Hey! Yeah, I know, it's been WAY too long. And I'm so sorry! I spent a long time on this chapter, I really hope you guys like it. Anyways, there's a little note on the bottom of the story. Oh, and I'm missing a Varsity basketball game to write this! So be nice. Thanks to:

Sango-Inu-Yashi-lover—Hey, I emailed you my response already. Thanks for letting me know! I really wasn't away of it. Hopefully in this chapter you won't see a lot of the mistakes I made before.

MissBlueAngel—Haven't heard from you in awhile. Let me know if you like this chapter.

Slipeers—He's fine. Took awhile but he's cool now. Let me know how you like this chapter!

KLLRS—Ahh, I bet this one won't be as great as the other ones. I'm not too thrilled on how it turned out, the end if kind of cheesy, but hopefully you'll enjoy it!

On with the story…..

Sometimes I feel like I trusted you too well
Sometimes I just feel like screaming at myself
Sometimes I'm in disbelief I didn't know
Somehow I need to be alone

-Linkin Park 'Don't Stay'

Chapter 26 For this I hate you

Thirty minutes before……

Remus Lupin followed Madam Pomfrey as they walked toward the Whomping Willow. It was nearly dark now. He was sure the moon would be appearing soon. Maybe it had something to do with his 'wolf senses,' or maybe it was just something he had for dinner, but Remus had an uneasy feeling in his stomach. The bushes behind him rustled a bit, and Remus turned and smiled.

He knew Peter was there, following his every move, only appearing when the coast was clear. Madam Pomfrey had pressed the knot on the hole and was looking at Remus.

"There you go. See you in the morning, dear. Good luck." She told him, tears starting to form her eyes. She did this every full moon.

Remus just nodded and climbed into the tunnel, not stopping until he reached the inside of the shack. The uneasiness feeling in his stomach increased. He slowly climbed up the stairs and opened the door at the end of the hallway.

Inside the room lay a single bed with a boarded window. Remus sat down on the bed and sighed, trying to calm the twisted feeling in his stomach. Just then, he heard a little squeak and he down to see a rat run into the room.

Remus chuckled. "You got here fast, Wormtail."

Wormtail transformed back into his human self. "Are you okay, Remus?" he asked, worry etched all over his face, "You seem a bit more pale than usual."

Remus shrugged and looked out the window. "I don't know, Wormtail. I have this bad feeling, you know? I can't really describe it…..it's like something bad is going to happen."

Peter sat down next to him and smiled. "You're probably just nervous. You always are a little on edge when the full moon appears."

Remus looked at the floor. "This is just….different."

He had no more time to say anything else. Between the cracks of the boards on the window, light shown through, revealing the full moon.

It was a beautiful night. But the moon looked odd. It was a strange orange color. Remus had no more time to think.

Peter quickly went back to his rat form, watching his friend change before him. Remus felt pain all over his body it made him want to scream. Before he knew it, his mind blacked out and he was no longer in control of his actions. Moony was in control.

I thought he was my best friend. He always seemed like it. It was he and James who figured out my secret, he and James who told me they were learning to become an Animagus so I would no longer have

Severus Snape had a smug smirk on his face as he opened the Oak Doors. The Whomping Willow was on the other side, near the Forbidden Forest.

'Lupin, thanks to you friend Black, I'll no exactly where you go once a month and hopefully get you expelled!' Snape thought gleefully. There was no turning back. Black had let his friend slip. Snape saw the regret in Black's face when he spilled out where Lupin was. That made it all more exciting. Black had gone too far this time and now his friend was going to pay the price.

Eyes set on the Whomping Willow, Snape put a foot down on the stone step, when someone roughly grabbed his shoulder.

Did you know what you were doing when you told him where to find me? Did you regret it at all or did you take pleasure in destroying my life? I counted on you to always be there. I never once suspected you would betray me like this. Did you laugh in triumph, happy to know that the werewolf was getting was he deserved? What did I do to make you hate me?

