Hey there guys. I'm very sorry for keep the chapter this lon but i had other thigns to do ...lol...other things to write....You may not get a chapter for a while but there will be one. i just can't promise you when!

Thanks for reading!

Luv Ya

Sash

::insert hug and kiss here::


Chapter 10—Suspended.

Sasha looked at the symbol on the page in front of her and frowned. She had been staring at the same bloody page for over half an hour and it was really beginning to annoy the living daylights out of her. She was wasting time not knowing what it meant. None of her friends was anywhere for her to get hold of them.

Lily and Hannah went boy shopping while Anna was out walking with her Chris and finally her cousin traitorously went to finalise plans with Matthew about their date. But it was only her really who had to take the stupid advanced assignment to make up for he terrible performance in the last assignment.

'Need some help?' A male and gorgeous voice asked from behind her. She turned around with a smile on her face. Then it ended up dying as soon as she saw who had spoken to her.

'Not likely, since you're the last person I would ask help from.'

'Aww what so bad about me?' he asked grinning.

'Well maybe because you're an arrogant prat who thinks he can charm anyone into submission.'

'Really?'

'Yes really. Now what do you want Sirius Black?' Sasha asked, annoyed.

She seriously disliked all this charm oozing out and he thought it was that which made people liked him. Well she saw how many girlfriends he ran through and it just wasn't pleasant to see decent girls like Dani be taken in by all that.

'Now why would you think I want something?' he asked a little too innocently.

Sasha had to resist the urge to scream in his face. Why is it that eh always brought out the best in her?

Oh wait now she remembered, the day she over heard the bloody idiot talking his best mate about girls. He had the audacity to call her a chunky, clumsy maid with big glasses of course that was after he had insulted her cousin a girl named Kristi and a few others. Because she was short, a tad clumsy and had huge glasses at age eleven was no reason to insult her.

She was equally maddening that four years later he was asking every single girl out including the ones that he insulted. Well he could take his invitation and stick it where the sun doesn't shine—most likely up his ass.

She hadn't grown much after age eleven and truly he towered over her five feet two inch frame by at least a foot. Her glasses weren't pink and huge anymore, she had grown into some type of style but she didn't find the need to ever defend herself against the arrogant prat.

'Maybe its because you always want something?' She question haughtily. She might have added that he had never asked her personally for anything.

'Well that can possibly be a little bit true but I am quite sure I have never asked you for anything.' He said echoing her thoughts and she flushed a little before asking.

'I have no time to play games with you Black, what do you want?'

'Well I was thinking of a bargain of sorts seeing as thought you need some help.'

'What are you going on about?'

'Its simple really.'

'Really?' she said trying not to be sarcastic but having a hard time doing so

'Yes. Consider going out with me and I'll help you figure out that problem.' He said while nodding the direction of her book.

It was a question she hadn't really expected. He had asked her out before but it had always been a joke. He had asked her and Stefi out at the same time recently so she had always thought that it was some kind of annoying joke.

She wanted help but that didn't' mean she wanted his help that badly.

'Black I am not desperate and the only way I would ever except help form you would be if I was, which as I have said before am not.' She said ruthlessly but the tone hardly seemed to faze him.

'Look love, I know you want me. Why don't you consider my off. That's all you have to do, consider it.'

'Absolutely—' she started to deny it vehemently and he cut her off.

'You will that's great. I will wait to hear your answer. Could you tell me by tomorrow at dinner? Great now about that problem I suggest you go to the reference section and find in the book Maladies come lately under the title Lounge Deere.' and with that he turned and left her alone.

She didn't even have the time to recover from the shock that he took her fierce denial for acceptance. Well her attempted denial. Then to make matters worse she had even let it get as far as him actually pointing out which book to look in and under what title. How in Hades would he know that? She never once saw him with a bloody book in his hand. First of all she had to see if he was right. Grunting angrily she reached the reference section of the library and looked up the book. Grudgingly it was there in the third shelf, fifteenth from the right. And even more annoying was the fact that under the heading he had given her, right in the second paragraph was her answer.

Oh bloody freaking hell. Why did he have to be right? Finishing her assignment she left the library thirty minutes later.

'Oh that was just brilliant.' Lily exclaimed as she and Hannah walked into their dorm. February was ending and next Saturday—which was also the first Saturday in March—Would be the first Hogsmeade weekend for the New Year. Since December no on had expected it to be this long. But seeing as thought the Valentines weekend was a bust with the snowstorm this was the only one they could make up for.

Reaching the landing they saw the two cousins sitting on Lily's four-poster bed. Sasha had a bemused expression as she watched Jessie smile and sigh.

'Hey girls.'

'Hi Lily do you know that was the twentieth sigh Jessie made since she got here—five minutes ago.' Sasha told her stressing the amount of minutes and both Lily and Hannah laughed.

Jessie not realising they were talking about her sighed again.

'What is up with you?' Hannah asked giggling. Lily could understand why. Her friends face took on a dreamy expression.

Jessie didn't answer and Sasha raised her hand. 'May I answer that one?'

Lily and Hannah laughed at her deepened tone. And Hannah straightened and answered, 'Sure you can answer but I have to ask is this permanent or is there a cure.'

