A/N: Should've mentioned this in the previous chapter, but oh well; here goes. I just wanted to note that I decided to cut out the fight between Sirius and Dominique (its in Long Lost Love…) and thus, naturally, all the stuff that would've led up to it and what would've followed from it…(In LLL it appeared right after the party…) I decided that it just didn't go along very well with Dominique's background…I mean, she was raped less than a year ago, she's not exactly confident, sexually…So anyway, if all of that made sense (given that you've read LLL), great. If not, don't worry about it; I don't expect people to remember every little thing I've written; I'm not JKR J :P I'm just meticulous about my writing like her, that's all ;)
Chapter 19: One of a Kind
Kierra's feet would not move at first; but as the werewolf took another step towards her, she immediately began to back away. 'turn around and run…turn around and run…' she thought to herself. But she could not…she was too afraid of turning around, should the werewolf lunge at her when she turned her back.
Just as she decided to take the risk and turn around, Kierra tripped over her shoelace and fell backwards.
Kierra immediately sat up; just as she was about to grab her wand, the werewolf ran straight at her. Kierra screamed. The werewolf pounced on top of her, scratching her arm as it did so. It opened its mouth, revealing many large, razor sharp teeth. Just as the werewolf dropped its head forward towards Kierra's neck, it was knocked backwards by a force.
Kierra turned around and saw a stag kicking the werewolf. Seconds later, the dog and the rat appeared on the scene and followed the example of the stag. Kierra got up and reached for her wand, when suddenly….
"COME ON!!!!" It was James, human again. He pulled Kierra by the arm and ran across the field, towards the castle. "HOLD HIM OFF PADFOOT!!" he shouted over his shoulder.
Kierra glanced back momentarily. The werewolf had made to go after her and James, but was being held off by the dog. She then saw the rat jump up and down, and soon the werewolf was chasing after the rat, though constantly being slowed down by the dog, which nipped at the werewolf's feet.
When they were a safe distance away from the animals, and near the castle, James finally let go of Kierra.
"Are you ok??" he asked, "you didn't get bitten did you??"
"No…no…just scratched…" Kierra breathed, "you saved me…thanks…"
"Don't mention it…"
"James…what were all of you doing with a werewolf??"
"Nothing…I…wait…what were you doing out here in the first place?? You're not supposed to be out here!"
"Neither are you! I was…actually..following you guys…"
"What??"
"I was looking for Alice's toad…and then I heard you guys…and then you mentioned Remus's name…I was curious"—Kierra stopped short and gasped. James looked at her warily. "Is he….was he…the…werewolf??"
James looked down again and nodded sadly.
"Oh…my gosh…" she said quietly, "sick every month…Moony…it all makes sense…"
"Yea…"
"How?? When did it happen??"
"When he was a kid…way before he even came here…"
"So Dominique would have known…" Kierra continued.
"yea…she knows…"
"And…you guys are animagi…because…why?"
"A werewolf's a threat only to humans…when we're there as animals…it keeps him calmer…makes his transformations a bit more bearable…"
"How long have you guys"—
"Since 5th year…"
"And no one knows?"
"No one… and we need to keep it that way…we're not registered, you know…so you have to keep it quiet…understand? Or I'll put a memory charm on you."
Kierra looked at James to see if he meant that last statement. His face was stony and pale and he was frowning. Kierra gulped. He was dead serious.
"Course, I won't say anything…" she answered.
"Come on," James said, after a moment of silence, "I want you to go inside…"
"What about you??"
"Me? I'm gonna go back to Remus and the guys…" Just then, Sirius, as a dog, came running up to them, with the invisibility cloak in his mouth. He dropped it onto the grass, and transformed back into a human.
"You ok, Kierra?" he asked quickly; Kierra nodded. Sirius picked up the cloak and handed it to James. "He was trying to get the cloak…maybe Kierra should wear it back to the castle so she doesn't get caught…what were you doing out here anyway??" he asked hoarsely.
"Spying on us…" James answered.
"Not spying!!" Kierra protested, "Ok, yea, spying…" she muttered, when James and Sirius gave her angry looks, "but I wasn't trying to be nosy or anything! I just heard you mention Remus's name! I was worried about him, that's all!"
Sirius frowned. "that doesn't mean"—
"doesn't mean what?? That I can't go and risk my neck for him like you guys? He's my boyfriend, and I care about him!" Kierra retorted. "And don't you tell me that I can't do so and so…you're not my parents! You guys aren't acting like angels yourselves, sneaking out like this, becoming illegal animagi"—
"And you better not tell anyone"—
"Yea, James already threatened me…I won't tell anyone…" Kierra cut Sirius off.
James glanced down the hill to look for Remus. "Er, Sirius…if neither of us are down there…who's keeping him in check? Surely Peter can't…he's too tiny as a rat…"
Sirius smiled slightly. "Wormtail? Yea, he's keeping him occupied…he climbed on top of a tree branch to distract him…but we better head back, who knows how long that'll last…"
"Right…" James said. "Ok, Kierra, go back up to the castle." He said as he and Sirius turned to leave.
Kierra stared after them, balling her fists. Who did they think they were? "No" she said.
