This chapter is just kind of an intro, but it covers the Willow Incident. I'm not sure if I think this is really what happened, but it's a version of it. I always like reading all the different versions. Hope you enjoy. It's just over 3,000 words, not too long. :)

"We've already used that prank, we should think of something fresh," James said, absent-mindedly twirling his wand in his hand.

The Easter holidays were right around the corner, and the common room had a relaxed atmosphere. Even the teachers had stopped assigning as much homework this week, as they knew they would just be rewarded with half-assed attempts, rushed at the last minute.

In their usual corner of the common room, 4 boys were talking in quiet voices. Anyone who had known the Marauders long knew that this was not a good sign. When they talked in hushed voices, it usually meant they were planning something. And the thing they were planning was usually a prank.

"We could do something tomorrow," said Peter.

"Nah, not tomorrow," Sirius replied. "Did you forget what day it was?"

Peter looked confused for a moment and Sirius gestured with his head to Remus.

"Oh, full moon, I forgot, shit, sorry, Remus,"

"It's fine," Remus replied, smiling slightly. He was already starting to feel a bit tired. Each full moon was a lot easier now that Padfoot, Prongs and Wormtail were there. He could actually keep some of his human conscience, and remember most of the night, but he still felt tired either side of the moon. He was glad Spring was here and the nights were getting shorter.

"We should do something on the last day, we probably won't get detention then," Peter suggested, leaning forward in his chair. As much as he enjoyed pranking, he hated detention.

"We'll just get detention after the holidays," Remus said. Sure, he seemed the most reserved and sensible out of the group, but to anyone who really knew him, he was just as big of a prankster as James and Sirius.

"But I like the idea of doing something on the last day, Peter," Sirius said thoughtfully as Peter's eyes lit up at the acknowledgement. "Really go out with a bang."

James nodded, grinning. "Maybe even a literal one," he joked, remembering the fireworks prank they had done last month. Sirius grinned back at him mischievously, remembering it too.

"I can't wait to go home, school has been stressing me out lately." James said, leaning back in his chair and mussing up his black hair with his hand. It was an O.W.L. year, so the work was endless. It would be nice to get away from the stress.

"Me too. I always want to come back after a few days, but I really miss being at home." Remus replied. He was going to stay at Hogwarts during the Easter break to study for his O.W.L.'s, but decided against it after his mother sent him a package with her home-made cupcakes and homesickness set in.

"We're going to Ireland," Peter said excitedly. "I've only been once before, but it was great."

Sirius looked down at his hands. As much as he wanted his friends to be happy, he hated it when they talked about their time at home. It wasn't that he felt jealous, more envious of how wonderful their parents all seemed to be and how happy their home life was.

It was the complete opposite for him, and he hated it.

He would've stayed at Hogwarts during the Easter holidays, but his parents had insisted he come home, as there was a family gathering over the holidays and he had "better show up and not embarrass us". He would've ignored them and not gone home, but as much as he hated to admit it, he was scared. Because even if he ignored them then, he would still have to go back during the summer, and it would be ten times worse.

"PADFOOT!"

"Huh?"

"We've been saying your name for like a minute, you were zoned out," James said, laughing. "Are you okay?"

"Oh, shit, sorry," Sirius replied, forcing himself to grin. "I guess my dog-like hearing didn't pick it up."

"You idiot."

Sirius grinned for real this time.

"C'mon," he said, rolling off the couch he had been slumped on. "Let's go up, it's kinda late, and it's Monday tomorrow."

"Not like you to go to sleep before 4am, Padfoot," James said. It was a running joke between the Marauders about how Sirius was always awake in the middle of the night. Usually, it was because of nightmares. He used to wake his friends up with them, but ever since he had learned the silencing charm in 2nd year, he put that up around his bed. Of course, sometimes it wore off, but that was rare.

They always went to bed a bit earlier the night before the full moon. They would need that energy for tomorrow night.

