Disclaimer: I own naught of this great invention.

Author's note: Well, it's been beyond ages since I last updated. Sorry! Please don't kill me! I've just finished my exams and I've been having a hell of a time celebrating. I'd also like to dedicate my lack of updating to this HUGE writer's block I've been experiencing. And still experiencing, truth be told. This is an important chapter… I guess that's why I feel this overwhelming need to make it perfect. But I can't! (wails.) I've tried and tried and this is the best I've got.

Wait! Before I forget, I've got to address some issues. Ok, I don't know why, but Ffnet keeps canceling the little things I use to separate the situation. This, I believe was what created a lot of confusion in Chapter 10. It's not because I DIDN'T do it, it's 'cause it got cancelled 3 times. So, I hope it won't happen again in this chapter, but if it does, sorry.

Okay, this is a reply to Song of Stars who pointed out that in one of the chapters, there were pranks involving both groups looking idiots right? You know, forcing each other to do weird things. Well, she said that one usually needed an imperious curse to do it, but if I'm not mistaken, there are spells that just make you do one specific thing, as demonstrated in Harry Potter. Wasn't it some hex that made you tap dance? So, I'm under the impression that there are loads more spells and they can probably do what I wrote about.

Also, there was an issue about why Lily and the others didn't have slightly silly fears too. Well, actually, I think they do. See, James and co probably have serious depressing all too real fears, but Lily and gang just used their ridiculous ones. I'm sure, that if James had dug deeper, he'd probably have found some harmless idiotic fear ofLily's.

Oh, there were also a few people saying that I didn't separate situations. Well, I did, or at least, I tried to. See, I kept putting in the little star things, but FFNet kept canceling it. Just wanted to clear that up. Also, there was a question I put about deleting reviews. Yeah… but I'm pretty sure signed reviews got deleted too. Well, anyway, I remember one asking me why the heck was Remus not on the Marauder's side. Well, remember in the latest book, Sirius said that Remus managed to make them feel guilty and occasionally put his foot down. I'm assuming that this is one of those times. I can't remember who said that, but really, I don't think Remus would be so impulsive or disloyal, especially when he has friends on both sides.

One more thing! READ! A few people asked me to e-mail them when I updated, and I tried, but I just couldn't get to a few addresses, including hawaiike and, twistedtwin.

"You'd better hurry, you know," said Andrea suddenly after a few minutes of the silent scratching of quills.

"Huh?" asked Remus in confusion.

Though he was somewhat used to Andrea's strange comments and even stranger antics by now, having had several weeks to get used to it, he still started at her abrupt way of jumping into the middle of non-existent conversations. Ever since he'd saved Lily from what was sure to be a gory death, her friends had warmed up to him considerably, talking with him every now and then… and particularly in Andrea's case, copying his homework.

Which explained what she was doing right then.

After the case with the Boggart, James had clammed up; acting so moody that even Remus had given up trying to talk (shout more like.) sense into him. Sirius and Peter had both apologized profusely and declared the war over, much to the relief and disappointment to the rest of the school. Later, the former had turned himself in and had narrowly avoided being suspended while successfully receiving the most detentions in Hogwarts history. The latter was conveniently missing.

Strangely enough, though James did turn himself in with Sirius, he didn't approach the girls. Lily took this as a personal insult. Even if one argued that she had used the same tactic, it was obvious that she had at least weighed the consequences of her actions, ensuring that no one would come to any harm. Besides that, he had said no word of calling the war off.

Instead, it seemed like a new one had begun.

There were no more pranks, that was for sure. James had learnt his lesson in that. Now, he resorted to more… explosive… simple… traditional ways.

And immature ones, really.

Basically, hexing her every chance he got.

He also did annoying little things that he knew irritated her to no end. For example, throwing strange things into her Potion mixtures so that they exploded in her face, flicking bits of balled up parchment at her, putting Filibuster fireworks in her satchel so her homework would burst into flame… to round all this up adeptly… what a first year was capable off. If what Lily thought he did was immature before, it was nothing compared to this new bout of tricks. It wasn't harmful, just very, very aggravating.

