As always – Read, Review, and Enjoy!

EDIT 6/8/12: For a better reading experience, all review replies and old, unimportant ANs were removed. Any questions, just PM me

Disclaimer: I do not own, nor claim to own, anything pertaining to Inuyasha nor Harry Potter. Just the ideas that pop into my mind ;)

—Year I; Part III: Slowly Coming Together—

November

"Okay, this is so not fair," James grumbled, scrubbing at the floor harder.

"I know!" Sirius complained on the other side of the room, huffing unhappily as he dunked his brush into the bucket of soapy beside him before continuing his scrubbing. "I mean – the Headmaster himself obviously liked it! He gave us points for Merlin's sake! How could he let Professor McGonagall give us two weeks of detention?"

"Just be happy she's not sending letters to our parents," Remus said tiredly, shaking his hair out from eyes.

Sirius winced. "Yeah, I can't deny I'm happy about that…" He groaned. "But still – two weeks?" he emphasized, causing Remus to roll his eyes in exasperation.

Kagome paused, looking up to stare at Sirius. She was sure a letter describing the events of Halloween wouldn't be well received by his parents.

And she had a niggling idea that Professor McGonagall knew so as well, which was why she didn't send out letters in the first place…

No one wanted a repeat of the Howler…

Shaking her head, Kagome went back to polishing the trophy before her. "She's probably punishing us for the pranks we pulled earlier that day…" she murmured.

"But, no one saw us! How could she punish us for that?" Peter argued in protest. "We made sure to be careful!"

Remus snorted and gave Peter a baleful look. "After someone stood up and so gallantly took credit for that night, it isn't too hard to connect the dots…" he drawled out sarcastically. Remus was staring pointedly at Sirius at that moment.

Sirius pouted and protested. "But – how could we make a name for ourselves if we don't even take credit?"

James began laughing, and uproariously at that. "Which reminds me – you said you wanted to make a name for ourselves and all that, so how could you possibly forget to make up a name for us in the first place?"

Sirius flushed, and hurriedly went back to his scrubbing. "It slipped my mind…" he muttered.

They all sniggered.

"So, we're the Marauders now, eh?" Remus murmured, shaking his head wryly, rather bemused.

"You have to admit – it does fit," James put in.

"And it sounds really cool!" Peter chimed in, grinning lopsidedly.

—o—o—o—o—

"I can't stand him," Severus gritted out in a low hiss one day, his obsidian eyes trailing after a certain messy-haired Potter boy as he passed by.

James was grinning brightly and smugly, eyes lit up in undeniable glee while a Ravenclaw grabbed at his parchments, his homework taking a literal stance to running away from the second-year.

Lily looked over at her best friend, eyebrows raised. "Just Potter?" she asked curiously. "No comment on Black?"

Severus snorted, leaning back as his eyes flickered over to the curly haired boy jogging beside James. "Him too – they're both arrogant. Now they've got Pettigrew and Lupin tagging along as well." He paused, sniffing almost disdainfully. "Not to mention Potter's sister..." he muttered, shaking his limp hair out from his eyes.

Lily sighed tiredly, a sign that the subject was commonly discussed and thoroughly disagreed upon. "Kagome's different," she argued strongly, for what seemed to her the thousandth time. "She's very nice as I'm sure you ought to remember."

Severus turned an incredulous gaze her way. "If that's the case, then why doesn't she stop them?" he countered strongly. "Instead, she joins them – bloody hell, you've heard the rumors! That Halloween prank was her idea!"

Lily turned back to her book and flicking a page over impatiently. "Oh, that prank was harmless," she scoffed, flapping an airy hand at him. "And a clever one if you asked me. It's Halloween – ghosts are part of Halloween. It's not like she asked them to haunt random people," she explained at her friend's blank look.

Now, Severus' blank look turned flat.

She huffed, "Besides, I didn't say she was perfect," Lily continued more loftily. "Merely different than her brother – nicer. She cares if someone is hurt. You wanna know something?" she asked, and didn't wait for Severus to speak, charging on despite his mouth opening. "I saw her apologizing to Sarah the day after the dungbomb incident back in September."

Severus still-opened mouth slowly closed, and he looked at his best friend warily. "Alright, maybe she isn't as bad as them," he conceded grudgingly. "It's a surprise Potter's twin has any manners at all, really," he mumbled, defeated.

