Thanks a bunch to everyone who has reviewed my story! I really appreciate constructive criticism, and you guys have been great. Most of the rest of the chapters will either be told from Remus' or Michelle's point of view, I just needed to set up everyone else's plans for them.

Chapter Five

It took Danielle and Rachel nearly two hours to find Malfoy and his gang leaving the Slytherin common room. They looked surprised to see a couple of Ravenclaws skulking around the dungeons. "What are you doing down here, White? Shouldn't you be off trying to seduce Lupin?" He asked with a sneer.

Danielle smiled as she approached him, saying, "Actually I wanted to talk to you about that, Malfoy."

Malfoy was confused. "Why should I care if you get Lupin into your bed, White?" He asked skeptically.

"You should care because I happen to know for a fact that you've been trying to get Remus' new slut, Michelle into bed with you. I also know that Remus and Michelle fancy each other, and that neither of us will be able to get what we want if they get together," Danielle said with a smirk.

"I see," Malfoy looked interested, now. "I suppose you think I'm going to help you keep Lupin away from her, then? Is that your plan, to divide and conquer so to speak?"

"Precisely," the devious Ravenclaw said with a nod. "If we work together, we'll both get what we want. And I've already got the perfect plan, all we've got to do is make sure that their meddlesome friends don't get involved and it is guaranteed to work."

"All right," Lucius said. "We'll help. Now, what's this perfect plan of yours?"

"It's simple. Make Remus believe that Michelle actually is dating you behind his back. If I could get some sort of evidence that you and she are together, something that he would have no choice but to believe, and then Remus will definitely think twice about asking her out," Danielle stated, looking quite satisfied with herself.

"Yes," Malfoy said, thoughtfully. "Then Lupin will get angry and confront her about it, and when she denies everything, he'll think she's lying. They'll get so upset with each other that they'll be in need of some sort of comfort."

"That or they'll go out with you two in order to make each other jealous," Rachel put in, looking somewhat upset at the lengths her friend was willing to go to in order to get what she wanted.

"Well, either way, Remus and Michelle will come to us, thereby ruining any chances that they have of getting together," Danielle said happily.

"All right, we'll start tomorrow. We can work out the details tonight after dinner. Meet me outside the library at eight," Lucius said before leading his little entourage off to the Great Hall.

"Remus, you all right, mate?" James asked as the Marauders walked down to the Great Hall for dinner. "You've been acting strange for the past couple of days."

"I know," Remus said "I've been feeling weird ever sense school started back. I honestly don't understand why I've been acting the way I have." He said as they finally entered the Great Hall.

Remus really didn't know what was wrong with him. Every time he'd seen either Malfoy or Andrew over the past few days, he would suddenly get this hot sense of anger. It always got worse whenever Michelle was there. One glance from either of them at her was enough to make him want to jump at them. Remus had never gotten along with Malfoy, but he'd also never had the desire to attack the Slytherin, or at least he'd never wanted to do it with so little provocation. He didn't understand what was wrong with him.

Remus decided not to worry too much about it as they reached the Gryffindor table, and he took the seat directly across from Michelle, who was already there with Lily and Grace. James and Sirius took seats on either side of him, and began to fill their plates with food. Peter and been forced to stay after class with McGonagall because he'd failed to finish an essay on Animagi, and Jennifer was currently in detention with Professor Flitwick. She had 'accidentally' mispronounced the charm they'd been practicing in class that day, and ended up performing the Bat Bogey Hex on Danielle instead.

Remus didn't participate in the conversations going on around him at dinner; he was beginning to feel that he might not have been able to follow one anyway. Ever since the start of the school year, Remus had begun to feel strange every time he was around Michelle. It was weird; he'd never felt particularly nervous with her when they were younger, but now every time they were together he felt hot, and he never seemed able to start a conversation without stuttering over his words.

Sitting across the table from her, Remus couldn't help but notice the way her flowing red hair framed her face, or how attractive her smile was. He'd also found himself staring into her icy blue eyes, enjoying the way they danced when she laughed. Remus had even found himself wishing that he could be the reason her face would light up that way. Remus didn't understand; he'd dated a couple of girls in the past, most notably Danielle, and none of them had ever made him feel like this.

