~*~Ann's POV~*~

My body trembles with exhaustion as Moony backs away, throwing his head back and forth as though trying to dislodge water from his ears. I lock my shoulders, keeping myself from falling flat on my face. Snarling at him, I manage to corral Moony back into the room that we had found him in last night. Once I can hear the reverse of the transformation happening, I crawl into one of the other rooms. We usually try to help Remus into his cloak, the boys do at least, and onto one of the less broken pieces of furniture if he isn't too injured, but I know that I'm too exhausted to try to start to heal him, and that he is entirely too injured to be moved anyway.

I drag myself under the couch and wait for Madam Pomfrey to pick up Remus, knowing that if I leave before she comes, that I'll be caught for sure. Pomfrey usually is here about three minutes after the sun has risen, which is about seven or eight minutes after the reverse of the transformation has taken place. I purposefully lean against one of my injuries to keep myself from falling asleep, knowing that if I do go to sleep, that I won't wake up for a couple of days.

The door across the hall from me opens and I hear Pomfrey's mutterings. I sigh in relief when she leaves and begin the long trudge back up to the castle.

~*~AG~*~

Evans nudges my shoulder again, waking me up for what feels like the thousandth time. She keeps sending me looks, curious as to what the problem is, but I shake my head as gently as I can and return to writing notes.

I ache. Not just in one place. Everywhere. My back and shoulders are a mess, I think I dislocated my left elbow, and I have a bunch of other injuries that I cannot decipher through the aches my body is screaming at me. Luckily, I took a pain relieving potion, and have another couple for later. I want to take one now, and get it over with, but if I do, I'll just end up falling asleep.

"Grimwood, could you please tell me what is wrong?" Evans whispers.

I shake my head, "No big deal. I apparently decided to sleepwalk last night and fell down a couple of flights of stairs."

Evans flinches and nods.

I almost sigh in relief but instead turn my attention to the front of class. I just hope that we can get out of Arithmancy in time, I really need to talk with Sirius. James and Peter aren't talking with him, and no one has been to see Remus. Not that we all haven't tried, but Madam Pomfrey is insistent that he is in absolutely no condition to have visitors. This is something I can agree with easily, especially since I know what happened with the wolf last night.

The bell rings and I hurry as much as possible, trying not to agitate any injuries. I can hear Evans muttering behind me and roll my eyes, not slowing down until I reach the Great Hall. After doing a quick search of Gryffindor table, I frown when I don't see Sirius. Walking to James and Peter, I wonder if maybe they know where he went.

"Hey James, Peter, do either of you know where Sirius went?" I ask.

James raises an eyebrow, "Why would I know where Black is?"

"Maybe because last I knew you two are mates and all that," I say, frowning at his tone.

"Black lost that right until further notice." Translation: We're being berks until Remus is healed enough to make the decision himself.

"Did you even ask him what happened?"

"Doesn't matter. We'd promised not to mention anything about the hiding hole. He broke that promise."

I grit my teeth, "I never would have expected that from you."

"And I never would have expected you to stick up for him," James says.

Shaking my head, I turn around and leave the Great Hall. Lost in thought, I don't even realise who is walking next to me until they clear their throat.

"What's going on between all of you?" Evans asks.

I sigh, "I really can't outright explain it, but Sirius did something incredibly stupid, yet those gits won't find out what happened. I don't care who is in the wrong or right or whatever. All I know is that my friends are being jerks, and, as you love pointing out, when they act like jerks they can be vicious to those that they don't like. Something needs to be done before they tear each other apart."

"I just want to know why Potter won't talk with Black," Evans says, "Even as someone who isn't a part of the group and is just an outside observer, I can tell that Black is loyal to a fault. He'd do anything for his friends, so there has to be a good reason for whatever the incredibly stupid thing that he's done."

"Merlin I hope so," I mutter. Arriving at the fruit bowl, I tickle the pear and open the door. Once inside the kitchens, it only takes a moment to find Sirius. The boy looks like he hasn't had any sleep, and with the way he's playing with his food, I doubt that he's had anything to eat either.

