Strewn around the Gryffindor coffee table in front of the fire were hundreds of leaflets that were aimed at O.W.L and N.E.W.T students. Among them were a few pamphlets aimed towards the second years about their choices of subjects next year. James, Sirius, Remus and Peter had received their subject choice papers just that morning and were spending their Sunday quietly deliberating which of the many they should take. Sirius was leaning back on his favourite armchair reading over the subjects and a leaflet out on his lap showing what he could learn. Of course there were the standard subjects such as Transfiguration, Potions, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Herebology and Astronomy but now they had to choose what else they wanted to learn. James scoffed angrily at Care of Magical Creatures but incredibly thought that divination was a good one to take. He sighed looking over at his friends.

"What did you put, Pete?" He asked.

Peter looked up. "I haven't picked yet." He grumbled.

"Moony?" James asked.

Remus looked up as he poured over some notes that he was making. "Divination, Ancient Runes and Arithmancy," He said.

"Yeesh," Sirius said. "I thought we could only take two."

"Yes," Remus replied. "But I've asked McGonagall if I can drop Herebology, because let's face it I'm pathetic at it."

Sirius leaned back frowning slightly at his first choice. "Divination seems like a very... Woolly subject if you ask me." He said. "I'm not entirely sure I'd be happy with it."

"No," Remus admitted. "Neither I, but I have heard that Professor Sanctus is a genius seer and has predicted everything correctly. It is good to keep the mind open,"

James scored out the box and sighed. "What does the leaflet say about... Er..." He checked his sheet. "Muggle Studies?"

Sirius pulled the leaflet over. "Muggle studies? Are you serious?"

"What? I might be pleasantly surprised and find them fascinating," James shrugged. "Come on, what does it say?"

Sirius sighed. "'Muggle Studies provides a comprehensive learning experience on muggle behaviour including the economic, political and economic systems. In the subject we learn how muggles interact with each other, important aspects of their world', yadda yadda yadda, James, you really want to take this subject?"

"No," He laughed.

"Can I?" Remus asked holding out his hand for the leaflet. Sirius nodded and gave it to him as he ripped open a chocolate frog that he had taken from Gideon the evening previously. Remus frowned, reading it before pulling over his subject choice form and scoring out Arithmancy and ticking the box labelled Muggle Studies.

James looked on curious. "Why'd you do that?" He asked.

Remus looked up from his crossed legged position on the rug. He smiled calmly. "It's fine, it's in case I can't get a job in the wizarding world. At least I'd be able to support myself in the muggle world."

"Why on earth would anyone refuse you a job in the wizard world?" Sirius asked. "You're smarter than any kid I know." James coughed. Sirius looked around. "And yes, I'm including you." He said. "Don't think you get special privileges."

Remus said nothing as he folded the leaflet up and put it on the table. James leaned forward. "Oh, it's cause of... Your... Furry... Little... Er... Problem..."

Remus let out a laugh. "My furry little what?" He asked. "James, you are the most insane person I have ever had the misfortune to meet."

James struck a pose and Sirius slammed one of the cushions onto his chest. James let out an exaggerated groan and flopped to his side. "YOU BABY I DIDN'T EVEN HIT YOU THAT HARD!" Sirius cried.

"Urgh!" James moaned. "I'm hurt! Evans' quick! Give me mouth to mouth!"

"In your dreams Potter," Lily said from the table behind them where she sat with her friends.

"Okay," James closed his eyes and made a sucking noise. Sirius took the opportunity to snatch James' glasses from his face. He leapt up and threw them to Peter who hid them under his robes. James jumped up and looked around wildly.

"Where have they gone?" He asked tripping over Remus and landing face first on the carpet. The whole common room erupted into applause and laughter. Instead of James getting embarrassed he leapt up and gave a bow. "Thank you ladies and gentlemen, now if you'd like to pay five galleons each for the show that you have just witnessed and enjoyed."

The common room began to quieten down. James hit Remus on the head accidently as he fumbled around the armchair looking for his glasses. "Sorry," He muttered. He stopped. "Wait? Do you have them?"

"No," Remus said flatly.