Lily's lips twitched. "Well, I guess someone had too..." she murmured wryly, shaking her head.

—o—o—o—o—

"You know, next Halloween, we should totally get the ghosts to haunt random people."

Remus snorted as he looked up at the girl lounging beside him. "As amusing as that might be," he dryly drawled out. "Once they figure out we're the ones who gave Peeves his newfound supply of dungbombs, I doubt they'd be willing to do any more favors for us."

Kagome snickered, but shrugged all the same.

"We should still try though!"

This exclamation came from below, where James was splayed on his stomach across from Sirius, the two playing chess on the floor.

"Yeah, it would be amazing to sic Peeves on some Slytherin," Sirius agreed, half-grinning, his eyebrows furrowed as he concentrated on the chess board before him. He pouted when James' brutally took down his knight with a grin.

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Sirius," she admonished.

Sirius mock-sighed. "Okay, make it an evil Slytherin – maybe one of the guys that cornered Pete that last month."

Kagome pursed her lips. "A little late for revenge but…" She shrugged. "Whatever – those guys were a couple of bloody pricks. I doubt Peter was the first to be bullied by them, and I know he won't be the last."

Remus shook his head as the other two boys cheered, clapping hands in triumph. "Speaking of Peter," he began, smiling wryly. "Where is he?"

Kagome flicked a page in her book, before looking at the clock on the other side of the room. "Oh, he didn't say?" she murmured. "He should be back in twenty or so – I suggested he asked Slughorn for a chance to do some extra credit."

Remus nodded. "Good idea, his last potion was…" he trailed off, trying to figure out a good way to put it.

Kagome raised an eyebrow. "A disaster?"

Remus snorted, and gave a defeated shrug. "Yeah, it kinda was," he admitted sheepishly. "Not only did it burn through the cauldron, but the table as well."

James and Sirius sniggered. "Old Slughorn was frantic trying to keep everyone at a safe distance," James murmured happily, simply tickled at the thought of chaos.

Kagome chuckled. "At least he's getting a little better."

—o—o—o—o—

Scared. Concerned. Wary. Excited.

These were the emotions – the expressions – plastered across many a first years' faces.

For today was the day for broom lessons.

Many had never ridden on a broom before. Some have never seen a magic broom, never mind heard of it, until a few months ago. These were the ones with scared or wary faces.

Only a few, those that have ridden a broom or those not so much as afraid but eager to try something new, were actually excited.

Sirius was practically bouncing on his feet, anxious to get to flying. Next to him was James, inspecting the broom for its quality – and if the frown on his face was any indication, the school's brooms didn't exactly meet up to his standards.

Ever cool and collected, Remus just stood there, patiently waiting for the lessons to start – though, his eyes did seem a little brighter than usual.

Peter was one of the more anxious ones, and not in the good way.

"Never ridden before?" Kagome wondered, glancing at her friend.

Peter swallowed and shook his head. "No, Mum always thought it was too dangerous. Said I should wait until I get proper lessons."

Kagome smiled sympathetically. "Yeah, my Mum didn't like us flying at such a young age either."

Peter glanced at her, confused. "But she let you anyways?"

Kagome grinned. "Well… we can get pretty annoying if we want to," she said wickedly. "James is a right terror when he wants to be."

James snickered suddenly from her other side, unable to help but hear their conversation. "It helped that Kagome wields her puppy dog eyes like a pro too – broke Dad in less than half a minute. Priceless."

Kagome gave them a proud grin. "I do my best," she chirped happily.

"Alright kids," called out their instructor. He was a middle-aged, lean man with very short brown hair, a crooked nose, and sharp green eyes. He was decked out in leather gloves, guards, and boots made for Quidditch. "We'll take this nice and slow, but listen closely. Riding a broom is only fun if you know what you're doing and you know how not to fall to your death," he told them bluntly.

At the mention 'falling' and 'death', many children gasped and went white.

The man sighed, palming his face, and Kagome stared at the man in astonishment when she heard him mutter, "Bloody children, so bloody dramatic… Damn you mother for making me take this bloody job…" under his breath right as he was passing behind them.

By the terrified look of Peter and similar gapes incredulity and shock of James, Sirius, and Remus, they heard him too.

