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"Wake up guys." Peter's voice came way too early for James and Sirius. "Ugg." They moaned simultaneously. It took the boys nearly half an hour to get up and dressed. By the time they were ready they had missed breakfast, and were almost late to their first class. "James!" Reese came out of nowhere and clamped herself on to James. "What the?" "James it's all my fault!" "Reese what's wrong?" "My father," She managed to spit out before passing out. Everyone looked at James. "Err- I'll, um, take her to the Hospital Wing?" He said awkwardly. He carried her all the way to the Hospital Wing. When the nurse, Madame Pomfrey, saw him she rushed forward. "Oh my, poor girl," "She passed out." "It's no wonder, after the news came, she shouldn't be in classes." "The news?" James was now thoroughly confused. The nurse handed him the Daily Prophet. James gasped when he saw the front page.

In a horrific accident, Mr. Jack Reilly, leader of the popular group R.A.W., was found dead this morning. It appears as if some unknown animal attacked him rather viciously. His daughter, Reese Reilly, who is currently studying at Hogwarts, is expected to make a statement at a later time. She is the only heir to the Reilly fortune...

The article went on to tell about Mr. Reilly's accomplishments. James remembered seeing Reese crying in the Forbidden Forest. The article didn't say where he was killed, but James couldn't only assume that he had been hunting with his daughter. James sat with Reese for the remainder of the class period. "Mr. Potter, you should head to class." James nodded and started toward his History Class.

When he arrived Sirius and Cad were already waiting for him. Cad was holding a copy of The Daily Prophet. When James approached she gave him a hug. "How is she?" He could tell that she was genuinely concerned. "She hasn't woken up yet." "I feel so bad." "Yeah, me too." The three entered the classroom and took seats in the far corner.

"It didn't say where he was attacked. I wonder what did it?" Cad asked. Sirius and James glanced at each other nervously. There was no way Remus could get out. Right? Professor Binns started class, relieving the boys from Cad's questioning. The rest of the day went rather quickly, and before they knew it, James and Sirius were headed back to Professor McGonagall's classroom. That night's detention was much shorter than the previous'. They started back toward the common room at about 11. When they entered they found Cad and Lily again; however this time awake.

"Hey girls." James sat down next to Lily. "Miss us?" Sirius said in turn. Cad smiled. "Of course. Hey, James, how's Reese?" James shifted uncomfortably; he hadn't been to see her since he dropped her off. "Err- she's still in the Hospital Wing." He hoped that was true. "I wonder when she'll have to give a press conference?" Lily spoke for the first time. "Huh?" Sirius was always able to sound so intelligent. "It said in the paper that she would be making a statement." "Oh. I don't know." Lily rolled her eyes. "Hey, do you know when Remus is supposed to be coming back?" Cad changed the subject. "In a couple of days." James answered truthfully. Lily yawned.

"You better be getting to bed, I'd hate to have to carry you over again." James said smiling at Lily. Lily looked very confused, "When did you ever have to do that?" "Last night you-" Lily cut him off, "I fell asleep on the couch!" She laughed, "I totally forgot!" James frowned slightly, "I carried you to the stairs." She stopped laughing, and looked him in the eyes, "Thanks." She got up and headed toward the dormitory, " 'night all!" "Good night!" The gang answered. "Well, I'm going to call it a night too." Cad followed Lily, leaving the two boys alone. Sirius got up too, "Mate?" "I'm coming."

James woke up the next morning before anyone. He quickly got dressed and started toward the Infirmary. When he arrived he saw that Reese was already awake. "James?" He could tell she was stronger than the day before. "Hey, babe." He gave her a hug and sat down next to her. "How are you feeling?" James asked sincerely. "It was all my fault." She whispered. James leaned in, "What happened?" She took a deep breath before answering. "I was hunting, you know?" James nodded. "And all of a sudden this thing came at me." She paused. "I panicked and dropped my wand." James nodded again, eager for her to continue. "The beast leapt, but then, he must have been following me, I mean, it was only my first hunt." "What happened?" James repeated, trying to keep her on course. "My father, he was following me. He stopped the beast from hitting me. It killed him. I saw the whole thing. He died to save me." She said quickly on the brink of tears.

James put his arms around her, "It's going to be ok." He said as she cried on his shoulder. "And it's all up to me now." Reese finished. "What is?" James asked as he let go of her. "R.A.W. I have to head it, for my father." "What about your mother? Can't she do it?" "James, my mother died years ago. It's only me. I have to do it." James nodded and embraced her once more. The two sat in silence until it was time for James to go to class. He walked to class plagued with guilt. She was so hurt and he was deceiving her. He didn't care for her. He had to pretend though; it was the only way to keep Remus safe.

