Sirius leaned back on the broken sofa in the room of requirement. He sighed deeply and looked up at her.

"How long have you known about Remus?" Sirius asked.

"For about a week since the start of this sixth year. He was reading a book on werewolves and cringing so I thought maybe it was something that he was reading for Defence Against the Dark Arts but when I went over to talk to him he just left and left behind a piece of paper with full moon dates on it. I mean, come on!" Lily said.

Sirius looked down at the floor one hand combing through his hair.

"It's tonight, isn't it?" Lily said quietly.

He nodded, tears in his eyes.

"I-I could've helped him...but I had to meet up with you! HE MAY BE BADLY INJURED BECAUSE OF YOU!" Sirius yelled.

"Sirius, I'm so sorry but you can't help him, its dangerous!"

He rolled his eyes and morphed into a dog, making Lily squeal and fall backwards. Sirius started barking and wagging his tail then morphed back into himself.

"Remus isn't dangerous, he can be at times but I've never been too badly injured. A few broken ribs is nothing compared to the sheer hell he has to go through."

Lily nodded, looking a little flustered.

"I'm sorry Lily, I've just had a lot going on with my family calling me a blood traitor and banishing me from my home if I could ever call it that..." Sirius murmured.

Lily started crying and went up to hug him. Sirius hugged back awkwardly.

"You're a good friend, Sirius."

"I'm not, I try my best and always manage to fail because of my own stupidity. It's my fault Snivellus was almost killed for crying out loud!" Sirius said.

"Come on, Sirius, I think I better get you back up to the common room," Lily said, guiding him to the door.

He nodded and she held his hand tightly. "You're a good friend to me, Sirius. And tell James he isn't too bad either. Tell him I'm considering a Hogsmeade date with him."

Sirius smiled at her, ready to tell James. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that James would freak out and wet himself with excitement.

The following morning came and the group of the three Marauders were all very quiet, no one dared to speak. No one had offered to go and see Remus because they were too scared to see what state he would be in (and that Madam Pomfrey wouldn't let them into the hospital wing).

It was an unusual morning since Dumbledore was at breakfast. Usually he was too busy to attend breakfast so he got the house elves to take his breakfast to his office. This morning he was smiling widely and was chatting to some of the other Professors.

"Do any of you know why Dumbledore is there?" Peter asked.

James and Sirius shook their heads.

"Maybe he's going to end this school year?" James said hopefully.

"After a week or so. Doubt it." Sirius said.

"I literally have no idea."

"Remus!" Peter exclaimed.

"No Peter, he won't be here for Remus that's just plain stupid and-"

"No, look. Remus is over there!" Peter said pointing to the entrance to the Great Hall.

"Oh bloody hell, bloody hell, bloody hell. What has he done to himself?" Sirius said sadly.

"Remus Edwinton Lupin, what have you done to yourself?!" James shouted across the Hall.

Remus went red in the face and hobbled over to him on his crutches. He had a bandage around his head and was on crutches. He undoubtedly had millions of scars hidden under his school uniform.

"Fist of all, that isn't my middle name once again and secondly, Moony was mad, I was mad too! How could you leave me, James?" Remus said weakly.

"Me?! What about Sirius and Peter?"

"They both have valid excuses whereas you do not!" Remus whispered.

A loud cough came from the front of the Great Hall. Everyone turned around and fell silent to see Dumbledore smiling out at all of them happily, eyes twinkling.

"I understand that I should have made this notice at the start-of-term feast but I thought I better let you eat first. This year, Hogwarts will be hosting a Masquerade ball which will be open from anyone from fourth year and above. Further dates and times to be confirmed," Dumbledore said and sat back down.

Excited chatter filled the hall and James looked hopefully towards Lily and Peter looked hopefully towards Dorcas. Remus looked sideways at Mary but Sirius just shook his head.

"Do you guys even know what a Masquerade ball means? It means that no one is supposed to know who they are so there aren't any dates."

James just rolled his eyes.

"No rules can keep me away from my beautiful Lily flower. I'll just have to keep my eyes peeled at the ball for her fiery red hair. As for you, if you keep your eyes out for a blonde-haired girl you may end up snogging Malfoy!" James laughed.

"Look, I don't like her!" Sirius whispered.

"But you did say you liked her in your sleep," Peter smirked.

"What?!"

"Oh beautiful Juliet, I love you so much!" Peter laughed hysterically.

Sirius gave Peter a glare and left with a piece of toast to go to his next lesson with the Slytherins.