Oh my WORD, I LOVE reading your reviews and comments! ^^ Y'all are seriously the sweetest and most supportive fans. Today was so hard, and I'm thankful for this wonderful outlet and that y'all enjoy this tale so much. More to come!

Peter looked terrible. Opening his bloody lips, he whined, "Hi, Amber."

"What happened to you?" I asked, aghast. "You look like someone used you for Beater practice!"

Peter gave a shuddering sigh. "I had an accident. I was coming back from the bathroom, and.."

But whatever had happened was either too embarrassing or to painful for him to disclose just then. Tears leaked down his swollen eyes and down his puffier-than-normal cheeks. "Can you just take me back to the Gryffindor Common Room? Please?"

"Of course." I said at once, my heart wrenching with pity. I knew just how awful it felt to be attacked.

"Peter, did something attack you?" I probed, shuffling out of the hospital wing with him. "Another student?"

But Peter shook his head, his mouth tightly shut. "I can't talk about it." He said at last, his face scrunched up as if in indescribable pain.

It took several minutes to reach the portrait of the Fat Lady. She was talking to another subject from a different painting, an old witch with an elegant French braid of white hair.

"You two are late!" the Fat Lady chided. "Dinner ended almost an hour ago!"

"I know, I'm sorry," I apologized, hiding behind my curtain of long hair again, hoping she wouldn't recognize me as a Ravenclaw. "We were in the hospital wing."

The Fat Lady sighed. "I don't really want to know why, do I?"

"No." Peter whimpered.

"Is that a student or a troll?" the white-haired witch asked in a stage whisper, and Peter flinched as though he'd been hit again.

"Quiet, Violet," the Fat Lady reprimanded her friend. "What's the password?"

"Uh…" I racked my brain desperately. "'Snitch?'"

The Fat Lady narrowed her eyes at me. "Do I know you?"

My heart pounded against my rib cage. "Of course. I'm a Gryffindor. Only Gryffindors know the password."

The Fat Lady hesitated, deliberating for a moment. Then, apparently moved to pity by me and Peter's haggard appearances, she swung open on her hinges.

"Try to be more careful." She said grudgingly, as we climbed inside.

I had only been inside the Gryffindor Common Room once, a few years ago when I had taken Polyjuice Potion to take on Lily's appearance. The room hadn't changed since. The tapestries still hung down from the stone walls. Red drapes hung from the windows, allowing thin moonlight to stream in. A merry fire blazed in the hearth, surrounded by squashy armchairs and loveseats. Only three people were in the room; James, Sirius, and Remus.

"Hey, there you are!" James said jovially as he caught sight of us. "We were just about to… Peter? Peter!"

The three boys rushed over to Peter's side, who was trembling violently. "Peter!" Sirius said urgently. "What happened to you, mate? You look awful!"

"Did Lionheart beat you up?" James asked, half-serious.

"Of course I didn't!" I snapped. "He won't talk about it, whatever it was."

"I can't." Peter whimpered, dissolving into pathetic sobs. James and Sirius guided him to the hearth, talking in low, calming voices. Remus scrutinized my face, his green eyes reflecting the moonlight.

"Are you alright?" he asked, the scars more pronounced than ever on his face.

"I'm fine." I told him, looking away from the intensity of his probing gaze. "Just tired. Where is everyone?"

"James and Sirius set off a Dungbomb right after dinner. That sent everyone running for their dormitories for fresh air. Of course, we cleared the air a few minutes later with a Purification Charm. But I don't think anyone's going to venture down here until breakfast."

A smile twitched on my lips. "Resourceful, aren't they?"

"They're impressive." Remus agreed, grinning. "Do you need help sitting down?"

"I'm not Minnie, you know," I reminded him tartly, ambling over to the nearest loveseat and easing down onto it. Remus sat beside me, watching my leg with concern. I schooled my face free of the irritation twitching in my leg and turned my attention back to Peter, who was sandwiched between Sirius and James.

