A/N- I'm back! Sorry for the long wait. I had a lot of stuff to do and had zero motivation. But then I found a delightful new ff and got back my mojo! So yay!

Here's a slight recap of the previous chapter for those who feel lost at the moment.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

"Sirius? Are you okay?" she asked, looking at his wounds frantically. His breathing was heavy and, soon, he had transformed back into human form. A series of gashes and wounds were littered all over him, but his eyes glistened with anger.

"Didn't I tell you to stay inside?" he spat out, coughing slightly as the wounds dug into him.

"I couldn't stay there and watch you get ripped to shreds," she said, her own voice shaking with emotion.

"You don't understand anything. You should have stayed inside," he muttered, trying to get to his feet. Dany placed her arm around him, giving him some much needed support.

"You need treatment," she whispered, softly touching the large gash on his cheek.

"I need you to get back inside. Please," his tone was pleading as his strength continued to decrease with every given minute.

Another howl pierced through the air. Dany and Sirius turned towards the direction of the howl, only to see the werewolf bounding towards them. The combination of Sirius' weight, the pace of the incoming beast, and Dany's strained nerves caused her to lose balance and drop her wand onto the ground.

It was in that moment that Dany understood the power of fear, as she stood rooted to the spot, waiting for a werewolf to pounce on her and Sirius.

"Impedimenta!" A jet of light struck the werewolf from one side, knocking it off its feet. Dany was only able to catch one glimpse of the caster before darkness engulfed her and she lost consciousness.

The hospital wing. Why was she in the hospital wing? The Shrieking Shack… The werewolf… Sirius…

"Lily?" Her hoarse voice jarred through the silence. Lily had been the one to cast the spell before she had lost consciousness.

"Dany? Oh thank god you're awake!" The red head walked over to her bed quickly.

"What happened? I-I'm so confused."

"Understandably," said Lily with a sad smile. "It's a long story. Think you're up to hearing it now."

It all seemed incredible. Remus was a werewolf. The same werewolf she had encountered last night. James, Sirius and Peter were unregistered Animagi, who accompanied Remus during his transformations so that he'd be safer and less lonely. And last night, she had stumbled upon the whole thing, endangering not just herself, but all four boys as well.

"This is terrible, Lils," Dany sighed, lying back into her pillow. "I can't believe I did that. I could have…"

"I don't think anyone will blame you, Dany," Lily reassured her. "But why did you go out there in the first place? It's not something I'd ever imagine you doing."

Dany frowned as the slow trickle of memories seeped into her brain. Lily's frantic screams. Her absence in the dorm. Everything was much more foggy than it had been last night. And she said as much to Lily.

"That is strange…" She looked worried, as if she had realised something terrible. "I was in the dormitory the whole time, Dany. I only came out when Peter told me what was going on. And I followed him to try and lend a helping hand."

"Then why did I…?"

"I don't know, Dany. But you should rest. And don't tell the others about this just yet."

"The others?"

"Remus is recuperating. He always does after a full moon. But James and Sirius are here as well. Last night was… rough."

Dany stretched out on the hospital bed as Lily excused herself. This was all very surreal. It took her some time to fully grasp everything that had happened and what Lily had told her. On top of that there was the weird thing that had led her out into the grounds. Lily was pretty confident about not screaming for help in the middle of the Forbidden Forest (one would assume it was something that one isn't mistaken about too often). Which meant that she had either dreamt it or misheard something. Whatever the case, she didn't feel up to investigating matters at the moment.

"Are you okay?"

Her head turned sharply at the voice from a couple of beds down from her. Sirius was lying down with his hands tucked under his head. He was looking straight up at the ceiling, and she got up quietly and sat down on the bed beside him.

"I'm fine," she said, looking at him cautiously.

"Good." He got up, propping himself up on his elbows. His black hair fell on his face, his eyes looking strangely subdued.

"What about you? How are your injuries?"

"Fine," he shrugged. "Poppy healed everything almost immediately. She's seen much worse."

"I see." Silence prevailed as Dany struggled with what to say. She felt awkward around him once again, just like she had at the beginning of the year. On top of that, she wasn't sure how to act around him. Were they friends? Had she forgiven him for his cruel stunt?

"I'm sorry, by the way." His voice came out much lower and softer than she had become accustomed to. "I understand it was a dick move on my part. And I truly am sorry for causing you so much hurt."