Sirius and James turned around. "What?" James asked.
"I don't want to go."
"Well, you don't really have a choice" Sirius said firmly, "go up to the castle now, or else."
"Or else what?" Kierra challenged.
"Or else we won't save your butt again should he come up here and attack you." James replied.
Kierra pulled out her wand and sat on the grass. "Fine…I'm prepared."
Sirius marched back up to Kierra and towered over her. "Why the hell are you trying to act so difficult? Just be a good kid and go inside!"
Kierra stood up quickly. "I'm not a kid! So quit patronizing me!"
Sirius chuckled. "No one's patronizing you"—
"Yuh huh! Both of you are! Now, I'm gonna stay here until he comes back…and you two aren't going to get in my way." She said with finality as she sat back down.
Sirius sighed. "Fine…have it your way…just don't come crying to us if you're a werewolf before the end of this night."
James glared at Sirius and nudged him in the ribs. "Don't say that!" he hissed as they went back down the hill, transforming into their respective creatures in the process.
Kierra rested her wand on the grass next to her. So she had a few hours to kill until the moon died away. No big deal. Those jerks…treating her like a little kid…as if she snuck out of bed past her bedtime…well, ok, that was exactly what she did…but they had no right to tell her off for that…chastising her for caring about her boyfriend….her boyfriend…who was a werewolf.
Kierra shuttered at the thought…that minutes ago, Remus was on top of her, inches away from biting her, nearly turning her into a werewolf…
But how could he be one? She had always read the most negative things about werewolves…they were considered the most mistrustful, dangerous half-humans in the wizarding world, aside from giants. She had read horror stories of werewolves who lived savagely even in their human form…but Remus didn't seem like that…no, she couldn't go and assume that's how he was, now that she knew he was a werewolf…He was so sweet, and charming…intelligent…
All this time…she had known him…well, known who he was, rather, for about seven years…and she never knew…
As the hours went by, Kierra's thoughts remained on Remus. She was beginning to feel very sorry for him. She remembered reading in DADA that transformations were very painful…she frowned at the thought of the description she had read…they had been very detailed and it pained her to think that Remus had been going through it every month.
'Well, werewolves have got plenty of reason to be cranky…with what they've got to go through…' Kierra thought to herself, which further increased her respect for Remus; despite his condition, he still managed to be so genteel and pleasant…
Before Kierra realized it was nearly day break, she had been brought back into the real world when she saw Sirius, Peter and James come up the hill, supporting a staggering Remus.
"Kierra…" he murmured. He still looked pallid and weak, and looked like he was about to crumble to the ground. "I attacked you…I'm sorry…I'm so…"—
Kierra immediately stood up at hearing her name, and she walked up to Remus. "Remus," she whispered, looking into his eyes, which showed fatigue, "are you alright?"
Remus shuttered slightly as Kierra touched his face. She didn't hate him? Hadn't he almost turned her into a werewolf?
"Yea…I'm ok…" he said at last. "Are you?"
Kierra nodded as she looked at the ground. Why couldn't she say anything? In the hours she spent alone, she had memorized a speech she would give him, explaining that she only came spying because she cared about him and she was worried, but now, her mind had gone blank; so she simply followed the boys back up to the castle, who also remained silent.
As the group finally approached the fat lady portrait, Sirius turned around and hissed at Kierra, "Now when we get back inside, we're all going straight to bed, and that's an order!"
"Don't talk to her like that" Remus whispered; it seemed to have taken all the energy he had left to say that, for he almost collapsed when the words left his mouth. The boys quickly steadied him onto his feet; Sirius threw another warning glance at Kierra before going through the portrait hole. Kierra made to follow, but she bumped right into Sirius, as he had stopped. Already irritated by his rudeness, Kierra pushed Sirius forward and walked around him, but then she also stopped. Dominique, Alice and Lily were sitting in the common room.
"Girls!" Sirius said quickly, "What are you"—
"Where the hell have you all been??" Lily asked, turning to Kierra. "We've been worried sick!!"
"What's wrong with Remus?" Alice asked walking up to him, "What happened to all of you?"
"Look, it's none of your"—
"Take him upstairs." Dominique interrupted; she was the only one who seemed calm. "Put him to bed, he needs sleep."
No one said a word. The boys did as they were told, and helped Remus up the steps. Once they disappeared, everyone turned to Kierra.
"What happened??" Lily asked at once. "Where were you??"
"I was outside…"
"Doing what??"
"Let's wait for the guys to come downstairs." Dominique said. "Let's get all of this straightened out…though I think I've got a good idea as to what's happened…"
Seconds later, the three boys came back downstairs, all looking a bit nervous.
"Um…listen guys…" James began, "it really doesn't matter"—
"No, you listen," Dominique interrupted him. "All of us are either friends, or boyfriends or girlfriends now…I think we can trust each other to tell the truth…"
"But Remus"—
"Won't mind if everyone knew…anyway the only people who don't now are Alice and Lily…"
"Know what?" Lily and Alice asked together.
"How do you know I know?" Kierra asked.