"But that's what we're here for, isn't it? To prevent that," he droned on in a half-assed attempt to calm them. "Now, you've got your brooms. Leave them on the ground and with a hand over it, say 'Up'," he instructed wearily, pinching the bridge of his nose. He waved at hand at them when they stared at him. "Go on, do as I say."

"Lovely," she could hear Sirius say, "We've got a bloody bossy git for a flying instructor. And here I thought today would be fun," he was muttering, disappointed.

Kagome snorted, and shook her head as a chorus of 'up's were echoing repeatedly around them. Shrugging, she held a hand over her broom and said firmly, "Up."

She winced when it flew up to her hand with a hard smack.

James sniggered, his broom already propped against his shoulder. "I don't think it likes you," he teased.

Kagome didn't bother to squash the urge to turn and whack him with the broom. She gave into it, immediately, and took probably a little too much pleasure in the 'smack' it produced when she winged him in the stomach, not to mention his painful grunt, as she turned to face Peter.

Smirking, she glanced over her shoulder nonchalantly. "Oops, my bad," she said simply, offering Peter a comforting, sweet smile at his wary, somewhat terrified look.

Peter knew her too well by now to be fooled by it.

"I hate you…"

Happily ignoring James' mutter, Kagome shuffled closer to Peter, eyeing his broom, which was currently wiggling incessantly at his feet. Even she was uneasy, looking at it.

"Here," Kagome said, handing him her broom. "I already know how to ride a broom. This one's no use to you if you want to learn. Too wild."

Peter's face smoothed over with obvious relief, "OhMerlinthankyou," he blurted out in one rapid breath.

Kagome flashed him a smile, giggling. "No prob." She walked over to the broom, grimacing, and poked it with her shoe. "Hey, you, quiet it down," she ordered firmly.

It flipped over once, but the wiggling was reduced to minor squirming. "I'm gonna regret this," she muttered, before holding a hand over. "Up," she told it, and though it hesitated, it eventually leapt up to her hand.

"Alright, quiet down everyone!" the instructor, McLaggen, told them. "Everybody has their brooms? Yes? Good. Now, I want you to mount them, but stay on the ground," he emphasized, eyeing them all seriously with narrowed eyes. "No funny stuff."

Kagome threw a leg over the broomstick, and tried to get comfortable, which was hard because her broom wouldn't sit still.

Beside her, she heard sniggering. "Look at Snivellus!" her brother crowed gleefully, pointing at the other side of the line.

Sirius' snickered followed soon after, and Kagome glanced to see him comfortably mounted on his broom, smirking at James. "You sit on a broom – what's so hard about that?" he boasted, a little too loudly as Snape's head snapped up. Despite the red blooming on his cheeks, he pinned them with an icy glare and a sneer.

Beside him, Lily narrowed her eyes, and muttered something most likely insulting to Snape.

Huffing, Kagome glared over at them as well. "I will punch you," she announced, not as a threat, but as a promise. "The both of you," added for clarification.

The pair sent a rankled stare in her direction for ruining their fun, but quieted down nonetheless to incoherent hisses and sniggers. They tried to get Remus to join in, but he rolled his eyes and resolutely shook his head, pointing at the instructor and telling them to pay attention.

The broom's incessant shifting drew her attention once more, making her miss the analyzing stare Severus turned her way.

Kagome gave the broom the evil eye, getting annoyed. "I swear, most of the school's brooms are good for nothing but firewood," she huffed in irritation, gripping the broom tighter. Those around her murmured in agreement.

However, insulting a temperamental broom probably wasn't the best of her ideas.

Especially when she was perched on it.

Kagome gasped when the broom began to jerk underneath her, and she struggled to keep her feet planted on the ground. "Stop it!" she hissed at it, hands clenching around it. "Now," she demanded.

"You okay, Kagome?" Lily called out, wide eyes flashing in mixed concern and fear as she watched.

Jerking the handle, Kagome looked up and offered a grim smile and waved off her friend's concern. "Nah, I'm-" she grunted suddenly, the broom trying to slip from her hold. "Good…" she trailed off, faltering as she began to worry herself.

The realization that brooms shouldn't be this wild was just beginning to dawn on her, and her stomach was starting to turn.

