.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

     CRESSIDA DID NOT MANAGE TO GET MUCH SLEEP OVER THE LONG NIGHT. She kept waking up, recalling the events of the forest. The girl would reach for her nightstand, feeling for her wand, but sighing in disappointment when it was not there. Cressida thought of all sorts of plans to avoid getting reprimanded: stealing someone else's wand, drowning herself in the Black Lake, doing nothing, or going back to the forest.

     None of those plans were ideal.

     Just an hour before classes began, the alarm clock in the dorm room started ringing loudly. All the girls groaned, annoyed, but eventually got out of bed. Even Evelyn, which was surprising. But Cressida decided to stay in.

     Aurelia was the first to notice the girl's downtrodden expression. She approached Cressida's bed. "C'mon, you don't want to be late for classes."

     Cressida's face was stuffed in her pillow, trying to drown out the noise of the alarm. "Yes, I do," she replied, muffled. "I'm skipping today."

     That, she decided, was the best plan possible. Cressida was going to skip all her classes for the day and try to find her wand and books. It wouldn't be her first time skipping (she does it all the time) but this was the first time skipping so early in the school year.

     "Already, Thorne?" Evelyn asked from the bathroom. She was in the middle of brushing her hair, looking as exhausted as ever. "Do you ever get work done?"

     Cressida yawned from the lack of sleep. She shifted in her bed. "Obviously I do since I have better marks than you."

     Cressida was one of the best in her year, next to Potter, Lupin, and Evans. But most of the time, she would pay (blackmail) someone to do her homework or enchant a quill for test taking that not even professors could detect. In reality, Cressida was a poor but competitive student. She had the highest grades, but none of the work was truly hers, and she was fine with that.

     "I don't need good marks. I plan to marry rich," Evelyn spoke as a matter of factly.

     "At least get out of the bloody bed to stop the alarm. I swear I'm going to smash it one of these days," Aurelia begged Cressida.

     Cressida furrowed her eyebrows, "But you made it."

     "Terrible mistake, I know."

     Thorne quickly got out of her bed and only for a split second before toppling back onto it again. She threw her hands up in defeat, "Happy?"

     "Very much," Aurelia went to the bathroom and shoved Evelyn out of it, grumbling something about Zabini hogging all the space. "Well, have fun, Thorne."

     "I will, thanks."

     Cressida pressed her face into her pillow, thinking just for a moment that suffocating might just be the answer to all her problems. Then, the thought went away. She couldn't allow herself to get worked up over school of all things. Cressida had to force herself to change that mindset.

     The first step in her plan was to go back to the Forbidden Forest. The forest itself was huge and she had no idea where exactly she had been last night, but it was still worth a shot. Who knows, maybe Cressida will end up finding it. Although she knew it wasn't likely...

     If that fails (which it will) Cressida will ask to borrow Noah's wand in exchange for allowing him to use Dahlia in Transfiguration once. She won't be able to keep Noah's wand, so she'll have to discreetly head to Diagonal Alley and get another.

     And the third, and final step, would be to copy Aurelia's homework while she's not looking and claim it as her own. Naturally, Cressida would have to turn it in before Aurelia did though, or else she'd get accused of plagiarism.

     "This is such a disaster," the fifth-year groaned into her pillow. All of this happened because someone might have been in danger, and she felt the need to investigate.

     Speaking of disasters, an idea popped into her mind. If she couldn't find her things in the forest, why not stage an 'accident'? Who in the school was notorious for their pranks and disasters other than the Marauders? If she could frame them for a self-inflicted prank, then missing her wand and homework would be forgiven.

     And the best part was that no one would believe the four boys when they said they were innocent, and they'd get in trouble.

     Cressida jumped out of bed and got to work.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

    "You would not believe what happened last night, Moony!" Sirius barged into the infirmary with open arms and a pep in his step. It was the most eventful night he's had at Hogwarts as Padfoot and couldn't wait to tell his best friend.

    The three boys hastily walked further into the room, only to catch Madam Pomfrey hushing them violently. "Sh! Mr. Lupin is trying to rest. We wouldn't want the whole school to show up behind those doors either, Mr. Black."

    But that didn't discourage Sirius. However, he did wait to tell the story until after Madam Pomfrey was not in hearing distance.

    Remus sat up in his bed, wincing slightly from feeling sore. After all these years, he'd think the pain would get better, but it has not. If anything, the full moons were only becoming worse as he grew older. Remus pressed his back against the bed's headboard, making room for his friends.

     The scarred boy caught Sirius' expression and only grew worried. He never recalled much from his transformations, so to be clueless was not his favorite feeling ever. "What happened?"

     Peter sat at the edge of his bed, making sure not to put pressure or discomfort on any part of Remus' body. Peter gestured his head toward Madam Pomfrey and mouthed, "Later."

