook his head. We weren't going to get him to tell us anything. James decided to take the more direct approach.

"Sirius, does your grandfather hit you?"

"No!" Sirius exclaimed. "Why would you think that?"

"I've seen him do it, Sirius," said James.

"It was a one time thing, okay!" Sirius shouted angrily.

"Sirius, friends don't keep secrets from each other," I said, calmly.

"Don't you talk to me about keeping secrets!" he shouted at me. "Because you know bloody well how to do it!"

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked James.

"It means get the hell off my back!" Sirius shouted, and with that he stormed out of the room. We found Lily, Erin, and Addi outside the door, with wide eyes. They'd heard the yelling.

"What happened?" asked Lily. James shook his head. Addi looked scared and I noticed she was shaking. Erin's eyes were wide in surprise.

"Well, what should we do now? " I asked James, ignoring the girls. I didn't want to mention anything with Addi right there.

"I think we need to let him be alone for a while," said James. I nodded. James looked like he wanted to tell Lily about everything, and Erin deserved to know too. I gave James a look.

"Tell them," I muttered. He nodded. Lily, Erin and Addi's worried faces had faded to a look of confusion.

"Addi, why don't you come with me?" I asked. She nodded. I led her downstairs, and we sat down on the porch.
"So, how have you been?" I asked her.

"Fine," she answered quickly.

"So, everything's all right at your grandfather's house?" I asked.

"Yeah, everything's good," she replied.

"And Sirius is okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, he just needs to remember that stair is broken," she attempted to force a laugh. I nodded.

"Then you're sure there's nothing you want to talk to me about?" I asked.

"No, really, I'm fine!" she said, her voice quivering slightly. "I-I need to go inside now," she said, standing and walking back towards the house. Her eyes looked watery. I sighed. Why wouldn't they talk to us about it? It was getting dark. I looked out to the woods, and heard a rustle of leaves. Through the trees and brush, I saw the shadowy figure of a human being and figured out where Sirius must have gone.

"Sirius!" I called. "Sirius?" He emerged from the woods, looking calmer now. "Hey Sirius!" I said, trying to forget everything that had just happened. He didn't say anything, but went back to the house. I followed. When we got into the kitchen, everyone was standing crowded around the table, including my parents. They all wore the same solemn expression, but appeared relieved to see Sirius. I noticed that Sirius looked rather annoyed by this.

" Well, hello, Sirius. What happened to your arm?" my dad asked. I could tell he was trying to sound friendly, but succeeded only in sounding suspicious. Sirius shot me a dirty look. He thought I told my parents. I hadn't.

"I fell down my stairs," he answered.

"Oh," said my dad. "Well, better try to be more careful." Sirius nodded. I prayed that my parents didn't say anything else. Luckily, they didn't. Mum made dinner and we ate. James and I decided not to bring up Sirius and Addi's grandfather anymore for a while.

Later that night, we were in my room talking. Sirius had forgiven us completely and acted as though nothing had happened.

"So, Remus, when are you going to tell my sister?" he asked.

"Oh, I don't know," I said.

"Tell Addi wh-…"James began. I raised my eyebrows. "Oh," he said, understanding. "How about now?" I wanted to slap him.

"Now is good, Moony," said Sirius. I moaned.

"Can't I wait until tomorrow?" I asked. Sirius and James frowned.

"I guess so," said Sirius. "But you will ask her tomorrow."

"Or you'll have blue hair," threatened James.

"That one just never gets old, does it James?" I asked. He shook his head grinning mischievously.

"Okay then, tomorrow," I agreed reluctantly. The conversation was followed by a pillow fight, which soon involved the girls, who had heard us and came over. When we finally finished the pillow fight, it was getting late. We said goodnight to the girls and went to sleep. I tossed and turned worriedly throughout the night. The thought of telling Addi terrified me.

I soon drifted into a disturbing nightmare. I had just told Addi that I was a werewolf, and she had looked horrified and told me she hated me. Upon this, I turned into a wolf and began to chase her. Finally, when I caught up to her, I bit her. I sat straight up in bed, drenched with cold sweat, shaking, and trying to catch my breath. After I was able to relax, I finally drifted back to sleep.

The next morning came all too soon. I felt something cold and wet splash onto my face.

"What the hell?" I mumbled, attempting to jump out of bed, but falling onto the floor in a tangle of blankets. I heard hysterical laughter and focused my eyes. I looked up to find Peter, Sirius and James standing over me, doubled over, gasping for breath.

"You'll pay for that one!" I shouted. Untangling myself from the blankets, I jumped up and began to chase them around the room, armed with pillows.

"So, Remus, you're going to tell her today?" demanded Sirius, as he ducked to avoid the pillow I launched in his direction. It wasn't a question.

"Couldn't you at least wait until it's light outside?" I asked, glancing out the window where the sun was just beginning to rise, and dodging a pillow from James.

"But Addi is already up," said Sirius. "She likes to sit outside early in the morning. Go tell her now!"

