Sadly, I still don't own Harry Potter only my OC Winnie Powers.

Chapter 3

Marlene burst into loud laughter and gave me the biggest grin I had ever seen, "Winnie, are you seriously trying to get me to go out with Sirius Black? I appreciate the effort but I'm perfectly content being single, I'm actually enjoying it. A lot."

I sighed, of course she would react this way. She was reacting the exact same way Sirius reacted. Which is why they were perfect for each other! Why is it that you could see a person was so perfect for another person but those two people could not see it! Ugh, stupid Sirius and Marlene and their similarities in behavior.

"You alright there Winnie?" Mary's said in a concerned tone.

I turned to her and nodded, "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"You look like you're actually plotting someone's murder." Lily said, laughing.

"I very well could be, you don't know what goes on in this brain of mine," I said with a wink.

They all laughed and for some reason, I felt like I belonged. Despite the fact that I wasn't close to them, I felt a warm tingly sensation travel around my body. Maybe it was the fact that I was hanging out with a group girls for once in my life or maybe because it was the fact that they were some of the only girls who didn't hate me because I was friends with the marauders.

"You know, you should hang out with us more. I'm sure constantly hanging out with the boys can get a bit dull." Marlene said with a smile.

I laughed, "It can feel a bit male-dominated sometimes so I just might take you up on that offer, Marlene."

Mary tucked a strand of her short hair, "Winnie, I hope you don't take this the wrong way or anything but how come you don't seem to hang out with the other girls as much?'

I didn't really know how to answer that question because since I had started my friendship with James, Remus, Sirius and Peter girls became envious of me and my friendship with the boys. They assumed because I was a girl that I wanted to date them and that meant the chances of them dating one the marauders were slim to none. Even though I tried to explain to them that the relationship between the marauders and I was strictly friendship - few listened. Of course not all girls were like that - but the ones who wanted Sirius, James and Remus to notice them (Peter was too shy to be noticed by the girls) would stop at nothing to make sure that I knew that they didn't like me. At all.

I shook my head, "Oh no it's fine honestly. Well I think there are a number of reasons for that, one is probably due to the envy which I don't think I have to explain and because I guess, I got used to the boys and I like being around them so I guess I don't really feel the need to I mean we've been friends for years - they're practically my family." I smiled warmly.

Mary frowned and said, "Those girls are such a pain in the neck!"

I snicker, "You're telling me."

Lily shot me a sympathetic smile, "If they bother you again - you should talk to McGonagall about it. Or you know what just send them to me, I'll show them!"

"Oh yeah, Lily's like a rabid dog. Just one touch and you're scarred for life." Marlene said sarcastically. Everyone knew that Lily was as frightening as a fluffy rabbit. Except when she was around James of course.

Lily rolled her eyes and shoved her playfully, "I can be scary when I want to you know, just look at the first years! they're scared of me."

I snorted and replied "They're scared of everyone, Lily. Face it, you're about as frightening as a fluffy pink rabbit."

"But a very cute fluffy pink rabbit." Mary said giggling.

Lily looked like she was about to say something but her eyes landed on the clock and she jumped up and out of her seat, a horrific look on her face. She looked like she was watching a dementor suck someone's soul.

"You alright, Lily?" Marlene asked, worried.

"I completely forgot that there's a prefect meeting in fifteen minutes!" She then turned to Remus who was sitting near the fireplace. "Remus, are you coming? We have a prefect's meeting."

He nodded, "Right, I almost forgot about that." He said standing up.

I waved goodbye as I watched Lily and Remus leave the common room. Oh, the sad life of a prefect.

"She has to go to a prefect meeting fifteen minutes early?" I asked a bit skeptical.

Marlene laughed, "No, she just likes to be early to everything; so do the other prefects. It's kind of strange now that I think about it.."

Mary laughed, "Ever heard of the saying 'early bird gets the worm'? I'm pretty sure that's Lily's life motto. Bless her."

I looked at Mary MacDonald, studying her face. She was one of the smallest girls in our grade, which made her an easy target for bullies. With her shoulder length brown hair, big brown eyes and baby face. She was a very friendly and kind-hearted girl, yet also very quiet. Mary's life turned upside down last year when one of the teachers caught Mulciber physically assaulting Mary, apparently she was so scared that she froze on the spot and couldn't move at all. If it wasn't for Lily and Marlene who took her under their wing, I was almost certain that she would never return to Hogwarts again.

Marlene looked between the both of us, "Next week is the first Hogsmeade trip! who's going?"

Mary shrugged, "I don't know- should I go?"

"You know, next week the boys and I are going- you guys should tag along." I said coolly.

Mary's eyes widened and she turned a faint shade of pink ,"N-no it's fine."

Marlene's reaction was the exact opposite, "That's a great idea, Winnie! We could go to the three broomsticks, I'd also love to stop by Honeydukes, I've been craving chocolate for days!" she grinned.

Mary turned her big eyes towards Marlene, "B-but-"

"Oh come on, Mary. It'll be fun, I promise. You have nothing to worry about and besides you'll have us with you." I said, putting a comforting hand on her arm.

She paused for a moment and looked down, "Alright. But you have to promise not to leave me alone. Promise!" She said, fear in her eyes.

Marlene rolled her eyes playfully, "Okay, I promise."

I shrugged, "Don't worry about it."

Marlene laughed at me, "You know who you remind me off? The marauders combined. It's like if they all had one baby, it'd be you."

I scoffed, "Are you joking? They can barely look after themselves, if they had a baby it'd be dead already."

We all laughed.

I walked towards the black lake, where the marauders where sitting under a unusually large tree.

James saw me and nodded, "Winnie, you alright?"