This time Lily fell on the chair laughing and clutching her stomach.

'Thank you, I believe that Ms. Jessie Adams is suffering from an ailment we like to call dreamy-face-love syndrome the symptoms are the dreamy expression seen before you and a constant sigh rate of four sighs a minute. There is no known cure.' Sash replied in the straightest face she had ever seen.

Lily wanted to collapse form laughing because the mixture of Jessie's expression and Hannah and Sash's banter it was a funny sight to behold.

'Okay but seriously? Jessie came back not to long ago. She met up with Matthew. She was supposed to come back and help me with that assignment but I guess she had other ways of occupying her time.' Sasha said ruefully but not with any anger.

'But did you finish?' Lily asked.

'Yeah I err got some unexpected help.' She replied then got a weird look on her face. Lily couldn't decide but she figured it was a cross between disgust and anger.

'By who?' she asked carefully not too sure if she would like the answer.

Sasha cleared her throat before answering, 'Sirius Black.'

'Sirius black helped you in school work?' Hannah asked totally surprised then considered a little before adding, 'What did he want?'

'Do you really want to know?' Sasha said.

'See I knew it wouldn't be a free help he wanted something. What was it?' Hannah replied.

'Okay the way he said it was he'll help me only if I consider going out with him.' Sash said and Lily looked at her. 'So you agreed to consider going out with him?' she was stunned.

'No I did not the bloody idiot never even gave me a chance. He took it all out of my hands.' Sasha replied as she looked at her two friends. Jessie still hadn't come out of her trance yet but then again Anna and Stefi had to know so she'll find out with them.

Turning towards them she explained everything.

'But are you?' Hannah asked.

'Am I what?'

'Are you considering it?'

'No, do you think I should?' Sash question and Lily wasn't sure if should even talk about it.

'I don't know. You don't know if he is planning something. Looking at them how do you trust them?' Sash questioned and Lily couldn't agree more.

'Jessie?' Lily called hoping to ask Jess something.

Nothing.

'Jessica!'

'Oh what?' Jessie said as she was interrupted from her deep thoughts. 'Sorry guys I didn't notice you.' She said and grinned sheepishly when she realised she had spaced out and hadn't noticed them come in.

'Obviously.' Sash muttered and rolled her eyes good-naturedly.

'I couldn't help it.' Jessie whined, then grinned again. 'Matt kissed me.' And gave them a cheeky wink.

'What? Already?' Hannah exclaimed while both Sasha and Lily asked, 'How was it?' simultaneously.

'Wait never mind don't say it. I don't want you going all spacey on us again. By looking at your face we figured it was good.' Lily said.

'It was better than good, it was great.' She said smiling.

All three girls sighed. They really weren't going to get much out of Jessie if she kept lapsing into sighing sprees like that.

'Anna would you hurry, we are going to be very late.'

'I know that Sash, just hang on a second.' Anna replied as they walked or half ran rather down the corridor.

'Yes I would hang on but I'm the one that has to hand in that assignment to Professor Hunter.' Sash said as they rushed forward. She had a deadline to reach and she couldn't hand it in any later than that time.

Ten minutes later both girls breathed a sigh of relief. They had reached the old man in time. Checking their watches they noted that they had to meet the girls before they went to dinner. It was then however that they noticed that Sirius and James were walking in front of them.

Well not that close, they would have to hurry to catch up with them and not be seen but didn't really want to eavesdrop on a personal conversation. That was morally wrong and anyway Sasha had to answer Sirius so it was the only way to tell him without much people hearing anything.

They were about four feet behind them and Sash was just about to reach forward and tell him to hold up when she heard her name mentioned.

'…Leah's friend Jenna, and other Slytherin girl named Nancy, I didn't ask any of Dani's friend's though, um a few Ravenclaws, that girl Sasha from our year, that sixth year reserve chaser they have, Brittney and Remus's ex Kristi. A good few of them answered right away so they'll be considered early. If the ratio for girls wanting me is two times more than the amount not then I'll break up with Dani and consider my options towards them.' He said in an all-superior voice.

On hearing that Sasha stopped in her tracks. He was using them to determine whether or not to break up with Dani? Ha and he thought he wasn't putting the necessary risk of asking any of her friends.

'Sash are you going to tell Dani?' Anna Asked, she too was shocked but she didn't know whether it was her place to say anything after all he didn't ask her.

'I don't know.' Sasha said and her mind was in slight turmoil. She was mad but she was also disappointed at herself. She was never going to tell the girls this now because they would really want to know where her logic had taken off too.

The only worry that was on her mind right now was that she had thought about it and she was going to say yes.

How could she have even thought about going out with him, much less agreeing to go? Oh thank Merlin she didn't make a fool out of herself. She would have never gotten over it if she had made a fool of herself in front of all her friend and even herself if she accepted.

The bloody moronic fool nearly made her go back on her morals because Dani was her friend and she would not betray her like that as well as the fact that she told herself a hundred time she would not go out with people like him.

