A/n- Back AGAIN! Wow this thing is going pretty long, isn't it? I had honestly expected to drop it a few chapters ago, but, well, here I am! Anyway, thanks for reading thus far, and I promise to dish out as long as someone's reading!

Disclaimer- Ah, but alas, I own nothing. NOTHING. :( Plain and simple. Rowling and all respective owners are in full custody of all Harry Potter related things... Lucky them o_O

Rating- PG-13 for language

Chapter Keywords- Rommie, Lily conflicts, semi-evil plots, Severus Snape, clueless Peter.

Note- I'm going on a school trip, so this will take a few extra days to complete. But since it IS a weekend, I might be bale to post Sunday night/Monday morning. Sorry if it's late!



Seeing Grey - Part IX - Of Tomorrow Come



Look, Im gonna go get Dumbledore... Or someone. Gotta get out of here before you little demons drive me insane. Romolus said after one and a half long hours of yelling and short sentences. He left promptly, through a passage to the school he had known since his years. James and Sirius sat at the table, faces white and patience dropping by the minute. Remus had himself hunched in the corner in a childish way, still having trouble accepting the reality of it all.

What do you want from me? he finally whispered to break the silence. The two boys blinked, confused at what he meant.

Sirius said in a brilliant display of intelligence.

What do you want? What'd I do... And why are you doing this? He staggered out each question slowly, as he could not think straight to word them properly.

Doing what? he asked again, eyebrows raised in a bemused manner.

What do you want from me? Remus tilted his head up, eyes wide and face the colour of pale parchment. He was shaking, the boys noticed, and hugging his knee's for security. It was like watching a scared young child lost in a grocery market.

Remus, we don't want anything... We're just pissed. James finally said after a moments thought

And why the hell are you mad? Your life isn't screwed to a thousand pieces. he murmured.

You didn't trust us for starters. Sirius said, frowning. He sat there, in a deep state of thought never before seen on his face, tapping his fingers against the oak table. He sighed in an irritated sort of way, and furrowed his eyebrows.

What, thought we'd be little back-stabbing Slytherins? Or more, per say, nasty bastards like Severus Snape? Hm? he said after receiving a glare from James on the subject of Slytherins.

Really, he's right. James said after a moment. Why didn't you trust us? We might've been able to help.

Like I can trust anyone. Once the school finds out I have to get my ass out of here. Again. Remus said miserably. It would mean more time on the streets for him, an era he had hoped to have given up for the better. More time away from any chance at a normal life he might have had.




Look, Remus, just listen to me. he shook him by the shoulders, snapping him to attention. If we try and get to mum, we'll forfeit any chance we have at normal life. This is what we live now, we can't change it.

But it's my fault! I killed dad... I did everything wrong. he snapped angrily, prodding at his meal of cold steak and a cup of apple juice.

Brooding on past deeds isn't going to get us anywhere. Romolus said wisely, shaking his head in a solemn way. We live how we live, we can't change that.

Yes we can. Remus said seriously. We can write our own fates, Gram always told us that. No one can make us do anything we don't want to.

You want to rush in to Hogwarts and say that a werewolf has the rights to an education? Romolus snapped. They'll kill you, plain and simple. Stop running on over what's already done. We have to fix our problems now.





Why is it you act more like a father than ours ever did?

Because if you can't trust me, you're screwed over little brother.




So we aren't good enough huh? James snapped. Sirius hit him in the arm, shaking his head.

Look, I, we, don't understand why you didn't tell us. Did you think you hide something like this? Sirius said seriously. It's an insult to our character... Come on Remus, we're your friends, your supposed to tell us this shit. he said after a moment.

Remus looked up bleakly, eyes red, with a horrified look about his face. It was as though he had never even considered the thought before, thinking it some ludicrous, foolish theory.

And then he realized they were telling the truth.



Seriously Remus, I don't understand. James interrupted. What was there to gain by putting yourself through hell so long? I mean, come on... You had to find your way out at some point. You've been staring at the gate but refusing to waltz right through.

And in less poetic terms, Sirius said with a grin. You should have just trusted us from the start.

I've never had friends to trust. Remus said honestly, biting his quivering lip. If... If I ever told anyone, I'd have to move really far and really fast. Lying was my only chance before... he sputtered. You don't know what it's like... They'd hang me, shoot me if they found out. Even Muggles know about werewolves, I'd be dead. The world has such a hatred for my kind...

We don't. Sirius said shortly, trying to the best of his ability to cheer him up.

So... If I lied, and stayed to myself, I'd stay alive. he said in a shaken tone, rocking himself back and forth. I couldn't tell anyone...

God Remus, we're not the rest of the world! So you go nuts once a month, hell, that doesn't change who you are. Sirius concluded. What, did you think we were gonna tell the whole school? he said sarcastically. Remus nodded very slowly, and both the boys looked hurt.

You are one very socially deprivant kid, eh? James said, shaking his head.

We didn't tell anyone. We didn't even tell Peter, or Lily. he said. And we aren't going to either, not without your consent.



Sirius smiled, as did James, and they both sat down in front of their confused friend.

I don't know what part of this hasn't dug its way into your little mind. We. Don't. Care.

We like you for who you are. Besides, this adds a bit of spice to life. Hogwarts was starting to get a little dull anyway. James said with a shrug.

So... You don't care? Remus managed to say, biting his lip very hard.

He is a bit of a git, eh?

James concluded, smiling.

Remus sat, frozen to his spot, mouth slightly ajar. For a long while, he just stared off into oblivion as his mind tried to sort everything out.

You don't? he said quietly into space.

James, I quite think he's lost his mind.

Did he ever have it?

Good point...




God damn gargoyle. Romolus muttered, walking in.

He half expected to find James and Sirius unconscious on the floor, or something worse.

He instead found a trio of third-years battling for the lone butterbeer in the fridge.

What the hell? he mused, raising an eyebrow. He was greeted by a surprisingly cheerful Remus, and two very overactive black-haired boys almost as tall as he was.

Remus said with a smile, easily wrestling the can of butterbeer from Sirius' hands. With a shrug he handed it to his brother, who downed the entire thing in one gulp.

Someone please explain.



Why do you have to leave? Remus pouted irritably, shuffling his feet and kicking at a pebble as he walked along the platform at Kings Cross.

I have to learn magic you prat.

But I can do magic, and I didn't go to Hogwarts. Come on, please don't go. I hate living on my own. he mumbled as they passed through the barrier. They were greeted by a mob of busy families all giving farewells to their relations, owls hooting nosily as they went.

You'll be fine. I left you my account key if you really need it, but I need most of the money for school. Just find a tiny town and get a good shop to steal from. Romolus said simply. Before Remus could even mutter a protest, his brother toiled down on him.

Stay out of trouble this time! I can't come to the rescue anymore, you have to learn to do things on your own. he said in a stern tone, unfit for an twelve year old. Don't trust anyone, alright? Remus?

he grumbled, looking up with an empty hearted smile. His brother let out a sigh, roughed his hair, and dashed off for the whistling engine.

Remember to find a shelter! he yelled through the window. Remus could only wave bleakly as the train pulled away, ripping him apart from the only family he had ever known.

I wont. he promised as the platform emptied . He stood alone, still looking after the train tracks, the huffs of floating smoke. Never trust anyone. he repeated to himself, engraving the law in his mind.



Mr. Lupin, where on Earth have you been? nurse Ahmand snapped as he dragged himself inside.

You need to dead bolt that door, with a silver lock... I think I got out, when I came to I was halfway into the Forbidden Forest. he lied in a very convincing manner. The nurse nodded her head in an apologetic way, and ushered him to a bed.

Are you alright? Poor dear, you must have gotten in a fight... Nasty creatures in the Forest. I'll take care of the lock right away.

He smiled one of his now well-practiced pity looks, giving an innocent sort of smile, and sat down as she went off to find a potion for him. After he left with an excuse from classes for rib injuries, he made way back for Romolus' tiny shared home, and knocked on the door.



You know, thing's might work out for once. his brother said optimistically, chewing on a plastic straw as he sacrificed a pawn.

Really. This could be a good thing, they can help. I can't be there all the time for you, and I doubt you want the teachers at your heels all the time... Having someone who knows might be a gift from fate.

I don't know. James is really weird when he's mad, he can hold this against me for the next few years. Remus muttered.

Stop being such a God damn pecimist! Romolus interrupted, waving his hand in agitation. Look, you should be thankful you have people who care enough about you to risk their normal lives to help you out.

Like you? Remus asked weakly, looking down.

I didn't mean it like that... With a sigh, Romolus bent forward, and hit his brother on the head.

Look, there's nothing in the world that would make me change what I've done. Your my brother for God's sake Rem, stop pretending you're a burden to me. You aren't, and I don't have any regrets at all. he said sternly, going into one of his paternal moods again.

They meant what they said, I know it. Trust them, ok?





Not really.






All throughout the week Remus waited, as if expecting his friends to betray their word. His mind screamed that they would tell, that he was a fool for believing in them. he put himself to shame when he finally accepted that they weren't going to back down.