"Where the bloody hell are they then?" James asked. Peter slipped them silently to Remus as James fumbled his way towards him. Remus waited patiently before using his wand to levitate the glasses and slip them into James' robes. James frowning angrily sat down only to hear a loud crunch coming from his pocket. He let out a loud grown and pulled the broken glasses from his pocket.

"Damn," He muttered, pulling out his own wand and tapping it. "Reparo."

The glasses flew back into place. James slipped them onto his nose and wriggled it. He shrugged. "They'll do."

"So are you almost completely blind without your glasses?" Sirius asked, sitting back down.

"Yep," James said. He sighed and looked back down at Remus. "I'm pretty sure we were having a serious conversation before the manic stuff."

"We were," Remus replied.

"Okay..." Sirius pulled forward his sheet. "Evans' what are you taking?" He called.

"What is it to you Black?" Lily asked.

"Well, if you and Potter here are taking the same subject I don't want to be in the class for three very specific reasons." Sirius said. "All of them involve James."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Ancient Runes and Care of Magical creatures."

James grinned. "I think I know what I'm taking now." He said happily. He ticked a few more boxes before looking back at Remus. "So why can't you get a job in the wizarding world?"

Remus let out a haughty laugh. "You saw the way that Professor Elgard treated me last year." He said. "That was tame compared to the stuff outside Hogwarts waiting for me." He shook his head. "It doesn't matter anyway." He said. "I'll just get a job in the muggle world."

"Where you can't do magic?" Sirius asked. "That just sucks!"

"No, I'll still be able to do magic." Remus replied. "It just won't be as much fun." He smiled looking over at their dower faces. "Oh come on guys, cheer up! Don't worry about me."

James and Sirius shared a look. Sirius cleared his throat. "Alright, Pete, what have you taken?"

"Divination and care of magical creatures," Peter replied.

"What the hell are you expecting to do when you get out of Hogwarts?" James asked.

Peter shrugged. "Dunno yet. What about you?"

"I would say Auror," James said. "But it seems cliché that every single person that goes through Gryffindor becomes a dark Wizard catcher. If the war is still present, then okay I'll become one, but if not I'd love to be a professional Quidditch player or write for the prophet about it. Sirius?"

"Oh I dunno," Sirius said. "I think it's too bloody early to think about it! How can they expect 12 year olds-" Remus coughed. "Sorry, 13 year olds, to choose what they want to do with the rest of their lives?"

"I don't think we need to choose right now," Remus said lightly. "I think they just expect us to have a general idea, or interest in a particular path."

"In that case," Sirius said standing up. "I want to be Minster of Magic!"

"Not bigheaded at all are we?" James said.

"Nope, because I'm bloody brilliant." Sirius said. "I'm allowed to be."

"Sit your arse down," James said. "You're not going to be minister of magic, knowing you and your pranks, you'll end up on the run from the ministry,"

"Thanks man, so much faith in me!" Sirius said. "Moony?"

Remus looked up. "Yes?"

"Without your furry little problem, what is the general idea career wise?" Sirius asked.

Remus pretended to ponder for a moment. "I think... Enormous stick in the mud would sum it up nicely." He laughed.

"Aww." James said. "Bless. Seriously though."

Remus frowned. "In all seriousness, a teacher. Or... I dunno... A writer."

"You could do that," said Sirius. "Be an enormous stick in the mud I mean,"

Remus laughed. "Thanks Sirius," He said.

James was thinking. He leaned forward and frowned. He pursed his lips carefully. "Remus, can I ask you something?"

"I thought you just did." Remus replied mildly.

"Don't play smart," said James. "Can I ask about your sister? Emily."

Remus went still. Peter and Sirius turned to look at him. Remus gave a shaky exhale before slamming his book shut and running off to the dormitory. Sirius and James stared after him. James looked down at the fire, sighing.

"That boy is just one enigma after the other." He said. Sirius nodded.

"I'll go and..." Sirius got up he didn't complete his sentence as he ran off after his friend. James and Peter remained in the common room.

"Shouldn't we go after him?" Peter asked.

James shook his head. "If Sirius gets Moony to open up it'll be a bloody miracle."

...

Remus got into the dormitory ripping off his tie and kicking his trunk under his bed. He stopped and looked at the mirror at the far side of the room. Letting out a hollow sigh he fell down onto his bed, wishing silently that he could fall asleep easily. He closed his eyes as he heard someone enter.