'What do you think I should do?' Sasha asked and Anna who was looking intently at her friend's face as it flashed with different emotions as she thought about what they overheard. All she knew was Sasha had to do something. What she wasn't going to mention was that she had a feeling Sash wasn't going to turn him down about the date.

'Tell Dani?'

'I don't know. I can't believe he would want to hurt Dani like that.' Sash replied and they started walking again.

'I know.' Anna said and nodded.

Suddenly though Anna sensed a fire start up from next to her. Sasha suddenly seemed to be radiating anger.

'I'm going to tell Dani. There may be a chance that she would not believe me but I have to take it.'

'Are you sure?'

'Yes but first though I have to find Jessie and the others. I don't want my cousin to get a heart attack. She may expect me to be a klutz at times but she doesn't expect me to be going to blokes and punching the daylights out of them.'

Anna laughed and nodded. 'So you resorting to violence?'

'No but it would have felt a whole lot better wouldn't it if I get a good aim at his face and knock some teeth out but no I want to humiliate him in front of all those girls he lusts after.'

'I take it you have a plan?'

'Well no not really,' Sasha said grinning sheepishly. 'But I'm hoping Lily and Jessie help me out. They have a lovely set of devious minds you know.' She finished and laughed.

They turned and headed for the courtyard where they were supposed to meet the rest of their beloved dorm mates. But it was when Sash reached her cousin and friend that she realised that Dani was going to be crushed and when she told Jessie and Lily what had happened they advised her to tell Dani.

'But girls, what if she doesn't believe me? What do I do then?'

'Personally I would kick his royal highness's ass but yeah if I were her I would want to know even though I would not want to believe a girl who "claims" that my boyfriend asked her out.' Jessie said truthfully.

'That doesn't help but what you're saying is that I should tell her?'

'Yes, you should Sash.' Lily replied for Jessie.

'Okay but only if you come with me. Not to tell her but for moral support.' Sash said the three of them.

'Of course we'll come.'

'Great.' She said in a whoosh of relief.

The only thing that kept Sasha from telling Dani at that exact moment was because she couldn't find her. Why was it anytime you're looking for something or somebody you couldn't find them?

Then Anna echoed her thoughts by saying the very same thing she was thinking—almost.

'Why can't we find her? I mean I know the school is big but I mean come on. It's just like life init, every time you have to get something you need it's never there where you last put it. Or you put it away so safe you can't remember where exactly is this safe hiding place.' Anna said in a disbelieving voice.

The girls nodded in agreement but it was another fifteen minutes before they found her sitting with her friends Arlene, Megan and Lacey.

'Uh hi girls, um Dani?' Sash asked a bit nervous because after all how would a girl feel when you tell her than her boyfriend has been asking everybody out on the sole purpose of figuring out whether to break up with her or not.

'Oh hi guys, what's up Sash?'

'You see—would—what I mean is could I have a word with you in private?' Sasha said not to sure how to even ask to talk to her privately.

'Okay, sure, give me a second.' Dani replied and gave her book to Lacey to hold on for her. Sasha took Dani to a corner and she noted that bother her friends and Dani's were looking at them.

'Dani I told know how to say this. Maybe its because I know I should tell you girl to girl but seeing as though I can't seem to stop talking I don't know whether to tell you or not because you might hate me if you don't believe me.' Sash babbled and Dani looked at her slightly concerned.

'Okay well just take a deep breath and tell me. I promise I won't get mad well at first until I think about it.' Dani promised.

Sasha took a deep breath. 'Okay, um earlier today Anna and I overheard Sirius Black talking to James Potter about this master plan of his. Now this is probably the hard part for you but he is asking a lot of girls out and if the ratio of the girls that accepts is more than the ones who say no then he'll break up with you.'

Dani didn't answer but Sash thought she might as well tell her the other thing as well. 'Um he asked me out last night as well.' She said quietly then looked up to see Dani's expression.

'Dani are you all right?' Sash asked worriedly.

'Yes I'm fine. You see I'm disappointed in myself because I got angry when Kristi told me that Sirius asked her out. I thought she was trying to break us up. I jumped to the wrong freaking conclusion.' She said starting to get angry.

'Yeah I heard her name mentioned in the conversation. I'm sorry Dani I know you probably really liked him.' Sash said gently.

'I did like him but his arrogance was beginning to wear thin and it is a wonder I've lasted this long with him anyway. I know a couple girls who didn't even last a week. I should have believed Kristi you see because she is my friend, well was—I'll have to apologise to her. Sash?'

'Yeah?'

'Thanks for telling me.'

'No problem but the honest truth was that he had asked me to consider going out with him before he helped me with a problem. He helped me but I didn't want him too and well he left before I could tell him take his invitation and stick it.'

'That's okay Sash but I bet you're angry.' Dani said grinning. 'I know you have little patience in these matters.'

Sash laughed. 'Yeah I suppose but I would think you would have been more angry than me.'

'I am but well other than the fact that I want kick him where it hurts and mess up his hair permanently I'm glad I have an excuse to end things. It would have hurt more if I had realised for myself what was going on. I would have been too embarrassed to even show my face.'

'Yeah I am sorry again. Lets go back. I bet Lacey is dying to know what is going on.' Sash said and Dani laughed.