"Aren't deers supposed to hibernate?"

James and Remus looked at him for a moment, before cracking up with laughter.

"That's hedgehogs you fucking idiot," James said between laughs.

"Oh," Sirius said, trying and failing to not join in the laughter. "Same thing."

"Can we GO already, I'm so boooooored," Sirius said, pacing backwards and forwards in their dormitory.

"Just bloody wait half an hour, Padfoot, the moon hasn't even risen properly yet," James grumbled. He was in the middle of an intense game of Exploding Snap with Peter.

"I hope Remus is alright," he said, running his hand through his past-shoulder length black hair and glancing out of the window. No matter how much James told him that worrying wouldn't solve a thing, Sirius' mind was still on Moony the whole time he was gone.

"He'll be alright, Pads, don't worry about it," James said a bit more softly. "He goes through this every month."

Sirius sighed and flopped on the bed.

"If you're bored, run down to the kitchens and grab us some snacks for when we get back," James said, playing another card. "You can take the cloak if you want, it's in my trunk."

Sirius glanced at James' trunk, which was buried under a wreck of clothes, Quiddich gear, and Honeydukes sweets. He raised his eyebrow.

"I'll go without."

He slipped out into the corridor, which was deserted after curfew. He walked through the halls quietly, making his way down to the kitchen. He had done this so many times, he didn't even need to think about where he was going. He jumped the trick step with ease, turned down into the last corridor and was almost at the portrait of the pear when someone shoved him back into the wall. He flinched automatically, remembering situations at home, and glanced into the darkness.

"Scared of me, Black? Not so brave without your friends, are you?"

Snivellus. Figures.

"Fuck off, Snivelly," Sirius said, straightning. He was thinner than Snape, but a little taller when he stood up straight instead of slouching.

"What are you doing here, all alone?"

"I could say the same for you."

"You're always mooching around school, up to something. Isn't tonight the full moon, Black? Where's your little Prefect friend, Remus? Or Moony, as you lot call him?"

Sirius' eyes widened. He absolutely hated Snape, he thought angrily. Always following them around, seeing what they were up to. How could he possibly know about Remus' condition? They were always so careful not to talk about it in public.

"What are you even talking about, Snape? Go run back to your dungeons." He said, trying to keep his face passive.

"Seems a little suspicious, doesn't it? He's always "sick" the day after the full moon."

"His mother is sick, he has to go visit her. Not that it's any of your business."

"Always knew there was something wrong with him. Always knew he was a monster f-"

"YOU SHUT UP ABOUT REMUS." Sirius yelled, forgetting about being quiet. He was so angry he was shaking, his hands clenched into fists.

"I'll figure out where you lot are going every full moon, always hanging around the Willow. I'll have him expelled. I'll have all of you expelled."

"You wouldn't see the knot if it was right under your massive fucking nose, Snape!"

"The knot?" Snape said, thinking. Sirius' eyes widened. Shit. "Got it." Snape said with a grin, shoving Sirius against the wall again and running off. "Thanks a lot, Black."

Shit, Sirius thought, panic setting in. What had he done? Sure he hated Snape, but he didn't want him dead. He probably won't be brave enough to even try going down there, he thought, trying to calm himself down. Merlin, he was such an idiot. He had to do something. He had to do something quick, instead of standing here dithering in the empty corridor. James! James will know what to do, he thought, setting off at a run.

He ran all the way back to the Gryffindor common room, not even trying to be quiet now. He rushed up the stairs and ran into the dorm, where James and Peter were playing Gobstones.

"What took you so long? Did you bring some stuff?" Peter asked.

"I- Prongs, I, Fuck," Sirius said, panting out of breath. "Snape- Snape knows how to get into the Willow, he knows- he knows about the knot, Prongs, what-"

"What? How does he know that? HOW DOES HE KNOW ABOUT THE KNOT?"