"Just tell us who did it, Pete," Sirius cajoled. "We'll get them back for this. You'll be fine."

"We want to get even for you." James added fiercely. "Nobody messes with our friend."

But Peter was clutching a throw pillow as though it were his firstborn son. "I can't!"

Sighing, James fixed his gaze on me instead. "So, why weren't you on the Express? What really happened?"

Sirius grinned. "It seems that our Lionheart is a fully-fledged Animagus."

It took a moment for this proclamation to sink in. And then, James leapt to his feet, his face red.

"No way!" He exclaimed. "I'm not going to be beaten by a girl! I don't believe it."

"Keep your voice down, Prongs!" Remus hissed, glancing at the hallway that lead to the dormitories. Rolling my eyes, I drew my wand and flicked it at the two corridors. "Muffliato."

"Good idea." Sirius grunted.

"If I want your praise, I'll ask for it." I said coolly.

"Sweet as a lemon, this one." Sirius said dryly.

"What animal are you?" James asked eagerly, his indignation melting into fascination. "An eagle?"

"Close." I said. "A griffin."

James whistled. "Impressive, Lionheart. Can we take a look?"

Sirius's wolfish grin was wicked as I blushed. "Not yet." I said delicately. "I haven't quite worked out the right way to change back."

"What do you mean?" Remus asked. "You're human now."

"She doesn't know how to change back with her clothes on." Sirius said bluntly. James burst out laughing while Remus turned scarlet. Infuriated, I drew my wand again, but James ducked behind the couch.

"Put it away, Amber," Sirius said, smirking, "before you poke someone's eye out."

"I'm warning you." I threatened, jabbing my wand like a sword before tucking it back into my belt.

"So you flew here?" James asked, ducking his head above the back of the loveseat. I hurled a pillow at his head, missing by an inch. Remus summoned the cushion and held it in his lap, coughing uncomfortably.

"I did." I said, explaining the flight and how Soren had assisted me. "I got here just as the Express pulled in. Sirius helped me."

"I sure did." Sirius said devilishly. "Remus, did you know Amber has a scar above her-"

I threw the pillow at his face with such force that he reeled back, clutching at his eyes. "I can't see!" he swore. "You got me right in the eyes, Lionheart!"

"Better you go blind than see me like that ever again." I snarled. Remus was silent, but the heat pouring from his face was hotter than the fireplace. Peter was still catatonic, cradling his own pillow.

"So you're an Animagus." James said, waving a white handkerchief from behind the couch. I allowed him to return to the loveseat unscathed. "That just leaves me and Peter, then. We've almost got it, too. We aren't that far behind."

"Well, there's something more." I went on. "Last night, I had a dream. Well, I'm not entirely sure it was a dream. It might have been a vision."

Instantly, all four of them fixed their attention on me. Even Peter looked at me in awe.

"Tell us everything." Sirius said, still clutching at his watery eyes.

I recounted the vision, including everything, even the words of the prophecy. I couldn't dislodge them from the vaults of my mind, no matter how hard I tried.

"So she said that a phoenix will devour the snake?" James reiterated as I finished. I nodded.

"But who's the phoenix?" Sirius asked, scratching his nose.

"She said that there was one of fire and one of sky. So maybe that means two different people make up one person. Well, one phoenix."

"Who's this woman, again?" Sirius asked.

"Her name was Sapphira Peverell." I said, frowning into the flickering flames. "She lived during the time of the Founders."

"Maybe it was just a dream, Amber," Remus said quietly. "Just a dream, nothing more."

"But I've had visions come true before, haven't I?" I countered. "You were there when Madame Cheek told me that my sister was a Seer. And maybe somehow, I've become one too."

"How?" James asked incredulously. "I've never heard of such magic."