"Uh, Kagome, you might want to get off that thing," James told her, eyeing her worriedly. By now, only the tips of her shoes were touching the ground as the broom started to hover on its own will.

Realizing that as well, Kagome hurried to get off.

And just as she went to do that, the broom suddenly took off with her still on it. "Aaaeyaa!" she squealed, rather high pitch, something she just knew her brother and the others would never let her live that down.

"Kagome!" James exclaimed after her, and around him, screams of shock and horror echoed about as they watch the rabid broom.

"Awh, shit," the Instructor McLaggen cursed, ignoring the wide-eyed stares of the children around him. "I said not to kick off!" he angrily shouted after Kagome.

James scowled. "Instead of yelling at her, why don't you do something!" he snapped frantically.

McLaggen scowled at him, and turned his wand on Kagome. "The best I can do is slow her down if she falls."

"What?" James sputtered in outrage. "You – you're the instructor – of flying lessons. Go and get her!" he demanded, jabbing a finger in the direction Kagome went.

The instructor shot him a haughty look. "Chasing a wild broom does no one any good if I don't catch her in time. I know what I'm doing, so quiet."

Sirius, wide-eyed, had his gaze glued on her tightly. "Shit - hold on, Kagome!" he shouted, just as Lily, who was looking on in dismay, shrieked. "Don't let go!"

Peter's face was white as a sheet, knowing that it could have been him if Kagome hadn't offered to switch brooms.

"I'm trying!" came her faint scream, and they watched as she hugged at the broomstick like a lifeline as it rolled.

And suddenly, the broom shot off toward the castle.

"Kagome!" Remus exclaimed frantically, eyebrows drawn in fear.

The Professor's eyes widened, realizing that with the distance between them, he wouldn't be able to cast the spell.

James let out a horrified, strangled sound, and scrambled to get on his broom. "C'mon Sirius!" he shouted, knowing out of everyone, he had experience flying as well.

Sirius followed without a word, face white, and the two of them took off after her.

"No – don't!" the Professor called out to no avail. "Damn it!" he hissed, "You brats are going to get me fired!" he groused, scrambling to get his own broom.

—o—o—o—o—

"Crap, crap, crap," Kagome chanted frantically under her breath as she dangled from one end of the broom stick. The moment it went over the roof, it cartwheeled for a good half a minute, disorienting her enough that it knocked her off her seat. "C'mon, I said I was sorry," she pleaded almost pathetically. "You're a good broomstick – a wonderful one. Maybe a little feisty, but hey, it gives you some personality!"

No one had any idea how stupid she felt begging, and with a broom no less. Luckily for her, no one else could hear or see.

Kagome took a reluctant look below her, and went pale the sight of the stony ground over fifty feet from her point. She swallowed thickly. "Please! At least fly me over some water!" she wailed frantically.

It only took her higher above the stone courtyard.

Her arms straining painfully from her weight. She wasn't going to last much longer now, and despite the wand in her pocket, she knew no spells that could cushion her fall, or otherwise slow it.

So far away from the instructor, with no one else in sight, she did the only thing she could think of. Sucking in a deep breath, she shouted out as loud as she could manage. "Kirara!"

Her fingers were becoming tingly now, a sure sign they would soon be numb.

"Kirara!"

"Kagome!" "Mel!" Two shouts echoed out simultaneously a beat later.

Automatically, Kagome tried to maneuver and look over her shoulder, but couldn't see anything. ""James?" she called out, answering. "Sirius!"

"Hold. On." James told her with great emphasis.

"No, I'll just bloody let go right now," she snarled.

"We're coming!" Sirius shouted at her.

And they were. But unfortunately, the broom seemed to know or sense that as well, as it zipped away as soon as they came within ten feet.

Her grip was slipping now, made worse by the broom's sporadic movements. "Guys!" she warned, voice bubbling with dismay.

"It won't let us get anywhere near it!" Sirius griped frantically, angry.

Kagome tugged at the broom incessantly, trying to pull it down so she could mount it. But it would barely budge.

Then, the boys tried coming at her again, this time trying to position themselves below her.

And that was when her grip finally slipped.

"Help!" she screamed out wildly as she dropped.

The boys yelped out in alarm and tried coming at her right when a cream colored object blurred past them.