Sirius Black sprinted down the corridors, desperately looking around for his friend. He would curse whenever he turned a corner and he wasn't there. He stopped to take a breath. There was only one place he could be.

'Gryffindor Tower.'

Sirius was about to start running again until the window next to him caught his eye. He looked at the moon. If it wasn't for the situation he was in, he would think it was nice looking. The moon was a orange-yellowish color, something he had rarely seen. Now, he glared at the moon as if it were going to attack him. An image flashed through Sirius's head.

Remus on the ground in pain.

Sirius tore his eyes away from the window. He turned around and sprinted toward his destination, toward the one person who was always there to get him out of a problem.

Did I do something to make you angry? Is that why you told him where to find me? You promised—no, you SWORE—you would never tell. You accepted me. You and James were the first ones to befriend me six years ago on our first ride to Hogwarts.

James was walking down the corridors. His Cloak, wand and map lay securely under his arm. While he was walking, he looked out the window and idly noted that it was starting to drizzle.

James only smiled. Some of the best adventures he and the other Marauders had happened out in the rain.

He heard footsteps right around the corner. He reached for his Invisivility Cloak to put it on, when he realized it was Sirius sprinting towards him, eyes wide.

He stopped right in front of James, panting heavily.

"James---have to…help-" Sirius panted.

"Bloody hell," James laughed, patting his friend on the back, obviously not getting the fact that Sirius was, for once, serious. "You look horrible, mate! What happened to you?"

Sirius looked at James, eyes wide. James took a moment to study his friend. A chill was sent down his spine. He didn't like the look on his friend's face. For the first time in awhile, Sirius had a look of horror on his face. James let his hand fall to his side and looked at his friend, confused.

"Padfoot?" he asked slowly, "What's going on?"

"James! I-I didn't mean to! We have to help Moony before he finds out!" Sirius stuttered. Sirius shook his head, leaned against the wall, and slid down. James looked down at his friend. Fear was creeping up on him. Sirius was rarely ever serious about anything. He could make a joke out of anything. But this new terrified, stuttery Sirius? James didn't like it at all.

James bent down until he was sitting down next to Sirius. He put his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"What happened?" James repeated.

Do you remember when you first told me you knew my secret? I was so afraid that you would think I was a monster and never talk to me again. But you assured me that we were friends and you would never leave me alone.

"And so I was like, 'wow! I can't believe you actually like him! I mean, he's a blood traitor for goodness sakes!' And she's like, 'I know! But he has such these adorable and, and I was like—"

Snape sighed, obviously irritated. But the girl in front of him didn't catch the hint. A Slytherin blond, Amy Kettle, was talking away on how her best friend thought Sirius Black was cute. This was highly irritating to Snape. He was about to walk out of the front doors when the girl grabbed his arm and began telling him this pointless story.

Snape looked outside and noticed it was starting to rain a little harder now.

"And I was like, 'Come one! James Potter is soo much cuter than them!'" Amy went on.

Snape snarled. She was still talking? Even though Slytherins mostly hated Gryffindor, you could occasionally find a Slytherin group of girls drooling of those bloody Marauders.

Finally, Snape had had enough.

"I heard Lucious Malfoy wanted to see you in the Common Room." Snape snapped at the girl. She suddenly stopped talking.

"Really?!" she squealed. Snape plugged his ears. As revolting as it was, Lucious Malfoy was one of the most good looking (Which show's what horrible taste the Sltyerhin girl has) in his house.

The girl squealed her hand and began straightening her robes.

"Well," Amy said, sounding like a girl who was going to get a new doll," I would love to stay and chat, but I wouldn't want to keep Lucious waiting now, would I?" she winked and walked off.

Snape watched her go, disgusted.

When you first told me your Animagus form was a dog, I couldn't help but chuckle. I though it suited you well. You had the personality of one. You were loyal, kind, out going, always there for your friends, always the one with the smile on his face. You said you'd never do anything to betray my trust, Were you thinking of that promise when you blurted my secret?

