Sorry for the lack of updates as of late, remember you can fins a Life & Times tumblr link on my page. (:

Chapter Seventeen

Monsters and Angels

Skye was sorry, to quote her- so, very, I can't even begin to describe to you how much I am sorry, I don't know what I was thinking, I wasn't thinking and so on. I'd forgiven her pretty quickly although I had felt hurt and quite betrayed at what she'd done. It was Lily and Carrie she had to worry about. Lily was coming around, Carrie not so much. I could understand, they had known her since first year and she'd just dropped them like it was nothing, of course it wasn't nothing, it was her trying to protect herself because she felt too vulnerable and didn't know how to handle it. She'd finally come across something she couldn't smile through. Knowing all of this is what gave me the idea to begin with. I'd kept it to myself and mulled it over because I knew that if I told anyone it would be rejected faster than I could say "but". The plan was basically to have one last push at getting Remus and Skye back together and if it didn't work then I would stop, give in and accept that it simply wasn't meant to be. It was Friday and I had only less than forty eight hours to execute my cunning ideas that could go drastically wrong (I tried not to think about that too much).
I was heading down to dinner when I clocked Sirius...not alone. I raised one of my eyebrows and took in what I could see, my boyfriend with a small group of girls. He was talking to them and smiling his charming little smile and flicking their hair playfully. Be cool Paige, be cool, do not under any circumstances go over there and rip his head from his body- you would surely regret that later. He looked up and gave me that smile that made me feel like ice cream in July and I felt myself returning it, damn I'd forgotten how he could do that to me. He left his fan girls and came grinning over to me.

"Hey," he beamed.

"What were you doing?" I asked trying to keep an air of coldness in my voice.

"Nothing," he said looking confused.

"It didn't look like nothing," I continued keeping a blank face. He looked puzzled and then laughed.

"Oh come on, Paigey it was only a bit of flirting," he chuckled. Only a bit of flirting, hm.

"Right," I said walking in front of him. He ran up to my side

"Aw come on, you're not mad are you?" he said looking at me with that annoyingly adorable puppy dog face. Why did he have to be so lovely when I was
trying to be angry with him?

"Maybe," I said crossing my arms.

"Paige you know you're my girl, right?" he said, his voice like silk as he touched my face gently giving me unwanted shivers. I relaxed a little and he smiled taking my hand in his as we continued down into the Great Hall.

"What was it you were saying about Skye and Remus yesterday?" he asked.

"I'll explain later, but tonight I'm going to start saying some stuff that I don't mean and I need you to go along with it," I said, mysterious one I was.

"Why me?"

"Because you're just so wonderful."

"Really?"

"No, James and Lily are away out together," I started, I will explain this later, "And the rest of them are busy."

"You sure know how to kick a guy where it hurts," he huffed. I smirked and then squeezed his hand affectionately, he returned it. We shimmed in beside Lily, James and Peter and I looked lovingly at all the food.

"Lily tell them what you told me today," James grinned that cheeky grin I'd grown to love.

"Do I have to?"

"Yes!"

"What did you say Lils?" I asked curiously.

"I told him I kind of loved his stupid, messy hair," she said begrudgingly.

"Not like, love," James grinned. That was when Remus came over, I looked to him with concern- full moon was this Saturday.

"Hello Remus," I tried to smile.

"I'm fine," he said softly.

"Moony I think you need to pay up now mate," Sirius said looking far too pleased with himself.

"I'd hoped you'd have forgotten about that," he said sadly fishing out roughly ten galleons out of his pocket.

"Thank you," Sirius said snatching it from his dear friend.

"What's that for?" I asked.

"I'll tell you later," he winked.

"Do I look okay?" Lily asked turning on the spot for the sixth time.

"Yes," I said, again.

"It doesn't look like I'm trying too hard?" she asked.

"You look perf-mediocre," I grinned.

"So it's really okay?"

"Lily I am going to turn you into a frog if you don't stop asking me that," I said reaching for my wand.

"Okay!" she said throwing up her hands and I smiled, took a quick snap of her for the albums and got up.

"My little Tiger-Lily is going on her first date," I said emotionally.

"This is not my first date," she said matter of factly.

"It is with the love of your life, Mr. Git-face himself," I said even more matter of factly.

