A/N: Only one review.but I'll keep going anyway.
WARNING: This chapter contains the subject of physical abuse. If this is a sensitive matter to you, you may want to reconsider reading this story.
Chapter Two-Five Years Later, and Some People Change
The summer after Lily's fifth year was boring, and Petunia was being particularly nasty this year. She and Roselyn wrote one another back and forth, always keeping in touch. However, the only company Lily had was her cat, Tiaret, a gift from Jocelyn's mother, who apparently bred cats. Right now, the pure calico was curled up in Lily's lap as she concentrated on her Potions' essay.
Not much had changed over the years. James Potter seemed to have taken a romantic interest in her, though she detested him. At his final attempt to ask her out last year, she nearly exploded, calling him a prat, amongst other less polite things. Jocelyn, Paige, and Gwen seemed to have formed their own group, while Lily and Rose set out on their own. It seemed natural that way, even though they were all friends. In truth, ever since the summer after Rose's first year, she seemed less inclined to socialize with anyone but Lily, and that suited both just fine.
In two day's time she'd be heading back to King's Cross, back to the world in which she truly belonged. It was a far cry from the Muggle world of her summers, but none the less, it was home.
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Roselyn's summer had been dull without Lily, even though her black and white cat Leander had been there with her. She vaguely felt like crying, but right now, she felt numb. Ever since her first year, after that damn Lucius Malfoy sent a letter to her father, Roselyn had found herself the victim of his anger.
The door opened slowly and Benjamin Wise let himself into the room. He strode over to the bed and pointed down menacingly at his shrinking daughter. Roselyn wanted to melt into her bed, to be no more, to feel no more.
"I need to know that you'll not be traipsing around with that Mudblood again!" he exclaimed. Forget magic and curses, he'd just slap her around a bit.
Roselyn had heard this many times, yet she'd never been tempted to bow down. She knew her values, and she'd stand by them, even if her own father beat her to death. "It doesn't matter what you say or do," she said quietly, "or how many letters Malfoy sends you.my best friend is a Muggle- born, and nothing will change that."
SMACK!
The red skin of her left cheek was already showing signs of bruising. She still did not think of giving in.
"You are not to be associating with such filth!" For not the first time this summer, her own father's hands rained down on her, telling her to give in. By the time he left, she was bruised, crumpled, and bleeding. The older Wise wasn't as stupid as she thought. He'd made sure to hit her, with the exception of the slap, on places where they weren't visible through her robes.
Roselyn finally gave in to her heart and cried. This year she wouldn't be the same.
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"Am I really that bad?" James asked Sirius, Remus, and Peter for what seemed like the millionth time. For the last week before term, all the Marauders, as they were now called, had stayed at the Potter estate, except Sirius, who'd finally run away from home.
"Prongs," Remus said, "Lily just thinks your ego is crowding her space. Just try to act like a normal student and not the famous James Potter for a while."
"I don't see why you bother," Peter mumbled, "half the girls in the school are your shadow."
"I'm not interested in half the girls in the school," James whined.
"I don't get you," Peter stated simply.
"Wormtail, just wait. One day you'll be madly in love with a girl you'd do anything for, and do anything to get," Remus sighed.
"And who's that girl of yours Moony?" Sirius asked innocently.
"There's no girl right now, thank you," Remus breathed, "nor will there ever be," he added as an afterthought.
"Yeah." Sirius laughed. "Anyway, what's the plan this year?"
"Pranks on Slytherin, pranks on Slytherin, oh yeah.and pranks on Slytherin!" James laughed. "Out of the eyes of my beloved of course!"
"Prongsie old boy, it is firmly implanted into Evans' head that you are a prat," Sirius said in a serious tone (sorry). "You'll have to work really hard to gain her affection."
"It's a challenge, and I love a challenge!" James cried. "Two more days until we head to Hogwarts, and then my plan will go into work."
"Good," Remus said slyly, "but first, you've got to get into her head, and I'd suggest you start calling her Lily instead of Evans."
"Okay, but how do I get inside her head?"
"We need to find her likes and dislikes, that kind of thing," Remus shrugged it off.
"How on EARTH are we going to go about getting inside a girl's head? In case you haven't noticed Moony, we're men," Sirius state, puffing out his chest.
"All except you, Padfoot," Moony grinned. "We need to talk to people who know her, and I mean REALLY know her."
"Not many people do," Peter chimed in, "she's one of those hides-in-the- corner-buried-in-books type. Why d'you like her again?"
"You may have missed it these past five years, Wormy, but she does have one close friend," Sirius said, shaking a finger at Peter.
"Roselyn?" Remus asked.
"OF COURSE!" James cried. "Wise and Lily are pretty much inseparable! Why didn't I think of it before?"
"Because of the empty space between your ears," Remus joked.
"Owl her," Sirius prompted. "See if she'll agree to talk to you on the train!"
"Padfoot, Roselyn Wise would just as soon snog Lucius Malfoy as talk to me," James laughed, then shuddered at the thought of anyone snogging Malfoy.
"Maybe she'll talk to one of us?" Peter said timidly.
"Maybe, and if she doesn't agree to talk to you on the train, one of us will take the invisibility cloak, kidnap her, and force her to listen," Sirius laughed.
"Oh yes," Remus said dryly, "I'm sure she'd be jumping to help after that."
"Either way, Wise is my only hope," James said. "I WILL get her to cooperate."
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Lily passed through the barrier onto platform 9 ¾. She scanned the crowd looking for a head of long black hair and soon spotted Roselyn being given a lecture by her beastly looking father. She watched for a moment as Rose sunk into the wall, but then shrugged it off as anxiety, until she heard snatches of the conversation.
"I better not get anymore owls telling me that you're dishonoring our family name and associating with that Mudblood, Evans or whatever her name is. If Lucius sends word, you'll have trouble."
Lily felt guilty; she was the cause of Roselyn's trouble. They'd had the conversation before though, and Rose wasn't about to throw away a good friend.
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Roselyn soon broke away from her formidable family and spotted the flaming red hair of Lily. She was about to make her way over there when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. She winced in pain and prayed that it wasn't someone in her family. She turned around and saw the smiling faces of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.
"Family problems, eh?" Sirius asked, glancing at Roselyn's family.
"No! I-I mean no. I've got to go," she said, quickly making to turn and run.
"Did you get James' owl?" Remus asked, grabbing her arm so that she couldn't move. Seeing her grimace, he quickly let go.
"No," she replied. "I've only had contact with one of my friend's this summer, other than that, no owls, especially not from James Potter." She eyed to two boys suspiciously. What were two of the most popular boys doing asking her all this?
"How's Lily been this summer?" Sirius asked, smiling widely the whole time.
"F-fine," Roselyn answered, starting to turn away. "Lily's fine."
"What about you?" Remus inquired.
"I'm fine," she said, visibly stiffening.
"That's good," Remus smiled. "Maybe we'll see you on the train or at Hogwarts. See you around, Roselyn!" Remus waved and pulled Sirius away, Roselyn stared bemusedly after them. What the hell is going on? She asked herself.
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"Did you guys find anything out?" James asked when they got on the train and into the compartment James and Peter occupied.
"I still don't see why I couldn't go!" Peter pouted.
"Petey," Remus said, "Words aren't exactly your specialty, especially not with the fairer sex."
"And we found out that Remus completely wasted our time flirting with Wise," Sirius grinned.
"I did not!" Remus sputtered indignantly. "You have to get on her good side, otherwise she won't help us."
"So you didn't find anything out?" James asked.
"Nothing relevant, but right now Lily and Roselyn probably both think that we're all snobbish prats by the way she acted, so we've got to gain their trust," Remus stated wisely.
"And that Wise has very little pain tolerance," Sirius laughed. "Did you see the way she flinched earlier, Moony?"
"Yes," Remus' brow furrowed, "but I didn't hurt her. I was very gentle considering we were trying to hold her back against her will."
"Well, hopefully we're one step closer to helping Prongs win his Lily!" Sirius cried dramatically, swiping fake tears from his eyes.
"And since last year we conquered the task of being Animagi, the school is ours!" James cheered.
"I still can't believe we had to figure it out by ourselves," Sirius said.
"Figure what out?" Peter asked.
"That Moony here is a werewolf."