"Omph!"

"Bloody hell" Sirius startled, coming to a screeching halt at the sight of what seemed to be a flying, oversized lion with massive fangs and fire licking at its heels. "What in Merlin's name is that thing? It's going to eat her!" he shouted in frantic horror, head swinging to face James.

But the look on James' face was one of immense relief, his shoulders sagging as Kirara carried Kagome safely to the ground. "Mate, relax. It's only Kirara," he breathed out casually, like a cat the size of a hippogriff and on fire didn't just fly past them or anything.

Sirius just sputtered at him, properly flabbergasted, and gaped when the beast in fact transformed into the little feline he knew in a whirlwind of fire.

Hurriedly, they flew to the ground, jumping off their brooms as soon as they were close enough. They ran to Kagome who was sprawled on the ground, unconsciously petting Kirara as she stared into the sky blankly as she tried to get her bearings.

"Are you okay?" James demanded urgently, eyes scouring her for any injury. "Should we take you to the Infirmary?"

Unable to speak, Kagome just shook her head absently.

"Kagome?" Sirius insisted, worried.

Kagome swallowed thickly, before speaking. "That was… I just realized…" She shook her head to clear it and her eyes flickered over to stare them in the eyes. "That was bloody awesome," she stated frankly.

Mouths dropping, the boys stared at her in astonishment, rendered speechless.

"Don't get me wrong," Kagome said as a faint afterthought, eyes flickering back to the sky dazedly. "I was bloody scared shitless. But once you get past the mind-numbing terror, it was one heck of a rush…" she mused, faintly amused.

Sirius turned to James. "She's lost it," he told him bluntly, half a grin on his face. "That broom's spinning knocked her marbles loose," he chuckled out, relief dousing him.

James' lips were twitching. "No, she's always been like this."

Sirius snorted, and suddenly, his grin turned teasing. "You know, I just remembered…" he trailed off mischievously. "What kind of scream was that? You squealed like such a girl!" he gibed, chuckling.

James rocked with laughter.

Kagome threw her hands over her face and groaned.

"There you little brats are!"

The three whipped around at the angry roar.

They saw McLaggen approaching them on his broom, and watched as he touched down to the ground.

"About bloody time," James muttered under his breath, glaring at the instructor defiantly with his arms crossed.

Sirius snorted, and helped Kagome stand when she sat up. Hands bracing, he pulled his friend up slowly.

Kagome stumbled slightly when he released her, knees wobbly, and Sirius shook his head and grabbed her arm before she toppled over, wrapping it around his neck while he grabbed her waist, letting her lean on him.

"Thanks," Kagome muttered, smiling wearily at him.

Sirius grinned and winked playfully. "Always willing to let a pretty girl lean on me," he murmured cheekily, causing her to roll her eyes fondly.

McLagggen stalked over to the three, glaring harshly. "I should have you all expelled! Every fucking year, some snot nosed kid has to go and get themselves hurt! When I get done with you I'm going to-"

"Mister McLaggen!"

McLaggen stopped short, freezing at the sharp, scandalized, and most of all, furious reprimand.

Behind him was Professor McGonagall, striding over swiftly with arms crossed, face taut, and eyes sharp as she glared at him. "How dare you speak to a child like that?" she breathed out with barely contained fury as she approached. "I have never heard a teacher at this school speak such foul language, and to a first year no less! I knew I should have pushed Dumbledore to terminate your job after that last incident! You are incredibly lucky that Miss Potter is mostly unharmed."

"What?" McLaggen exclaimed, angry. "That – that brat is the one who didn't listen!"

Kagome made an offended sound and glared at him. "Excuse me? How can I help it if your brooms have a mind of their own!" she countered.

At that, McGonagall's head snapped up to peer at the broom still hovering in the air, twitching. Bring up her wand, she swiftly summoned it over to inspect it. Once finished, she let out a furious hiss and rounded on the instructor. "This is the same broom from the last accident. Did I not tell you to be rid of it?" McGonagall demanded with a dangerous edge to her voice.

"I – uh-" was his stuttered response.

Professor McGonagall's expression became pinched. "I see," she muttered tersely, rearing herself up and standing proudly. "Mister Potter and Mister Black, if you would, please, escort Miss Potter to the Infirmary to be checked out. And that is not to be debated, young lady," she added, seeing Kagome's mouth opening.

