Chapter 5

Remus and Nikki woke up to whispers. There stood their five friends. They all smiled at the two. Remus took the pillow from behind his head and threw it at them. Then he lay back down and tried to fall back asleep, but was unsuccessful. Alice and Lily pulled Nikki from his arms and dragged her up the steps to the dorms. Remus sat up and his friends sat next to him.

"Well, you look happy this morning," Sirius said. "Just like me when the elves serve pancakes for breakfast," he said cheerfully. They all laughed.

Remus smiled. "I am."

"Well sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you do know what tonight is, right?" James asked.

The smile disappeared from Remus' face. "Full moon," he said. He looked at his friends. They went up to the dorms and got changed. When they came back down, the common was still empty. Then the three girls appeared. They all walked to the Great Hall and seated themselves. They were eating peacefully when Dumbledore stopped behind them. All of them looked up at him.

"Nice to see you two back," he said with a smile. Nikki and Remus turned red as their friends laughed, and then they joined in.

"Thanks sir," they both said. Then they resumed eating. Nikki and Remus got up first. Remus planned to spend all day with Nikki. They went out to the lake. Remus had his arms wrapped around Nikki and she was leaning back on him. He turned her around so that she was facing him.

"Tonight's the full moon, so I probably won't be able to see you for a few days," he said.

She looked up at him. "I know," she said. "Alice and Lily told me. I'll wait up for you in the hospital wing. I'll probably be under James' invisible cloak though."

Remus smiled down at her. "I don't know what I'd do without you," he said with a smile. "I couldn't bear being without you."

She laughed. "I don't know if I'd survive." Remus hugged her closer to him. He bent down to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down towards her. Remus kissed her hungrily, pressing her body to him. Nikki kept toying with him, and then she deepened the kiss. She played with his hair as his hands introduced themselves to her body. Finally they parted, their foreheads still touching as they caught their breath. They stayed liked that all the while not noticing the mob of girls glaring at Nikki, Alexis in front. Nikki brought her hands from around his neck and rested them, palms down on his chest. He caught up one of them, and kissed it. Nikki laughed. They turned and began to walk back toward the school. Remus slid his arm around her waist and hugged her close to him. She smiled up at him and rested her hand on his, interlocking her fingers in his. They both ignored the group of girls and walked back to the common room.

The full moon had passed by quickly. It had been the best one Remus had gone through. Just like she said, Nikki had met him in the hospital wing and stayed with him until classes started again. Remus had recovered easily and was back in no time. Nikki had gotten back to her normal weight and happiness. Word of a party was spreading throughout the school. Remus had asked Nikki to go with him. She had agreed. Soon the night of the party was here and the girls were getting ready. Lily was wearing a camouflaged mini skirt that went up to the middle of her upper thighs with a green halter-top. Her hair fell over her back and accentuated her curves. Alice was wearing a pink mini skirt the same length with a pink tank top. Her hair was also down. Nikki was wearing a jean mini skirt the same length that hugged her hips and butt. She was wearing a light blue halter top which showed off her curves. Her auburn hair, unlike the others, was up in a clip, but it still fell back a little on her back. They all wore heels. Lily whirled around in front of the mirror.

"How do you think they'll react?" she asked.

"I don't know, but I can't wait to find out," Alice said excitedly. All three stood and went down the stairs, the boys were already there. They were wearing white button shirts, with the top buttons undone. They had black pants with black shoes. The girls laughed as their mouths dropped at the sight of them. It took a couple of seconds for them to recover. Remus caught up Nikki around the waist.

"How do I look?" Nikki asked with a smile on her lips.

He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. She took her finger and lifted his chin, closing his mouth. "I'll take that as something good," she said laughing.

"Are you two coming?" Lily called.

Nikki laughed and pulled Remus along. The three girls linked arms and went ahead slightly. They all laughed and giggled, periodically looking back at the boys.

"He's so drooling Lils," Alice squealed.

"Frank hasn't taken his eyes off of you yet," Lily said.

They both looked at Nikki who was in the middle of them.

