A.N.- Again, I apologize for the delay. I've had a lot going on in the last few weeks, and I guess it all sort of caught up with me. This is one of those nights were I could stay up till around four, so hopefully this chapter will be posted soon. I appreciate any reviews, but understand if I don't receive any. I had to re-read the story to fully remind myself of the plot and my previous plot bunnies, (I hate that word, too much fluff, too much…) anyways, I still have a few people to thank for chapters three and four review-related.
First off-
Sauron the Dark- thank-you for your review! I was really afraid a mighty lord of the Dark such as yourself might not be so understanding, but that was some much-needed kindness right now, so thank you for your support, it's really appreciated, and I might have to take you up on that offer soon! Sorry, I don't mean to complain to you! Anyways, to the point…thanks for the support. I needed it.
Fire Queen- I'm guessing you like my story? (Smile) Thank you. I'll hurry!
hermionegranger-thanks, I'm glad you like it! Hope I can raise your rating by the end of the story!
LadyAkako- wow, I love the name, and I've read some of your previous works, I love your stories and plots! Can I safely guess you're a fan of manga too?
Jara Cassanelli- wow, I really like you name too, and I'm grateful for your review! Thank you thank you thank you thank you!
Again, thanks to all for any remaining support! To my reviewers (And Alaina!)
Chapter four; guilty
I knew from the moment I'd woken up that I wasn't in my dorm. And I hadn't been in a normal sleep, because I hadn't had any of the dreams, or a chance to apologize to James and get rid of the -ahem- nightmares. (Dreams,*cough cough)
But seeing Potter sitting in a chair next to my bed? Yeah that woke me up.
Only, not for the reason I thought it would. Because as much as I hated to admit it, it wasn't a bad way to wake up. He was actually quiet for the first time I'd seen him, and he didn't have that glint of mirth in his eyes. Because his eyes weren't open. Yup, you read right. James was sound asleep; slumped down in the stiff-looking wooden chair next to the hospital bed with white sheets I was laying in. he had the smallest smile playing on his lips. It was a little secret smile, making his sleeping face look amused and calm at the same time.
After taking this moment to admire him, I let the events of last night run through my mind, trying to piece it all together. I saw Black come out from a closed off area, with a curtain concealing whoever was in the bed. It took a moment to realize that whatever it was, Black and James (ahem) Potter knew about it, and it was probably the thing that had attacked so eagerly last night. How much did I want to bet it was a Slytherin? I knew it couldn't be any Gryffindor behind that curtain, because whoever or whatever was behind it was a monster that cared not for my life nor James', and I knew that while James had been protecting me from it, he could have whipped out his wand and killed it. What was to stop him from killing in self-defense?
Black came over to us and shook J- I mean, Potter awake. Neither seemed aware that I was conscious yet, and I watched subtly as James rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and listened to Black's annoyingly deep voice.
"He'll recover, Pomfery already gave him some chocolate, and put him back to sleep for a while. She just can't seem to figure out what could have been on the grounds last night with enough power to hold Moony off, and how he got out in the first place. Said something about tightening security." He shot Potter, (yes, that's right, Potter,) a stern look, a glare that would have sent Professor McGonagall into a fit. It was amazing how serious this topic seemed, even to him. It was this look that really caught my attention. "Prongs, I know you care about Evans, and I know you didn't want her getting hurt, but you should put your friends before your enemies. She doesn't like you, and she's right about one thing. You do have a fan club. I mean I know more than half of the girls in the school who would be willing to take Evan's place. And none of those girls would be nosy enough to be figuring out our secret. Moony was really upset about it!"
"Lily's not nosy, she's smart, which explains why she can figure out things most of those girls could never pick up on. And I know she doesn't like me now, but it doesn't mean I can't keep trying." James retorted, clearly annoyed for the interruption of his little nap. But yeah, after that little speech, I felt another guilt trip coming on. J-Potter continued by saying, "and I'm not giving our secret away to her, so you shouldn't be worrying. The Marauder's will always come first, but his bite…"
Bloody hell, why hadn't I felt this pain before? It was mind numbing, and at the same time piercing, a line of fire down my back. When he mentioned a bite, I realized what we were dealing with, somewhere in my mind, I flashed through images of the night before… the full moon, the howl… a werewolf. I had been bitten by a werewolf last night.
"Well, she wasn't bitten, and you can let go of her hand now. She isn't going to die." Black said, snickering. Git. But he was right. I hadn't noticed this before either, but James was indeed holding my hand, gently, as though afraid the slightest pressure would break it. James just gave another one of his secret smiles, like the one he was wearing a moment ago, and gave my hand a light squeeze.
"Why hasn't Pomfrety mended the scratch?" James asked. A logical question, I realized, as it appeared there as sunlight coming through the curtains of the hospital wing, meaning it was day, around noon judging from the light. Pomfrey should have mended me by now. New panic over-took me as I realized that while I hadn't been bitten or killed, a scratch from a beast as horrible as a werewolf could be just as dangerous. I know from my reading that not very many who encountered werewolves lived through the memory. While I was worrying, I heard Black say,
"She's just making sure it was Moony and not whatever beast attacked him. Guess we'll have to lay low for a while, huh?"
James simply nodded, then un-tangled his fingers from mine and left me to my thoughts. We both knew I was awake, and wanted to be left alone. I watched his retreating back and felt that hollow feeling of guilt surge up. Maybe I should have apologized then… if it meant that the dreams would stop. But he had already left, and I'd just have to avoid sleep until the next time I saw him.
I was alone in the Hospital Wing, which was un-usual since Madam Pomfery usually never leaves her patience side. Then I heard the ragged breath from behind the drawn curtain, reminding me of the other person only a few steps away from me. The monster invading the grounds each full moon.
Whether it was a monster or not, I didn't want to wake it. I just wanted to know whether it was a Slytherin or Ravenclaw haunting the grounds so late at night, I didn't want a Slytherin with a grudge against me. So quietly I removed my covers and set my bare feet on the freezing floor, aware that I myself must look like a monster with my mushroom cloud or red-bed-head and smeared eye make-up. Had Potter really seen me like this? It was odd that I was thinking such random and ludicrous thoughts when I was about to accidentally stumble onto a secret I wouldn't want to be a part of, a secret that would make me look at all four Marauders with a new respect, (whether they respected me back or not.) so I silently pulled back the curtain.
There sat Remus Lupin.
A.N- yah, I know what you're all probably thinking. "That's not what she said would happen at the end of the last chapter!" (Dodges tomatoes) well, I'm sorry, but don't worry, I realized I enjoy writing this story much more than any previous ones, so I think I'll continue it a bit longer. And I'll explain many of your questions, (including the one about the girl's Dormitory) in future chapters. Also, I know you want these chapters to be longer, but please understand, my computer time is very limited, and I'm trying to up-date on a regular basis now that I'm back! I'll up-date soon, any reviews, even those involving corrective criticism and burns, (avoids rotten lettuce thrown by angry reviewer,) yes, well, thank you for your time.
Padfoot_puppyeyes(ouch)