So I guess though you people liked it enough to read it almost no one quite cares if I continue it because no one said anything though one person did add it to their favorite and alert list. Well hopefully one of you will say something this time. Thanks to for favoriting and following.

Betas for this chapter are: LittleDrummerGirl2010 and Literatifan4eva. You guys are great.

Also thanks to Prongs Smitch for looking over this even though you didn't find anything wrong.

Chapter 2: First Day Back

The year was 1977; the day September 1st. The day was bright and sunny and not a trace of a cloud in the sky. Mrs. Delilah Potter was escorting the three to the train station since Mandy's parents had passed on and Sirius had once again spent the summer with them. Not that De minded taking them. They were all well behaved once confined to a car. Truth be told she was a little sad. This would be the last time she'd see them off. She couldn't believe her baby was a seventh year already. As they stood on the platform in front of the Hogwarts Express, Mrs. Potter turned to face them. "Now you kids have a great term," she told the three of them.

"Of course Mum," James answered.

"Sirius, Mandy," she prompted

"Yes ma'am," the pair agreed.

After Mrs. Potter hugged James and Sirius goodbye, the boys took off. "Is he still mad about that?" Delilah asked, looking at the young girl.

"About me and Sirius and what happened? Yes, I wish he'd just stay out of it," Mandy said.

"Well, I'm sure he'll come to his senses soon. Both of them."

"Me too. Take care, Mama Potter."

Mrs. Potter nodded, pulled the girl into a hug, and then Mandy climbed on the train. She made her way down the train and stopped outside the Marauders' compartment. "Hey, do you mind? There's nowhere else," Mandy asked.

"Have a seat," Remus said. Mandy hefted her trunk up and sat down twiddling her thumbs as three of the four marauders stared at her. The other refused to look her in the eyes.

"Well, this is awkward," James muttered.

"Not my fault, he dumped me remember?" Mandy asked.

"Because I knew what you and Evans had planned," Sirius spat defiantly as he glanced up at Mandy.

"We weren't planning anything," Mandy stressed, "I made the mistake of falling for you. I thought you felt the same. I guess I was wrong."

"You were going to dump me and publicly humiliate me; I wasn't going to let that happen," Sirius answered locking eyes with his former girlfriend.

The other three Marauders began to feel very uncomfortable, though Remus did smirk when he realized that, once again, Mandy and Sirius were fighting on the trip to Hogwarts. This had happened every year for as long as he could remember; he just hated being locked in the compartment with them while it did.

"Lily wanted me to, that's why I originally said yes to her plan. She is my best friend, but I fell for the sweet Padfoot side of you that you let me see, so I couldn't go through with it anymore, but of course you don't believe me. You are too bloody stubborn to. I'd go sit with Lily, but she's been made Head Girl so I can't," Mandy huffed, then turned her nose up. She crossed her arms over her chest as well.

"Lily's Head Girl?" James asked.

"Yes. Dumbledore said I didn't qualify for it anymore because of my condition," Mandy answered, glancing at James.

"Condition? What condition?" Peter asked.

Mandy looked at James, then swallowed not sure what to say. She really didn't want to reveal it to Peter, as she wasn't sure how much she could trust the boy, but she didn't want to flat out lie to him either.

Sensing Mandy's discomfort, even if he was mad at her for her breakup with Sirius, James thought quickly. "She didn't say condition, she said detentions, as in detention record," James covered.

"But you've had more than she's had," Peter said, "and Dumbledore made you Head Boy."

"Maybe he just wanted an excuse not to pick her," James said. "Why didn't you tell me about Lily?" He turned his gaze back to Mandy.

Mandy rolled her eyes. "For the same reason I didn't tell her you got the badge. I don't want to be in the middle of it. But honestly James, she'll respect you more if you go in there and be yourself more than being a clown. You can do it, just act like you do around us."

"We should go," Remus said, being that he was a prefect.

"And I'm off to find the trolley lady," Peter said.

When the other three left Mandy looked at Sirius. "Do you think they bought it?" Mandy asked.