"Moony?" came Sirius' voice.

"Go away," Remus said.

"No," Sirius replied. "I'm not going to do that."

"I don't want to talk to you," Remus snapped.

"Then don't talk." Sirius said. "I'll just speak constantly. What kind of bread do you like?"

Remus rolled over, not looking at his friend. Sirius sat on the bed and noticed the moving photograph that Remus kept on his bedside cabinet. Sirius picked it up staring at the dark haired girl with bright green eyes. "Is this Emily?"

Remus let out a grunt.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "I'll sing!" He threatened.

"Yes," Remus said stiffly. "That's Emily. Don't sing."

Sirius put the photo back down on the bed covers. "Remus, I'm sick of this. You keep hiding things from us. What could be worse than the furry little problem? I thought that was the only thing that destroyed your life, even though James seems to think it's the coolest thing since... er... What's the phrase Muggles use? Sliced bread?"

Remus again said nothing. Sirius let out a theatrical sigh and lay down on the bed beside his friend. "You think I'm joking when I say I'll sing," He said. He cleared his throat and gave a ghastly warble. He coughed. "Sunshine, you are my sunshine... You make me happy, when skies are grey, they'll never know dear how much-"

Remus sat up, still looking away. "What do you want to know?" He asked.

"Wow, I must really suck at singing," said Sirius. "Tell me about Emily,"

Remus remained silent for a second then he licked his lips. "Emily lives at St. Mungos. In the long-tem ward."

"Why?" Sirius asked.

Remus let out a sigh before getting up and moving around the dormitory. Sirius sat up, shifting the pillows until he was comfortable. He put his hands behind his head and crossed his legs.

"Because," Remus said. "I put her there."

"Jeez, you really are just one enigma after another," Sirius said. "Why?"

"I don't ask you to share all your family's secrets," Remus defended himself.

Sirius shook his head. "My family's secrets are more boring than Snivellus' underwear. Trust me, if I were to tell you, you would fall asleep. Come on, tell me what happened."

Remus shook his head. "Do you remember I told you about my first transformation?" He asked.

Sirius frowned slightly. "Yeah, you were six years old, right?"

"Yes, Emily was 4 years old," Remus said. "Innocent... My parents... They used to use the old basement under my house, and they bolted it up so that I wouldn't escape." He kicked his trunk again. "It was so stupid." He muttered. "Emily, wanted to know what happened to me once a month so she sneaked into the basement during one of my transformations. I didn't realise until... Until it started. She got so scared. Dad was able to get her out before something... Something terrible really did happen. She could never look at me again without seeing the monster. She would wake at night screaming, she couldn't even look at me. She hated me. It changed her... She... She got a hold of father's wand and was going to use it on me, try and kill me, though she did not know how, she just knew she had to try. She was admitted for madness before her fifth birthday."

Sirius sat up. "Sorry," He said. "But it's not your fault."

Remus shook his head. "Just get out."

Sirius nodded. "Of course," He got up. "Remus," He said. His friend didn't look around. "Never mind." He put the picture on the dresser before walking out of the dormitory and back down to his friends. James looked up.

"Well?" he asked.

Sirius shook his head. "That boy is a closed book. Nothing for the entire time I was there. God he can throw a strop."

...

Before they knew it their second year was over as quickly as it started. Their exams were wrapped up swiftly with James and Sirius coming out top of each of their classes. They had managed to successfully beat Hufflepuff in Quidditch but had lost by a margin of ten points to Ravenclaw. They expected Torus to go absolutely insane at them but it never came to pass. Instead he had become more infatuated (if possible) with his girlfriend Jenn.

"LAZARUS FUCKING TORUS!" Gideon bellowed. "YOU MADE ME FAIL MY CLASSES BECAUSE YOU PULLED ME OUT FOR RIDICULOUS PEP TALKS AND YOU DON'T EVEN CARE ANYMORE THAT WE LOST TO RAVENCLAW! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!"

Torus merely laughed. "I don't care," He said placidly. "I really couldn't, I'm gone! Ha! Good luck without my expert advice you idiots!"