"Then Snape just walked off, probably to go to the Whomping Willow." Sirius admitted, looking at the ground. For a moment, James was speechless. He just stared at his friend in disbelief.

"You didn't." James stated, his voice hoarse.

Sirius looked up, pain and regret evident in his voice. "James…I-I didn't mean to. I let him get to me—"

Anger coursed through James body like poison.

"You told Snape where to find Moony?!" James shouted.

Sirius winced at the anger in his friend's voice that was directed toward him.

"I just need you to help me stop him—" Sirius started.

"You won't do a bloody thing," James snarled, "You really messed up this time, Sirius. Real bad. I'm going to go after him."

"I didn't mean to." Sirius said in a pleading voice.

"That doesn't matter."

"It should make a difference."

"It won't."

"Then what do I do?" Sirius asked, his voice sounded pained.

Just then, the two heard a long howl. They both paled.

"Moony…." Sirius's voice was hoarse.

"Bloody hell." James whispered. He shoved Sirius out of the way and ran down to the Shack, Sirius was at his heels.

Did you even think of the consequences? Did you think about what would happen if he told anyone? Everything I have would be taken from me. I'd never see you again. Tell me, was it worth it? Were you laughing at the fact that you had just played your biggest prank on Snape at the risk of me losing my life?

Snape stared out onto the grounds and smiled smugly. He began to walk toward the Whomping Willow. The wind was blowing, causing his robes to billow in the wind. It was getting darker and raining a lot hard. Snape picked up his pace. He would have to move a little faster.

You said you weren't going to let anyone hurt me, yet you turn around and do it yourself? You were always there to save me from myself. Well, I need saving one more time, and it's from reality. Can you save me now?

James was running as fast as he could. Any faster as might as well be flying on a broomstick. He turned a corner and noticed the Oak doors were open. He swallowed, trying not to worry about the lump in his throat or the dread that was slowly creeping up on him. The Oak Doors being open only meant one thing: Snape was already there.

He picked up speed a little more. If the situation wasn't so serious he would be amazed that he would run this fast. Outside, it was raining hard. James remembered Flitwick telling them earlier that day that there would be a storm. Mentally, he cursed.

James ran out of the castle and down the stone steps, Sirius at his heels. James jumped the last couple of steps, turned toward the Willow, and froze in horror. He heard Sirius stop behind him.

Snape was already at the Whomping Willow, picking up a stick.

Save me from the heartbreak, betrayal, and pain. I don't care what you do, just find a way to stop what you've just caused.

Snape eyed the Whomping Willow warily. Usually, when kids would play around this thing, the tree would come to life. Now, it was still and peaceful, it looked like an actual tree.

Maybe he had something to do with the storm or maybe it just simply didn't want to attack him. Snape looked around and spotted a stick lying in the mud. He picked it up when he felt a huge weight on his back. Someone had tackled him to the ground.

"Snape—stop!" someone yelled in his ear.

"Potter." Snape snarled.

James had him pinned to the ground. For a moment, James felt relieved. He had caught Snape, he had made up for Sirius's mistake, and now, no one would ever know.

That was, until Snape pulled his next stunt. Snape pulled out his wand, pointed it at James and yelled, "Impedimenta!"

The next thing James saw was a bright light and felt himself being thrown off Snape. He landed hard in the mud.

"Snape!" Sirius growled, advancing his way toward him.

Snape turned around and noticed Sirius advancing toward him, and felt satisfaction when he saw James laying in the mud. All three boys were drenched to the bone already. Snape made to attack Sirius with his wand, when something swept down and knocked Sirius of his feet.

Confused, the three boys looked up and instantly felt a wave of panic. The Whomping Willow had come to life. Snape tried to make a run for it, but lightening flashed through the sky, blinding him for a second. And a second was all it took for the tree to attack.