Flashback to the Marauders' second year -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-
"Why didn't he tell us?" Sirius hissed in the early hours of the morning as they waited for Remus to return.
"I dunno, maybe he was scared," James replied in a quiet whisper.
"Scared of what?" Peter asked, not taking caution with his volume.
"Shh! A lot of people are afraid of werewolves.there's a lot of prejudice out there," James replied.
"Oh."
At that moment, the dormitory door squeaked open. Remus stepped through looking pale and tired as ever after his visit with his "sick mother." He looked up and saw three expectant faces looking at him, though he didn't know why.
"Hey Remus," James said. "How's your mother?"
"She's fine, just very ill."
"Are you sure she's ill?" Sirius asked, eyebrows raised, "Or is there just something you're keeping from us?"
"W-what do you mean?" Remus tried to ask calmly, but his voice was higher and his eyes darted from face to face frantically.
"We know, Remus," James sighed, "There's no use hiding it anymore."
"What are you talking about?"
"We know you're a werewolf," Sirius said. There was a moment of silence before Remus sighed.
"Alright, so you know." He prepared to turn away and go back downstairs.
"Remus? Where are you going?" Sirius asked.
"To the Common Room. I'm assuming you three don't want to sleep in the same room as a werewolf."
"Don't be foolish!" James cried. "You're just Remus to us!"
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"Ah, sweet memories," Sirius laughed. "I still remember the look on your face when we told you we knew."
"But now, we won't just stand back and watch you suffer!" James said. "We get to help you now."
Remus cast a smile around the compartment and thought that he, of everyone else, had the best friends anyone could have.
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"What took you so long? I've been waiting for ages!" Lily cried, embracing her best friend when she entered the compartment.
"Oh, someone wanted to talk to me," was the muffled reply, as they were still hugging. Lily patted Rose's back and felt her wince. She immediately pulled away. "How was your summer?" Roselyn covered.
"What happened to your back?" Lily ignored the question.
"Quidditch accident."
"Oh. Well, my summer was BORING. Petunia was as horrible as ever though. What about you?"
"I had to listen to my father come home and tell my whole family about creatures he executed that day," Roselyn rolled her eyes. Her father worked at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures at the Ministry of Magic. "I swear he'll drive me crazy. He's starting to say that they should start treating Muggles like House Elves, as if he already doesn't. He treats ours like scum."
"Well, I suppose you can't expect your father to change."
"I don't, I expect him to realize that he can't make me believe all this rubbish that was passed down every generation. My sisters all took it, but I won't."
"Our sixth year though.in two years we graduate!" A dreamy expression was passing over Lily's face.
"What are you wanting to do after graduation?"
"I'm really good at Charms.I would think something in that area."
"That's where my interest lies too. I was thinking about healing at St. Mungo's."
"That's a great idea.it sounds like a perfect occupation too."
"I'm just afraid I won't reach seventeen."
"Why?"
"Well, I don't know if you've heard, being cut off from the wizarding world in the summers and all, but some lunatic is on the loose. Some witches and wizards are so frightened of him that they won't say his name. He's supposedly been gaining power for a long time, but I myself hadn't taken an interest in the news at a young age. I'm still young, but it concerns me."
"What's his name?"
"He calls himself Lord Voldemort, or some rubbish of the sort. Seems kind of strange that people would be afraid to say a name, huh?"
"Voldemort? Doesn't sound TOO terrible, of course I haven't been able to see what havoc he's cause and whatnot."
"Don't worry, this summer I got a subscription to the Daily Prophet. Before now I was just stealing Benjamin's paper."
"Time for a change of subject! What took you so long to get on the train, who were you talking to?"
"For some ODD reason, I was stopped by Black and Lupin, you know.the Marauders, part of them at least."
"It was bad enough when they were just a group of boys wreaking havoc.now they've got a name!" Lily scoffed huffily. "Anyway, what did they want?"
"It was strange. They were asking me how I was, and Black asked me about my family, and also how you were."
"Two out of four of the most popular boys in school came up to you and talked to you?"
"No, it was more like they trapped me. Lupin had a hold of my arm for a while. I didn't want to be rude, but then again, that's their specialty, isn't it?"
"Yes," Lily laughed. "Lucky you, though. Potter wasn't there."
"Can you two please stop bickering this year?" Roselyn pleaded.
"Only if he's matured greatly. And you know James Potter, it'll rain Hippogriffs before he matures."
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Lily and Roselyn were making their way up to Gryffindor tower. The welcoming feast had just ended and the girls, even though Roselyn wasn't a prefect, were both leading the first years to Gryffindor tower. Even though Lily's best friend wasn't a prefect, she could enforce the rules and could be quite intimidating at times, which helped Lily greatly.
As the two girls chatted happily, Rose stuck her hand in her pocket, surprised to find a small sliver of parchment there. She carefully pulled the note from her pocket and read the neat, tiny writing. It said:
Meet me in the Common Room at midnight. -Remus
She sighed in exasperation. WHAT ON EARTH DID THEY WANT? She vaguely remembered at the end of the feast while everyone was getting up to leave. Lupin had come up right next to her, too close if she said so herself, and whispered something along the lines of "Look in your pocket," in her ear. Of course, she'd ignored it at the time, not knowing he'd slipped anything into her robe pocket.
She shook her head of raven hair and continued to talk with Lily, soon reaching the portrait hole. The fat lady's painting looked down upon them all. She ruffled her pink silk dress and said impatiently, "Password?"
"Dragon Snare," Lily stated loudly. The nervous little first years followed her into the large Common Room, with its welcoming fire. After the introduction to Gryffindor tower, few people stayed up after the long day's journey. Roselyn greatly desired sleep, but thought that just maybe she'd see what on earth Lupin wanted.
Finally, after she sat up in bed for a few good hours, Rose sneaked down the dormitory stairs into the Common Room, which was now empty, or so it seemed. She plopped down on one of the couches and stared blankly into the fire.
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"Who's going down there?" Peter whined, as all four of the Marauders were still awake.
"Only one of us," Sirius said, "She didn't seem too enthusiastic to talk to both Remus and I at the same time earlier, but I think it should still be one of us," Sirius gestured between himself and Remus.
"I think Remus should go," James chimed in, "because no offense, but he's the less intimidating one."
"None taken," Sirius said before thinking. "Wait, I'm intimidating?"
"No, Padfoot," James comforted, "It's just that Wise is less likely to attack poor innocent Remus if she feels threatened."
"Innocent, right.I don't know where she gets her information," Sirius muttered darkly.
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"Lupin!" Roselyn hissed. "If you don't show up in five seconds, I'm going back to sleep!"
"Roselyn," Remus said, appearing out of thin air, sitting on the arm of the couch. "Did you know that patience is a virtue?"
"I have no patience with you, nor any of the other Marauders."
"Your words hurt," Remus replied sadly from his perch beside her.
Roselyn rolled her eyes in an irritated fashion, but choose to at least find out why he'd gone out of his way to bother her. He seemed to notice this and flashed her a grin of amusement.
"Lupin? What do you want?"
"First things first, where'd you get that lovely bruise on your cheek?" he asked, he was looking genuinely concerned.
"Quidditch accident," Roselyn said, shaking off the feeling. 'People like him don't feel concern for others,' she thought.
"Let me guess, that's also why you flinched earlier when I grabbed your arm?" he said, obviously not believing a word of it.
"Yes, it was a rather painful accident, and I'm still healing in areas. What do you want?"
"Hmm, impatience and hostility. Well, down to business. I'm sure that you, as well as the rest of us, are all quite irritated with James and Lily's quarreling."
"Yes, but why did you feel the need to keep me up on the first night back at Hogwarts?"
"The Marauders are trying to stop this silly little squabble, and truth be told, we'd like your help."
"Just get James to shrink his head a bit and he'll be fine! I don't see why you had to-."
"But you haven't heard me out completely yet. You see, James has developed a little-er-attraction to your dearest Lily. We'd simply like to see if we can't get the two together."
"And you're asking my help to get my best friend together with her worst enemy?"
"Yes, we're also trying to change that 'worse enemy' matter as well. You see, when you put it all together, it all adds up. They'd be perfect for each other if they could only see it! Together, Lily would become a bit more daring, and I'm sure you'd love that, and James would mellow out a bit. It's a win-win situation."