Not that Lily wasn't more than willing to hex him in return.

Yet, sometimes they were both unbearably confusing, for a few days they would ignore each other completely and refuse to acknowledge that the other person was even alive, and the next they'd be back at each other's throats. Even so, James was known to be very bad tempered during the periods of time when they were giving each other the cold shoulder.

"What d'you mean?" said Remus, wondering whether he would regret asking.

Andrea just shrugged and raised an eyebrow towards the portrait hole. If you strained your ears, you could hear faint laughter outside. Just then, the portrait swung open, allowing Mark Rogers and Taylor to walk in. Mark whispered something into Taylor's ear before they both flopped down on armchairs.

Remus stiffened and tried to keep a neutral tone, gripping his quill tightly, "What's she doing with him?"

"Oh," said Andrea casually, "you know, the usual few dates… bit of holding hands… bit of kissing…"

Remus's quill snapped.

"So… they're in a… relationship?" he asked, spitting out the last word with distaste.

"She's not his girlfriend, yet," she replied. Remus let out a sigh of relief. "Yet," she repeated. "But she's getting there. I'm thinking… two more days before he asks her."

"Oh," was all he could manage.

"She likes you, you know," she added pointedly, seeing a spark of joy in Remus's eyes, "but she doesn't like you enough to ask you out or wait around for you to ask. If you don't get a move on, she'll stick with Rogers, I think she's starting to actually fancy him now."

Remus wanted to reply, then paused. With obvious difficulty, he said, "You know, don't you?"

She nodded, "Since second year."

"Then you know what's stopping me."

"What I do know is that you're both still young," said Andrea. "Youth isn't supposed to be filled with endless demands and responsibilities," her eyes steadily darkened as she continued. "Or… high achievements. I'm not saying that I don't want you to be serious with her, I'm just saying loosen up and have fun." she stared into the fire, her face tight. "Like I want to."

Remus was tempted to ask her what she meant, but the look on her face warned him not to. "I want to," he said quietly. "I want to so badly, but I don't want to hurt her."

"Look," she sighed, staring into his eyes, "I'm far from the best person to give you advice, but here goes. Your condition takes control over you once a month, will you let it control your whole life?"

She got up and walked away.

Remus gazed blankly at the spot she had sat before he realized something.

"Oy! Give me back my homework!"

……

In the Great Hall during breakfast, one could say that things were tense. What, with Lily and James gripping their wands under the table, ready to attack each other with the slightest provocation, like several days ago, for example. Lily had shot a full body bind at James for 'looking sneaky'. James had sent back a skipping hex for 'being bossy'. The students too, were tense. When the two of them began to duel, it was best to run for cover. Judging by the lines etched on the opponents' faces, anyone with half a brain would know what was to come. Many of them were wolfing down their breakfast, eager to get further away from the coming maelstrom.

Even through the palpable fear that was in the air, several students (girls in particular.) vaguely wondered why Remus Lupin was stabbing the rather innocent looking baked beans on his plate every time he looked down the table… where, coincidentally, Taylor and Mark were sitting. Things were already bad enough, but they were about to get a lot worse.

When the owl post arrived, one particular bird stood out above the rest. The eagle owl was an elegant mix of silver and black, soaring with the other owls with unusual grace and slight foreboding. It landed directly in front of Andrea and gave her a strangely disapproving look.

Immediately, she choked on her pumpkin juice and sprayed it in owl's face.

An onlooker could swear that it actually sniffed.

"What's wrong, Andy?" asked Lily, finally lowering her wand.

She shook her head wordlessly and pointed to the bird dripping in juice.

"Oh my Lord," said Taylor, echoing the thoughts of all three girls.

With quavering hands, Andrea untied the letter attached to its leg. Before it flew off, it sniffed and gave her another snooty look. Lily and Taylor leaned over her shoulder to read it.

"Andrea Persephone,

As you are predictably lounging around on you lazy arse in Hogwarts, underachieving and letting that brain of yours rot, I have decided to try and correct your embarrassing behavior. Again.