"No," I moaned. I'd have done anything to not have to tell her, but in the back of my mind, I knew it was what I had to do.

"Come on, Remus," said James. "She'll understand."

"Yeah," said Peter. "You should tell her."

"Really Remus," said Sirius. "She's my sister. I know her better than I know anyone, and I know she won't mind. Now go tell her. And then ask her out. You know you want to." I groaned. Telling her was hard enough, but asking her out too? James sighed and grabbed my arm.

"What do you think you're doing?" I demanded, as Sirius grabbed my other arm, and they began dragging me out of my room and down the stairs. I kicked and flailed my arms, but there was no hope of them releasing their grip. Peter followed.

"We're helping you out," said Sirius.

"But what do I say to her?" I asked anxiously.

"My name is Remus Lupin, and I'm a blood thirsty, flesh eating monster once a month, but I'm still the same guy you've known for four years. Will you go out with me?" said Sirius, simply.

"Oh, that's easy," I replied sarcastically.

"It won't be that hard, Remus," said James. Despite my resisting efforts, we reached the bottom of the stairs. Peter opened the back door, and they pulled me out onto the patio.

"See, she's right there," Sirius pointed to the park bench we had under a large shade tree in the back yard.

"Now, go tell her," James shoved me in the back.

"Ouch!" I yelled. Addi heard me and turned around. She saw us and waved, grinning.

"Now, Remus," said Sirius, tapping my shoulder. I took a deep breath.

"Okay," I said. "I'll do it. I'll tell her." I wished I were as confident as I sounded. James, Peter, and Sirius cheered. Addi gave us a strange look. I slowly approached her.

"Hi Addi," I said nervously, sitting down next to her.

"Hi Remus," she smiled. Why me? Why do I have to do this? I took a deep breath. "Isn't it beautiful out here in the morning?" she asked pleasantly.

"Yeah, er, look, Addi? I'd like to tell you something," I began. "I need to tell you something."

"What?" she asked quickly. "It's not about grandfather, is it?"

"No, no it's not that," I said. I went silent for a second. "Addi, I-I'm…" I couldn't do it. I couldn't tell her.

"You're what?" she asked. I felt her green eyes penetrating into mine, and I immediately cast my glance downward.

"I-I'm…Addi, I'm a werewolf," I forced out the words quietly. I'd said it. I stared at the ground. I didn't want to see her expression. Finally, after a moment of silence, I dared to look up. She looked confused.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I heard you properly, Remus. What did you say?" she asked.

"I said I'm a werewolf," I muttered grimly. I dared to look up again, and this time Addi's confusion had faded to slight anger.

"Is this some kind of joke Sirius has you playing on me?" she demanded.

"No, Addi, I'm serious!" I said.

"No, Sirius is the idiot that has you trying to tell me something that ridiculous," she said.

"No, Addi," I said. "Please believe me?"

"You expect me to believe that you're a werewolf? Werewolves don't even exist! How stupid do you think I am? You and your ignorant pranks!" She sounded angry. But then again, I hadn't expected her to take it easily. I sighed. I pulled up my sleeve and revealed a scar on my upper arm.

"Now do you believe me?" I asked.

"Oh my God!" she gasped. "But, how… you can't be…they aren't real…" she couldn't put a sentence together.

"I am," I said flatly. "I'm a werewolf." She looked at me and shook her head.

"So you're trying to tell me that every full moon you turn into a wolf?" she asked doubtfully.

"Yes," I said firmly.

"And you go around attacking people and turning them into werewolves, just like in those stupid movies? Honestly, I can't believe you expect me to believe this!"

"Well, I've never attacked anyone," I said. "Luckily." I added. She shook her head slowly.

"It can't be, it just can't be," she said.

"It is," I said. "I am. I'm sorry, but there's not much I can do to change it! It's not like I wanted this!"

"It's completely ridiculous!" she shouted. "Insane! Unbelievable! I can't even believe I'm listening to you have this conversation with me! That scar has got to be fake!"

"Addi," I said. She frowned and stared at the ground. "Addi, look at me!" I demanded. She raised her eyes.

"I swear this is real," I pointed to the scar. "Why would I lie to you?"

"I can't believe this!" she repeated.

"Damn it, Addi! Don't you think it's hard enough for me to tell you this in the first place? Why have you got to make it more difficult?" I demanded.

"Why the hell are you insisting on this so much?" she shouted.

"Because it's the truth," I said honestly, willing her gaze to meet mine. She shook her head.

"No, no. No!" she shouted. With that she ran for the house.

I glanced over to James, Sirius and Peter who'd been observing.

"Oh, yeah, that was easy," I said sarcastically, as I walked closer to them. "She really didn't mind at all."

"Don't worry, Remus," said Sirius. "She'll get over it. She just needs a bit of time."

"You were bound to tell her sooner or later," said James. "At least now it's over with."

"And she'll hate me forever," I said.

