Here's the next chapter. Disclaimer same as always. Warning same too.
I sat staring in the fire in the common room. Moony sat buried in my side reading a book. Tomorrow night, I could lose him, which is what made me so reluctant to do what I had to do. It also didn't help that I didn't want to let go of my pride and go crawling back to ask them for help. I sighed, and decided I best get on with it. I had to do this. For Moony.
"Hey Moony, I'm going to go get something from the kitchens. Want anything?" I asked. The lie slide from my mouth easily. I didn't want to tell him what I was really doing. No need to get his hopes up.
He glanced up from his book. "No thanks Pads. Just… hurry back, ok?"
I nodded. I was already planning on hurrying. I didn't want to spend any time away from him, but I had to do this. I kissed him quickly before standing up.
"Accio Map!" I called, pointing my wand towards the dorm room. Remus sent me a questioning look. It wasn't even close to curfew yet, why would I need the map? I smiled at him.
"Wouldn't want someone to find the kitchens, would we?" I asked pleasantly. He rolled his eyes, and looked back at his book as the map zoomed down the stairs into my waiting hand.
Once outside the portrait hole, I tapped the map with my wand. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." I whispered quietly. The map of Hogwarts spread out before my eyes. I scanned it quickly, finding who I was looking for almost at once. They were by the lake.
I set off on my way, looking at the map compulsively as I went. When I made it onto the ground, I tapped the map again. "Mischief managed." I said, putting it into my pocket.
I walked silently towards James and Peter, who seemed deep in discussion about something. When I got close enough, I drew in a deep breath, gathered my courage, stepped into their line of sight, and sat down in front of them.
James watched me wearily, while Peter looked back and forth between the two of us.
"James, I need to talk to you about something important. You don't have to stay anything, just listen."
James stayed silent, but he sat up a little straighter. I took this as a good sign. At least he would listen to me.
"You know what's coming up tomorrow night, right?" I asked slowly.
He nodded slightly.
"Well, I'm scared, James. Scared senseless honestly. Moony's pissed at Rem. In Moony's mind, it's Remus' fault he lost his pack. Moony's going to be relentless this moon. He needs us there. All of us. He made me promise I wouldn't come alone. He's afraid Moony will kill me."
James looked suddenly upset, but he hid it quickly.
"And?" He sneered half-heartedly.
I filed with rage. "You listen, and you listen good Potter. Remus still cares for you like a brother. You're pack to him. He'd still help you if you asked him to. I don't understand what the big deal is. If you look into it seriously, nothing has changed. We've been together for almost a year now. You found out a few weeks ago. The difference now is only that you know the truth. I love him James. What makes you better than Snape if you don't accept us? Remus is almost positive he's going to die, James, die. It'll be all your fault James. Yours. He doesn't want to ask you for help because he knows that you won't come. He doesn't want to get his hopes up. He doesn't want to ask you to do something you don't want to do. I know we should have told you sooner, but what we've done doesn't even compare to the things you've done to us. We wouldn't have deserted you because of something as silly as sexual preference. We're already being shunned by the entire school, but that's not as bad as when you're best friends turn their backs on you too. You know he could die tomorrow. Just think about the part you're playing in it if he does. You're as good as killing him yourself."
James looked guiltily at me. I pressed on.
"If you cost me the best thing that has ever happened to me, I promise to make your life a living hell James. What's been happening to us recently won't even compare to what I'll do to you. When I get through with you, Azkaban will look like a paradise." With that, I stood up, cloak swishing behind me in a flurry of angry movement.
I marched angrily back to the common room. I took a minute to get handle on my emotions before giving the password to the Fat Lady.
Remus looked up from his spot on the couch. Lily glanced up from her star chart, but looked back down. Remus smiled at me, and I smiled back, walking over and settling down next to him.
"How was the kitchens?" He asked, looking at his book.
"Same old, same old." I replied. He leaned against me, reading his book, and I contemplated what to do now. My only option had failed me. I had hoped, but I guess I shouldn't have put my only hope on the shoulders of James Potter.
We went to bed early that night, not bothering to sneak over after everyone else was asleep. Remus fell asleep almost instantly due to the fast approaching moon. I sat up for most of the night, unable to go to sleep.
The next day we had to go to lessons. I was fidgety all day. I wanted to pause time. I didn't want today to finish. I couldn't do this. It was one of those days that I felt if anyone said something to me, I'd either start sobbing or hex them, and when dinner came, I was out of my mind with grief.
When it came time for Remus to venture down to the hospital wing so Madame Pomfrey could escort him out to the shrieking shack, Lily and I walked down with him.
I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I figured we must have been a strange sight. Lily and I had our arms around Remus. Lily was crying, Remus was on the verge of tears, and I was holding in my own as best as I could. I figured as soon as Remus was gone, I'd be reduced to sobs.
We made it to the hospital wing, and Remus shakily stepped out of our arms. Lily hastily wiped her eyes, but it really didn't make much of a difference.
Remus turned and smiled at us, before walking towards the door. Suddenly, that didn't make it any better. I had to get a better good bye than that. I jumped forward, grabbed his hand, spun him around, and crashed our lips together. The kiss was full of desperation and emotion. Remus' cheeks were wet, and tears had finally managed to squeeze themselves from my eyes.
When he pulled away I let him go, with an expanding sense of dread that was consuming my whole body and soul.
He gave me a watery smile, and walked into Madame Pomfrey's office. Lily and I left slowly. I couldn't hold it in anymore, and sobs racked my body as we walked. Lily burst into tears again, and we hastily made our way to the common room. I watched the moon rise out the window, and couldn't stop the ache building in my chest as I imagined Remus, alone, in the shack, dying.
I decided I couldn't let that happen. Promise or no promise, I was going to go there, and be with him. I sprang from my seat, and ran out the portrait hole, knocking over some unsuspecting second years as they climbed in. I was almost to the entrance hall when Regulus, Lucius, and Bellatrix stepped into my path.
"Move it! I don't have time for this." I told them harshly, trying to move around them.
Regulus smiled maliciously. Lucius laughed.
"Like what I did to your filthy friends back?" Lucius asked cruelly.
I didn't say anything. Regulus and Lucius both had their wands drawn, and Bellatrix was holding her's stiffly at her side, ready and waiting.
"Three against one is hardly fair." I heard a voice say from behind me. I turned around and saw James and Peter rushing towards us. They were both wearing their outdoor cloaks, and James was carrying the map and the invisibility cloak in his hand.
Regulus, Lucius, and Bellatrix snarled at me, but they left, not liking the odds being evenly matched.
I was so glad to see James and Peter, but before I could say anything James startled me by saying. "We have to hurry. The moon's been up for a good hour now."
I nodded harshly, and we ran out onto the grounds hurrying to make it to the Whomping Willow.
Could we make it in time?
Yayy. That's done. Now, review and tell me what you think please! =D
