DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter

A\N: Sorry! I know most of you are very angry with me. After all, I'm posting after 6 months! But my mom had forbidden me off fanfic until December. Can you imagine that! Anyways, on with the story!

Chapter 19.

Remus and Peter were walking through the corridor towards Charms class. All the students were bustling around as usual, gossiping about the latest developments or about the oncoming Quidditch season. Ghosts floating in and out of the walls, Peeves's distant cackling from some nook of the castle and the general aura of magic. A typical Hogwarts day.

Remus was flipping through the last ream of Charms homework, meanwhile wondering where the hell Bellatrix was. Probably planning some sort of revenge for Black. Everyone knew about his 'Christmas present' that he sent Bellatrix after he announced it in the Great Hall at breakfast. It was retaliation for the detention that he got from Professor Watson the previous day. Remus felt sorry for him. Bellatrix had stalked out of the Hall with a murderous expression on her face and if he knew Bellatrix, Black was gonna be in big trouble. Bullying git that he was, he deserved it anyway.

Speaking of bullying gits, Ornell Greengrass suddenly stepped in front of them. Peter squeaked and backed up a step, bumping into Remus behind him, who busy perusing his Charms homework and imagining the condition of Black when Bellatrix dealt with him, did not see the obstruction.

'Ouch!" Remus rubbed his forehead. 'What's wrong Peter? Can't you walk straight?' his gaze fell on Ornell who was sneering at them with a twisted lip. 'What do you want Ornell?'

Ornell sneered further, his mouth bearing open to reveal a gap between two crooked teeth. They were blackened as a result of excessive gorging on sweets and to say that he had mouth odor would be an understatement.

'It's Greengrass to you, Lupin.' A low, rumbling voice emitted from Ornell's mouth. He smirked at Peter who looked even more terrified as if a monster from his mother's bedtime stories had come to life. Ornell looked like one anyway.

'What is a rat doing walking in the halls of Hogwarts?' Ornell jeered. 'Gonna wet your pants, Pettigrew?'

Remus stepped in front of Peter who was now sweating profusely. 'He's talking to a troll in the halls of Hogwarts.' Remus said calmly. 'Now if you'll excuse us, we need to get going to our Charms class.' Taking Peter's hand which was trembling, he sidestepped Ornell and started walking towards the class. However, Ornell stuck out his leg just in time, Peter tripped and sprawled down on the corridor, all his books and parchment scattered on the floor and his ink bottle smashed all over him. Laughter could be heard from among the students outside the class.

'I thought a rat was supposed to be quick.' Ornell jeered at Peter lying on the ground, parchment flying all around and dark blue ink splashed over his robes. 'What happened to you, clumsy?'

Tiny tears began leaking out of Peter's eyes. Remus was in a positive fit. He extended his hand out to Peter to help him up but Peter slipped again on a pool of ink on the floor and he fell again, face down on the ink. More laughter echoed through the corridor.

'Well, seems like it's gonna take a long time for you to get up, Gryffindork.' Ornell kicked Peter's Charms book lying on the cold floor. 'And you, Lupin, I'm a third year so watch out for yourself and don't bother trying to help this pipsqueak next time.' And with a sneer, Ornell turned to walk away.

'I think you need to watch out for yourself, Ornell' Remus muttered under his breath. With a gleam in his amber eyes, he silently took out his wand and discretely pointed it at Ornell's back. 'Confundo.' He whispered and something like a whoosh of air struck Ornell exactly on the back of his head.

'Hey Ornell!' yelled Remus. His shout earned the attention of all the students, including Ornell who turned his head. 'What did you say about Peter being clumsy?'

Ornell snorted. He continued walking along the length of the corridor while saying, 'I said that Pettigrew was such a lumbering idiot that he can't even see where he's goi- Ooooof!' All of a sudden, Ornell's head banged against the stone wall as his feet had carried him to a different direction than he had planned. He flew backwards and fell with a thud on the hard floor on his back.

