-Harry Potter and all else associated with it bar the characters Jaye and Tara are owned by JKR-

Chapter Thirteen:- Home Truths.

The next week was eventful for both girls. They caught up on what the other had been doing, thinking and feeling. It soon was as if they'd never fought at all. In the spirit of forgiveness, Tara decided to go and speak to Ana and Sirius.

"Hey!" She said, cornering them both in between classes.

"Tara!" Sirius' face went crimson and Ana gripped her wand warily. Tara noticed and attempted a smile.

"Don't worry Ana. I come in peace. I just want to talk. Mainly to Sirius, but to you as well. What you both did to me was unfair and downright cruel…"

Ana made to cut in but Tara shook her head.

"However, I see now that you guys truly deserve each other and, as hard as it's been, I think I've come to terms with that. We'll probably never be best friends or anything but at least this way we won't be cursing each other in the halls!"

Ana smiled and Sirius stared at his hands, head bowed.

"I'm really sorry it happened the way it did, Tara. I just, I guess I couldn't see a way out that WOULDN'T hurt you. You were just another girl to me…"

Tara winced.

"…but Ana has made me see the good in people, and appreciate it. And there is so much good in you Tara, so many great qualities. You'll find someone who'll deserve them more than I do."

This was a long and uncharacteristic speech for Sirius, and Tara knew it must've been hard for him.

"Thanks. Look after him for me Ana!"

Tara left them, feeling oddly free and joyous.

~*~

Jaye looked around the dorm, glad to be back. Tara was sleeping soundly, looking oh-so-content and peaceful. The one thing she hadn't missed all the time in the ROR was Tara's snoring.

No wonder I've found it hard to sleep in the Ravenclaw dorm!!

Once again, she stared out the window, gazing out over the forest. It was then she saw four figures emerge from the Entrance Hall. Jaye squinted, trying to make out who they were. The tallest figure turned to glance back at the castle, the moonlight bouncing off his glasses.

James!

Instantly she knew the identities of the other three figures. Sirius, Peter and of course…Remus. Jaye shook her head.

What on Earth are they doing? They're heading towards the forest! Maybe they're going to see that centaur friend of Remus'…

Jaye hesitated, but only for a moment before grabbing her wand and casting a "Heedosious" spell over the Marauders. Instantaneously, she could hear the four voices of the young men.

"Another month, another moon hey, Prongs?"

"You got it Padfoot! One more adventure to add to the book!"

"What book?"

"It's a figure of speech, Wormtail, honestly."

"Oh! Oh right, I get it. Sorry."

"Righto, here we are. Go on, Peter. Under you go." Jaye drew a sharp breath of recognition.

Remus…

She sighed, remembering how that same voice had told her she was cute when she was angry. By now the boys were right beside the Whomping Willow, making sure they were out of its branches reach. She watched as Peter seemed to shrink before her eyes…wait a minute.

Oh my goodness. He's…he's a rat?! What is going on?

Then, even more astounding to Jaye, Sirius and James transformed too.

It WAS a deer I saw that day…it was James! Trust Sirius to be a dog. I wonder what Remus is.

She waited expectantly, thinking about all the animals that Remus could be. Suddenly, the Whomping Willow froze and all four boys disappeared down a tunnel.

What is happening here?

Jaye sat on her bed, thoughts swirling and turning inside her head. But she couldn't concentrate.

What is going on?

~*~

Tara sweetie, get up, there are things we need to talk about.

Tara awoke to find Jaye sitting on the edge of her bed, softly shaking her.

"Hey! Projecto Dreamus is coming along so well, I heard everything that time!"

Jaye waved her hand impatiently.

"Good good, but guess what!"

"What? I guessed it!!" Tara hooted.

Jaye rolled her eyes. "No, I couldn't sleep and I was staring out the window and…"

Jaye quickly recounted what she'd seen and Tara listened quietly. "So what the hell is going on, Tara?" Tara groaned.

"Oh Jaye, honey. It's not my story to tell."

"YOU KNOW?! I thought you would, being the smartest witch in the school and all." Jaye smiled sweetly at her, but Tara shook her head gravely.

"No, Jaye-Bird. I can't tell you. You need to find out for yourself…or they need to tell you."

"Who needs to tell me? Tell me what?"

Tara shrugged, a pained look on her face. "I really can't Jaye. Don't try and make me. I have no idea how you'll react. I thought about telling you almost a month ago. But…"

"But what, Tara?" Jaye was pleading with her.

"But…you need to talk directly to one of the Marauders, it's their secret, not mine."

Jaye exhaled noisily. Then she nodded.

"Alright then. I will. Today's a new day, get up, get dressed and find out why there are three unregistered Anigami running around Hogwarts."

Tara smiled. "That's my girl!"

~*~

James led the way back to the school. "Another successful outing, I must say."

"Indeed!" Remus agreed.

Sirius bounded along. "Come on, Ana will be waiting for me."

Peter rolled his eyes. "You two are almost inseparable. It's sickening!"

"Ah you're just jealous Wormtail that no witch in her right, or left mind for that matter, would come within a Quidditch pitch length of you!" Sirius retorted. Peter snorted.

"Rather that than having a girl 'pumpkin' me all day!"

"Trust me, Wormy. You don't go between a man and his girl." James butted in.

"Shut up the lot of you." Remus said sharply. Then he sighed. "Sorry guys. Sleepless nights…I'll never get used to them."

"Ah, don't worry about it, Moony!" James gave him that half a hug, half a pat on the back thing that guys do. "We all get worked up sometimes."

Remus nodded. He opened the door to the Entrance Hall quietly and tiptoed inside.

"All clear." He said back to the others. They followed him in and they made their way up to the Gryffindor Common Room.

~*~

Jaye wolfed down her breakfast and kept her eye on the four young men at the table next to hers.

Who would be the best to ask? Remus, obviously, is out of the question. Not Sirius, he knows I'm good friends with Tara…but I'm friends with Ana too! James? No, it'd be hard to find him without Lily. Peter it is!!

~*~

"Peter! Peter, wait up a sec!"

Oh no. Not Jaye…if she wants me to pass a message onto Moony…

Peter wrung his hands nervously.

"Thanks. I was just wondering…" Jaye stopped, unsure of how to go on. "How'd you get the nickname Wormtail?"

What? Where is this coming from?

"Um…look, James made it up."

"So then…" Jaye said innocently. "It has nothing to do with the fact you can turn into a rat?"

"WHAT?!" He spluttered.

"You know. The fact that you, James and Sirius are Anigami?"

How does she know?

"Look," Jaye said, exasperated. "I just want to know why Remus suddenly decided I wasn't good enough."

"It wasn't that." He looked around fretfully. "Just…well, think about HIS nickname."

And with that, Peter scampered away.

Jaye stood, shell-shocked at his answer.

It all makes sense now! The early morning meeting, the 'centaur friend', Moony, the Shrieking Shack. Remus is a vampire…

A/N: JOKES!!!!

Remus is a werewolf…

Now what am I to do?
You made me fall for you
I want everything
Or nothing at all

But I wanna see the truth
Through your walls
I want everything
Or nothing at all.