"Again.why am I needed?"
"We need to find out more about Lily, and seeing as how you're the only one close to her, you're our only hope."
"But-."
"Roselyn-."
"I didn't know we were on a first name basis, Lupin."
"Well we are, don't call me Lupin, it makes me uncomfortable when a peer does that."
"Fine. But-."
"Just think about it, okay? Think about it, and I'll talk to you later. I'm a little tired myself. Remember that you can't hide from me, and I'll talk to you again. As long as you're on Hogwarts ground, I'll be able to find you. Goodnight, Roselyn." The boy ran his hand through his sandy- blonde hair and gave her one last grin before he stood up, offering her his hand to help her get up. However, she purposely ignored his hand and started towards the girls' dormitories.
"I WILL think about it. You're right, they're bickering is annoying." With that, she turned on her heel and ran up the stairs to her dormitory.
Remus smiled at her retreating back and made his way up to the waiting Marauders, flinging himself on his bed. James hurried over to him and the others followed suit.
"Well?" James asked.
"She's bitter," Remus smiled, "but I convinced her to think about it."
"Thanks, Remus," James sighed.
"No problem, she may be bitter, but she's altogether amusing, very sarcastic that one."
"No, now Remus fancies our spy!" Sirius whined.
"Padfoot, shut it," Remus said. "I do not fancy Roselyn Wise, I've simply got to get on her good side."
"Remind me again why you want to do so much for Lily, James," Peter said.
"She's beautiful, smart, quite a ball of fire, she's got those emerald green eyes and that luscious red hair." James stared off into space as he said this dreamily.
"Okay.who's on your mind this year, Sirius?" Remus asked.
"I think I've got my sights set on Jocelyn Wise or Paige Trite, Gwen Brown's just too much balled up energy, more than I could handle. Plus, I think Peter fancies Gwen, and vice versa."
"I do not," Peter said, but he blushed furiously red all the same. The boys all relaxed and began laughing at this, to Peter's great annoyance, but he soon joined in, more to fit than anything else.
"What about our first prank of the year?" Sirius asked, his eyes shining gleefully.
"I say Lucius Malfoy," James declared, "it is his last year after all, the stupid git."
"What exactly do you propose we do?" Peter asked.
"Well." Remus said, "there was this love potion in the library. It's sort of like Polyjuice Potion, where you add part of the person to it. With the potion, you add a part of the person you want the drinker to fall in love with, only they don't just fall in love, they proclaim it for all to hear!" The four boys gave a hearty laugh.
"So," Sirius said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, "Who should dear Malfoy's lover be?"
"Who else?!? I'll take care of that part," James said slyly.
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Lucius Malfoy bounded into the Great Hall that morning, his eyes scanning the Slytherin table hopefully. Spotting his target, he ran forward until he stood right behind one particular student. The greasy-hair, hook-nosed Severus Snape turned on the bench to see the young Mr. Malfoy standing behind him, smiling brightly.
With one swift motion, Malfoy had Snape's hand in his, and was kissing and caressing it gently. The rest of the school looked on in mingled horror and amusement as Malfoy kneeled before the gaping Snape.
"You're witty Severus, very witty. That's what I love most about you," Malfoy purred, indeed proclaiming to the whole school. "I've loved you for a long time, so long it hurts, and I now hope that that love will be returned."
"What are you DOING you idiot?!?" Snape spat.
"Sevvy, please answer my question. Will you love me back?"
"Get up you fool! The whole school is staring at you!"
"I want them all to know my devotion. I love you Severus Snape."
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"Did you see the look on Snape's face?" Sirius chortled as they walked down the corridor. "And they have no idea it was us! They think he did it of his own free will!"
"Priceless! Absolutely priceless!" James laughed, bent over nearly double and trying to walk at the same time.
"Well, at least Lucius Malfoy's going out with a bang!" Remus joked. "There's Roselyn and Lily. I'll go see if I can't separate them so that we can interrogate her."
Remus trotted up to the two girls as they made their way towards the first classes they had that day. Remus knew, thanks to Jocelyn, that Lily and Roselyn had separate classes at the start of today, and Roselyn's first class was Divination, just like the Marauders. 'That makes a good excuse,' Remus mused.
"Lily? Would you mind if I escort your dear friend Roselyn to her next class?" Remus inquired. Lily looked suspiciously at Remus, but found nothing she could use to accuse him. However, Roselyn's eyes were pleading with her best friend. It was too much; Lily cracked up before replying.
"Sure, just don't do anything I'll have to get you for later. Bye Rose!" Lily said, finally composing herself and resuming her suspicious staring as she took off down another corridor. Once she was out of sight, the rest of the Marauders joined the two.
"I should have known," Roselyn groaned.
"Come on, we all have Divination," Remus said, grabbing her arm and pulling her into motion. "Now, have you had time to think things through? Sorry, forgot about your Quidditch accident," he said, letting go of her arm.
"I've been thinking about it, but I haven't come to my decision," she replied. "It feels sort of like I'd be betraying my best and only friend."
"Wise," James said, making her turn around, "I really like Lily. This isn't some stupid prank or game, I'm serious, and we're serious."
Roselyn sighed in exasperation. "You've almost got me convinced, just give me a day more to think."
"Alright," James shrugged.
"May I go now?"
"Nope!" Remus cried, "I told Lily I was walking you to your class, so I am."
"I don't think one of the suits of armor are going to attack me, I think I'll be fine. Lily will have nothing to blame you for."
"I don't care. We're going to the same class anyway."
"Fine!" she exclaimed. "I give up! Lead the way o brave and noble sir!"
"That's more like it, Rose," Remus teased.
"Oh God," she moaned. "I'll kill Lily for letting you hear that!"
"I have other sources besides Lily," Remus' eyes glinted as he said that. "So I really suppose that you may not happen to have a choice in your decision Ms. Rose Marienna Wise!"
"W-what? Who told you my middle name?"
"Again, I have my sources."
"Fine! I'll help you. But James Potter, I swear it, if you hurt Lily in any way, I'll be out for your blood!"
"I wouldn't dream of it," James said happily. The 'mop top' as Lily and Roselyn called him, pretty much skipped down the corridor to Divination, leaving a startled Remus, Sirius, Peter, and Roselyn.
"Is he always that.mental?" Roselyn asked timidly, reminding herself that his friends surrounded her.
"Sometimes," Sirius said, throwing an arm around Roselyn's shoulder. "Mostly when he's thinking about Lily. I think you made him really happy just now."
"Oh great," she muttered. "Just what I always wanted to do. I improved James Potter's life."
Inside James' Mind -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-
As usual, Lily was sitting in her corner by the fire; a book propped on her lap. I see her emerald green eyes scan the page, just wishing she would look up. I could get lost in her eyes, if only I could look into their depths when she's not fuming terribly over some other stupid stunt I just pulled. I sit and I wonder. Sometimes I think that it would be possible to swim in the emerald pools that were her eyes.
I laugh inwardly at noticing that I'm not the only one gazing into the corner. Remus' gaze passes over Roselyn Wise. He fancies her, but I think he's too afraid to admit it, after all, he's deathly afraid of serious relationships, and that's all he could hope for if he could win her affection. Wise wasn't one to joke around in that area. The only reason he's afraid to openly admit that he fancies a particular girl, or young woman nowadays, is no doubt due to the werewolf issue.
I know I love Lily, and I begin to realize how stupid I've been, how immature. I was foolish enough to let her get the wrong impression of me so quickly, deeply implanting it in her mind, just like the guys said. I wish it were just as simple now as proclaiming my love for her, but no, it can't be that easy. If I did that now she'd hex me for sure. I wish I could explain it to her in words, but that seems complicated in itself. It's too hard for me to understand most of the time, let alone explain it to someone who won't listen. I suppose I'll have to let Wise help me after all. At first she was a last resort, but I need her help, because I need Lily.
Sirius looks at Remus and I, lost in our own worlds, and starts to chuckle. He grasps our attention for a moment before dismissing himself to bed. He gave one final chuckle and started up the stairs to the dormitory.
