When Rachael returned to the original compartment, she saw that Remus was slouched down in a seat, by himself. She started towards him, but froze when she saw that he knew. His eyes widened in panic and he looked out the window, determined to ignore her if she came.

Sighing, slightly hurt, she went to sit by herself. She sighed and crossed her arms, wondering why it was always her.

~*~*~

Sirius walked into the compartment. He winced when he got a glare from both Rachael and Remus. Great, he'd pissed the both of them off. He sighed and went to sit by himself, in the same spot he'd been in when he'd been snogging Figg.

James and Lily glanced at their friends, then at each other. They were sitting in a small corner, by themselves. Shrugging they went back to talking quietly.

~*~*~

Remus sighed and looked away from staring out the window. His gaze immediately landed on Rachael. The hurt look on her face tore his heart. He forced himself to look away. Why did his life have to be so screwed up? First he was bitten by that bloody wolf…now the girl his heart wants is afraid of him.

Glancing again at Rachael, he noticed that Sirius is watching him. Sending a rather cold glare at his "friend", he looks back out the window. The scenery was changing, rapidly. From rolling green hills, to forests, to…Hogwarts.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rachael hopped off the train, not even caring if the others were behind her or not. She crossed her arms and glanced around as millions of other students were crowding the platform next to the scarlet train. She glanced around, having to stand on tiptoes, and smirked. There was Abetelli, the Potions master, looking sour. He had his wand in the air, an arrow the colour of the sky above his head. She sighed as he snorted and started towards him.

Professor Abetelli wasn't one of the most-liked professors. In fact, he wasn't liked at all. Yet, he did have a small soft spot for those in his house, Slytherin. Rachael knew that Lucius wouldn't be that far away from the professor. Sure enough, the platinum blonde stepped up in front of her. He half-turned to see who she was, and stared.

She smirked slightly, "Hello, Lucius. How was your summer?"

He just gaped at her, having never noticed how beautiful she looked. Shrugging, she walked on past, as the Potions master had already started leading the students away.

From somewhere behind her, she heard Regulus Black.

"Who was that girl that spoke to you? She's a Slytherin, right?"

"Yes. If I'm not mistaken, I think it was Rachael Monroe," came the cold, drawling voice of Malfoy.

She glanced over her shoulder to see Black, Snape, Malfoy, Lestrange, and about five other males from her house walking in a group. She rolled her eyes and turned front, half wondering how they were going to get to the castle. The floating carpets told her more than she wanted to know. Why couldn't it have been brooms? But noo, Dumbledore just had to have magic carpets, she thought to herself.

Abetelli pointed his wand at his throat and muttered something. Suddenly his voice could be heard far above all the others, "You will be riding the magic carpets. I assume you all know how to ride them safely? First years, watch the older students and do not swing your legs over the edge. Two per carpet. Everyone, pair up. Let's get going!"

Feeling herself being forced towards the carpet, she jumped on. She didn't look at who she was with, not caring for the time being. She watched as James helped Lily onto one, then hopped on himself. She smiled slightly, glad her best friend had such a great guy.

Finally she turned to see who she was riding with. Her eyes widened. It was…Remus.

~*~*~

Remus didn't really pay attention to what happened until he was flying towards the castle. Somehow he'd gotten pushed up towards the front and hadn't had time to see who he was riding with. Finally he turned to see who it was. He froze and almost jumped off the carpet into the lake. It was Rachael.

How the hell had he gotten on the same carpet as her? She'd been up in the front, one of the first to get off the train. He looked away, not wanting to see the look on her face when she realized it was him. He almost put his head in his hands, but stopped himself. Doing that would attract her attention. He didn't want to do that.

Finally he couldn't stop himself, he looked at her. She was staring at him in surprise. She obviously hadn't expected to be on the same carpet as him. He sighed and forced a grin.

"Hello…" he mumbled softly, not knowing what else to say.

She started, as if thinking he wasn't really there, "Hi…fancy seeing you again. Well, you actually looking at me, that is."

He gulped. So she had been upset he hadn't looked at her. He sighed and looked at the fabric, as if transfixed by the patterns. He hadn't meant to, he just thought…that she wouldn't want to talk to him. Not after Sirius had reminded her about what he was.

~*~*~

Watching him look down, she sighed. He looked so heartbroken. So depressed.  So…So like you? a voice whispered in her mind. She blinked. Yeah, he did look like her. As if his life couldn't get much worse. And face it, it can't. He's a werewolf. Do you think he'll ever find himself a girlfriend who will love him even after she finds out what he is? No, I doubt it.

For the second time that day, Rachael smiled slightly and slowly wrapped her arms around his waist. Again he tensed up. She giggled softly at his harden muscles and looked up at the surprised and confused expression on his face. God he's hot! She smiled at her thought and pulled away.

"What…what was that for?" he asked, completely confused.

She shrugged, "I dunno. I just thought you should get a hug. That's all."

He seemed to think about it for a second. While really he was wondering if she had forgotten what he was. He tensed and asked, "You do remember that I'm…I'm…I'm a werewolf. Right?"

Poor Remus. He thought she'd forgotten. She nodded slowly, a serious look on her face. "Yes, I remember. Why? Does it matter?"

"Yes…you just hugged a monster…"

She shook her head, "You're no monster. I don't know why you think you are, but you're not."

