October 2nd 1973

Quidditch Pitch  

Tryouts. Grace and Regulus stared at the sign in sheet gripping their brooms. 

“i don’t think i should do this” 

“Don’t say that, you’ll be fine Grace”

“why haven’t you signed in?” 

“i’m waiting for you”

“ok” Grace took a pen from her robe pocket and scribbled her name onto the sheet, “go ahead Reg”

“shut up” he quickly added his name to the list, “Alright, see you on the pitch Gray”

“I won’t be able to see you, you’ll be clouded by the dust I leave behind” she smirked 

“We’re in the air grace, there is no dirt”he quipped back ducking into the boys changing tent.

“Prick” she muttered heading into her changing room, she was promptly greeted by Posie Parkinson and Bella Greengrass.

“Posie? You play quidditch?”she quickly scanned her jersey, it was the teams jersey and her name was plastered on the back.

“Clearly Evans” she muttered shoving her out of her way

“She’s not even on the team and somehow she’s got a jersey with her name on it”scoffed Bella pulling on her practice jersey and tossing one to Grace, Grace took hint of her obvious distaste of Posie and took it as a fair sign to befriend her later.

She pulled on her jersey and clutched James’s broom. He had immediately offered her his broom for try outs since she didn’t have her own, he was selfless like that, always helping someone out even if he was constantly scrutinizing Snape, which in her opinion was well deserved.

She walked onto the pitch surrounded by about five or six other girls she looked to her side and found Regulus staring at her scared shitless, he was surrounded by almost 15 other boys all conversing with each other, amongst these boys was Sol Zabini, Lucius Malory and Tiberius Nott. She recognized Sol and Lucius quidditch jerseys, Lucius was team captain for Slytherin which made her shot at the team very very slim but it was worth a shot anyway. In the stands she could Lily stretching her neck trying to get a glimpse of her next to a tuff of sandy hair whom she assumed was Remus and above them she could clearly see Peter,Sirius and James holding up a sign that read “WE'RE HERE FOR MINI EVANS AND MINI BLACK” she stifled a laugh and hinted at Regulus to take a look who outwardly let out a small giggle that was quickly shut by Lucius cold stare.

“Alright we’re separating you into two teams, if i say your number head to the left of the field if i don’t head to the right ” Lucius cleared his throat and Sol handed him the sign up sheet. 

“10,9,6,14,2,8… everyone else you know where to go” 

Regulus glanced at Grace and realized her number was 12, he was to go up against her not with her, Grace stared at the back of his jersey displaying a shining number 2 as he walked towards the left of the field.

“Alright in the air on 3… 1,2,3” he quickly released the snitch and the game began. Grace had been trying out for seeker and Regulus as a chaser, they’re spots on the team depended on whether or not Grace caught the snitch. 

She kept her eyes firm on the snitch from the second it left the ground and immediately fled behind it. Regulus stared at her in shock. She had spotted it the second it went up in the air and her eyes had stayed locked on a slight sliver of gold. He grabbed the quaffle that was tossed at him and started for the hoops on the right side of the field. Grace kept her eyes on the snitch carefully moving her way around bludgers and other teammates. 

“10 points team left” she heard Lucius voice boom with the help of an amplifying charm. Her eyes darted to Regulus who had just chucked a quaffle into one of the hoops, he did it again and again and again, she was now behind. The chasers on her team were shit, the game was up to her, she saw Tiberius shoot for the snitch as it zoomed past her and immediately followed after him. She ducked under the stands cutting him off right before he got to it and grabbed the snitch.

“TEAM RIGHT WITH THE SNITCH, TEAM RIGHT WINS” Lucius voice boomed again but this time with a cold chilling smirk. “Spots will be announced tomorrow, good evening” 

She landed on the field and was immediately ambushed by Lily,Remus and James, Sirius had fled to see Regulus.

“You were amazing Grace” beamed Lily pulling her sister into a hug, “Green looks good on you” she smiled.