"Of course they did."

"Why do we have to do this Sirius? We're back together and I don't like having to hide this from my best friend."

"Because we're in too deep. There's no way to go back on it. James was so certain you and Lily had this all planned out, which you did. Besides I was angry when I found out you only agreed to this because your best friend wanted to humiliate me."

"You could have just played it off as a fight. You didn't have to dump me."

"I know, but I'm also a hot head and I don't think things out. We'll get back together officially, soon, but I have to convince James I'm not completely off my rocker. Besides, who said I trust you yet?" Sirius answered.

"Nobody I suppose, I really am sorry for not telling you sooner," Mandy sighed. "What I really can't believe is that Peter accepted that lie so easily."

"You know if you told him about it we wouldn't have to lie or be careful about what we say."

"Yes, and you know I don't trust him, Sirius."

"I know, but if he can keep Remus's furry secret, why wouldn't he keep yours?"

"Look, there is a reason his form is a rat," Mandy said, making sure they wouldn't be overheard. She stood and shut the compartment door. Once it was securely shut, Sirius pulled her sideways into his lap and kissed her gently. Mandy glared, then continued her point. "Rats are notorious for being untrustworthy and nobody really likes them. There's a reason why calling someone a rat is an insult. Hello, the Bubonic Plague."

"Oh come on, Mandy. You know there were more reasons for The Plague than just rats. And beside rats are really cunning. Did you know that after a tiny taste of poison they will always remember that taste, and a group of rats can be known as a mischief?" Sirius argued as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Well then, have you seen the way he looks at me?"

"Like a good friend?"

"No, like I'm some hero from a story or something. I'm not a hero."

"Heroine," Sirius interrupted.

"What?" Mandy asked.

"The word is heroine, not hero. Hero's the male form."

Mandy sighed and stood. Then she dropped back down in her original seat, tucking some hair behind her ear. "Either way, it's not what I am. Far from it actually. I'm trying to tolerate and like him Sirius, but that doesn't mean I can trust him." Mandy ran a hand through her hair hoping Sirius would understand. He nodded.

"Trust who?" Peter asked, reentering the compartment.

"My sister Parker's boyfriend, Talon," Mandy said, coming up with a quick save.

"Well, after the way he dumped you last year I wouldn't be surprised," Peter said.

Mandy couldn't help but smile. Talon and Mandy had dated at the beginning of their sixth year, until Mandy found out that Talon was sneaking around with Parker behind her back. Though Mandy had actually dumped Talon, she was still hurt by what he had done.

"Glad you didn't kill him while I was gone," Peter said as he looked at Mandy and motioned to Sirius. "I'd hate to have to explain that to James."

Both Mandy and Sirius laughed and by the end of the train ride the compartment was back to their normal camaraderie. Remus and James had come back with news that James had made progress with Lily, and she was in shock about his behavior.

In the carriage ride up to the castle Sirius entertained Peter and James with a retelling of some prank from the year before and Remus leaned over to whisper in Mandy's ear. "I know it's hard but please give him a chance," Remus said.

"He dumped me remember?" Mandy asked.

"Yes, but you should be able to forgive him for what he did."

"I'm not mad about it Remus, I'm just hurt. I really liked him. Really."

"I know but from what I heard it's better than you planned with Lily," Remus said.

"What Lily planned," Mandy stressed. "That was not my idea. Also, I never meant to hurt him. I mean, sure at a point I did, but about a week after he asked me out I sorta fell in love with him. I didn't mean to, but I did, and because of that I tried to talk Lily out of pushing me to do it, but she wouldn't hear of it. I never was going to dump him. I just had to figure out how to get out of it without hurting my best friend or my boyfriend in the process."

"I see," Remus sat back down in his seat and was quiet.

"How'd it go last month?" Mandy asked curiously.

Remus's transformation had been the Sunday prior and Mandy felt bad that he had been locked up at his house for it, without the comfort of the Marauders, but he had refused to come to James's place where they could be with him. "Horrible," Remus answered.