Jenn turned to give them all a wink as they boarded the train for the last time, she whispered over to them, "I slipped a little something into his pumpkin juice," James, Sirius, Remus and Peter laughed easily as they boarded too. James grinned happily over at Sirius. "Dad says you can come to the Potter mansion during the holidays," He said. "You know after the wedding of Black and Lestrange."

"Urgh," Sirius said, sitting down near the window. "Let's not discuss that." From outside they could see Lily and Snape talking quietly. James did not sit down.

"You know," He said. "I feel that I haven't met my quota on hexing Snape this year."

"Potter, you spent half of your bloody life in detention for it," Sirius said. "Need I remind you of this?"

"Not as much as you spent in detention." James replied.

"Now you're having contests about who had more detention?" Remus asked, raising an eyebrow. "Boys, I hate to say this, but the joke is wearing thin,"

James stuck out his tongue and Remus frowned. "Mature, James." He said. "Sit down."

James didn't move.

"Oi!" Sirius said. "Sit down! I'm sure he'll be here next year unless his mother decides to ship him off to Durmstrang!"

"That would be a welcomed relief." Peter said.

"Too right it would," Sirius said. "Potter, sit down!"

James obliged stowing his wand back into his pocket and sitting down. "I just don't understand what she sees in that slimy good for nothing waste of space."

"They've been friends since before Hogwarts," Remus said looking out the window.

"Are you supporting him?" Sirius asked.

Remus smiled. "No, I'm just making a statement of fact. They have been, I am assuming that he told her all about Hogwarts and that's why they're so close."

"Well..." James pouted. "Can't she see that he's into all that... Dark Magic?"

"I think she overlooks it because he is so kind to her." Remus replied.

"Well, that's just stupid," Sirius said.

"You do it with me."

"That's different." James replied.

"How so?" Remus asked.

"It just is," James said, pulling out a packet of exploding snap. "Pete, Sirius, fancy a game?"

Remus hid behind his book.

After the fourth game and the fifth time that the cards had exploded in Sirius' face there was a gentle tapping at the carriage window. The four boys all looked up to see a tawny owl flying alongside the train. Sirius stood up and opened the window, letting the bird fly in and set itself down on James' lap with a letter strapped to its foot. James pulled it off and ripped it open.

"I wonder who could be writing to you," Remus said, leaning forward.

"Ditto here, Moony," James muttered, pulling apart the neatly folded up letter almost ripping it with his eagerness. He stopped read it silently first then opened his mouth to read it out to his friends.

James and Sirius
I needed to write to you quickly before you set off on your train journey home, I just hope this owl reaches you in time.
The ministry has come to learn that Hogwarts isn't safe anymore. Only a few individuals are aware, and we are not allowed to say anything in case of mass panic spreading throughout the country. We are to believe that a werewolf has infiltrated Hogwarts walls, working for He-who-Must-not-be-named under the pretence of a student. We are unsure at this present time which one though. Of course the minister is likely to involve himself.
I also need to discourage you from getting permission to visit Hogsmede, the village is becoming more dangerous by the second. Disappearances, memory loss, unexplained deaths and injuries are beginning to spread
I have tried talking to your father, James, but he seems to be uninterested that there is such a wild animal in school that Dumbledore allowed into the castle. There are consistent rumours that he too is a death eater.
I advice you now, do not put yourselves in danger,
Lots of Love
Ariyamna.

James looked up, before tearing the letter to shreds angrily. "Who knew..." He said under his breath. "That she could..." He tore the letter up again. "Spurt the biggest... Amount... Of... Bullshit... EVER...Created..."

"It's not so unusual," Sirius said. "Everyone is watching their backs nowadays,"

"Yeah, but to accuse Dumbledore of being a Dark Wizard!" James said. "It's a crime in itself!"

"I know mate." Sirius said. "Moony? You alright?"

Remus waved his hand. "I get it all the time," He said patiently."It makes no difference to me."

"Sorry, Remus," James said. "I didn't she was so... What's the word? Conservative? I thought that with her dragon boots and lime green robes she would be a little bit more liberal and carefree."

"Just for the record," Sirius said. "You aren't a death eater by chance?"

Remus let out a laugh. "As if!" He said. "Weren't you playing cards?"

A/N I have got to stop going on the computer when I have revision to do... Oops... Oh well, if I fail I fail. I'll just work at Olivanders at least I know about wand making :D