A/N: Hi :] So I'm trying to get in the habit of writing again. Your reviews are VERY encouraging. I can't fight the urge to write every time I get a new review. I am planning on updating "Joke's On Us, Love" (Zuko too eventually). I've started on a few new chapters and I plan to post them up soon. In regards to this story, a few of you have asked if I'm going to do some major skipping in regards to the timeline. Yes, after this chapter the story will pick up in Evie's third year, because I mean…come on, who wants to read about what it's like being 11 and 12 again? I don't know about you, but prepubescence isn't something I find particularly entertaining. Anyways, enjoy & review!

-Salem J

"Haven't the foggiest idea what you guys mean," said a visibly anxious Remus. New Years Eve found him being bombarded with accusations upon entering James's room. It seemed the second after he stepped out of the fireplace and was introduced to his friends' parents he was marched upstairs by said friends and met with an interrogation. Not at all an understatement, as they had sat him down in the middle of James's room, turned off the lights, and flashed a bright lamp in his face.

"Don't give us that, Remus. We know there's something going on. You claim to be skipping off every month to go visit your sick mum when really you're the one that looks like walking death," snapped James.

"Thanks for the ego boost," muttered Remus.

"Stop lying, Remus. We're your friends. And we're all highly intelligent, if I do say so myself," smirked Evie, "I mean some of us are well read and actually happen to pay attention in astronomy class. It can't be a mild coincidence that you always disappear during the full moon, can it?" Remus grew three shades paler the instant the statement had left Evie's lips. They'd figured out what he'd spent so much time praying they wouldn't, and now he would surely lose the only friends he'd ever had.

"Well…That's it then," he said sadly.

"Pardon?" asked Sirius.

"S'pose this means we can't be friends anymore," he said softly. Deafening silence clung to the air for several long seconds before Evie made her way to him and punched him forcefully in the arm. "Ow! What was that for?"

"And here I thought you were supposed to be smart, Remus Lupin! What? You thought we invited you on over to dump you or something? You think we're going to turn our backs on you because of a condition you can't control-"

"But I'm a werewolf-"

"Don't you interrupt me because I'm not finished telling you how stupid you are!" she snapped menacingly leaving all three boys with wide fearful eyes, "Is that how you think of us? That we're three hoity toity purebloods who would just stop associating with you because you had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Well let me tell you something, Remus John Lupin! I may be a lot of things, but I am not disloyal and I am not above flogging you!"

"What?" he asked dumbfounded.

"We're not going anywhere, Remus," said James, coming forward to slightly restrain his female friend, "And frankly the fact that you thought we would is kind of hurtful."

"But…But I'm- my condition…Most people-"

"Yeah, we're not most people, mate," grinned Sirius, "We're your friends. And I mean…if we can tolerate Evie's monstrous tendencies on a day to day basis, I'm sure we can handle yours."

Aside from earning a glare from Evie, this profession of loyalty was met with tears. With wide, unbelieving, tearful eyes, Remus Lupin was hugging, clinging to them as if they were his lifeline, and to an extent, they were.

"I don't know what to say," he said in a soft shaky voice.

"Never insult us like that again or act like that dolt you were a moment ago and we'll call it even," beamed Evie as she hugged him back. When Peter arrived an hour later at precisely 10:47 pm, the scene was much less dramatic as they had taken to playing a riveting game of exploding snap. Peter didn't know whether to laugh or cry as an eyebrowless James sat him down and told him about Remus's lycanthropy. With anticipating looks from his other three friends, the young boy gulped and said he'd stand by his friend as well. To say the least, Remus Lupin could not remember a better day. Only a week ago, Christmas to be exact, he had been forced to undergo yet another transformation. In his short life he had been forced to mature and handle things that no one his age ever should. His friends could scarcely imagine the pain and torment he was faced with each month. The secrets and lies he'd had to tell them had been yet another burden, and now here they were, knowing full well what he was and still they accepted him as totally as they had upon first meeting him.

"Alright, now that we're all privy to said secret I do believe it's time to discuss the plan," said James as he set aside the game of exploding snap.

"The plan?" asked Remus.

"Well you didn't think we'd just let you handle this on your own did you?" smirked Sirius. Realization dawned on Remus's face.

"No! I could never- You could- I could- I could kill you or turn you! I would never allow-"

"Would you let us finish before getting your knickers in a twist?" snapped Evie. At seeing that she had all four boys' attention she continued, "Good. Now we understand that a bite to a human can cause fatality or lycanthropy. We're not morons. But while the three of us have been here over the holiday we've come up with a very clever-"

"We're going to become animagi!" beamed James. Evie turned a narrowed glare on him. "Sorry, couldn't help it." He grinned.

"And you wonder why Lily prefers Snivellus's company to yours," she muttered.

"Did she tell you that?"

"She didn't have to. You don't see her hexing him."

"Bloody right, that's my job."

"Oi!" cried Sirius, "The plan?'

"Right, sorry," said Evie sheepishly, "Anyways, like I was saying before Betty Blabbermouth over here interrupted, we're going to become animagi. This way you're bite wouldn't affect us and we'd be able to interact with you."

"I can't ask you to do something like that," said Remus.

"You don't have to, mate. We're doing this whether you're on board or not. Though it's preferable if you're on board," said Sirius.

"Yeah. We figure between the five of us we should be able to figure it out. And Evie's dad's got loads books on how to become an animagus in his library. We already checked," added James.

"Umm…What's an animagus?" asked Peter from his spot on the floor. They all regarded him for a moment, not sure if he was joking or not before Evie spoke up.

"An animagus, Pete, is a wizard or witch who can willingly turn into an animal. Like McGonagall."

"How she manages to be scary as a tabby cat is remarkable in itself," smirked James, "So you see, Remus, with your booksmarts, Evie's sharp wit, Sirius's attention to detail, Pete's sheer dumb luck, and my rugged brilliance and perfection we'll be well on our way in no time."

"I don't know how I can ever thank you enough," grinned Remus.

"Well, you can start by taking one of the bigger books and reading through it," smirked Evie, "That's a sure start."

They were called down soon after by James's mother. Joined by James and Evie's parents, the five friends counted down until they were greeted by the New Year. 1971 had come and gone. And so much had changed for them, things that they would not come to fully comprehend until years later.

For one, Peter Pettigrew was not Slytherin target practice anymore. Not with his friends around to protect him.

James Potter would begin to get outside of himself and occupy his time by thinking of more than just his needs.

Remus Lupin would struggle to set the greater of his inhibitions and worries aside. He would never be rejected or left alone by those who mattered most to him as he had worried for so long that he would be.

Sirius Black had not been marked by his name and written off as he had anticipated. The four beaming faces in his company meant the world to him and whether he knew it or not, one in particular meant more.

Evie Bloxum had started to grow as well. She would be faced with the tests and struggles of time. She would have to be more than her daddy's little girl, sheltered and forever looked after. Defining herself as more than a Bloxum, a Gryffindor, and an auror's daughter would be a feat in itself.

As the five of them laughed, drank butterbeer, and welcomed the new year to come, they welcomed in a whole new life.