It shut with a sound click.

"Come, Mister McLaggen," she ordered primly, stalking away. "We must attend to the students you so irresponsibly left behind. Hopefully, none of them are injured either. Then, we shall report to Professor Dumbledore to talk about you position," she informed him sharply, her fading voice brimming with consternation.

McLaggen followed like a dog with its leg between its tail, but not with sending the three children a heated glare.

"Damn," Sirius muttered, impressed. "I think we just got a teacher fired. That's good, even for us," he mused the moment they adult were out of hearing distance.

James and Kagome turned to stare at him, and James cracked a grin while Kagome palmed her face in exasperation.

Sirius turned to the two with an expectant look on his face. "So," he began casually. "When we're you going to tell me your cat can turn into a frightening beast that could wet the pants of so many people, and why haven't we used it to our advantage in pranking people yet?" he wondered with a drawl.

James and Kagome let out a collective snort when Kirara let out a mewl that sounded almost proud. Sirius sniggered.

Rolling her eyes, Kagome pulled away from Sirius and muttered, "We'll tell you on the way," as she turned to the castle. "C'mon Kirara. You've got a butt load of treats waiting for you when we get back to the dorms."

Kirara let out a bright mewl and leapt to her shoulders.

James and Sirius followed suit, slipping a supporting arm around her when she yet again stumbled slightly, still weak legged from the adrenaline rushed adventure, and made their trek to the Infirmary.

As they slowly walked, with James and Sirius going on about what just happened, Kagome remained oddly silent.

Too distracted at the moment, the boys didn't notice. But Kirara did.

The tiny feline, still perched on her shoulder, nosed at Kagome's earlobe, letting out a soft, concerned mewl.

Arms otherwise occupied as they were wrapped around James' and Sirius' necks, she tilted her head to nudge the kitten back in assurance.

Kagome couldn't help but think back to her earlier ordeal.

For just a moment, a small, sliver of a second as the petulant broom zipped away with her arms clutched around it holding for dear life, she felt… oddly free.

The wind rushing through her hair, a soft roaring pounding her ears… for a moment, it was like she was back in the Feudal Era, piggybacking on Inuyasha as he leapt from limb to limb. More than once, she surrendered to the feeling as they traveled at a speed that could rival a cheetah, becoming lost in it.

The feeling of freedom: the feeling that all worries and responsibilities were washed away, nothing weighing on her shoulders. Just… free…

Back then, it was the heavy burden of the Jewel, of all the destruction it caused, the ominous threat it carried each waking moment it was still out there, still broken in shards. And it was such a relief for the burden to just vanish, even for only a moment.

It was the same as today, except when she experienced the rush of flying and the feeling of freedom washed over her, it wasn't the burden of the Jewel that slipped away.

It was a newer one, one that seemed even more crucial and grim than the last, that she didn't even realize was weighing down on her so heavily until today: the lives of not only her brother, her future sister-in-law, her future nephew, or even her newfound best friends, but of so many others as well.

Mentally, she made a note to herself go flying like that more often, if only for the cathartic effect.

—o—o—o—o—

Cheers roared from the crowd, echoing into the chilled air.

Bundled in thick wool cloaks, scarfs wrapped around necks, and hands warmed with gloves, hundreds of students filled the stands overlooking the Quidditch field. Excitement thrummed in each and every one of their veins as they waited for the players to ride in on their brooms so the game could start.

"Gryf-fin-dor! Gryf-fin-dor! Gryf-fin-dor!"

Kagome let out a delighted laugh as her brother and Sirius chanted their House with fervor as they waited for their House team to make an appearance.

Her laugh had him looking over at her, and he grinned. "C'mon Kagome!" he urged, nudging her. "Aren't you going to cheer?"

Rolling her eyes, she indulged him with a grin of her own. "Gryf-fin-dor! Gryf-fin-dor!" she began cheering, until the Gryffindor side of the stands broke out into wild, almost ear-piercing cheers as their players finally flew in, today's game announcer recited each of their names.

"So how do you think is gonna win?" Sirius asked them eagerly, eyes bright and cheeks red from the cold.

James let out a loud scoff. "Gryffindor of course!" he exclaimed, looking at his friend in astonishment.