Dominique waved a hand impatiently. "Even if he did mind, he'd be quick to forgive, he's wonderful about that…ok…so, Remus is a werewolf"—
Lily and Alice gasped. "He's"—
"yea, a werewolf" Dominique continued, pacing around the room, "I've known the whole time…I was with him when he got the bite…the guys have known too, they figured it out ages ago, Remus told me in a letter…"
"This is great…" James muttered, "just great…"
"But why have they been disappearing too?" Alice asked, pointing at the three boys.
"We just want to be with him, to comfort him!" James said.
"But werewolves are a danger to humans!!" she replied.
"They're animagi…" Dominique said.
"What??" James, Sirius, and Peter said at once.
"How did you know??" Kierra asked.
"The marauders map…" Dominique replied, "the names…Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, Prongs…they said those were their nicknames…I understood Moony right away…since I knew what Remus was…but I couldn't understand why the other three would have such names…then it hit me…if Remus had a name that was animal oriented…perhaps the rest did…so I became suspicious that they were animagi…I did some research…"
"That's why you kept reading books on animagi!" Lily said.
Dominique nodded. "Then I confirmed my hypothesis my watching you guys at night, during a full moon…I've got a pair of omnoculars…and I saw you all out a few months ago…"
"Hey, you said you were stargazing that night!" Alice exclaimed.
Dominique shrugged. "So, I figured you all kept him company. I saw that you weren't on the registry, and thus illegal, so I didn't mention it to anyone…and Kierra, since tonight was a full moon, and you've just come in with all of them… I assumed you just found out all this stuff?"
Kierra nodded.
At last, James spoke up. "You remind me of Dumbledore…knowing everything…it's a bit scary…" he said, smiling slightly.
"I got his genes I guess…" Dominique replied. "Ok…so all of us know…let's just keep this amongst ourselves…"
"Yea, and I hope you guys treat him the same," James said, turning to the girls.
"Yes," Sirius chimed in, "He's really the same old Remus…he just gets all hairy and vicious once a month…kinda like you girls do…only his thing lasts for only one night, while you girls have yours for a week…oww!" Dominique had hit him in the arm and she passed by him to go upstairs.
"Aw, your cycle is in sync with Remus's! How cute!" Sirius teased her. Dominique, didn't look back; she only stuck her hand out and gave him the finger before she disappeared up the stairs, causing everyone to snigger.
"Touché!" Sirius said, as he got up with James and Peter. "Well, night everyone. I suggest you all go to sleep as well. You guys can bother Remus in the morning."
Soon after, the common room was deserted except for Kierra, Lily and Alice.
"Yea, we should head up to bed too…we've got class in like…three hours….let's try to get some sleep…"
Kierra groaned. "I'm never going to wake up for class…and it's potions too!!" she said as she groaned again.
Lily patted her on the shoulder. "I'll wake you all up, don't worry."
"Kierra," Alice began, as they headed up the stairs, "are you o.k. with Remus still? I mean, you still like him"—
"Of course I do!" Kierra said at once. "And I want to tell him that first thing tomorrow. I just hope he isn't mad at me for finding out…"
Hours later, Lily woke up to the sound of her alarm. She smacked at it several times from underneath her covers, failing to hit the off button. (it's magically powered!!) Grumbling, she sat up in her bed and reached over to turn it off, when she looked at the time. 'oh no!!' she thought, jumping out of bed.
"GUYS WAKE UP WE'VE GOT CLASS IN 15 MINUTES!!!" She ran to each girl's bed in turn, pulling off their covers and throwing them onto the floor.
"Lilyyyyyy!!!!" She could hear Kierra screaming in her sleep, as Lily ran to the bathroom to take a 30 second shower. When she came out of the bathroom, using one hand to brush her hair, and the other hand to brush her teeth, Lily walked over to Dominique's bed, and kicked up her leg, and tried pushing her over with it in attempts to wake her up.
"Get up!!" she shouted, accidentally swallowing a mouthful of toothpaste. 'little brats..' she thought as she ran to the bathroom to rinse her mouth.
When she came out, she saw Dominique opening her eyes. "I'm tired…" she said with a loud yawn.
"Too bad…we've got class in 10 minutes, now move!!" Lily said, pulling her out of bed.
Dominique glared at Lily as she went to the bathroom, muttering curse words on her way.
Finally, Alice had also gotten up. "I dreamt that Remus was a werewolf…" she said sleepily.
"He IS one…" Lily said irritably as she hastily pulled on her clothes. "Go get ready, hurry up!!"
"Yea, yea…." Alice said, as she walked to the bathroom. Just then Dominique came running out.
"Lily!! We've got five minutes til class starts!! Why didn't you wake us up??" Dominique shouted, hastily going through her trunk to find her uniform.
"We've got seven minutes actually," Lily answered, as she pulled her socks on. "And I'm not your mom…now, since I'm ready I'm going to run downstairs and grab us some breakfast…the rest of you hurry up…and someone please get Kierra up!!" she called as she sprinted out the door.
Dominique glanced down at Kierra as she brushed her hair. 'Oh good grief…' she thought as she pulled out her wand. Dominique quickly muttered a spell and her brush flew into the air and began brushing Dominique's hair by itself, leaving her hands free to get Kierra up.