     James, however, was probably the only one of the three boys who was not jumping in exhilaration over last night. They had almost been caught last night, and if Thorne went gossiping then surely someone would put two and two together. Not only that, but he hated seeing Remus in pain each month in the mornings. The hospital visits were certainly his least favorite part.

     James got closer to Remus and leaned on the nightstand. "How are you feeling?"

     Remus winced again, but it wasn't from the pain. 'How are you feeling' was the question he disliked the most, and if it wasn't from James he'd probably tell the person off. But he knew James was genuine and only trying to help. "Never better," he tried as a joke.

     James took the response, knowing it was the most he'd be getting from Remus. He then reached from behind him and grabbed the glass of water on top of the nightstand, handing it to Remus. The scarred boy took it gladly.

     Sirius sat in the chair beside Remus and propped his legs on the bed. He knew to change the subject from the way Remus' eyes bore into his; or was it for another reason? Sirius didn't dwell on it. "So, I was thinking with the first Quidditch game coming up, we could throw the largest party in all of Gryffindor history."

     "We haven't even won yet," James said, crossing his arms. He was never unopposed to a party but didn't want to jinx it.

     "With you as captain," Peter started, "there's no way we'll lose."

     That seemed to inflate James' ego and he nodded proudly. He was so ready to win all the games this term.

     Then, an idea popped into Sirius' mind. "Moony! Why don't you ask McGonagall if you can be the commentator for our games? You're great at slandering Slytherin so it should come naturally. Besides, maybe you'll finally get more into Quidditch."

     Remus shook his head, "Absolutely not!" His voice cracked a bit at raising his voice (or an attempt to do so) so he took a large gulp of water. Then, Remus tried again, "No."

     Madam Pomfrey appeared again, moving James out of the way so she could have easier access to Remus. The lady gave him another type of medicine and said, "I think visiting hours are over. Mr. Lupin is tired and needs sleep."

    Remus cleared his scratchy throat, "I'm okay, really." He didn't like to be seen as a victim. He was fine, or he will be.

     Madam Pomfrey gave him a look. After knowing Remus for five years, she knew that he was lying. "I insist."

     Peter suddenly interjected. He stood up from Remus' bed and presented a thought. "What if we go get Remus something to help him relax if he can't sleep? We've been working on the Draught of Peace in Potions."

     Sirius also stood up from his seated position, liking the idea. "Yeah, yeah we can do that."

     James also agreed. He'd take any chance to help Remus, just like he had when becoming an Animagus. "Evans is great in potions, she can help us."

     Madam Pomfrey did not look convinced but knew better than to say no. She knew the boys would do it with or without permission. "Well then, I'm sure Mr. Lupin would greatly appreciate that."

     And with that, she walked away. The three standing boys got closer to Remus, urging them to tell him about last night before heading off to make the potion. Sirius spoke first, unable to keep it in anymore. "While we were all...you know... last night, you'll never guess who came and paid us a visit!"

     Remus' eyes widened. He was already hating the story. "Someone saw us? Saw me?"

     James caught Remus' worry. He placed a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder. "Don't worry, Moony; she didn't get much time to see what was happening."

     "She?" Remus asked.

     "Cressida Thorne. I guess she heard some noises and followed it into the forest. She looked madly confused when she saw us, though. Oh, the things I'd do to see her expression again! It was priceless," Sirius exclaimed. He nodded toward James, "Did you see the way she looked when she saw Wormtail riding your back?"

     A small smile appeared on James' lips. "It was pretty funny. But she dropped her wand and books before she could get a good look at you, Moony. I'm sure she hasn't realized anything yet, nor will she."

     Sirius laughed, "Yeah cuz she's not the brightest up here," he pointed to his head. "Speaking of which, I've got her wand and books right here. What should we do with them? I was thinking some grand prank or something."

     Remus didn't care what to do with the books and wand. He shook his head, "But what if she did see something? I could be kicked out of Hogwarts." His worst fear was someone outside of his friend group knowing he was a werewolf.

     "I doubt it," Peter said, "I think she was too preoccupied with the fact that I was riding James' back."

     James uncrossed his arms and tucked his hands in his back pockets. "I think the real question is, what to do with her things? If she goes back to the forest to look for them and then here we are, coincidentally holding her belongings..."

     Sirius sighed, "So we make up some story about finding it in the forest."

     Remus shook his head, "There's a reason the forest is called the Forbidden Forest."

     "Then when we go make the Draught of Peace, we plant her belongings somewhere and leave it at that," James replied.

     Sirius groaned, "But that's so boring, Prongs! We have a chance at a prank here, let's not waste it." In truth, he wanted to get back at the girl after she'd managed to escape the eternal blizzard clouds. She couldn't keep slipping out of their fingers. "I'm sure I can come up with something."