"I've only done it to shut him up, it's one date. Nothing amazing is going to happen," she huffed.

"I think there's going to be some fireworks tonight," I winked.

"He's brining fireworks?" she asked innocently yet mockingly.

"Hush you, put on your coat and hurry up before he thinks you've went off with the giant squid instead," I demanded tossing her coat at her.

"Walk me to the Fat Lady?" she asked quietly.

"Of course," I smiled. We started to head out but she stopped before we could even get out the door.

"Do you think I'm doing the right thing?" she asked suddenly, I was a little taken aback but gave her a sweet smile.

"It's what you want," I said.

"But-," she started, I shook my head.

"Come on," I said nudging her out of the door. We reached the common room exit and she fluffed her flaming hair one last time before giving me a grin.

"Go get him tiger," I winked, "And I won't tell anyone about your little freak out."

"What freak out?" she smiled gratefully before heading out. I blew out a breath, now to set my little scheme in motion but where was Remus? I thought I'd just pop up to their dorm to check if anyone was in. I got to the door and had gently pushed it the tiniest bit open (hey, you never know who could be naked in there) when I heard two voices. I stopped and couldn't help listening when I realised it was Peter and...Carrie!

"I know what people say about me Peter, and I know I act like I don't give a shit about anything but really, sometimes it gets to me. Like I get these dirty looks from girls who think I've slept with their boyfriend, you how many times I've slept with someone? Three. But why should I have to tell anyone that? I'm not a slut but sometimes people just make me feel like nothing. You know the worst thing was when Phoenix called me a slut, I think that hurt the most," Carrie said quietly.

"Carrie, I think you're beautiful and amazing, I've never thought anything bad about you and I'd sure as hell never call you a, slut," Peter said meaningfully.
"Oh Peter, why can't all guys be like you?" I closed the door gently as I felt like I was perving in on a very intimate and private moment. Maybe I had misjudged Peter Pettigrew, he wasn't so bad. The boys loved him and well, did you hear how sweet he just was to Carrie? I'd maybe made too much of a snap judgement about him. I came down the stairs from the boy's dormitories and almost walked into Remus.

"Remus!" I said in shock.

"Paige!" he half laughed.

"Hi," I said lamely, he smiled and started over to our seats, it was then that Sirius walked in.

"Where have you two been?" he asked. I side glanced Remus and gave him a special smirk.

"Having sex," I said casually, his brow furrowed.

"What?" Sirius said.

"Yeah, we have sex all the time, on your bed," I shrugged.

"I thought you'd be fine with it mate, what's mine is yours?" Remus added innocently before we burst out into giggles. Sirius gave me a scathing look before laughing himself and joining us on the couch. Okay breathe, you could have been an actress Paige Hayle and now is your moment.

"So Remus, y'know this whole Skye thing?" I said casually, Sirius looked at me a little annoyed at my bluntness.

"Yes," he said looking at me cautiously.

"Yeah I think it's totally for the best you dumped her ass, I mean honestly you could do so much better," I said running my fingers through my hair, Remus' mouth hung open as did Sirius'. I gave Sirius a quick look hoping he'd get it, he did.

"Yeah mate, she's not good enough for you, no wonder you don't give a shit about her anymore," Sirius shrugged.

"I do care," Remus said glowering at Sirius; oh this was not going to be pretty.

"She's turned into a little slut anyway, you don't want that kind of...," Sirius started but Remus had erupted from his seat and faced Sirius straight on. I felt my blood pound in my ears.

"Don't you dare speak about her like that!" he growled, I saw a couple of first years scatter from the corner of my eye.

"Remus, chill the hell out. She's not worth it," I said getting ready for the worst.

"Yes she is! She's worth everything; I'd do anything for her. I'd rather die than see her hurt, she is the most beautiful person I have ever met and if you think you can-," he continued shouting, his fist clenched, he turned back to Sirius...okay! Time to stop.

"Remus!" I shouted. He stopped, fire in his eyes.

"Listen to yourself," I said softly. His face twisted and then his fist became unclenched.

"I-," he said before just letting his mouth hang.

"Do you see now?" I asked. He blinked several times before falling into the couch, putting his face in his hands.

"Oh god," he mumbled.

"Sorry Remus, I didn't mean to uh, I love Skye and I love you. I just wanted you to see how-," I tried to explain gently but he got up.