“It would look great on you Evans with those beautiful eyes” said James wrapping an arm around Grace's shoulder.

“Potter!” she groaned 

“sorry sorry, Grace you did great the way you cut him off through the stands. It was amazing, bet you’ll give us a run for our money in next month's game, you’d think you’ve been playing your whole life” he beamed his eyes glimmering.

“Thanks James but i wouldn’t go that far” she giggled 

“He’s right, you were great” Remus let out a gentle smile and she felt a slight blush creep onto her cheeks.

“yeah you were” Peters small voice creer behind James

“Grace!” Regulus ran towards her and immediately hugged her.

“That was bloody fantastic. I've never seen anyone spot the snitch so early on!” He had lost and possibly lost his spot on the team and he was still incredibly happy for her.

“Are you kidding Reg i mean you were great, shot after shot it was incredible!” she smiled shaking his shoulders.

“Alright break it up!” Sirius slung his arms around them both, “You two git’s killed it today, but i think the true star was our amazing sign, wingardium leviosa” he pointed his wand at the paper drawn on the floor and they watched it levitate in the air, the shining silver and green letters practically dancing around the paper.

October 3rd, 1973

The Great Hall

They once again found themselves staring at another sheet, they scanned the sheet simultaneously until they both let out a synchronized gasp. 

NEW STRING OF SLYTHERIN TEAM 

HORTON BULSTRODE/ KEEPER 

ANGELICA SNOW / KEEPER

BELLA GREENGRASS /BEATER 

HECTOR ALVES /BEATER

POSIE PARKINSON  /CHASER

REGULUS BLACK  /CHASER 

GRACE EVANS /SEEKER

“We did it” she gaped at the sheet tracing her finger along her name and to her new position on the team.

“yeah, i guess we did” he smiled at her shock and watched her pull herself away from the paper.

“Wanna go convince them we didn’t make the team?” suggested Regulus 

“Oh yeah totally,” she shrugged walking into the great hall.

She felt her friends uneasy stares from the Gryfifndor table. And they both took their seat next to Ari.

“What are you doing? I saw your names on the team roster?” whispered Ari to them both

Regulus whispered to ari behind Graces back, Grace sulked and poked at the oatmeal infront of her. 

“trying to convince them we didn’t make it” he smiled “look sad” Ari quickly nodded her head and clutched hand to her mouth in a loud gasp, and then quickly hugged Grace. 

“oh no” she heard Lily’s voice and the boys began to whisper. Grace dramatically ran out of the great hall with Regulus and Ari tailing behind her. They made their way to the tree and sat under it waiting for the five of them to inevitably arrive.

“Reg put ur head in your knees pretend to cry” whispered Grace 

“got it got it” He heaved his body into itself and let out a dramatic cry and Grace did the same leaning into Ari and it was all perfectly timed as the four boys and Lily came running towards them.

“This is fucking stupid” sneered Sirius “you two were the best ones at those damn try outs!”

“I’m gonna have Lucius’s fucking head for this one!” James yelled 

“Grace, love, it’s okay you can try again next year, right Remus?“ she kneeled down next to her sister who was shaking in tears.

Regulus lifted his head and wiped a tear, “Why would we try out again next year if we already made it in this year?” he said breaking into a smile.Grace perked her head up revealing a bright grin along with a snickering Ari. They all stared at them in shock

“You’ve gotta teach me how to do that,” said Peter, watching Regulus dry his eyes.

“You two are just as bad as them,” said Lily, rolling her eyes.

“that was- well ow” said Sirius plopping down next to Regulus

“happy you made the team though” smiled Remus 

“excited to play against you lot” said James “maybe i’ll get you two in on some pranks.” he smiled 

“oh god please don’t”

November 12th 1973

“He’s out again.” whispered Grace to Regulus at breakfast hat morning.

“I see that”  he said eyeing Remus’s empty seat next to another seemingly empty seat usually occupied by Sirius.