He may find it funny, but I don't. Personally, I find it utterly frustrating, and it's getting no easier with each passing second. Why can't Lily just be like all the other girls who are bowing at my feet all day every day? No, I suppose that that's part of her appeal. I've always loved challenges. However, looking at Lily as a challenge or a tough Quidditch game has not yet worked for me.
While Remus may go for the hard to get girls with silver eyes, I prefer the more calm and laid back kinds. Like Lily for instance, with her flaming red hair that I just wish I could touch without her thinking it's a prank and cursing me into the next generation. Those eyes burn with excitement at the content of the book, and I feel like I'm falling through thin air. Her lips curl into a smile, how I love her smile. It's so sweet, innocent, pure, and genuine. If only she could really understand this.I think I'm in love with Lily Evans, but Lily Evans could never possibly love me.
She looks up and catches me staring. Of course, I shouldn't have lost myself in her again. She looks suspiciously at me and glares. She obviously thinks I'm planning something, but who could blame her? She gets up and storms to her dormitory. I've lost Lily Evans again.
I too get Remus' attention and make my way to bed. There's no use brooding now, especially after I know that it won't help in the least. I've put behind me the days of joking and goofing off, at least for the most part. I had to grow up sooner or later. And if I want Lily, sooner was definitely the better idea.
Remus' Mind -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-
I noticed James staring off into space not too long ago. Lucky me, I followed his gaze, which of course was on Lily. My eyes however, chose another person to see, not too far away from the red head. My eyes drifted slowly to Lily's left, as though by instinct, something pulling me, they land on Roselyn.
I have so much I could say about her, and at the same time, not enough. My gaze is immediately brought to her eyes, silver-gray in color. Strange it may see, but I can't stop staring into those sad eyes, and for one second, I feel as though I understand her, though I know it would take forever to do so. She's lonely, even though she has Lily, she wishes for something more. I remember that feeling from my days before Hogwarts, and my heart goes out to the girl before me.
I again notice the angry color of her left cheek, from her so-called Quidditch accident. I've seen other bruises too, though I haven't brought up the conversation again in the few times she and I have met. I noticed at dinner, when my gaze was again drawn to her, how when she moves just right, you can see a large bruise on her neck.
I don't know what part of me this is, but I long to know more about her, though all I've seen of her is a side that is bitter, scared, and cold to the world. A lot of girls, and boys for that matter, around the school poke fun at this girl, but I've never personally joined in with the laughter. I see her absentmindedly stroking her cat, and remember something that a fourth year Gryffindor told me once. "That girl likes animals more than she does people, I wouldn't be surprised if she ran off one day with some creature never to return. Good riddance, I say."
I felt my eyes passing over this girl, taking in every intricate detail, right back to her eyes, shining like stars in the dark common room. Those eyes begin to feel like my anchor to the world around me, keeping my feet on the ground, while at the same time my head is in the clouds. I memorize every bit of her as she sits by the fire. I've never before realized how small and skinny she is, and how she almost looked frail, but I wasn't fooled. She was like a gun, one of those Muggle things.pull the trigger and you set her off.
I feel my eyes travel to her face, her lips, her eyes again.I feel I'm losing my head spiraling down. Damn James for looking over here, and damn myself for following his gaze. But no, I couldn't think these ways, not about Roselyn, about anyone. No matter what, I was still a werewolf, still a monster in disguise.
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It was the weekend at Hogwarts, the first that year. Lily and Roselyn were bored out of their minds, unable to find something to satisfy the urge to go do something. Lily looked out her dormitory window as she ran a brush through her vivid red hair.
"Quidditch," she mumbled.
"Beg pardon?" Roselyn said from her cross-legged position on her bed.
"Quidditch, they have Quidditch practice right now. There's nothing else to do, we may as well go watch."
The two girls threw on their cloaks in the early morning air. It was surprisingly chilly this morning, and the girls tugged their cloaks more tightly around them. The two settled themselves into their seats and watched as seven scarlet blurs sped across the pitch, the four balls flying through the air.
"You don't have a prior engagement with anyone today, do you?" Lily asked cautiously. Roselyn's father was putting her under a LOT of stress, so she dare not infuriate her.
"What?" she snapped, turning her attention away from the field.
"I asked if you had an appointment with anyone today?" Lily said carefully, turning her attention back to the practice to avoid those eyes.
"Lily," Rose sighed. "For Merlin's sake.what are you talking about?"
"You've been hanging around the famous four a lot lately, I've noticed," Lily said testily.
"Only because I pretty much get kidnapped at every corner," Roselyn visibly rolled her eyes. "Honestly, give James Potter a chance at friendship before they give me a heart attack."
"What?"
"Now who's confused?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Listen Lily. Observe Potter; see how he's changed. Then, come to a decision. Until then, I'll be in the library."
Roselyn left a speechless Lily in the Gryffindor stands before heading, as she'd said, to the library. As she hurried up the steps in the Entrance Hall, she was stopped at the top by a sneering face she'd come to hate.that of Lucius Malfoy.
"Hello Roselyn," he plastered a fake smile on his face. "How does this day see you?"
"I'm fine," she muttered, trying to push past him, only to find he wasn't alone. Behind him were his various admirers, included Snape, the idiots Crabbe and Goyle, Macnair, and a few others.
"Well, according to you father, I'm to see to it that you aren't fine," he sneered confidently. Roselyn paled, and her instincts told her one thing: Run.
Just as Crabbe and Goyle made to grab for her, she dashed right past them and down a long corridor. The first thing that the Slytherins thought was that no one could be any more stupid. She'd just get it worse in the end.
"WELL?! GET HER!" Malfoy roared. His huge blundering followers took off with speed that wouldn't be expected from people so large and burly. With more than half a dozen Slytherins on her tail, it wasn't long before the petite Gryffindor was in their possession.
All wands were forgotten. All that was left in the absence were the angry Slytherins, crowding around her and waiting their turn. She put up quite a fight, but in the end, just like during her summer, she gave up. She turned defiantly to Malfoy.
"Well, well, well.don't you seem to be in a sticky situation, Roselyn?" Malfoy sneered.
"Don't even use my first name, Malfoy," she snarled, trying again to launch at him, only to be thrown back against the wall by Macnair, the biggest and surliest looking one there. He fingered his wand lovingly, but seemed to be focused on Malfoy, who simply shook his head.
"Due to her lack of respect," he said, "I believe that I have first hit." And so he did, slapping her right across her still sore cheek. He then proceeded to thrust his knee into her stomach for what seemed like ages, until Roselyn could feel blood in her mouth from where she'd tried not to scream. "A whimper at least?" Malfoy begged.
His henchmen let go of her, and she promptly slid to the stone floor. Malfoy and his gang of Slytherins kicked her until she was unconscious on the floor in a strange area of the castle that wasn't used often. Poor Roselyn was then left there with no one to wait until she could move, or until her one and only friend could find her.
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Lily burst into the Common Room and dashed up the stairs. It was well past lunchtime and Roselyn had been missing for four hours. Lily flung open the dormitory door and scanned the room, no Rose.
Lily threw herself down the stairs, and back out the portrait hole, only to run into her four favorite boys, the Marauders. They were muttering apologies without paying attention until they noticed whom the blushing girl was who'd run into them.
"Hey Lily," Sirius said, "Have you seen Roselyn?"
"No, and if you see her, tell her that when she shows up I'll chew her head off for worrying me."
"What are you talking about?" Peter asked.
"She's been missing for four hours," Lily rolled her eyes, exasperated at the holdup. "She was supposed to be in the library, but she's not. Just tell her to go back to Gryffindor tower if you see her."
"We can help you find her," James said quickly.
"We can help you find anybody," Remus shrugged.
"I've got to go look for her," Lily sighed, turning away.
"Do we search?" Sirius asked. "It could get James on Lily's good side."
"So insensitive," Remus growled. "Her best friend's been gone for four hours, she's probably not going to pay attention to James."
"What about the map?" James suggested.
"Good idea! As long as she's still on Hogwarts grounds.we'll be able to find her."
James ran up to the dormitory and grabbed a blank sheet of parchment before rushing straight out. Once with his friends, he muttered, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." With everything in order, the Marauders headed to a place on the map where 'Roselyn Wise' was located. They never knew that this simple gesture would change everything, and break down the barriers.
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A/N: You like? You hate? I don't care. TOO much, I'll continue anyway!