"I told him there was a knot and-"

"You TOLD him? What is WRONG with you, Sirius? Shit." James said, shooting out of the dorm at a run.

"What kind of friend are you?" Peter said to Sirius, who was standing there, white-faced.

In truth, Peter didn't really like Sirius that much. He saw how close he was with James, and he felt kind of jealous. Why didn't James listen to HIM that avidly? Why did he always feel like the fourth wheel in his own group of friends? And Sirius, with his perfect life. The Blacks were one of the richest wizarding families in all of Britain, and all he did was complain about them, or dodge the subject. He was so ungrateful. Peter secretly hoped that this would drive James and Sirius apart, then maybe HE could take Sirius' place as James' best friend. He was so sick of being overlooked.

"I'm getting McGonagall." Peter said. Sirius didn't even reply, he was just staring blankly at the spot where James had been. Fine, Peter thought, as he left to get the professor.

Twenty minutes later, four boys were sitting in Professor Dumbledore's office in front of the headmaster and a very tired, very shocked looking head of year.

"You're- you're not going to expel Remus, are you?" Sirius asked quietly.

"No. Remus is not the one at fault here." Dumbledore said.

"What? That's stupid. That beast almost killed me!" Snape said indignantly.

"Remus is NOT a BEAST!" James snapped.

"Sirius," Dumbledore said, turning to the very pale-faced boy on the end. He looked up into the headmasters piercing stare. "Can you recount for me exactly what happened?"

"I was on my way to the kitchens to get some snacks, and Sniv- S-Snape shoved me against a wall. He said it was suspicious how Remus was always sick after the full moon, and he asked- he asked why he always went down to the Willow. And we started arguing. And I can't remember exactly what it was I said but I told him where the knot on the tree was, and he ran off," Sirius said softly. "I didn't- I didn't mean to. I'm sorry."

"Alas, I am not the one you should be apologising to. I think that is a conversation better saved for the morning, with Remus himself."

Sirius nodded, letting his eyes drop to the floor again.

"And you, Severus? Can you recount what happened?"

"I bumped into Black here in the corridor, and I asked him what he was doing. He said "It's none of your business, Snivelly," and I asked him if it was anything to do with the full moon. I've been following them, see, Professor. I knew they were up to something. One of them skulking off every full moon. Alwa-"

"Why don't you get a life, Snape?" James said, angrily.

"Let's not get off track." McGonagall said.

"Right. Anyway. I mentioned about the Willow, and he told me that to get down into the tunnel, you need to press a knot at the base of the tree, which stops the branches swinging. So I did. I went straight there and it worked, and I got down into the tunnel, and I got a glimpse of that monster just before James got cold feet from their little prank and came running after me."

"He's not a monster!" James and Sirius said simultaneously.

"James wasn't in on this. It wasn't even a prank. It was all my fault." Sirius said.

"I bet you've been wanting to see me go down there for months. Get mauled by a bloody wolf. You'd love that."

"Severus, please." Dumbledore said. "Now, James and Peter, could you recount what happened?"

"Sirius came running in," James began. "He said Snape knew how to get into the Willow, he said he'd told him how. So I ran straight there and found Snape at the end of the tunnel, he was just stood still, I think he was in shock. I tried to get him to come with me, but he wouldn't, I ended up levitating him out of the willow, and that's when you found us. I guess Peter just went straight to you, Professor, after I left."

McGonagall nodded.

"Thank you." Dumbledore said. He looked older, somehow, James thought. Perhaps it was because it was nearing 4am by this point. Moony would be going crazy, in there alone for the first time in so long. He would feel it in the morning. James glared at Sirius.

"Well, I am sure you will be relieved to know that Remus will be fine. Nothing will come of this, though we will have to tell him in the morning.'

"Severus, I must implore you to keep this to yourself. If word of Remus' lycanthropy gets around, he will be forced to leave school. Please do not jepordise his education and chance at a future for something so petty."

