I sprinted towards the entrance hall. Spotting her trademark red hair, I ran over to Lily and - after apologising profusely to an irked James - dragged her into an empty classroom.

"Harriet?" She said, confused. "What's wrong?" I understood her worry. There I was, soaked through to the bone, shivering, teeth chattering, mascara running down my face from both the rain and my tears. I looked like a total wreck.

"It's Remus," I gasped through my hiccups. "He...he asked me to James' party!" And then I broke down crying into her arms.

I was expecting showers of sympathy and profanities towards said boy, so I was shocked when a few seconds passed and Lily was still silently rubbing my back. I looked up through my tear-filled eyes. "Didn't you hear me?"

"Of course I did," she replied, "I just… why is that such a problem?"

I stood upright and stared back at her defiantly. "Why? Because….. I can't…. be around him!" What a pathetic excuse.

"What on earth do you mean? You've fancied him for Merlin knows how long, and now he asks you and –"

"I what?! Fancy him? That's completely absurd!" I spluttered, interrupting her ridiculous-but-quite-true notion. "That's not the reason! Remus is…. He's a werewolf." I sighed dejectedly. I wasn't meant to tell her that part, but let her go on thinking that I have feelings for him? I don't think so.

To my surprise, she glared at me. "I know he is, I'm not stupid. I worked it out in 5th year when he kept missing patrols at full moons."

I gaped at her. "You…. You did?"

"Yes, I did. And frankly, I'm disappointed with you! You never let prejudices like that get in the way before. I mean, I'm a muggleborn, Sirius is a Black, and Peter can't seem to speak in front of women, but that has never mattered to you! Why should the fact that Remus is a werewolf matter at all?"

And more gaping…

"Because…" Come on, find an excuse that doesn't make me sound like a heartless animal! "Because he's a monster!" Whoops…

Lily's face went completely red, and she exploded. "A monster?! How dare you! Remus has never been anything but nice to you, and you call him a monster just because maybe he turns into one once a month – and not even by choice! You're the monster!"

And with that she turned on her heel and caught up with James, who had been trying to eavesdrop just around I corner. I prayed that he hadn't heard too much. But then again, what did it matter? It's not like James would talk to me if I was in Lily's bad books – which I most certainly was.

And just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, Sirius Black came through the door, grabbed my arm and dragged me into a broom cupboard. Funny, I thought broom cupboards were only made for-

"Why the bloody hell is it a problem that Remus is a werewolf?"

Nope, we're definitely not here to snog.

Looks like James wasn't the only one eavesdropping.

I looked up at him, his stormy eyes full of fire and mine full of fear.

"Oh jeez, when did I ever say it was a problem?" I hissed back.

"Um, when you said he was a monster?! Besides, you've always been weird around him!"

"Well, I'm sorry for not wanting to associate with a blood thirsty animal!" Crappity crap crap crappy crap. I did NOT mean to say that.

Then, almost mirroring Lily's actions, he gave me daggers one last time and left, slamming the door in my distraught face.

Crap.

I slowly left the broom cupboard and made my way to the girl's bathroom, where I proceeded to lock myself in a cubicle, curl into a foetal position, and cry.

The problem was I really did like Remus. He was kind, considerate, funny, and great company. I would go as far to say that I really did fancy him. I'm just… selfish. I hurts too much to be around him, and if I told people why then I'm sure they'd understand. But if I told people why, then they'd probably hate me even more, too.

I slammed my hands down on the floor in frustration.

Ouch.

Why was this so bloody difficult? Why did I have to have the crazy werewolf serial-killer father? Why couldn't I be happy that the guy I fancied invited me to a great party? Why why why why why? And it's not like I could talk to anyone else about it. News of my bitchiness would surely have spread to the other marauders by now, and Lily certainly won't speak to me. There's Mary and Dorcas, but I've never been that close to them, so the sight of me now would probably be enough to send them running for the hills.

I had to tell them. Everything. That way, they would understand why I was always awkward around Remus. Perhaps they'd even feel sorry for me, you know, having to live with Fenrir Bloody Greyback for 6 years of my life. Besides, they were my friends. If they haven't judged Remus for being a werewolf, then they wouldn't judge me. There's more to me than just my father, and they ought to know that. Remus had the right to know that it was my father that ruined his life.

Well, when you put it that way, telling them sounded like a great idea.

Can you sense my sarcasm?