The day went quickly, and James was soon heading to the Hospital Wing to help Reese back to the common room. "James?" "Yeah, Reese?" She stopped and sat down, leaning against the wall. James joined her and put his arm around her. She laid her head on his shoulder. A few first years walked by but didn't give them much thought. "I was wondering, you don't have to or anything," she paused. "Can you go with me to my fathers' funeral, for, you know, support?" "If you want me there." James answered, going to the funeral was the last thing he wanted, but he felt sorry for her. "I'm going to ask the other Gryffindor sixth years too, but it would really mean a lot to me if you were there." She said nervously. "Then of course I'll come." He forced out. Reese smiled for the first time. They got up and continued on their way.

"C'mon. Please." James was begging Peter and Sirius to go with him. "James, he wanted Remus dead, remember?" Sirius quipped. "Yes, of course. But she needs someone there for her. And I need you guys there for me." James pleaded. "Fine. We're there for you." "Thank you so much." They all started getting ready for what was likely to be a very dismal affair.

The girls were busy doing the same. They all had on different assortments of black. All but Blair would be attending the funeral. She had detention. Taylor had on black dress pants and a lacey black shirt. Her dark brown hair was braided. Cad and Lily each wore dresses. Cad's was short; Lily's was long. They both wore their hair down and curled. After crying for about an hour Reese managed to get dressed. She wore a tight black dress that was shorter than Cad's. She too wore her hair down. Reese led the girls down the stairs to meet the boys. As she did so, James couldn't help but admire how strong she looked. If only he knew why.

Dumbledore himself escorted the group to the funeral. The students sat in the first row. Through out most of the service Reese kept her head on James' shoulder. Taylor was crying in Sirius' arms, and Cad and Lily both looked as if on the brink of tears. James looked around at the crowd that had come. He grimaced at the thought that most of the people there wanted one of his best friends dead. "And now we will hear from Mr. Reilly's daughter, Reese." The minister announced as Reese started to get up. She stood at the podium for a minute before she started her speech.

"My father was a great man. He was always there for me, and for most of my life had to be a mother as well as a father to me. He worked tirelessly for a great cause." She paused, thinking about her words. With a look of determination she continued. "What many of you don't know is that that led to his death." Several people in the crowd gasped at this comment. "He was working to bring an end the werewolves, and one brought an end to him. Mark my words, I will strike back. For every person that has been hurt by a werewolf, I will kill three. It is in saying this, that I would like to announce that I will be taking over R.A.W. We will get revenge. I will get revenge." The crowd clapped as Reese returned to her seat. James was speechless. What had she just done?

After the ceremony they headed back to the school. When they arrived at the common room, everyone was happy to see Remus had "returned". Sirius, Remus, and Peter started to go up to the dormitory, and reluctantly James followed. He may not have had feelings for Reese, but he wanted to be there for her. "Are you okay?" Sirius said as soon as they entered the dormitory. "Yeah, I'm fine, but what happened?" Remus was very confused. He vaguely remembered them visiting him, but not much else. "James you want to explain?" Sirius looked toward him. James nodded and told the story. "...And now she's heading the group." James finished.

Remus, who had remained quiet during James' story, spoke, "I can't believe it. If we had been out that night-" Sirius cut him off, "let's not even think about it." Remus nodded. "I still don't know what to do. Part of me still thinks I should tell Cad, before she figures it out on her own." He said. "Like I said, it's up to you." Sirius answered. Peter and James both nodded. "Will you guys be there will me? To tell your part?" After they all had agreed Remus continued, "Then just give me a couple of days. I have to figure out what to say."

With that they all headed back to the common room. "Cad!" Remus ran up to her and gave her a kiss. "Sorry about that. Just had to talk to the guys." "um, ok." She said sounding a little hurt. "What do you say we get out of here? I mean we don't have classes tomorrow. Let's have a little fun." Blair said trying to liven things up. "Now you're talking." Sirius got up. "C'mon T, we'll go first." Taylor smiled and left with Sirius. "You guys, I think I'm going to stay behind." Lily said. "Oh, Lil, are you sure?" Cad asked. "Yeah, I've got some homework and stuff." She forced a smile. Blair and Peter left. "Well, okay, meet us down there if you change your mind, okay?" Cad said as her and Remus started to leave. "Okay." James gave one last look to Lily before he and Reese left. He really wanted her to come.

