"How you feeling?" Sirius dropped down onto the bed beside Remus, who folded up his copy of the Daily Prophet. He looked better than they had ever seen him, with only a few cuts and bruises and a small bandage over his nose. He smiled at them and James almost died of shock.

"I feel fine." He replied, as James picked up a chocolate frog and began to unwrap it. "Better than I've felt after previous… Nights."

"Oh shit!" James cried as the frog leapt away from him. "PETER, GRAB IT!"

Peter was slow to move , toppling over the small medi-cart and falling to the floor, making a desperate grab for the enchanted chocolate. It slid from his hands and bounded into Madam Pomfrey's apron. She looked at them with anger and disgust, before shaking her head sadly, knowing that they wouldn't listen to her even if she tried.

Peter grinned foolishly as she handed the chocolate frog over and marched away from the beds. The four boys watched, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Has Sarah come to see you?" James asked.

"No." Remus replied. "Why would she? She doesn't need to know I'm here."

"Are you just going to keep lying to her?" Sirius asked. "Are you ever just going to tell her the truth?"

"Oh, she knows the truth." Remus replied. "I just don't think she understands the implications."

"How many implications can there be?" Peter said.

"Obviously you've never dated a werewolf," James joked. "If you're going to dump her again, hurry up and make it quick so you can get back together. And you'll keep doing that until you realise she's perfect for you."

"In the same way I am for food." Sirius suggested. "Or Pete is for bachelorism, or James with-"

"Lily." James said simply.

"Yeah, in your dreams," Sirius replied.

"Thanks mate."

"That's what I am here for." Sirius replied.

James rolled his eyes and turned back to Remus. "So, same thing again next full moon? I think by this time we should be ready to get out into Hogsmede."

"Hogsmede?" Remus looked up.

"Well… Yeah." Sirius replied. "What's the point in having us all transform if we can't have a little fun too?"

"Oh… I don't know." Remus replied.

"What's the worst that could happen?"

"We could kill someone." Remus replied. "Or get spotted. Or…"

"Or nothing could happen and we'd have the adventure of a lifetime." James said. "Remus, you worry too much."

"I worry just the right amount thank you," Remus said. "Since you three don't think about the consequences of your actions."

"What could possibly go wrong?" James said. "I haven't done anything to offend anyone…. Today…"

"My point has been made." Remus said.

"I said it once and I'll probably say it the rest of my life," James said. "You worry too much. Padfoot, I feel a trip to Hogsmede is appropriate to celebrate our success last night."

"Enjoy yourselves," Remus said, unfolding his newspaper and leaning back into his pillows.

"We'll bring you back something nice," Sirius said.

"Okay, go, before I start throwing things at you," Remus warned.

"We're gone," James said, pulling Sirius and Peter away.

….

"I'm half and half." Said a first year, dipping his toes into the lake, spreading out on the cold grass. "Mum's a muggle. Dad's not. She left after she found out. It's not a problem. I just imagine sometimes that she's out there somewhere and wonder if she misses me at all."

"I'm sure she does," Remus replied. He sat next to the young Gryffindor as the sun set in the distance.

"I don't think so." The first year replied, pulling at the grass, which regrew in a heartbeat. "I don't think she really loved my dad. Not really."

"Maybe not your dad," Remus said. "People fall in and out of love all the time. But you… There's something stronger there. Maybe you don't see it yet."

"Remus," The boy looked over at the prefect. "I'm worried that she's dead."

Remus stared at the dark sky. "Rory," He said calmly. "I firmly believe, that your mother is out there, somewhere. And I'm sure she misses you greatly."

"How can you be sure?" Rory asked.

"I… Just am." Remus replied, smiling slightly. He checked his watch. "Okay, it's time you went back to class. Breaks over."

Rory pulled on his shoes before standing up. "Can I come to you if I need to talk to someone?" He asked timidly.

Remus smiled. "Of course you can." Without expecting it, Rory grabbed Remus around the waist and hugged tightly. It gave Remus quite a shock, but he hugged back.

"Thank you." Rory said shyly before running off to his class. Remus sighed and looked out at the water.

"Catching up on all the gossip?" drawled a voice. Remus turned and saw MacNair, one of the crueller students standing with arms folded and his wand sticking out from the folds of his robes. Remus felt a lump rise to his throat.

"Leave me be, MacNair," He said, keeping his voice steady.

"I'd rather not," MacNair replied, pulling out his wand and twisting it between his fingers. "We want to send Potter a message."

"Well send him an owl." Remus snapped. "I'm not a personal delivery service."

"Maybe I should have made myself a bit clearer." MacNair said, smiling. Remus flew for his wand but MacNair disarmed him in a second, his wand flying through the air and landing on the bank next to the lake. "It's brave to try and fight me, but foolish. But most Gryffindors are… Aren't you? Idiotic, charging into things head first, not stopping to think."

"Well, obviously you don't know that the sorting hat seriously considered putting me into Ravenclaw," Remus retorted

"I highly doubt that," MacNair said. He raised his wand.

"STUPEFY!" James bellowed and MacNair went flying through the air. Sirius kicked the Slytherin's wand away.

Remus let out a shaky breath. "You came just in time," he muttered looking around at his friends.

"What's he trying to curse you for anyway?" Peter said, retrieving Remus' wand and giving it to him.

"A message," Remus replied. "For you Prongs,"

"For me?" James asked, stowing his wand back into his robes. "What have I done this time?"

"I don't know." Remus said. "But he seemed pissed with you."

"Would it be because you told him that his mother was an ugly warthog who shagged an elephant, then gave birth to him?" Sirius asked.

James smiled for a moment. "Oh yeah." He stopped. "You alright?"

"I'll survive the mental torture I just went through," Remus replied sarcastically. He looked at their faces. "Oh dear. What's happened?"