She could feel the sincerity in his words, making her decision so much easier.

"Well," she said, slowly. "You did save my life last night. So I guess I can forgive you."

He let out a low chuckle. "Those are some impossible standards you have there. Remind me not to piss you off again."

"And I'm sorry I put you all at risk last night," she said, sobering up a little. "I obviously had no idea what consequences there could be of rushing out at night to help a friend."

"Help a friend?" asked Sirius, sitting up completely.

"Y-yeah." She hesitated for a second before telling Sirius everything that she had seen and heard last night. His brow creased further as he listened, an oddly determined look crossing his eyes.

"That was bloody dangerous. Even if we weren't there, you could have been attacked by something lurking in the forest."

"Yeah, that thought is hitting me pretty hard retrospectively," she mumbled sheepishly. "But no harm, no foul."

"I'd hardly describe the situation in that way," said Sirius, lifting one eyebrow. "But more to the point, this sounds strange. Do you think someone cast the Imperius Curse on you?"

"I did think of that. But I don't think so. Mainly because it's supposed to place you in a sort of daze. And I was most definitely fully aware of whatever was going on. It was almost like this weird image was planted in my, otherwise perfectly functioning, mind."

Sirius' expression darkened as she finished speaking. His eyes blazing with anger. Dany wondered why he had experienced this sudden shift. Was it something she had said?

"You okay?" she asked, tentatively.

"I just thought of something. A reason why you saw what you saw," he muttered. "Let's just hope I'm wrong."

"What is it?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"I'd rather not say until I have more information."

"Okay."

Dany felt slightly dejected by his response. Almost as if he didn't trust her enough to tell her his theory. But it was true, though. He didn't trust her too much. She was a friend but nothing compared to his core group. A feeling of inadequacy crept through her as she went back to her bed and tried to fall asleep.

"Can't wait for these bloody exams to get over!" yelled Marlene in frustration.

"Shut up," hissed Dorcas. "Or Pince will drag us out by our ears."

The five girls were currently huddled together at the corner of the Charms and Transfiguration sections, revising their notes feverishly. Most of their exams were over, barring an elective, Potions and Transfiguration. All of them had the latter two exams, while only Mary had Care of Magical Creatures.

"Ugh!" Marlene's cry was met with glares from the others. "I can't take it anymore! I need to get out of this cycle of fluxweed and Monkshood!"

"What in Merlin's name are you studying?" asked Dany, cocking an eyebrow.

"You know what I mean!" Marlene looked ready to stand up on the table and stomp her feet in annoyance. Something which she was very capable of doing. A fact not lost on Lily because she shut her book and motioned for her friend to calm down.

"Why don't we take a break?" she suggested, yawning slightly. "We can get back to revising in a bit. It'll do us some good. Not to mention, save us all from the wrath of Pince which Marls is sure to incur any moment now."

"You're a lifesaver, Lils," grinned Marlene, draping herself over the table dramatically.

"At least no one can accuse you of overreacting," snorted Dorcas.

"Let's play a game!" Lily's face looked far too smug.

"What kind of game?"

"Truth or dare."

"Really? We aren't 15, Lils," scoffed Dorcas.

"Oh yes, being 16 is so much more different," remarked Marlene, drily.

"Well, technically I'm 17," corrected Lily.

"Me too," said Mary, giving Lily a high five.

"There's no need to show off. We'll all get there eventually," snorted Dany.

"Some sooner than others," grinned Marlene, high fiving Dorcas.

"Okay, now it's just all of you ganging up on you," said Dany, rolling her eyes.

"Are we playing or not? Time's a wastin!"

"Yes, yes, don't get your knickers in a twist, Evans."

"Are you sure she's even wearing knickers? Who knows what James likes." Marlene smirked suggestively as Lily's face matched the shade of her hair. Dany wasn't sure whether to laugh or be mortified. Dorcas and Mary had no such qualms and were trying their hardest to contain their giggles.

"Stuff it, McKinnon," answered Lily, hotly. "Or I might have to tell the others about what I know about Caradoc Dearborn."

"You wouldn't," hissed Marlene.

"What happened? You can't not tell us now! Lils!"

"Let's start the game already!" Marlene spun her wand on the table and it landed on Mary. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"Pfft," Marlene rolled her eyes at her friend's predictable answer. "Were you the one who helped Remus and the others pull off that epic prank on the Slytherins last year?"

