brennqt14- Oh... I didn't realize that people in Canada talked like that. I'll do it a bit less then. Thanks for reading me ficcy, I feel honored that you're actually enjoying it

misterious-eyes- Erm... me and my persuasive ways, eh?

Insanity-of-the-owl- Thanks for reading, I'm glad you really think so .

michmud - You don't have to wait any longer, it seems. Cause the next chapter is right here! Unfortunately I can't answer the question if they actually talk to Remus, but you know... that might be answered by the end of this chapter or the end of the next. Who knows? I don't even know myself, really.

Author's Notes: Hey everyone! Surprised to see that I updated already? I'm hoping I'll be able to do the rest of the story like this. It appears that I can only write when I listen to Stacie Orrico! Strange, no? Heh. Well if you've gotten this far in this little story I give props to you for being there most of the way. The stories going to end pretty soon, I think. A few more chapters... Their first year's almost over, so I hope you enjoy it while it lasts ! For those who reallyliked meto add more Lily, this chapter is for you . There's a little LilyxJames in this part of the story, and it alsogets kinda dramatic for thethree Mischievous kids and Remus. I'd also like to mention thatI took into consideration the Prisoner of Azakaban "movie" during some scenes in this chapter, so if you don't remember a certain part coming from the book, it's from the movie...heh. Shame on me.

CHAPTER 21: THE WHOMPING MASSACRE

Professor Dumbledore's departure from their presence caused the three boys, James, Sirius, and Peter, to grow in a particularly weary silence. It were as if they had all stumbled into a nightmare world where there was no one to help them or free them from its dark clutches. Peter appeared more petrified than anyone else for if what was uttered amongst their Professors was true, the lot of them had been sleeping in the same room as the werewolf James and Sirius had been so interested in the beginning of the year. The very same one that gave Peter chills when he slept, the one that haunted his mind. It was hard enough knowing that Remus had been ill for the past year, but finding out his darkest secret was one they could have lived without.

"So James," muttered Sirius, rubbing his head feverishly, "what do you want to do about this now? It would be suicide to go after him tonight. It's a full moon—"

"I won't believe it!"

Sirius and Peter looked at James solemnly. The messy-haired boy had both is his fists clutched and he gritted his teeth as he spoke. Sirius had never seen such anger in his best friend's eyes, though, it was not hatred that seemed to emit from his face, but rather it was a passionate enragement that glowed from the depths of his heart.

"I won't believe it! Not—not until I see for myself. Or, better yet, if Remus tells me himself." He stated, not a hint of worry in his angered eyes.

Sirius sighed, "Alright, alright. I agree with you on that one, but what troubles me is the fact that Dumbledore's been a wee bit too lenient on us. We heard it for ourselves what McGonagall said, so, why exactly would Dumbledore let us decide whether to believe her or not? I swore he was going to zap our memories, or sumthing!"

"Would Professor Dumbledore really do something like that…?" questioned Peter, his eyes growing wide with even more fear.

James shot fierce glances at both Sirius and Peter, "Of course not! Now's not the time to figure this out, we've got seven years on our hands here… Dumbledore's in charge and Remus is our friend. That's all I need to know. To top it off, another full moon's just another month away; I think I can wait till then."

Peter gulped, "B-but what if he is a werewolf—?"

"We'll just have to deal with it when the time comes!" Sirius growled, "So what if he is, Peter, you're not just going to abandon him are you…?"

Peter shook his head in fright but forced himself to speak once more, "B-but Sirius… w-would you?"

For a moment, Sirius seemed lost without words. His mouth was wide open and he stared at them with a look dread in his face that James had not seen before. His face had paled and mouth dry, he didn't want to answer that question. The handsome lad knew that the right answer, the one that James would want to hear, would be to say that he'd stick beside Remus through thick and thin, but the truth still remained. Although Sirius was among the strongest people James had ever known, the lad wasn't fearless. The truth was that, deep within him, he was scared; he was frightened beyond compare.

"Well I—"

"It's okay, Sirius…" James murmured, looking down, "You don't have to answer that question."