Ornell's fall elicited a peal of laughter from the neighbouring students who had been laughing at Peter earlier. He managed to get up with an effort and stood unsteadily on his feet and started walking again. 'As I was saying, he's so clumsy that- Ow!' This time, Ornell had collided with the opposite wall of the corridor. He landed on his behind on the floor again, this time clutching his nose. More raucous peals of laughter emitted from the crowd of students who now gathered with interest around the scene to enjoy the fun. Ornell got up on his feet again and said with a muffled voice, his hand still gripping his nose, 'Anyway, he can't even- Aaaaarrrrgh!' Judging from his scream, Ornell had probably knocked out a couple of his teeth this time. He lay on the floor, too scared to get up and make another crash. Ornell had gone in a perfect zigzag motion, ricocheting of the two walls of the corridor alternately.

There was no comparison between the laughter during Peter's fall and the laughter now. Students were roaring with laughter and some were even clutching at the walls for support. With a broad grin on his face, Remus walked towards the prostate Ornell on the ground. 'You know, a troll is generally considered clumsier than a rat and you have finally proven it. If you don't want a repeat of today's performance, then please stay away from Peter.' said Remus with emphasis on the word 'please'. He smirked, 'See you later, Ornell.' He calmly walked away from the scene, Peter following close behind. Professor Flitwick came on the scene later and managed to disperse the crowd somewhat, most of whom were still curious to see 'a repeat of the performance.' Flitwick also tried really hard to persuade a scared Ornell to get up from the floor but him being too terrified to budge and suffer another collision, Flitwick finally had to levitate him all the way to the Hospital Wing.

James and Sirius leaned casually against the wall, their Charms class postponed due to Ornell's 'accident'. James looked at his partner with a smirk, 'Say Sirius, I never really expected Lupin to be the type to torture a 3rd yr Slytherin, did you?'

'Well, we shouldn't let such a talent go to waste now, should we?' Sirius smirked back at James.

'Of course not.' said James. He pretended to scratch his head in thought, 'Now, I think we need a suitable target. Who do you suggest?'

Mischief lighted up in Sirius's eyes, 'Lucy is being rather irritating nowadays, don't you think?'

Remus sat under the gigantic beech tree in the Hogwarts grounds, the dew-spotted grass soaking his robes. The crescent moon was peeking behind the dark clouds that had overshadowed the night sky, blotting out the stars. The silvery moonlight danced over the rippling waters of the Black lake and illuminated the beautiful landscape, casting plays of light and shadow in every nook and cranny. It was a magical atmosphere that had often been described by numerous poets and writers alike.

Remus sighed. He had always preferred night-time to day, the quiet serenity suiting his thoughtful nature. He gazed up at the blemished moon remembering all the times he had looked at it as a small boy and how his wonder at the beauty of the moon changed as he grew up and now, as a eleven-yr old boy, he felt older than all others of his age, simply by looking at it, at the changes it had wrought in his life. How he hated it…

A sudden noise interrupted Remus's bitter thoughts. He rapidly turned his head to see the source of disturbance. No one could be seen. Yet again, a sound came from the direction of the Forbidden Forest. Remus hurriedly got up to his feet. It had been foolish of him to come here after curfew, breaking the rules. And after all that Professor Dumbledore had done for him…..

Now, a distinct sound could be heard, like someone anxiously whispering to the night. Remus resisted the desire to run and strained his eyes, his slightly sharpened sight discerning two figures running. Very fast. Towards him.

Remus froze in his spot, unable to move. A voice in his head kept telling him that these figures might be dangerous, that he was just an eleven-yr old boy, that he hardly knew enough magic to fight them. He gripped his wand tightly in his pocket, ready to withdraw at the slightest sign of danger, but his feet remained glued to that spot. They were approaching him. Closer…closer….they stopped just a few metres away from him. Remus stopped breathing and took out his wand, pointing it directly at them.

Potter and Black stopped a few paces away from Remus, panting heavily and clasping at stiches in their sides. The sounds of their heavy breathing carried in the cold night air. Remus slowly lowered his wand but continued glaring at them, not willing to admit that he had been terrified. But the danger was not yet over.

'Something's behind us,' gasped Potter, his throat clearly parched. 'Run now. No time to explain.'

Remus threw a look behind them. His attention had been so completely focused on them that he hadn't realized that there was a third shape at some distance away. It was big, dark and hairy and had….pincers?

Without wasting time in words, Remus immediately took off; sounds of huffed breathing indicated that Potter and Black were following close behind. He sprinted across the grounds and crossed the avenue to the main entrance of the Hogwarts Castle. Taking a familiar path, he darted towards the direction of the young, newly-planted Whomping Willow. When he was a few paces away from its range, a hand seized him from behind and he turned to face the angry face of Black.

'What are you doing?' whispered Black angrily. 'That's the Whomping Willow! Do you want us to get killed?'

Remus could see the hairy thing with pincers rapidly approaching them. He wrenched Black's hand off his shoulder, 'Now is not the time! So keep your mouth shut!' He quickly turned and levitated a nearby twig and guided it towards the barely visible knot on the trunk of the thrashing Whomping Willow. With a quick prod, the wildly- moving branches became still. Remus could feel the astonishment radiating out from Potter and Black.

'C'mon!' Remus made his way to the entrance of the passage to the Shrieking Shack under the Willow's roots, very much aware of the fact that the creature was rapidly drawing near. He pulled the wooden door of the underground passage and knelt down to crawl into it as he had done many times this year. Potter and Black quickly imitated him and as the creature with pincers approached them, Remus lifted the levitation charm off the twig which clattered to the ground. A loud thwack could be heard as one of the young branches of the Willow swung against the hairy body of the creature. It tumbled out of sight as Remus quickly shut the door. He heaved a sigh of relief and turned to see Potter and Black collapsed on the floor of the passage, breathing heavily as though they had run a 100 mile marathon.

'Whoa, that was close.' said Potter, wiping the sweat off his brow. 'Thanks Lupin.'

Remus frowned and without replying, he turned and started walking along the length of the passage. Everything was lost, now that Potter and Black knew about the passage. He'd probably have to start packing his bags the moment he returned to the castle. It was stupid to think that a person like him could ever come and study at Hogwarts. And all because of Potter and Black…stupid idiots.

'Hey wait!' yelled Black, catching sight of Remus's retreating back down the passage. 'Where are you going?'

Remus continued walking down the passage, ignoring the yells of Potter and Black who were racing after him. He ascended the stone steps and opened the trapdoor on the ceiling. He climbed up through the trapdoor and stood on the floor of the Shrieking Shack. Potter and Black climbed through the trapdoor after him and their mouths opened in amazement.

'Wow, what is this place?' asked James in wonder, examining the chairs, the couch and the other sets of furniture in the room. Without opening his mouth, Remus sat himself on the brand-new couch, stretching his legs and yawning. This was going to be long.

'Hey, this view looks like Hogsmeade!' exclaimed Black from the window. He turned to see Remus with his eyes closed, laid down upon the couch. 'Hey Lupin, are you gonna say anything or not?'

Remus sighed wearily. 'Please, do me a favour and leave me alone.' He reclined further on the couch. He could hear Black approaching him from behind, 'Atleast tell us what this place is! Is it in Hogsmeade? How did you know about it? Who told you?'

Remus got up and looked straight at Black's curious face, 'I won't be able to answer, so don't bother asking. The creature is gone now, so you are free to go to the castle. Ok?'

Black smiled, his eyes sparkling. 'Don't you atleast want to know what was after us?'

Remus looked at him again. He could sense mischief in Black's voice. Black knew that he too was curious about the creature from the Forest who had made them run for their lives. He sighed again. Black was too clever for his own good, 'Fine, tell me. What was it? And how did you two come across it?'

Black beamed at him. He seated himself on the couch, across from Remus. Potter, who was silent for some time, now sat on the nearby chair. Black cleared his throat loudly and began his story:

'So, James and I were in a particularly reckless mood since everyone kept saying how dangerous the forest was and that no one who entered it came out alive. So we, being the brave heroes that we are, decided to enter the Forbidden Forest. At midnight, when we were wandering across the forest, we heard…..'

'Ogg enters the Forest every day and he comes out alive. So do the students who go there for detentions.' said James, interrupting Sirius. Then he pointed towards his watch, 'And it's just half-past eleven. Stop being so dramatic, Sirius.'

'Whatever, you're spoiling the fun.' pouted Sirius. 'Anyway, as I was saying, we heard this weird kind of rustling sound. First we thought it was nothing, but when it grew louder and louder, James started getting scared. I bravely decided to investigate…'

'Me scared!' James cut off Sirius again. 'You were the one who kept yelling, 'Lets go back! Lets go back!' like a coward!'

'Me! You were about to wet your pants!' retorted Sirius.

'Ya right!'

'Enough please!' interrupted Remus, breaking the argument between a glowering James and sulking Sirius. 'Then what happened?'

Sirius muttered something under his breath along the lines of, 'Can't even let me tell the story properly.' James glared at him but Sirius continued, 'So when we poked around a bit, we came across this huge clearing in the middle of the forest practically filled with cobwebs. We were just gonna leave but all of a sudden, we heard a clicking of pincers and we turned and saw a massive, humungous, terrible, horrible…..' Sirius paused for dramatic effect. 'Spider.'

Remus narrowed his eyes, 'Spider?' Sirius nodded his head importantly, 'Yup, it was huge, black and hairy with gigantic pincers about 4 feet long which were so sharp that they could slice a tree into halves….'

'Couldn't have been more than 4 inches long.' muttered James. 'And they couldn't even cut a branch into halves.'

Sirius wisely decided to ignore him. 'So we ran and ran round the forest with the spider behind us all the time. Somehow, we managed to find the exit and we ran into the grounds where we found you. Then…you know the rest of the story.'

Remus leant on the back of the couch. He would have to speak about this to Professor Dumbledore. Otherwise, if the spider attacked them again when a Professor was taking him to the Shrieking Shack to transform during a full moon, there could be very bad consequences.

'So?' asked Sirius. 'What's your story?'

Remus looked at James and Sirius's inquisitive faces. He looked at Sirius and smiled, 'What makes you think I'm going to tell you?'

'What…..I….oh.' Sirius couldn't find any words. 'You're not going to…oh man, I should have told you our story after you told us yours!'

Remus smiled even more. Black was clever, but not enough. 'Well, now that your story is done, I think you can go back to the castle. Good bye.' Remus closed his eyes again.

'By the way, we saw what you did to Ornell Greengrass.' said James. 'Good job.'

Remus opened his eyes, 'So?'

'So….' James smirked. 'We were thinking that such a talent like yours shouldn't go to waste.'

'Sorry, I don't like teasing and pranking people just for the fun of it.' said Remus calmly. 'I did that to Ornell just because he was bullying Peter and he deserved it.'

The smirk back on his face, Sirius sat down. 'The person who we are talking about deserves it too.'

'I don't care.' Remus said plainly. 'That time, I did it only because it was unnecessary. Unlike now.'

'Well, it will be necessary,' the smirk on James's face grew bigger. 'If you want to make sure that we keep our mouth shut.'

Remus narrowed his eyes, 'What do you mean?'

'If you want us to tell no one about this passage, then you'll have to do it.' concluded Sirius. 'If not, then we'll announce it to everyone in the Great Hall tomorrow morning at breakfast. Deal?'

Remus scowled. He really didn't have any choice. 'Fine. Who is it?'

James smirked at Sirius, who looked at Remus with a mischievous glint in his eye, 'I think you know who Lucy is? The blonde one?'

Remus frowned, 'You mean Lucy Abbott from Hufflepuff ?'

'Nope.' said Sirius grinning evilly. 'I mean Lucius Malfoy from Slytherin.'

A\N: Review! This is probably the first chap where Bellatrix doesn't appear. Just for a change. But you'll get loads of Bella in the next chap when she finds out about Professor Watson and Delphine. Keep on reading and reviewing! I'll be updating say once a week or once in 2 weeks.

I know that Remus is acting too mature for his age and James and Sirius too cunning. But Remus has gone through a lot and has become mentally older as a result. As for James and Sirius, how many 5 yr olds don't blackmail their mother for a cookie? It's the same with them.