The moment my busy schedule lets up, (not all of us are like you, after all, some of us actually want to make something of ourselves.) I'm coming to Hogwarts. I believe that you need real adult supervision in your useless life. So, I'll be checking up on your attitude, behavior and grades. Particularly the social circles in which you mix. Are you still associating with that ill-blooded Muggle born? I'm telling you, Andrea Persephone, as a member of the Rose legacy, you really should watch your behavior.

Now, I will be judging as to whether or not to reconsider the discussion your soft-boned father and I had at the beginning of your school term. This will all depend on the overall impression that you give me.

Somehow, I doubt that it will be a good one. You, my daughter, will do what I wish you to, despite all vehement protests.

Yours,

Priscilla L' Amore-Rose."

Andrea's face took upon a blank expression that Lily knew all too well, even though she'd only seen it several times, all on the same occasion. Her dark eyes narrowed and focused on the letter, mouth tightening. Suddenly, it floated several inches above the table before bursting into a ball of flame. Calmly, she stood up before walking out of the hall stiffly, aware that all eyes were on her due to the wandless magic she'd just performed.

Lily and Taylor looked at each other briefly and nodded. Simultaneously, they pushed their chairs back and walked out quickly, avoiding questions concerning Andrea's peculiar behavior.

……

Sometime in the middle of the day, Andrea appeared for Transfiguration. If you looked closely, you'd notice that the edges of her eyes were slightly red. She walked up to Professor McGonagall and whispered something. Instead of taking off house points like she usually did for tardy students, she merely nodded and pointed Andrea to her seat.

"As I was saying," continued Professor McGonagall crisply, immediately discouraging any questions about her unusual softness, "we will have to start working harder than ever as Mock NEWTs are just around the bend. These results will help you determine what you are suitable for in the future. Hence, we can start writing letters of recommendation and search for suitable scholarships. Now, the result slips of this exam will be sent to your parents for their approval-"

She paused when Andrea began to cough violently, apparently having choked on her own saliva.

When she had finished hacking up her left lung, she croaked, "You mean that our parents will see our marks? Every single one?"

"Yes, Ms. Rose," she replied, a flicker of sympathy crossing her face. She added, "However, certain Professors are willing to give extra lessons to students."

The Marauders glanced at each other, taking in Andrea's stark, worried face, McGonagall's rare kind expression and Lily and Taylor's frowns.

See if they didn't find out what was going on.

……

When Andrea stumbled into her dorm after wandering around the school in a haze of worry, she couldn't help but be slightly surprised at the transformation it had undergone in her absence.

Instead of the usual large four-poster beds and armchairs, there was a chalkboard, two desks and what looked like half the library. Taylor was already sitting at one of the desks.

"Welcome to the 7th Year Girls' Charms study group," said Lily in her most professional voice. "Today, we'll be going over the commonly asked questions in our exams which I have researched thoroughly and statistics that-"

"You guys," whispered Andrea, her eyes going misty, cutting Lily off, "I- you- I-…" she trailed off, "I'm sorry, you know I'm not good with emotional stuff."

The other two rushed to her and hugged. They stayed there in that Hallmark position before Andrea broke the silence. "Well this is a touching scene," she said, recovering from her earlier speechlessness, ruining the moment. "I feel it's fair to warn you two that I'm going to become a nervous blubbering wreck till the visit."

"But why?" asked Lily. "You've never been this worried before."

"Because this time she's serious," she answered with a dry laugh. "It was this 'discussion' we had before the term started…"

As she relayed the story to them, their faces mirrored the same fear and worry as her own.

"C'mon Andy," said Lily comfortingly, "remember the OWLs? You studied two weeks before hand and you managed 11 OWLs and 1 'E'!"

"Sure, you seemed to have permanent bags under your eyes at the time, had horrendous hair, snapped at everyone who disturbed you, and slept less than an hour a day, but you did it!"

"Don't give me another one of those lectures the professors always give," sighed Andrea, sniffling, "about how I'm actually smart with loads of unfulfilled talent, but too lazy to do anything."

"Which you are."

