Disclaimer: JKR owns it all! I'm just playing with her characters.

A/N: See? Only two weeks between updates! (grins stupidly) Wow…that's all I have to say.

Enjoy!

I can't believe I missed it. While certainly not a detective, I consider myself to posses fairly decent observation skills, and to miss something of this magnitude is simply shocking. Perhaps I should back up. It started this morning, in the Great Hall.

The four boys, still oblivious as to how anyone could interpret their actions as anything but charming, met me in a most comical fashion. I had managed to evade them until breakfast. I decided that I needed to calm somewhat before facing them. Word of Black's "encouragement" at Hogsmeade had been spread, and my fellow students felt no need to spare me their jibes. My evasion undoubtedly confused them further, and when they finally approached me, they had such expressions of befuddlement on their faces that it took all the control I possessed to not burst out laughing.

They did not apologize, for Marauders would not stoop so low as to act like us mortals, but they kept sending me such odd looks that I finally set my fork down and said, "What is it?" The four glanced at each other.

"Lily," said Potter, "We have decided that after yesterday's less than pleasant events, we are going to give you some time off!"

This statement in itself immediately aroused my suspicion. It is extremely rare that Potter would ever utter a sentence that included the phrase, 'yesterday's less than pleasant events', with the exception being when he feels he needs to either impress or hoodwink somebody.

Seeing as he clearly felt no need to impress me, I knew the latter must be true.

"Potter," I said, "What ever possessed you to decide upon such an action?"

"Since yesterday was less than a success - "

"About yesterday," I interrupted, "Which part would you say was not a success?" I no longer have any inhibitions around them. They cannot embarrass or harass me any further beyond what they already have, so I have fear in saying whatever I please.

He blinked, "Well…umm…" Potter may be many things, but a liar, or at least an effective liar, he is not.

Black stepped in, "Oh please, Evans. You ran from the Three Broomsticks like a bat out of hell. I would hardly consider that, as Prongs here puts it, 'a success'."

I narrowed my eyes, "So you just decided to give me a break out of – the goodness of your hearts?"

Potter nodded, "Exactly!"

I snorted, "The day you purposely do something good for mankind is the day that flobberworms discover the meaning of life."

Black rolled his eyes, "Of course we have our own selfish reasons, Evans. But I would just count my blessings and take the offer."

I gave in. Like Black said, although I loathe agreeing with him on anything, it would be foolish to not take what I could get, "Fine."

Potter grinned, "So the next 48 hours you get all to yourself! I'm sure you'll just die of boredom."

"Most assuredly." I commented dryly.

"Alright then!" exclaimed Black, "Now we can start your little sabbatical by not eating with you."

He gave Potter a pointed look. Potter nodded, and they all rose from the table and left the Hall, Lupin dragging slightly behind.

I frowned, wondering what disease he had picked up this time. The boy is always ill, as are his endless supply of grandmothers. What was the number last time? Eleven? I knew that he was hiding something, that much was obvious, but I did not find the answer to the question until later that afternoon.

I was searching my calendar for the next Friday – our Charms essay was due then – and I happened to notice that today was a full moon.

It clicked.

Full moon – sick Lupin – time off…

There were two explanations:

The first was that Lupin had contracted a disease known as Numpinada, a very rare malady that one acquires by being present during the birth of a unicorn that is born during the full moon, and at the exact moment the foul is born, one drinks from a dragon-scale flask. he symptoms include clinical fatigue, and one's hair turning into dragon scales on the night of the full moon.

The far more unpleasant, but much more likely scenario was that Lupin was a werewolf. It was highly unlikely that Lupin would have ever been in the presence of a werewolf, but as I had already learned, the Marauders are positively swarming with unlike-lies.

The only way to be absolutely positive would be to see him transform. As I consider myself intelligent, I was not about to go running about the grounds looking for a fully transformed werewolf. The second best solution was to search the Marauder's personal possessions, and see if there was anything which could either confirm or deny my speculation.

There is little time. I must make haste. I will write the findings of my search tomorrow.

Lily Evans

I know, it's terribly clichéd…but it's my story, so I can make things clichéd if I want to! (stamps foot childishly) Well, there actually is a real reason besides that… but the reason shall remain with me and me only! Sorry for the insanely short chapter, I promise the next one will be longer.

Thanks to all my Reviewers!

Princesstigerlily – Hey, I understand the "real life taking over our imaginary lives" thing. At least you admit to not finishing it! The only thing that bugs me is when people say " Oh, I'll get back to it eventually…" and they never do. Good for you for finalizing it! But if life changes, and you ever are able to get back to it, be sure to let me know!

Majorlyconfused16 - Thanks for reviewing! I hope you enjoyed this one.

Hogwarts-fanatic91 – I'm so glad you thought the last chapter was good! I hope this one was up to snuff. I thank one of my most regular reviewers (for this fic and others) for continued reviewing! (hugs)

Pasmosa – I love inconsideration – that and complication. It's so much fun portraying everyone as being…well…jerks. More Amos and Lily to come. Thanks for the review!

Katie – Glad you thought so. Thanks for reviewing!

M00nmaiden – Your reviews made me laugh! It's great being able to make her go mad! And thanks for giving the evil non-reviewers the "Glare of Death", although I'm not sure how effective it will be. Lol I totally agree about Lily not knowing what she has – stupid, stupid Lily! Well, eventually she'll have to "come to the light side", no? I'm sad you had to quit your fic, but thanks a million for reviewing! I always look forward to seeing what you have to say.