"Hey Moony, you all right?" Sirius asked, looking at him in concern.

"Huh?" Remus said intelligently. "Oh yeah. I'm fine, why?"

"You kind of spaced out there, and you haven't eaten anything in the past few minutes," James said as he cut up a piece of steak.

"Oh, I was just, you know, thinking about, um, stuff," Remus said, blushing as he glanced up at Michelle who was deep in conversation with Grace about the essay they had to write for Defense Against the Dark Arts about Dementors.

"Oh, 'stuff'," Sirius whispered, noticing the glance. He smiled saying, "Would that 'stuff' happen to be a certain someone sitting across from you?"

"No," Remus lied, blushing even more.

"Right," James said, smiling slyly. "Of course, you weren't thinking about Michelle at all. You just happened to be staring right at her, but of course you weren't thinking about the attractive redhead across from you." He and Sirius glanced at each other, their grins widening.

Remus glared at James when he called Michelle an attractive redhead, saying, "Shut up, guys."

"I think someone's got a little crush," Sirius said. "I must say, she's a much better choice than Michelle," he whispered, glancing at Michelle to make sure she wasn't listening.

"Oh, just shut up," Remus repeated with a blush. Despite his protests, Remus was starting to think they might be right. That would certainly explain his feelings, and why he was always so protective about her.

Just as desert appeared on the tables, their group was approached by some very unwelcome people. Lucius Malfoy was walking up to their spot at the Gryffindor table, along with Andrew and Snape. It seemed that Andrew had been accepted into Malfoy's little gang of followers.

Remus, James, and Sirius, who saw them before the girls did, glared at them threateningly. "What do you want this time, Malfoy?" Sirius asked, looking bored as he dug into a slice of pie.

"Nothing that concerns you, Black," Malfoy sneered. "I just wanted to have a little talk with the lovely Michelle, here," he said glancing at her appraisingly.

"To bad, Malfoy," she said without looking at him. "I want nothing to do with you, or your little friends," Michelle said as she looked disdainfully at Snape and Andrew.

Ignoring her, Malfoy slid into the seat next to her. "So I was thinking, Michelle, there's going to be a Hogsmeade weekend soon," he said, putting his arm around her. "What time do you want to meet me for our date?"

Shoving his arm off Michelle said, "For the last time, Malfoy, I'm not interested! Will you please just leave me alone?!" Michelle moved as far away from him as she could. The others were all surreptitiously reaching for their wands, glaring at the Slytherins. Remus once again found himself having to control the urge to jump across the table and smash Malfoy's face in.

Malfoy scooted closer to Michelle, and once again slid his arm around her. Remus was practically growling at him, and James and Sirius glanced at their friend each wearing the same puzzled expression. "Oh, come on, Michelle, you might as well say yes. You'll give in to me eventually; it's only a matter of time," Malfoy said smoothly as he placed his free hand on her leg.

Michelle cringed slightly, as if his touch was bringing back memories she'd much rather forget. This was the last straw for Remus. He jumped up, grabbing Malfoy by the cloak, and punched him in the face. There was a loud snapping noise as Remus broke Malfoy's nose, causing it to gush blood. Before Malfoy had time to respond, James and Sirius had pulled Remus off of him.

Professor McGonagall was beside herself with anger. "Mr. Lupin! I don't believe it! Attacking another student! Don't even try to explain, Mr. Lupin, because I don't want to hear it," she raged, her eyes flashing as they approached the Headmaster's office. "I would expect such behavior from your friends, Potter and Black, but not you Mr. Lupin. I hope you realize you are in danger of loosing you Prefect's badge."

"Yes, Professor," Remus said as she gave the password to the stone gargoyle. McGonagall was silent as they walked up the spiral staircase to Dumbledore's office.

McGonagall knocked on the door before leading Remus into the Headmaster's rather impressive office. "Mr. Lupin is here, Headmaster."

Dumbledore was reclining in his chair behind his desk as he said, "Thank you, Minerva. I'd like to speak with him alone."

McGonagall nodded and left, closing the door behind her.

"Please take a seat, Mr. Lupin." Dumbledore said, indicating the chair in front of his desk.