Hey everyone, thanks for sticking around for chapter 11. I'm finding the climax of the story intimidating, but I'm going to do my best to work through it. I find this sort of thing the hardest.

Not much in the way of warnings for this chapter, save for the normal foul language, and discussion of illegal activities. Obviously I do not necessarily condone the things I make them do. But who ever suggested the marauders were good role models? ^^;;

Anyway, thanks for the reviews, especially from PenNameless1994 , Lizzy0308 , TechNomaNcer28 , Coja, and The Erumpent Horn , all of whom have been very generous with their continued reviews. Of course I appreciate all of my other readers as well.

Reviews make my day! Enjoy the story!

Sirius felt like some kind of caged animal as he paced back and forth in the now empty room. The silence seemed overwhelming, leaving little holes that the echoing voices he'd heard in his dream the night before could slip through. With every thought he had, he heard his mother's voice sneering, telling him what a stupid boy he was for thinking something so outlandish could help anyone. They were right, though. Every idea he had seemed worse than the one before it, but what were his options?

He had to find a way not only to get the police into the school, but a way to show them what a monster Greyback was while they were here. There were no phones available for the residents there. The classrooms didn't even have them. He supposed that the teachers' quarters would have them, but that wing of the building was nigh impenetrable, given the heavily locked doors and security cameras. He supposed that causing enough ruckus to bring the police there wouldn't be too difficult, but making them believe him about Greyback was another story. Before he could finish formulating a plan his high tension had him out in the halls, moving purposefully toward the room that James and Peter shared. He was going to need help on this.

When James opened the door it was clear that he had still been in bed, his hair sticking up in ways that defied gravity.

"D'you know what time it is?" He slurred at him, a hand tried to rub the sleep gunk from his eyes.

"I need help." Sirius said with such force that James didn't protest when he pushed past him into the room. "From both of you."

Peter squealed incredulously as Sirius yanked the blanket off of him where he was still trying to feign sleep in his bed. He was ignored, though, and Sirius took a seat on the side of his bed, looking at James meaningfully as he sat down across from him. It was clear that James had read the severity of the situation. He leaned forward, elbow propping him up on his spread knees as he looks back at Sirius just as intensely.

"About Remus?" He asked.

"Yeah." Sirius shook his head. "I dunno how much I can tell you." he admitted, not sure if he would be betraying Remus's trust if he divulged everything.

"You almost scared the piss out of me." Peter grumbled as he sat up in bed, wrapping the blanket around himself and glowering.

"Shut it, Pete." James said without having to raise his voice, his eyes never leaving Sirius'. "If it's this important, you don't need to tell us anything."

Sirius felt a flood of appreciation for the friend he'd found in James. His ability to read Sirius, to know when joking would be appropriate or appreciated, and when action was what mattered, was astounding. Sirius couldn't stop his tight smile, reaching out to put a hand on James' shoulder, squeezing it in thanks.

"What are you two idiots on about?" Peter asked, clearly not able to pick up on the unspoken conversation that had gone on between the two taller boys.

"Damn it, Peter!" James suddenly bellowed at him. "If you'd fucking pay attention, you'd not have to ask so many stupid-ass questions! Its obvious that Sirius is here because Remus is in trouble!" He looked back at Sirius, "Right?"

"Right…" Sirius said, obviously pained by the thought.

James' expression softened a little and he grinned, almost as if he were about to tell a joke.

"Its hard when its someone you love, ey?" His voice was light, as though amused that he was able to uncover something so secret, though his tone had not mal intent .

"What?" Peter nearly spat from surprise.

Sirius felt heat rise from his body to his face as he stared at James.

"You bloody psychic or something?" He muttered at him, causing James to beam, obviously proud of himself.

"Nah. Just observant." James said. "Not that you've been very good at hiding it."

"Didn't even realize it was happening…" Sirius admitted, his voice quiet as he tried to pinpoint the exact moment that he'd fallen so hopelessly for Remus.