Snape frowned. He felt angry, he couldn't believe Dumbledore had let a full fledged werewolf into the school. But he wouldn't dare go against Dumbledores word, so he nodded. "Fine."

"Thank you." Dumbledore said. "Now. Ordinarily, I would deduct points for this kind of behavour, Sirius," He said, turning to Padfoot who looked up at the mention of his name. "However, I do not want to draw attention to the issue. Besides, I think that James here has shown an extensive amount of courage, and I believe he would have earned them back for this."

Snape grumbled as Sirius looked down, ashamed. Merlin, he just wanted this day to end. He wished he could just go hide in a cupboard and cry himself to sleep. He couldn't even bear to think about facing Remus in the morning. He would not be angry, he would just be... disappointed. And in many ways, that was worse than if he had just yelled at him.

"Sirius, I hope you have understood the full extent of what could have happened. Had Snape made it further, Remus could have bitten him. Severus would be doomed to the same life as Remus, and you know how guilty Remus would feel about such a fate. Worse still, he could have died, resulting in the Ministry stepping in. I assume you know what happens if a werewolf kills a person?"

Sirius' eyes widened. He hadn't thought of that.

"Yes", he said, in barely more than a whisper. They got put down. He had almost killed Remus and Snape, he had almost become a murderer. Merlin, what have I done, he thought. I'm just like my family.

"James, Peter, Severus, you may leave now. Please do not let this remain on your minds for too long. No harm has been done, and we cannot dwell on the possibilities."

They nodded, and left, Peter saying "Goodnight, Professors," as the door swung shut.

Sirius tensed up as he was left with the two professors. He knew they weren't his parents, he knew they wouldn't hit him, but part of him was still scared. He hated himself for what he had done, and at this point, he felt like he would've deserved it anyway. But when he looked up and saw the disappointed expression on McGonagall's face, that was almost as bad as when he was in trouble at home.

"Sirius." Dumbledore said.

"I- I'm really sorry," Sirius said softly. Usually when he was sent into the office for a prank, or whatever else they had gotten up to, he kept his confident mood up. But this time he knew he had really done something wrong, and he just felt empty.

Dumbledore sighed. "I know. I do not condone what you have done. I expect better from you of all people, Sirius."

Sirius looked away, biting his lip. Don't cry, he thought.

"But I am sure there is more to it than this. It is not the end of the world." Dumbledore paused. "Ordinarily, we would have suspended you for this. However, as the holidays are in 3 days anyway, I believe detentions will suffice. You will report to Professor McGonogall's office at 7am sharp each morning, to do whatever detention she assigns. Then you will have breakfast and attend your classes for the day, and report straight back there at 4pm to do your homework. After dinner, you must go straight back there for your final detention. Understood?"

Sirius nodded.

"Good. I do not expect this again, Sirius. I will be writing to your parents tomorrow."

"No!" Sirius said suddenly. "I mean- please, don't tell them. I won't do anything like this again, I swear, just please don't write to them."

"I cannot bend the rules, Sirius."

He panicked. They were going to kill him when he got home. He closed his eyes, willing himself not to cry. You're 16, stop it, he thought.

"Now, I think it is time we all went back to bed." Professor Dumbledore said, beginning to leave the room. "Think about what you have done, Sirius Black."

Sirius wondered if he had imagined the emphasis on his surname as Dumbledore left, swallowing back tears that were threatening to fall as he stood up too and looked at McGonagall.

"Sorry," he said, wiping his eyes quickly as she gave him a concerned look.

"Go to bed, Mr. Black." She said, leaving the room, leaving him alone.

Well, that's it for this chapter. Please let me know what you think! I'll try to update tomorrow or the day after, if people like it. Next chapter will have Sirius confronting Remus in the hospital wing, and then going home. I think all in all this story will have about 4 chapters. Anyway, I hope you liked it, please leave a review if you did! Or if you didn't. Constructive criticism is always cool with me.