The willow brought one of it's branched down on Snape, but James shoved Snape out of the way.

"Try to dodge the branches!" James ordered, stating the obvious.

The three boys dodged for a few minutes, but quickly grew tired. Whenever they tried to get close to the knot, a branch would come our of nowhere and try to hit them. Finally, after growing tired, James spotted the same stick Snape had picked up a few moments ago, he picked it up and looked over at Sirius, who was dodging as fast as he could.

"Sirius!" James called. "Give me a diversion!"

Sirius looked at James incredulously for a moment, but then spotted the stick in James hand, and instantly understood.

"HEY!" Sirius yelled, waving his hands in the air dramatically, "Come and catch me!"

He would run, stop, and change directions quickly, before the Willow could actually hit him.

While doing this, the Willow's attention was only focused on Sirius and Snape. James was able to sneak over. He reached out his hand and was about to prod the knot with a stick until a cry of pain filled his ears.

James, who forgot what he was doing, spun around as a flash of lightning stuck the sky, blinding him for a moment. When it left, James eyed widened in shock. The Willow had finally gotten a control of Sirius and smacked his head with one of it's thickest branched, right when James prodded the knot.

The three instantly stopped all movement, but Sirius, due to impact, was throw a few feet, holding his head and groaning in pain.

"Sirius!" James yelled, running over to his friend.

"James!" Sirius yelled through clenched teeth. "Forget about it! Snape!"

James looked around in time to see Snape run through the tunnel that let toward the Shack. Sirius was once again on his feet. The two boys ran after him.

"Snape!" James yelled, his insides squirming. "Snape! Don't go in there!"

"You git! Don't!" Sirius shouted, his eyes wide in panic. The two boys had to squat and run, since the tunnel wasn't big enough for them to stand up. They could just see Snape ahead.

The two boys continued to shout and yell in panic and desperation.

"SNAPE!"

"Don't go in there!"

"You bloody moron! Get back here!"

"SNAPE NO! STOP IT! IF YOU RUN ANY FURTHER YOUR GOING TO RUN INTO—"

James stopped in mid sentence. He wasn't stupid, he was drenched to the bone, his clothes were soaked, he was tired………

"He won't listen." James panted, the anxious feeling never going away.

Please save me. I know your trying, I know your fighting, but it won't do anything until you find a way to save me. I hold my breath and hope that you won't let this go through, that you care enough to do everything in your power to stop it, but……….

Panting, Snape had reached the end of a tunnel. There was a door ahead. Ignoring the shouts of the two Marauders behind him, he opened the door, ran in, and shut the door behind him placing a spell on it. He leaned against the door and tried to catch his breath.

Suddenly, there were 'thumps' on the other side of the door.

'Idiots.' Snape thought. 'Their trying to break the door down.'

Snape heard pounding on the door and more yelling.

"SNAPE!" Sirius shouted, banging his fists against the door. "This isn't a joke!"

"Open the door and come out here right now!" James yelled, panic obvious in his voice. "We're doing this to help you!"

Snape snorted at this. 'Potter, help me?' he thought. 'He's only trying to protect Lupin and cover up the mistake Black made by telling me.'

The only reason Snape would be out there in a storm was only if something was worth his while. And finding out Remus Lupin's secret was definitely worth it.

Still, something inside him was telling him to turn back now. He looked around, The bottom house of the shack was dark and empty—nothing was in it. Snape pushed the feeling away and walked toward the stairs. Nothing was going to stop him.

He walked up the stairs and toward

James kept pounding on the door, hoping that Snape would believe them and come out.

'What're the chances of him actually believing us?' James thought.

Next to him, Sirius was pounding and yelling, calling Snape some pretty colorful names.

Finally, Sirius hit the door one more time in frustration, then turned to James, looking alarmed. Both boys robes were a bit ripped from the fight with the Willow, both were soaking wet and full of mud, and they could still hear the storm raging outside. At this point, it was dark, so dark they could barely see what was in front of them.