Peter's face grew even more worrisome than before. It was obvious to them that Peter felt guilty for pressing the question on them. James had also thought about it. The three of them would have to act like they normally did until the next full moon, especially around Remus. They'd have to talk calmly, laugh, and not look suspicious at all. It wasn't as simple as it sounded, and James knew that. Would they be able to pull it off without Remus suspecting anything…? I might have appeared easy to begin with, but after some thought, it didn't seem as breezy as they had imagined.

James turned away from his friends and stared at the common room fireplace, burning brightly. Flickers of yellow, red, and orange flames jumbled within it, reminding him of the number of thoughts jumbled up in his mind. It used to be, during situations like this, that James'd be on top of things and figure things through immediately…but…it was different this time. He didn't know how to feel about the whole situation; if Remus were a werewolf, would he be able to look at him the same way? They had been deceived all year by someone they had all thought was their best friend, if the rumors were true…could they possible trust him? Trust a werewolf…?

"We should… talk about this later." James began, pausing before speaking again, "I just need time to think about this plus there's Sinistra heading up to the Astronomy Tower. Sitting here doing nothing won't get us very far…"

Both Peter and Sirius nodded at this then turned to walk toward the Fat Lady's painting. Even though James suggested this he refused to move. His eyes did not leave the fire and the flames reflected in his glasses, as though his eyes were burning with passion. It was just as Sirius and Peter reached the door that the realized their usual cocky messy-haired boy had not accompanied them to the door.

Sirius was quick to notice this, "Coming?" he questioned, looking over his shoulder.

"You guys go on ahead," James murmured, still gazing into the fire, "I—I want to see if Evans is still up in her dorm; Raven's furious with me as it stands for not bringing her up with us."

Peter and Sirius exchanged glances, "That's all well and good, mate. But we're not allowed up in the girl's dormitory, remember?" Sirius implied, crossing his arms.

James jerked a little at the remark then looked back at his handsome friend, "When'd you hear that?" he muttered, looking at him suspiciously. "Raven an' Griddle's come up to our dorm loads of times! Since when can't we go up to theirs—?"

James stared at his friend curiously before finishing his sentence. Peter blinked then turned to his companion standing just beside him. He immediately tapped Sirius on his shoulder to make sure Sirius was all right.

"Um… Sirius, are you okay?" he asked.

For some odd reason, the handsome chap felt his face flush red from embarrassment, and then immediately turned away from them. James furrowed his brow then looked even more so curious at him; it wasn't like Sirius to not tell anything to him. It was just way too obvious to anyone that the boy was hiding something… and it was something Sirius had to be stupid to tell anyone about.

"You're not telling us something." James scoffed, stating the obvious, a grin sliding across his gaunt face, "Wait… I get it! You've already tried it, haven't you? Going up to the girl's dormitories, eh, mate? Trying to sneak a peek I'll bet—!"

"Shut it, James!" Sirius shouted, his face as red as red as flames in the fire place, "It's none of your concern! I'd hex you about now if it weren't for the circumstances! Peter, let's go, it'd be best if yeh'd stay with me. I don't want any of James' bad influence to rub off on you!"

The James couldn't help but laugh. Finally, James had been waiting for a good moment to embarrass Sirius. It turned out to be the last thing he'd ever dream his handsome friend to do. Who ever thought the Black pretty boy was a little p-e-r-v? James smirked. Although he thought this, James couldn't help but be very proud of Sirius. Not even James had attempted to go up their before; who was there to sneak a peek on anyway? The messy-haired boy suddenly shuddered at the thought of it, that—that's scary to think about.

Sirius being as flustered as he was, dragged Peter out of the room using full force; nearly choking the poor dear. And from what James could see, Peter was even more confused than ever with the sudden change in topic. In less than an instant James saw his two friends disappear behind the door of the painting leave him alone in the common room. He sighed as he turned back to look at the fireplace still richly burning in its place. Would that fire ever burn out? He shrugged. Although they had a brief moment of, what James would consider, 'fun' things began pouring right back down on him. He had several problems were very stressing about and no matter of 'fun' could ever take that away from him.

