Author's Note: Heres the next one! I hinted at something with Remus! Enjoy :)
"Secrets have power, and that power diminishes when they are shared, so they are best kept and kept well. Sharing secrets, real secrets, important ones, with even one other person, will change them."
~Erin Morgenstern
Remus's eyes burned as he stared fiercely at the blank parchment roll that was awaiting the weight of his quill. His mind had gone completely blank. It stunned him so much,being given a topic about the laws and regulations of becoming an animagus by Professor McGonagall. The particular subject they were now discussing in class had, at the very least, spurred a sense of paranoia in Remus.
He could only wonder if this was some kind of message the Professor was trying to relay to him and his fellow Marauders or if it was simply just a stroke of chance.
Whatever it was, his talent for academics had long left him to suffer in a sea of mindless thesis statements. Robbing him of any way to start sensibly on his essay.
The gold in his green eyes gleamed slightly as they shifted elsewhere in the nearly empty library. It was then that he spotted a familiar blonde girl with blue in her hair.
Scarlett.
"Scarlett!" He whispered, trying his best not to raise his voice too much to cause havoc. A slight tinge of irritation arose in his chest when she continued her browsing. Completely oblivious to his attempts to get her attention.
"SCARLETT!" He finally exclaimed, tired of thrashing his arms about like an imbecile.
Remus nearly fell off his chair laughing when he saw how scared Scarlett was. Her hand clamped tightly to her heart, the books she was removing from the shelf had fallen to the ground with a loud thump.
Her ice blue eyes were wide with shock unable to manage a response just yet.
"R-remus…" she finally stammered, astonished at how loud Remus just had shouted. She had never heard him raise his voice before, he was always so mellow and calm.
Remus chuckled lowly, motioning for her to come closer to where he was sitting.
"What in the bloody hell are you doing? You scared the daylights out of me!"
"Sorry...I was just trying to get your attention. Forgive me?" Remus whispered, pointing to the empty chair next to him for Scarlett to sit in.
"I guess I can...never scare me like that again though, you hear?" she threatened jokingly, "Or I'll have to hex the daylights out of you!"
Remus laughed lightly, "I'll keep that in mind...what were you looking for?" he asked.
Scarlett glanced at the books and blank parchment Remus had spread out before him.
"McGonagall gave us a huge paper due on the laws of becoming an animagus...a bore if you ask me…" She scoffed, exemplifying her agitation with the homework assignment.
"Boring? Strenuous, yes, but a bore...are you sure you're not mental,Scarlett?" Remus shot back, torn between whether he should be amused or offended.
Scarlett laughed when she realized how off put Remus looked, her laugh sounding like twinkling bells.
"Is that why you called me over here, Remus? To have me help you with this paper?"
"How could you tell?"
Scarlett smirked, "I just so happened to notice your blank parchment...and you've been here for hours, Remus. Didn't take a genius to figure that one out!"
Remus blushed slightly, taken for a brief moment at how observant Scarlett was. He had never taken her for someone who paid a terrible amount of attention to others. Every-time he noticed her, she always seemed to be a dream like daze. Lost and intoxicated in her own little world.
"Well...would you care to work with me on it?" he finally asked, determined now to use this opportune moment to get to know her better. She was, after all, his best mates future wife. He figured they would be entwined in each other's lives for a long time, so they might as well break the ice now.
Right?
"I do quite wonder why she gave us this assignment...this was something that was briefly taught in our third year..." Scarlett murmured as she opened her research book.
Remus nodded in agreement, "Third year seems like a distant memory…"
Sighing, Scarlett began reading from the book, "It takes skill, practice, and patience for wizards and witches to become Animagi. The process of becoming an Animagus is long and arduous, and has the potential to backfire and cause the transformation to go horribly wrong...Merlin...who on earth would want to risk all that to just become an animagi?"
Remus gulped, his nerves finally getting the best of him. No one in the school knew his secret...or his friends secrets for that matter.