Once James and Reese had left, Lily went up to the dormitory and laid on her bed. She was glad she had decided not to go. She had started staying away from activities that involved both Reese and James. Plus she didn't like being the odd person out. Peter and Blair had started something, and that left just her. She took out a piece of parchment and a quill and began to write a note to Max.

Dear Max,

Hey. I'm glad you're good. Things have been pretty dismal around here since that girl's father died. Today was the funeral. Well, I've got some news. I might be seeing you sooner than Christmas. I've been thinking a lot lately, and I'm still not sure what to do. I'm considering coming home to stay. I miss everyone back home terribly. Well, maybe not Petunia. I know this is the sixth year that I've been going away to school, but it's all different now. I feel like my friends and I have been drifting apart, and even the classes have lost their spark. There's no longer any challenge. I know I'd miss the life I've been living here, but is it worth it? If I came home I could be with you and my family; maybe even Petunia wouldn't hate me so much. I really wish you were here so I could talk to you in person. Please tell me your thoughts.

Love,

Lily

She had been thinking about it for a few weeks. One of the things that made Hogwarts so great was her friends. But Cad was always with Remus. Blair and Taylor were always off with guys, usually Peter and Sirius. "And then Reese and James..." Lily said the last part out loud. She hated thinking that way. She didn't like James. She loved Max. But when she saw Reese and James together it just made her blood boil. Everything with her friends had made her depressed, and that spilled over into her classes. She was still getting top marks, but didn't care. Everyone around her seemed happy. Going home just seemed to make sense. She didn't need to be a witch, she could be happy leading a normal life.

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"This was my best idea...ever." A very drunk Blair gloated. She had managed to score a few bottles of Fire Whiskey. The gang was sprawled out in a field near Hogsmeade. Peter and Blair had already consumed a whole bottle between them. Taylor, Sirius, Reese, James, and Cad were sharing the other two bottles. Remus was the only one who restrained from drinking. James and Reese were lying on the grass looking at the stars, although both had been drinking, they had limited themselves and were sober. Taylor and Sirius were snogging, they had both drank more than Reese and James, but the real surprise was Cad. "You know this stuff's really good." Cad squealed. She was sitting on Remus lap and had had a bit too much to drink. Heck, she was nearly as drunk as Peter and Blair. "You know Rem, Remmy, Remus, you are so cute." Over the past hour she had taken pleasure in distorting his name as much as possible.

"Um. You too Cad." Remus was quite uncomfortable and at about four a.m. decided they should head back. Remus helped Cad walk through the passageway. She kept hitting her head and seemed to think it was hilarious. James and Reese led the way, each helping Peter and Blair. Taylor and Sirius had sobered up and brought up the rear.

"Ok. This is what we're going to do." James stopped at the exit to the passageway. "Each sober person is going to partner up with a, well, not so sober one." Everyone nodded and he continued. "Remus you take Cad, Sirius take Blair, I'll take Peter, and you two are okay, right?" He said looking at Taylor and Reese. Taylor and Reese left first and after a few minutes had passed James sent Sirius and Blair. Remus and Cad were the third group to leave, leaving James and Peter last.

When Remus and Cad arrived at the bottom of the stairs that led to the girl's dormitory, Cad got her second wind. "Remus?" She sounded much more sincere. "I missed you. Promise you won't leave me again, ok?" Remus looked into her eyes. He knew she was intoxicated, but felt extremely guilty. "I can't do that." He managed to say. "Ok." She got up and stumbled into the dormitory. He sat there for a second and looked up when James and Peter entered. He walked with them to their own dormitory.

Peter passed out as soon as he saw his bed, but James, Sirius, and Remus sat up. "She said she never wanted me to leave her again." Remus said as he sat down on his bed. Sirius and James did the same and gave him their attention. "God, I just feel so guilty. I have to tell her." James sighed.

"Well, tomorrow is Halloween; we could stay behind form the feast." Remus and Sirius both nodded. They boys then went to sleep; they had a hard day ahead of them.

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"Ow." Cad groaned. She way lying on the couch next to Remus. Lily, Reese, James, Taylor, and Sirius were also seated around her. "How could I drink so much?" Cad was suffering from a killer hangover. Remus kissed her on the forehead.

"How about some coffee?" He suggested. She brightened up. "Coffee?" Remus laughed.