"She will not," argued Peter.

"Let's just give her some time to herself," said Sirius. The rest of us agreed. Thoughts of what she was probably thinking of me know swam through my mind, consuming my concentration. We remained outside and were soon joined by Lily and Erin, who said that Addi had locked herself in their bedroom and refused to come out. They didn't know what had happened. Addi didn't come down for lunch, or dinner. We told Erin and Lily that she'd gotten into an argument from one of her friends from school through a letter. That night, she still hadn't come out of the room. Sirius tried to persuade her, but she wouldn't listen. None of us had the heart to magically open the lock, so Lily and Erin slept in our room that night.

I had a very similar dream to the one I'd had the night before, only this time Addi was arguing with me that I wasn't a werewolf, when I changed and began to go after her.

"Remus," I heard a voice whisper softly, tapping my arm. "Remus?" Startled, I sat straight up in bed, to find Addi standing at my bedside.

"Addi?" I mumbled sleepily.

"Yeah, Remus, can we talk?" she asked. I glanced at the alarm clock. 3:17. I moaned sleepily, but recalling my confession earlier that day, I forced myself from bed. Addi, on noticing that I'd gotten up, turned and exited the room, and descended the staircase. She knew I'd follow. I found her already sitting in the living room when I arrived at the bottom of the stairs. Without any speaking, I took the seat next to her on the sofa.

"Remus, I believe you," said Addi, honesty flickering in her pale green eyes.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah," she replied. "I mean, I find it difficult to believe, really difficult. But I know you too well to think that you'd lie to me about something like that."

"You really, honestly believe me?" I asked once again.

"Well...Yes," she said seriously.

"So...?" I asked.

"So, what?" asked Addi.

"Well, you know...do you...mind?" I questioned.

"No," Addi replied slowly, looking slightly confused. She sighed. "Of course I don't, Remus." She added more quickly.

"Wow," I mumbled sleepily. "But is there any reason that you had to tell me at three o clock in the morning?"

"I couldn't sleep knowing that I'd upset you," said Addi.

"Don't worry about it. I know it's really hard to believe," I said.

"Ridiculously unbelievable," said Addi.

"But it's true," I said frowning.

"So, what's it like?" Addi seemed hesitant to ask.

"Well," I said. "Really it's just that I turn into a wolf every full moon. Usually I can't remember much about it, but I guess the worst things are that it's terribly painful, and that werewolves crave human flesh." Addi gasped. "Don't worry though, I spend every full moon locked up safely. I've never hurt anyone. But in the wizarding world, werewolves aren't the most popular of creatures, as you can probably figure. We're shunned out from just about everything. I didn't even tell Sirius, James and Peter what I was. They just sort of figured it out."

"Yeah," said Addi, still frowning slightly and staring blankly into space. "It must be awful." I shrugged.

"You kind of get used to it after a while."

"Well, I don't think of you any differently than I did before," said Addi.

"Really, why not?" I asked.

"Well, I figure, if I've always known you, and you've always been a werewolf, then you're not going to change at all from the Remus I've always known. I like the Remus I know, and if he's a werewolf, then, well, so be it."

"Wow, you mean that?" I asked, noticing how rehearsed her words seemed to sound.

"Of course," Addi smiled. "I'm really sorry about earlier. I feel awful about it."

"It's okay. You reacted better than most people do... So, you know, Addi, I've been thinking," I said. "I mean, well, Lily and James are going out, and so are Sirius and Erin, and well I was just thinking... I mean, well, uh, Addi, would you be my...my girlfriend?" There, I'd managed to get the question out. There was a long pause.

"Okay," said Addi rather uncertainly. "Sure," She added more confidently. "I've always been hoping you'd ask." I stared for a few seconds in silent shock, startled by her reply. I couldn't believe it. I was sure that my face was wearing a grin identical to hers.

"Remus," she said, giggling. "Your face is all red!"

"So is yours," I laughed. Before I realized what was happening, she leaned over and kissed me, taking me completely by surprise, like she had before. I realized that I was wearing the same stupid grin James usually had every time he saw Lily. We were silent for a moment. I could feel the tips of my ears burning, and knew that my face had to be crimson. Addi was blushing furiously, and avoiding my eyes. She yawned.

"Well, I should get back to bed," she said quickly.

"Yeah," I yawned in agreement. "Goodnight." The next morning I had to wonder if it had all been a pleasant dream.

The next day, I told James, Sirius and Peter what had happened, with the least amount of details possible. They congratulated me, and Sirius expressed his true feelings about how disgusting he thought it was for his best friend to be dating his sister when he pretended to throw up during breakfast. I didn't tell my parents that I was going out with Addi, but between our red faces, and Sirius's gagging, it took my mother all of three minutes to have it figured out. She didn't say anything, but I could tell by her expression that she was a bit angry with me. She thought none of my friends knew what I was, and I wasn't about to tell her that they knew, and I certainly wasn't making mention of what they were planning to do in just a few months.