Without much else to do, James trotted over to the entrance of the girl's dormitory. He took a good look around the base of their tower; it looked pretty normal, almost exactly like the boy's dormitory, except for the odd fragrance of perfumes. What a putrid smell, he scathed covering his nose. After hearing what Sirius had said about guys not being able to go up, he wondered what possibly could happen if he were to take even a single step upon the tower staircase. Trap door? He thought, or maybe it'd immediately notify Professor McGonagall… sighing, he thought about it a bit more, that wouldn't do me much good, would it?

For a time, James found himself staring blankly at the first step figuring whether to try up or head back and join Sirius and Peter. This wouldn't have happened if he'd just gotten Evans to begin with, and what exactly was the girl doing up in her dormitory all alone anyway…? He shrugged then cautiously tapped his foot upon its face a few times.

"Hmm… feels solid enough." He murmured to himself as he hoped onto it. "I guess I had nothing to worry about—!"

Just when he was about to walk up the second step, it disappeared; making him miss his own footing. Fortunately before falling forward, and banging his head on the concrete, James was able to grab hold of rocky edges on the stonewall surrounding the spiraled staircase. Although he was able to stop himself from falling forward, James couldn't shake the feeling that he was actually falling backward this time. W-What's going on!? His mind screamed as he scrambled to grip the wall to keep him from falling again, but no use. With a loud oof! he ended up flat on his back upon the common room's red carpet. Lucky for him, he had a fairly soft landing.

He groaned and sat up he sat up. It wasn't that much of a fall since he only fell from the second step, but he wasn't expecting it at all. Rubbing the back of his head he looked up at the staircase. All the steps had suddenly disappeared leaving nothing but a long spiraled jumbo slide for whom ever girl was up there—Evans being the only one this time, if she was still up there. What a dirty ol' trick, his mind growled before trying to stand up, and just when James thought it to be over he heard something from upstairs.

"AHH…!"

He looked up, but there was no one that he could see from down here. Whoever had screamed was probably a good way up since their voice seemed to echo on the way down.

"Evans! Evans, is that you?" he called to her.

There a brief moment of silence before the voice came again, "Who-Who's there? What did you do to the stairs!?"

James frowned; the urgency in her voice wasn't at all comforting. Lily Evans must have been angry because she was literally shouting at him. He contemplated whether to tell her his name or not… or to just leave her. She'd be able to get down wouldn't she…? The staircase was sure to come back soon enough, right?

"Uh… It's James Potter…" he called back, clearing his throat, "Evans, are yeh stuck? Sorry, I, um, didn't think the stairs would do that."

"…Potter? Wait—is the meteor shower over…? I missed a class?"

James shrugged, "I'd tell you if you could get down here. Perhaps you can…slide down?"

There was a moment of silence for what seemed like no more than two minutes. James could hear slow footsteps coming from upstairs going down; apparently Evans was trying to walk down the slide. He listened carefully up until the point that Evans finally came into view; the poor girl appeared rather frustrated with trying to keep her balance and not falling forward. Her strikingly deep red hair drooped on both sides of her face as she attempted to go down another 'step'. She looked rather tired too.

"I think you can jump. Dun worry, I'll catch you." He said, extending his arms out to her, "You look feverish. You feeling all right?"

Lily Evans steadily moved downward before even thinking of jumping; James could tell that Evans didn't want to jump into his arms. It was an awkward thing to do, after all, but James was just worried about her, he didn't want the girl to pass out and hit her head while attempting to slide down. James had been scolded many times by his parents (mother especially) that a man should treat a lady with respect, kindness, and what not. So James felt like he was just doing his share of good will.

"I—I can do it myself, thank you very much." She stated, moving down a bit more, "I'm perfectly capable of getting down myself."

James cocked his eyebrow upward; he knew from the many classes he had with her that Evans was a strong girl. He also figured that she was the type to do things most wouldn't, bravery as well as smarts was most apparently the red head's strong points.

"Is that so?" he retorted, smirking. He rumpled the back of his head as he did so.