Sirius sighed and pulled a copy of the Evening Prophet from his robes. It was folded at a page, where the minister of Magic and Mad-Eye Moody stood, looking solemn with camera flashes going off in their eyes. Sirius handed it to Remus.

Death Eaters claim more Ministry Officials.
Today at 1:31pm, Minister of Magic, Perceval Gawain, and head auror, Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, called a press conference to announce that the group of witches and wizards taken from their homes earlier this month were in fact, Ministry Officials.
Among the list were none other than young Auror Ariyamna Kane and husband Vidal Kane, who works as a photographer for the Daily Prophet.
It is not yet known if they are dead or alive. The Ministry is hoping for their safe return since they have left a daughter, who is currently residing with their Grandmother June Kane.
Mad-Eye made a statement regarding the missing persons inquiry.
"It's none of the newspaper's business, information is leaked everywhere and everyone is a suspect," He said gruffly before being nudged by the Minister. He repealed his words and added: "That in mind, we have several suspects we are hunting down and advise all those who know anything to come forward with information about Rodolphus Lestrange, Gulliver Jones, Levia Bearnish and Devlin Spheer.
I also urge caution, do not approach these individuals, they are dangerous and extremely powerful followers of He-who-must-not be named. Send word to the ministry as soon as possible and stay out of any further action that may be taken."

"Shit." Remus muttered. James was unnaturally silent. "Isn't Lestrange-"

"My cousin-in-law?" Sirius asked. "Thanks for reminding me that I'm related to those bastards."

"What can we do?" Peter squeaked.

"Nothing we can do," Remus replied. "We're still in school, we don't have proper training, we don't know where on earth they could be." He looked up and saw James' expression. "James, we can't, I'm sorry mate, but it's a fool's errand. It's best to let the Aurors do it. They know their job, they are better equipped for this sort of stuff."

James' jaw tightened, but he nodded stiffly.

"What about their daughter?" Sirius asked. "Do we even know her name?"

"Arabella," James supplied, taking off his glasses. "Arabella Louise Kane."

They stood in silence for a moment.

"We have to do something," Sirius said.

"No, Remus is right, we can't. We're just fifteen. We can't go charging head first into something that we have no idea about." James sighed, putting on his glasses and looking out against the water. "Aren't you going to use your prefect powers to take points off of him?"

They turned to look at the unconscious MacNair. Remus shrugged. "Sure. Ten points from Slytherin."

"I think you like having that power," Sirius said, draping his arms around James and Peter as they started making their way back to the castle, just as MacNair was stirring. "Does it make you feel big? Compensating for something?"

Remus laughed. "Sirius, you've seen me starkers, do you really think I'm compensating for something."

Sirius took a moment. "No. I guess not."

"I do," James laughed.

"Oh grow up," Remus rolled his eyes. "You're such children."

"I like to think so." Sirius said. "What's the point in growing up? Never saw the use of it really. Oh, bloody hell." They looked around to see Lily storming her way towards them, a furious look on her face. Snape was behind her.

"Evans'." James said. "What may we do for you this fine day?"

"Shut the hell up Potter, I don't want to hear it." Lily snapped. "Sirius Orion Black, you are a disgraceful, pitiful, ugly earthworm!"

"You're just listing my good points sweetheart," Sirius winked, his arms dropping to his side.

Lily looked thunderous. "HOW DARE YOU TREAT MARY THAT WAY?"

"It was pretty easy actually," Sirius shrugged. "Especially when she's as mad as a hatter."

"YOU ARE A PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN BEING!"

"Evans'!" Sirius barked sharply. "Whose side have you heard? Hers and only hers. If you want to yell at me, at least make it on an informed judgement, rather than a one-sided argument."

"Lying to her about where you are? Spending more time with your friends rather than her?" Lily asked.

"Well, yes, since I've known these twats longer, I think it would be unfair of me to ditch these guys whilst I hang around with Mary all the time." Sirius replied. "Lily, we fight all the time. Soon as you know, we'll be back together again, yelling and screaming at each other just the same as ever. Now, if Mary was unhappy, truly unhappy, why doesn't she just end it? Why does she keep coming back? I hardly care if I remain in a relationship or not."

Lily handed him over a small piece of parchment. He unfurled it and read the two words scrawled across in Mary's perfect penmanship. His cheeks flushed with fury as he looked up at me.

"Oh, that's low." He said. "Argue with me then present me with this? Lily Evans', everybody may like you, but I certainly don't."

Lily stared at him, her hands shaking into tightly clenched fists. Sirius passed the note to James who read it carefully. "It's over." It read. James looked up.

"Evans'," He said calmly. "Being here is doing nothing for your health. Go. Before I start hexing Snivellus."

"You wouldn't dare in front of two prefects." Lily spat.

"Fine. I won't hex him if you go out with me." James said.

"I would rather go out with a warthog than go out with you!"

"Here that, Snivellus? You might have a chance!" Sirius said.

"Do want a smack?" Lily asked. "Do you honestly think that bullying makes you the better person?"

"No," Sirius said. "Just some maggots need to be put in their place."

Lily stared at him before grabbing Snape's arm and yanking him away. James handed the note to Remus who then showed it to Peter.

"Man that's harsh." Peter said.

"Meh," Sirius shrugged, crumpling it up and throwing it into the lake. "We'll be back together in less than a month."

"It sounds serious this time." James said.

"I don't really mind," Sirius said. "I have my best friends, and that's all I really need."

"So, Moony," James looked over. "You're the only one who's actually committed. Or is your relationship failing too?"

"Har har," Remus replied sarcastically. "I'm not talking about Sarah with you guys."

"Aw." James pouted. "Was looking forward to some serious gossip."

Remus rolled his eyes and together they moved back to the school.