Dragonfliesinthesky (I'm glad you like it!), Anonymous (whomever you may be, thanks for pointing out that mistake, I will fix it right now. Silly brain!), and Lone-Strider ( You've made me blush, lol! Yes, I do ramble at times, so I'm glad you think it's all relevant) - thankyou so much for your kind reviews. It's very encouraging for me!! Anyhoo, Please let me know what you think of this chapter... I don't know, I get the feeling it's missing something. I was trying to go for a wolfish perspective at some points, I'm not sure if it worked out right. Hmm.
--(a very review happy)Sordidas--
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The wind outside whipped mercilessly round Rita's robes, and chilled her to the bone. The more rational part of her brain began asking all the logical questions: How are you even gonna see them- they're invisible? : What if this is a secret best kept... secret? : What if you get hurt?
But, embracing her inner journalist, she ignored reason. She needed to know this! What was this secret that bonded the four boys in such a tight friendship? Something important enough to bear the Whomping Willow's angry branches? Something important enough to sneak outside at night and risk suspension?
More importantly, though... it was important enough to give Ellen just the thing she had promised her... Just the thing to blackmail Sirius Black into humiliating himself. Badly. At least, that is if there is anything at all--she'd been here for almost five minutes now, behind this tree, watching the Willow, and yes, she had ran all the way to get here quickly, but shouldn't she notice some sign of their presence by now...
"Oh..."
Her breath caught in her throat suddenly. The Willows branches had stopped moving completely- in fact, they were frozen.
This was her chance.
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The chain on his leg was long, but still the wolf howled. No chain would ever be long enough, why didn't he see it? Not until he was free! To run, to roam, to kill...
Moony, No!echoed the last remnants of The Human.
A howl tore it's way from his mouth once more. Why didn't Remus see? This was no way to live... no way at all.
The wolf paused, it's nostrils twitching slightly as it scented the air. But they were here now... as long as they were here, this would do. He bounded to the door, but not to escape... to welcome! The pack!!
Padfoot!! Yes... the closest he could get to a wolf comrade. Prongs!! Majestic...king of the forest. How he longed for Remus to let him explore the forest with the pack... just once...There was the rat, too, of course. 'Wormtail'. A means to an end, in Moony's thoughts. He growled warningly at the creature. It should recognise it's place. But... wait...
He scented the air once more... there was something new. Human. Female. Dinner... Moony lost control, and tugged the chain ruthlessly, causing it to screech with effort to hold him- the others noticed. Padfoot issued a warning growl.
Prongs however, saw something else. At the top of the stairs, peering down into the shack, stood Rita Skeeter. Her face was aghast.
The girl ran. Prongs and the rat followed. My Padfoot stayed with me, and I did not howl again.
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When they reached the castle, James and Peter re-emerged. They had out-ran Rita, and if she wanted back inside, she would have to face them. From her determined stride toward them, she seemed to have no problems with the idea... James chewed his thumb absentmindedly.
This was not good.
He noted carefully her shocked eyes, and her vindictive smirk... No, this was definitely not good.
She approached them with one eyebrow raised, and an inquisitive look. Her husky- yet - repulsive voice spoke, "So, our little Remus is a werewolf, then."
James said nothing.
"Who'd have guessed it? Though they do say that it's always the quiet ones, do they not?"
He maintained his silence.
"Stag got your tongue, James-y boy?"
His lip curled as she used the nickname Sirius invented to annoy him... Yet she had the upper hand. He had to be... humble. And she knew it. Think of Remus... think of Remus...
His voice shook from rage as he asked the question on everyone's mind, "W-will you tell?"
"I won't..." she paused, hoping for dramatic effect. James did not let himself hope- he knew there would have to be a deal. "On one condition."
"What's that?"
"Make me like you."
He screwed up his forehead in confusion.
"Eh?"
perhaps old moony gave her such a fright she's gone off her rocker...
She rolled her eyes. Boys always ruined what had the potential to be a dramatic, angst-filled moment.
"Teach me how to be an Animagus, and I won't tell a soul."
Giving him an 'innocent' smile, she added, "Cross my heart."