"Right then," said Taylor briskly, wiping her eyes, "we've just got to make sure that her plans don't happen. Anyway, we've already formed and scheduled, well… Lily scheduled, our timetable. We'll study in groups with a leader, that's the person amongst us who's best in the subject. I'm in charge of History of Magic and Potions. You'll do Transfiguration and DADA. Lily will be doing Herbology, Divination, and, of course, Charms."

"Divination?" she echoed doubtfully. She turned to Lily. "My new shoes have more Divination-y talent thingamajig than you."

"You were the one who told Professor Leinberg that she was going to dress tackily for the rest of the year during out test!"

"I was right, wasn't I? Besides, I got an 'O' during the OWLs!"

"So did I!"

"How did you two manage that?"

"Umm… I told the guy that he would achieve great fortune if he entered lucky draws, and I wore this adorable gauzy scarf!"

"Did he?"

"With a little help from Daddy's contacts in the Ministry, yeah. Won the Grand Galleon Draw. How 'bout you, Lily?"

"I told the woman that she'd fall in love. She married two weeks later."

"That was Professor Richton, right? Didn't she also get divorced?"

"That was after she gave me my grade."

"Some how, I think Andrea's better off sticking to her misty voice and gauzy scarves," said Taylor, "she does it spookier."

And so, the three friends burst into laughter, their worries of being parted forgotten, at least for the moment. But behind Andrea's cheery laugh was an unquenchable fear, born from her mother's upcoming visit.

……

While Andrea and the rest of the 7th years were frantically cramming in all they could into their strained brains, Remus was having another dilemma, and it was taking a toll on his studies. It seemed that whenever Taylor was anywhere near him, regardless as to whether or not Mark Rogers was with her, he would end up gazing at her blankly instead of studying.

As a result, he didn't know much about the Goblin rebellion of 1726, but he did know about that Taylor liked to tap her quill against her lip when she was thinking hard, and that she had a little beauty mark underneath her chin… and she had to push her hair back every time she bent down since it got into her eyes… and that she liked sitting in the armchair in the corner, sometimes with her friends, sometimes alone… and she had three, exactly three, tiny freckles on the bridge of her nose.

Not that he'd been staring at her or anything.

The only place he could probably study without bumping into her was his dorm. Sadly, James and Sirius seemed to have taken it upon themselves to try and grow fungi underneath their beds, so there was usually a strange smell in their room. That, and something had apparently mutated from the wheel of cheese Peter had nicked when he'd given into his rat cravings, that something seemed to like to steal socks.

For the umpteenth time, he glanced at her. She, Lily and Andrea were hunched over books. He tilted his chair to get a better view. The general male population didn't think she was quite as striking as Lily or Andrea. Her features were average, with deep brown eyes, short, flyaway hair and tanned skin, but her warm manner and demeanor was what really made her stand out. Lord, in his eyes, she was beautiful.

He tilted his chair back even more to admire the glow of the firelight dancing on her face.

"Remus Lupin?"

"Ya-ah-ah!"

Remus lost his balance when the voice startled him, causing him to land flat on his back. The resounding crash resulted with many puzzled stares in his direction. He lay on the ground and saw the face of a scared-looking first year looming over him. Suddenly, the face was pushed away and he saw the soft features that had been constantly haunting him in its place.

"Are you okay?" Taylor asked in concern. She took his hands and pulled him up. Students who'd been staring after his fall turned back to their books, but Lily and Andrea watched, a secretive smile on their lips.

"I- I'm … fine… fine," he muttered, pushing his sandy hair away. Of all the times for her to notice him, why now?

"Don't you know that you shouldn't sneak up on people like that when they're…" she rounded up on the first year in a motherly tone, "when they're… umm… what were you doing, Remus?"

"Ahm," he stalled, studying the carpet. Staring at you like I've been doing obsessively for the past three weeks as if I were some sort of deranged stalker? Not the best answer to give, "I was… err… resting my eyes?"

"Yeah," said Taylor, turning back to the first year, "when they're resting their eyes!" she looked at Remus, "Was that a question or a statement?"

