A/N: Well here we are…another chapter! Yay! Sounds like everyone has received some pretty cool gifts…from violins to ipods. I want an ipod…or one of those Phillips things, preferably before college, but we'll see how that goes. This poll question…What was your childhood ambition? Mine was to be an artist or a scuba diver, and to marry my older brother's best friend Shawn. These disappeared when I realized I wasn't that great at art, when we moved from Pennsylvania, and I just didn't want to scuba dive anymore. Hm. My beta's IS to marry a rockstar. Which would be totally awesome. I'd like to marry a rockstar. But I could be a roadie too. Haha. Anyways, read, review!

Chapter Seventeen: The Perplexed Boy and the Troubled Werewolf

"Come in." came Professor Dumbledore's friendly voice.

James Potter turned the knob and entered his former Headmaster's familiar office.

Dumbledore smiled at his former Head Boy.

"Hello, James. Please, take a seat."

James smiled and obliged.

"Good evening, Professor." James greeted. "How are you doing?"

Professor Dumbledore smiled tiredly. "I'm all right, James. This war is getting more severe by the day, however. Voldemort is gaining more supporters by the hour. At least, that's how it appears. One can't always trust appearances, luckily."

James nodded soberly. "Yes. I wanted to actually talk to you about my last assignment."

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "Ah. Having trouble, I imagine?"

"Not so much. I wanted to show you what I have…so far. I researched it and wrote a report on my findings. There are only three known inferi from what I found in the Ministry records. Voldemort, of course, may have made more than they know of…I wouldn't be surprised. Of the three, the Ministry has one isolated to observe. The other one they terminated and the last one is still lurking out somewhere."

Dumbledore listened patiently. "That's good development, more than I expected. Were you able to find out how they terminated the one unlucky…or should we say, lucky individual?"

James sighed. "From the reports, all I could tell was they tired it out with a few stunning spells and then continued to beat it to death. There was no particular spell they used. I've taken the liberty to try and collaborate a few spells to form one."

"Good, James." the old Headmaster replied with a kind smile. "I knew you could do it. But there's a problem, I take it?"

James laughed softly. "Well, yes. See, I've developed two spells, but there's no way to test them. The Ministry doesn't want me to kill theirs."

Professor Dumbledore nodded. "I see. I will try and work out a way to let you test them. The best I can think is a boggart, but I suppose your worst fear isn't an Inferi? I recall Professor Latham saying something entirely different about your boggart." There was a small twinkle in his eye, and James nodded.

"And sir, inferis are too unknown for anyone to have their deepest fear be having to face one."

"Ah, true. Sometimes James, we just have to trust our product. I will tell certain people about your situation and the spells you have come up with. I'll overview them, and we'll see. I'm sure your work is useful and effective, if not an immediate spell to defeat an inferi."

James smiled. "Well, if that's all sir, I better get going, Sirius and Lily wanted to have dinner, I might be a little late."

"Of course, of course. Personal lives are still vital in times like these, James. It was nice meeting with you…and if you don't mind me asking, how are the wedding plans going?"

James beamed, so Professor Dumbledore had heard the news.

"We've just started them, Headmaster. Don't worry, you'll get an invitation."

"I was hoping so." Dumbledore replied. "Have a good evening, and send Mr. Lupin in if he's out there already."

James gave a puzzled expression but nodded, gathered his things and went down the stairs. On the way down, he bumped into Remus.

"Moony!" James exclaimed "Meeting with Dumbledore?"

Remus smiled nervously. "Yes, he called me in for something. How are you?"

"Good, I'm about to meet Sirius and Lily for dinner, if you'd like to join us, we're just at my flat. Grace is welcome too."

Remus nodded. "I'll see how this goes. I might stop by for a drink later."

"All right, don't stress, Moony. It's just Dumbledore."

"I'll try not to." Remus said as he went on his way and James on his.

James apparated to his flat to find Sirius laughing and Lily in the red face. He approached them; it was bound to be entertaining.

Lily saw him and smiled. "Hello, James. How was the meeting with Dumbledore?" She said this all very quick and excited.

"It went well." He looked at Sirius, who was still laughing.

"What is so funny, Padfoot, and why does it have Lily all frazzled?" He asked, grinning at his best friend.

"While we were waiting for you…Lily and I, being the chums we are, were sitting here talking about work and stuff, you know, like friends do. And it was all quiet, and then Lily goes and steps on a little frog." Sirius grinned. "But she won't go ahead and admit it already."