When they got back Lacey indeed wanted to know what was going on. She was the first of Dani's friends to ask as well.

Later for dinner in the great hall Sash wasn't sure what she was going to do. After explaining what had happened to Dani's friends they all entered the great hall for dinner together. It didn't seem so bad now that Dani knew but it was still maddening.

Dani went and apologized to Kristi who smiled in understanding. So all was well in the Gryffindor table but it was when Sirius Black and the rest of the Marauders entered the great hall that all the girls who knew about Black's dirty little plan turned to look at him with disgust in their eyes.

He didn't even realise that everyone is giving him the evil eye. Sash thought and that made her even madder. Halfway through dinner she couldn't eat. She was just staring and glaring in his direction. The bloody prat was stuffing his face.

'I'll be right back.' Sasha said to Hannah as she got up.

Jessie and the others looked at her as she walked away from their table. 'What is she going to do?' they asked Hannah.

'I have no idea, she just said she was coming right back.' Hannah replied and they watched as she walked up to Sirius Black.

Sasha meanwhile looked straight at the boy she disliked. It was blokes like him who gave good-looking boys a bad name. She passed Dani and her friends and they looked at her wondering what she was going to do. In reality she wasn't even sure what she was going to do. All she knew was that she needed to tell him off.

All of them watched as she stopped just behind him and tap his shoulder. He looked up and she smiled sweetly. From what Jessie could see it was that same smile she used when Mark Ganga claimed to be smarter than her in primary school. She had given him that same smile before pounded him into the dusty playground. Jessie shook her head this was going to be something.

'Sirius?' Sash asked sweetly. Too sweet even for her. She felt upset just by the sound of how sugary her voice was.

Black turned towards her and smiled. He then glanced towards Dani who was finding her food awfully fascinating. It was a good thing she turned away too. Finally he looked up smirked before standing.

'Hey there.'

'Yes hi, I was wondering if I can give you my answer to what you asked me yesterday.' Sasha said as she looked through her lowered lashes at him.

'Sure thing love. I bet I know what the answer is.' He said grinning as though he was god's gift to women. I just bet you do. Sash thought as she looked at him. Ha! He was no gift to anyone let alone women.

'Well you see the thing is Sirius,' she started sweetly as she picked up Peter's ice-cold pumpkin juice. 'I would not go out with you if you were the last bloody idiot on earth.' She said in a fairly loud tone and at the same time she pulled at his trousers and dumped the entire contents of the goblet down his knickers.

And with that she turned around and stalked back to her table. She had really resisted the urge pummel him. She was proud of herself as she walked the second half of the way to her table calmly. Reclaiming her seat she sat down and began to eat unaware of the silence in the great hall.

Hannah nudged her.

'What?' she asked looking up and then noticed everyone looking at her. 'Mind you own business.' She stated before Jessie gave her a wink and they continued eating.

Slowly but surely everyone eventually turned their attention towards their food and their friends to talk about what had just happened. Lily and Jessie noted that when Sash walked away Sirius stood staring after her as thought she was mad. But even from where they sat they saw his face flame for a few seconds.

She embarrassed him in front of the entire school and she was a lady about it. Jessie had half expected her to do another "Mark" but she contained herself. There was another time she almost got suspended for hitting a bloke named Darren over the head with her textbooks. Anytime she saw the boy now she half wondered if it had cause brain damage because he wasn't doing well at school.

'Great job Sash.' Anna said and Sasha grinned at her.

'I know it was wasn't it?' she said and then looked at Dani who gave her thumbs up before getting up herself. Dani got up and walked towards Sirius before patting him on the head. She shook her head and said something before coming to their table.

'Dani, what did you tell him?' Stefi asked eagerly and she laughed.

'Okay well after I patted his head what I told him was "you poor deluded fool. How could you think that my friends would not inform me of your little game?" then I shook my head and came over here. Sash that was excellent. I think mister suave will think twice before he ever approaches a girl again.' Dani said ginning but there was a little something missing in all that.

Lily could tell she was hurt by Sirius cold use of their relationship. It would be hard for her to trust a guy again all because of an insensitive callous prat.

'Well at least that's good.' She said and Dani went back to her table.

But before dinner was over Sirius Black decided to head over to the Gryffindor table and give that girl a piece of his mind. How dare she embarrass him in front of his friends? Matthew was still chuckling and James didn't even look him in the eye. The worst thing was when Dani broke up with him. She broke up with him! That was his lowest point and he for one was never going to forgive that walking snidget for making him look like a fool. It was a good thing half of the school was now elsewhere.

'What in the bloody hell made you announce to the whole sodden school that you didn't want to go out with me.' He demanded when he reached her. She turned around in surprise to look at him before giving him a glare. Ha, like if a glare could hurt him. She would wish she hadn't even met him when he got through with her.

'Black what are you doing here?' she said in a bored voice. Bored.

'You know damn well what I am doing here. What gave you the right to announce to the whole school what was going on.'