Peter shrugged. "I overheard that Hufflepuff had a good team three years running," he pointed out.

James nodded, giving him that. "But that was when they still had their old captain. She graduated last year. They're at a disadvantage with the shift in command. The Gryffindor's captain is a sixth year, and he's been in position since last year."

"You're assuming that they didn't train their new captain," Remus interjected.

"Maybe they did," James said, shrugging. "But this is the first time they're playing against an actual team, which makes this game so important. You can only split your team and play against each other in practice, which is useful, sure, but they all know each other's tactics so they're not at full strength. Not until they get out there and play some games and really get used to playing with each other."

"So, basically, if Gryffindor takes the advantage and pummels Hufflepuff today, we could start out with one big lead," Kagome said, eyeing her brother knowingly.

James let out an evil chuckle. "Exactly…"

Sirius let out a low whistle, eyebrows raised. "I have a feeling that you have your sights set out on the Captain position…" he chuckled.

James broke out into a grin. "You know it!" he exclaimed, casting shining eyes on his sister and his friends. "I can't wait until we can finally try out for the team next year!" he said, watching the game with eager eyes as it finally started. His cheeks were flushed with unbound excitement, making the perfect picture of a Quidditch fan maniac.

Kagome smiled a sly, mischievous smile. "Oh, I'm sure you'll be one of the greatest Chasers Hogwarts has ever seen," she murmured wryly.

If it was even possible, it seemed that James grinned even wide.

—o—o—o—o—

Remus woke sick to his stomach early one morning, realizing with growing dread at the symptoms that only cemented the inevitable.

Rolling over and off his bed, he padded over to the bathroom at the other end of the dorm room. Faintly, he noticed it was still dark, not even near the time where the others woke up naturally. Silently slipping through the door, he flipped the lock and approached the mirror.

With a frown, he leaned forward and squinted, swiping his damp hair from his sweaty forehead, studying his paler than usual face.

His normally honey brown eyes weren't staring back at him; instead, a golden overtone was threatening to take over his irises. The pupils of his eyes were drawn to slits, ironically almost cat-like.

Sighing, his shoulders sagged and his eyes fluttered in defeat. The signs were cropping up unusually early, which only meant a painful transformation later on as the monster inside him wanted out this month more so than usual.

It also meant that there was no way he could go to class today – not looking like this. It would be too obvious…

Quickly, he took a shower and barely bothered to dry his hair, hoping it could cool him down long enough to make it down to the infirmary where he could hide in peace.

Dressing swiftly, he thought of his excuse for this month. The last two, he told the guys and Kagome that his mother wasn't feeling well, and had to visit her.

Biting his lip, he figured with how he was looking at the moment, it was best to use the 'not feeling well' excuse, in case he ran into anyone before or after the transformation.

Quietly, and once again extremely happy his dorm mates sleep like the dead, he dressed and snagged his bag up before leaving the room: might as well do some school work as he waited in the infirmary...

—o—o—o—o—

Remus climbed down the steps leading to the Common Room. By the time he left the dorm dawn was threatening to break. He'd yet to be up this early before and didn't know if anyone else got up this early, so he made sure to be extra quiet.

The Common Room was dark and still as he entered it, and he let out a relieved sigh as he made his way over to the portrait door.

Remus only made it halfway when a sharp hiss cut through the silence. He started, letting out a shocked yelp when his bag slipped from his fingers and landed right on his toes. He flinched and groaned lowly, cursing his decision to wait until he was outside the portrait door to put his shoes on.

"Kirara...?" came a soft, sleepy murmur. "What's wrong?"

Remus froze at the familiar name, uttered by an even more familiar voice. His head snapped up and over to the couch near the fire place. Dread laced through his veins, his heart pounding harshly at the sight of a cream, twin-tailed cat perched atop the couch, crouching with its fur standing on end.

Her orange eyes seemed to bore into him warily, warningly almost, and Remus' felt his stomach drop as he realized it.

She knew.

It wasn't the first time this happened – animals usually acted strangely around him during this time of the month, when the full moon was coming near. But never like this, and never this vocally.

And when a familiar head of tousled dark hair popped up from behind the couch, Remus' insides twisted instinctively, and he mentally flailed to calm down.