"That's what I figured." James said before leaning back in, ignoring Peter's continued sputtering. "But that's not what's important right now, is it? What's happened?"

Sirius shook his head again, not sure what, if anything, he should tell them, but he figured having them work blind could damage his plans. He would just have to explain to Remus that it was necessary, and if he had to make Remus angry with him in order to save him, then so be it.

"It's Greyback. He's doing something horrible to him. I have to get the police here." He said, his eyes pleading for them to not ask any more questions.

"You've had it out for Mr. Greyback since you got here." Peter said with a hint of disbelief in his voice. "Ever think maybe you're just jealous?" He said, his voice mired in sarcasm, obviously uncomfortable with the knowledge that Sirius might be in love with a murdering psychopath, and another man.

"You shut your fat mouth!" Sirius suddenly turned on him, making Peter jump and pull his blanket around himself more tightly. "You and your god damned rumors are part of the problem!"

"Relax Sirius." James said, standing up and putting a hand on his shoulder. "Don't scare him too badly, I don't want my room smelling like piss."

Sirius huffed and turned away from the blonde boy, feeling like he'd hit him if he had to look at him a moment longer. His temper was already dangerously close to the surface due to his anxiety.

"Look, Pete. Think about it. You've always wanted to be the one with all the best gossip. You help us, and all the juicy stories are gonna be yours. Imagine the scandal if it turns out a teacher has been abusing a student? A student who was framed for murder? Seems like a pretty big scoop to me." James bribed him openly.

The bribery was obviously working. They could both see Peter's eyes sparkling with interest, imagining the rapt attention of his audience as he relayed the coming story to them. He was easily bought.

"Right." James said, now that he'd made peace in the room. "So we need the police here. Thoughts?"

"I have an idea. At least for the first half of my plan." Sirius said as he got up and went to the desk, tearing a page from a notebook and grabbing a pen. "I'll need some things to make it work though. Sneaking out to get them will be too risky, so we'll have to find them somewhere here."

As he spoke he began scribbling out a list, the other boys coming up to look over each of his shoulders..

"Peter's on kitchen duty this week. He could get you the jugs and the oil I bet." James said.

"You want me to steal?" Peter sputtered incredulously.

"Do you want the story or not?" James snapped. "All the most heroic stories have the protagonists having to break rules to do what's right."

"This is a side of you I've never seen, James." Sirius commented flirtatiously, grinning as he continued his list.

"I see where you're going with this. There's a grounds keeper's shed near the east gate. I bet they have some gasoline there for the mower. I can get you that." James said with a hint of mischief in his voice.

"God, I could kiss you right now, mate." Sirius said appreciatively.

"No offense, but save that for your new boyfriend." James slapped him on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

As they continued making their plans Peter had a look somewhere between terror and disgust on his face, but the thought of relaying the story later on kept him from fleeing from the room. They didn't have time to get past the list of materials before they heard the chimes that told them classes would be starting soon. Tearing the list into thirds he handed pieces to his friends and shoved the final piece into his own pocket.

"I'll see you two at lunch." He said quickly before leaving, having to go back to his room to get his bag.

"So, d'you think he's finally lost it?" Peter asked after the door swung shut.

"You have no sense of adventure, Peter." James rolled his eyes, walking off to the bathroom.

By the time that lunch rolled around Sirius was obviously on edge. He hadn't seen Remus at all that day, and having to sit through Greyback's class didn't help his nerves. He was feeling more and more confident that the first part of his plan would work, though he still hadn't sorted out what he would do once the police had arrived, and he was wondering if Remus was going to be around for him to save, his mind playing every horrible scenario it could come up with to explain Remus' absence.

"Alright, there?" James asked as Sirius took the seat across from him. "You look like shit."

"Well what'd you expect?" He asked, looking up and down the aisle he sat on, as though checking for eavesdroppers. "Any luck?"

