Joyce bit her lip as she walked over the Hogwarts grounds. An idea had recently appeared in her mind, and she wanted it to happen.

She wanted to spend the next full moon with James, Sirius, Peter, and, more importantly, Remus.

She knew, since her first year, that eventually, she'd fall in love with the tall, handsome, scarred boy. She knew that someday, he'd become something more than her brother's friend to her. And even if he didn't feel the same way about her, she'd do anything to help him.

Joyce sighed. What would Remus say? What would his answer to "I want to spend the full moon with you" be?

Joyce already knew. It'd probably be no, she thought.

And she was right.

.oO0Oo.

"Remus! Remus, wait!" she hissed, following the Gryffindor Prefect. Remus sighed.

"No, Joyce. I won't let you stay with me during the full moon. Not this month, nor the next, nor any month ever," he said, turning on the spot and staring her down.

"But-"

"Joyce, stop," he growled, dragging his fingers through his honey hair - a bad habit he'd taken from James in their third, maybe their fourth year. "It's no use asking over and over again."

Joyce frowned, shoving a finger into his chest - which, admittedly, was stronger and harder than it looked. Remus took a step back, worried, almost scared by the glare she was giving him. He wasn't used to her looking like that. Don't blame him for being scared.

"Well, Remus," she said. "Look here: I knew something was up with you the moment I met you in our first year; I wanted to help but didn't know how. Now that I do know, I want to do anything in my power to help, and you won't let me. I want to be your friend, Remus."

"You are, Joyce," said Remus with a groan.

"Not the kind I'd want to be, Remus. What kind of friend lets you suffer every month without doing anything?"

"The kind I won't let get hurt on my watch, probably by my hand - or in this case, paw," he added with a sad smirk.

"But it doesn't have to be your watch!" said Joyce, huffing. She knew she was losing.

"When it comes to you, Joyce, it is always my watch," said Remus, before striding away, leaving Joyce to deal with her anger and raging female hormones.