"Kierra…" Dominique said, shaking her gently. "Kierra, get up…we've got class!!"
"mummy argurumphaaa…" Kierra muttered in her sleep.
Dominique smiled at Kierra's jibberish, but quickly resolved to be stern with her.
"Alright, you leave me no choice!" Dominique took her wand out again and pointed it at Kierra. Instantly, water sprayed out of the tip of her wand, and soon Kierra was screaming foul obscenities.
"Stopp!!!!" she shrieked as she turned over onto her stomach and curled into a ball.
"Kierra, get up!!" Dominique shouted at her, pulling her up forcefully.
"I hate you!!" Kierra cried as Dominique yanked her out of bed.
"Oh, grow up…" Dominique said, pushing her into the bathroom. "If you're not out in one minute, I'm coming in after you."
Just as the bathroom door slammed, Lily came racing back into the dormitory.
"Muffins for everyone!!" she huffed, "so we can eatem on our way to class…"
"wow…that's got to be record timing!!" Alice exclaimed as she hastily put her clothes on.
"I know, seriously, thanks Lily!" Dominique chimed in as she grabbed her cloak.
"Where's Kierra?" Lily asked.
"Bathroom…"
"She needs to hurry!" Lily said, glancing at her watch. "four minutes!!"
"Ok, you start dragging her out," Dominique said, "Alice and I will get her clothes…"
"I don't wanna go to class!!" Kierra whined as Dominique helped her into her blouse.
"Shut up Kierra," Alice said, brushing her hair.
"Ok, let's move people!!!" Lily shouted, grabbing her bag. "We've got a minute left, if we run, we'll make it on time!" she called as she opened the door.
"Alright, let's get moving…" Dominique said, picking up her bag and muffin.
"But I'm hungry"— Kierra said, but Alice had stuffed her muffin into Kierra's mouth, shutting her up.
The girls sprinted down the stairs, led by Lily, and made it right into class just as Professor Kiefer turned around to face the class, as he usually did at 8 o'clock on the dot.
The four girls sighed together in relief as they took their assigned seats.
"Very close, girls…" Professor Kiefer said. "Another second, and you all would've had detentions…now then….today, we'll be going over the ingredients of the potion that we'll be making on Wednesday…."
His voice drawled on.
Dominique glanced around the room. All four marauders had also made it to class. Peter sat with Kierra, Remus was sitting next to Lily, Sirius was next to Lucius Malfoy, while James sat next to Snape. Dominique did a double take at Peter and Kierra's desk; Kierra had her head slumped against the desk; she was fast asleep.
Deciding that it would be too risky to try to wake Kierra up, Dominique decided to keep Professor Kiefer's attention away from Kierra, by participating as much as possible in class, so he wouldn't trouble himself by calling on her.
"Now, who can tell me where you can find this particular ingredient? Er…Miss Fiore…?"
"In freshwater ponds, sir.." Dominique answered promptly. Half the class turned to look at her in surprise. After all, Dominique never bothered to pay attention in class, let alone try to participate.
"Yes, that is correct!" Professor Kiefer said, looking slightly impressed, and slightly flattered that Dominique had actually taken the trouble to pay attention in his class.
Potions continued in that manner for the entire class period, and to Dominique's relief, Professor Kiefer never took notice of Kierra. When class ended, Dominique saw Peter nudging Kierra to wake up.
As the group took their seats in their next class, DADA, Kierra was about to put her head down again to get some more sleep, when she noticed the person sitting next to her.
"Remus!" Though everyone was tired and fatigued from the night before, Remus seemed to look the worst.
"Kierra…before you go to sleep…I wanted to talk to you…since we've got a few minutes…"
"Right…listen…I hope you're not mad at me…"
"Mad at you??"
"Yea…for spying on you all…I'm sorry…I was just worried about you…"
"It's alright…I actually wanted to apologize to you…"
"For what??"
"For…I dunno…well…for what I am"—
Kierra sat up straight. "For what you are??" she said in a sharp whisper, so no one could hear them. "Remus, there's nothing to be sorry about!"
"Well…if you er…don't want to see me anymore because of this…I totally understand…"
Kierra gaped at him. "Do you not want to see me anymore because I know?" she asked with a frown.
"What?? No, I thought you wouldn't want to go out with me, since you know…"
"Why would you think that?? Remus, of course I want to keep seeing you…"
"Really?? You mean, you don't care that I'm…"
"of course not! That's doesn't make you any less a person, Remus!"
Remus stared at Kierra a little longer, but then sighed and smiled. "Well…this has just made my day…no, my whole year, I think…"
Kierra smiled. "Glad it has…oh by the way…erm…Lily and Alice know too…Dominique told"—
"I know," Remus said, "Lily and I were passing notes in potions, she explained it all to me…I'm ok with them knowing…I trust you all…"
"glad you do…" Kierra replied, "erm, Remus, quick question…"
"Yea?"
"Can I borrow your notes for this class? I'm really tired and I wanna sleep…"
"Of course…I'll wake you up at the end of class…"
"You're the best…I'll stay awake in runes, so you can sleep then…I know you need rest too…." Kierra said as she rested her head in her arms.
