Chapter 4: Betrayed by Love

In the last two weeks before school started in before our fifth year, Remus invited James, Peter, and I to his house to meet his folks, and to show them how lucky he was to have such caring friends in us, despite being a werewolf. We didn't tell them we were trying to become Animagious in order to keep Remus company while he transformed; we didn't tell anybody that. Peter couldn't make it, but truthfully, no one really minded.

About a week before school started, along with our "Welcome back to Hogwarts" letters, a mysterious letter also arrived at the Lupins' home. As it was addressed to Remus, he was the one to read it out loud.

Dear Remus J. Lupin,

We here at Hogwarts are most honored to tell you we have made you a Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry prefect. Prefect requirements are listed on the next page.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts Headmaster

Minerva McGonagall, Hogwarts Deputy Headmistress

Before Remus could read any more of the letter, his mother leaped from her chair and gave her son a huge bear-hug. "Oh Reemy, I'm SO proud of you!" she cooed as Remus's face turned red. He hated when his mother called him "Reemy" in front of us. "Aren't you, Luke?" Remus's mother asked her husband.

"Absolutely." Said Luke without looking up from his newspaper.

Two weeks later, we were on board the Hogwarts Express. James and I found Peter and went to sit with him, while Remus went to the compartment where the prefects were supposed to meet. Not long after we left King's Cross Station, Remus came running into our compartment and slide into his usual spot beside me.

"Guess what?" Remus asked breathlessly. Without giving us a chance to guess he asked, "You remember Rosalie Winston, right?"

"Yeah, what about her?" asked James as I let out a groan.

"Of course we remember her." I said. "You talk about her almost as much as James talks about Lily Evans." Rosalie Winston was the very popular, blonde-haired, blue-eyed Ravenclaw Remus had fancied every since our second year.

"I almost never talk about Evans!" James protested.

"Oh yes, you do!" I argued. James mentioned something about Lily at least once a day, if not more. "Anyway, continue Remus."

"Well, she's a prefect for Ravenclaw!" Remus exclaimed. "And you know what else? She said she would like together sometime! With me!" Remus was beside himself with excitement.

"That's great, Remus!" I said, patting him on the back. Meanwhile, James didn't say a single word, but his eyes were full of jealousy. He must have asked Lily to go out with him a dozen times, and each time, she declined. I wondered if James would be jealous of me if I got a girlfriend, or at least was close to it. But, I already knew the answer was yes. However, I didn't have to worry about it, because almost all of the girls in school were attracted to me, yet I turned them all down. I didn't know why, but I wasn't attracted to any of them. I considered the fact that maybe I was homosexual, but that wasn't right, because I wasn't attracted to any of the boys either. James and Remus couldn't understand it all. Maybe I was a freak.

For the rest of train ride, I listened to Remus's plan on how he was going to ask Rosalie out. For once, James was quiet, hardly saying a word. He just stared out the window the entire way. Remus's plan sounded so good, I was sure he would succeed.

In early October, Dumbledore announced we would be taking a trip to Hogsmeade at the end of the month. So, during lunch that day, Remus suddenly got up from his spot at our table and went to where Rosalie and her many friends were sitting. As we watched him, we saw Remus say something to Rosalie. Her friends giggled, but Rosalie smiled, stood up, gave Remus a kiss on the check, and said something back. A huge grin appeared on Remus's face, and he came back to our table.

"She said she'd go to Hogsmeade with me! As my girlfriend!" Remus exclaimed.

At first, I was happy for Remus, but then I began to share James's jealousy. Remus began spending more and more time with Rosalie, and less time with us. It wasn't like Remus didn't want to hang out with us anymore. It was because every time he tried, Rosalie either started snogging him, or dragged him away. By February, James and I were fed up with this nonsense. We wanted our friend back.

It wasn't long before Rosalie asked James and me where Remus went every month. "I'm his girlfriend. I have a right to know." Rosalie insisted.

"Well, we know where he goes." James began. "But we can't tell you."

"And why not?" Rosalie demanded to know. "I bet you don't even know, and you're just lying to me."

"We're telling the truth!" said James. "It's just that, Remus told us not to tell you."

Anger formed in Rosalie's eyes. "Fine. I'll just find out myself." She said shortly and stormed off.

By this time, James, Peter, and I had finally managed to become Animagi, although we were not used to turning into animals yet, and we were sometimes careless. We would use James's invisibility cloak to go outside the castle, but as soon as we were outside, James threw his cloak off us and flung it over his back, making him look very strange.

We soon discovered we could communicate mentally when we were animals. When we kept Remus company, his quality of life improved. With us there, he was no longer lonely.

One February night, it was the first night of the full moon. We had only been there for less than five minutes, when Remus suddenly tensed.

What's wrong, Remus? James asked using only his mind to communicate.

I smell a human! Remus cried and rushed toward the entry way of the Whomping Willow.

No, Remus! I shouted and attacked him to prevent him from leaving his shelter, the only place where he and his secret would be safe. Soon, we were engaged in a battle between us, with Remus unable to control himself, and me trying to control him. Then, Remus began to howl.

Go tell whoever's out there to go get Dumbledore, and fast! I shouted to James and Peter. I'll keep Remus under control.

James disappeared from the Whomping Willow before I could even finish my sentence.

Remus and I struggled with each other for several more minutes, when suddenly, Remus lunged and bite me, leaving a deep gash on my shoulder. I yelped from the pain, which caused James to run back in.

What happened, Sirius? James gazed at my injured shoulder, then at Remus, who was snarling in a corner. Oh… Never mind, he said.

It's fine. Don't worry about it. I knew whoever was out there before was gone now, because Remus was calmed down slightly, although he still wasn't back to his normal senses.

Who was out there? I asked.

Rosalie Winston. James sighed. She followed us here.

Suddenly, Remus's eyes became softer, and he stopped snarling. He shook his head, as if he didn't remember anything. Then he saw the wound on my shoulder.

Sirius, I… I hurt you, he stammered.

It's no big deal, I replied.

Remus glared at me. Yes, it is! It's not safe for you anymore! You and James need to go.

Remus…

I said GO! And with that Remus ran around the corner and disappeared farther into the Whomping Willow. Reluctantly, James and I exited the tree. Once outside, we were joined by Peter.

As fast as we could, we headed for the castle. Once we were far enough away, we transformed back into our human forms. Shortly after, we saw an anxious looking Dumbledore and an angry looking Rosalie run out of the castle.

"Is everyone alright?" Asked Dumbledore.

"We almost had… an accident." James replied. "But we're fine."

Dumbledore wasn't convinced. "I need to see all of you in my office immediately. You too, Rosalie."

Several minutes later, all of were crowded into Dumbledore's office. "Will somebody please explain to me what happened out there?" Dumbledore asked.

"I will!" I said before Rosalie could say anything. "We were… uh… visiting Remus, when all of a sudden Remus… Remus sort of got out of control. I held him back, while James and Peter went outside to investigate. Apparently, Rosalie had followed us, and Remus was only reacting to her scent. It wasn't his fault, though, Dumbledore!" Suddenly I realized not only was Remus possibly in trouble, but James, Peter and I might have been too, for another reason.

Dumbledore only frowned, and turned to Rosalie. "What do you know about Remus Lupin, Ms. Winston? I just need you to tell me things he's never told you, things that you've figured out on your own."

"He's a werewolf!" Rosalie exclaimed. "He's too dangerous to be here! You should expel him at once!"

Dumbledore frowned again. "I will not expel Remus Lupin for being who he is. I was the one who let Remus into this school, and I intend to keep him here until he finishes his seventh year."

"You let a monster into Hogwarts?" Rosalie gasped. "How dare you! You should be removed from your position as Headmaster of Hogwarts and sent to Azkaban!"

"Remus is not a monster, and Dumbledore is the best Headmaster Hogwarts has ever had!" James blurted out, causing Rosalie to glare at him.

"Thank you, Mr. Potter." Said Dumbledore. "But I would advise you to keep quiet, until I question you. Is that understood?"

James nodded, so Dumbledore continued. "If Remus attacks anyone who is unaware of his secret, – so, not including yourself or his three closest companions here – then you may tell whoever you wish, causing Remus to be expelled and me to be fired."

Rosalie frowned. "What happens if I do tell someone, without Remus attacking anyone?" she asked.

"Then I will personally make sure your brother's secret will get out to the wizarding world. If not through me, then through one of my many accomplices."

Rosalie's face grew pale. Whatever her brother's secret was, she definitely did not want it getting out. "It's a deal." She whispered.

Suddenly a document with Dumbledore's signature on it appeared out of nowhere. "Sign here, then you may leave." He said to Rosalie, pointing to a line at the bottom of the page.

Rosalie signed the document, gave it back to Dumbledore, and then quickly fled from the room.

"Now boys, I'm curious to know how you manage to visit Remus without being attacked." Said Dumbledore.

"We… we learned how to become Animagious." I admitted.

"Very interesting." Said Dumbledore with a frown. "Only the most skillful wizards can accomplish this."

"Please, Professor." James begged. "We help Remus by keeping him company when he transforms. Do you think it's possible…" he trailed off.

Dumbledore sighed. "As long as there are no problems, I think it shouldn't be a problem. You may go."

With a sigh of relief, the three of us quickly hurried from the room.

When Remus returned, Rosalie wanted talk to him to him immediately. While he and Rosalie found a secluded place, Eugene was still in the common room, so James, Peter, and sat and waited for him.

Suddenly, our dorm room door flew open and banged against the wall. Remus stormed in, slammed the door behind him, and threw himself on his bed so he faced the wall.

"I HATE MY LIFE!" He yelled.

"What happened, Moony?" asked James softly, using Remus's new nickname.

"Rosalie broke up with me just because of what I am! You guys understand. Why can't she?" There was anger in Remus's every word.

We desperately tried to explain to Remus that Rosalie wasn't like us, and he deserved better. Eventually, Remus got over Rosalie. Later, Rosalie and her family moved to the States. Unfortunately, Remus has lost fate in ever finding love. He's never been in love, or has never even tried to find the right girl. I know love is possible for my friend, if he would just give it a chance.