It's funny Rom, really. All my life I've been afraid to death to try and have friends. They might not be perfect, or sane for that fact, but hell... I've been missing out.



James said near the end of March, helping Remus to his feet. Him and Sirius had made habit of sneaking out very early after the full moon and checking up on their friend before the nurse got to him.

Here, your head's bleeding a bit. sirius said, conjuring up a white washcloth. They had spent a while locked din the library, trying to learn a load of complicated charms and such that might help at some point for Remus. He smiled gratefully, and rubbed the blood off his face.

Rough night, eh?

he mumbled, voice raspy from howling all through the dark hours. It had been a nasty phase, being the season moon.

You don't have to come out every time. I'm used to being on my own. he said hoarsely after a moment.

We told you, you great prat, we're friends. We're supposed to do this kind of thing. James reminded, slipping under Remus' arm to help him walk.

Besides, how many times do you get to be partners-in-crime with a werewolf? I mean, really, someone who can turn into a vicious beats as a friend is a nice conversation piece. he grinned, and pat Remus on the back lightly.




Sorry, Professor. James said with a smirk. Remus had further deployed his misheif-brilliance with remote Dungbombs. He had made a modified Charm of his own, and James and Sirius had devised the perfect plot involving such. Several of some prototype Dungbombs Zonko's had sold them were located all about the room, to be set off at the Marauders leisure. Peter had been chosen as the detonator, mostly because if he got caught Carlson wouldn't be bale to drag the others along for the detentions. Right in the middle of a vampire lecture, Peter tapped his wand three times under the desk, and pointed it in the general direction of the bomb, muttering the ignition. It exploded with such intensity that Carlson had been thrown backwards, crashing into James' desk. Accidentally', his textbook had toppled off the surface and landed with a thud right on the Defense Professors head.

Whoever did that, I would suggest you tell me now before I find out. he snapped, glaring at James and Sirius in a murderous manner. The boys managed to keep straight faces, after having years of practice they could look very innocent (though they rarely were). Remus was thankful he was glaring them down, as he was having an extremely hard time fighting back a bout of laughter. In the back of the room, Lily was also struggling to remain calm, knowing very assuredly who the culprit was.

Mr. Lupin, after class. he snapped. he mumbled, not having a valid excuse this time and he didn't really feel like reminding that he had no evidence at all against him.

He didn't do it. Peter piped from his eat quietly. James and Sirius looked at him oddly, in an admiring sort of way.

He didn't do it. James finally said.

Then you three may see me after class. Lupin, you're off this time.



You didn't have to do that you know. Remus grumbled at dinner, idly poking his food around the plate.

Sirius shrugged. I had a detention coming anyway, might as well keep your record clean... Well, cleaner. he laughed.

If at all possible, don't let your comrades fall. James said in another strange outburst of philosophy. It was the conclusion of Sirius that he was around Lily and her Muggle books too much, but they hadn't any solid evidence against the case as of yet.

Sides, trying to proves you're being paranoid over nothing. Sirius added.

But what about Peter? You didn't-

No we didn't tell him, have a little faith, eh? He's just being a stupid git. James said with smirk.



It's been done. Mendell said later that week, smiling oddly at Remus as the class piled into to scented room. He rolled his eyes to himself, and tried to busy himself with the planetary charts.

You will See it eventually. she mused in her airy, annoying voice.

See what? Remus finally snapped, fed up with the nonsense from the entire year.

I am not at liberty to tell you... But you will See eventually. Have patience.

Sorry, I'm right out lousy at being patient...



Remus,

Hope your friends aren't being complete dolts and such forth. I have to go out of town for a while, but I'm leaving some money in the account if you need it for anything. I'll be back by the end of May, I'll write to you and explain later. And don't worry, nothing's wrong.

Rom


What's he up to now? he asked himself, sending Random off with a short reply.

Likely off eloping with Shelly for all I know.

Moony get your arse down here! Sirius called from the bottom of the stairwell. James thinks he has an idea for the Marauders Map!

With a grin, he slid down the stair rail, and plopped down on the floor gracefully.

So what'?




A/n- There, not AS much a cliffhanger as the others! Sorry if it was anti-climatic, I tried... My heart wasn't really into it for various reasons. But thanks a ton for reading, I'm overwhelmed by the response! I submitted it to a fanfiction contest and I made it to the second round, so Im definitely gonna keep going. Just keep on reviewing everyone!!

Thanks a ton everyone (hey that rhymes).

Iggie @ AlyssaC7@aol.com