Thanks for all your reviews.

Anyway here's the new chapter and it's party time!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Chapter Eight – The truth sucks doesn't it?

"He's a werewolf!" Hermione yelled triumphantly. Harry stared at Remus, horrified.

"You're a what?"

"Werewolf," hissed Ron, lighting his pitchfork with a malevolent smile.

"You're a werewolf?" barked Harry, "I let you stay in my house!"

"You're not coming near my Teddy," Andromeda said running away with her grandson into the distance.

"You've ruined everything Moony!" snarled James, "You're just a stupid, ugly werewolf!"

"No I'm not!" Remus yelled waking up suddenly. He sat up panting heavily and looked around the dark room. He heard footsteps and a few moments later the lights were on and James stood in front of him.

"Where's the fire?" he asked rubbing his eyes.

Remus took a deep breath, "Sorry, bad dream… very bad dream."

"Oh, right," said James with a weary yawn. He surveyed his friend, "You ok?"

Remus toyed with the idea of lying but James was giving him his auror face so he shook his head, "Today is going to be so bad."

"No it won't," James countered as he sat on the bed beside his friend.

"Prongs, I feel ill already."

"It's nerves, you're just nervous. Keep a cool head and it'll be ok. We'll be out of here before the moon comes out."

"We have to be," Remus said firmly.

James nodded and sighed. It was going to be a very long day.

A couple of hours later they trudged together downstairs for breakfast. It was the start of their second full day in the future and as it was a Saturday they took the opportunity to read some newspapers and acclimatised to their new environment while Harry and Hermione busied around preparing for the party.

Before they knew it, it was five and an hour until the party started. Remus had calculated that the moon would start to appear around eight, so he had to be out of the house at quarter to at the very latest. The plan was that they would go to the shrieking shack and would stay there for a couple of days until Remus was back to normal health.

"Moony, calm down," James ordered as he styled his hair to the way he wanted, something he had not been able to do in his own time.

"I am calm," Remus replied a little too loudly for James to believe him. He was fiddling about with a button on his shirt and ended up ripping it from its material with such force James turned round.

"I swear if you don't calm down Moony everyone will figure out what you are anyway."

"What I am?" repeated Remus angrily.

"Sorry, I meant…" but James couldn't think fast enough and Remus walked out his bedroom in huff. He found himself in the library and sunk into a leather armchair with a sigh.

"Why couldn't I just be like everyone else? He muttered after several minutes.

"Ahem," said a shrill voice behind him. Remus stood up to face Hermione who quickly diverted her eyes from his ripped shirt, "Guests will be here soon, you should get ready."

"Yeah, sorry," Remus mumbled. He hurried out of the room. Had Hermione heard what he'd said? That was all he needed. She had been following him around all day, asking him to help put up banners or put food out whilst grilling him fiercely on his background. She was like a shadow. The one place he was safe was in his room so he retreated there where James met him with a guilty face.

"I'm sorry about before."

Remus opened his mouth to reply but just then a severe headache overtook him and he swayed on the spot. "Moony, you ok?" asked James in concern giving his friend support. Remus winced and nodded. At that moment the doorbell rang and they heard footsteps scurrying downstairs.

Remus looked at James wearily as they heard their pseudonyms being called, "Here goes."

"Are you sure you're ok?"

"As ok as I'm ever going to be today," Remus answered.

"PETER, JOHN!"

James gave his hair one final flick and then he and Remus made their downstairs.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"There you are," Harry said as his guests finally emerged downstairs.

James and Remus smiled politely at the group of strangers in front of them as well Hermione who Remus couldn't help notice looked very nice in her change of clothes.

"Your hair is different," he blurted out.

Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"N-no it's pretty," he added quickly which caused Hermione to blush slightly.

"Thanks," she said hastily turning to the two girls and a boy who sat in the living room with them, "Guys these are our guests, Peter and John." She nodded towards each boy in turn, "and boys these are Luna Lovegood," she gestured towards to thin blonde girl who was wearing the most spectacularly weird ball gown, "Neville Longbottom," James nearly gasped but disguised it as a cough and smiled at the son of his friends, "And Ginny Weasley, Ron's sister." The girl with long red hair and large brown eyes frowned.

"I wish you wouldn't introduce me as Ron's sister," she said, "I'm a bit more that that." But she smiled cheekily at Remus and John, "Hi."

"Hello," replied James at the same time as Remus.

There was a small silence before Harry coughed then said, "I better bring out the food and drink before the rest arrive."