"I must say Nikki, Remus' expression is the best," Lily commented.

"Yeah, even Alexis couldn't compare. You're such a tease," Alice said.

"How do you figure?" Nikki asked.

"Well, you show off your curves, but are conservative about it," Lily said.

"Alexis I bet will be wearing a mini skirt, so that when she bends over, you can see her underwear, and a very low-cut shirt," Alice said.

"Very unbecoming," They both said as they laughed. They all looked back at the boys. They all stopped and turned to face them.

"Will you stop that?" Lily said.

"Yeah, you four look as if you've never seen a girl before," Alice said as they laughed.

All four of them turned red and opened their mouths as if to say something, but nothing came out. Nikki stepped forward and pushed their chins up, closing their mouths. She stopped in front of Remus.

"You know," she said. "You've got to stop that. I don't know what to think when you have nothing to say." He smiled down at her. She smiled back at him. She then turned and rejoined her two friends. They walked a little ways when they found the room were the party was. They walked in, the girls first followed by the boys. As the girls walked in, they all noticed the attention that they suddenly received. Noting this, the three boys stepped closer to their girls and led them to the dance floor. Lily and Alice were dancing provactitively, laughing at the effect it had on James and Frank. Nikki was in front of Remus, who had both hands on her hips, pressing her into him. They danced for a little while when Remus whispered in Nikki's ear.

"I need a drink. How about you?"

"I could use one," she replied. Remus led her off the floor and to the table. Alexis stood in a near corner and watched them with malice. Remus had not taken his eyes off of her once. She got angrier by the second. Then Lily and Alice appeared out of nowhere. They took Nikki with them somewhere, but not without Nikki giving Remus a kiss and reassurance that she'd be back. Remus had stayed behind still watching her. Alexis walked up to him.

"Hey Remus," she said.

He choked. Once he had recovered, he replied with a simple, "hi."

"So, what have you been up to?"

"Oh nothing much. You?"

"I've been waiting for you to be done with her and come back to me."

"That's not going to happen Alexis. Sorry to disappoint you."

"You will. Trust me."

He looked at her. "Don't count on it," he said with a frown. He looked back up, looking for Nikki. He didn't notice Alexis slip something into his drink. She watched as he put it up to his lips and sipped. She smiled to herself. She waited for a few minutes then turned to him. She ran her finger down his chest. He turned to her with a blank look and smiled. Then he noticed her shirt. He was in a daze and didn't realize what he was doing. All he knew was that Alexis was looking very good right now. She pushed herself up against him and began to kiss him. He kissed her back, his hands roaming all over her body. All of a sudden he heard someone gasp. He looked up and saw some girls and his three friends gasp. Then one of them turned and ran away, the other two followed her. His three friends stepped forward and ripped Alexis off of him. They dragged him away to a bathroom and splashed his face with cold water. Remus came out of his daze.

"Wha…what happened?"

"You don't know?" Frank asked incredulously.

"What the fuck were you on?" Sirius yelled.

"You were making out with Alexis in front of Nikki," James said.

Remus' mouth dropped open. "No, I…I didn't."

"Holy shit, James look at that," Sirius said. He grabbed Remus' tongue. "It's purple."

"Wahhs urful?" Remus asked, Sirius was still holding onto his tongue. "Wet gwo!" Sirius let go of his tongue.

"Your tongue," Frank said catching on.

"Shit! Let's go," James said. They all ran out of the bathroom and to the common room. Lily and Alice were sitting in front of the fire. They looked up when they came in and glared at Remus.

"She's gone," Alice said.

Lily stood up and marched over to Remus. "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING? It was ALEXIS. Of all people!"

Remus shrunk away. "It wasn't me," he said meekly.

"IT WASN'T YOU? WELL THEN WHO THE FUCK WAS IT? IT SURE LOOKED LIKE YOU!"

"Look Lils. It was Alexis' fault. She used a love potion. Really," James said timidly. Lily rounded on him.

"YOU'RE TAKING HIS SIDE?"