"Because it was my shoe, Sirius! My shoe! If I have to explain that to you one more time…" Lily exclaimed with exasperation.

James sniggered. "Oh come on Lily, everyone does it. No need to be embarrassed about a little wind-breaking!" He teased.

Lily stared at James in disbelief. "I am not embarrassed because there's nothing to be embarrassed about. It was my shoe!"

"If you say so." James smiled taking her hand. "Let's go to the kitchen…I think dinner is waiting for us. The house-elves were supposed to send something."

"We'll have Lily stay off the beans though." Sirius added, laughing. James laughed and Lily let go of his hand.

"You boys are so immature, it was my shoe! Look!" She said, stepping out of her heel about an inch and then pressing back down.

The boys just erupted in to laughter again at the sound and Lily sighed and went to serve the food.

Two hours later, Sirius, James, and Lily were sitting in the living room, talking and laughing when a knock came to the door.

"I'll get it." Sirius offered pleasantly, hopping up from the floor he was laying on and running for the door.

The door swung open and he found Remus standing before him, his hands in his robe pockets and smiling soberly.

"Hey." he greeted.

"Moony! Come on in, mate!" Sirius returned, letting Remus enter before shutting the door. "We're all in the living room. Care for a drink?"

"Yeah." Remus said softly. "A bit of firewhisky, if you don't mind."

"Drinking hard. Now that I can admire." Sirius replied, ushering Remus to where James and Lily were and hurrying to the kitchen.

James waved slightly, grinning at him.

"Hello, Remus." Lily said.

Remus sighed and took a seat before putting his head in his hands.

"I don't know what to do." he said finally, after moments passed with Lily and James looking alternately at each other and Remus.

Sirius reentered at this exact moment. "Don't know what to do about what, exactly? Girl problems, eh? Grace trying to tame your wolfish ways, Moony?"

"No." Remus said coolly as he sat up right, his face was tired and painted with worry, and a full moon had already passed for the month.

"What is it, Remus?" Lily asked kindly.

He sighed again. "I met with Dumbledore today."

His three friends nodded to show their interest.

"And he was talking about my condition, you know, and he started explaining some things about werewolves. They're dark creatures, as everyone knows, and most all witches and wizards are frightened of them. They can do horrible damage to anyone without killing. They have the power to turn a perfectly good wizard into a dark being."

"But you're different, Moony!" James exclaimed with fervor. "You're a great friend and guy, and you would never join…"

"I know." Remus cut him off, not angry but almost impatient. "I know…but see most of them are, and Dumbledore has asked me if, when the time comes, which it inevitably will, to join the werewolves, as a spy for the Order."

There was silence for a moment before Remus began speaking again, sensing that no one knew what to say.

"Dumbledore thinks a few might try and recruit me, and when the time comes, he wants me to say yes, but only if I'm comfortable. And I don't know if I am. Werewolves are deadly creatures and most aren't suitable for company once so ever. There's Fenrir Greyback…he's said to be the leader."

James and Sirius both shuddered at the name. They had heard about Fenrir Greyback, from Auror training and Remus. He was the werewolf that had bitten Remus in revenge towards Remus' father.

Lily looked at James.

"Who's he?" she asked shyly, although she had been a part of the wizarding community for over seven years now, there were hundreds of things still foreign to her.

"He's one of the deadliest and most vicious werewolves out there. He enjoys killing, biting, and feasting on humans for any reason. He has no consciousness and feels no guilt. He bit Remus." James answered her in a low tone due to the issue's sensitivity.

Lily cupped her mouth with her hand. "Oh dear!" she gasped, sending a sympathetic look towards Remus, who shrugged. She got up and walked towards him; she bent down and hugged him from where he sat.

He couldn't bear to look at her, and hung his head low.

"I don't know what to do when they come. I don't want to be in their society." he said quietly. "And that's a cowardly thing. I am one of them, I shouldn't mind." he quipped almost spitefully.

Sirius sighed. "It is at the good of the Order, though. It wouldn't be in vain."

"I know." Remus answered immediately. "I know, I'll probably end up going with them. For a little while, at least. I'll probably be able to sneak off for periods of time. Dumbledore said he'd help me in every way possible. It's just so hard to think about. I'll have to end it with Grace; she won't deserve to have me gone unexpectedly. Because I can't tell her. No one must know. You all really shouldn't, but I just had to talk about it, and I trust you all."