Remus smiled. "thanks…that would be great…by the way, are you"— Remus stopped as he glanced down at Kierra. She was already fast asleep. He smiled inwardly as he pulled out a blank sheet of parchment to take notes on. Kierra was certainly one of a kind; there was no way he'd ever let her go.
Chapter 19: One of a Kind
Kierra's feet would not move at first; but as the werewolf took another step towards her, she immediately began to back away. 'turn around and run…turn around and run…' she thought to herself. But she could not…she was too afraid of turning around, should the werewolf lunge at her when she turned her back.
Just as she decided to take the risk and turn around, Kierra tripped over her shoelace and fell backwards.
Kierra immediately sat up; just as she was about to grab her wand, the werewolf ran straight at her. Kierra screamed. The werewolf pounced on top of her, scratching her arm as it did so. It opened its mouth, revealing many large, razor sharp teeth. Just as the werewolf dropped its head forward towards Kierra's neck, it was knocked backwards by a force.
Kierra turned around and saw a stag kicking the werewolf. Seconds later, the dog and the rat appeared on the scene and followed the example of the stag. Kierra got up and reached for her wand, when suddenly….
"COME ON!!!!" It was James, human again. He pulled Kierra by the arm and ran across the field, towards the castle. "HOLD HIM OFF PADFOOT!!" he shouted over his shoulder.
Kierra glanced back momentarily. The werewolf had made to go after her and James, but was being held off by the dog. She then saw the rat jump up and down, and soon the werewolf was chasing after the rat, though constantly being slowed down by the dog, which nipped at the werewolf's feet.
When they were a safe distance away from the animals, and near the castle, James finally let go of Kierra.
"Are you ok??" he asked, "you didn't get bitten did you??"
"No…no…just scratched…" Kierra breathed, "you saved me…thanks…"
"Don't mention it…"
"James…what were all of you doing with a werewolf??"
"Nothing…I…wait…what were you doing out here in the first place?? You're not supposed to be out here!"
"Neither are you! I was…actually..following you guys…"
"What??"
"I was looking for Alice's toad…and then I heard you guys…and then you mentioned Remus's name…I was curious"—Kierra stopped short and gasped. James looked at her warily. "Is he….was he…the…werewolf??"
James looked down again and nodded sadly.
"Oh…my gosh…" she said quietly, "sick every month…Moony…it all makes sense…"
"Yea…"
"How?? When did it happen??"
"When he was a kid…way before he even came here…"
"So Dominique would have known…" Kierra continued.
"yea…she knows…"
"And…you guys are animagi…because…why?"
"A werewolf's a threat only to humans…when we're there as animals…it keeps him calmer…makes his transformations a bit more bearable…"
"How long have you guys"—
"Since 5th year…"
"And no one knows?"
"No one… and we need to keep it that way…we're not registered, you know…so you have to keep it quiet…understand? Or I'll put a memory charm on you."
Kierra looked at James to see if he meant that last statement. His face was stony and pale and he was frowning. Kierra gulped. He was dead serious.
"Course, I won't say anything…" she answered.
"Come on," James said, after a moment of silence, "I want you to go inside…"
"What about you??"
"Me? I'm gonna go back to Remus and the guys…" Just then, Sirius, as a dog, came running up to them, with the invisibility cloak in his mouth. He dropped it onto the grass, and transformed back into a human.
"You ok, Kierra?" he asked quickly; Kierra nodded. Sirius picked up the cloak and handed it to James. "He was trying to get the cloak…maybe Kierra should wear it back to the castle so she doesn't get caught…what were you doing out here anyway??" he asked hoarsely.
"Spying on us…" James answered.
"Not spying!!" Kierra protested, "Ok, yea, spying…" she muttered, when James and Sirius gave her angry looks, "but I wasn't trying to be nosy or anything! I just heard you mention Remus's name! I was worried about him, that's all!"
Sirius frowned. "that doesn't mean"—
"doesn't mean what?? That I can't go and risk my neck for him like you guys? He's my boyfriend, and I care about him!" Kierra retorted. "And don't you tell me that I can't do so and so…you're not my parents! You guys aren't acting like angels yourselves, sneaking out like this, becoming illegal animagi"—
"And you better not tell anyone"—
"Yea, James already threatened me…I won't tell anyone…" Kierra cut Sirius off.
James glanced down the hill to look for Remus. "Er, Sirius…if neither of us are down there…who's keeping him in check? Surely Peter can't…he's too tiny as a rat…"
Sirius smiled slightly. "Wormtail? Yea, he's keeping him occupied…he climbed on top of a tree branch to distract him…but we better head back, who knows how long that'll last…"
"Right…" James said. "Ok, Kierra, go back up to the castle." He said as he and Sirius turned to leave.
Kierra stared after them, balling her fists. Who did they think they were? "No" she said.
Sirius and James turned around. "What?" James asked.
"I don't want to go."
"Well, you don't really have a choice" Sirius said firmly, "go up to the castle now, or else."
"Or else what?" Kierra challenged.
"Or else we won't save your butt again should he come up here and attack you." James replied.