WARNING: This chapter contains the subject of physical abuse. If this is a sensitive matter to you, you may want to reconsider reading this story.
Chapter Two-Five Years Later, and Some People Change
The summer after Lily's fifth year was boring, and Petunia was being particularly nasty this year. She and Roselyn wrote one another back and forth, always keeping in touch. However, the only company Lily had was her cat, Tiaret, a gift from Jocelyn's mother, who apparently bred cats. Right now, the pure calico was curled up in Lily's lap as she concentrated on her Potions' essay.
Not much had changed over the years. James Potter seemed to have taken a romantic interest in her, though she detested him. At his final attempt to ask her out last year, she nearly exploded, calling him a prat, amongst other less polite things. Jocelyn, Paige, and Gwen seemed to have formed their own group, while Lily and Rose set out on their own. It seemed natural that way, even though they were all friends. In truth, ever since the summer after Rose's first year, she seemed less inclined to socialize with anyone but Lily, and that suited both just fine.
In two day's time she'd be heading back to King's Cross, back to the world in which she truly belonged. It was a far cry from the Muggle world of her summers, but none the less, it was home.
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Roselyn's summer had been dull without Lily, even though her black and white cat Leander had been there with her. She vaguely felt like crying, but right now, she felt numb. Ever since her first year, after that damn Lucius Malfoy sent a letter to her father, Roselyn had found herself the victim of his anger.
The door opened slowly and Benjamin Wise let himself into the room. He strode over to the bed and pointed down menacingly at his shrinking daughter. Roselyn wanted to melt into her bed, to be no more, to feel no more.
"I need to know that you'll not be traipsing around with that Mudblood again!" he exclaimed. Forget magic and curses, he'd just slap her around a bit.
Roselyn had heard this many times, yet she'd never been tempted to bow down. She knew her values, and she'd stand by them, even if her own father beat her to death. "It doesn't matter what you say or do," she said quietly, "or how many letters Malfoy sends you.my best friend is a Muggle- born, and nothing will change that."
SMACK!
The red skin of her left cheek was already showing signs of bruising. She still did not think of giving in.
"You are not to be associating with such filth!" For not the first time this summer, her own father's hands rained down on her, telling her to give in. By the time he left, she was bruised, crumpled, and bleeding. The older Wise wasn't as stupid as she thought. He'd made sure to hit her, with the exception of the slap, on places where they weren't visible through her robes.
Roselyn finally gave in to her heart and cried. This year she wouldn't be the same.
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"Am I really that bad?" James asked Sirius, Remus, and Peter for what seemed like the millionth time. For the last week before term, all the Marauders, as they were now called, had stayed at the Potter estate, except Sirius, who'd finally run away from home.
"Prongs," Remus said, "Lily just thinks your ego is crowding her space. Just try to act like a normal student and not the famous James Potter for a while."
"I don't see why you bother," Peter mumbled, "half the girls in the school are your shadow."
"I'm not interested in half the girls in the school," James whined.
"I don't get you," Peter stated simply.
"Wormtail, just wait. One day you'll be madly in love with a girl you'd do anything for, and do anything to get," Remus sighed.
"And who's that girl of yours Moony?" Sirius asked innocently.
"There's no girl right now, thank you," Remus breathed, "nor will there ever be," he added as an afterthought.
"Yeah." Sirius laughed. "Anyway, what's the plan this year?"
"Pranks on Slytherin, pranks on Slytherin, oh yeah.and pranks on Slytherin!" James laughed. "Out of the eyes of my beloved of course!"
"Prongsie old boy, it is firmly implanted into Evans' head that you are a prat," Sirius said in a serious tone (sorry). "You'll have to work really hard to gain her affection."
"It's a challenge, and I love a challenge!" James cried. "Two more days until we head to Hogwarts, and then my plan will go into work."
"Good," Remus said slyly, "but first, you've got to get into her head, and I'd suggest you start calling her Lily instead of Evans."
"Okay, but how do I get inside her head?"
"We need to find her likes and dislikes, that kind of thing," Remus shrugged it off.
"How on EARTH are we going to go about getting inside a girl's head? In case you haven't noticed Moony, we're men," Sirius state, puffing out his chest.
"All except you, Padfoot," Moony grinned. "We need to talk to people who know her, and I mean REALLY know her."
"Not many people do," Peter chimed in, "she's one of those hides-in-the- corner-buried-in-books type. Why d'you like her again?"
"You may have missed it these past five years, Wormy, but she does have one close friend," Sirius said, shaking a finger at Peter.
"Roselyn?" Remus asked.
"OF COURSE!" James cried. "Wise and Lily are pretty much inseparable! Why didn't I think of it before?"
"Because of the empty space between your ears," Remus joked.
"Owl her," Sirius prompted. "See if she'll agree to talk to you on the train!"
"Padfoot, Roselyn Wise would just as soon snog Lucius Malfoy as talk to me," James laughed, then shuddered at the thought of anyone snogging Malfoy.
"Maybe she'll talk to one of us?" Peter said timidly.
"Maybe, and if she doesn't agree to talk to you on the train, one of us will take the invisibility cloak, kidnap her, and force her to listen," Sirius laughed.
"Oh yes," Remus said dryly, "I'm sure she'd be jumping to help after that."
"Either way, Wise is my only hope," James said. "I WILL get her to cooperate."
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Lily passed through the barrier onto platform 9 ¾. She scanned the crowd looking for a head of long black hair and soon spotted Roselyn being given a lecture by her beastly looking father. She watched for a moment as Rose sunk into the wall, but then shrugged it off as anxiety, until she heard snatches of the conversation.
"I better not get anymore owls telling me that you're dishonoring our family name and associating with that Mudblood, Evans or whatever her name is. If Lucius sends word, you'll have trouble."
Lily felt guilty; she was the cause of Roselyn's trouble. They'd had the conversation before though, and Rose wasn't about to throw away a good friend.
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Roselyn soon broke away from her formidable family and spotted the flaming red hair of Lily. She was about to make her way over there when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. She winced in pain and prayed that it wasn't someone in her family. She turned around and saw the smiling faces of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.
"Family problems, eh?" Sirius asked, glancing at Roselyn's family.
"No! I-I mean no. I've got to go," she said, quickly making to turn and run.
"Did you get James' owl?" Remus asked, grabbing her arm so that she couldn't move. Seeing her grimace, he quickly let go.
"No," she replied. "I've only had contact with one of my friend's this summer, other than that, no owls, especially not from James Potter." She eyed to two boys suspiciously. What were two of the most popular boys doing asking her all this?
"How's Lily been this summer?" Sirius asked, smiling widely the whole time.
"F-fine," Roselyn answered, starting to turn away. "Lily's fine."
"What about you?" Remus inquired.
"I'm fine," she said, visibly stiffening.
"That's good," Remus smiled. "Maybe we'll see you on the train or at Hogwarts. See you around, Roselyn!" Remus waved and pulled Sirius away, Roselyn stared bemusedly after them. What the hell is going on? She asked herself.
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"Did you guys find anything out?" James asked when they got on the train and into the compartment James and Peter occupied.
"I still don't see why I couldn't go!" Peter pouted.
"Petey," Remus said, "Words aren't exactly your specialty, especially not with the fairer sex."
"And we found out that Remus completely wasted our time flirting with Wise," Sirius grinned.
"I did not!" Remus sputtered indignantly. "You have to get on her good side, otherwise she won't help us."
"So you didn't find anything out?" James asked.
"Nothing relevant, but right now Lily and Roselyn probably both think that we're all snobbish prats by the way she acted, so we've got to gain their trust," Remus stated wisely.
"And that Wise has very little pain tolerance," Sirius laughed. "Did you see the way she flinched earlier, Moony?"
"Yes," Remus' brow furrowed, "but I didn't hurt her. I was very gentle considering we were trying to hold her back against her will."
"Well, hopefully we're one step closer to helping Prongs win his Lily!" Sirius cried dramatically, swiping fake tears from his eyes.
"And since last year we conquered the task of being Animagi, the school is ours!" James cheered.
"I still can't believe we had to figure it out by ourselves," Sirius said.
"Figure what out?" Peter asked.
"That Moony here is a werewolf."