"Err…"

"S-sorry, but Madam Pomfrey asked me to tell Mr. Lupin to go to the Hospital Wing," she stuttered.

"Are you ill?" asked Taylor worriedly, putting a hand to his forehead, making him flush harder. "You're awfully red."

"Well… just feeling a bit… off colour, so I need to get to the Hospital Wing…" he managed to choke out, realizing even in his harried state of mind that Madam Pomfrey probably wanted to see him about his lycanthropy.

"Need me to walk you there?" she offered. "I don't see any of the other Marauders around."

"No!" he exclaimed, cursing himself when he saw her slightly hurt expression. "I've got a… a… very contagious… mutant hybrid rash! Got to go get medication! Bye!"

He dashed out the Common Room, leaving Taylor staring at the spot he'd been, muttering to herself, "A mutant hybrid rash?"

……

"A mutant hybrid rash?" wailed Remus to himself, hitting his head on a nearby pillar, successfully drawing curios stares. "Of all the things I could have said!" he groaned, trooping despondently towards the Hospital Wing, deciding not to hit himself anymore, lest he get a concussion. "I could have had a flu, cough, fever, anything! But a mutant hybrid rash!"

His exclamation sent several students scurrying away.

"I'll be lucky if she ever dares to came within ten feet of me again," he said sadly, entering the Wing.

"Madam Pomfrey," he called out, "you wanted to see me?"

"Remus," she said, ushering him into the private room he used. "Not to worry, there's no one here tonight. The students have suspiciously quiet lately, no doubt I'll get a barrage of them tomorrow. But in the mean time, at least you have privacy."

She turned around and took out a large bottle of liquid that he'd never seen before and began to pour it into a mug.

"This is a new Potion the Ministry has been working on," she explained, passing it to him. "It can't cure lycanthropy, but it can reduce the harshness of the werewolf mind so that you won't hurt yourself so much during the transformation."

Remus nodded, not wanting to tell her that the Marauders already had that situation covered.

"You see, the theory is that this Potion will bring out a bit of the wolf in you after you drink it. You won't lose control and start biting people, of course," she added quickly, seeing his expression. "It'll act on what you want to do as a human, just making you more… well wolfish, reckless, cunning, that sort of thing. It's already been experimented on volunteers in the Ministry," she said, seating him on the bed, "and it does work. Now, they're trying to evolve it into something else, something called the Wolfsbane Potion." She frowned. "Can't say they're having much luck, though."

"Madam Pomfrey," said Remus, "I will be able to control myself, right? Even if it is just my human… desires."

"Yes," she said, "unless it's a particularly strong desire or you're a very determined person. But we've prepared for every eventuality. We'll keep you here for the night and lock the doors. With a dose of Sleeping Draught, the most harm you'll get will be a restless night. Don't be surprised if you're feverish though, that's just a harmless side effect."

He nodded again and pulled the curtains around the bed shut, changing into the spare set of pajamas that was kept there for him. It was kind of sad how used he was to all this.

"Bottoms up," he said to himself, grabbing the cup and swallowing the greenish contents. It took all his self-control not to spew it back out. After forcing himself to choke it down, he began coughing uncontrollably.

"It tastes like paste and pond scum," he croaked. How he knew what that tasted like? James and Sirius, first year. "Can't I add sugar?"

"Sugar will only make it useless," said Madam Pomfrey, bustling in and setting the Sleeping Draught in front of him.

After he drank it, he lay back on the bed, watching the room begin to swirl around hazily. Though sleepy, he could feel the wolf starting to stir somewhere within him. The wolf felt fearless tonight.

The last image he saw before he dozed off was a pair of shining brown eyes and a cheerful smile.

"Mutant… hybrid rash… honestly…" he half mumbled through a yawn.

……

The wolf stirred, opening its eyes slowly. This was strange, it thought, sniffing the air. It smelt humans. Immediately, it was on its guard.

Where was its burning desire to run free and howl? Where was the musty smell of dust and grime, the old shack, the place it met the strange animals it frolicked with? And most importantly, where was the full moon that often drove it mad?