"I have to go for a walk," he said giving me a weak smile before heading out of the common room. Sirius let out a breath, I looked over to him.

"Where you scared?"

"Petrified," he smiled.

"You never told me what Remus paid you for?"

"I bet that Lily would agree to go out with James of her own decision," he laughed.

"When did you make that bet?"

"Fifth year," he grinned.

"Wow, the odds were against you huh?"

"You have no idea." I laughed and then a girl came bopping over and beamed at Sirius. Could I go nowhere?

"Hey Sirius," she said- stupid hair twirler, "Can I talk to you real quick about the next Quidditch game?" He nodded and she sat down beside him. My blood was literally boiling as she looked at him and oh so very innocently touched his thigh. Do. Not. Show. The. Crazy.

"Paigey!" Oh thank the Lord, I spun around to see Skye. I got up and walked to her.

"Hey sweetie," I beamed, she looked...grateful.

"Are you busy I-I kinda just need to talk to someone," she said quietly. I looked over to Sirius and flicked my hair defiantly.

"Let's go," I said leading her out through the portrait. We walked in silence until we reached the crowds where we took a seat by on the ledge of the fountain.

"You okay?" I asked timidly. She sighed.

"I guess, I feel horrible still though and Carrie still won't talk to me. Nothing's changed with Remus, I tried and I just can't forget him, it's too hard I-," she stopped to take a deep breath and I squeezed her arm.

"It'll be okay," I started and then sighed, here goes, "Skye, if there was a chance that you could make Remus see that-that you can be together what would you say?" Her eyes met mine and they were filled with defeat but there was just a glimmer of hope somewhere in there.

"I'd say, what do I have to do?"

"It's…Risky I guess," I said carefully.

"I don't care," she said and I couldn't help smiling.

"Okay best friend, just trust me," I said.

"I trust you."

"You can't make me say it Paige Hayle," Lily said stroppily.

"Either way Evans, we know I'm right whether or not it's said so you are as well as just sparing yourself the humiliation and just saying it," I smirked playfully.

"Never," she huffed.

"I will threaten you with tickles and endless ramblings about how dreamy my honey-bean is," I giggled as she made a horrified face.

"Fine! I had an okay time with James Potter," she grumbled.

"Okay?" I pressed, a smile dancing across my lips.

"It was very okay," she offered teasingly.

"Lily!" I moaned.

"Right, okay you've worn me down," she said before jumping on my bed and sitting cross legged. I joined her.

"Start from the beginning," I grinned.

"Okay so he took me to Hogsmeade and tried to buy me some jewellery which I refused because he's not going to buy my affections if I have any for him. So I settled with a butter beer and then he took me away to this little place just outside the village, by the water which was really quite beautiful and we had a picnic. Then I may have accidently pushed him in, he may have vengefully pulled me in, we may have kissed in the water and the hey, ho we came home," she rushed.

"Lily Evans," I grinned, "And that is all I am going to say."

"Shut up!" she blushed.

"I'm not saying anything," I said innocently.

"You're doing that eye thing were you look like you're trying to be wise but really you look ridiculous," she snipped with a smile.

"Oh, hit me where it hurts," I said over dramatically grasping my heart.

"Calm down, I'm sorry I didn't mean to be so mean," she laughed.

"Well, apology accepted. Are you going to have a not-a-real date, date with him again?" I asked curiously.

"Maybe," she said coyly. That so meant yes but to avoid another swift tongue lashing, I just nodded wisely (regardless of what she said about me look like a goon). Next thing we'd know they'd be holding hands skipping through fields of wheat and we'd all have to hop aboard the Jily train. Choo, choo.

"I am starving," I moaned.

"I still have some Christmas cake left over from the basket my parents sent me," Lily offered.

"Honestly Lily, I have never loved you more."

The moonlight was shining through our dorm window but it was dimming, the morning was swiftly coming and I was sitting up, wide awake like a fool. Oh Remus was going to be so angry at me for this. I sighed, yet it had to be done. I slipped off my bed, fully clothed and tip toed over to my little friend Skye's bed and shook her gently.

"Skye Pie, time to get up sweetie," I said softly. She grumbled so I decided to go for the less subtle tactic and hit her over the head with my pillow, she woke with a jump.