Flashback to the Marauders' second year -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-
"Why didn't he tell us?" Sirius hissed in the early hours of the morning as they waited for Remus to return.
"I dunno, maybe he was scared," James replied in a quiet whisper.
"Scared of what?" Peter asked, not taking caution with his volume.
"Shh! A lot of people are afraid of werewolves.there's a lot of prejudice out there," James replied.
"Oh."
At that moment, the dormitory door squeaked open. Remus stepped through looking pale and tired as ever after his visit with his "sick mother." He looked up and saw three expectant faces looking at him, though he didn't know why.
"Hey Remus," James said. "How's your mother?"
"She's fine, just very ill."
"Are you sure she's ill?" Sirius asked, eyebrows raised, "Or is there just something you're keeping from us?"
"W-what do you mean?" Remus tried to ask calmly, but his voice was higher and his eyes darted from face to face frantically.
"We know, Remus," James sighed, "There's no use hiding it anymore."
"What are you talking about?"
"We know you're a werewolf," Sirius said. There was a moment of silence before Remus sighed.
"Alright, so you know." He prepared to turn away and go back downstairs.
"Remus? Where are you going?" Sirius asked.
"To the Common Room. I'm assuming you three don't want to sleep in the same room as a werewolf."
"Don't be foolish!" James cried. "You're just Remus to us!"
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"Ah, sweet memories," Sirius laughed. "I still remember the look on your face when we told you we knew."
"But now, we won't just stand back and watch you suffer!" James said. "We get to help you now."
Remus cast a smile around the compartment and thought that he, of everyone else, had the best friends anyone could have.
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"What took you so long? I've been waiting for ages!" Lily cried, embracing her best friend when she entered the compartment.
"Oh, someone wanted to talk to me," was the muffled reply, as they were still hugging. Lily patted Rose's back and felt her wince. She immediately pulled away. "How was your summer?" Roselyn covered.
"What happened to your back?" Lily ignored the question.
"Quidditch accident."
"Oh. Well, my summer was BORING. Petunia was as horrible as ever though. What about you?"
"I had to listen to my father come home and tell my whole family about creatures he executed that day," Roselyn rolled her eyes. Her father worked at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures at the Ministry of Magic. "I swear he'll drive me crazy. He's starting to say that they should start treating Muggles like House Elves, as if he already doesn't. He treats ours like scum."
"Well, I suppose you can't expect your father to change."
"I don't, I expect him to realize that he can't make me believe all this rubbish that was passed down every generation. My sisters all took it, but I won't."
"Our sixth year though.in two years we graduate!" A dreamy expression was passing over Lily's face.
"What are you wanting to do after graduation?"
"I'm really good at Charms.I would think something in that area."
"That's where my interest lies too. I was thinking about healing at St. Mungo's."
"That's a great idea.it sounds like a perfect occupation too."
"I'm just afraid I won't reach seventeen."
"Why?"
"Well, I don't know if you've heard, being cut off from the wizarding world in the summers and all, but some lunatic is on the loose. Some witches and wizards are so frightened of him that they won't say his name. He's supposedly been gaining power for a long time, but I myself hadn't taken an interest in the news at a young age. I'm still young, but it concerns me."
"What's his name?"
"He calls himself Lord Voldemort, or some rubbish of the sort. Seems kind of strange that people would be afraid to say a name, huh?"
"Voldemort? Doesn't sound TOO terrible, of course I haven't been able to see what havoc he's cause and whatnot."
"Don't worry, this summer I got a subscription to the Daily Prophet. Before now I was just stealing Benjamin's paper."
"Time for a change of subject! What took you so long to get on the train, who were you talking to?"
"For some ODD reason, I was stopped by Black and Lupin, you know.the Marauders, part of them at least."
"It was bad enough when they were just a group of boys wreaking havoc.now they've got a name!" Lily scoffed huffily. "Anyway, what did they want?"
"It was strange. They were asking me how I was, and Black asked me about my family, and also how you were."
"Two out of four of the most popular boys in school came up to you and talked to you?"
"No, it was more like they trapped me. Lupin had a hold of my arm for a while. I didn't want to be rude, but then again, that's their specialty, isn't it?"
"Yes," Lily laughed. "Lucky you, though. Potter wasn't there."
"Can you two please stop bickering this year?" Roselyn pleaded.
"Only if he's matured greatly. And you know James Potter, it'll rain Hippogriffs before he matures."
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Lily and Roselyn were making their way up to Gryffindor tower. The welcoming feast had just ended and the girls, even though Roselyn wasn't a prefect, were both leading the first years to Gryffindor tower. Even though Lily's best friend wasn't a prefect, she could enforce the rules and could be quite intimidating at times, which helped Lily greatly.
As the two girls chatted happily, Rose stuck her hand in her pocket, surprised to find a small sliver of parchment there. She carefully pulled the note from her pocket and read the neat, tiny writing. It said:
Meet me in the Common Room at midnight. -Remus
She sighed in exasperation. WHAT ON EARTH DID THEY WANT? She vaguely remembered at the end of the feast while everyone was getting up to leave. Lupin had come up right next to her, too close if she said so herself, and whispered something along the lines of "Look in your pocket," in her ear. Of course, she'd ignored it at the time, not knowing he'd slipped anything into her robe pocket.
She shook her head of raven hair and continued to talk with Lily, soon reaching the portrait hole. The fat lady's painting looked down upon them all. She ruffled her pink silk dress and said impatiently, "Password?"
"Dragon Snare," Lily stated loudly. The nervous little first years followed her into the large Common Room, with its welcoming fire. After the introduction to Gryffindor tower, few people stayed up after the long day's journey. Roselyn greatly desired sleep, but thought that just maybe she'd see what on earth Lupin wanted.
Finally, after she sat up in bed for a few good hours, Rose sneaked down the dormitory stairs into the Common Room, which was now empty, or so it seemed. She plopped down on one of the couches and stared blankly into the fire.
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"Who's going down there?" Peter whined, as all four of the Marauders were still awake.
"Only one of us," Sirius said, "She didn't seem too enthusiastic to talk to both Remus and I at the same time earlier, but I think it should still be one of us," Sirius gestured between himself and Remus.
"I think Remus should go," James chimed in, "because no offense, but he's the less intimidating one."
"None taken," Sirius said before thinking. "Wait, I'm intimidating?"
"No, Padfoot," James comforted, "It's just that Wise is less likely to attack poor innocent Remus if she feels threatened."
"Innocent, right.I don't know where she gets her information," Sirius muttered darkly.
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"Lupin!" Roselyn hissed. "If you don't show up in five seconds, I'm going back to sleep!"
"Roselyn," Remus said, appearing out of thin air, sitting on the arm of the couch. "Did you know that patience is a virtue?"
"I have no patience with you, nor any of the other Marauders."
"Your words hurt," Remus replied sadly from his perch beside her.
Roselyn rolled her eyes in an irritated fashion, but choose to at least find out why he'd gone out of his way to bother her. He seemed to notice this and flashed her a grin of amusement.
"Lupin? What do you want?"
"First things first, where'd you get that lovely bruise on your cheek?" he asked, he was looking genuinely concerned.
"Quidditch accident," Roselyn said, shaking off the feeling. 'People like him don't feel concern for others,' she thought.
"Let me guess, that's also why you flinched earlier when I grabbed your arm?" he said, obviously not believing a word of it.
"Yes, it was a rather painful accident, and I'm still healing in areas. What do you want?"
"Hmm, impatience and hostility. Well, down to business. I'm sure that you, as well as the rest of us, are all quite irritated with James and Lily's quarreling."
"Yes, but why did you feel the need to keep me up on the first night back at Hogwarts?"
"The Marauders are trying to stop this silly little squabble, and truth be told, we'd like your help."
"Just get James to shrink his head a bit and he'll be fine! I don't see why you had to-."
"But you haven't heard me out completely yet. You see, James has developed a little-er-attraction to your dearest Lily. We'd simply like to see if we can't get the two together."
"And you're asking my help to get my best friend together with her worst enemy?"
"Yes, we're also trying to change that 'worse enemy' matter as well. You see, when you put it all together, it all adds up. They'd be perfect for each other if they could only see it! Together, Lily would become a bit more daring, and I'm sure you'd love that, and James would mellow out a bit. It's a win-win situation."