'The same right that allowed you to ask a bevy of girls out so that you can determine whether or not to dump Dani.' She said in a matter of fact voice. Sirius was stunned. 'How did you know that?' he asked. The girl in front of him sighed. 'You shouldn't go announcing your plans in public love someone would likely to overhear.' She said before getting up. 'It's rude to listen in on other people conversations.' He said finally.

'Yes I suppose it is rude but seeing as though my conscious isn't the least bit dented I can live with myself. Ta!' She said before leaving the great hall. The rest of the Ravenclaw girls snickered before getting up and followed her. As the weeks passed Sirius realised that was one of the lowest points of his life. Because of that girl his love life has been a living hell. No one wanted to date him and they always made a stupid wise crack at him.

Damn her and the whole bloody population anyway, he didn't need a girl. In actuality they needed him. That's right they needed him Sirius Black. He was a dish if he did say so himself. Compared to most of the lads around the school he was handsome. Of course in his mind he rated each one of them that could possibly pose a threat, none of his fellow Gryffindors that was for sure.

They would not stab him in the back and besides they carry their own. The five of them—well maybe not Peter so much, but who knows maybe he'll grow out of the cragginess. Each one of those girls would be far better off with him as a boyfriend and they would have more fun on a date with him.

The funny thing about it was James didn't have much luck on the "love" front as well. Renee felt that since the two of them were so alike she wouldn't put it past him—James that is—to do the same thing as Sirius. Of course that happening was the best fun Sirius had because James had told him that if his plan worked for him he might as well try it on himself to see where he stood on a longer relationship with Renee. Sirius had been right there with the two of them and had heard every word that Renee told James.

He couldn't help it he burst out laughing afterwards and his best mate had glared at him but so what? He had to have a little fun now that he can't snog any girl for the rest of the school year. He figured that the three months separating then from the last day of school was all right and everyone would have had their fun and he could go back to dating whomever he pleased by the time September the first rolled around. Oh the days passed very slowly and it didn't help at all that little miss Sasha smiled gaily at him every time she passed him in the corridor and even the great hall. Of course since now was their fifth year, studying for the OWLS had become routine every day. So there was not much time left for pranking.

Little by little his frustrations started to pile up. After that whole incident with his mother just before Christmas he wanted to be free and be his own person. Not some bloody nobody who couldn't get a dingle date.

As OWLS dawned on them no one was with out a book and for Sirius stuffing all the information you can into your brain a few minutes before a test is a waste of time. He knew everything. All you had to do was understand the material and it comes as natural as breathing.

So what if people looked at him and thought he was a shmock for not getting all mad and hyper about not studying enough. She had James were well informed with their magic. A few minutes before their first exam was to start though he noticed that same bloody girl and Jessie who he learned a couple months ago while fuming with Remus and Matthew was her cousin.

Well hell if that didn't just put every thing together so nicely. If Matthew and Jessie ever got married Sasha would be one of the bridesmaids and when he got to the wedding she would have to be there. Darn it! So there really was no way for him to avoid her. So since then—the past two months— he had pointed ignored her.

It annoyed him greatly though that she didn't seem the least bit fazed by the fact that she was the thorn in his side and he wanted to show her a thing or three about the person he was. But seeing her there right in front him with her cousin gave him immense—and perverse—pleasure. He almost wanted to walk up to her and laugh in her face.

Her book looked like it was permanently stuck to her face. It looked pretty obvious that she hadn't studied enough. While he was there cool as a cucumber about exams she was fretting over hers. Sirius decided to plainly ignore the fact that one of his best mates was doing the same thing. Remus knew his work but he felt as though he had to put in extra since his time was usually cut short every month.

Entering the Transfiguration classroom James couldn't wait to start. He looked over towards his nemesis Lily Evans. She thought she was so smart all the time. He would show her, he was planning to beat the pants off her in all the classes they had together and even the same ones they share in their different career choosing.

Sirius looked happy about something. These days though the only thing that brought him happiness was if something had gone wrong in a certain Ravenclaw's life. If anything he would be even happier if he beat her in their OWLS and get more than she will. McGonagal walked in to introduce the wizard that was going to be supervising their theory test.

And then soon enough their exams began and James felt confident as he answered all the questions thoroughly.

But it was three days later that something went wrong. Something in Sirius had snapped just after their confrontation with Snape and Lily Evans. Where just after the Charms theory exam they had Snape up against a wall and James tried another attempt at asking the redheaded prefect out.

It was just before nightfall and Remus was being led to the whomping willow tree with the head nurse.

James, Sirius and Peter were to follow thirty minutes after the nurse left but because they had separated earlier that had agreed to meet up at the whomping willow tree. Sirius had reached the entrance fifteen minutes ahead of time and he was early enough to see the nurse lead Remus towards the tree. Deciding to sit on a bench and wait it out he looked on as they walked in the dusk.

But they were not alone. Seeing the slimy good for nothing Snape following them was the incident to finally make him snap. Sirius met up with him first and blocked his view form the nurse and Remus.

'What in the bloody hell are you doing here?' he snarled. Oh he was ready for a fight. There was nothing he would have liked better than teaching Snape a lesson. Telling him to but out wasn't going to work. He thought they were hiding something.