The wolf tried to rise, but found its body leaden and stiff, as though pushed down by some unexplainable force. It was tired…it realized, which was strange for the wolf. For the first time, it experienced human fatigue.

Human?

That was a strange word, though it shared a body with one once a month. It sluggishly rolled over to lift itself and stopped short, instead of seeing a furry paw with wicked gleaming claws, there was a human hand, complete with four fingers and an opposable thumb.

Maybe it was the shock or sudden movement, but abruptly, another force invaded its mind.

What? The presence said drowsily, immediately, the wolf found its body obeying it instead, reaching up with one hand to rub an eye. Then the wolf understood, it was the child, the boy!

Suddenly, the wolf felt flooded with…with feeling. Instead of its own longing and misery, the want to roam the land and obey its instincts, it was now attacked by a wave of unfamiliar emotions. In the whirl of strange places, situations and faces that it was seeing, one image seemed to be more prominent. It was female. She had almond shaped brown eyes; slightly upturned nose and her rather thin lips were curved into a warm friendly smile. The wolf felt a strong emotion that the boy was feeling when the face came to mind.

Was it… embarrassment?

Mutant hybrid rash… groaned the boy to himself.

Hah?

It was then that it struck the wolf; the boy obviously had some sort of emotional attachment to that female. It was looking for a mate! Now this was an activity the wolf could understand. Almost immediately, it began to gain control.

……

Remus grumpily tried to banish Taylor's face from his mind. It was bad enough that he was, feeling wolfish, feverish and restless, he didn't need to add humiliation to the mix.

Abruptly, he felt something stirring in his sub-consciousness, it was… peculiar to say the least, feeling foreign yet so… so… normal at the same time. He started as he realized that that thing was invading his mind. He tried to fight it, but his efforts were in vain. As it steadily rose, he felt his temperature rise with it, and his thinking became clouded and hazy. It was almost as if it was melding with him… their thoughts and feelings becoming one.

Not quite in control anymore, feeling distant, like a viewer watching a Quidditch match, he rose from his bed, with a face on his mind and a name on his lips.

……

Taylor.

Remus wandered through the hallways, dimly aware that he'd just used one of the hidden passageways in the Hospital Wing to get out. He couldn't really concentrate or focus on what he was doing, the only thing he knew was that he had to find Taylor.

He had to find Taylor.

It was like an annoying echo ringing in his head, he just had to find her… and then… well, he didn't know. He sniffed the air like the wolf that inhabited him, his senses as sharp as its own. He knew Taylor's scent; he knew it all too well. It was the faint, sweet smell of apples on a warm autumn day. The kind that made you feel lazy and at peace as you swung on a hammock and read a novel. Or was that just him being a hopeless romantic?

He quickened his pace, picking up hints of the tangy smell. He followed it, certainly a peculiar sight had anyone been watching, bending down to the ground every once in a while, smelling the walls and walking in a haphazard manner. He traced it till he stopped outside a portrait of the Hogwarts crest. Remus recognized it as the Prefect's Lounge, it was likely that Lily had given her the password. The trail was strongest there, he knew that she had come here a few hours ago, and was probably still inside.

Without hesitation, he gave the password and entered, immediately spotting Taylor by the fireplace. She was hunched over a large textbook, a half-chewed quill in her hand and crumpled parchment littered all around her. She looked half-dead, ink was smeared all over her face, her hair was sticking up in odd angles and her eyes were half closed with bags under them. Yet she'd never looked more beautiful to Remus.

He moved forward silently, so quiet that she only realized he was there when he stood right in front of her.

"Remus!" she gasped, jumping slightly. "You look… well… horrible. Why aren't you in the hospital wing?"

Remus paid her words no heed, except to glance at a glass nearby, confirming that he did look horrible. His entire face was flushed from his fever, he had a wild look in his eyes and he looked mussed and lost in his pajamas. He moved towards her, the wolf in him not caring in the least about appearances.

"Taylor," he said blearily. At his strange tone, she pushed herself further away from him.