Lily let go of him. "We won't tell a soul if you leave, Remus. But do you really think you'll have to break up with Grace? Surely you won't be gone very long!"

"Not at first, I don't think. But if this war gets worse, which I find in all likelihood quite possible, then I'll end up leaving for longer and longer periods of time. It won't be right to her. I shouldn't have gotten involved with her in the first place." he finished, sullenly.

"Don't say that, Moony." James started. "You deserve Grace and she deserves you. Don't get down on yourself. This day may never come, but if it does, don't just disappear until you have to. Just don't become a stranger, Moony. Remember that we'll always be here for you. Always."

Remus nodded. "I know. I love you all."

"We love you too, mate." Sirius said strongly. "Now come on, cheer up. We were just having fun talking about Lily's sister and brother in-law. Surely you've heard of them?"

"A bit. A heartless sister and an oaf of an in-law, right?" he said, smiling slightly.

"Yes!" James said happily, trying to levitate the mood. "Oh, you should meet them sometime, Moony. They'll make you laugh for a while."

And Remus smiled as the conversation dove back into a silly mood, talking of what Petunia and Vernon's household was like, exaggerated to the extent that they couldn't keep still from laughter. Remus even joined in occasionally, although his spirit was never quite lifted.

Later that night, as James dropped Lily off at her flat, she couldn't help but think of Remus.

"Do you think he'll be okay, James?" Lily asked distractedly as she took of her coat.

James sighed as he walked around to the kitchen for a drink of water.

"I think he will be. I'm not sure. I feel so bad for him, but Remus is wise. He'll do what he knows his best." James said as Lily approached him as he searched the cupboard for a glass. She reached to the top and handed him one. He smiled thankfully.

"What is that, exactly?" Lily couldn't help but question.

James grinned. "Trouble is, only Remus knows. We can only support him in whatever he does."

"I guess you're right." Lily said finally as she leaned on the counter, folding her arms and checking the time. "It's late, James, don't you have training early?"

"Yes, I do. But tomorrow should be easy…at least nothing physical. We are going over some advanced defense spells." he replied, dripping the water down his chin in the process.

She handed him a dishcloth. "Oh, all right. I take it your meeting with Dumbledore really did go well?"

James nodded. "Well, he can't help me too much with getting something to test my spells out on, he said I have to just trust in myself."

Lily laughed. "James Potter, not trusting in himself. Now that's something."

"I have faith in my work, thank you very much." James stated, playfully affronted.

"I see that." Lily quipped with mock sincerity. "Now Potter, I really must say you should get back. It's past twelve."

James put his glass down. "Find, fine. I'll go, I see I'm not wanted here."

He went to leave, but Lily pulled him in a hug and gave him a quick kiss before sending him off.

"Don't you dare disturb the Apples!" Lily called out quietly in a warning.

James grinned and waved at her. "Good night."

A/N: Okay…I hope you enjoyed the chapter…don't forget to review. I thought I should mention that James and Lily's house is not Godric's Hollow, that Mundungus may or may not be up to something, and that Sirius does not know him.

Torch Phoenix: Not knowing the difference between charms, spells, hexes, jinxes, and curses is nothing to blush about! Heck…my beta and I had to think awhile before knowing how to answer. Charms are used on things, where spells are used on people…no exclusively, but that's usually how it works out. They aren't typically evil things, either. Hexes and Jinxes are usually pretty mild—compared to a curse, and are something you could just fool around with to annoy your friends or enemies with…Ginny's famous bat bogey hex, for example. Curses, like the unforgivables, are more serious and you'd usually only use them on your lethal enemies.

That's all I have on the subject…if anyone would like to add something, feel free to.

Also, thanks to my reviewers:

dancergrl19, Hermione-lilypotter1234, Torch Phoenix, SoSirius'sgurl3245, IAMSOAP, Jude Harrison, White Camellia, Scooter5710, Heather Gernenz, James'sGirlForever, blvd, riduclouslyriddikulus, dcsprincess, kaean, MissingSummer, sharp-tongued, chikichiki, Zippy-Wings, glowing-ice, maraudergirl189, precious421, Luv24+Alias, and MissMaruader5! Sorry if I misspelled any of your names, but my fingers are rather clumsy right now.

And of course…thanks to my beta! By the way, did you see the SNL skit on Bill O'Reilly? They made fun of him and it was hysterical…but the funnier part was that a few days later the clip was on CNN and they were pissed off at SNL and the actor that played him. Oh, that was great. Those people have no appreciation of humor, that's for sure.