Kierra pulled out her wand and sat on the grass. "Fine…I'm prepared."
Sirius marched back up to Kierra and towered over her. "Why the hell are you trying to act so difficult? Just be a good kid and go inside!"
Kierra stood up quickly. "I'm not a kid! So quit patronizing me!"
Sirius chuckled. "No one's patronizing you"—
"Yuh huh! Both of you are! Now, I'm gonna stay here until he comes back…and you two aren't going to get in my way." She said with finality as she sat back down.
Sirius sighed. "Fine…have it your way…just don't come crying to us if you're a werewolf before the end of this night."
James glared at Sirius and nudged him in the ribs. "Don't say that!" he hissed as they went back down the hill, transforming into their respective creatures in the process.
Kierra rested her wand on the grass next to her. So she had a few hours to kill until the moon died away. No big deal. Those jerks…treating her like a little kid…as if she snuck out of bed past her bedtime…well, ok, that was exactly what she did…but they had no right to tell her off for that…chastising her for caring about her boyfriend….her boyfriend…who was a werewolf.
Kierra shuttered at the thought…that minutes ago, Remus was on top of her, inches away from biting her, nearly turning her into a werewolf…
But how could he be one? She had always read the most negative things about werewolves…they were considered the most mistrustful, dangerous half-humans in the wizarding world, aside from giants. She had read horror stories of werewolves who lived savagely even in their human form…but Remus didn't seem like that…no, she couldn't go and assume that's how he was, now that she knew he was a werewolf…He was so sweet, and charming…intelligent…
All this time…she had known him…well, known who he was, rather, for about seven years…and she never knew…
As the hours went by, Kierra's thoughts remained on Remus. She was beginning to feel very sorry for him. She remembered reading in DADA that transformations were very painful…she frowned at the thought of the description she had read…they had been very detailed and it pained her to think that Remus had been going through it every month.
'Well, werewolves have got plenty of reason to be cranky…with what they've got to go through…' Kierra thought to herself, which further increased her respect for Remus; despite his condition, he still managed to be so genteel and pleasant…
Before Kierra realized it was nearly day break, she had been brought back into the real world when she saw Sirius, Peter and James come up the hill, supporting a staggering Remus.
"Kierra…" he murmured. He still looked pallid and weak, and looked like he was about to crumble to the ground. "I attacked you…I'm sorry…I'm so…"—
Kierra immediately stood up at hearing her name, and she walked up to Remus. "Remus," she whispered, looking into his eyes, which showed fatigue, "are you alright?"
Remus shuttered slightly as Kierra touched his face. She didn't hate him? Hadn't he almost turned her into a werewolf?
"Yea…I'm ok…" he said at last. "Are you?"
Kierra nodded as she looked at the ground. Why couldn't she say anything? In the hours she spent alone, she had memorized a speech she would give him, explaining that she only came spying because she cared about him and she was worried, but now, her mind had gone blank; so she simply followed the boys back up to the castle, who also remained silent.
As the group finally approached the fat lady portrait, Sirius turned around and hissed at Kierra, "Now when we get back inside, we're all going straight to bed, and that's an order!"
"Don't talk to her like that" Remus whispered; it seemed to have taken all the energy he had left to say that, for he almost collapsed when the words left his mouth. The boys quickly steadied him onto his feet; Sirius threw another warning glance at Kierra before going through the portrait hole. Kierra made to follow, but she bumped right into Sirius, as he had stopped. Already irritated by his rudeness, Kierra pushed Sirius forward and walked around him, but then she also stopped. Dominique, Alice and Lily were sitting in the common room.
"Girls!" Sirius said quickly, "What are you"—
"Where the hell have you all been??" Lily asked, turning to Kierra. "We've been worried sick!!"
"What's wrong with Remus?" Alice asked walking up to him, "What happened to all of you?"
"Look, it's none of your"—
"Take him upstairs." Dominique interrupted; she was the only one who seemed calm. "Put him to bed, he needs sleep."
No one said a word. The boys did as they were told, and helped Remus up the steps. Once they disappeared, everyone turned to Kierra.
"What happened??" Lily asked at once. "Where were you??"
"I was outside…"
"Doing what??"
"Let's wait for the guys to come downstairs." Dominique said. "Let's get all of this straightened out…though I think I've got a good idea as to what's happened…"
Seconds later, the three boys came back downstairs, all looking a bit nervous.
"Um…listen guys…" James began, "it really doesn't matter"—
"No, you listen," Dominique interrupted him. "All of us are either friends, or boyfriends or girlfriends now…I think we can trust each other to tell the truth…"
"But Remus"—
"Won't mind if everyone knew…anyway the only people who don't now are Alice and Lily…"
"Know what?" Lily and Alice asked together.
"How do you know I know?" Kierra asked.
Dominique waved a hand impatiently. "Even if he did mind, he'd be quick to forgive, he's wonderful about that…ok…so, Remus is a werewolf"—
Lily and Alice gasped. "He's"—
"yea, a werewolf" Dominique continued, pacing around the room, "I've known the whole time…I was with him when he got the bite…the guys have known too, they figured it out ages ago, Remus told me in a letter…"
"This is great…" James muttered, "just great…"
"But why have they been disappearing too?" Alice asked, pointing at the three boys.
