A/N upon publication: IM BACK IN BUSINESS, EVERYONE!

A/N Ok sry for the delay the start of school has been INSANE! This is the first chance I've had to write for a while, but I think I'll have more time these next few weeks. Anyway, here's the next chapter.

Disclaimer: Do I really have to say it again? I've said it eighteen times already, you should know this by now. Ok, ok. All the characters and stuff that you recognized are JKRs.

As the four boys walked left Gryffindor Tower the next morning, they were followed by whispers and stares. Several of the whispers reached their ears.

"-were outside last night."

"Had Aurors here in the school."

"Bentley was here!"

"Heard that those four are getting expelled for causing trouble."

Remus felt his face grow hot when he heard one particular rumor – "Bet they're helping that madman that killed Ashley's family. Potter may act nice, but he comes from a family that would do anything for a little cash, and Black and Lupin are more than willing to help him."

James flushed when he heard that, and he turned with clenched fists to defend himself against the rumormonger. Just as he turned, McGonagall appeared from around the corner. Peter was hanging his head, looking like he was about to cry, while Sirius' face had changed from last night's shame to an unreadable expression. James' teeth were grinding, but he restrained himself from beating anyone, and Remus' face was deep red. McGonagall seemed to take all of this in at one glance and didn't seem surprised. "Follow me," she told them and she walked past them briskly. The four boys followed her, not looking any of their fellow students in the eye.

McGonagall led them to her office and shut the door. She then looked at each of them with a concerned expression. "I know that this is going to be hard while the rumors are flying, but you must keep your heads up. Do everything that you can to discourage the rumors, but I'm afraid that there won't be any way to stop them until the excitement dies down a little. If anything happens that is more serious – if someone tries to hex you or anything like that, do not hesitate to alert one of the teachers. For now, just try and defend yourselves the best you can without getting offensive."

She dismissed them with a wave of her hand. Once they were outside, James snorted. "Don't get offensive, she says. What a load of crap." Remus looked at Sirius, expecting a comment from him, but his friend's face was still expressionless.

As they walked down the hall, Remus began to look around at people, catching the different looks that they attracted. Fear, sympathy, ridicule – it was all there. A tall, dark-haired boy caught his attention. Jeb was standing with a slight smile on his face, as if he thought that the whole affair was a big joke. Remus glared at him, looking angrily into the other boy's black eyes before he could stop himself. He almost looked away, but he suddenly felt as if he had nothing to fear from Jeb. A Slytherin girl was holding onto Jeb's arm, but Remus barely noticed her. To him she seemed nothing more than a dark wraith covered with makeup.

Are you angry?

The voice seemed to resound in Remus' head. He suddenly became aware that he had stopped, but he didn't want to begin moving again. James, Sirius, and Peter had also stopped, but they didn't seem to realize where his gaze was resting, talking without questioning him. Yes, he replied to the voice, feeling even more hate for the tall boy across the hall.

You can make the rumors stop easily.

How? Remus thought, suddenly interested.

Disconnect yourself from the rubbish you hang around with, the voice told him. Leave them far behind, and nobody will ever trouble you again.

An unreasonable anger was now starting to build in Remus towards the three boys he stood with, but a part of him questioned the logic of the voice's statement.

There are many more beautiful girls at this school, the voice told him, and Remus dimly wondered if it was Jeb that was speaking in his mind. They would hang on your every word if you simple walked away right now and joined me.

Once again, Remus glanced at the girl, but he now wondered how he had ever thought her a dark wraith. She was beautiful, and the voice had no reason to lie to him. He thought of walking around the school with a girl on his arm, perhaps a friend of Jeb's. After all, it seemed clear now that Jeb was somehow speaking to Remus' mind, and how could anyone but a good friend offer a chance like this?

I just have to walk away from them? he thought.

Just walk away.

Remus glanced away from Jeb at the three boys around him. What had they ever offered him, anyway? They were loud, nosy, and would never get him anywhere. He took two steps and heard someone say his name.

"Don't you think so, Remus?" James was asking him. Remus glared at the boy.

"No!" he exclaimed, not even bothering to find out what he was being asked. James looked at him with surprise.

"Ok, ok, no need to get all mad about it."

Remus shook his head. How could he have ever thought the people like this were his friends? He turned once more to walk away when he heard another person call him.

"Remus!"

It was Lily. Just ignore her, Jeb urged, but Remus spun back around anyway.

"What?" he snapped, looking at the girl angrily. Her mouth opened, then snapped closed, then she spoke.

"I just wanted to see if you were alright," she said icily. "I can see that I needn't have bothered."

Remus felt Sirius' eyes looking at him, and he turned to ask what his problem was. Before he could get the words out, however, he saw the other boy's face. Sirius was looking at him with pleading eyes, begging him not to do a stupid thing. Remus started to wonder something –

Remus! Walk away now! Don't spoil your chances by staying!

But –

If you don't come now, you will regret it for the rest of your life!

Remus felt as he was torn in two. Half of him was shouting to leave these boys and go with Jeb, while the other half wanted to stay with Sirius and James and Peter.

Remus, don't be a fool, they will get you nowhere!

But they already helped me more than anyone ever has in my life, half of Remus' mind argued.

They're idiots, the lot of them, and you'll be one too if you don't take this chance!

Remus saw Sirius shake his head, and a thought started to break through, but Jeb drowned it out, continuing to try to convince Remus once more. Everybody hates them. You must see that. Everybody will hate you too, unless you come with me. You've experienced that before, haven't you? Haven't you?

The struggle in Remus' mind had come to the point where it was almost painful. He felt as if it would be a relief to give in to Jeb and simply walk away, but something wouldn't let him. There was a ringing in his ears, and all he wanted to do was collapse onto the stone floor, but his knees wouldn't give. It was as if he was frozen in place. Finally, he managed to open his mouth just wide enough to say something.

A/N Oh good I was afraid I wouldn't be able to drag this out long enough to make a cliffhanger. Hahaha suspense is fun. I just hope that my cpu doesn't flip out so that I can never get the next chapter up and you are all left wondering what happens to poor Remus – will he go to the dark side? Ok ok ok I'll shut up now and start working on the next chap. Happy reading!

TheDudeLordOfFantasy – Nope not dead! Not yet at least. If this wind keeps up I might die of allergies. Ok ANYHOW sorry that these chaps are takin so long to put up! Between school, homework, and my stinkin cpu, I've had hardly any time to write. So I'll do the best I can. I think I'll have a little more time to write this next week or so, though, so I'll see what I can do. Ok, thnx again for all of your reviews!