"I'll help," Ginny said quickly.

Harry grinned and James watched them go with interest and was about to throw Remus a covert glance when the doorbell rang again. Hermione went to get it and soon Ron was among them.

"I can't believe Ginny left without me," were the first words James and Remus heard before he greeted Luna and Neville and then turned to them, "Oh, hello."

"Hey Ron," said James suddenly remembering yesterday's embarrassment, "Er…nice shirt."

Ron glared at him, "Excuse me?"

"Nice shirt," James replied innocently. Ron narrowed his eyes and Remus took that moment to engage Luna in a very loud conversation about her dress.

A little while later Dean arrived with a boy called Seamus Finnigan and twin girls called Parvati and Padma. Soon all the Weasleys were there and various other school friends and James and Remus found themselves lost in a sea of strangers.

"Hey guys," Harry yelled above the loud music that now filled the room. It was nearly seven and the party was in full flow. Harry offered James and Remus a bottle of butterbeer which Remus declined; he was feeling nauseous and light headed.

Harry watched him, "You're not having a good time are you?"

Before they could answer he continued, "I'm such a bad host, I haven't even introduced you to everyone properly, I sh-"

He was cut short but the appearance of Ginny Weasley who tugged at his arm with a mischievous grin, "You haven't danced with me yet!"

"Hold on Ginny," Harry tapped on Dean's shoulder, "Mate will you introduce Peter and John to some people please?"

Dean nodded and turned to the two boys as Ginny dragged Harry to the small dance floor that had been made in the middle of the living room.

"So…er…who do you want to know?" Dean asked.

Seamus Finnigan who stood beside him grinned broadly, "We should give them the low down on the Patel twins; they've been giving you two the eye since they got here."

He gestured to the two girls who stood on the opposite of the room, giggling into their hands and whispering to each other in way that made James glad he was married. He suddenly thought of something, "I'd rather get the low down on Harry and Ginny. Are they a couple?"

"Nothing's official but they're practically going out," Seamus explained "You see the war set everything back. Hogwarts opened in October, the Ministry still isn't back to normal and relationships aren't as established as they should have been. I mean look at Dean and Luna. They should be married by now and he hasn't even asked her out."

Seamus dodged a pretend punch from his friend, "I'm just saying you better hurry up. Ron says Neville's got his eye on her."

"So Ginny is Harry's girlfriend," James interrupted as a small smile crept across his face. He watched the Weasley girl. She was pretty, very pretty in fact in a familiar sort of way.

"Seems like Harry's got a bit of Oedipus complex there," muttered Remus under his breath.

Dean and Seamus continued their humorous biography of everyone present at the party and before Remus knew it, it was half past seven.

"…now Hagrid," Dean was saying pointing at the half giant, "He's a real character, back in the sixth year…"

"James," Remus whispered trying to ignore his thumping headache.

"What?"

"It's time," Remus said agitatedly, "We need to get out of here."

"What are you two whispering about?" Seamus cut in loudly.

"Nothing," snapped Remus, Seamus and Dean looked at him strangely, "What?"

"Are you ok John?" Dean asked, "You look very pale suddenly."

Remus tried to smile normally, "Oh really? I'm just a bit ill that's all. I'm going go lie down for a moment," he hurried away mouthing "quarter to," to James before he left.

He accidentally bumped into Hermione and Ron who were dancing together. Ron turned round with an annoyed expression but Hermione looked at him suspiciously, "Where are you hurrying off to?"

"Bed," replied Remus without looking back. He rushed upstairs. He had the overwhelming wish to throw up but he restrained himself and began packing his and James's things for their trip. His hands were shaking and it was only when he lost grip on a towel that he noticed the figure of Hermione in the doorway.

He opened his mouth but she got their first.

"Where are you going?"

Remus took a deep breath as he tried not to pass out in pain, "Just getting ready for Nottingham."

"Now?" asked Hermione sharply, "There's a party downstairs. You'll have plenty of time to pack later."

"I want to leave now. I have to see my friends." Remus replied.

"What are you friend's names?"

"What? Er…Billy and Kevin," Remus said quickly.

"Surnames?"

"Smith and Jones."

"And they're painters right?"

"Yeah,"

"You said they were travellers!"

Shit "I…erm…they're travelling painters."

Hermione snorted derisively, "Why don't you just tell the truth?"

"What do you mean?"

"I know you're lying!"