"We just want to be with him, to comfort him!" James said.
"But werewolves are a danger to humans!!" she replied.
"They're animagi…" Dominique said.
"What??" James, Sirius, and Peter said at once.
"How did you know??" Kierra asked.
"The marauders map…" Dominique replied, "the names…Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, Prongs…they said those were their nicknames…I understood Moony right away…since I knew what Remus was…but I couldn't understand why the other three would have such names…then it hit me…if Remus had a name that was animal oriented…perhaps the rest did…so I became suspicious that they were animagi…I did some research…"
"That's why you kept reading books on animagi!" Lily said.
Dominique nodded. "Then I confirmed my hypothesis my watching you guys at night, during a full moon…I've got a pair of omnoculars…and I saw you all out a few months ago…"
"Hey, you said you were stargazing that night!" Alice exclaimed.
Dominique shrugged. "So, I figured you all kept him company. I saw that you weren't on the registry, and thus illegal, so I didn't mention it to anyone…and Kierra, since tonight was a full moon, and you've just come in with all of them… I assumed you just found out all this stuff?"
Kierra nodded.
At last, James spoke up. "You remind me of Dumbledore…knowing everything…it's a bit scary…" he said, smiling slightly.
"I got his genes I guess…" Dominique replied. "Ok…so all of us know…let's just keep this amongst ourselves…"
"Yea, and I hope you guys treat him the same," James said, turning to the girls.
"Yes," Sirius chimed in, "He's really the same old Remus…he just gets all hairy and vicious once a month…kinda like you girls do…only his thing lasts for only one night, while you girls have yours for a week…oww!" Dominique had hit him in the arm and she passed by him to go upstairs.
"Aw, your cycle is in sync with Remus's! How cute!" Sirius teased her. Dominique, didn't look back; she only stuck her hand out and gave him the finger before she disappeared up the stairs, causing everyone to snigger.
"Touché!" Sirius said, as he got up with James and Peter. "Well, night everyone. I suggest you all go to sleep as well. You guys can bother Remus in the morning."
Soon after, the common room was deserted except for Kierra, Lily and Alice.
"Yea, we should head up to bed too…we've got class in like…three hours….let's try to get some sleep…"
Kierra groaned. "I'm never going to wake up for class…and it's potions too!!" she said as she groaned again.
Lily patted her on the shoulder. "I'll wake you all up, don't worry."
"Kierra," Alice began, as they headed up the stairs, "are you o.k. with Remus still? I mean, you still like him"—
"Of course I do!" Kierra said at once. "And I want to tell him that first thing tomorrow. I just hope he isn't mad at me for finding out…"
Hours later, Lily woke up to the sound of her alarm. She smacked at it several times from underneath her covers, failing to hit the off button. (it's magically powered!!) Grumbling, she sat up in her bed and reached over to turn it off, when she looked at the time. 'oh no!!' she thought, jumping out of bed.
"GUYS WAKE UP WE'VE GOT CLASS IN 15 MINUTES!!!" She ran to each girl's bed in turn, pulling off their covers and throwing them onto the floor.
"Lilyyyyyy!!!!" She could hear Kierra screaming in her sleep, as Lily ran to the bathroom to take a 30 second shower. When she came out of the bathroom, using one hand to brush her hair, and the other hand to brush her teeth, Lily walked over to Dominique's bed, and kicked up her leg, and tried pushing her over with it in attempts to wake her up.
"Get up!!" she shouted, accidentally swallowing a mouthful of toothpaste. 'little brats..' she thought as she ran to the bathroom to rinse her mouth.
When she came out, she saw Dominique opening her eyes. "I'm tired…" she said with a loud yawn.
"Too bad…we've got class in 10 minutes, now move!!" Lily said, pulling her out of bed.
Dominique glared at Lily as she went to the bathroom, muttering curse words on her way.
Finally, Alice had also gotten up. "I dreamt that Remus was a werewolf…" she said sleepily.
"He IS one…" Lily said irritably as she hastily pulled on her clothes. "Go get ready, hurry up!!"
"Yea, yea…." Alice said, as she walked to the bathroom. Just then Dominique came running out.
"Lily!! We've got five minutes til class starts!! Why didn't you wake us up??" Dominique shouted, hastily going through her trunk to find her uniform.
"We've got seven minutes actually," Lily answered, as she pulled her socks on. "And I'm not your mom…now, since I'm ready I'm going to run downstairs and grab us some breakfast…the rest of you hurry up…and someone please get Kierra up!!" she called as she sprinted out the door.
Dominique glanced down at Kierra as she brushed her hair. 'Oh good grief…' she thought as she pulled out her wand. Dominique quickly muttered a spell and her brush flew into the air and began brushing Dominique's hair by itself, leaving her hands free to get Kierra up.
"Kierra…" Dominique said, shaking her gently. "Kierra, get up…we've got class!!"
"mummy argurumphaaa…" Kierra muttered in her sleep.
Dominique smiled at Kierra's jibberish, but quickly resolved to be stern with her.