"Not yet. With classes in it's hard to get away." He said, shaking his head.

"That's fine. I haven't been able to get away to find anything either. But fuck, I thought I was going to lose my mind having to sit through that bastard's class. I wanted to smash his head into the god damned chalkboard."

James shook his head slowly. He'd never seen Sirius look so angry before. While he had not known the other boy for more than a few months he had always seemed to be relatively easy going. Overly nosey and curious, but usually accepting. Whatever it was that had him this angry must be rooted in something innately wrong.

"I don't think that you're going to be able to help anyone if you're sitting in jail for assault, mate." James said sympathetically. "What's he done?"

The honest wonder in James' voice put Sirius at ease. He'd been torn on whether he should divulge the information he'd learned to any one else. It was obviously private for Remus, and very sensitive. But with Peter and his flapping mouth absent, Sirius felt comfortable enough to give him an explanation.

He'd planned to give him a short synopsis of the situation, but once he started talking he found himself unable to stop. In the end, he'd told James everything, barely pausing to breathe. He told him about finding Remus with the puppies, and had to force himself to move on when he realized he'd spent several minutes trying to describe how beautiful Remus' laugh and smile were. He told him about their kiss and about the 'fits' and the puppies' murder. He told him about the scars and how Remus had been so brainwashed that he thought they were a good thing. He even told him about Remus being too terrified to bottom, and that he was certain it was because Greyback had hurt him by forcing him to do so. He ended his tirade by trying to explain his theory of how Greyback had made Remus believe that he was the one who had killed Jona.

James had listened intently the whole time, his expression remaining understanding and supportive the, even during parts that may make a straight boy his age uncomfortable. He simply nodded in understanding.

"So… do you think I'm reading too far into it?" Sirius asked uncertainly.

"I think that we better find the shit on this list as soon as we can." He shook his head. "If everything you're saying is true, then we need to get that fucker put away."

Sirius grinned, relieved that he now had someone he could turn to who understood. He didn't regret telling him a thing, and felt certain that the information would stay between them. They spent the rest of their time at lunch quietly going over their plan of action.

Remus was relieved to be going back to his room, wanting to see Sirius and apologize to him for the exchange they'd had that morning. He also wanted to relieve the worry he knew the other boy would be fostering, as he'd not had the chance to see him during the day. He thought that Sirius would be relieved to know that Fenrir had been nothing but kind to him that day.

He'd asked him about the puppies, saying that he'd found them dead when he'd gone to feed them. He asked if Remus had experienced a fit. Remus found himself unsure of how to answer the question. He had woken up in the forest with the dead puppies, and had he been asked twenty-four hours ago if he'd had a fit, he would have immediately said 'yes.' But having heard Sirius assert so vehemently that the fits were a lie and simply a way for Fenrir to control him, he found himself suddenly unsure.

Fenrir had pressed him for information though, and quickly got Remus to admit that he had woken up in the forest, and that it had appeared as though he'd killed them. He could feel that deep pit of guilt still squirming in his stomach as he made his way down the hall. He'd been unable to keep himself from falling into tears, Fenrir seeming all too happy to comfort him. He let Remus stay in his office to rest and compose himself instead of attending classes. When Fenrir returned in the evening they spent some time talking about Remus' fits. It was a kind of counseling that Fenrir often gave him, but nothing else happened. After taking his medication he was told he could return to his room.

As he opened the door, however, any feeling of relief fled from him. He froze in the door. Sirius was sitting on the floor with two other boys that Remus often saw him with. Sirius had never brought other people into their room, mostly out of respect for Remus' privacy. He had liked the easiness he'd begun to feel around Sirius. He liked that he could let his guard down around him, and could, for the most part, be himself when they were together. It was a kind of sanctuary, and now with the presence of the two boys who were staring at him as though they'd been caught in bed with their best friend's lover, he felt that sanctuary disappear.

