Chapter 34 – The Shine is Lost Without You

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With James and Remus ten Galleons richer, the six trooped back to the common room, Sirius and Maria wondering just what was so funny, and why their friends had been hiding behind a statue.

"I suppose we better get started on Cheewa's essay," Lily said as Noel gave the password.

James looked horrified. "But, Lily, it's not due until next week! Besides…" he cast around for an excuse. "…tonight's the full moon!"

Lily looked taken aback. "Oh, that's right. Well," she looked at Noel and Remus, then at Maria. "There's obviously no question that James and Sirius will go with them. Maria?"

"Um…" Both Remus and Lily were appealing to her with puppy eyes, though neither probably knew it. "Well…I think I'll…stay in tonight."

Lily grinned, and though Remus looked slightly crestfallen, he too smiled and agreed.

"What time are you leaving?" Maria asked.

"Now." Remus answered immediately. "So that Noel can have time to get used to the transformation."

Maria raised her eyebrows; he seemed eager to get away from her now. "Oh…alright. have fun…"

James embraced Lily. Sirius grinned at Maria and said, "I'll bring ya back something!"

Noel looked nothing short of terrified. "What about the charm? Won't Lily and Sirius hurt too?"

Lily frowned. "I'm sure it will be okay. Just have fun." She and Maria stood back as the others left.

Maria stared after Remus, hoping he wasn't feeling betrayed. '…he has Noel to look after him, now. He understands. Besides, I have to take care of Lily, since she'll be carrying some strain of his transformation.' She nodded to herself. "Hey, Lil, let's go up to the dorm, okay? So that…" she trailed off with a meaningful look.

"Oh, right." Lily agreed. So that the whole common room wouldn't see her rolling on the floor screaming. Gotcha.

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"Yo, get that stick!"

"What stick? Do it yourself, Sirius!"

"Tch!"

James, Sirius, Noel, and Remus were making their way into the Shrieking Shack from the Whomping Willow. Noel was clearly terrified, and hadn't spoken a word since they left.

When they arrived in the bedroom, James and Sirius stood off to the side, while Remus knelt in front of Noel, who had sat on the bed. "Noel…are you scared?"

"Maria, Remus is scared…"

"Yes, Remus."

"I'm not going to lie to you…it will hurt…but only for a little bit…"

"I think something is wrong, Maria…"

"I'm really sorry about all this, Noel."

"Remus, Noel." James whispered. He pointed to the window. "It's time." He hurried over to his sister. "Its okay, Nolie, I'm right here, right here…" He wrapped his arms around her as she started to cry.

Sirius whimpered, changing into his dog form. He lay on the floor, eyes covered with his paws.

Remus, having done this many times, was now at a loss. 'This shine is lost without you…' The pain was intensified tenfold.

"Oh…my GODS…!!!"

"Lily!? Sweet Merlin, Lily, are you okay!? LILY!?"

"Its okay, Nolie, you can do this!!" James yelled as his sister writhed and screamed in his arms. Sirius's whimpers became high-pitched yowls of pain.

"Lily…Lily, are you alright? Please talk to me…"

"Remus…Remus needs you…"

Something was wrong. Someone was screaming. The change wasn't supposed to be like this. He had never done it alone before…

"Oh, gods, Maria, please! We have to go to them!"

When Remus opened his eyes, the first thing he noticed was that the change was taking an abnormally long time. The second thing was that the pain had dulled. The third was that there was a small white wolf poking her nose through the doorway, with a redheaded figure sitting on her back. Then a black dog took the redhead away, and the wolf was kneeling in front of him, licking his face, and he licked her back.

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"Ugh…I feel like walking death…"

"…you're not the only one…"

"Shut up…ohh, my head…"

"Hey! What say we get some breakfast!?"

"UGH! SIRIUS!" Five voices groaned.

"…I'm hungry…"

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The six friends woke up a bit later, not really surprised to find themselves splayed on the floor of the Shrieking Shack. The night before had been a blur of fur and screaming, running and playing. Later, none of them would be able to give a full account of it. Sirius and Lily didn't even know how they ended up back there.

Noel got up and stretched. She started to walk back outside. Maria followed.

"It wasn't so bad, Maria," she said. "Initially, it was, but after a while, it dulled. It was kind of fun."

"Remus was in more pain this time." Maria said sadly.

Noel looked sideways at her friend. "Not to be mean, but it was your fault."

"I know, but I couldn't just leave Lily there alone."

"You brought her in the end."

"I know. I couldn't leave her and Remus alone."

"…you're a good friend, Maria Ravenwood."

"As are you, Noel Potter."

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a/n: Sorry if any of this was confusing. Just ask if you've got questions. Thanks to reviewers. I've got a hundred! hugs all