Helplessly, I lifted my hands, palms up. "Willow told me there would be magic we couldn't even imagine. Magic that not even Dumbledore knows about. Maybe this all is bigger than just a few visions and dreams. Maybe all of this Lord Voldemort stuff has to do with these dreams. He's a Slytherin, isn't he?"

"Yeah, but so is Mara, and she's perfect." Sirius objected. "But I've never met another decent Slytherin."

"Your whole family is in Slytherin, Sirius," Remus pointed out.

"Exactly." Sirius said, raising a brow. "They're all gits, especially Regulus."

"Whatever the case," I said, redirecting them back to the dream, "There was this creature. I've seen him before. I think he used to live out in the Forbidden Forest." I paused, then added, "maybe he still does."

"Come off it," James objected, "no one can live for a thousand years."

"You can, if you're not human." Remus said. "What about magical creatures? Dragons can live for centuries. And vampires are almost immortal. Like Folsom. As long as they have a food source, they can live as long as they have nourishment. It's a risky trade-off, though. If they don't have a food supply, they'll starve into a husk."

"Anyway," I said, redirecting the conversation, "I don't really know what to do at this point. Willow told me not to investigate."

"The hell we aren't!" James exploded. "This is serious! We have to!"

"Come off it, Prongs," Sirius retorted, rolling his eyes. "What good can we do? You can't even fully transform into an animal yet!"

"What does that have to do with anything?" James snarled, blushing.

"It means," I translated, "that right now, we aren't ready to take on the forces of evil. If we're serious about making a difference with the Dark Arts, then we have to train. And learn. We have to be ready for whatever comes our way. But right now, at this moment, we're not ready. We're only fifth years."

James continued to glower at each of us in turn, but when no one allied with him, he stalked over to the fireplace and put his hands on the mantle, gazing into the flickering flames.

"So," Sirius said casually, "how are things with you and your boyfriend? What's his name again? Stuart?"

"It's Sean," I clarified haughtily. "And they're fine."

"Are they, really?" Sirius asked seriously, conjuring up a quill and paper and Summoning James' glasses. He perched expertly on his armchair, bending forward and pretending to take notes. "Do tell me more."

All of us laughed - even Peter. "Honesty?" I hedged.

"Please." Remus said quietly from beside me. He was watching me enigmatically, the firelight flickering in his eyes and over his scars, and I was seized by the sudden urge to kiss him.

I swallowed and forced down the impulse. Instead, I laid down on the loveseat, my head resting on the pillow in his lap. It was oddly comforting. I closed my eyes, not looking at any of them. "I don't know if I should be with Sean anymore."

Immediately, the responses came.

"Of course you shouldn't." Sirius said fiercely.

"You deserve better." James added.

"He's a git." Remus growled.

"He's got a Dark Mark." Peter said.

My eyes flew open. Stunned, all four of us stared at Peter, who was pale as snow, his terrified blue eyes wide.

"What did you just say?" I said, my voice cracking.

Peter gulped. "I just said that… that…" his voice dissolved as tears welled afresh. "Sean has a Dark Park."

"That's not what you said." James said hotly. He had rejoined Peter and was crouched before him. "Did he do this to you?"

Peter whimpered, his lower lip trembling. With a tremulous effort, he nodded.

"I don't believe it." I said at once, but sick dread was washing over me. "He can't have it."

"I have proof." Peter whispered wretchedly. He slowly drew out a camera, passing it to James, who then passed it to Sirius.

"Muggles use these, don't they?" Sirius asked curiously. Remus nodded.

"That's a Polaroid. My mother has one, too."

Peter then produced two photographs. Sirius and James both studied them before passing them to Remus.

"Let me see." I said, holding out my hand imperiously to Remus.

Remus shook his head. "I don't think that's a good idea."

I swore. "Give them to me, Remus, or so help me!"
Mouth tight, Remus passed over the photographs.