Severus smirked, 'as if you didn't know Black. Finally I'll be able to see what Lupin does every month although you probably know that I even have my suspicions but I can't even prove it. Following your little gang wasn't easy on the stomach but I'll have to know you that intend to prove that your little good guy club is not all you're cracked up to be.' He said and sneered. 'Now out of my way Black before I curse you and make you wish you had never started pestering me.'

'Well Snivellus you're the bloody one that has no friends or you would not have wasted your time following mine.' Sirius shot back.

'We'll see who your friends are—well Lupin will when everyone knows his secret.' Severus remarked almost happily, which was disconcerting because he never smiled but then he noticed that there was no sign of Lupin or the healing nurse.

'Move out of the way Black you can't stop me from finding out.'

'Well do you really want to know what's been going on? Well here's what I'll do for you since you're all ready to go charging into nothing.' Sirius told his adversary his normally grey eyes were now blazing a dark colour. 'I'll tell you where to find Remus.' Sirius said darkly.

Severus's squinted his eyes. He wasn't too sure if he should trust this Gryffindor. 'Oh yeah? What's in it for you?' he asked.

'The satisfaction of seeing you get burned by your own stupid curiosity.' He said simply but there was nothing simple about the reason he was give. It was the truth however; Snape just had no idea what he was getting himself into. He was going to regret following him and his friends and thinking that he could get them into trouble.

Well now if the same thing happened to him that was happening to Remus then he would learn his lesson and well if he got badly injured then well what were healing draughts made for?

'Fine tell me where did he go?' Snape said, curiosity getting the best of him. He didn't trust Black totally but he needed to find out what was going on. It had to be a trick. Black will tell him and he wouldn't believe that Severus will go but he will. There was something going on and he would find out.

Sirius smiled darkly. 'Go to the Whomping willow, there is a knot at the bottom of the tree; you'll have to push it with a stick to freeze its branches. There at the bottom of it there is a passage, go through there and you will see.' He said rattling of the instructions. Turning Snape walked in the direction of the whomping willow. Excellent. He'll just go further into the corridor and wait for the others. He had just reached his destination when the healer's nurse passed him. She didn't notice him because he chose to be in the shadows.

Fifteen minutes later it was completely dark and footsteps could be heard coming towards him then just short of him a veil was raised and James and Peter stepped out. They were wearing James's father's invisibility cloak. His grandfather gave it to him why Harrison Potter had died. Seeing him there James was surprised.

'What are you going here Padfoot? Aren't you supposed to be further up?' he questioned as he looked into the funny expression of his best mate's face.

'Yes but something came up.' He said and James started to wonder what he meant but when he got a look at the steel-like grey eyes of the boy standing in front of him James knew something was up. And he was sure that he wasn't going to like it.

'What did you do Sirius?' he demanded.

Taken aback Sirius said defensively, 'What makes you think I did anything?'

'I know you.' James said.

'Okay fine if you must know I had an interesting conversation with our mate Snivellus, he had wanted to know where Remus went every month, so I told him.' Sirius said smugly.

'You did what?' James asked shocked.

'I caught him following the healing nurse and Remus to the whomping willow so I told him that the way he can find out what was really going on was to go to the tree and see for himself.' He answered smoothly.

'So I take it you told him how to get down there.' James said and he was starting to become rather angry. How could he do that to Remus? What could he have been thinking to put of their best mates though that? It was almost like murder it you hurt someone and they're hanging on top life by a thread.

'Of course I told him, how else would he know? I expect he'll learn his lesson then go running home to his mother.' Sirius said laughing slightly.

'Sirius this is not a laughing matter, we have got to stop him.' James said harshly and was already moving in the direction of the entrance doors.

'Why?' Sirius asked confused at his friend's anger. He would have thought James would be laughing his head off.

'Sirius, how do you think Remus would feel if he found out that he hurt a person in his stage of development or even killed a person. That would be the most brutal thing he could go through even if its Snape we're talking about.' James said and then turned around and ran off towards the whomping willow.

Meanwhile Sirius's face had gone white as he watched James leave. He hadn't thought of it like that. All he had thought of was teaching Snape a lesson. Now if Snape got hurt really badly Remus would blame himself. He would also blame himself if he had changed another person into a werewolf. Also what was he going to do if Snape survived and told everyone his closely guarded secret? It would destroy him

How could he have been so stupid? He of all people should know what Remus would be going through in his state. Tomorrow when he comes too he'll find out what Sirius did. Sirius wondered if Remus would forgive him. He knew what he had to do know.

'Peter?' Sirius said looking at his mate who had been so quiet this entire time.

'Yes?'

'It's up to you. Do you want o come with me to see professor Dumbledore? Or would you rather go to the dorm and wait for us?'' Sirius asked but he had already started walking. 'You know what its better that way. You take James invisibility cloak and wait for us upstairs. I have some explaining to do with Professor Dumbledore before all hell breaks loose.' He said before continuing to the corridor to find the headmaster's office.

There was only one password Sirius could remember to get into the headmaster's office, the most recent one and he used it. Professor Dumbledore was sitting there at his desk and looked up expectantly. His face took on a grave expression and his half moon glasses were placed firmly on his nose.