"You know, I keep telling you maybe if you accepted the fact that you are what you are, it wouldn't be so bad. You're not a monster. You just have a problem. You know acceptance is the first step towards recovery."

"It's not like I'm an alcoholic, Mandy. There's no twelve step program for this."

"I'm not trying to romanticize it, Remus," Mandy said, knowing exactly where his mind was going, "I'm not an idiot. I'm just saying that you should stop treating Moony like he's a problem and rather treat him like he's part of you."

"Guys," James snapped, "we're here."

Mandy and Remus abruptly ended their conversation and everyone got out.

After the sorting, Professor Dumbledore didn't have much to say other than welcome and then let them eat. It was after they ate that the Headmaster introduced the new professor. Dumbledore stood and the hall went silent.

"Now that we have indulged in that fabulous feast, I would like to introduce you to your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Please give a warm welcome to Professor Jason Hunter. Good luck Professor," Dumbledore said with his familiar, welcoming smile. Once the slight applause had died off the man continued. "Also our caretaker, Mr. Filch, would like me to remind you that magic is forbidden in the corridors between classes and that a full list of forbidden objects has been affixed to his office door. Also, as some of our older students should know by now, the forest on the grounds is forbidden. Now off to bed."

Mandy had a feeling that the forest comment was directed towards her and the Marauders, but for different reasons. Mandy loved exploring the forest to find new creatures and the boys just loved exploring things that were forbidden. "Bugger," Mandy muttered as she stood with most of the rest of the hall.

"What?" Sirius asked concerned. He knew she wasn't upset about the forest; they broke that warning every year.

"If it wasn't bad enough that I have you guys looking out for me, now my brother is here and it's going to get worse."

"Don't worry about it. It's not like he's going to treat you any different than any other student," James said.

"Let's hope not," Mandy said.

"Sirius Black," a voice said as they moved into the hallway. Their group stopped and looked around.

Sirius looked around then spotted his new professor. "What do you think he wants?" Sirius asked as he looked at his friends.

"No idea," James shook his head. Mandy shrugged and Jason walked over.

"Potter, let's go," Lily called.

"Coming," James answered. "I have to make sure there are no stragglers in the Great Hall. Later," James walked off and Mandy turned her attention back to her brother who was now standing next to her.

"What are you doing here?" Mandy asked.

"Teaching," Jason answered, hugging his sister. "Who better than an Auror who's been doing this for a few years? He asked and I said yes. This has nothing to do with you. I guess he figured since I've been out of here for nine years, I wouldn't have anyone in my classes that I went to school with," Jason explained. "Black, you and I need to have a little talk."

"Anything you have to say to me you can say to them too," Sirius said stubbornly.

"No, you don't want this in public. I promise to return him in one piece." Sirius swallowed but followed Jason down the hall a ways.

"Should we wait?" Peter asked.

"No, Professor Hunter won't hurt him. Let's just go back to the Common Room the long way and he'll catch up," Remus answered.

They continued their walk to the Common Room and Mandy realized how much shorter it was to use their shortcuts. Mandy plopped down in her chair, an overstuffed comfy chair, in the Common Room and opened her bag. Suddenly something fluffy landed in her lap.

"Mew."

"You little stowaway," Mandy said. She grinned down at her black cat.

"Is that your cat?" Remus asked.

"Yes, Cyrus meet Remus and Peter," Mandy said.

"Cyrus?" Peter asked.

"When I was in primary school we did a study of astronomy. My teacher called the Dog Star Cyrus. When I started taking Astronomy here I found out it was pronounced Sirius. My kitty here has white spots on his back that look like the Canis Major constellation. Hence his name."

"So it's spelled C-y-r-u-s?" Peter asked.

"Yes, it was spelled the other way but when I found out the different pronunciation I had to change the spelling especially since Cyrus is the only thing he'll answer to."

"Well hello mini-me," Sirius said as he plopped down on the arm of Mandy's chair and then ran his hand down Cyrus's back. The cat purred arching his back under Sirius's hand.