At first, all I saw was the image of Sean's face. And then my eyes traveled down to his left forearm, which was bared to another person. It was unmistakable: black, with a skull and serpent tongue. He was showing the Mark to Mara Smith, his cousin.

The second photograph was even worse. He was looking directly into the camera, but it wasn't Sean. I knew it was him, but the look in his face was chilling. His kind face was scary, rigid, and hollow, but the look in his eyes were the worst. They were black, not gray in the photograph, and he looked possessed.

Maybe he was possessed. Hadn't I been under the influence of the Imperius Curse?

I hadn't realized I was crying until Remus wiped a tear away tenderly. "Amber?"

"That slimy git!" James snarled. Sirius called him even worse names. As I broke down completely, I wasn't aware of how much time had passed. Every few minutes, a boy would present me with a fresh tissue. Someone else would discard the used one in the fireplace. Someone gave me a bar of dark chocolate, and another one announced that we should make a midnight trek to the kitchens for something deep-fried and smothered in chocolate.

"You don't need him, sweetheart," Sirius assured me.

"You're way out of his league." James added.

"I agree with them." Peter mumbled.

"He's a traitor." Sirius tacked on. "A piece of trash. He's not even worthy for you to wipe your bum with."

"Sirius!" I exclaimed. "Please!"

"Where is he?" James asked Peter, turning to him. "I think we'd all like to have a turn talking to him."

"No, don't hurt him!" I begged. All four eyes stared at me in disbelief.

"Amber, come on!" James said, his wand in his hand. "He's a traitor! We need to tell Dumbledore, I reckon."

"No!" I said desperately, shaking my head. "I don't believe this is happening. I can't. Sean's a sweet guy. He wouldn't do this!"

"You'd be surprised at what seemingly sweet people are capable of." Sirius said darkly.

"What if he's possessed by Lord Voldemort?" I said desperately, a collective gasp ringing across the four boys. I ignored them. "Or the Imperius Curse? I killed Angelina under it, remember?"

All four boys looked away at my words. I shook my head. "It's the truth! Sean isn't a Death Eater. He's not bad!"

Remus rose to his feet, wand in his hand. "Peter, where did he beat you up?"

Peter trembled harder than ever. "Outside of the Express, on the Platform. But he's long gone by now."

Remus swore. "The next time I see him, he's dead. Merlin's beard, I swear it."

"So what do I do now?" I asked, my voice cracking as I wiped away fresh tears. "I have to break up with him, don't I?"

There was an unanimous shaking of heads.

"By owl?" I asked falteringly. "I've never dumped anyone before."

"It's your choice, Amber," James said seriously. "But with him, I'd do it in person. So that we can get him."

"I like that idea." Remus said threateningly.

I leaned back heavily against the cushions of the loveseat, utterly drained. First Mara, and now Sean. Who else would turn out to serve Lord Voldemort? Regulus? Sirius?

Peter?

The familiar voice asked the question in such a small voice that I forgot to breathe. I knew that voice.

Sapphira? I thought, throwing the name out hopefully into the vaults of my mind. Sapphira, can you hear me?

Nothing.

I sighed, knowing it was foolish. Ghosts were one thing, but memories?

"Well," Sirius said bracingly, "in the meantime, to celebrate your soon-to-be-break-up,"

"I am broken up." I corrected harshly. "It's over. For me. Sean just doesn't know it yet."

"Fine," Sirius amended, "to celebrate Amber's newfound singleness, I vote that we all venture to the kitchens for comfort food. Any takers?"

"Anything to get out of here." Remus said, sweeping out of the tunnel. James and Sirius converged on Peter again, asking for more details that he refused to give. I started to follow them when a sickly sweet odor drifted in my nostrils, an odor that I hadn't smelled since the summer. When I had duelled Folsom.

I turned slowly, facing the dark corridor. At first, I saw nothing. The sickly sweet odor intensified until I wanted to sneeze. A pair of eyes watched me from the shadows. The hair on the back of my neck rose in warning, and I automatically reached for my wand. Folsom.

