The Bright Side of a Full Moon

I shared a dorm with three other sixth year girls, though I would've been more comfortable back in my dorm in Slytherin. The girls didn't tell me their names, and they wouldn't even speak to me. In fact, all they would do is sit around and stare at me like some kind of three-headed animal.

I have never felt so out of place in my life.

The next morning I was supposed to start classes back. So, upon waking up I dressed myself in my new robes, gathered my things and started heading towards the Great Hall for breakfast. Sirius caught up to me as i was down in the common rooms.

"So, today's the day." He said with a large smile. "The day for what?" I grumbled, not looking up at him as we walked together.

"You know, the plan? To get Remus to notice you." He flashed me a skeptical look. "Oh. No, Sirius, I'm not going to do it." I sighed, shaking my head. "What? Why not? I thought that this is what you wanted, for him to notice you?" I could hear the shock in his voice, "You were okay with doing this before, so why are you changing your mind now?" He snarled, grabbing my arm.

With another sigh, I stopped walking and looked up at him. "Because I don't want to do it." I muttered. "But, Nyx wh-" He started to ask again, but I was quick to cut him off. "I said no, Sirius! Look at my face, look at my face and tell me who in their right mind would want me!" I was yelling now, rather loudly to be exact.

Sirius was silent for a moment as he looked down at me.

"Nyx, don't you talk like that; you're a beautiful girl, you hear me? Any boy, or man, would be lucky to be with you, especially now. You've been through so much lately, I know you're fragile and now you don't think you deserve it; but you do. Even with a black eye and a busted lip, you're still a beautiful young woman." Sirius smiled down at me.

I could feel tears welling up in my eyes as he spoke to me. Sirius had always been extremely kind to me, especially in times of need- like now.

Placing his arm around me, Sirius and I began walking towards the Great Hall together. "Thanks, Sirius, I think that's exactly what I needed to hear." I sighed, leaning further into his embrace. We stayed like that for a moment, before we came upon the doors of the Great Hall.

I had my arm wrapped around his torso now. "So, Sirius, you had a crush on me, huh?" I smirked, looking up at him. I could feel his body shake as he started laughing ever so slightly. "I did, once upon a blue moon. I thought you were the most beautiful girl I had seen, I still do; but upon figuring out your feelings for our dear friends Remus, I put my feelings to the side." He explained simply.

"So you really want to help me try to be with Remus, even though you used to have feelings for me?" I hummed. "Of course I want to help you. I want to help you because whenever I see you look at him and he doesn't see it- it reminds me of the way I used to look at you. I know what it's like to feel the way that you feel for Remus."

Part of me felt bad that I never noticed the way that Sirius looked at me. Little did I know that our conversation was not being held in private. Remus was lurking behind us, and had heard every woord exchanged between Sirius and I.

When we went into the Great Hall, we were met by James, Lily, Peter; and thousands of other students watching us. Suddenly, I felt very self conscious. How many of them noticed my bruises? How many knew that I had been attacked by my own brother? What rumors would come to life now that I was no longer in Slytherin; but in Gryffindor?

"How are you feeling sweetie?" Lily hummed as I sat down next to her.

"Like everyone's staring at me." I muttered, resting my cheek on my hand. Upon noticing how many people were watching me, I didn't really have an appetite. In fact, the urge to ear had left my body completely. I just wanted to crawl into a hole. At least, that way I wouldn't have people watching me. "That's because everyone is staring at you." I heard Peter laugh from where he sat. Looking across the table, I glared at the boy. He was quick to get up and leave. Good. I never did like that boy, I didn't trust him. There's just something, not right about him.

James and Sirius both laughed seeing their friend scurry away.

"Just ignore them, Nyx. They can't bother you unless you choose to acknowledge them and really allow it to bother you." Remus spoke as he took Peter's spot across from me. Where had he come from, how did he know what we were talking about?

"I can't help it, just knowing that it's happening bothers me." I huffed, crossing my arms. Before Remus could say anything, Sirius was the one to speak up. "It's more than that, I know part of what's bothering you is the rumors. The way people see your injuries, and make up stories about what happens- how you got them" Sirius spoke in a soft voice.

Silently, Remus looked over to his curly-haired friend. I could tell by the look on his face that he was very carefully thinking about what Sirius had said. It was like he didn't understand what exactly Sirius meant. "I mean, she is an incredibly beautiful girl. Right, Lupin?" Sirius smirked. Oh, he's actually going along with his plan. I, on the other hand, blushed and turned my attention to Lily who had been waiting patiently to talk to me.

I took a deep breath, "What am I supposed to do about my family over the summer? I mean, what if they disown me or even kick me out?" I asked the girl. Lily thought it over for a moment before answering in any way.

"Well, Aries, if it comes down to that, you can come stay with me. My parents won't mind, in fact they've been wanting to meet you. My sister, on the other hand, doesn't quite like the idea of witches and wizards." Lily explained, with a sigh. "You mean, you've told your family about me?" Part of me was shocked.

I guess I had never thought she would have told her family about me. "Of course I told my family about you! Why wouldn't I? You're my best friend." She smiled.

Lily really thought o me as her best friend? What had I done to make her think so highly of me? I mean, I've always tried to be a good friend to Lily; but I never would have really considered myself her best friend. Although, now that I think of it, it makes sense. James is her boyfriend, and Sirius, Remus, and Peter are James' friends. So that leaves me. The only one who could really qualify for the position of 'Lily's best friend'.

"I guess I'm not used to families being like that. I mean, my family's never been anything like that- obviously." I said with a soft sigh.

This time Lily didn't speak, but James did. "Well, Nyx, even if it doesn't work out with you staying with Lily, you can stay with my family, and Sirius." James said with a large smile. His words quickly captured both Sirius and Remus' attention and the two of them looking in our direction.

"You guys are the best, I don't know what I'd do without you." I sighed, looking around to the group of people looking around me. I had meant what I said- how could I have made it as far as I had without them by my side? Now that I think of it, how am I going to survive next year without having them here with me? It's hard to believe that this is our last year together.

"Well, we mean it Nyx. We're always here." James smiled from across the table. "Even if you just want to talk, we're here." Remus chipped in. I couldn't help but smile at his words. Remus really is a sweetheart. I don't understand how girls aren't all over the boy.

"Thank you." I smiled.

Feeling something nudge my arm, I looked over just to see Sirius wink at me. At the same time, I could have sworn I heard growling. Spinning my head around, I ever so slightly caught a glance of Remus glaring at Sirius. Or at least that's what I thought I saw; but why on earth would he be glaring at Sirius? They're best friends, what do they possibly have that they could be angry with one another about?

We didn't have too much time after that.

There was a bit of idle chit chat while we finished eating breakfast, before going our separate ways to go to class. More specifically, I left to go to my classes, where as everyone else had their classes together.

I could feel the looks I was getting from other students as I made my way throughout the hallways of Hogwarts. I felt so out of place. I'm an outcast.

Even with the greatest friends anyone could ever ask for, I felt like I didn't belong. Even with all the reassurance in the world that everything is now or is going to be alright- I couldn't help but constantly worry that something bad was coming our way. Like some kind of force was going to blow through and tear us apart.

Pick us off, one by one.

And I was scared.