Chapter 9

Revealing Secrets

The Portrait Hole burst open and Sirius came bursting in, out of breath and causing us to break our lip lock.

"Prongs," he wheezed. "We have to go." He panted again. "It's one hour until sundown. We've got to hurry for Moony." I looked strangely at James who held me in his arms.

"What's wrong with Remus?" I asked sincerely.

"He's just… his mom's really sick… so he has to visit her. We're –er-going to see him off," Sirius lied as an answer.

I eyed him suspiciously. "When will you be back?" I asked James while putting on my best version of Bethany's puppy dog eyes.

"Not until really late. Don't wait up for me," he answered skeptically. He kissed my cheek.

"Fine, I'll just go for a walk around the lake or something," I replied, waving it off. A look of panic spread across his face.

"No, Lils. Stay inside tonight."

"Why?"

"Just promise me. Just promise me you'll stay inside the castle."

"Why?" I asked again, more annoyingly.

"Geez, do you ever give up on the questions?" Sirius asked, while pushing the portrait hole open again.

"No," I replied hotly. "James, why can't I go for a walk?"

"It's just dangerous, Lily."

"James," I whined. "I'm seventeen. I've been to the lake alone before! I can handle myself against the giant squid, don't worry. I can fight my way out of the depths of his moist and saliva filled stomach, while he swims around the bottom of the icy lake, cackling loudly that he ate me. Don't worry."

He grabbed my arms and held me at their length. His beautiful eyes were full or worry. "Lily, just promise me."

I realized I was fighting a losing battle. "Fine. Just be careful, yourself." He smiled at me then left with Sirius right behind him.

I plopped onto the couch. I already knew about Remus being a werewolf, and James, Sirius, and Peter being illegal animagi. It was easy to see. First of all, their nicknames. I mean, come on! Moony? Prongs? Padfoot? Wormtail? Those are not normal nicknames. Secondly, they always left on full moon nights. Remus was always really sick during that time.

All I wanted was for James to tell me. I'll just confront him tomorrow. I want to help, and I don't want him to get hurt trying to control a vicious werewolf.

The next day, the sparkling sun shone through the window and lit up our dormitory room. I joyously pushed the blankets off of me, and hastily got ready for the day to come.

I threw my hair into a quick ponytail and jumped into a short jean skirt and a green shirt to match my eyes. I smiled at my reflection, then turned to the beds, noticing I was the only one awake. I bounced down the stairs to the Common Room.

I felt so… wonderful now that everything between James and I were almost okay, I just needed to talk to him about Remus.

I looked around, surveying the room for him. James was nowhere in sight. Everything was almost perfect with us. I had to fix up Remus' part right now.

I quietly tip-toed up the boy's staircase and halted at a sign which read:

The Marauders.

Prongs, Padfoot, Moony and Wormtail

Enter At Your Own Risk

I chuckled lightly and pushed open the door, entering their room for the first time. It looked slightly like our dorm, yet with way more decor. Quidditch posters hung everywhere, with players zooming between them. Each bed seemed to be larger than ours, and had scarlet hangings. The walls were scarlet, also, and the floor was a magnificent white marble.

I couldn't help but chuckle when I noticed each of their names engraved into the headboards. They really had improved this place a lot.

I snuck over to the end of the room and the headboard that read 'Prongs.' I pulled open the curtains and smiled at my sleeping angel. He was curled into a little ball with the blankets pushed down to the edge, about to fall off the bed. He only wore a pair of flannel pajama pants.

I edged my way next to him and his arms wrapped around my waist. His eyes slowly opened, with a smile pulling on the corner of his perfect lips.

"James, we have to talk," I said reluctantly. He had looked so sweet laying there; it was a shame to wake him.

"What about?" he asked after putting a charm on the bed, so no one else could hear.

This was awkward situation for me… Talking to my boyfriend about a werewolf while I lay on his bed, wrapped in his arms, when he didn't have a shirt on.

"I know about Remus. I also know about you, Sirius, and Peter."

He looked a little pale. "H-H-How did y-you find out?" he asked nervously, while sitting up, but keeping his arm wrapped around my waist.

"I figured it out on my own. Don't worry, I haven't told anyone."

"You never cease to amaze me. Why are you so smart?" he asked, a smile still playing on his lips.

"It's a gift," I laughed. I pulled myself from the bed after kissing his cheek. "You look beat after your night's escapade. Go back to sleep." He smiled graciously at me as I closed the bed hangings and walked from the room.

After hours of finishing my homework, James finally decided to come down with his friends and plop down next to me. I kissed him, as soon as I set down my complete essay for potions.

"Geez, Lil. Five feet of parchment?! It only had to be one!" I smiled at his face and leaned my head on his shoulder.

"What can I say, I'm an overachiever."

"I love overachievers," he said as he kissed me deeply.

"Then I better be the only one in this school," I laughed and he nodded, grinning wide.

At lunch (we missed breakfast for sleeping in late), James was vigorously debating with Sirius about Quidditch, while Shae and I chatted.

"You and James seemed comfortable this morning," she said.

I laughed a little. "Yes, very. I love him and he loves me."

"Well, have you shown him how much you love him?" she asked me. I gave a confused look and she continued. "You know! Have you –er- given yourself to him yet?" I quickly have a look of comprehension to make her stop.

"No, truth be told, I'm scared to. I mean, he's broken so many girls' hearts right after, and I really love him. I don't know if he'd give me up, or not." She nodded in understanding, since it was the same with Sirius, but began to contradict me.

"Well, if he loves you as much as you say he does, then he won't." I smiled at my plate, then gave up the conversation.

A/N: Reviews are very, very welcome and appreciated. I apologize for taking so long but if you read my note after Chapter 8, you'll understand. Thanks for still reading, if you are. I'm finally getting away from it all this weekend so hopefully I'll have some time to write up more chapters for everyone. The more reviews, the more likely I am to post!