"Remus," she said, forcing herself up and putting a hand on his forehead, her concern winning over her fear. "Oh god, you're burning up! Was it the rash? Did it give you a fever?"

"Taylor," he repeated. "Do you know how much it tortures me to see you with Rogers?"

"Huh?" yelped Taylor, stunned. "Remus, I think the fever is making you babble. You're not thinking clearly-"

"I'm thinking far clearer than I've had in years," he said, moving closer, making her fall on the sofa. "I like you Taylor. I've liked you ever since first year when I clapped my eyes on you in the Hospital Wing."

"Remus…" she said again, not knowing what else to say.

He held up a hand to stop her. "Don't, Taylor. Don't say anything. I've harbored this crush for years, and now, I'm coming straight out to tell you. I like everything about you, how you're so kind and helpful to the extent that you'd even come near me after I told you I have a mutant hybrid rash. I adore the way you laugh, the way you smile, the way your eyes shine when you're happy until it looks like you're glowing with a beauty that no other girl could possibly have. Heck! I'd probably love the way you cry too, if it weren't for the fact that you're hurt when you do."

Taylor opened her mouth to say something, but Remus cut her off. "I worship the ground you walk on and the feet that do the walking. There may not be anything in this world that's perfect, maybe because everyone has a different idea as to what perfect is, but you… you are perfect, to me at least. And even if you aren't, you're as close to perfect as can be."

"Please, Taylor," he implored feverishly, grasping her hands tightly, aware that he was getting drowsier by the moment, (maybe the Sleeping Draught was kicking in again.) but he refused to go back to sleep until he'd said all that he'd kept bottled up inside him. "Please say that you like me, at least a little!"

(A/N: I know this is a totally dramatic moment worthy of some stretched out drama, but… sorry, I can't think of anything else.)

"Remus, I-" she choked, thoroughly at loss for words now.

He leaned in slowly, giving her every chance to draw away, wanting to do what he'd longed for years. Instead of pulling back or pushing him away, she moved towards him, half closing her eyes. And then, like the magical moment that one always dreams off, their lips touched. Sparks flew and fireworks whooshed, they deepened the kiss, the world closing in to just the both of them, as though nothing else mattered. Remus broke away from the kiss suddenly, blinked once and his head fell to her lap. He was asleep instantly, ruining a moment worthy of any corny Muggle romance movie. Though a less well-dressed hero and heroine you could not find.

Taylor lay back against the couch, her mind reeling from what had just happened. She shifted her eyes to the sleeping boy and she touched her lips again. Pinching herself hard, she wondered if anything that had just happened was real.

It hurt.

Which didn't make matters any simpler. Remus seemed to mean what he said; the fever had obviously loosened his tongue, she reasoned, but then again, what of Mark? She looked at him again, and stroked his cheek. What answer could she possibly give him?

……

Remus awoke to the bright sunlight prodding his eyelids. Squinting, he realized that he was most certainly not in the Hospital Wing. He twisted his head and saw the remains of a fire and notes strewn all over the place. He frowned, where was he and what had happened?

He stiffened when he felt the pillow below him shift. Looking up, he saw Taylor's sleepy face, rubbing her eyes and yawning. Abruptly, the memories came rushing back, all he'd said last night, how he'd pleaded her to say she liked him… and most importantly, the kiss that made him feel as though he'd just jumped over the moon. He blushed furiously and sat up, resisting the temptation to run to his dorm and hide.

He opened his mouth, hoping that something witty would come out, anything that would break the awkward silence that hung so tenuously in the air. "Umm…"

He winced, that wasn't right.

"Morning," said Taylor with an unreadable expression on her face. She jiggled her leg either out of nervousness, or because it was numb.

"Ahm… M-morning," he croaked, his throat feeling dry, refusing to meet her eyes.

"Tell me, Remus," she said slowly, turning to face him. "Did you mean what you said last night, or were you just delirious from the fever?"

"Taylor," he said softly, "I doubt I've ever spoken a truer word. Everything I said, every syllable I uttered, was exactly what I've been feeling since that fateful day I met you. Do you remember it?"