Scarlett took a break from fumbling dramatically with the pages of the book, noting the change in Remus's demeanor from the cynical words she had spoken.
"Remus...are you alright?" she asked softly, letting her arm lay between the pages to mark her spot. Her brow raised slightly when she realized how uncomfortable Remus was getting.
Remus quickly nodded, "Yeah, yeah...just thinking about some things…"
"Like what?" Scarlett pressed, suddenly regretting speaking so suddenly. Who was she kidding? Her and Remus weren't that close...why on earth would he talk to her about such matters? "Sorry...didn't mean to pry!" she retracted.
"Nonsense! It's quite alright...to be truthful,I've actually been meaning to get to know you better. Especially with Sirius and you...you know…"
Remus's features relaxed as he saw his perfect opportunity within grasp.
"Oh, so you know about that…" Scarlett murmured, her eyes shifting towards the floating books that were putting themselves away.
"Now I guess I'm the one who is prying…" Remus chuckled, "So, I guess we're even now!"
Scarlett smiled, "Yeah...I guess so…"
Suddenly the proposition she was offered flashed through her mind, dawning on her like a dark summer storm.
She frowned, dreading the weight of carrying this secret caused her.
"Have you ever had something...something so... horrid, that you could never tell anyone about it?" she finally asked, finding herself gazing deep into his golden green eyes, looking to find some kind of comfort there.
Remus nodded, knowing the very feeling all too well.
"It's hard...you just don't feel right carrying it around with you...day after day…" she continued. Feeling great relief with every word she got off her chest.
Her worries flowed like a raging waterfall from her tongue, for weeks she had kept silent about the offer. She hadn't even told her best friend Lily , a true rarity.
This year continued to be full of secrets and that were once considered a oddity were now considered nothing more than a common occurrence these days.
"I think...I think I can understand what you're going through...I really can." Remus assured her, reaching for her hand to comfort her.
Scarlett felt her hand jolt away, her fear of touch getting the best of her once again.
"Sorry-I just…"
Remus shook his head, "You don't have to apologize...it seems you're going through a lot this year...you can tell me-only if you want to of course!"
Scarlett bit her lip, unsure if she should continue or not.
She searched for the words to say, her mouth gaping open.
"I was given a proposition...one that I would do well to adhere to…" the words were suddenly blurted out.
Hold your tongue, hold your tongue…she screamed inside her head.
"What kind of offer?" Remus asked, his eyes widening with bewilderment.
"One that would ruin the rest of Sirius's life…" Scarlett stated heavily, the burden on her heart feeling heavier than it was before. It must have been the power of speaking those words into life.
Speaking such horrors out-loud only made her feel worse, and she hadn't even given any details yet.
Remus felt himself stare vividly into Scarlett's blue eyes. He supposed it was his turn to be at a loss for words.
His mouth opened, but before the words could come, another voice broke the silence.
"Moony! There you are! We've been searching all over for you, mate!" James exclaimed. His hazel eyes wide and glistening with excitement from behind his glasses. Completely oblivious to the pair's moment of private bonding.
Remus scoffed, "Since when have you ever looked so hard for me? I'm the bore of the group, remember?" he joked.
Peter squinted his face in confusion, "I thought I was the boring one…" he muttered. Surprisingly unphased by his own admission.
Sirius shook his head, "Moony...we have that thing to talk about...remember?"
Scarlett held her breath, her nerves beginning to get the best of her. She hadn't made contact with Sirius since Christmas dinner.
She had been too ashamed...too afraid to even look Sirius in the eyes anymore.
How could she? Knowing she held the very key to his fate in her hands.
"Yes, Moony! The thing!" James chimed in childishly.
Scarlett began to notice Remus's whole demeanor change.
Was it just her? Or had he been growing paler by the second?
She noticed the look of discomfort on his face as he excused himself from her.
Remus nodded faintly as he finished gathering his books together. He smiled sweetly towards Scarlett, "We'll catch up sometime, okay?"
Scarlett nodded silently, feeling her heart sink slowly as he walked away with James and Peter. Leaving her to her vices with Sirius.