     James patted Sirius' shoulder, encouragingly. "If you manage to think of something, then I don't see why not. What do you say, Wormtail?"

     "If we don't get in trouble for being in the Forbidden Forest, then sure," Peter has grown to like the pranks over the years. During his first year, he had been horrified by the idea, but now it was normal.

     Remus sighed and laid down on the best again. There always had to be some sort of over-complication, but then again, who would the Marauders be without complications?

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

     Cressida had no luck in the forest; it was a lost cause. Either her belongings had disappeared, or she was in the wrong place. There was no way to know. But what she did know was how to continue from here. The Slytherin had spent the entire morning thinking out a plan to frame the Marauders.

     It was a quite simple but effective plan. She transfigured some random books and a stick from the garden into her homework and wand, then she'll cause an explosion in the Common Room using fireworks and say her wand and belongings got destroyed with the chaos. Of course, some other students may lose their wands as well, but it was all for her own good. Cressida could not care less about the others.

     Unfortunately, since she was not allowed in Hogsmeade and therefore Funko's, she had to buy the fireworks off of a student and then swear him to secrecy. Luckily, that student, Silas Sallow, was more than happy to help. He, too, enjoyed getting back at the Marauders every now and then.

     Cressida had to place a protection spell on the large windows, though. She wouldn't want the explosions accidentally shattering them and allowing the water from the Black Lake to flow in.

     If she was being honest, she quite enjoyed the rush of creating pranks and chaos. It was positively exhilarating. Maybe Cressida should do it more often but against other houses and not her own.

     The Slytherin was happy with her progress and suddenly felt her stomach rumble. She had forgotten to eat all day, and it was already late afternoon. Cressida decided her plan could take a brief pause while she took a trip to the Great Hall.

     She exited the Slytherin Common Room and strutted down the large halls, not paying any mind to students as they walked by. Some would redirect their path to get out of her way, while others in groups began whispering. It was the usual; being in such a popular family meant that people tended to gossip.

     She arrived at the Great Hall shortly after and saw that food was no longer being served. Lunch was hours ago, but she still had hoped some food would have been left over. Seems not. This only worsened her hunger and her mood. The only way to get some food was down in the kitchens where the Hufflepuff Common Room was, but it was prohibited for non-Hufflepuffs. Besides, she wouldn't even know how to get into the kitchen area, ruled by house elves and servants. It was way below her class level.

     Cressida decided that she wouldn't eat until dinner and made her way back to the Slytherin Common Room. As she turned a corner, the girl ran into someone roughly. She took a step back and dusted off her uniform without seeing who she had run into, "Oi, watch where you're fucking going."

     Cressida's eyes glanced up and scowled immediately. Her arms crossed in annoyance. "Do those glasses of yours not work, Potter?"

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.         

FIVE MINUTES EARLIER

     "She wants me so badly," James Potter day-dreamily exited the potions room, walking more confidently than usual. "I can tell."

     The three boys had spent the past two hours creating the Draught of Peace in the potions classroom alongside Lily Evans. James had begged for her help, and at first, she didn't want to give it, but then Sirius told her it was for Remus' benefit and she obliged. James had spent the entire time flirting with the redhead, and Lily spent the entire time telling him off. It had gotten to the point where Sirius almost bashed his head against the counter.

     Lily had been curious as to why Remus would need the Draught of Peace, but the three boys managed to come up with a believable lie. They told her he was sore after James made him play Quidditch with him, but Lily was still skeptical. The Remus she knew would never play Quidditch, even if it were James asking, but she didn't press on.

     Sirius twirled the glass vial holding the potion in his hand, "Mate, I think you're still in the denial phase. You've got four more to go to get to acceptance." He shook the potion, trying to see if it had any reaction, but the faint blue misty color remained the same.

     "I don't think it'd be best to play around with the potion, Padfoot. It might mess it up and end up making Remus feel worse," Peter stated nervously. He began fiddling with his fingers.

     James smiled, amused. He nodded towards Peter's anxious fiddling. "Maybe it's you that needs the potion, Pete, not Remus."

     Peter shoved his hands in his pockets. "Do not."

     Sirius brought the glass vial closer to his eyes, so he could examine it more clearly. "How much did Evans say was a safe dose? Didn't she say something about not drinking the entire thing at once? We gotta make sure to tell Remus that."

     "I think she said something like 'drinking the entire glass at once will put the person in a deep sleep for Merlin knows how long'." James quoted Lily perfectly. He paid attention to every single word she said and stored it in his mind forever. Peter and Sirius found it a bit obsessive but knew their friend was simply infatuated with Evans.

     Sirius jumped, excitedly. "We could give the doses to him in shot glasses!"

     Peter shook his head but still was unable to resist a smile. James chuckled, "I think he'd appreciate that. A fire-whisky knock-off."