Evans and I sit across from him, startling him.

"Come to yell at me too?" he asks, voice soft. That's when I notice that one of his eyes doesn't have a shadow on it from lack of sleep, but that it's bruised, like someone punched him.

"Now why on earth would I do that?" I ask, tilting his chin up. I examine his eye with a frown, "I'm sorry, but I'm horrid with healing bruises. You'll have to walk around with it."

"No he won't," Evans says, pulling out her wand. She circles the eye with the tip, muttering the spell under her breath. Within a few passes, the bruise is gone.

Sirius reaches up and feels the skin. He gives a small smile to Evans, "Thank you."

Evans blinks a few times before nodding.

"I know you don't want to, but could you tell us as much about what happened as you can?" I ask.

Sirius sighs, and rubs the back of his neck, "I really don't know how much I can tell without giving some…sensitive information."

"If you're worried about me knowing of Remus's Lycanthropy, then you shouldn't," Evans says, "I've known since fourth year, and have just been waiting for him to tell me himself."

"That makes it a little easier," Sirius says before beginning his tale. Once he's finished, I lean back in my chair and look at the ceiling.

Evans, on the other hand, isn't so calm.

"I can't believe that he would do that! What happened to the boy I used to know? The Severus I knew would never do anything like that!" she shouts, "It's those damn friends of his. They've turned him from a really sweet boy into someone who enjoys hurting others! Oh! If I ever manage to get my hands on them, they'll be so sorry! Stupid gits!"

"Evans, relax and sit down," I command, "No use in getting worked up over this."

"Why not?"

"Because, what's done is done," I shrug, "Besides, we have a more important issue to deal with."

Sirius looks wary, "What do you mean?"

I raise an eyebrow at him and let off a pulse of Dark Magic. Sirius slams his eyes shut and clenches his jaw. Evans, on the other hand, looks between the two of us, confused.

"That is what we need to work on. Why didn't you tell me that this was happening?"

"I thought it would go away with time."

"And has it?"

"No."

"It's become worse, hasn't it?"

"Yes."

I huff, "I told you to come talk with me if it became worse."

Sirius throws his hands in the air, stands, and starts pacing, "I'm sorry, but it's not exactly easy to discuss with someone that you are going through withdrawals of Dark Magic! Most people tend not to take that well. Besides, how the hell was I supposed to know that you would be able to help? Granted you said that you would, but what if the problem is too much for you to handle? This is not exactly a prank that needs a quick adjusting!"

My eyes narrow and I stand and face him. I can tell that my face has gone into an impressive sneer, but I don't care. "I understand that right now, you are not going through the best of times, but that is no reason for you to start treating me like that! I will not tolerate being given attitude by some prissy pureblood heir, understand?" I ask, my voice taking on its typical drawl

Sirius snarls and collapses into his chair. Placing his head in his hands, the boy takes a few deep breaths before looking up at me. I relax when I see my friend again.

"I'm sorry. I just-I don't know."

I shrug, "Eh, just don't do it again."

"What does Black mean when he says that he's going through withdrawals of Dark Magic?" Evans asks. We'd both forgotten that she's still here.

"When someone is raised in a place with Dark Magic, they get used to feeling it around them. It isn't as bad for them if they're taken away from that magic, they might not even notice that they are going through withdrawal. But if a person uses Dark Magic, then the process is ten times as bad, and that's if they aren't raised in a Dark environment," I explain, "However, if someone is raised in a Dark environment and they use Dark Magic, then the withdrawal can cause a person to go insane."

"So you've used Dark Magic?" Evans asks, turning to Sirius.

He looks wary as he nods.

Evans frowns, "I'm really not sure if I agree with that."

I sigh and glance at my watch. Deciding that the next class won't be as important as this, I sit down and order some food before explaining to Evans the history of our families, as well as how Dark Magic isn't evil. Merlin knows that the more people who know the truth about it, the better.