Evans grunted, "It is so!" moving down some more. By now she was probably on the seventh step from where James stood, she was almost there anyway. Even if Evans were to fall, she'd land on the carpet just as James had. Unfortunately, James was a bit too over confident with what he thought for the moment she missed the wall and began to fall forward, he wasn't ready to catch her at all.

"Get out of the way!" she screamed, seeing that the Potter-boy was still in her line of collision.

They were going to collide.

"W-wait! I wasn't ready not ready!"

It truly was a stupid thing to exclaim because you can't actually wait before falling. The laws of gravity definitely didn't allow such a thing. Of course there were spells, curses, hexes, and charms, but none that either Lily or James knew could stop universal force of Gravity. Being as cocky as the messy-haired boy had been the whole time, could only stare as she plummeted toward him. It happened in a matter of seconds. Escape was futile. BAM! The two of them landed on the common room carpet. This time, James' was flat on his face, Evans on her side. They groaned as they stood up, rubbing their sore limbs.

"Thanks for—er—catching me…" Evans coughed, looking at him blandly.

"No problem. I'll do it any time." James retorted, sarcastically, a bit of annoyance in his voice.

The boy rubbed his flattened nose. This was the very last thing James would have suspected to happen that night, other than the fact that they had learned a strange deal about Remus. Maybe it would have done him much better to have gone up with Sirius and Peter, or better yet if they hadn't gone back to the common room at all. Just thinking about it made James regret almost everything he did that day.

"Why'd you stay here to get me?" asked Evans, breaking his train of thought, "Don't you have more important things to think about? Plus, Sinistra had already come to talk with me no more that fifteen minutes ago."

James stared at her. Sinistra knew she was up here when they had that urgent conversation in the common room…? Evans could have heard her—actually, Evans could have heard them talking when Sirius and Peter were still in the room. His dark eyes were completely transfixed on her. The situation had just appeared to have gotten even worse.

"You—you weren't eaves dropping, were you?"

Evans looked over at the door of the Fat Lady's painting before tracing her emerald eyes back at James; a hint of anger in them.

James noticed this immediately and gulped, "Well—Ah—It's not like I'm say you really did… It's just that—well—"

The anger in her eyes seemed to soften a bit before she replied. "Sorry, Potter," she said in a soft voice, "I didn't mean to. I could hear McGonagall shouting all the way from my room. It couldn't be helped, really—ah—I also didn't mean to listen in on you and your friends either."

He looked away from her and back at the fireplace. His expression appeared lost in thought and his mind raced mercilessly; was there absolutely nothing he could do to reverse all that had happened? Evans probably got the gist of what was going on now, and she might blabber it to everyone in school! Remus'd hate them for it, whether he really was one or not, and everyone would probably want to avoid him. It would be a nightmare! He'd have to live with the guilt the rest of his life.

Without another word he trudged toward the door leaving Evans to look on after him. She understood that James had a lot on his mind, but the girl couldn't help but feel rather flustered about the way he was acting. This wasn't how the James Potter, the greatest mischievous kid in their year, would act. It just didn't seem right; looking at the boy gloat like that… it just made her want to slap him really hard.

"Potter!" she exclaimed, "It won't do you any good if you keep gloating like that. It's not like I'm going to tell anyone."

James spun around and narrowed his eyes, "Gloating? I am not gloating! You wouldn't understand even if I explained it to you!" he stammered, "And how can we trust that you won't tell anyone? It's a juicy bit of gossip that a girl, like you, would be crazy to refuse."

Lily Evans appeared angrier than she ever had been. James had pushed her a wee bit too far.

"I'm not that kind of person!" she screamed, "And I would understand if you explained it to me. Lupin is a nice fellow; you're worrying too much over nothing! So what if Lupin is what the teachers say he is? You're his friend right?"

James looked at her innocently. He couldn't argue with her, instead, he just nodded his head.

"Then it shouldn't matter." She finished, "You're a funny guy, Potter. You and your friends are among the most popular in the school! Do you seriously want to be seen looking like that everywhere you go?"