"No, I'm not. It was. Look. Remus, stick out your tongue." Remus looked at him as if he was crazy. Sirius leapt forward and grabbed Remus' tongue, showing both girls. Both Lily and Alice gasped. Sirius let go of Remus, wiping his hand on his pants and making a disgusted face.

"That's the second time tonight," he mumbled.

"That whore! Oooooooh, she's going to get it," Lily said as she headed for the door, both her fists balled up. James stopped her though. "Let go of me."

"Lily, this is not helping the problem," he said. She stopped.

"Where did she go?" Remus asked.

"Home," Alice said. Once she saw Remus' crestfallen look, she got up and put a hand on his shoulder. "You have to get her back," she said. "Good thing it's vacation," Sirius said.

"She'll be home by now," Lily said. Remus ran out the door and went straight to the headmaster's office.

"Lemon tarts," he said hastily. He ran into the headmaster's office.

"Hello Remus. What can I do for you?"

"I need to go home," He said out of breath.

"Ok, then train will be returning shortly. You can get on it then ok?"

"Thank you so much headmaster."

"Your welcome." Remus sped out of the office and packed a few things. His friends escorted him to the station and wished him good luck as he moved away. Once at Kings cross, he found his way to Nikki's house. He knocked on her door and she answered. She was wearing jeans with sneakers along with a white t-shirt, and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She was stunned for a moment, but then promptly slammed the door. He knocked again.

"Go away," he heard from the other side.

"Not until I talk to you," he called back.

She opened the door. "Go away."

"No," he said. "Not until I talk to you."

"Consider yourself talked to. Have a nice life," she said. She started to close the door, but he stopped the door, grabbed her and draped her over his shoulder ignoring the constant pounding of her fists against his back and the narrow misses of his face by her sneakers. He closed the door and apparated out. He set her down on the ground. "Now, let's talk."

"Where are we," she said looking around.

"Hogsmede," he said. He grabbed her wrist and dragged her back to the school grounds and wouldn't let her go. Once inside the grounds, he released her.

"What do you want?"

"I want to explain," he said desperately.

"I've already seen enough. I don't need to know anymore. After all, seeing is believing."

"Please, let me explain."

"I've already heard it all from everyone else. Now I just burn the letters."

"But you haven't herd it from me," he said.

"What do you have to say that they haven't already?" she said.

"I need you," he said. She closed her eyes and became stiff, telling herself that this wasn't true. She had to get over him. Letting him affect her as much as he did couldn't be a good thing.

"I can't go through this again," she said.

"I know, I'm sorry." He stepped forward, but she withdrew herself.

"Leave me alone!" She turned and ran. He ran after her. He was catching up, so she transformed into a red fox and ran into the woods. He stopped in his tracks, his mouth hanging open. He called out her name, but she didn't come. He walked back to the school, pondering this new information. He walked into the common room and met the surprised gazes of his friends. Lily and Alice got up from the couch.

"Where is she?" Lily asked.

"She's an animagus," Remus said.

Lily and Alice looked at each other.

"You two knew?" James asked.

"We knew that she had to hide from these bullies on her street because they would constantly beat on her, so she taught herself," Alice said guiltily.

"What is she?" James asked.

"A fox," Lily answered. "Where did she go?"

"Into the woods. I wasn't fast enough to catch her."

"Shit, a fox. She's not going to be easy to find," James said. They sat there trying to think of a plan. After a couple of hours, Frank came up with a suggestion.

"Maybe the headmaster can help," Frank said. They all headed to Dumbledore's office.

"Don't you all look happy today," he said. "What can I do for you?"

"Nikki ran into the woods. We were wondering if you've seen her."

He went to the window. "She's been sitting by the lake for the past hour and looking into the water." Remus walked over to the window and looked out. There, sitting by the lake was a lone red fox.

"How did you…" Lily asked.

"I'm the headmaster. I know everything," he said with a smile which made his light blue eyes twinkle. They all smiled back at him.

