A/n- Double post, ooooooh baby! Here ya go.

Disclaimer- I own nothing, so nutters to Rowling and Co. She'd BETTER get that book out soon. &#^@

Rating- PG-13 for language.

Chapter Keywords- O.W.L.'s... Poor blokes, we all know the misery of standardized testing. :-/

God that's wrong.
V

Seeing Grey - Part XXX - Nare



McGonnagal said as the last grain of sand slipped through the timer. Everyone set their wands down, most groaning with disappointment, though the Marauders were all quite cocky. They had aced the demonstration part of the exam, and all but Peter knew they had done well on the written portion. After their work, a task of changing a sliver of wood into a rabbit, had been collected, they were dismissed from their first test.

God, that was so easy! Sirius said with a long sigh of relief. I got myself all worked up over nothing.

Padfoot helped a bit there, didn't he? James asked with a grin. Noticing Peter's remorseful frown, he pat him on the back, and tried to cheer him up.

Come on, you did pretty good on the demo. You're written part couldn't of been that bad.

Yes it was! he groaned, walking off to the Common Room to mope until they had to go to Potions,

So what're we going to do now. Go cram or go prank?

With identical grins, James and Sirius dashed off, leaving a fatigued Remus on his own.


Hey, what do we have next?

he told the slightly annoying Gryffindor fifth year girl. With mild amusement, he realized he had been having classes with her for three years now, and still didn't know her name.

she said, and bounced off with her friends.

So, what to do for an hour? he mused to himself.

Talking to yourself again Lupin?

What do you want now, here to proclaim more about the secret lives of all the evil students? Remus said dryly as Severus raised an eyebrow.

More or less.

Remus gapped.

Half of my House is involved in or knows of the rising Dark forces. There's been meetings in the fifth dungeons fairly often, and I overhear things in the Common Room that would be of great interest to the Ministry. he said casually, as if he were decalring the weekly weather.

But... Why-

There are people out for you, and your friends. Evans knows this well. Just watch your back Lupin, for your sake and hers.





I swear to God if that bell doesn't ring I'm going to loose my mind.' Remus thought, staring up at the slow-moving clock hopefully. Already he had snapped his quill in frustration, scratched a line on the desk, and dropped three vials. He didn't need confirming notices from the Ministry telling him he would barely pass, all because Bane had been glaring over his shoulder the entire duration of the exam.

Finally, after what seemed hours of waiting, the bell releasing them to dinner echoed through the silent room. There was a chaotic whirlwind of Gryffindors and Ravenclaw's, all pushing to seek exit from their prison.

Free at last! Sirius said dramatically.

Did you do it? Pete pipped, smiling wickedly.

You doubt my ability?

Oh God, what'd you pull this time? Remus asked with a laugh.

We bet him, on the Marauders code, to pour a little boosted laxative into Bane's coffee.

Oh God... And?

And what, you think I couldn't do it? Simple. Childish almost. Sirius said with a conceited smile. And I'll have you know I charmed it too. They won't react until dinner, so we can get a front-row seat to watch the whole thing.



I know I am.

Remus whacked him across the head, laughing merrily as they rushed to the rapidly filling Great Hall.


God, not another one... Peter groaned as Dumbledore sat back down. He had just announced he would be holding a dance for the fifth, sixth, and seventh years in a weeks time, right after the O.W.L.'s would be finished.

What're you talking about? This is great. Sirius said brightly, already looking about the Hall for possible selections. Much to his amusement, Alex had taken a Bludger to the face at practice, and was now no problem for inhibiting his date choices.

Yes, well some of us aren't large and over-zeleous magnets when it comes to girls. Remus grumbled. A small little round of agreement passed through all the Gryffindors, making many of the girls giggle.

Aye, chipper up. You'll find someone. James remarked as he began to stare off at Lily in a terribly pathetic manner.

Lily.

Slytherins.

I'm gonna go eat with Lily, seeya. he said quite suddenly, picking up his gold plate and making a seat for himself by the fire-haired Snake.

Oh, hi. she said almost dryly, having recently told him there was no need to keep watch. He half-glanced down the table, as not to be seen, at the pack of sixth and seventh years whom he knew to be the criminals.

I think I know who did it. Or at least a group... he said out of the corner of his mouth, biting into his sandwich. Lily's eyes went wide, and she fidgeted nervously.



A little help. he concluded as his gaze fell on the isolated Severus Snape, who was at the moment reading a very large book on advanced potion brewing.

Should we go to Dumbledore? she asked very quietly, though smiling to ward off any suspicion.

Carlison, he'll nail them. He can get them in class or something... Come on, come sit with us. Malfoy's staring at me again. he said, and pulled Lily up. She grabbed her sandwich before she was pulled to the other table, welcomed by a very red-faced and uncollected James.

Does he ever give up? she laughed quietly.

Nope. He's not going to give up until you marrys him. Sirius said with mild honesty.



I'm going to loose my mind...' Remus thought to himself, trying to rack his brain for every useless date and name he could think of. The History of Magic exam, having no practical part, was simply a very thick packet with pointless questions and pointless problems.

Me too.

Remus dropped his quill, and turned around sharply. You automatically failed the test if you said anything to anyone at all. Sirius, who was sitting right next to him, coughed once, and smiled.

Dog thing.

Remus could barely hear it, the tiny whimpering noise that was beyond human range. With an amused nod, he picked up his instrument and went back to something about Sir Charles von Lortgan of something.

Who's Smorey Pete? Sirius asked.

No clue. And do your own work, I'm not gonna help you cheat. he answered perfectly, Binns not looking up from his dusty book.

War hero, gotcha.

Rolling his eyes, he tried to distract himself from the canine ranting, but found it terribly difficult once he was listening.