"Snape isn't opening." Sirius said, looking terrified.

James suddenly whipped out his wand. "He won't find Moony." He said defiantly. James raised his wand.

"Alohomora!"

The door flew open, revealing the dark bottom floor. Sirius stared incredulously.

"Explain why we didn't do that before." Sirius breathed.

"We weren't thinking straight." James replied shortly, eyes scanning the room. Suddenly, they heard hurried footsteps above. James and Sirius glanced at each other once before racing up the stairs.

Snape heard the door open. He knew that Potter and Black were downstairs looking for him, which was why he had to hurry. He walked as quickly as he could up the stairs and down the hall, not once looking back. Now Snape was right in front of the door, grinning crazily.

A part of him was telling him to go back, but he would just put the feeling aside. This was his chance to get the Marauders back for everything they ever did to him. Finding out where Lupin his every month would surely get them expelled.

Snape opened the door and took a step in. Nothing.

'This had better not be another one of their pranks.' Snape thought angrily.

Suddenly feeling rather foolish, Snape walked to the middle of the room. The light was still on. So what was going on?

Snape stood next to the lamp. He then heard something growling. Feeling the tiniest of fear, he made to turn around—

BAM

Something collided with Snape, causing him to lose his balance.

"Get down!" someone yelled urgently in his ear.

He really had no choice in the matter. The person tackled him to the ground, causing the lamp to fall to the ground, shattering into little glass pieces. The room was suddenly enveloped in darkness.

"How much did you see?" someone whispered in his ear.

"Potter!" Snape snarled.

"Shut the bloody hell up." Snape heard Sirius say. He sounded a bit unnerved.

Snape grinned at the thought. Just then, another voice was heard.

"James? Sirius? Snivellus? What are you doing here?!" someone whispered as loud as they dared.

"Peter!"

Snape growled. Just what he needed. Another Marauder.

"What's HE doing here?" Peter asked, and even in the dark, Snape could see the outline of Peter pointing at him.

James whipped a muddy and wet sleeve against his forehead. "Long story," he muttered. "Can we get some light?"

"Lumos."

Jameshad ignited his wand so they could see more clearly. James was still on top of Snape's back with Sirius a few feet behind him. Peter was right next to him, looking confused.

"Potter, get off me." Snape snarled.

James gladly obeyed.

"Peter, where is he?" James asked, a hint in his voice.

Peter stuttered. "J-James….you have to get out of here."

"Why?" Sirius asked. His question was answered a split second later. Snape stood up and brushed off his robes.

A low growling could be heard from a closet on the other side of them room. Yellow eyes could be seen through the darkness.

"Potter, what kind of prank is this?" Snape asked wildly.

"No joke." James muttered, standing very still.

Snape made to run, but James grabbed his arm. "Don't move." He warned. "It'll only attack you faster."

Just then, a full fledged werewolf slowly came out of the closet, growling and advancing on them.

You failed.

Snape eyes widened in shock while the three Marauders gave a sharp intake of breath.

"We can't hurt him." Sirius muttered.

James quickly looked around. No, they couldn't hurt Moony, but they couldn't let Moony hurt them, or better yet, bite them.

"Listen," James muttered, as low as he could, "When I say go, I want you all to split up and run toward the door. Don't stop."

Sirius gave him a look, which he ignored.

The werewolf growled then pounced. James heart thumped in panic.

"Nox!" James shouted, letting the light on his wand disappear, leaving them in complete darkness. They four boys ran blindly through the darkness. James heard the werewolf growl in frustration, but didn't stop to look back. He sprinted toward the stairs and hurtled down them.

James could now see the door. Relief flooded through him. If they could just get out, they could—

Sirius cried out. Against his will, James spun around. He could see an outline of the werewolf had bitten Sirius's robes and wouldn't let go. James mentally cursed. He was so close to the door.

"Sirius!" James shouted, starting toward his best friend.