~*~AG~*~

Standing in the room of requirement with Sirius and Evans, who I am slowly starting to think I should just call by her first name, I pace for a moment or two and pull out my wand. Flicking it once, the lights dim slightly and I nod in satisfaction.

"All right. I'm going to show you one spell. This spell is one that is less harmful than other, but is still considered Dark," I say. Pointing my wand into the empty space, I give the familiar movement and mutter, "Suscitatio umbra."

The shadows around me and where my wand is pointed turn into wolves and dogs, animated into moving beings. A couple of them shake their fur out before facing me.

I smile, "Go play."

Wagging their tails, the shadows begin to frolic and I turn back to Evans and Sirius. Sirius looks bored, he's seen this spell before, but Evans is watching with wide eyes. Turning to me she asks for an explanation and I roll my eyes as I explain what the spell is and what it does.

"Wow, that sounds like it takes a lot of power Grimwood," Evans says.

I frown when I realise that I've finally had enough with this, "I should have done this years ago."

"Done what?" Evans asks.

"Hi, my name is Annalisa Grimwood, but please call me Ann," I say, holding my hand out to the girl. She blinks at me in confusion. Slowly, she takes my hand and shakes it.

"Lily Evans."

I smile, "Pleasure to meet you! Oh! And I'd like you to meet my friend Sirius Black. Sirius, this is Lily Evans."

I watch as they shake hands. Sirius then gives a flamboyant bow.

"A pleasure to meet such a gracious lady."

Lily giggles, "You really are a character."

"I try."

Wishing for some couches, I jump onto one of them and take off my shoes and tie. Crossing my legs, I wait for the other two to relax, and almost laugh when Sirius circles the couches just to flop on one and lounge on it. Evans-no Lily- shakes her head and sits on the only open couch.

"Ok, so what was that all about?" Evans asks, "We've already met."

"But not formally, and not on amicable terms. I figured it would be a good idea," I say, giving a shrug. "Formal introductions can be important in the Wizarding world, but I did that just because I got sick of you calling me 'Grimwood'."

Lily smiles, "Neither of you like your surnames do you?"

Sirius and I shudder, "No."

"We're the black sheep for a reason. Why do you think our families try not to talk about, much less with, us as much as they can?" I ask.

Sirius turns to me, "Speaking of which, I was wondering if you could scan my mail. I've been getting…disturbing letters lately."

I nod. Soon the three of us are talking and laughing, and it is something that I would admit that I would never had thought possible, and, if I'm reading the looks Lily kept giving correctly, then neither did she. I smile, glad that something good can come from this whole mess.

~+~ Sirius's POV~+~

After we leave for dinner, I tell Lily, it's weird calling her that, and Ann to go ahead, that I want to see if I can talk with Remus.

"Are you sure you don't want one of us to come with you?" Lily asks, concern in her voice.

I shake my head, "No, thank you though."

Lily nods and Ann gives me a look that means something along the lines of 'If you have any problems, come get me, no matter what'. I wave them off and head for the Hospital Wing. I feel slightly nervous about talking with him, but I would rather explain everything to Remus than have him hear only half the story. I walk into the infirmary and glance at Madam Pomfrey, she holds up a finger, finishes marking on some parchment and looks up.

"I take it you would like to see Mister Lupin?"

I nod, "But, I need to tell him something that might not go over too well."

Pomfrey frowns, "Need you tell him now?"

"Yes."

She frowns, but allows me to talk to Remus. I sigh and walk over to where his bed is. Taking in a breath, I straighten my shoulders and walk in. Remus smiles slightly when he sees me.

"I was starting to wonder if you all were never going to come," Remus says.

I give a tight grin, nerves battling inside me, as I sit down. "Yeah…well…Remus, there's something I have to tell you."

"Did something happen? Did one of you get hurt?" Remus asks, frightened by my tone.

I shake my head, "I don't know. You'd have to ask Ann. That's-that's not what I need to talk to you about. You see, there's a reason why last night was worse than before."

Remus blinks, "Does this have to do with the frustration that Moony felt last night?"

"You remember?"

"No," Remus says, shaking his head, "Not anything concrete. I remember…it's funny because I shouldn't have…but I remember Moony being frustrated because he couldn't get to some people he smelled. But, no one but you four, Professor Dumbledore, and Madam Pomfrey know how to get into the Willow, so that can't be right. Professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey never come during the full moon, and you four know better than to show up in human form."

I sigh, rubbing a hand on the back of my neck and looking in my lap, "There's one more person who knows. Who just found out recently."

Remus's eyes widen, "W-wh-who?"

"Snape."

"H-how did he find out?"

"Because he threatened to tell the school his suspicions of you being a werewolf if I didn't tell him," I say. Finally I glance at Remus from under my fringe. He's sitting against the headboard, stiff and pale. I watch the emotions flash through his eyes. Confusion, sadness, worry, anger, resignation, and finally a mixture of fury and betrayal.

"How dare you. That was not for you to say. You could have lied, said that you don't know, or come up with something other than telling him," Remus says, his voice low and shaking in anger, "Leave. I don't want to see you again."

"Remus, I-"

"Now, Black!"

Pulling back as though physically slapped, I give a short nod and stand. I walk over to the curtains and glance back at my bandaged friend.

"I'm sorry," I whisper. I then leave the area and the Hospital Wing, barely noticing the worried look on Pomfrey's face. As soon as I'm past the doors, I take off at a run, not even bothering to pay attention to anything around me except what is in front of me. I soon end up in the forest and turn into Padfoot and just keep running, hoping to outrun the feeling eating me from the inside out.

~*~ Ann's POV~*~

I pace the common room, biting my lip and glancing at the clock. Lily, who was reading, kept glancing up once in a while to watch, but otherwise kept quiet. The portrait opens, and I turn to it, expectant and hopeful, but scowl when James and Peter walk in.

"Damn it!" I growl, and start pacing again.

"What's wrong Ann?" James asks.

I glance at the clock before looking out the window, wondering if Sirius is walking the grounds.

"Sirius isn't back from visiting Remus yet. He went before dinner and it's past nine now," I say, "I'm worried."

"Don't worry about Black. Remus told me what happened, and he's pissed off at Black," James says, his voice hard, "I agree with Remus's decision."

I spin around, facing him, a snarl on my face, "I thought you were his best friend? His brother?"

"And after all that my family and I have done for him, he treats one of my friends, one of his friends, like he did? That's not right!" James snaps, his voice raising in volume.

"You don't just abandon someone who you care about, though! You didn't even listen to his side of the story to find out what happened!" I'm nearly shouting at this point, as is James.

"I don't need to! The end result is the same! Black has been acting funny since the middle of summer, and I'm starting to wonder if he really is as different from his family as he says he is!"

SMACK! CRACK!

I snarl at him, pulling my arm back to punch him again, "Don't you fucking dare! Don't you even presume to say that Potter!" Someone grabs me and holds me back from hitting him, "Let me go! Let me go damnit!"

"Can someone help me?" Lily shouts. Apparently she's the one who grabbed me. One of the larger seventh years comes over and drags me away from James, the both of us yelling insults back and forth, and I'm struggling the entire time, trying to get to Potter.

"I don't get why you're sticking up for him! I thought you hated disloyalty!"

"So does he!"

"Apparently not!"

"Pull you head from out of your arse Potter!"

"That's rich coming from you Grimwood!"

Lily finally bursts, "THAT'S ENOUGH! BOTH OF YOU ARE CONFINED TO YOUR DORMS FOR THE NIGHT!"

James, realising that Lily isn't joking around, nods sharply and walks to the stairs. Unfortunately for the seventh year, he has to walk by where we are, and my struggles are doubled. James sneers at me and manages to get up to his dorm, even with broken glasses. Peter naturally follows him. Once James is gone, I stop struggling and stand there, breathing heavily. The seventh year releases me, and as I start up the stairs of the girls' dorm, two thoughts cross my mind. This is going to be a long year, and James Potter better avoid me as much as possible.