“somethings up” she sighed 

“don’t meddle Grace, Sirius seems to have it handled”

“What do you know?” she said poking him with her fork

“ow, and nothing Grace but haven’t you noticed Sirius doesn’t come to breakfast when he’s missing either.”

“Yea i guess, i’m gonna find out where he is”

“infirmary, it’s where he is every time, he gets sick remember,just go visit him?”  Regulus reminded her of this as she got up to leave, she had just assumed she wasn’t allowed to just enter the infirmary.

“Ok, ok , be right back,” she said, walking out of the great hall.

She reached the infirmary doors and silently pushed through them Madam Pomfrey wasn’t there so she let herself in and swiftly moved through the room.

“Hey,hey you’re all right, i’m here, you’re okay” she could hear Sirius whispering behind a curtain followed my several shaky gasps for air.

“Breathe moony, take a break and breathe, you’re okay you did it” he whispered again 

“i don’t know why you’re here”  the panting boy shuddered, it was a dark growling voice, something she’d never heard before, she had alos never heard the name “moony” before.

“Someone’s gotta be here when you wake up, and since i’m the best looking bloke here i figured you’d enjoy my gorgeous face to wake up to” Sirius half heartedly laughed allowing a small chuckle to come from the boy. She politely drew back the curtain only to see a half naked Remus Lupin, tear struck, bleeding and scarred. 

“Grace, what the hell are you doing here?!” Remus francticaly pulled his blanket up to his chest  avoiding eye contact with her, Sirius jumped in front of him to cover him almost immediately.

“What am I doing here!” she shoved her way past Sirius, “What are you doing here, what happened, are you okay, you’re bleeding!” 

There was an unsteady silence while she wiped blood off of his cheek.

“Hello?! Is anybody gonna give me a bloody answer!” she urged looking at Sirius.

“Uh” he just stared at Remus looking for the right thing to say, “he’s just sick.” he said looking down knowing that was the stupidest thing he could’ve said.

“Sick? What the hell are you guys hiding, Remus what’s wrong” she tilted his chin so that he was forced to look at her and saw tears start to besd up in his eyes, she began to think.

He’s gone once a month, he’s covered in scars, the chocolate calms him down immensely, he’ll have mood swings a few days before he disappeared again, he can’t be, those aren’t real, even if they were, it’s Remus, he’s not a monster

“Remus” she said, forcing eye contact with him, his eyes were watery but she made sure hers were warm and inviting, she loosened her grip on his chin and moved it to softly rest on his cheek and wipe a tear that escaped his eyes.

“You don’t have to tell me, but I think I know, '' she whispered to him, ignoring Sirius’s tense at her touching him. Remus kept silent, breaking eye contact with her to allow a few more tears.

“you’re still my friend, you’re still the sweetest boy i’ve ever met” she repeated her previous motion and wiped the remaining tears.

“I’m a monster, I shouldn't have- we shouldn’t have-“ he stuttered over his words trying to grasp what he wanted to say.

“We’re friends Remus, and you’re no monster” she smiled. He had stopped crying and rested his head into her arms. 

“Um maybe i should take off it seems Grace has got you handled” Sirius awkwardly stood by the curtain refusing to make eye contact with the two of them.

“No it’s okay i’ll leave, i have to get back to Reg, i won’t tell a soul ok?” 

“ok” 

“Go ahead Sirius, i’ll see you both at dinner” she smiled giving Remus a quick kiss on the forehead she then left the infirmary and headed straight to the library. 

The Hogwarts library 

“Good Morning, do you think you could point me in the direction of magical beasts?” 

The librarian raised her eyes at Grace and pointed her finger to the right, “third row miss” 

“Thank you so very much” she smiled before leaving to find what she was looking for.She scanned through the wide selection they had until she landed on one title. 

“Where Werewolves Hide and how to identify the monster within”

She rolled her eyes as she picked it off the shelf and sat down in the row to read it.