But when the eyes came out of the shadows, it wasn't Folsom. The green eyes belonged to a young woman with long red hair. Lily was watching me expressionlessly as I lowered my wand.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," she said quietly, never blinking.

"A vampire, I thought, actually," I told her shakily.

Lily eyed me beadily. "So, you're still running round with that lot."

There was a challenge in her words, and I lifted my chin defiantly. "Yes, I am." My loyalty to them had finally been put to the test against Lily's wishes, and I had made my decision. When it came to them or her, I would choose the former.

Lily's tense face relaxed. "I see that I can't stop you." She was looking after the boys, who had already disappeared through the tunnel and into the stairwell. "Remus is in love with you, you know. Irrevocably. He'll never get over you, even if he ends up with someone else."

"I know." I said truthfully, aware of our mutual feelings now more than ever. "I feel the same way about him."

Lily raised a brow. "Then why aren't you two together?"

I realized that she had been listening to our discussion about Sean. Maybe she'd even heard our entire conservation all the way back to the Prophecy. "Because it's not the right time."

"When will it be the right time, Amber?"

I shrugged. "Maybe never. I just want the best for Remus, even if that's not me. And I know he wants the same for me."

Lily nodded once, her green gaze troubled. "I don't want you to have any more regrets. Remus is one of the best people I've ever known. Better than James or Sirius." She glanced at me again. "You two are a match, Amber. We all know it."

"How do you feel about him?" I asked bluntly, wanting to know once and for all what her feelings were for Remus.

"He's a dear, dear friend." Lily said firmly. "Nothing more."

"But there's someone else you fancy, isn't there?" I pressed. "Someone other than Harry?"

"I thought so for awhile," Lily confessed, hugging herself. "Sev and I have been close for so long… but he's changed. He's not my Sev anymore." Her lower lip quivered. "He's still here, but I think he's gone."

Wordlessly, I hugged her. Lily clung to me for a long moment, and when we released each other, everything was alright between us again. We were sisters once more.

"Go enjoy your deep-fried snacks," Lily said warmly, and I knew she had finally accepted my allegiance with the Marauders, "just don't eat too much chocolate."

"Thanks." I grinned. "I'll try to remember that." I turned away.

"Oh, Amber?"

I looked over my shoulder.

"Just for the record, they're right. Sean doesn't deserve you."

Smiling wistfully against the knife of pain, I exited the tunnel. The boys were waiting on one of the landings of the stairs, their arms already laden with snacks. During my talk with Lily, they'd obviously gone on ahead and decided to bring food back to the Common Room.

"Thanks for waiting," I began sarcastically, but as I turned to re-enter the Common Room, I froze. The portrait of the Fat Lady was empty.

"She's gone!" I exclaimed as the other Marauders joined me. "The Fat Lady!"

"That's never happened before." Sirius said, frowning as he bit into a donut. "Did you see anything?"

Shaking my head, the boys glanced around furtively. All was quiet and dark. And then, without warning, there was a piercing shriek.

"What the hell?" James shouted, dropping his snacks as he plunged his hand into his robes for his wand. The high-pitched screaming suddenly cut off.

The Fat Lady was cowering behind her trellis, her eyes wide. The five of us stared back in equal shock.

"What's the matter?" Remus demanded, his voice ringing with Prefect-authority. "Why are you hiding?"

"He's here!" The Fat Lady gasped. "That awful man… with his eyes… and his temper… oh, he tried to curse me into the world of pastels!" She shuddered in unspeakable horror.

"Who's in the school?" James asked. "Surely not The Dark Lord?"

"No, no!" The Fat Lady gibbered. "But you must tell Dumbledore!"

"Tell him what?" Remus asked vehemently, his eyes glinting.

The Fat Lady gulped, her three chins quivering like jelly. "There's a Death Eater in the school!"