"Were we interrupting something?" Sirius asked, his grey eyes full of curiosity. She felt his cool hand grasp hers. She smiled as she felt her heart flutter at his touch.
"We were just getting to know each other more...Remus is a good friend, you know?"
Sirius beamed, "Of course he is! I met him first after all!"
Scarlett could sense something was going on...something Sirius was keeping from her. Not that she had much room to protest her suspicions...but the question still lingered so close to her heart.
She remained silent.
Sirius stroked her hair softly, smoothing it behind her right ear. He hated that she allowed her hair to overpower the beauty of her face. It was almost like her own wall of protection.
A wall he had yet to find the purpose for.
Sirius hadn't known for sure if her eating habits had improved, he hated to admit. But, he hadn't paid much attention the past few weeks. All consumed with the worry over Remus's latest transformation that was bound to happen tonight.
He never vocally said it, but he made a promise to himself... and Scarlett; that he would put down the blade if it meant Scarlett ate again. He knew that as her future husband, he would have to care for her. Love and cherish her for the rest of their lives.
Yet, how could that possibly be done if there was nothing of her to love? Nothing but the shell of the beautiful girl he once remembered.
Sirius understood the issue ran deeper than her fear of food, much like his was more than just being empowered by the site of his blood flowing.
No, no it was much more than that. She was hiding something...but he was as well. At a standstill they both stood it seemed, until one fully trusted the other.
Scarlett's outside beauty had yet to completely fade. She still possessed her gleaming smile, her blonde hair as vibrant as ever. Her eyes still managing to conjure a sparkle every now and then.
But, Sirius knew she needed to change. He knew she would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. Even if that meant committing a slow, slow suicide.
Sirius gulped, "Scarlett...I need you to do me a favor tonight…"
Scarlett's eyebrows wrinkled in confusion, "A favor?"
Sirius nodded, squeezing her hand tightly as he continued to speak. "I need you to make sure you stay inside tonight. No running tonight."
"Why not? Is this because-"
"Listen!" Sirius pressed, interrupting Scarlett's protest. "Please! Just...hear me out! It won't be safe for you tonight! I can't tell you why...but-please listen to me! Promise me you won't go out tonight!"
Scarlett took in his look of desperation, she had never seen him become so firm with her...not since the accident in the hospital.
" Alright, Sirius...I promise…" she gave in. She hadn't even planned on going for a run tonight. But, with Sirius being so dedicated to assuring she would be inside tonight. It only made her mind wander towards what he was keeping from her.
She sighed as she watched Sirius make his leave from the library. She dabbled in the thoughts of disregarding the promise she just made.
Whatever it was, it couldn't be that bad? Could it?
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Scarlett held her breath as she waited patiently on the stairwell for the Marauders to make their exit from the Gryffindor common room. Millions of ideas swarmed around in her head as she waited a few minutes to keep just the right pace behind them so they wouldn't detect her following them.
She cocked her head to the side as she finally brushed herself off. Deciding it was perfect timing to start tailing the boys.
She couldn't help but smirk to herself as she opened the Fat Lady's portrait to the rotating staircases. This was the most excitement she had encountered in awhile, and she intended on taking full advantage of it.
Scarlett knew people always said that curiosity killed the cat, but she had always felt the feeling of satisfaction brought it back to life.
She felt the cool surge of the midnight air brush against her cheeks as she finally made her way through the secret passage way the Marauders used to sneak outside of the school.
Scarlett clenched her coat tighter as she finally found her boots meeting the light layer of snow. Blinking quickly, she took notice of the bright full moon. The snow was light and airy. The dark sky full of shining stars. Everyone's dream of a winter night.
She took note of the series of footprints in the snow. She quickly began to follow them, seeing them lead to the violent Whomping Willow in the distance.
She noticed the farther along she went, the prints suddenly began to change. Shifting into several dispersed and animal-like prints.
She recognized a large, dog-like paw print.
Prints looking like they were from a stag as well.