“As the full moon approaches each month werewolves will get tired and significantly more hungry as the monster inside of them will want to crawl out, all of their senses are heightened be on the look for sensitivity to bright lights, foul smells and loud noises”

She revised all the memories of Remus through her head and connected each dot,she was a wizard for Merlin’s sake of course werewolves were possible and seeing it all now layers out in front of her, she still wouldn’t have guessed especially because of the description on the next page.

“Werewolves are monstrous creatures and that will most likely reflect in their human form, mean, cruel and aggressive people are more commonly identified, they’re selfish and bloodthirsty because of the connection to the rampant wolf parading inside waiting for its moment to attack, if a werewolf is approached by even its closest friend in human form , it will not hesitate to tear them apart.” 

She imaged Remus attempting to hurt either one of them, he would die for Lily,James, Peter and Sirius, he’d do anything for them, but he could never hurt someone, he takes his tea with four spoons of honey and a dash of milk which he carefully mixes in every morning, he wears large sweaters and reads muggle books, he was smart and funny and kind, he was not the monster described in these pages. She closed the book and placed it in the very back of the shelf,upset at the description given to her friend, she then realized they knew, James, Peter and Sirius, they all knew and had been covering it up for him, why?

As she made her way back to the great hall she bumped into Regulus walking towards the Gryffindor tower.

“There you are, i was about to go see if you managed a way into their dorms, Lupin ok?” he smiled kindly and then slowly scanned the look of disgust on her face. “Grace? Everything ok?” 

“Remus is okay, i have some questions for you but you must promise to not ask any further questions or infer any of your own opinions, these questions have nothing to do with Remus” she said grabbing his arm and pulling him to the 

tree by the lake.

“Ok shoot” he said sitting down under the shade of the tree, Grace remained standing pacing back and forth while Regulus looked at her confused.

“Do we learn of magical creatures here at Hogwarts?” 

“Yes in our third year” he replied promptly 

“What creatures do we learn of” she continued 

“Merpeople,Goblins,Pixies,Centaurs,Elves,Unicorns and Werewolves” he answered again, impressed by his own knowledge.

“What do we learn about them?” she asked still pacing 

“i mean you really could just wait for the class im no professor” he laughed and she gave him a stern look “ok sorry, we learn about where they stand in the wizarding world, how they can help us, how we can use them, their magical properties, how to identify them, for goblins,centaurs,elves and werewolves there a bunch of laws we have to learn on how they fit into our world and what to do to defend yourself against one”

“Goblins work at Gringotts” she stated “Are they classified as dangerous”

“A little” he admitted. but Goblins are best with money and as long as the government does not interfere with how they run their bank we have no huge issues with them.” 

“What kind of laws” she stopped pacing 

“Centaurs are able to work if they please but may also remain on their reserve of the forbidden forest, and i’m not super aware of goblin and elf laws just that house elves can be freed with clothes and oh werewolves have to be identified by the ministry when they’re of age in order to keep records of them and if they find work outside of the wizarding world since auror or ministry jobs are not offered to them.”

“That’s absurd!” she scoffed, “werewolves are people”

“They’re incredibly dangerous individuals Grace!” 

“Wolves are dangerous not the actual people”

“You ever hear of Fenrir Greyback”he asked 

The name sounded familiar.

“Wait yeah he broke into a muggle home down in Wales a few years back and attacked a child, mum got so scared she added locks to our windows.”

“Fenrir is a werewolf he broke into a member of the Wizengamot’s home and attacked his son,the man and child’s name were kept a secret so no ones sure if he bit the kid or not”

“We’ll that’s the wolf sure they’re dangerous”

“he broke in as a human and deliberately transformed in the boys room,like 20 muggles had to be obliviated after the wolf left the home covered in the boys blood”

“oh”

“ i don't know what you're up to Grace but please don’t go advocating for werewolf rights to the wrong sort”