"Of course not!" he muttered, realizing her point, "But Remus—! How are we supposed to trust him if he's really a—a—werewolf? It's not as simple as you say! Remus is my friend, and I always want him to be a really good friend to us, but I wouldn't be able to confront him about this."

Evans looked at him worriedly and sighed.

"Why don't you think about it from his point of view?" she said quietly, "Lupin—I mean—Remus is probably suffering even more than you, Black, and Pettigrew put together. And I do believe I overheard you a few months back… didn't you say that it would be exciting to meet one—a werewolf—I mean? Where'd your courage go, Potter?"

With that said she briskly walked passed him and toward the Fat Lady's painting, and pushed it open. Before walking out she turned to back to James, who had not moved. With nothing else to say about the matter she said with a simple smile, "You coming?"

James shrugged his shoulders and sighed, Evans really was a force to be reckoned with. Who would have thought a girl'd lecture him about something? He was sure Sirius and Peter would have a laugh or two if he even mentioned it. Even so, James couldn't help but realize that Evans was right about the whole thing. He felt a bit more confident than he had been when they first found out. He turned around and walked toward her, trying his best to suppress a smile. It was obvious to anyone that the boy was finally regaining himself.

"Course I'm coming!" he smirked, rumpling the back of his head. His gaunt expression blew away and his usual mischievous expression returned, "You ain't going to leave me 'ere all alone. Were yeh, Evans?"

Evans heaved a deep sigh and muttered, "Acting like your cocky old self, it seems… and I wasn't going to leave you here, though, now that I think of it, it would have been pleasant to have walked up there by myself."

James laughed and walked out of their common room and into the corridors. Evans quietly shut the door behind her and began walking in the direction of the Astronomy Tower. Not a hint of worry seemed to gnaw at his mind any more, but James couldn't help but feel a little in debt to Evans for cheering him up. He scratched his head before speaking.

"H-hey Evans!" he called to her.

She turned to look at him, "What?"

The messy-haired boy rumpled the back of his head nervously, "Thanks."

Almost a fortnight had passed since the incident up in the Astronomy Tower. Miraculously enough, James and Evans ran a very fine line by, literally, arriving moments before Professor Sinistra arrived. It gave James several seconds to undo his illusionary spell, which took nothing but a loud clap to accomplish. The gullible Professor Sinistra didn't suspect a single thing when she walked in, and neither did any of the other students. The only one who questioned about Evans' sudden appearance was Raven, but no one really paid any mind to it. Afterwards, Sinistra was quick to dismiss them back to their dormitory.

It, indeed, had been a fairly long time since that incident, and Remus was still nowhere to be found. This was among the few things that weighed on their minds now. James had convinced his friends how they were going to approach Remus, in his usual confidence, but from the look of things, the lot of them couldn't do much if Remus wasn't even here to talk to. They would have wanted to ask Professor Dumbledore more about Remus if they only they knew where to actually find him. His office could be anywhere! And knowing how strange of a person Dumbledore was, his office was probably in the last place they would suspect it to be. Asking Professor McGonagall about it was a big mistake for she became utterly suspicious and began keeping an annoyingly close eye on them. The three boys had no choice but to lay low for the next week or so and leave it up to Remus to come back.

"I'm as bored as the floor under our feet." Sirius muttered, bleakly, as he and James walked through the corridors toward their favorite hangout spot. "Where'd Peter go off to anyway?"

"Not sure. Said he was meeting some one."

Soon enough, the two boys were walking just outside of the castle and on the wet grass under their feet. There seemed to be a rather refreshing breeze that blew against them as they walked toward their spot. Sirius, who had fairly long black hair for a guy, had to use a quick charm to keep his hair from getting in his face.

"Bit windy, today, isn't it?" James sighed, plopping on the moist grass under their oak tree, "You don't suppose Peter's in some sort of trouble, do you?"

Sirius sighed, "He's always getting himself into a bit o' trouble, I don't doubt it. But shouldn't we be worrying about Remus rather than Peter…? I mean, I know we were planning on waiting for him to come back, but he's hasn't come back in two weeks now!"