And finally, some that looked like a scurrying mouse or rat of some sort.
Her eyes narrowed as she made her way closer to the hazardous tree. Confused as to how the prints could have all of a sudden shifted to animal prints. There was no logical way in hell that could have happened unless-
"Scarlett Emery...would have never guessed you would be here tonight." she heard a voice sneer from behind.
She twirled quickly around, her boots squeaking in the snow as she turned. Grimacing when she discovered who it was.
Severus Snape.
Dark Arts and Potions obsessed Slytherin. A former friend of Lily, until that one particular day Snape let a rather foul word slip from his lips.
Mudblood.
Earned him a black eye and Lily had never spoken a word to him since.
Snape made his choice to succumb to blood supremacy. While Lily made hers to disassociate with a person like that. No matter how painful tearing that bandage off was.
"Snape...I could ask you the same question." she shot back. The greasy git was the last person in the world she wanted to run into tonight. And yet, here he was.
As conniving and snake like as ever.
Scarlett's ice blue eyes pierced Snape's black ones. Animosity filled the space between the two figures.
"Don't tell me Sirius told you as well." he finally chuckled.
Scarlett frowned, crossing her arms across her chest. "Tell me what, Snape?"
Severus laughed, "So the notorious Sirius Black did not tell you anything about this tree, huh? Interesting...I figured he would have since you two are...oh so close!"
Scarlett sneered, annoyance getting the best of her.
"What did he tell you? What kind of business are you getting your hook nose into now?"
Snape's jaw clenched, the nose comment had clearly struck a nerve in him.
"Apparently he grew tired of me always on their heels when it came to the famous marauders sneaking out once a month...so here I am...to get my answer."
"Well, good for you…" Scarlett muttered, rolling her eyes as she turned her gaze to the Whomping Willow. The tree remained still, moving only to shake off the built up snow from its branches.
She couldn't help but notice the door under the willow.
"I wonder…" she murmured.
Scarlett quietly moved towards the door, doing her absolute best not to make any sudden movements. She knew for a fact this tree could kill her with one swift move. It had to be gone about precisely and with a plan.
She let out a sigh of relief when she finally got under the tree, disregarding the dirt and loose grass on her pants as she struggled to get the door open.
"Emery, what the bloody hell-" she heard Snape yell, the moment he had shouted the tree began rearing his branches in anger.
"Snape, you twit!" she shouted, leaping up in the air as she clenched tightly to his hand. Yanking Severus harshly down unto the ground. Just dodging a large, spiked branched that came crashing down.
Both bodies collapsed to the earth with a thud.
"You-Idiot!" she screeched, out of breath,"You nearly got us killed!"
Scarlett quickly swung open the door with all her strength, shoving Severus violently down the tunnel.
"Bloody hell, Scarlett. What gives?" Snape moaned, struggling to pick himself off the ground.
"Honestly, Snape? You really are the biggest arse in the bloody world! You almost got us killed!" she screamed, brushing herself as she picked herself up with ease.
Suddenly a piercing howl surged throughout the tunnel, Scarlett could almost feel the vibrations pulsing through her entire body.
"Merlin's beard…" she muttered in horror. She groaned, how on earth was she going to get out of this place?
"Well, I, for one intend on finding out what is really going on here. You can do as you wish." Snape sneered, his shoulder brushing against Scarlett's as he made his way past her.
"Seriously? I just saved your life, and that's all I get? Not even a thank you?" she exclaimed loudly. Anger flooding through her veins.
Snape ignored Scarlett as he continued down the down the tunnel. His thirst for knowledge only growing more turbulent with each step he took.
Scarlett silently fumed as they two continued their way, biting her lip intensely. Her nerves slowly beginning to get the best of her.
Without warning, Snape flung his arm out to stop her from walking.
"What-"
"Stop, look ahead!" he hissed, pointing directly in the distance from them.
Scarlett felt dismay sweep through her entire body, making her feet suddenly feel like bricks cemented into the ground.
There it was, she saw a whimpering wolf figure.