"Again.why am I needed?"
"We need to find out more about Lily, and seeing as how you're the only one close to her, you're our only hope."
"But-."
"Roselyn-."
"I didn't know we were on a first name basis, Lupin."
"Well we are, don't call me Lupin, it makes me uncomfortable when a peer does that."
"Fine. But-."
"Just think about it, okay? Think about it, and I'll talk to you later. I'm a little tired myself. Remember that you can't hide from me, and I'll talk to you again. As long as you're on Hogwarts ground, I'll be able to find you. Goodnight, Roselyn." The boy ran his hand through his sandy- blonde hair and gave her one last grin before he stood up, offering her his hand to help her get up. However, she purposely ignored his hand and started towards the girls' dormitories.
"I WILL think about it. You're right, they're bickering is annoying." With that, she turned on her heel and ran up the stairs to her dormitory.
Remus smiled at her retreating back and made his way up to the waiting Marauders, flinging himself on his bed. James hurried over to him and the others followed suit.
"Well?" James asked.
"She's bitter," Remus smiled, "but I convinced her to think about it."
"Thanks, Remus," James sighed.
"No problem, she may be bitter, but she's altogether amusing, very sarcastic that one."
"No, now Remus fancies our spy!" Sirius whined.
"Padfoot, shut it," Remus said. "I do not fancy Roselyn Wise, I've simply got to get on her good side."
"Remind me again why you want to do so much for Lily, James," Peter said.
"She's beautiful, smart, quite a ball of fire, she's got those emerald green eyes and that luscious red hair." James stared off into space as he said this dreamily.
"Okay.who's on your mind this year, Sirius?" Remus asked.
"I think I've got my sights set on Jocelyn Wise or Paige Trite, Gwen Brown's just too much balled up energy, more than I could handle. Plus, I think Peter fancies Gwen, and vice versa."
"I do not," Peter said, but he blushed furiously red all the same. The boys all relaxed and began laughing at this, to Peter's great annoyance, but he soon joined in, more to fit than anything else.
"What about our first prank of the year?" Sirius asked, his eyes shining gleefully.
"I say Lucius Malfoy," James declared, "it is his last year after all, the stupid git."
"What exactly do you propose we do?" Peter asked.
"Well." Remus said, "there was this love potion in the library. It's sort of like Polyjuice Potion, where you add part of the person to it. With the potion, you add a part of the person you want the drinker to fall in love with, only they don't just fall in love, they proclaim it for all to hear!" The four boys gave a hearty laugh.
"So," Sirius said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, "Who should dear Malfoy's lover be?"
"Who else?!? I'll take care of that part," James said slyly.
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Lucius Malfoy bounded into the Great Hall that morning, his eyes scanning the Slytherin table hopefully. Spotting his target, he ran forward until he stood right behind one particular student. The greasy-hair, hook-nosed Severus Snape turned on the bench to see the young Mr. Malfoy standing behind him, smiling brightly.
With one swift motion, Malfoy had Snape's hand in his, and was kissing and caressing it gently. The rest of the school looked on in mingled horror and amusement as Malfoy kneeled before the gaping Snape.
"You're witty Severus, very witty. That's what I love most about you," Malfoy purred, indeed proclaiming to the whole school. "I've loved you for a long time, so long it hurts, and I now hope that that love will be returned."
"What are you DOING you idiot?!?" Snape spat.
"Sevvy, please answer my question. Will you love me back?"
"Get up you fool! The whole school is staring at you!"
"I want them all to know my devotion. I love you Severus Snape."
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"Did you see the look on Snape's face?" Sirius chortled as they walked down the corridor. "And they have no idea it was us! They think he did it of his own free will!"
"Priceless! Absolutely priceless!" James laughed, bent over nearly double and trying to walk at the same time.
"Well, at least Lucius Malfoy's going out with a bang!" Remus joked. "There's Roselyn and Lily. I'll go see if I can't separate them so that we can interrogate her."
Remus trotted up to the two girls as they made their way towards the first classes they had that day. Remus knew, thanks to Jocelyn, that Lily and Roselyn had separate classes at the start of today, and Roselyn's first class was Divination, just like the Marauders. 'That makes a good excuse,' Remus mused.
"Lily? Would you mind if I escort your dear friend Roselyn to her next class?" Remus inquired. Lily looked suspiciously at Remus, but found nothing she could use to accuse him. However, Roselyn's eyes were pleading with her best friend. It was too much; Lily cracked up before replying.
"Sure, just don't do anything I'll have to get you for later. Bye Rose!" Lily said, finally composing herself and resuming her suspicious staring as she took off down another corridor. Once she was out of sight, the rest of the Marauders joined the two.
"I should have known," Roselyn groaned.
"Come on, we all have Divination," Remus said, grabbing her arm and pulling her into motion. "Now, have you had time to think things through? Sorry, forgot about your Quidditch accident," he said, letting go of her arm.
"I've been thinking about it, but I haven't come to my decision," she replied. "It feels sort of like I'd be betraying my best and only friend."
"Wise," James said, making her turn around, "I really like Lily. This isn't some stupid prank or game, I'm serious, and we're serious."
Roselyn sighed in exasperation. "You've almost got me convinced, just give me a day more to think."
"Alright," James shrugged.
"May I go now?"
"Nope!" Remus cried, "I told Lily I was walking you to your class, so I am."
"I don't think one of the suits of armor are going to attack me, I think I'll be fine. Lily will have nothing to blame you for."
"I don't care. We're going to the same class anyway."
"Fine!" she exclaimed. "I give up! Lead the way o brave and noble sir!"
"That's more like it, Rose," Remus teased.
"Oh God," she moaned. "I'll kill Lily for letting you hear that!"
"I have other sources besides Lily," Remus' eyes glinted as he said that. "So I really suppose that you may not happen to have a choice in your decision Ms. Rose Marienna Wise!"
"W-what? Who told you my middle name?"
"Again, I have my sources."
"Fine! I'll help you. But James Potter, I swear it, if you hurt Lily in any way, I'll be out for your blood!"
"I wouldn't dream of it," James said happily. The 'mop top' as Lily and Roselyn called him, pretty much skipped down the corridor to Divination, leaving a startled Remus, Sirius, Peter, and Roselyn.
"Is he always that.mental?" Roselyn asked timidly, reminding herself that his friends surrounded her.
"Sometimes," Sirius said, throwing an arm around Roselyn's shoulder. "Mostly when he's thinking about Lily. I think you made him really happy just now."
"Oh great," she muttered. "Just what I always wanted to do. I improved James Potter's life."
Inside James' Mind -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-
As usual, Lily was sitting in her corner by the fire; a book propped on her lap. I see her emerald green eyes scan the page, just wishing she would look up. I could get lost in her eyes, if only I could look into their depths when she's not fuming terribly over some other stupid stunt I just pulled. I sit and I wonder. Sometimes I think that it would be possible to swim in the emerald pools that were her eyes.
I laugh inwardly at noticing that I'm not the only one gazing into the corner. Remus' gaze passes over Roselyn Wise. He fancies her, but I think he's too afraid to admit it, after all, he's deathly afraid of serious relationships, and that's all he could hope for if he could win her affection. Wise wasn't one to joke around in that area. The only reason he's afraid to openly admit that he fancies a particular girl, or young woman nowadays, is no doubt due to the werewolf issue.
I know I love Lily, and I begin to realize how stupid I've been, how immature. I was foolish enough to let her get the wrong impression of me so quickly, deeply implanting it in her mind, just like the guys said. I wish it were just as simple now as proclaiming my love for her, but no, it can't be that easy. If I did that now she'd hex me for sure. I wish I could explain it to her in words, but that seems complicated in itself. It's too hard for me to understand most of the time, let alone explain it to someone who won't listen. I suppose I'll have to let Wise help me after all. At first she was a last resort, but I need her help, because I need Lily.
Sirius looks at Remus and I, lost in our own worlds, and starts to chuckle. He grasps our attention for a moment before dismissing himself to bed. He gave one final chuckle and started up the stairs to the dormitory.
He may find it funny, but I don't. Personally, I find it utterly frustrating, and it's getting no easier with each passing second. Why can't Lily just be like all the other girls who are bowing at my feet all day every day? No, I suppose that that's part of her appeal. I've always loved challenges. However, looking at Lily as a challenge or a tough Quidditch game has not yet worked for me.
While Remus may go for the hard to get girls with silver eyes, I prefer the more calm and laid back kinds. Like Lily for instance, with her flaming red hair that I just wish I could touch without her thinking it's a prank and cursing me into the next generation. Those eyes burn with excitement at the content of the book, and I feel like I'm falling through thin air. Her lips curl into a smile, how I love her smile. It's so sweet, innocent, pure, and genuine. If only she could really understand this.I think I'm in love with Lily Evans, but Lily Evans could never possibly love me.
She looks up and catches me staring. Of course, I shouldn't have lost myself in her again. She looks suspiciously at me and glares. She obviously thinks I'm planning something, but who could blame her? She gets up and storms to her dormitory. I've lost Lily Evans again.
I too get Remus' attention and make my way to bed. There's no use brooding now, especially after I know that it won't help in the least. I've put behind me the days of joking and goofing off, at least for the most part. I had to grow up sooner or later. And if I want Lily, sooner was definitely the better idea.
Remus' Mind -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-
I noticed James staring off into space not too long ago. Lucky me, I followed his gaze, which of course was on Lily. My eyes however, chose another person to see, not too far away from the red head. My eyes drifted slowly to Lily's left, as though by instinct, something pulling me, they land on Roselyn.
I have so much I could say about her, and at the same time, not enough. My gaze is immediately brought to her eyes, silver-gray in color. Strange it may see, but I can't stop staring into those sad eyes, and for one second, I feel as though I understand her, though I know it would take forever to do so. She's lonely, even though she has Lily, she wishes for something more. I remember that feeling from my days before Hogwarts, and my heart goes out to the girl before me.
I again notice the angry color of her left cheek, from her so-called Quidditch accident. I've seen other bruises too, though I haven't brought up the conversation again in the few times she and I have met. I noticed at dinner, when my gaze was again drawn to her, how when she moves just right, you can see a large bruise on her neck.
I don't know what part of me this is, but I long to know more about her, though all I've seen of her is a side that is bitter, scared, and cold to the world. A lot of girls, and boys for that matter, around the school poke fun at this girl, but I've never personally joined in with the laughter. I see her absentmindedly stroking her cat, and remember something that a fourth year Gryffindor told me once. "That girl likes animals more than she does people, I wouldn't be surprised if she ran off one day with some creature never to return. Good riddance, I say."
I felt my eyes passing over this girl, taking in every intricate detail, right back to her eyes, shining like stars in the dark common room. Those eyes begin to feel like my anchor to the world around me, keeping my feet on the ground, while at the same time my head is in the clouds. I memorize every bit of her as she sits by the fire. I've never before realized how small and skinny she is, and how she almost looked frail, but I wasn't fooled. She was like a gun, one of those Muggle things.pull the trigger and you set her off.
I feel my eyes travel to her face, her lips, her eyes again.I feel I'm losing my head spiraling down. Damn James for looking over here, and damn myself for following his gaze. But no, I couldn't think these ways, not about Roselyn, about anyone. No matter what, I was still a werewolf, still a monster in disguise.
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It was the weekend at Hogwarts, the first that year. Lily and Roselyn were bored out of their minds, unable to find something to satisfy the urge to go do something. Lily looked out her dormitory window as she ran a brush through her vivid red hair.
"Quidditch," she mumbled.
"Beg pardon?" Roselyn said from her cross-legged position on her bed.
"Quidditch, they have Quidditch practice right now. There's nothing else to do, we may as well go watch."
The two girls threw on their cloaks in the early morning air. It was surprisingly chilly this morning, and the girls tugged their cloaks more tightly around them. The two settled themselves into their seats and watched as seven scarlet blurs sped across the pitch, the four balls flying through the air.
"You don't have a prior engagement with anyone today, do you?" Lily asked cautiously. Roselyn's father was putting her under a LOT of stress, so she dare not infuriate her.
"What?" she snapped, turning her attention away from the field.
"I asked if you had an appointment with anyone today?" Lily said carefully, turning her attention back to the practice to avoid those eyes.
"Lily," Rose sighed. "For Merlin's sake.what are you talking about?"
"You've been hanging around the famous four a lot lately, I've noticed," Lily said testily.
"Only because I pretty much get kidnapped at every corner," Roselyn visibly rolled her eyes. "Honestly, give James Potter a chance at friendship before they give me a heart attack."
"What?"
"Now who's confused?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Listen Lily. Observe Potter; see how he's changed. Then, come to a decision. Until then, I'll be in the library."
Roselyn left a speechless Lily in the Gryffindor stands before heading, as she'd said, to the library. As she hurried up the steps in the Entrance Hall, she was stopped at the top by a sneering face she'd come to hate.that of Lucius Malfoy.
"Hello Roselyn," he plastered a fake smile on his face. "How does this day see you?"
"I'm fine," she muttered, trying to push past him, only to find he wasn't alone. Behind him were his various admirers, included Snape, the idiots Crabbe and Goyle, Macnair, and a few others.
"Well, according to you father, I'm to see to it that you aren't fine," he sneered confidently. Roselyn paled, and her instincts told her one thing: Run.
Just as Crabbe and Goyle made to grab for her, she dashed right past them and down a long corridor. The first thing that the Slytherins thought was that no one could be any more stupid. She'd just get it worse in the end.
"WELL?! GET HER!" Malfoy roared. His huge blundering followers took off with speed that wouldn't be expected from people so large and burly. With more than half a dozen Slytherins on her tail, it wasn't long before the petite Gryffindor was in their possession.
All wands were forgotten. All that was left in the absence were the angry Slytherins, crowding around her and waiting their turn. She put up quite a fight, but in the end, just like during her summer, she gave up. She turned defiantly to Malfoy.
"Well, well, well.don't you seem to be in a sticky situation, Roselyn?" Malfoy sneered.
"Don't even use my first name, Malfoy," she snarled, trying again to launch at him, only to be thrown back against the wall by Macnair, the biggest and surliest looking one there. He fingered his wand lovingly, but seemed to be focused on Malfoy, who simply shook his head.
"Due to her lack of respect," he said, "I believe that I have first hit." And so he did, slapping her right across her still sore cheek. He then proceeded to thrust his knee into her stomach for what seemed like ages, until Roselyn could feel blood in her mouth from where she'd tried not to scream. "A whimper at least?" Malfoy begged.
His henchmen let go of her, and she promptly slid to the stone floor. Malfoy and his gang of Slytherins kicked her until she was unconscious on the floor in a strange area of the castle that wasn't used often. Poor Roselyn was then left there with no one to wait until she could move, or until her one and only friend could find her.
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Lily burst into the Common Room and dashed up the stairs. It was well past lunchtime and Roselyn had been missing for four hours. Lily flung open the dormitory door and scanned the room, no Rose.
Lily threw herself down the stairs, and back out the portrait hole, only to run into her four favorite boys, the Marauders. They were muttering apologies without paying attention until they noticed whom the blushing girl was who'd run into them.
"Hey Lily," Sirius said, "Have you seen Roselyn?"
"No, and if you see her, tell her that when she shows up I'll chew her head off for worrying me."
"What are you talking about?" Peter asked.
"She's been missing for four hours," Lily rolled her eyes, exasperated at the holdup. "She was supposed to be in the library, but she's not. Just tell her to go back to Gryffindor tower if you see her."
"We can help you find her," James said quickly.
"We can help you find anybody," Remus shrugged.
"I've got to go look for her," Lily sighed, turning away.
"Do we search?" Sirius asked. "It could get James on Lily's good side."
"So insensitive," Remus growled. "Her best friend's been gone for four hours, she's probably not going to pay attention to James."
"What about the map?" James suggested.
"Good idea! As long as she's still on Hogwarts grounds.we'll be able to find her."
James ran up to the dormitory and grabbed a blank sheet of parchment before rushing straight out. Once with his friends, he muttered, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." With everything in order, the Marauders headed to a place on the map where 'Roselyn Wise' was located. They never knew that this simple gesture would change everything, and break down the barriers.
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A/N: You like? You hate? I don't care. TOO much, I'll continue anyway!