"Remus!" Sirius suddenly jumped up, rushing over to the door, closing it behind him so he couldn't escape. "Hey, I wasn't sure when you'd be back."

Remus didn't speak, but gave Sirius a look that was screaming "Why are they here?"

"Relax, Rem." He said as he pulled the brown haired boy into a soft hug.

Remus was looking over Sirius' shoulder as he was hugged, watching the others watching them. He knew their names. It was hard not to in such a small school. James had a look on his face that reminded him of a look Sirius got sometimes. It was a look that said that he was going to make things better, that he was there to protect. Peter, however, Remus saw make a face that barely hid his disgust. Remus knew Peter better than James. He knew his reputation as a gossiper. He knew that he was where quite a few rumors about himself had started.

"They're going to help us. Okay? I have a plan to make everything right." Sirius was holding Remus by his shoulders now, staring intensely into his eyes.

"Sirius…" Remus began, his head shaking slightly, wanting to tell him that he was overreacting.

"Come on. I want you to meet them properly." Sirius said, not giving Remus a chance to argue.

Remus was unable to stop himself from being pulled over to where the other two had stood up. James took his hand lightly as Sirius introduced them. His handshake was firm but gentle, and the look he gave him was an apology and a promise to help all at once. Peter didn't offer a hand to shake when he was introduced, just raising a hand in a mock wave as he forced a tight smile on his face, obviously uncomfortable.

"We're really sorry about how everyone's been treating you." James said sincerely. "We should have known better than to believe stupid rumors. Right, Pete?" He looked to Peter, who was staring wide eyed at Remus, and had to give him a nudge with his elbow.

"Oh. Right. Real sorry." Peter mumbled.

Remus didn't bother stopping the glare that rose to his eyes as he looked at Peter, though he had an urge to chuckle when he saw an expression of terror sweep across the other boy's features.

"What are you doing?" Remus found himself asking as he saw the detritus that was covering their floor.

"Well," Sirius began, seeming uneasy about explaining. "I remember you saying that you'd tried to call the police before, but that it didn't work. So I figured that we'd skip a step, and bring the police here." He leaned down and picked up a jug that had a piece of torn cloth taped into the top. "And we're going to bring them here with these."

Remus stared at him for a long time, not sure what he should say. It was at this point that he noticed the window was open, obviously to alleviate the now subtle sent of gasoline that was in the room.

"Are you crazy?" He suddenly asked.

"Probably." Sirius said after a pause.

Remus pinched between his eyes, feeling exhausted all of a sudden, Sirius's plans of arson not helping.

"You could kill someone with those." He pressed, not opening his eyes to look at any of them.

"We've planned it all out." Sirius said, setting the jug down. "No one's gonna get hurt. Unless something goes really wrong, that is."

"You're not very convincing." Remus said irritably, making Peter squirm.

"Rem, are you alright? You don't look so good." Sirius' voice was suddenly concerned as he took his shoulders again.

"Come on, Peter. We should go. It's late and they'll be calling curfew soon." James said as he started repacking the things into the bag he'd brought them in. "We'll take this stuff back to our room."

Remus could hear Peter whining about not wanting to smell gas fumes all night, but his head was throbbing, and he wasn't paying him much attention.

"I'm fine." Remus insisted as Sirius fussed over him. "I'm just tired."

"Well come on, lay down. I'll help the guys clean up."

Remus didn't argue as Sirius guided him over to his bed and sat him down. He watched as Sirius helped them stuff everything into the two bags they'd brought, being particularly careful with the assembled incendiary device. He never expected the dark haired teen to go to such lengths for him. This plan of his was stupid and reckless, and strangely flattering. He could go to jail for this, they all could. He was torn between wanting Sirius to fix everything, to make everything better the way he'd promised, and wanting him to not take such stupid risks. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if something happened to Sirius because of him.

He was so wrapped up in staring at Sirius that he didn't notice the suspicious looks that Peter kept giving him. The shorter boy was obviously uncomfortable being in the same room as him, seeming to expect him to pull a knife at any second. He was also the first one gone when they made it to the door.

"He doesn't look very good." James said quietly to Sirius as they stood in the doorway.

"It's fine. He looks like this sometimes when he gets back. I'll take care of it." He reassured him, squeezing his forearm affectionately before seeing him off.

With the room now back to normal, Sirius made his way over to Remus' bed, sitting down next to him and running a hand over the back of Remus' head, his fingers combing through his hair.

"You alright? I was worried about you today." He said quietly.

"I'm fine." Remus said, unable to stop the comfortable smile that tugged at his lips. "Nothing happened. We only talked."

Remus leaned against the strong figure beside him, sighing as he felt his arm wrap around his shoulders, making him feel secure. He could scarcely remember the annoyance he'd felt when he first met this boy. He wasn't even sure when those feelings had fully disappeared, though he was sure that it was sooner than he would like to admit.

"I don't want you putting yourself in danger for me." He found himself saying before he could really consider his words. "Or getting yourself arrested for that matter."

"Well, I appreciate your concern." Sirius said softly, kissing him on the side of his head. "But you don't really have much of a say in this."

Remus could hear the smile in his voice as he spoke and couldn't help but snort a little, half amused, half annoyed by his cocky attitude. He felt all of his worries evaporate as he felt Sirius' warm lips start teasing his ear. A smile softened his features and his shoulders relaxed as he tilted his head to give Sirius the access his lips were wanting. He sighed as they trailed down his jaw line and his eyes were already closed by the time he turned his head into the kiss.

Remus felt his bones to turn to liquid as Sirius guided him down onto the mattress, his comforting weight on top of him. He felt as though the heat and weight of Sirius' body was a shield between himself and the world, and thought that he wouldn't mind staying just like this, kissing Sirius, for the rest of his life. He felt that he had to break the kiss much sooner than he'd wanted to so that he could catch his breath, that liquid feeling having spread to his extremities and he felt like his body was suddenly full of sand. He realized he was having a hard time pulling his eyes open.

"Are you alright, Rem? You look like you're about to fall asleep." Sirius's warm hand was brushing the hair out of his face.

"M'sorry." Remus heard himself slur a little. "M'just really tired."

"Well lets sleep then, okay?"

Sirius pushed himself off the bed, feeling slightly concerned as Remus didn't move, almost looking as though he were asleep already. Carefully he removed Remus' shoes and socks, then moved on to the rest of his clothes.

"Do you want your pajamas?" He asked quietly, receiving only a slow shake of Remus' sleepy head as an answer.

Sirius sighed, deciding to leave the other boy's boxers on him. Stripping down to the same state he pulled the blankets out from under Remus and slid in beside him, wrapping their bodies up together. Remus stirred enough to snuggle up against him, but was almost immediately asleep.

Sirius was extremely comfortable, though it didn't seem to help him sleep. He was still feeling jittery and full of excited energy. He laid with his eyes closed for a long time, not sleeping, but barely awake. His mind was still cycling through all of the plans he'd made. He wasn't sure what he would do when the police arrived, and he wasn't sure when he should start his plan. But he would have to think of something. He wasn't sure how much longer Remus could go on the way he had been. He also wasn't sure how long he could last before he assaulted Greyback and landed himself in jail.

He was vaguely aware of their door opening for a bed check, as was customary around this time of night. He was surprised that it was so late already and he wondered briefly if they would get into trouble for being in the same bed, but he soon heard the door shut again and didn't think much of it. He felt himself start to wander toward sleep again when he was jolted awake by the heavy feel of a body falling on top of him. Thick, calloused hands were around his neck before he could make a noise. Opening his eyes that felt ready to burst because increased pressure in his head, he saw the dark shadowed figure of Greyback looming above him, his teeth bared in a sick imitation of a grin. Remus had not moved a muscle beside him.