He shrugged and looked away. Rachael sighed. Helping him to get over that was going to be harder than she thought. She glanced around. Lily and James were a little ways off to the left, snuggled in each other's arms. She didn't even feel like looking for Sirius. He's probably somewhere behind…making out with some girl.

~*~*~

Sirius burned with jealous rage. There she went, hugging Remus again. He scowled and crossed his arms, completely ignoring the fact Samantha Figg was on the same carpet as him. He sighed and ran a hand through his black hair, tousling it. It probably was no good. He'd bloody pissed her off with that rude, and heartless, comment he'd made to his friend earlier on the train.

Watching the Slytherin shake her head, he suddenly wished he could hear what they were saying. He reached in his pocket, but suddenly his carpet came to a stop, almost throwing the girl next to him off. He grabbed her arm and held her on.

Glancing around, he let go. He frowned, wondering why they'd stopped. Then it became clear.

Hundreds of magic carpets were hovering in the air at the stone steps leading up to the entrance into Hogwarts. He smiled softly. They were there. Another year, another chance to win the Quidditch Cup from those bloody Slytherin bastards.

Not all are bastards, he thought, watching Rachael get off the carpet she and Remus had been on. She had such grace. Such beauty. Why hadn't he seen it before? Was he that blind? Apparently he was.

Groaning softly, he hopped off the carpet and started towards her. But suddenly, she and Remus were surrounded by a group of Slytherins. He stopped and watched as the bastards dragged the two off. He didn't hear James and Lily come up behind her.

"Bloody hell, Sirius. What did you do this time?" James drawled, a small, knowing smile on his face.

He frowned, "What do you mean?"

"We aren't blind," Lily started. "We saw the glares both Rachael and Remus shot at you. What did you say?"

"Said that Moony should have been charting the moon's phases…" he muttered softly.

James stared at him in disbelief. Obviously he didn't think he best mate could say that to another one. Especially of it was another good friend. Lily's eyes narrowed and she smacked him on the arm.

"Sirius Black! I hope you apologized to him!"

Sirius winced and started rubbing his arm where she'd hit him. There was going to be a red mark. He started walking, hoping they wouldn't follow and persist to make him tell if he had or not.

They did.

Lily ran to catch up to him. She glared at him, "Well?"

"Well what?"

"Did you apologize?" asked James, quietly.

"Not exactly—," he started, but Lily cut him off.

"—You bloody bastard! That was an awful thing to say! I can't believe you said that to him! I won't be surprised if…"

He toned her and James out as they entered the Great Hall. He went straight to the Gryffindor table and sat across from Remus. He didn't look at him, but instead turned and looked over his shoulder at Rachael. She was surrounded by the group of Slytherins he personally called the Mercenaries. They would do anything for anyone as long as they got paid. He glared as Snape—also known as Snivellus—smirked knowingly at him.

"That greaseball!" he exclaimed outloud.

"What greaseball?" came Remus's reply in a curious tone. He'd decided to talk to his friend, at least a little.

"Snivellus! He's talkin' to Rach," he answered back, surprised Moony was still talking to him.

"Bloody hell! Is he really?!" Remus stood up slightly and saw that Sirius was right. He was. Not only that, but Snape was also sitting by her.

"Holy cow! He made her laugh!"

"Snape?"

"No stupid," Sirius growled. Now James was curious.

"Who then?"

"Malfoy..." he said, his voice was full of venom.

"Looks like your brother's flirting with her, too, Sirius," Lily's voice interrupted.

"Regulus? That bastard! Why I out to—."

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" boomed the Headmaster's voice. Dumbledore stood up at the teacher's table. He smiled slightly as all the heads turned to him and the room became silent. "Now, before the Sorting begins, I'd like to say a few things."

"Oh goodie…" drawled Sirius, suddenly amused.

"The Dark forest on the grounds is off limits from all students," Dumbledore continued, looking pointedly at the Marauders. "Also! It is a new rule that no student is allowed near the Whomping Willow." Groans interrupted him. He motioned for everyone to be quiet. "Last year I know it was a game of daring to see how close one could get to it. Not this year. We don't want another accident like the one last year. Nor do we want people to use it to hurt others…" here again he looked pointedly at Sirius.

Sirius rolled his eyes and smirked at Snape who was looking livid. When he turned back, Dumbledore had sat down. He shrugged and spaced out, staring at his empty plate as the Sorting Hat told each student, and the rest of the school, what house he or she was in.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When the last student had sat down (Shawn Wolfgang, Slytherin), food appeared on the four tables.

"Finally!" Sirius exclaimed, making several girls around him giggle.

The Feast had began.

~*~*~*~

A/N: nothin' to say. 'twas bored so decided to update this. Started typing it last night, but had to go to bed. Well…that's it.

Thanks to:

Sweet A.K

LyssasPen

For reviewing. I hope other people will too.

Cody: Yep. Review people!

Orlando: yeah…pweese?

James just stares off into space.

Orlando: what's with him?

Cody: him and Scimitar are still fighting…

Orlando (surprised): They were fighting?! What about?

James (glaring at Orlando): none of your bloody business!

Orlando: Soooorry! Didn't mean to offend Mr. Tough Guy

James: That's Mr. Tough and Sexy to you, nancy boy!

Cody (smirking): best leave them at it. Anyway, review people! Later all…

James and Orlando continue to fight, finally James just leaves.