She shook her head slowly, "Only vaguely," she said, not missing the hint of disappointment in his eyes. "It's been years, time has its way of blurring things."

"Well I do," he said, "I remember every line, every expression I saw on your face when I came into the Hospital Wing with Lily. I even remember what bed you were in and the first words you said to me."

"What did I say to you?"

"'D'you want a grape?'" said Remus with a fond smile.

"You didn't want one," she said with a laugh. "Now I remember," she hesitated. "But do you remember what you asked me last night?"

Remus clenched his teeth in anticipation of the answer he dreaded and wanted. "Yes."

"No."

"Oh," he said, trying to ignore the crushing disappointment in his chest. "W-well, that's alright, really. You don't have to like me-"

"I don't like you a little," she continued as though he hadn't spoken. "I like you a lot."

"Oh," he said again, in a far different tone this time.

"D'you know how long I've liked you?"

"Umm… no."

"Since the middle of 4th year, when James started tormenting Lily," she said with a smile. "I noticed you because you were the only one of the Marauders who didn't whole-heartedly support teasing and hexing and trophy girlfriends and whatnot."

"Thank you, James and stubborn obsession," he muttered to himself. His face shone with unhidden happiness. Then, as abruptly as the happy look on his face appeared, it was gone. "I'll understand if you like Mark Rogers more than me though," he said with difficulty. "I mean, just because I really like you doesn't mean I expect you to break up with him for me or anything, after all-"

She gave him a look that cut off his babbling. "Mark and I aren't together," she said with a sigh. "He's fun to be with and everything, but I'm not sure if I want him to be my boyfriend. It's just, I don't know how to say this, but I think relationships are really special, and they ought to have this… this…"

"Spark?"

"Exactly!" she exclaimed. "And I know that Mark and I don't have that. I guess that I was hoping that it would come in time. But… when you kissed me last night… I guess… I knew that this was what a relationship should feel like…"

"In that case," he said, taking in a deep breath, "Taylor, after pining for you for almost 7 long years, I'm going to voice the words I've said to you in my dreams. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Taylor blushed and smiled, "Yes."

And again, with sunlight streaming around them, the happy couple drew close and kissed. For a while, in the confused, wonderful, chaotic world that was Hogwarts, those two people were blissfully happy.

At least for the moment.

……

A/N: Well, that's it for Chapter 11 folks. I don't know whether you like it, I'm not even sure I like it. I guess that to me, it feels stunted, because I kept getting writer's block. And I'm far from satisfied about the scene with Remus and Taylor, but I can't quite think of any way to improve it. L I also wrote it without a draft, I'm not sure why I always end up writing the more important scenes without a draft, maybe I'm just plain lazy. Which is very likely.

So, Remus and Taylor have finally gotten together. Things are developing all around, and you guys are about a chapter or two away from discovering what made Lily hate James so much.

IMPORTANT! READ THIS! In this chapter, the last few scenes, there was one sentence that's I've written that gives you a hint about the whole thing James did in first year. I mean, it's not about what he did… it's just… well, you'll understand when I write it out.

I also cancelled out another event I wanted to happen in this chapter, because I thought it was long enough. Hence, in the next chappie, you will see major happenings. In fact, these next few chapters are all important. So… well, I hope I manage to portray it as well as I want to. I'll either be able to update soon, or I won't, see, I'm in danger of getting chicken pox. If I get chicken pox, I'll have a lot of spare time on my hands. But if I don't which I sincerely hope I won't, I'll be busy, because the cheerleading camp that I've been working on day and night, that I've organized and baked a thousand cookies to help fund, is coming up. I've also got to attend rehearsals for the school musical, or I won't be one of the 8 girls performing, instead, I'll be a reserve. (sour look.)

So, do me a favour and pray that I don't fall sick, and I'll do everything in my power to update soon.

Please?

Well, on to review replies.

A/N: The end of another chapter, I'm sorry if it didn't live up to all your expectations… but these next few chapters are really important! Things are so in motion right now! Sooo… keep reading… and if you're really nice… review? (hopeful look.)