Mary turned beet red and nodded her head. Dany gasped as she recalled the prank where the entire dungeons had been teepeed on a particularly sultry day.

"Moving on," urged Mary, spinning the wand herself. "Okay Lils, truth or dare?"

"Dare."

"Oh Ms. Evans, how scandalous," purred Marlene, earning a kick under the table from Lily.

"Hmm…" Mary's contemplative face had Dany wondering what exactly she was planning to dare Lily to do. It appeared that despite all her shyness and timidness, Mary McDonald enjoyed her fair share of troublemaking.

"I dare you to… Hang up a banner in the library that says 'I love James Potter'."

A chorus of oohs followed this statement as Lily glared at Mary. "That's not fair. Everyone would know it was me."

"You underestimate people's obsession with James," pointed out Mary. "It could just as easily be some crazed fangirl."

"Same difference," muttered Dorcas under her breath, making Dany snort rather ungracefully.

"Fine. I'll do it."

"Atta girl!" Marlene's encouragement was met with rather an obscene hand gesture from the red head.

They watched in anticipation as Lily snuck behind a particularly large stack of books and muttered a few charms. Soon, a large banner was seen floating to the ceiling, hanging from a few of the lights. The girls craned their necks to see whether the message was indeed there.

Sure enough, against the green background of the banner were large glittering snakes, curled up into the words I LOVE JAMES POTTER.

"Genius," muttered Dorcas, slapping Marlene on the back to stop her from choking on her own laughter.

Lily looked decidedly smug as she sat down and spun the wand. This time it landed on Dorcas. The game continued for a while, slowly descending into the vortex of couple gossip. Strangely, Dany had only been picked once, the luck of the draw leaving her to watch the others take part in the game. Finally, it was Marlene's spin which landed on Dany.

"Finally!" Dany cried dramatically.

"Alright, truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"Hmm… Did you really punch Sirius in the face? Or is that a horribly warped rumor?"

Dany was taken aback by the question. She had almost forgotten about that incident. That day in detention when James and Lily had apologised to her and Sirius had refused to, earning a punch to his face.

"That's true. I was there. It was epic," grinned Lily, clearly enjoying having to relive that moment.

"Woah! That is bitchin', Wilson!" whistled Marlene in awe.

"Hang on," interrupted Dorcas. "Lils totally jumped that question. Ask her something else, Marls!"

"Yeah, that's right," agreed Marlene, giving the red head a pointed look.

"Sorry," said Lily, biting her lip to prevent the grin from breaking out.

"Alright. Round 2. Dany, who is… the last boy you kissed?"

Dany had chosen that unfortunate moment to take a gulp of water, effectively spraying Lily and Mary as she spluttered unattractively. Marlene's lips curled up delightedly as she realised that she had hit the nail on the head. Dany wasn't sure whether she should answer the question, her mind rushing back to the moment outside the dungeons when she and Sirius had snogged each other rather enthusiastically.

"Sirius!"

Unfortunately, Dany's new found composure was short lived, as she started coughing violently on hearing Lily expose her unwittingly. Dorcas and Marlene looked at her strangely as she struggled to regain some semblance of normal breathing.

"You okay?" Dany wondered what she had done to deserve this. She turned around to see Sirius standing behind them with a slightly perplexed look on his handsome face.

"Y-yeah," she breathed, taking a sip of water. "I'm fine."

"Right," he replied, looking unconvinced. "Evans, Minnie wants to see you and Prongs in her office. He's already there, so you'd better get a move on."

"Why does she want to see us?" she asked, worriedly.

"Maybe she saw you two having a quick one behind Hagrid's Hut," suggested Marlene, innocently.

"Wh-hat!?" Lily got up suddenly, knocking over the chair in the process. As if on cue, Madam Pince's voice could be heard approaching them at an alarming pace.

"Well that just about wraps up our session here," grumbled Dorcas, shooting Sirius a dirty. "Thanks a lot."

"Don't thank me, love. This is all McKinnon's doing. With perhaps a little help from Prongs and Evans," smirked Sirius, as they all hastened out of the library.

Lily had shot off in the direction of McGonagall's office as the rest of them walked back to the common room.

"Dragonpox," said Mary, scrunching up her nose at the new password. The Fat Lady swung open for them. Dany was about to walk in when she felt someone yank her arm back. She stumbled slightly and was surprised to see Sirius holding onto her elbow securely.

"I need to talk to you."