The weeks that followed were dreadful. Lily and I were on a surname only basis and only spoke when absolutely necessary, and even then only one worded sentences. It was quite depressing.

The Marauders however, had become even closer. We spent most nights creeping around the castle under James' invisibility cloak and throwing things at . We even discovered some secret passage ways! Some were simply rooms, whilst other lead to places that we believe to have been undiscovered prior to our adventures!

The animagi process was going well. We were following the book strictly and much to our delight, we were only two chapters away from the chapter that we have been in anticipation of-the patronus charm! Apparently our corpeal patronus forms will be the shape that we shall become once we become animagi!

The first full moon came and went. I felt the usual pain, but it was nothing that I couldn't handle without James, Sirius and Peter. It was nothing compared to what my dad and Remus had to endure. The thoughts of becoming an animagus sustained me through that tough night.

The next morning, I shakily flopped down at the breakfast table and reached for a slice of toast. I hadn't even taken a bite out of it when a copy of the Daily Prophet landed in front of me along with a letter.

"Thanks, Athena!" I called after the owl.

Munching on my toast, I unfolded the newspaper and almost dropped it as the bold headline dominating the front page hit me like a slap on the face.

ATTACKS CONTINUING: MINISTRY BAFFLED BY MUGGLEBORN MURDERS

I couldn't help glancing over at Lily, who looked suspiciously quiet that morning. What if something happened to her and we hadn't made up? I'd never forgive myself. But then again, this argument was only partly my fault. She had said some extremely nasty things. Not to mention that my stubborn pride won't allow me to be the one to back down first.

I continued reading the article. The murderers had slaughtered a ten year old boy and his muggle parents because they had seen him perform magic. Neither he nor his parents had even known about our world. He hadn't even gotten his chance to be at Hogwarts.

"Moony! Have you seen this?" I asked him as he flopped down beside me. Poor Remus looked terrible. He was only capable of walking once he had someone to lean on (Sirius was his current crutch). His left arm and leg were heavily bandaged where he had bitten out chunks of his own flesh. Madame Pomfrey had mended hid two broken ribs although he still winced as he moved and his black eye was disguised under a glamour charm. There was no covering the black circles beneath his worried eyes. He frowned and shook his head so I shoved the paper under his nose. His eyes darted over the page so fast that they were a blur and he paled noticeably.

"That's barbaric!" He spat angrily, "How could they do that? Who did it?"

"I don't think that they caught them, or even know who did it. It doesn't mention any names or trials in the article, anyway", I answered as James and Sirius (closely followed by Peter) joined us.

"Have you seen the Daily Prophet?" James asked.

"Yeah, James does your dad know anything?" Remus enquired seriously.

"Well if he does, he can't tell me, but I don't think so!" James replied. Sirius swore angrily.

"What are the odds that my family have something to do with this", Sirius seethed, "It's always pureblood this and purebloods that, and 'muggles are scum and should all me hung'. My own relations make me sick!"

"Hey, Sirius, it's ok. We know that you're nothing like the Black family. The only thing that you inherited from them are your dashing looks, alright?" I told him.

"Thanks Ams, but y'know it still sulks being me sometimes. Whenever I'm at home, I'm referred to as the 'blood traitor'."

James looked aghast.

"Hey mate, you never told us that before!" He exclaimed, patting Sirius on the back.

"There was no point, what can you do about it?" Sirius muttered. I felt my heart go out to him.

"We're Marauders", Remus began.

"We have no secrets", I added.

"At least not from each other!" Peter finished proudly.

As we laughed I remembered that I had a letter from that morning and I pulled it from my pocket (where it had been stuffed into). I unfolded it and read it.

Amy,

I am writing to you from St. Mungo's. Your father seriously injured himself last night during the transformation. He lost an awful lot of blood and I was unable to heal his injuries sufficiently so I brought him to St. Mungo's. He will undergo some intensive surgery tomorrow morning. Darling, it doesn't look good and his condition is deteriorating rapidly. He simply doesn't have the strength left to fight.

I sent a letter to Professor Dumbledore and he has agreed to allow you to floo to the hospital at midday. Be prepared, and don't be frightened by what you see. I will be waiting for you by the lift.

Love,

Mum

The letter slipped through my fingers and my blood ran cold. I couldn't lose my dad. My dad was my idol. 'It doesn't look good' what in the name of Merlin does that mean? It couldn't be happening. No, my dad is strong and this is a letter meant for some other girl with a werewolf father and silly Athena took it to me by accident.

My legs suddenly couldn't support my weight but a pair of strong arms caught me before I came into contact with the floor. I looked up into a pair of warm chocolate eyes.

"Amy, what's wrong?" He whispered concernedly. James, Sirius and Peter scooted over as Remus pulled me onto the bench beside him.

"It's-it's my d-dad." I choked as tears welled in my eyes. "He-he h-hurt himself b-badly and he's in St. Mungo's. I h-have to v-visit him. Before it's-it's too l-late." The tears began streaming down my cheeks and I sobbed loudly. They comforted me as well as they could, and offered to accompany me on the visit. I gladly accepted and we waited in solemn silence for the clock to strike twelve.