"No...sudden...movement…" she whispered, slowly backing away. Fear soon gripped her heart, and now that she knew Snape was rather careless; it seemed the best option for her was to abandon the tunnel.
Scarlett felt herself slumping against the cold, dirt walls. Sliding carefully backward as she attempted to make her run for it.
Before she knew it the wolf had its ears perked up. A low growl was heard,tremoring throughout the whole passage.
"Bloody hell…" she heard Snape whisper to himself.
Scarlett was frozen in fear, she couldn't move back anymore. She felt her pulse accelerating, throbbing against her skin.
The snarling wolf made its way towards the pair, showcasing its sharp teeth. It's brooding claws jagged and long. She couldn't help imagining what they would feel like against her skin. She felt her hand clutch her throat, it was almost as if they were already there.
Just when Scarlett thought all hope was lost she saw a stag like figure emerging from behind the vicious wolf. Knocking it to its side with its antlers. All of a sudden a large, black dog had appeared as well. Pinning the wolf against the secret passageways wall.
Scarlett couldn't believe what she saw next, the deer began galloping towards them. Within a flash, the stag had transformed into James Potter.
"Potter, I knew-" Snape sneered, cut off quickly by being tackled by James to the ground.
James gasped for breath as he grabbed Severus by the collar of his shirt, eyes narrowed in an anger Scarlett never seen in the carefree boy before.
"I just saved your life, you twit! How the hell did you manage to get here?" Potter demanded, his eyes shifting towards Scarlett next.
"And you, did Sirius not warn you? Did you not promise to stay away tonight?"
"I'm sorry...but-" she protested.
"No excuses, Scarlett! You both could have been killed!"
"So then why did Sirius tell me that I should come here?" Snape shot back, his own fury rising in his chest.
"Because you're a nosy prat who needed to be taught a lesson, always prying your large nose in other people's business." Sirius suddenly growled, shaking off his dog form.
Scarlett stared in confusion at the two marauders, astounded by the fact they were both full pledged animagi. Suddenly everything began to make sense.
"Why you-" Snape scorned, his fists clenching tightly.
"Scarlett, I thought you promised me...you shouldn't be here!" Sirius exclaimed.
"C'mon mate, we gotta get them out of here. Remus won't be out for long...and Wormtail is still scavenging the grounds." James intruded.
Sirius paused, understanding James was right for once. "Right…" he murmured.
"Come on you two...Dumbledore is going to want to know about this!" James groaned, pointing his wand towards Snape. "Go on, out!"
Snape grumbled something foul under his breath, allowing himself to be the forerunner in exiting the tunnel.
"How could you disregard me like that? You could have been killed!" Sirius exclaimed as they finally made their way out of the tunnel.
Sirius grabbed her hand, forcing her to move with him as they all got within a safe distance from the whomping willow.
"Disregard? Black, last time I checked you do not own me!" Scarlett seethed, yanking her hand out of his. "The only reason I was almost killed, was because of that imbecile!"
She nodded towards the bickering James and Snape.
"Right...God, Scarlett. I never wanted you to know...it was never my secret to share…"
Scarlett nodded in understanding. Remus and his illness every month all became too clear for her now. It made perfect sense in fact. It seemed that was the reason he was so understanding of her situation, so forbearing of the secret she carried.
"I don't see him any differently...he is still Remus to me. Nothing can ever change that," she stated boldly.
Despite the intense fear she had when she was almost nearly attacked by Remus in his wolf form, she understood the difference between the man and the wolf.
Sirius smiled, pausing in his walking. He stroked her cheekbone lightly, "I'm glad you see it that way, love."
"What other way is there to see it?" she uttered. The crisp winter air brushing through her flowing hair as the group all made their way back inside the castle.
She gulped as they finally approached the secret entrance to the castle.
Dumbledore was already waiting. His moon-like spectacles shimmering in the moonlight, his blue eyes twinkling like the stars. His white hair matching the freshly fallen snow.
"Severus...Miss Emery..."