James took the time to lie on his back before answering. The clouds above him moved slowly with the breeze; it was no doubt a beautiful day that day. James envied the clouds in the heavens above him; they didn't have a care in the world. Just drifting down a predetermined current in the sky that the wind provided for them. The messy-haired boy longed for a life without any Wizarding problems. Muggles don't have to go through this, he shifted his position, they don't have a single thing to worry about yet they complain about the littlest things…Wonder what it's like to be one.

"Hey, are you listening to me, mate?"

James glanced at Sirius who was staring down at him.

Sighing he replied, "Yeah, I get your point. I'd be looking for Remus about now, if not for the fact that we don't have any leads on his whereabouts. The teachers are acting as if he's just sick and can't come to class, it's really annoying me."

"—Just sick?" Sirius repeated looking at him curiously, "I think you're on to something James."

He scratched his head and sat up. Sirius crouched on his knees in order to see James at eye level before continuing. It was a very rare moment for Sirius to get a sudden epiphany out of nowhere, and James frowned knowing that usually his ideas were a bit…much. Even so, he listened attentively to what his good friend had to say about—what ever he had to say.

"Maybe he's in the infirmary again or something." Implied Sirius,

"…Or something?" James questioned, "Come on, mate, you don't really think that, do you? I mean, Madam Pomfrey would have notified us—"

"Not if Remus was a werewolf she wouldn't." Sirius stammered, his eyes glaring into James', "Look, it's the only lead we have, an 'sides, remember when we were in the Infirmary with Remus last time? She was really panicky that time."

James rumpled his hair and stood up. The tone in Sirius' voice convinced him enough to almost believe it. He could tell that his handsome friend had actually taken the time to think this one through for he had a rather good explanation for them to at least attempt to ask Madam Pomfrey. Evans' words to him before had really given James confidence about the whole situation, and so far, the girl had been true to her word about not telling anyone what she had found out.

Just as the two of them were about to embark to the Infirmary there was a vaguely familiar cry that echoed in the air. Sirius and James looked at each other and frantically realized who it was. There was no mistaking that whimpering cry.

"Peter!" James exclaimed, racing over to where he swore his cry was coming from. Sirius ran after him, his face just as worried as James'. The two of them had a vaguely small hunch on what Peter had possibly gotten himself into, and he cursed under his breath upon arriving to where the cries came from. Sirius winced at the sight of it all, and James had move his arm in front of Sirius to keep him from charging in an angry fit.

"Bellatrix!" Sirius snarled, glaring at her and her lacky Rodolphus, who had little Pettigrew in their clutches.

James knew that they were at a disadvantage; as long as those two had Peter, they could do nothing but watch. He was also very quick to notice their surroundings, and it didn't seem to bode well for them at all. Behind where the two Slytherins held Peter towered the Whomping Willow shrilling feverishly at the sight of someone in it's midst. The Willow probably thought that this was a perfect opportunity to smash someone. It must have been a while since someone came this close to it. Sirius was a little late in noticing the Willow, but when he realized it, he grit his teeth and glowered harshly at his cousin.

It had, indeed, been a long while since James had seen those two, and he wondered what they could have possibly done to upset them this time. He swore, the last time he had seen any inch of them was that one time when he had hexed them both and ran away. This couldn't possibly be revenge for that time, could it?

Rodolphus appeared to be clutching the collar of Peter's cloak, as though choking him, but Peter showed no sign of moving. The yellow-haired boy appeared rather pale and limp though the movement of his chest told them that he was not dead. James gave a relieved sigh and figure that the boy had merely passed out.

"What did you do to 'im!?" Sirius scathed.

"I didn't do anything, yet." She muttered, looking over her shoulder at her cousin, "This wimp of a boy, actually, means something to you, Sirius? I see, now, why you were sorted into Gryffindor; you can never be a real Black. You're mum was right about you, nothing but a failure to your own family. You want him back that bad, fine. Next time, tell him to stay out of our way."

With that said she smirked and gave a signal to Rodolphus to let the boy go. The two of them cautiously approached to get Peter out of enemy hands, but when they were about only a few feet away, Rodolphus gave a hearty laugh causing them to stop.