It was only Kirara – a cat; a weird, two-tailed, insanely smart cat, but a cat nonetheless. It couldn't speak. There was no way his secret was at risk. If anything, he could blame him 'being ill' that put the feline off.

But if he didn't calm the bloody hell down, he would give it away himself.

Kagome, blinking blearily, reached out to pet Kirara, as if to calm her down. "Shh," she murmured faintly, but Kirara would have none of it.

The feline let out a mewl and dipped her head in Remus' direction, causing Kagome to turn and squint in his direction.

"Remus?" Kagome blurted out once she recognized him, confused. "What -? Is it time to get up already?" she wondered, a little dazed.

"What are you doing down here, sleeping?" Remus asked instead, voice a little hoarse.

He watched as her head ducked. "I couldn't sleep earlier…" she admitted, unusually demur. "I came down here to read to pass the time, and I guess I fell asleep eventually." She paused for a moment, hesitant. "Are you alright? You sounded a little… off…" she trailed off.

Clearing his throat, Remus shook his head. "No, I… I woke up feeling sick, so I'm going to head over to the Infirmary."

He watched as her blue eyes blinked worriedly at him as she straightened. "Oh, do you want me to walk with you there?"

Remus cringed with guilt, and he was thankful for the darkness hiding his face. Kagome was being so kind, and here he was, lying to her face. "No," he said a little too hastily. "I can go myself; you're probably still really tired. Sorry for waking you up," he told her, genuinely apologetic. "I didn't think anyone was down here."

Kagome only shrugged. "Not your fault," she told him, pointedly grabbing her cat. "Sorry if Kirara scared you," she added, smoothing her feline's coat.

Remus shrugged as well, and bent to grab his things once more. "I'll see you later," he murmured, continuing his trek out the Common Room.

"Hope you feel better soon," she told him gently.

Remus flinched, guilt squirming and making his stomach twist, and he unhappily muttered, "Me too," under his breath as he pushed open the portrait. "Thanks," he said a little louder, before finally leaving.

"Shh," Kagome hushed Kirara once again when the feline hissed softly at the closing door, and she petted the nekomatta gently. "Shh, it's alright. He's a friend, remember?" she whispered soothingly. "Only… just one that gets a little furrier, and bigger, and a bit more violent once a month…"

It did the trick, settling Kirara down.

Kagome stared at the portrait door for another moment, frowning sadly. "I just wish he didn't have to do this alone."

The only thought that comforted her was that in a few months or so, he wouldn't be alone any more…

Words- 6,219

D'aww, poor Remus :/ I can't wait till they boys start getting suspicious about his monthly illnesses and disappearances though, and start their attempt at animagus transformations. *^^*

But haha, how'd you like that flying lesson scene? I enjoyed writing that so much XD

Anyways, here's a few shout-outs for the people whose ideas I used in this chapter:

Mirabar and Venas for suggesting to do a flying lesson scene (hope you enjoyed that one – it was awesomely fun to write, hehe ;))

Venas for a Kirara transformation XD Hope you enjoyed that little part ^^

NatsumiTsuchi-Ookami for Kirara sniffing out Remus

ShadowCrawlerCiel for more Snape/Lily friend outtakes

Chibisemo for more Peter interactions

And darksilvercloud and infinitewhiplash for a bit of quidditch

And as always, ArmyWife22079 for your immense help and ideas and inspiration XD

Hopefully, I got them all lol. If not, my apologies and my thanks to all that I failed to mention!

Till laters!

RainLily^^

A big huge honking thanks to all those who read, alerted, and fav'd this fic, and to these awesome reviewers!

Kagome midnight fox, Mirabar, CrescentMelody, SasoLOVE111, kakashixangela, TsukiyoTenshi, CroOledTwiSted, WraithReaper, ObsidianFrost, Pinkbubblegum13, KagHieiLuver, Scrawny Scrivener, Valleygoat, Tsukiyo Nyx,h d, cranberry391, astra, Yuki no Ai, deathgenous, Maxeyn, Venas, ArmyWife22079, Tori-Color-Bastia, LeaFairy124, Bunny.W.K, Bishonen'sFoxyMiko, Mimiru, InfiniteWhiplash, CrazyMikoHanyouKagamineRin, Anake14, AbyssTales