'Professor I have come to tell you something. I think that you would be disappointed in me and I know that I've disappointed on of the best people in my life.' Sirius said as he sat down. He started from the beginning of his dislike for Severus Snape and what he had done only moments ago. As soon as he finished his story the door banged open to reveal a hurt and very angry Snape.

'Professor Dumbledore Lupin…' he started then trailed off when he saw Sirius. 'Black.' He said darkly. 'Sir Black tried to kill me tonight with the help of his werewolf friend.' he said loudly. Sirius sensibly kept quiet but he wondered where James was. He really hoped his mate wasn't hurt trying to save that bastard. But as he thought that James came thought the door as well. He was all right; well he looked passable under the circumstances.

'Sir, Lupin, Black, Potter and Pettigrew all conspired to have me killed when Lupin changed into a werewolf. He is a werewolf sir. They have been hiding that fact for five years. Now you can do what right by us and expelled them from the school for keeping such a dangerous secret.' Severus said before warming to his topic. 'Headmaster they tried to kill me. That how dangerous they are. Calling themselves the Marauders is an understatement for what they really were.'

'That's enough Mr. Snape.' Professor Dumbledore said and all three boys looked at him. 'I understand what has happened. Have you been bitten?' he asked first needing to get the most important question out of the way. 'Well no professor but—' Snape started but Dumbledore cut him off. 'Mr. Snape I would like for you to return to your dorm but I also need another thing from you. No one must know of the changes Mr. Lupin undergoes every month. You must swear to it that as long as you are a pupil of this school you must keep that discovery to yourself.'

Severus looked stunned. He felt stunned really. Didn't Dumbledore understand that Remus Lupin was a werewolf? That he was a menace to the students? The looked Dumbledore gave him however was enough to stop from voicing those questions.

'I will take care of everything and you needn't worry about your life.' He said and indicated that Severus should go.

Turning Severus Snape left without a word but it was clear that he was going to deal with the two so-called Marauders in his office. It didn't matter any, not even to his conscience that he didn't tell the entire truth. His pride such as it was wouldn't let him. He was never going to admit to anyone that James Potter saved his life down there under the whomping willow.

When Severus left Albus turned his attention to the two boys standing before him. James he noticed had blood along the side of his head but apparently he wasn't in any pain. Also his robes were slashed. He didn't have to ask to know what James did. He had put another's life before his own. Even though they hated each other. It impressed him greatly. He wanted to keno the entire story.

Sirius on the other hand was looking ashamed. Albus knew why. It was hard but Sirius had come to him knowing that his punishment could be severe. Albus was also sort of proud of him, he knew it wasn't easy for him to admit he was wrong. He knew of Sirius's home situation and he recognised that this young man had really gone through a difficult life. Albus could understand where his anger came from but it did not excuse the action he had taken to satisfy them.

He looked at the two boys gravely. They had apparently learned the truth about Remus Lupin. No doubt they supported him. Albus remembered what Sirius had told him. About what James had said concerning Remus had jarred him through his menacing thoughts and how he had come to his senses. James may be delinquent at times but Albus sensed maturity in him.

'James would you care to tell me what happened at the shrieking shack?' He asked.

'Uh, sure sir. By the time I pressed the knot to freeze the tree I heard Sn—Severus yell. By then Remus had already tried taking a swipe at him and I had to distract him. So I called out and while Remus turned towards me I told him to run and well he came up here and you know the rest.' He said and Albus eyes twinkled a bit. He knew James was holding back something at the end, after Severus had left but he did not press.

'Sirius you understand I have to take disciplinary actions in this case?' Albus said swing his attention to the boy.

'Yes sir.' He said quietly, subdued.

'Two hundred points from Gryffindor—' he said and raised his hand when Sirius started to protest. 'You are also suspended from Quidditch for the next two years.' He said. 'I know there are only two more years for your attendance to this school so I can grant you one reprieve.' He said and Sirius looked at him expectantly. 'You may play on your last year and the last game for your team only if you never commit a crime of this nature again.'

'You shouldn't blame the house for my lapse in judgement sir, I can take another form of punishment.' Sirius said and Albus looked him. He could learn his lesson just yet. 'I'm afraid my word is final.'

'All right sir I understand.' He said and got up to leave. Albus looked at the two boys intently as they headed for his office door.

'Before you both leave could you wait for a minute?' Albus said just as they reached the door. The boys turned and waited.

'James?' he asked. 'I would like to speak to you.'

'Yes sir.' He answered and Sirius turned again and walked out of the office. This was not his business. This was really no time for him to smile or make a cute remark like he always did so he just did what he was asked.

'I would like to commend you on your bravery. Saving another person's life is very noble.' Albus said looking at him.

'The thing is sir, I just wanted to make sure Remus didn't harm anyone. His conscience wouldn't have handled it well. He would have blamed himself for everything. It doesn't matter that Severus Snape isn't my favourite person or if I had really thought about it that I would not have done it but you see Remus was my only concern. That's the only reason I saved his life. It wasn't really nobility.' He said quietly.