"You do know that just because he's also named after the Dog Star doesn't mean he's named after you or is anything like you, right?"

"I know," Sirius answered. Mandy rolled her eyes.

"Hey Lily!" Mandy called the moment the other girl entered the Common Room.

"Yes?" She asked walking over.

"Can I borrow your owl?" Mandy asked looking up at her best friend pleadingly.

"How do you know I have an owl? You were with the Marauders on the train."

"I saw you in Diagon Alley the day your parents bought it because you got Head Girl. I need to write the pet store to get food for Cyrus here. He snuck in my bag and I didn't realize it."

"Fine. In the morning," Lily answered then headed for her other roommates.

"Hey Peter, you wouldn't happen to have some extra food on you, would you? Cyrus here is really hungry." Mandy batted her eyelashes and pouted her lips. No one could resist her pout. Not even Peter.

"Just some cake," Peter answered, pulling it from his pocket.

"Can I have it?" Mandy asked.

"Sure," Peter said handing it over.

Mandy fed it to her cat then smiled. "Thank you. Cyrus appreciates it. Did you want something?"

"Nope." Sirius shook his head. James plopped down on the couch and leaned back to get comfortable.

"Then get off my chair. I thought you were still angry with me about the whole Lily thing."

"A little," Sirius answered, standing.

"What did her brother want?" Remus asked.

"Just to ask me what happened between us," Sirius answered.

"Did you tell him?" James asked as Sirius took a seat next to him on the couch.

"Said it was none of his business. What happens between me and Mandy is our business and no one needs to know. He's just here as a professor and not as her big brother," Sirius said.

"He didn't take that lightly," Mandy said.

"No, but I think he understood I wasn't going to tell him," Sirius said.

"Can I borrow you for a second?" Lily asked, appearing next to Mandy's chair. Mandy stood cradling her cat and followed Lily to the other side of the Common Room. "How come you didn't tell me about Potter?" Lily snapped, her hands braced on her hips, green eyes narrowed at her best friend.

"Because I knew how you'd react. He's not a bad guy and ultimately after everything you did to me and Sirius, your last chance of salvaging our friendship," Mandy motioned between herself and Lily, "is being at least cordial to Potter while you have to work with him," Mandy snapped.

"Mandy, I—I wasn't ... You were in on the plan; you didn't have to go through with it," Lily said, stuttering slightly under Mandy's glare. If it hadn't been for her feeling of guilt, she would have stood herself up and returned the stare.

"I didn't. He dumped me," Mandy said. She walked away and sat back down in her chair.

"You ok?" James asked.

"I guess," Mandy shrugged.

"Don't let her get to you. I may still be upset about what happened between you and Pads, but I'll keep it civil with her I promise," James said. Though he may have hated what happened between the couple, Mandy was still his best friend.

"Thanks James," Mandy said.

"What are best friends for?" James shrugged.

"Throwing you down the stairs because you're in the way?" Mandy asked. And there it was. The one thing Mandy had been looking for since she and Sirius had broken up at the end of the previous year. A true and honest James Potter smile directed in her direction.

Of course Mandy had been referring to how she had met James; a peaceful summer day when she had been invited to the Potters' for an afternoon at the young age of five and James had stopped her from coming back downstairs after she had used the loo. Instead of asking him several times Mandy had just shoved him down the stairs to get him out of the way. In his first display of real magic James had bounced down them and landed at the bottom without any real damage.

James looked at Mandy then it hit him what was happening and he furrowed his brow and stared at the fireplace. Of course he was torn between supporting his best friend and once again taking care of the girl he had sworn to always protect. He didn't want to be a jerk to her but he also knew that Sirius was his best mate and he didn't want to hurt him either. After a few moments of awkward silence Mandy stood and went to bed, temporarily solving James's problem.

So that's chapter two. As you can see most of this will be told as if it's actually happening instead of her telling her story but there will be flashes where it goes back to present day.

Please review and say something. Let me know what you're thinking. Thanks.