"You think Bella's that forgiving?" he retorted, a sly smirk sliding across his tough face.

Bellatrix laughed in unison with him, "Do it, Rodolphus. It's not our problem if the kid dies."

James grimaced at the sound of their cackles, "Don't you dare!" he screeched.

They ignored him, and at the next moment Rodolphus quickly tossed the limp boy dangerously close to the Whomping Willow. Sirius had been utterly afraid his cousin would do such a thing, so sinister of her to do it too. Sirius quickly whipped out his wand and angrily aimed it at them; he had had enough of their stupid games.

"Conjunctiv—!"

James quickly took hold of Sirius's arm, "Sirius! You'd get kicked out of school if you used that one on them, and Peter's first priority!"

Sirius cursed under his breath as both Bellatrix and Rodolphus disappeared around a small hill and out of sight completely. James tugged his arm harshly in order to bring him to focus on the task at hand. Peter was in real danger, and if they didn't do something fast, Peter would be nothing but a splat on the grass, and that wouldn't be pleasant at all.

James looked up at the Willow hesitantly, hoping it wouldn't suddenly take notice that Peter was lying unconsciously there. It really was a good thing that Peter had been knocked unconscious for they both knew that if he were awake, he'd be squeaking like crazy, definitely catching the attention of the monstrous tree. The best thing they could possibly do right now, was to get Peter out of there before he wakes up or else, they'd all be doomed.

"Sirius, do you think you can pose as a distraction?" James asked, biting his lip; no other ideas seemed to hit him.

Sirius looked at James strangely, "And nearly get myself thwacked? I don't see why not!"

James smirked; Sirius was really something else. James was positive he'd have an excruciatingly hard time trying to find someone even remotely as complicated at Sirius was. The boy had a rather difficult sense of humor, not to mention a very strong sense for his close friends.

Without further ado, Sirius quickly slipped behind the Whomping Willow and into place. Everything would have been set into place if not for the fact that the Willow had insanely long branches, and Sirius had judged its length incorrectly…

"Sirius! Look out!" James shrieked, watching in horror as Sirius was swept off his feet and flew a good few meters away from where he last stood. His handsome friend groaned, a rush of pain searing across his chest as he tried to sit up. The pain was so unbearably much that he fell back on the grass again, trying to breath calmly; it felt even worse than being hit by a rogue bludger.

James couldn't just sit there though, his first thought was to run over to Sirius, but then he remembered Peter. As quickly as he could he rushed over to where his yellow-haired friend lay unconscious and tried to pull him out of harms way. Unfortunately, the Willow's reflexes were just to quick in recovering that they were going to smash James to pieces if he didn't hurry up. The Willow's large branches were about to pound him now in full force, and James still hadn't gotten them even remotely far enough away.

"Bloody hell!" yelled James, still pulling him, "I won't make it!"

James closed his eyes and looked toward the ground. He could feel the shadow of the large branch almost upon him — then suddenly, out of nowhere, a voice shouted.

"Immobulus!"

The Whomping Willow immediately became still. James took the time to pull Peter out of the way, and rest him leisurely quite a ways from the Willow before looking to see who had saved his life. He shrugged; why didn't he think of using the Immobulus charm to begin with? The fact that one of his friends was in grave danger must have cloud his mind when he was trying to figure out the quickest way to go about rescuing him.

"What are you doing here?" asked the voice of his rescuer, a tone of anger and familiarity as he spoke.

James jerked a bit upon hearing the voice again, this time it was recognizable, and James couldn't help but feel a surge relief hearing it. Unfortunately the relief that he felt from within him suddenly turned cold as Remus approached him, arms crossed, and eying him suspiciously.

"You really have a lot of explaining to do, James."

:: Reality strikes at the moment we least expect ::

Next Chapter: Lies Among Friends

Review for the sake of reviewing

For if not you'll make me start screwing

With mynails in my hair

My face in a stare

Hoping you won'tsay you'resueing.

- Poetry by me. Lame, yes, but it's one of few I can possibly write.