'But James don't you see? It was. Being a true friend like that is being noble. You still risked your life to save someone else's. That is something to be admired. It doesn't matter that you did it for your friend though it may seem selfish but you did risk your life.' Albus said looking at the young man's face.

'I suppose sir but thinking of it like that would make it seem that Sirius was a bad person making him less noble than what you're trying to explain to me. He just lost his head, he wasn't thinking clearly these past few months. It hasn't been easy for him at home and you see Snape reminds him so much of what he left behind because he represents Slytherin.' James said trying to make the head master understand.

'I am aware of Sirius's home situation James that's why I was so lenient. I know he needs a chance to be himself without the influences of his family. Otherwise I might have had to expel him from school and he knows it. I know you can help him James. He trusts you and well I know your grandparents would do their best as well.' Albus said smiling.

'Yes sir they will. They always had a likeness for Sirius.' Said James and then turned to leave.

'One more thing James, I award you one hundred and seventy-five points to you for that action you did earlier. I hope however that you will do you best to keep that quality.' He said with a twinkle in his eyes.

James went to the dorms, to finds the others. They had to find food and go back to meet up with Remus. He didn't know what to say to Sirius however when he found him. Sirius rash actions may have cost him the rest of his school years. At least he saw the light all he had to hope for know was Remus's forgiveness when they tell him.

When Remus met them that morning he was beyond mad. He had spent his time at the shrieking shack by himself for the first time in many years. He knew something was wrong from the time he saw Snape approach form the entrance. The fact that all his friends hadn't come after his transformation was even more frustrating. Something was wrong and he had to understand what was going on.

Absolutely no one knew how to freeze the whomping willow tree. No one except the nurse, Dumbledore and the rest of the 5th year Gryffindor boys. So how Snape got into the shrieking shack was a complete mystery to him. What totally scared him was the fact that Snape would tell everyone his secret and he would have to leave the school. He didn't want to imagine what would happen if that happened. He needed to find out what was going on quickly.

When he dragged himself to the dorm room everyone was up even Matthew. He too knew the secret but he chose to be the one to stay out of the way. Remus didn't hold it against him when he opted out of becoming animagus. But right now he wasn't sure how he felt about him since he started dating Jessie. He had put on a big smile when they all learned what he felt towards her. But he was mad inside, he had had girlfriends since Jessie but she was his first real relationship. She was still in his heart, still had a piece of it but he didn't love her like that anymore.

He had moved on from her but it still stung because he couldn't trust her enough to tell her about his condition. He half wondered if he could ever trust anyone to tell his secret too besides his friends. But looking at their faces now he wondered even if he had a secret to tell anyone anymore. One thing he didn't know was if he had bitten Severus. Truthfully he wouldn't wish turning in to werewolf on anybody not even his own enemies.

Werewolves were outcasts. He learned that from a young age. If he was kicked out of school because of it there was nothing he could do. It would be worse for someone who never had any experience being shunned like a common disease. Right now he couldn't help the first question that popped out of his mouth.

'Did I bite him?'

James shook his head indicating no and he breathed a sigh of relief but something else was wrong he could feel it. Matthew wouldn't look at him and Sirius was staring as though he needed to tell him something important. Peter wasn't even trying to hide his fear.

'Well then what aren't you telling me?' he demanded.

They told him. He asked for it and they let him have it. Sirius told Snape how to get though to the shrieking shack. He let Snape fid out his deeply guarded secret. Remus just stood there as both James and Sirius took turns explaining what happened. Nothing much registered after he heard what Sirius had done that is until he heard him say that he was sorry and his brown eye met his mates grey ones.

'Sorry? You're sorry? I almost killed someone.' He said brokenly.

'Yes,' he whispered and then tried explaining why he did what he did and why he regretted it.

'Sirius I personally cannot speak to or see you right now. I don't really care if you're regretting it at the moment but right now I need space and I need it away from you. I know you're regretting what you did and how your family influenced that decision but I need time. It's been a tiring night. I'll see you all later.' Remus said before drawing the curtains around his bed and went under the covers.

But sleep was the last thing on his mind. Five minutes had gone when he heard Matthew say quietly, 'well you didn't expect it to take it well did you?' they probably though he had sound proofed the area. He almost wished he did.

'I really didn't know how he would take it.' Sirius honestly. 'I wasn't hoping for anything because I know that however Remus reacts will be nothing compared to what I would do.'

Remus silently agreed but he was disheartened. He really didn't know himself how he should have reacted, how he should act now. He heard the whole story and he sympathized with Sirius about his family before. Did it make him a hypocrite that he didn't find that a worthy excuse for Sirius to use for why he did what he did?

'You have to understand what Remus is going through.' James said and Remus heard him moved towards the door.

'I know don't you think I know how big of an ass I was?' Sirius said his voice raising.

'Will you be quiet? He probably is asleep and doesn't need anymore of you input in anything.' James remarked. 'We better go downstairs. OWL's still isn't over.'

They all filed down and closed the door. Remus didn't know what to think. He knows that Sirius would never really do anything intentional to hurt him but as he told them. He needed time and only when he is ready to face the fact that he almost bit someone would he be able to speak to Sirius.

Sleep still didn't take him until two hours passed.