"Hey Moony, why don't you, Sirius, and me go get some breakfast for everyone?" Remus nodded and the three left. They had been getting food from the kitchens for years. The house elves were always more than happy to help them out.

"Masters Lupin, Potter, and Black!" A house elf named Toby rushed over to see them. "What can Toby get for you?" His high pitched voice was full of enthusiasm.

"Hey Tob, Can we get some breakfast?" Sirius asked. "Oh and a big cup of coffee?" Remus added. Toby rushed off to fill their order. After everything was said and done they left with: pancakes topped with strawberries and whipped cream, scrambled eggs, bagels with cream cheese, Blueberry waffles, and enough coffee to fuel even Lily's and Cad's addictions.

"Wow. How did you guys get all this stuff?" Taylor asked wide-eyed. "Marauder's secret." Sirius answered as he put down the plate he had been carrying. After the group had eaten almost every last morsel, it was nearly two in the afternoon. They spent the day sitting by the fire, talking, playing chess, and just relaxing. Remus felt rather content with Cad in his arms and considered keeping his secret a little longer. At 6 o'clock, everyone started toward the Great Hall for the Halloween Feast.

"You know, you guys go ahead. We'll catch up." James said covering for the four boys. Cad started to leave too but Remus stopped her and asked her to wait for him. She agreed, and they all headed up to the boy's dormitory.

"What's going on?" Cad asked as Peter closed the door. Remus motioned for Cad to sit on his bed. He joined her and the other three sat across from them. "Remus?" Cad was confused and even a little scared.

"Cad, you love me right?" Remus started slowly. She nodded. "And you trust me? No matter what?" "Of course." Cad was on the brink of tears. "So I can trust you? No matter what?" Remus continued. "Of course, Remus what's going on? What's wrong?"

Remus ignored her questions and continued, "Cad, I've been keeping something from you. In a way we all have." "What?" She said.

James spoke for the first time. "Sirius, Peter, and myself are all unregistered animagus." "What? How?" Cad tone changed from worry to surprise. "We achieved it last year, and we can now each transform into an animal." He motioned toward Sirius. "He can become a dog." He then moved on to Peter, "and a rat. I myself am the stag." They each transformed quickly to prove their story true. "But why? Why did you do it? And Rem, what have you been keeping from me?" Cad had calmed down considerably.

Remus stood up, "Cad, can they trust you not to tell anyone?" "I promise I won't say anything." A bit of worry had worked itself back into Cad's speech. Remus smiled a nervous smile. "Cad, mine's the worst." He paced the room. "What's the worst, Remus tell me, please." Remus paused for a second and chose his words carefully. "You know the Shrieking Shack? And The Whomping Willow?" She nodded. "They are here for me." Cad started to ask why, but Remus cut her off. "There's a passageway that sits beneath the tree. It leads to the Shrieking Shack. I'm taken there once a month." He stopped again. "So I can transform." Cad didn't get it; she was, if possible, more confused. "Cad, I'm a werewolf." She froze and her jaw dropped. "They became animagus for me, they visit me during the full moon. Dumbledore made it so I could come here, he and the staff all know." "I, I..." Cad started but was speechless.

Remus sat down next to James, "Cad, I'm the same person you said you loved. I know that, and they know that," he motioned to his friends, "the question is do you?" She stared at the ground. "I would understand if you no longer wished to see me." Remus said quietly. Cad looked up for a second before getting up. She started toward the door, "Remus, I need time." She said shakily, she was holding back tears. "I won't tell." And then she was gone.

A/N- Thank you so much for all the reviews!

Phobe- thanks for all the reviews! I hope chapter 12 didn't disappoint.

RowenaRavenclaw2- James and Sirius saw Reese hunting in the forest. They overheard her talking to other people who were hunting with her. They couldn't be w/ Remus because it was too risky. Before if they got caught, they got into major trouble. Now it would pretty much mean Remus' death. I hope this and chapter 12 cleared stuff up for you!

slippers- thanks so much, all of your reviews have been really encouraging!

Wicca Willow- thanks for all the reviews! I hope you liked chapter 12!

Starbaby- Lily will definitely be around more soon!

harrypotter's luvr- thank you for reviewing! Your reviews really help motivate me to write!

Ruth3- Thank you for reviewing. Sorry but Reese is going to be around a while longer. But there will definitely be some subtle Lily/James in upcoming chapters. Hope you liked the chapter!

I know there are a lot more and thank you so much! I know the ending to this chapter was a bit evil! I'll update after 10 reviews or 5 days!