“I don't know what to do,”
I said. “Should I just ignore them forever?” Remus shook his head
thoughtfully, legs crossed on the sofa.

“No, no, just give them
some time. They'll come around soon, trust me. Soon, they'll be on
their knees asking you to forgive them. Especially Megan. She's
known you forever.” I raised an eyebrow. “It's true. I can tell
they already miss you. Their stares aren't really like lasers
anymore,” he said, putting an arm around my shoulders. I laid my
head on his shoulder and closed my eyes. I could've laid there
forever, smelling the chocolate-firewood aroma that was Remus, but,
unfortunately, the best things don't last long. James and Sirius came
bounding in, both grinning and giggling. Remus sighed and brought his
arm back to himself.

“What is it,” I said
boredly. James grinned wider, if that was possible.

“Lilysaidyes!” I frowned
and turned to Sirius.

“What did he say?”

“He asked Lily out and she
said yes.” I felt excitement bubbling in my stomach. I knew –
everyone knew – that Lily really did like James, even if she acted
as if she hated him. And, obviously, James liked her. I couldn't help
but feel happy that finally, after six years, they were together.

But all I did was let out a
laugh. “Good for you. Now give Remus and I some alone-time.”
Remus blushed visibly. Sirius and James raised their eyebrows.

“You've been 'alone' for
two hours,” Sirius said suspiciously. “What are you doing?” I
sighed.

“Merlin, Sirius. You're
like a dog. Drooling over cute girls, and getting your filthy nose in
other people's business. It doesn't matter what we're doing.” Remus
grinned, and Sirius smiled so wide his back row of teeth were
showing.

“Alright, Miss Sassy, we'll
go,” Sirius said. James was still too excited to talk, so he just
jumped up and down and squealed for a second, and ran up to the boys'
dormitories. Remus looked at me nervously.

“What is it, Remus?” I
asked, cocking my head to the side. Remus bit his lip.

“Well...Rachel, you know
how I'm a – werewolf?” he said quietly. I nodded slowly. “Well,
I'm not the only – strange – one at Hogwarts.” I was extremely
intrigued now. Who else was a werewolf here? Remus wasn't the only
one? I scanned my head quickly, trying to think of any peculiar
students who might have the same problem as Remus.

“Go on...” I said.
Remus's eyes began to swell with tears. He was smiling, though.

“They're such amazing,
loyal, wonderful friends,” he said, looking up and trying to blink
the tears out of his eyes. “As soon as they could, they helped me.
They acted like abandoning me wasn't an option.” I was trying to
think of Remus's friends. He didn't have any other friends besides
the Marauders... oh. My eyes widened as I realized what he was
saying.

“Sirius, James, Peter...
they're all werewolves too!” I said. “It makes sense now! That's
why you're friends!” Remus frowned, smiled a little, and shook his
head.

“No, no, Rachel, you're
thinking about it wrong. I told them about me at the end of our first
year. They didn't even think of abandoning me. They promised to help
me for the rest of their time at Hogwarts. And – and they haven't
broken their promise yet. They're amazing.” I didn't understand.

“So...they kept your
secret?”

“Rachel, it's so much more
than that,” Remus said. “They became – illegal Animagi for me.
Sirius is a dog – Padfoot, James is a stag – Prongs, Peter is a
rat – Wormtail, and I'm a werewolf – Moony. Not only do they keep
my secret, they come with me every single month to the Womping
Willow – which Dumbledore planted for me, by the way – and keep
me under control. Every single month.” I
stared at him in shock. It was hard enough for me to believe that
Remus – kind, sweet Remus – was a werewolf, but all of his
friends?

“That's – amazing.” I
said, still staring at him. He nodded, wiping his eyes.

“Yeah,
I know,” he said, smiling at
me, “I have the best friends ever – and the best girlfriend.”