"Thanks," Remus said. Everyone ran outside. It was growing dark out. They ran to the lake. The red fox looked up at them and her eyes grew wide. She stood and started to back away. Then she turned and ran. James, Frank and Sirius transformed and gave chase. They chased her into the woods. A few minutes later, a stag, a black dog and a hippogriff came back out. The black dog was holding a wriggling fox tight in his mouth. Remus ran forward. Sirius dropped her on the ground and then he, Frank and James transformed back. The fox stayed on the ground and looked wide eyed up at Remus. All of a sudden, they heard voices in the background. The group turned around and came face to face with a group of Slytherins, with Lucius at the front.

"Well, well, well. What have we here? A group of nobodies protecting what is it? Oh, how cute. A little fox."

"What do you want?" Remus said through gritted teeth.

"I want my girl back," he said. He drew his wand and struck Alice in the chest with a spell. She cried out and fell. Frank kneeled beside her and Lucius hit him too. He fell as well and the rest had their wands out. They had begun to fight. The fox had gotten up and walked over to Alice and Frank. Then Lily fell as well. The fox also walked over to her. Just then, as the fox looked toward Remus, she saw him get hit square in the chest with three different spells. He fell and the fox raced over to him.

Lucius walked over and stood over him. The fox cowered by his head.

Lucius laughed. "Wimp," he said. He started to walk away when he felt tiny teeth sink into the back of his neck. He screamed and reached behind his head. He grabbed the fox and threw it to the ground. He felt his neck and saw that his hand was covered with blood. Just then, the fox attacked him again. He grabbed her and threw her hard to the ground. He kicked her again and again. He failed to notice his peers falling around him. He was focused on the fox. He watched as the fox got up and ran toward him. He wasn't quick enough to stop her as she again sank her tiny teeth into his flesh. More blood. He ripped her off of him and slammed her to the ground and heard her whimper.

"NOOO," he heard his friend call out. He turned to see James hit the last remaining person with a spell. He was the last one standing. His back was to Lucius, so he didn't see the wand pointed at his back. He turned just in time to see the red fox jump up and rip the wand from Lucius' hand. James was stunned. Lucius bent down and kicked the fox hard. She whimpered, but held onto the wand tightly. Lucius picked her up and threw her against a tree with enough force that the wand fell free. He picked up the wand and pointed it at James. He aimed a spell at James and James countered it. They were locked in a vicious battle until James finally fell. Lucius looked for the fox. She had limped over to James' side. Lucius stepped forward, but she had already begun her attack. She ran forward and sank her teeth yet again into him. He threw her off and tried to hit her with spells, but she kept dodging them, always managing to get to him first. They continued on like this until finally, one of his friends had awoken and caught the fox off guard. He held the wriggling creature for Lucius as he beat the crap out of it. When he had stopped, the fox laid on the ground in front of him. He pointed his wand at it. It slowly changed back into Nikki.

"So, this is your little secret," he said. He watched her as she slowly sat up. Her jeans were ripped and so was her t-shirt. Her face and arms were all bloodied and bruised. There were stains on her jeans as well. He squatted beside her. He grabbed a handful of her hair close to her scalp and pulled it back, making her tilt her head back, stretching her neck. She looked sideways at him. Her eyes had malice in them instead of fear. Lucius smiled at her.

"Miss me?" he asked. She looked daggers at him. He just laughed. "So, ready to come back to me? I've missed you."

"Never," she said through gritted teeth. "I love Remus and always will. I'll never leave him. I know that now." She watched as his smile disappeared and in its place was a death glare. He failed to notice that Remus had woken up and stood in awe and relief at what she had said. He took a step forward, but then he caught her fearful gaze on him. Lucius also saw her gaze and turned around, releasing her hair. He pulled out his wand and pointed it at Remus. Remus stopped in mid-step and realized that his wand had been knocked out of his hand. Lucius smiled evilly.

"Come here Lupin and give your girlfriend a little goodbye kiss."

"Leave her alone."

"How about no. I'm going to get exactly what I want and you're not going to stop me."

"And what exactly is it that you want?" Remus asked icily.

"I want the thing you stole from me. I want my girl back," he said with a smile.

"Why, so you can hurt her?" Remus said.

"I've got to take my anger out some how," he said with a look back toward Nikki. She glared at him, refusing to show him the fear that had been building up inside of her. He returned his attention back to Remus. "Come here," he said pointing his wand at him.

"I'm not your servant. You don't tell me what to do," Remus replied with malice.

"Oh, but I know that you can't help it," Lucius said. "Imperio!" A shot of purple light shot out from the tip and hit Remus in the chest. The impact sent him back a couple of steps.

"Now, come," Lucius said. Although Remus tried to stay still, his legs started to move forward and slowly, he walked up to where Lucius and Nikki were. Then he saw Lucius point his wand somewhere behind them. Remus turned around and saw all of his friends had awoken and were frozen in place just like in the library. They all were watching the three. Remus turned back to Lucius.

"Do as I say. Do not attack me." He handed Remus his own wand and moved from in front of Nikki.

"Point it at her," said Lucius' voice from somewhere inside his head. Remus pointed it at Nikki.

"Now, tell her that you hate her and tell her that she is the worst person and girlfriend that you have ever had."

"I hate you. You are the worst person and girlfriend I've ever had," he reluctantly said.

Nikki's eyes widened. "You don't mean that."

"Tell her that she was a mistake," said the voice.

"You were a mistake." Remus said trying not to cooperate, but he couldn't overpower the spell.

"You don't mean that! He's telling you to say that. Don't listen to him," Nikki said.

"Put her under the Cruciatus Curse," the voice said. Remus' eye widened. The wand in his hand started to tremble and he clamped his lips shut. His body started to tremble with his effort to ignore the order. Lucius began to grow impatient and stepped forward.

"Say it," he out loud. "Put her under the curse! Now!"

"Please Remus," Nikki said.

"DO IT," Lucius bellowed. Remus shook violently with effort.

"NOW!" Remus straitened up and pointed his wand at Nikki. He didn't have the strength to fight anymore. Nikki's eyes widened and she shrunk away.

"Please! Don't do this to me," she cried out.

"How do you like your boyfriend now? If you came back to me, I would have saved you," he said to Nikki.

"Please! Don't do this to me! I'm begging you," she cried yet again. Lucius smiled down at her.

"Now," he said to Remus.

"Crucio," Remus said. A streak of red light came from the tip and hit Nikki. She fell onto her back and bean to violently convulse. Her agonizing screams filled the area. Tears were leaking from her eyes unable to handle all the pain. Lucius just stood there and smiled down at her. Remus looked at her, but was helpless to do anything. His friends behind him were struggling to move, but to no avail. Finally Lucius lifted Remus' wand and Nikki stopped convulsing. She stopped screaming and instead tried to catch her breath. She curled up into a ball.

"Now, tell me love, what do you think about your boyfriend now?" She whimpered. "What was that love?" He took her chin in his hand and raised it. She sat up instead and slapped him hard across the cheek. Then she tried to stumble to her feet and get away, but Lucius had grabbed her. He threw her to the ground, his breathing was hard. He grabbed her shirt in his fists. "What was that?" She looked up at him and tried to knee him in stomach, but his weight was too much. "Oh, so you play rough? I can do that." He pointed his wand at Remus. "Explelliarmus," he said. Remus' wand was thrown from his hand. Lucius got up dragging Nikki with him. He noticed that the rest of his group had awoken. He threw Nikki to them and they caught her. He smiled at them.

"Have fun with her," he said. "Oh, and you can have the other two too." The group looked down at her and immediately, some started to grab at her. She screamed and tried to fight back, but they wouldn't move. Alice and Lily's screams joined Nikki's as they too were grabbed by the group. Just then they were all thrown from the girls and knocked out. Lucius turned to see James, Frank and Sirius with their wands pointed at him.

Lucius whipped his wand out.

"Explelliarmus!" All their wands flew out of their hands and far away somewhere on the grounds. Lucius hit them all with a spell that immobilized them yet again. Then he turned to Remus and pointed his wand at him. Lucius started to say something, but was stopped when he felt tiny teeth sink into the back of his leg. He cried out and whirled around looking for fox. When he turned back to Remus, he found the fox by his side.

"Bitch," he said. He again pointed his wand at Remus, but was stopped yet again by the fox sinking its teeth into his arm. Remus got a hold of his wand, but by this time, Lucius was trying to hit the fox and the fox was constantly attacking him. He was freed from the curse due to the lack of concentration from Lucius on controlling him and tried to shoot spells at Lucius, but he feared hitting the fox instead. He was so concentrated on hitting Lucius, that he didn't notice two Slytherins wake up. One of them pointed his wand at him. He called out his name, and Remus turned around. Once he was looking at him, the Slytherin shot a spell which struck him squarely in the chest. The fox had frozen in place as she watched him fall to the ground. She darted over to him and nuzzled his face. The three Slytherins encircled Remus and the fox. She cowered by his head, then she tried to get away from them. She managed to get out by darting between one of their legs. She made them chase her around for a little so that they would forget about her friends. She also pitched attacks on all three, leaving them bloodied. Finally, one of them caught her. They all took turns beating her fragile body. They were constantly cursing at her. Finally, Lucius threw it against a tree and pointed his wand at it. She lifted her head and looked at him with her wide pleading eyes.

"Avada Kadavra!" A green shot of light came out of the tip and hit the fox. Her head fell to the ground, lifeless.

He heard something behind him. There stood Dumbledore and the rest of the group with members of the ministry. Remus ran toward the fox. He picked her up and brought her to her group of friends. They all were crying. Remus touched her coat. It was all bloodied and messed up. He pointed his wand at it and it slowly turned back into Nikki. Her body was all cut up and bruised. Remus pulled her lifeless body into his lap and cried into her hair, his tears running down her face. James and Frank held Lily and Alice as they bawled into their chests. Sirius just stood there not knowing what to do, just dumbstruck. Remus put her back down and the ground and rose. He ran toward Lucius, but Dumbledore stopped him.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU," he shouted through his tears. He sank to his knees. Lucius and the others were being taken away by members of the ministry. They all had sick smiles plastered on their faces. Remus felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up into the sad, blue eyes of Dumbledore.

"She died well. She defended the people she loved." He couldn't stop the tears from coming. Just then he heard his name being called by Lily. He looked up and she motioned toward the lake. There was a white light floating above it. He stood and walked slowly toward the light. The white light came off the water and onto the shore as he got closer and started to take the form of a woman. There stood Nikki in a long, white dress that flowed all around her. Her auburn hair was down and caressed her face, moving as if a slow wind was flying through it. She smiled at him and lifted her hand to his cheek. She wiped away some of his tears, but they still kept coming.

"I love you," she said softly.

"I love you too," he said as more of his tears poured out.

"Don't cry. I'll always be with you," she said as she smiled up at him. He hugged her as he cried into her hair. He pulled back.

"Goodbye for now my love," she said. Again, she reached up and wiped away some of his tears, leaving her hand on his cheek, caressing his face. He reached up and covered her hand with his. "Don't look back and dwell on your losses and regrets. Instead, look forward and enjoy the gifts to come." She smiled up at him and slipped her hand from under his as she started to back away.

"Don't go," he said reaching out to her.

She smiled. "Just remember, I'll always be with you… I love you…," she said as she kept floating away, back over the lake. Her voice echoing in his head. He kept on crying knowing that his heart would never mend. He watched the light fade away. He stood there for a while looking out at the water until he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"C'mon," James said. "Let's go. Dumbledore's taking care of her." Remus let James lead him back to his friends and they all started walking toward the school. Just before they reached the double doors, Remus heard Nikki's voice sound in his head.

"I'll always be with you… I love you…" Remus looked back over his shoulder toward the woods and at the edge stood a lone white fox.

THE END

Alright thats the end! Sad huh? Well review and tell us what you liked about the story and what you didn't like!

Phoebe and Sadie