Blast, I think we were going over that when I was trying to charm his robes pink. Sirius mumbled, randomly filling in one of the bubbles and flipping the page. Ah, that day was good. Peter realized a bit too late the Slytherins had hexed his hair to change colour everytime he spoke.

Remus laughed, and quickly turned it to a slight cough, blushing as the class turned to stare at him.

Sirius, shut up, you're gonna get me in trouble. the werewolf snapped in his native tongue.

Tell me who... No, I can't even pronounce the name. Eh, I'll make up some junk about him inventing or discovering something... Always works. he mused, and went back to his work.


God, that was worse than the Potions exam. James muttered, eyes blank as he staggered out of the room. So many numbers...

At least you didn't have Sirius whispering to you the entire two hours. Remus grumbled.

I never heard you two.

Just... Never mind. Sirius covered, and started to chuckle. Look at Pete.

The small and troublesome boy was dragging himself out of the classroom, with a look on his face that could only be compared to a deer caught in the headlights of a speeding truck. James started laughing for a few minutes, but then decided he was too anxious to get to dinner and watch Bane go through their planned torment.



All in all, a decent day. Sirius concluded in the Common Room, still smirking from watching Bane dash off every three minutes for the toilets. James and Peter nodded their agreement, and went on to discuss the dance. Off in a corner, Remus was busy with the Marauders Map, filling in another entire floor from memory with one of the last Zonko pencils.

What the-

Malfoy and Snape were alone in the main dungeon room again, and it didn't look friendly. The little black blur labeled Snape kept dashing off to the door, only to be dragged back by the larger Malfoy.

Guys, come look at this. he called, waving them over.

Score! Snape's getting his ass kicked! James said in delight.

We have to help him-

Are you feeling ill? Maybe that last O.W.L. drained your mind of all intelligent thought. You just suggested that we help Snape. Sirius pointed out.

Look, the Slytherin's down there might be the ones who hit Lily-

No more was said, as a red-faced and very pissed James ran full-force out of the Common room. The fact that he didn't have the Map, Cloak, or any directions to the secret floor didn't seem to damper his anger.

Peter, you stay back. If anyone asks, we're in the kitchens nicking some food. Remus said, stuffing the map in his pocket. He looked more than happy to comply, and sat himself down with a thick Charms book by the fire. After Sirius had snatched the Invisibility Cloak, the pair ran off in the correct direction.


Stay behind for a moment, alright? You're not exactly his favourite person in the world. Remus said quietly, taking another look at the map. Oh dammit...



Nothing, here, go find James. Most of them are gone, so there isn't any trouble. Go track them down, hex them or something. You know more of those than I do. he said, and Sirius ran off happily. Any chance to curse a Slytherin was reason to celebrate in his book.

Are you two alright?

Snape, face swelling rapidly on one side, shrugged lightly and turned the other way. The little dot that had been concealed before lunged forward, hugging Remus to no tomorrow.

What the hell happened?

He came after me again, right after dinner let out. Lily said in a very shaky voice. S-Severus was with me, and... And he stood up for me, and... she trailed off, closing her eyes. It was horrible.

Remus looked back at Snape, who was mopping up a trail of blood from his nose and cheek. It wasn't like the coward to take a beating to help someone he didn't agree with on any terms.

Why'd you help? he asked, putting a hand on Lily's back to calm her down.

They're a disgrace to our House, and to human beings. I advised you before to never piss me off, and he did such. It was not for friendship or anything at all, not her personal safety. She knows this. he said coldly, holding his sleeve to his dripping nose. After all I've seen in my life I'm thoroughly sick of people like them.

Like your father, right? Remus asked quietly. Snape shut his eyes tight, and took in a breath.

Yes. People like my father. he said shortly. Take Evans out of here, Avery and his gang will most likely come back to do more damage.

I can go myself... she started.

And Lupin, make sure no one sees you. They're already trying to do you in as well, and if you're seen helping her out it'll be over. There's a fine sum offered for your head.

Funny, both sides want me dead. The Ministry and the Dark... Loose-loose situation. That's my life in a nutshell. he grumbled, checking that no one was around.

Just watch yourself. And tell the decent Avery to watch his head before his brother claims it. he added.

Remus said with a small nod of gratitude.

I didn't do anything. Snape replied, letting Remus know this was to be forgotten. They silently agreed, and thus the entire incident ceased to have happened.



You alright now? he asked a few minutes later, in an old abandoned classroom on the fifth floor that even Filch didn't know existed.

Just pissed.

He put his hand on her face again, fingers closing the small tear of skin.

What caused that? Remus noticed. It was the same gash as before, and exact to the one Snape had. Lily shrugged, and pursed her lips.

I don't think he's going to come after me again. she declared. If that slime even comes near me I'll scream bloody murder and go straight to Dumbledore.

I should have in the first place, it would have saved you the trouble. he muttered a moment later after bumping her where she had been bruised.

No, you did the right thing. This way we can exact our revenge to our own personal delight. she said with a mischievous grin, rubbing her hands together.

You frighten me sometimes. he chuckled.

Want to go outside?

It's midnight.

We don't have O.W.L.'s tomorrow though, it's a break day.

I was gonna go to bed, all that thinking wore me out. he replied.

Then we can fall asleep outside. she said with an innocent smile.

James is definitely going to kill you.' Remus' subconscious warned. That is not a just-friends look.'

Oh shut up. he whispered, taking Lily's hand.



A/n- Too much fun to resist, you know. Next one coming soon.
:-D

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Thanks for the outrage and flames everyone! Really! I'm glad to know you all give a rats ass about me continuing... Well, more news next chap, ok?

Iggie

Title meaning- Nare: To sail


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