"Alright, you leave me no choice!" Dominique took her wand out again and pointed it at Kierra. Instantly, water sprayed out of the tip of her wand, and soon Kierra was screaming foul obscenities.
"Stopp!!!!" she shrieked as she turned over onto her stomach and curled into a ball.
"Kierra, get up!!" Dominique shouted at her, pulling her up forcefully.
"I hate you!!" Kierra cried as Dominique yanked her out of bed.
"Oh, grow up…" Dominique said, pushing her into the bathroom. "If you're not out in one minute, I'm coming in after you."
Just as the bathroom door slammed, Lily came racing back into the dormitory.
"Muffins for everyone!!" she huffed, "so we can eatem on our way to class…"
"wow…that's got to be record timing!!" Alice exclaimed as she hastily put her clothes on.
"I know, seriously, thanks Lily!" Dominique chimed in as she grabbed her cloak.
"Where's Kierra?" Lily asked.
"Bathroom…"
"She needs to hurry!" Lily said, glancing at her watch. "four minutes!!"
"Ok, you start dragging her out," Dominique said, "Alice and I will get her clothes…"
"I don't wanna go to class!!" Kierra whined as Dominique helped her into her blouse.
"Shut up Kierra," Alice said, brushing her hair.
"Ok, let's move people!!!" Lily shouted, grabbing her bag. "We've got a minute left, if we run, we'll make it on time!" she called as she opened the door.
"Alright, let's get moving…" Dominique said, picking up her bag and muffin.
"But I'm hungry"— Kierra said, but Alice had stuffed her muffin into Kierra's mouth, shutting her up.
The girls sprinted down the stairs, led by Lily, and made it right into class just as Professor Kiefer turned around to face the class, as he usually did at 8 o'clock on the dot.
The four girls sighed together in relief as they took their assigned seats.
"Very close, girls…" Professor Kiefer said. "Another second, and you all would've had detentions…now then….today, we'll be going over the ingredients of the potion that we'll be making on Wednesday…."
His voice drawled on.
Dominique glanced around the room. All four marauders had also made it to class. Peter sat with Kierra, Remus was sitting next to Lily, Sirius was next to Lucius Malfoy, while James sat next to Snape. Dominique did a double take at Peter and Kierra's desk; Kierra had her head slumped against the desk; she was fast asleep.
Deciding that it would be too risky to try to wake Kierra up, Dominique decided to keep Professor Kiefer's attention away from Kierra, by participating as much as possible in class, so he wouldn't trouble himself by calling on her.
"Now, who can tell me where you can find this particular ingredient? Er…Miss Fiore…?"
"In freshwater ponds, sir.." Dominique answered promptly. Half the class turned to look at her in surprise. After all, Dominique never bothered to pay attention in class, let alone try to participate.
"Yes, that is correct!" Professor Kiefer said, looking slightly impressed, and slightly flattered that Dominique had actually taken the trouble to pay attention in his class.
Potions continued in that manner for the entire class period, and to Dominique's relief, Professor Kiefer never took notice of Kierra. When class ended, Dominique saw Peter nudging Kierra to wake up.
As the group took their seats in their next class, DADA, Kierra was about to put her head down again to get some more sleep, when she noticed the person sitting next to her.
"Remus!" Though everyone was tired and fatigued from the night before, Remus seemed to look the worst.
"Kierra…before you go to sleep…I wanted to talk to you…since we've got a few minutes…"
"Right…listen…I hope you're not mad at me…"
"Mad at you??"
"Yea…for spying on you all…I'm sorry…I was just worried about you…"
"It's alright…I actually wanted to apologize to you…"
"For what??"
"For…I dunno…well…for what I am"—
Kierra sat up straight. "For what you are??" she said in a sharp whisper, so no one could hear them. "Remus, there's nothing to be sorry about!"
"Well…if you er…don't want to see me anymore because of this…I totally understand…"
Kierra gaped at him. "Do you not want to see me anymore because I know?" she asked with a frown.
"What?? No, I thought you wouldn't want to go out with me, since you know…"
"Why would you think that?? Remus, of course I want to keep seeing you…"
"Really?? You mean, you don't care that I'm…"
"of course not! That's doesn't make you any less a person, Remus!"
Remus stared at Kierra a little longer, but then sighed and smiled. "Well…this has just made my day…no, my whole year, I think…"
Kierra smiled. "Glad it has…oh by the way…erm…Lily and Alice know too…Dominique told"—
"I know," Remus said, "Lily and I were passing notes in potions, she explained it all to me…I'm ok with them knowing…I trust you all…"
"glad you do…" Kierra replied, "erm, Remus, quick question…"
"Yea?"
"Can I borrow your notes for this class? I'm really tired and I wanna sleep…"
"Of course…I'll wake you up at the end of class…"
"You're the best…I'll stay awake in runes, so you can sleep then…I know you need rest too…." Kierra said as she rested her head in her arms.
Remus smiled. "thanks…that would be great…by the way, are you"— Remus stopped as he glanced down at Kierra. She was already fast asleep. He smiled inwardly as he pulled out a blank sheet of parchment to take notes on. Kierra was certainly one of a kind; there was no way he'd ever let her go.