     Suddenly, James' body crashed into someone else's. Before he could say anything, the girl spoke first. He only then realized it was Cressida Thorne. Memories of last night quickly appeared in the three boys' minds. They were frozen still. Even though they had been animals last night, they feared that Cressida might recognize them now.

     "Oi, watch where you're fucking going," Cressida sneered. James could still see the mark left on her cheek by him last night. He remained tense. She stared up at him, "Do those glasses of yours not work, Potter?"

     James finally forced himself to relax. It was clear she hadn't connected the very vague dots, and right now, he wasn't appreciating her tone. "I have selective vision, sorry. I can only see relevant things."

     Sirius appeared right next to James, ready to fight the girl if needed. Peter stayed a few inches in the back; he hated confrontation.

     Cressida caught a glance at the vial in Sirius' hands. She squinted her eyes at it, suspiciously. It most certainly looked too blue for it to be water, so what was it? "What is that? And why do you all look like you've been caught red-handed?"

     There was always something up with these boys.      

     Sirius was the first to reply, saying the first thing on his mind. "Firewhisky," he nodded, nonchalantly.

     James sighed and shoved his best friend's arm. Not only were they underage and unable to purchase or drink firewhisky, but Sirius had just told the Slytherin Princess about it. Surely she would be going to the authorities next. James shook his head, easily thinking of another lie such as 'it's a potion for class,' or 'none of your business.' Why did Sirius have to lead with the illegal drink?

     Next, James noticed how irritated and exhausted Cressida looked. Obviously, she hadn't gotten much sleep, but she also looked full of fatigue. He wanted to ask if she was okay but didn't want another snarky comment of hers.

    Cressida's shoulders untensed. "Really?"

     Sirius hesitantly replied, "Yep..."

     "Great," Cressida reached forward the hastily took the glass vial from his hands. She slipped open the top and in one large gulp drank it all. She was starved, tired, and in dire need of something to cheer her up; alcohol would do just the thing.

     Sirius' jaw dropped and sputtered out, "DON'T --"

     But it was too late; the entire vial was empty.

     Peter's hand shot up to his mouth, covering it in shock. James' eyes widened.

     "Shit," Sirius said. "You weren't supposed to drink that."

     Cressida, still feeling completely normal, furrowed her brows. "Why not? I don't know what type of fire whisky that was, but I don't think it worked. It didn't have any sting to it... not like I remembered anyway."

     James stepped forward, holding his hands out cautiously, "You don't feel anything?"

     Peter's hands were twitching again with anxiety. "We're gonna go to Azkaban, I know it. Oh, this is the end for me."

     James hushed his friend, "Pete, shut up, please." He didn't intend to be rude, but he was more worried about Cressida and the potion rather than Peter's ramblings at the moment.

     The Slytherin was even more confused, "Why do you all look like I'm about to die? Your fire whisky was absolute arse, by the way. You three are good for nothing it seems." She pivoted and took a step forward, but stumbled. Cressida re-caught her balance, "That was weird."

     The three boys only panicked even more.

     "Peter, go get Madam Pomfrey," James took the initiative. His friend did not move. "Now!"

     Peter ran off in the direction of the infirmary, leaving Cressida, Sirius, and James alone in the hall.

     The girl felt her eyelids becoming heavier by the second. Her hand reached up to her head, trying to ease out the growing headache. Cressida caught Sirius' worried stare, "Did you fucking drug me, Black?"

     Cressida stumbled again, this time unable to catch her balance. The Slytherin tumbled into James as he caught her. She felt the world around her spinning and her ears began to ring. She couldn't hear what the two boys in front of her were yelling at each other, only the ringing buzz she felt like she was drowning in. A strong wave of exhaustion hit Cressida, stronger than she'd ever felt before. It was like she hadn't slept for over a year.

     When she couldn't take it anymore, Cressida submitted herself to the sleepiness. Her eyes rolled back and she collapsed. James grasped onto her before she hit the ground. First, he checked her pulse to make sure she wasn't dead, and then he looked up at Sirius.

     "Shit," the eldest Black exclaimed. His hands ran through his hair. "We didn't just kill her, did we?" When he said he wanted to get back at her, this wasn't what he had in mind. Sirius Black was no murderer, he was not his family. 

     Potter shook his head, "No, but we might. We need to get to Madam Pomfrey immediately. You heard what Lily said about the potion, it can be deadly."

     For once in his life, James didn't think about his romantic feelings when bringing up Lily's name. For the first time, he was thinking about another girl's safety. The Gryffindor positioned Cressida in a bridal style, making it easier for him to take her to the infirmary. "All the shit you get us in Sirius, I swear it's gonna kill us one day."

     Sirius trailed behind, heart pounding in his chest. "I know, I know. There could have been better excuses...and now we don't have any medicine for Moony."

     James glanced down at the girl in a peaceful sleep, "I can't believe this is happening."