"Paige!" she exclaimed in a hushed voice.

"Skye, it's a full moon tonight and it's about to go down. Remus, well he'll just be changing back so I think that, well, if you want to let him know that you love him- all of him, then you'll come with me and try one last time. Make him see that you know better than he does, as difficult as that is with Remus," I said with a swift eye roll, "If anyone can change his mind you can." She sat up slowly.

"I love him whether he's a werewolf, vampire, fairy, nymph, elf or whatever else," she said and we laughed and I watched her relax for the first time in a while. I outstretched my hand.

"You're coming then?"

"Of course I am but I think I'm going to put some clothes on first, I don't know what you wear to your maybe-boyfriend's uhm, transition," she said hopelessly.

"Not pyjamas?" I offered. She smiled and quickly got changed and then it was hip, hop out the window on ye olde broomstick and once we were safely on the ground I squeezed her hand encouragingly.

"You ready?" She nodded stiffly and we headed towards the whomping willow. Okay if I remember correctly Sirius went to this little part of the bark, oh this would be easier as a wolf. I quickly changed and after a few misses dealt with the tree. I morphed back and beckoned Skye over. The dirt crawl through was not pleasant but we came out unscathed.

"I'm scared," she whispered.

"Just remember why you're doing this," I said softly and she walked ahead of me up the creaking stairs and into the bedroom.

"Skye!"

"Paige!"

"What are you doing here?"

"Paige have you gone completely bloody mad?" These were the pleasantries I was met with from James and Sirius on our arrival.

"S-Skye," Remus mumbled and then nothing else mattered. She ran over to him and leapt onto the bed clinging to his bare chest.

"R-Remus," she half sobbed.

"Skye, Skye what are you doing here? Have you any idea how danger-," he started the speech.

"No, Remus for the love of, just shut up. Shut up!" she snapped holding onto him tighter and shockingly she must have stunned him into silence.

"Do not tell me what's best for me okay because I know better than you what's best for me and the answer is you. And I know you feel the same, I know you love me Remus so don't look at me and tell me you don't because it's a lie. I want you Remus Lupin," she pulled back and held his face, "I want you, scars and all. I want to love every part of you, the good and bad."

"How can an angel like you love a monster like me?" he asked quietly, trust him to completely ignore the point of her rather beautiful speech.

"You're not a monster, you'll never be a monster to me Remus, never," she kissed his lips softly, "Ever," she kissed him again, "Ever," and he started to kiss her back. I nudged Sirius and James.

"I think she'll take care of him," I said under my breath and they understood so we all left the Shrieking Shack.

"Paige that was a stupid and reckless thing you did, Moony can really hurt people when he's-," James started.

"I know," I said looking him dead in his eyes hoping he'd understand, "But I had to try." He sighed and gave me a half smile.

"I know," and he gave me quick yet affectionate hug, "See you later Gryffindor. Catch up with me Padfoot." Then he headed off. I looked to Sirius.

"Hey," he said gently.

"Hey," I replied with as much dignity I could manage when he was doing that damn puppy dog face thing.

"I get the feeling you're not exactly happy with me," he started with a small smile.

"You'd be correct," I said starting the walk back but before I could he grabbed me by the wrist and twirled me into his body before kissing me. Oh okay.

"It's you," he said softly looking far too deeply into my eyes like he did sometimes, it scared me.

"And you, how you are, exactly how you are," I said more to myself than to him. I fell for Sirius Black albeit that was the infamous Sirius Black, hot tart of Hogwarts but it was him nonetheless. The good and the bad, I wanted to love it all too.

"Ready to go to bed?" he winked as I laughed. He was always making me laugh even at the most inappropriate times.

"Not quite," I giggled grabbing his hand and taking him to the Quidditch Pitch.

"I want to watch the sun rise," I smiled and he gave me his bark of a laugh. He went in to get his broomstick and grinned his cocky grin as he gestured towards the back if it. I smirked and hopped on the back as we took off towards the sky. Eventually he found a spot high up enough where we could lie and watch the morning come. It was beautiful. A mix of fiery oranges and soft pinks. A beautiful and dangerous mix, like monsters and angels.

Remember to review good people! I've really grown to luurve Remus lately, what a guy. haha (: