A/N: Sorry for the long wait! I wasn't able to find time to type this up…

Chapter 6

"Ah, this must be James!"

James smiled hesitantly as the large Healer threw open his arms in a gesture of welcome.

His uncle Bill beamed. "Yes, Hippocrates. My nephew, James Potter. He would like to fill the post as Trainee Healer under you."

"Come on, come on." Healer Smethwyck beckoned them into a ward, wherein moans and screams and unsavory scents issued.

"The Dai Llewellyn ward," boomed the Healer. "Have a look-see, Mr. Potter."

James swallowed. He had never been in the Creature-Induced Injuries section before—his mother had never let him when he was a child, and despite attempts to get himself bitten by something, anything, just to get in there, he had never succeeded.

Ah, what a sight.

"This is Leonard Smith—injured by a manticore, poor man. This lovely young lady here was burned by a Hebridean Black—an apprentice at a dragon reserve, you see." Healer Smethwyck indicated a figure bound with bandages all over with heaps of a purple paste on her face. "And over here we have…"

James was toured around and introduced to every single patient. He felt excited—this was most certainly going to be enjoyable.

"Well, James—thoughts?" Bill Potter asked as they headed to the Healers' lounge for a bit of lunch.

"It looks good, Uncle Bill," James replied. "I think I'll have no problem working here."

Uncle Bill visibly relazed. "Ah, excellent, then. Healer Smethwyck will be pleased. He likes you."

"I'm glad." James pushed open the door and was assaulted by some of the most enticing scents his nose had ever met.

Uncle Bill took a plate. "So, I told you in my letter that I'll be tracking down Quintapeds, correct?"

"Uncle, you must be joking!"

"Why not? I've already gathered a team, supplies, rations…" The older man's eyes took on a faraway glaze.

James looked blank.

"So—anything at all, you can just send me an owl. Phidias will have my reply."

James tried not to look too uncomfortable as he stabbed at his beef.

xxxxx

Remus scratched his chin with the end of his quill.

"No—that phrase isn't quite right…"

He was seated at the dining table, parchment scattered around him. Nicole blinked as she walked in with her gardening tools, after having spent the past hour tending to the footpath.

"What's all this?"

Remus quickly gathered up his things. "Nothing, Nicole."

Nicole got a piece off the floor before he could. " 'Quickening his steps, our hero could hear the loud silence of the clearing as he neared it.'"

Remus buried his face in his hands as Nicole's eyes traveled down the parchment.

"This looks excellent, Remus? Did you write this?"

"Yes," Remus admitted in a small voice.

"Can I read the rest of it? Please?"

"No!"

"Come on, Remus…"

"No!"

"Just the first page…"

"Never."

"You know I'm not going to stop until you show it to me."

"Go right ahead—you're going to get tired anyway."

"I'm making puppy-dog eyes."

"Would you like me to help you along?" Remus twirled his wand.

"You wouldn't dare!"

"I might if you don't stop badgering me."

"Remus!"

"You are a nuisance, Greenleaf," Remus commented calmly as he snatched the parchment away from her.

"Merlin, how do I go about this—yes! You know, Remus, you're going to need an editor. Someone who can help you along, give you a little constructive criticism. Someone who can comment. I am very well-versed in these matters."

"Oh, don't even try it, miss."

"But you do, Remus!"

"Oh yeah, right. And Bartemius Crouch's son turns out to be evil."

xxxxx

Nicole surveyed the pages triumphantly as a grumpy Remus sat off to her right.

"This is a criminal offense, Greenleaf!" he squeaked as he struggled against his bindings.

"Oh, don't worry. I'll let you off when I'm done."

"Nicole!"

xxxxx

"Merlin, Remus, this has got to be the best murder mystery I have ever read!"

Remus turned a fine shade of scarlet. "Really?"

Nicole nodded. "It's gripping, it's well-paced, it's suspenseful. And you've managed to add just the right touch of humor."

Nicole had let Remus go after half an hour of being tied to the chair, when the werewolf had calmed down sufficiently. Now, they were evaluating his novel in the kitchen while Nicole made dinner.

"You didn't think my lead character was overdramatic?"

"Not at all! A wizard detective who is cursed by the bite—it's such a unique concept. Oh, I can't wait until you finish it!"

Remus looked sheepish, and quite mollified. "Alright, alright—I'm not used to having fans, you know…"

xxxxx

"You are sure they're asleep?" hissed Sirius.

"When I peeked, they were," Remus hissed back.

"Shhh!" James admonished. "We don't want them to wake them up now, do we?"

The three men tiptoed along the foyer.

"Careful with the door!" Remus reminded James.

Slowly, the front door was eased open and they crept out and Apparated to The Three Broomsticks, which was nursing its midnight crowd.

"Good morning, Madam Rosmerta!" James announced.

She jumped. "James Potter!" Putting down the glass she was wiping, she glared at him. "You must stop doing that!"

"Three firewhiskies, my dear," Sirius chimed in.

Madam Rosmerta rolled her eyes as she went to get the drinks. "Do the girls even know that you're out?"

"We-ell...no," Remus admitted. "But they were asleep anyway!"

"Besides, we deserve a night out for ourselves," James added.

Madam Rosmerta handed James his firewhiskies. "You boys, honestly. When are you going to be serious?"

"Maybe never," Sirius said cheekily.

xxxxx

Lily and Nicole had been looking out the window as their three housemates escaped.

"You know, we really ought to be irked that they didn't tell us a thing," Lily remarked breezily.

"Well, they do deserve a break," replied Nicole.

"Are you ready for the movies?"

"Oh, definitely. I haven't been to one in such a long time!"

Dressed in their Muggle attire, the two girls sauntered out the door and Apparated away.

XXX

A/N: To my reviewers:

LupinLover99- Yes, we will be seeing a full moon soon in this story…

Arista Ramabra and Ketta dragontamer- Thanks:)