A/N: Sorry for not updating for so long. I've been busy, not a terrific excuse but it's true! Please check out my new story 'How to Deal' and 'Spells of Love' is on hiatus until I finish this story.

Thank you for all the encouraging and thoughtful reviews!

TROUBLED HEARTS

Remus rubbed his eyes wearily as he stepped out of the dormitory. The thorough injustice of sharing a room with three snoring pigs. He sighed pitifully.

He jumped back slightly at the sight of Tamari, who had been conveniently sitting on the staircase.

"Good morning." He greeted, a shade uneasy.

She made no reply but raised her head to meet his eye. Remus felt his heart weaken at the sight of Tamari, with red eyes and tear-stained cheeks.

"Heavens." He reached his hand to help her up. "What happened?"

"I've been waiting for you for 30 minutes." She suddenly spoke, her voice shaky and thin. "You owe me an explanation."

"Explanation?" Remus frowned. "What explanation?"

"Maybe this will give you a clue." Tamari said a touch harshly. She thrusted forward a leather bound book, bearing the title "Magical beasts and monsters- werewolves." On the cover was a moving werewolf, silently pining at the moon.

Remus staggered, his face turning the palest white. "How did you find out?"

"Does it matter how I know? Just tell me, I'm being a fool aren't I?" she gave a short nervous laugh. "It's not true- it can't be true."

"No, you are right." Remus whispered coarsely. "It is true."

"No, don't say it!" Tamari covered her ears and refused to listen. "I don't want to know, it's not true- you're lying to me, Remus- it's not funny...you can say anything but that-

"Please- don't cry. I can't bear to see you so sad...because of me." He cradled Tamari in his arms, hating himself for who he is.

"I know, I know, I was being stupid. But I'm so scared for you. I don't ever want you to leave me, you understand?" Tamari said softly. "I don't care if you're a werewolf, to me- I like you the way you are."

She continued dreamily. "I was thinking the night before when you told me you had angina. Sure, it seemed plausible at the time, seeing I'm not a doctor. But what didn't make sense was why it occurred at the same time every month. It's possible, it's reasonable, I kept telling myself- but deep down I was not satisfied. I spent the whole night trying to answer that question in my mind. It was only in the morning that Professor Grouch's quote that suddenly gave me an idea, 'never tickle a sleeping dragon, never mock a Hippogriff, never slay a unicorn, and never bite a werewolf.' It seemed so far-fetched, so unrealistic, yet I rushed to the library and confirmed my answer. And I was right... It's unbelievable."

Remus stroked her hair tenderly, then turned grave suddenly. "I really like you Tamari, but it will never work out. I mean, being what I am. You haven't seen me when I transform, and trust me you don't want to. It's horrible- I don't want it to be this way either but if it means your safety and it's for the best."

"For my safety? For the best? I'm sorry, but I'd rather be happy." Tamari murmured. "I'd rather be with you."

At the breakfast table in the Great Hall, there was a general sense of tension and awkwardness. Lily couldn't look Rachel in the eye, Rachel was unusually quiet, James looked between them confusedly, and Remus and Tamari were stone silent- unless they were being overly civil passing each other food. It seemed that only Sirius and Melinda were their normal selves, although they too felt heavy-hearted.

The owls flew in and spectacularly dropped the letters and parcels to the students. Lily looked disappointed at the absence of letters from her parents. Instead, she had received...what's this? A letter from Robby Sebastian. (Remember him, he saved Lily before.) She was surprised at this. He had written to Lily saying he overheard a conversation and that Lily was to be at the Gryffindor Tower at 10pm. Don't tell a soul, he wrote.

James busily unwrapped a large parcel containing a hand-knitted red and gold scarf and homemade pumpkin pasties.

"Want some?" He offered it to Lily, who immediately brightened up.

"Sirius, something wrong?" Melinda peered at his closely.

Sirius's face had turned brick red, his fists clenched, eyebrows knitted and mouth drawn. "Son of a bitch." He turned the letter for Melinda to read.

It turned out that his mother had written to him gloating about Regulus, saying what a good boy he is. How, unlike Sirius, he brought no shame to the family name. Well, that was no news for him. But, to his utmost shock and disgust, Regulus had recently become a Death Eater. Sirius thought he had no nerve. I wouldn't be surprised if he'd get bumped off in a week.