Remus groaned. His head felt like it was going to explode, his insides felt like they were trying to force their way out of his stomach. "Fine," he said finally, "I'm liar. Fine. You win." He took his bag and tried to get out but Hermione blocked his way forcing the door to slam shut with her wand. Remus stared at her fiercely, "Move out the way."

"Not until I get the truth out of you."

Remus's eyes flickered to the clock above him. Seven forty. He had five minutes to get James and get the hell out of here.

"Get out of my way Hermione."

"Not until you tell me the truth," Hermione repeated firmly, crossing her hands resolutely.

Remus growled menacingly, "Hermione, get out my way right now," he hissed.

"O-or what?" asked Hermione trying to keep the fear out of her voice.

"I'll kill you," whispered Remus. Hermione eyes grew wide in terror. It was first thing John had said that she truly believed.

"Did you hear me?" yelled Remus with such ferocity it felt like the room was shaking, "GET OUT MY WAY. NOW!"

Hermione had lost the ability to move so Remus used his wand to blast the door down. He rushed downstairs to find James but instead found the whole party in the hallway staring at him. Evidently one could not blast down a door in silence.

"What the hell is going on?" Harry cried.

"Where's Hermione?" yelled Ron.

Hermione stood at top stairs, her face was white, "Don't let him go! Harry, he's been lying to us! He threatened to kill me!"

Remus stared at her wildly, "No I didn't, you locked me up!" he would have killed her if he'd stayed there and transformed but he didn't have time for this; he grabbed James.

"Let's get out of here!"

"Hey you're not going anywhere until you explain what the hell is going on," Harry shouted grabbing hold of James whilst Ron tackled Remus onto the ground. People screamed and gasped as Remus struggled out of Ron's grasp only to be tripped up by someone's spell.

"Let him go!" yelled James pushing Harry off fiercely and firing hexes indiscriminately in a desperate bid to help his friend, "He's weak!" Unfortunately almost immediately he said this Remus with super human strength threw Ron across the hallway and then proceeded to roar viciously at anyone who tried to come near him. He searched for a clock. It was eight to eight. He felt a sharp pain and clutched his chest suddenly as he fell to the floor in front of everyone.

Harry looked up in alarm at James who rushed to Remus's side.

"What's happened? Peter?"

"We have to get him somewhere secure, somewhere fortified with chains. Please quickly, there's isn't enough time to apparate. Just don't stand there, help for goodness sake, he's a werewolf!"

There was an immediate shocked silence before Hermione rushed to James's side along with Harry.

"Help him up," ordered James as he took one of Remus's arms and Harry took the other. Remus stirred into consciousness as they led away from hallway barging past the scared, astonished partygoers who watched them go.

"We'll go the shed," Harry told James as they walked out of the house into the garden. It was pitch black and the only light was from the house and the footlights around the yard. "I think that's where Remus Lupin used to transform when he stayed with Sirius. He was a werewolf as well you know. Hermione, you'll have to do some protective spells….Hermione?"

Harry spun round but Hermione was not there, he saw Ron rushing upstairs but had no time to dwell on it because Remus was fully awake and struggling against his grip.

"Get away from me," he yelled pushing Harry away and trying to stand alone but he swayed and Harry caught him, "I don't need you!"

"John," said James gently placing a hand on Remus's shoulder, "He's just trying to help. We haven't got time to fight."

"Everyone knows don't they?" whispered Remus feeling the stares of the dozens of people watching from the porch.

"Ssh don't worry about them," James said angrily turning round to face the group, "Getting an eyeful are you?" he yelled, "Enjoying the show? Why don't you take a picture, it lasts longer! This isn't a zoo, if you aren't going to help then fuck off!"

"Hey," said Harry sharply, "They're just…it's not their fault." He let go of Remus to open the door of the shed and just as he and James were about to help the young werewolf into it, Hermione ran to their side followed by Ron. Her face was streamed with tears and she thrust a small vial into James's hand.

"Wolfsbane potion, it probably wont work so close to the moon but there's no harm in taking it and I can make some more."

"Wolfsbane?" repeated James accusingly, "Are you trying to poison him?"

Hermione looked stunned, "No, it helps them."

"Them," repeated Remus weakly looking up at Hermione.

"No I didn't mean it like that," Hermione insisted, "I'm so sorry John."

Remus stared at her for a moment wincing in pain, "The truth sucks doesn't it Hermione?" he said quietly before slowly disappearing behind the shed door.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hope you enjoyed that!

Please review

And look out for second part of Harry's amazing party.

WFG