"GO!" Sirius shouted, trying to rip his robes away. "Get him out of here before he sees anything! I can take care of myself!"

James knew that "he" referred to Snape.

"Be careful." James muttered, wondering whether or not his friend was bitten. Remus would never forgive himself if he found out he bit Sirius. James flung the door open and shoved Snape out the door, nearly knocking him off his feet. Peter was next. Finally, James ran out and shut the door behind him.

You would think it was over, that you were out of danger. But no matter how much James legs screamed in protest, he knew he had to keep running until he was back at Hogwarts, hoping Sirius would be okay. Now, his goal was to get Snape as far away from here as possible.

You couldn't save me. Couldn't save me from this pain. I guess I shouldn't have expected you to. After all, I'm a monster, aren't I? Nothing to cry over.

James looked back once, in time to see the door break and Moony come hurtling out. He made to run after James, Peter and Snape, but a huge dog came out of nowhere and bit the werewolf's neck, making him howl in pain. Padfoot kept a firm grip on him, looking at James once, telling him to run.

James finally made it out of the tunnel. He wildly looked around. If they went back to the castle, Moony would only follow them.

"Follow me!" James yelled, running deeper into the forest.

Snape was so pale at this point, James was only mildly surprised that he didn't hold any objections. The three boys ran for a good minute, never risking to look behind them. Finally, the three stopped, gasping for breath.

"Are….w-we….safe?" Peter gasped out, falling to his knees in exhaustion. Now, they were back in the forest, where the storm still raged. It was pouring so hard James doubted he would be able to see anything. Lightening struck over them. All three boys were soaked to the bone.

"Y-yeah." James replied, trying not to sound as shaky as he felt, "We should be—"

A dog's cry of pain could suddenly be heard. Jerking his head up, James looked up just in time to see Moony come bounding up to them, teeth bared.

Snape quickly stood up at pointed his wand at Moony.

"Snape!" Peter yelled wildly. "What're you doing?"

"Protecting us from being murdered." Snape said through clenched teeth, his eyes never leaving the creature before them.

"Don't make any sudden movements." James warned. Just then, the werewolf attacked again, tackling Snape to the ground, its teeth inches from his neck. Snape put his arms over his head in defense.

Panic once again overtook James, and he hoped against hope that Snape wouldn't see what happened next.

He transformed into Prongs.

Prongs and Padfoot both tackled Moony at the same time, trying desperately not to hurt their friend, which was starting to seem impossible.

The fight went on for quite awhile. Every time Moony would try to attack Snape or Peter, Padfoot and Prongs would come help them. Snape was momentarily knocked out, much to James relief.

By this time, all of them were soaked and muddy. They were so concentrated on what was going on, that they didn't notice that the moon had went away. .

Snape blearily looked up, watching the scene before him. Peter looked up at the sky and was shocked at what he saw. The moon had just disappeared, cloud covering over it. The sky was also lighter, meaning one thing: it was morning. The rain still poured down, but the moon was gone.

Prongs took one more swing at Moony and hit his head with his antlers, successfully knocking him out. While Snape rubbed his eyes, Prongs and Padfoot transformed into James and Sirius.

They looked grimly at their werewolf friend. Just then, something off began to happen to the werewolf. Its limbs began to move, like it was having a seizure. Dread once again filled James. No matter what, there was no way to make Snape not see what was going to happen next.

You told them my secret. You let them find out. I'm Remus Lupin. Marauder, model student, and a monster. You said you woulnd't let anything hurt me. You lied. And for that, Sirius Black, I hate you.

Snape looked wide eyed as the werewolf began to change. When it was done, he couldn't help but stare at the figure that lay unconscious before him.

Snape choked out, "Lupin?!"

A/N. Wow, that took so long! That 13 pages! I hope that all the extra time I took thinking about this chapter pays off. Also, check my profile for progress and spoilers for next chapter. Don't forget to review!

Until next time,

Amour Lily