"Lord Voldemort this, Lord Voldemort that. Who the hell does he think he is, killing all the perfectly innocent muggles?" Melinda complained, stealing a peek at Lily and Tamari, who were muggles.

"Read this." Remus handed his copy of 'Daily Prophet' to Melinda who became to cringe at the article.

"Apparently, the Dark Mark had appeared in five different places with the dead family's bodies." She commented at last.

At this, Lily nearly spat out her milk. "Hell. Let me read it." She snatched the newspaper and Tamari leant over to read as well. To both of their relief, none of the places matched where they lived. Though Lily wouldn't have minded if Petunia had been a victim.

"For the summer holidays- I know this is a long time away. Would you like to stay over, Lily? You can uh, meet my mum, dad, my sister is coming for a visit so..." James trailed off.

"I'd love to." Lily smiled happily. "Anywhere to get away from Petunia."

James stepped out of the Common Room and ascended to the Tower. It was just before 10pm, but after the curfew. He had been hesitant about this meeting, but it's only fair that he gives Rachel a chance. He covered himself with his invisibility cloak and sighed.

Lily checked her watch. It was just after ten. She didn't know what Robby was playing at, but it better be good. She trusted and took the hint that something important was supposed to happen. Besides, natural curiosity could not just let her sleep through an adventure.

Rachel was already waiting when James arrived. Staring out the window intently, she had been silently praying that her scheme would pull through.

"James, you're here." She said a little shyly, wringing her hands in an embarrassed way.

"What's up, Rachel?" James asked patiently.

"Well...I was hoping...you see, I wanted to apologize for the other day...I don't know what came over me...it's hard to explain...I really like you James- but don't worry, I know you and Lily are together already and there's no way that I..."

"I should be the one to apologize." James reassured. "I'm sorry."

"Oh no, what are you apologizing for, James? I was the third person. I should've known..." Rachel blurted out.

"In that case, now that we've apologized...it's getting late now." James smiled charmingly, giving her a hint.

"Wait, wait!" Rachel said quickly. "There's something, I- uh wanted to ask." Where is Lily, she should be here already!

She began stuttering, wasting as much time as possible. Suddenly, she heard light footsteps coming up the stairs. She was sure that James had not heard anything since he was trying to make out what she meant. Oh no, I mustn't let James see her first.

Now!

At that moment, she swung James around and kissed him passionately. Her right hand touched his face and the other was creeping up his shirt. Lily had opened the door and found herself gasping at the unexpected sight.

"JAMES POTTER, YOU LYING BASTARD!"

James pushed Rachel away, horrified at what's just happened. He looked at Lily, then at Rachel, then back at Lily, too shocked to speak. He opened his mouth but no words came out.

Lily looked between those two, exploding with anger and jealousy. They were so cozy with each other, they were enjoying...if I hadn't walked in, how long would I have been cheated for?

It was Rachel who broke the ice. "I'm sorry Lily, not to have told you earlier. But James and I- we're a couple now. I'm so sorry; James didn't know how to break it to you. We're afraid that you'd take this badly, oh Lily can we still be friends?" she smiled sadly.

James's jaws dropped and were about to protest when Lily said coldly,

"If you guys wanted to be together you should've just told me. I'm cool; I don't James Potter to make my day. Oh, and Rachel, friends don't cheat on their best friends' boyfriend, so I guess that means bye bye to our friendship." She stalked out, banging the door loudly behind her.

You were everything, everything that I wanted
We were meant to be, supposed to be, but we lost it
And all of the memories, so close to me, just fade away
All this time you were pretending
So much for my happy ending
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh...

Okay, that's the end of this chapter! More twists and hopefully you're not going to be sick of this little repetition. Please, please review me, I update faster when I have more reviews! (No, it's not a threat!) Also, please check out my other stories and 'Dream on' by Sweetstrawberry211 and 'True Love is Blind' by Glittery-Snowflake!

Me: Oh my proud students!

Sweetstawberry211 and Glittery-Snowflake: We're not your students. You only edit our stories!

Me: Smiles awkwardly Ah yes, but still...I'm almost your teacher!

S & G: Go away, see if we care. You never help anyway!

Me: As your mighty editors- I shall have no tolerance for rudeness. If you keep this up, I shall have to abandon your requests and not patiently put up with your stories anymore...hey put me down! WHAT ARE YOU DOING...?