I smiled as I sat next to them, indian style. "I'm great, Prongs. Oh, yeah I actually have something to tell you guys you know how we're going to Hogsmeade next week? Guess who's coming along with us! Lily!" I said happily, "and marlene and mary.." I muttered the last part.

"Lily's coming?!" James said, with a huge smile.

"What was that last part, Dot?" Sirius said, furrowing his brows.

"Nothing.." I smiled awkwardly.

Remus shoved me lightly and said, "Spit it out, Winnie."

"Um, Marlene and Mary are coming along too?" I said, scratching the back of my neck.

Sirius narrowed his eyes, "You better not be trying to set us up, Winnie or I swear on Godric's beard that I'll-"

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, yeah you'll hex me into a million years. I got it."

Sirius looked taken-aback, "How did you know I was going to say that? When did I become so predictable?"

"You've always been predictable," Remus said, laughing.

Sirius groaned and tugged on his hair, "I've become boring! dull! predictable! foreseeable! Everything I've never wanted to be!"

I laughed, "You still have great hair, though."

He unconsciously ran his fingers through his hair, "Never mind my amazing hair! I've turned into - I've turned into you!" He said, directing the last part to Remus.

"Yeah the werewolf is the boring one here," James said sarcastically.

"So you guys what do you say? Can they tag along?" I asked, giving them my sweetest smile. I crossed my fingers behind my back, just for luck.

"Hey, I said yes from the start!" James scowled.

"Yeah, but you're not the drama queen here are you?" I said, rolling my eyes.

Sirius sighed and gave in, "Fine. But if you're expecting anything to happen between me and Marvis-"

"Marlene." Remus cut in.

"Right, if you're expecting anything to happen between me and Marlene then forget it, alright?"

I gave him the two finger salute, "Yes sir!"

"I don't know why it's so hard to remember Marlene, she's quite unforgettable." Remus said, as he picked up his book.

My eyes widened and I turned to look at him. Could it be?! Did Remus like Marlene? Maybe Marlene should be with Remus, I mean they didn't have much in common but she could certainly make Remus happy. Marlene and Sirius were a better match in my opinion but maybe they wouldn't like dating someone who was so..like them, I suppose.

"Remus, do you like her?" I said, ecstatic.

His eyes widened and I watched his face turn red, "No! No, I don't. I really don't! I just meant that she was unforgettable because everyone knows she's famous for her bat-bogey hex. I do not like her."

I laughed loudly and slapped him on the shoulder, making him wince. "Of course not, Moony! Love comes gradually."

He groaned, "Please don't meddle in my personal affairs."

I sighed, "Fine. Maybe I'll find another match for you - someone more Remus-like."

Remus ignored me and turned his head to look at the lake, I watched as a thousand emotions crossed his face at once. I stared at his face, was he acting so weird? He then grabbed his school bag and got up, before turning around and angrily looking at me.

"Winifred just stop. You don't-" He let out a frustrated huff "Even if I wanted a girlfriend you know I can't! I can barely keep a friend! I can't get close to anyone in fear of knowing that they could find out what I actually am. I'm a monster! Do you know how hard it is? Watching everyone be happy and knowing I can't ever have that!"

I was taken aback. All I was trying to do was to make him happy and he ends up yelling at my face? I wasn't just hurt, I was surprised as hell! He was the one who was supposed to be calm and composed all the time. I was the temperamental one, not him.

I wet my lips and clenched my jaw, trying to control my temper. "Remus-"

He balled his fists and then erupted like a volcano: "No! just stop! Instead of being such an immature child why don't you do something useful for once in your life?!" His words cut like a sharp knife.

"Guys.." Peter said, fear evident in his voice.

I dug my fingernails into my palm, trying to stop myself from slapping him in the face.

I watched Remus's face turn red as he said, "You don't need to interfere in everyone's lives you know!"

That was the last straw. I couldn't control my anger any more and I stood up, a furious look on my face. Me? immature? He was the one with a permanent stick up his ass!

"Excuse you?! You just shut everyone out! Maybe if you weren't so afraid of getting hurt you'd see that there are so many people who would love to get to know you! I was just trying to help you and what do I get in return? You screaming in my face! You act like you're such a nice person but you know what you are? A self deprecating, self- absorbed prick!" I said furiously and then proceeded to shove him.

He didn't respond and I didn't allow him to because I was out of there, I didn't care about the fact that I had left my bag there. I just needed to leave and get away from all of his crap. I still couldn't believe it. Remus, the good and kind one. He rarely yelled and when he did it was never at me - never! I was so angry that I was running and with no idea where I was going. That was probably the best depiction of my life. Winnie Powers, a girl who was constantly running with no idea where to go. I laughed bitterly as I felt tears prick my eyes. I was not going to cry. Especially not over someone as stupid as Remus Lupin.

"Hey Winnie!" Someone called out at me, I looked up and saw that it was Frank Longbottom. He was smiling his usual bright smile, normally I would've smiled and chatted but I was definitely in no mood to talk to anyone.

"Frank, this isn't a good time!" I said, irritated.

He then took in my state and his smile disappeared and was replaced with a look of concern, "Winnie you alright?"

I struggled to get words out of my mouth that weren't cuss words. "No, I am not okay. Just- I'm sorry but I have to go." I said as nicely as I could before I pushed past him and walked away.

Somehow I found myself on the astronomy tower. Classes here wouldn't start until midnight so I knew for sure that it was abandoned. I found a corner and just sat there, fuming with anger. What really annoyed me was the fact that Sirius and James didn't try to stop him! Before I realized it tears were falling freely from my eyes.

This was officially one of the worst days of my life.