The three boys ran out of the shack and climbed out of the passage beneath the willow. Together they ran to Professor McGonagall's office, unable to feel the cuts and scrapes on their body from when they stumbled out of the passage.

The knocked on the door hurriedly, frantically as if they were afraid no one would be able to hear them. It opened to reveal on other than Professor Dumbledore. The three of them noted a rather worried Professor McGonagall and a Madame Pomfrey who sat at the desk.

"Sir..." started Sirius. "Remus is in the Shrieking Shack, there's a passage under the Willow there is a death eater there..."

With that Sirius found he couldn't speak anymore. He started trembling Peter had burst into tears.

"A Death Eater?" Madame Pomfrey stood from the chair she was seated on. "I thought they were only rumours."

Professor McGonagall stood and walked over to Albus who was clearly going to ask more questions.

"We need to get him now!" she reminded him sternly. "Poppy please take these boys to the infirmary and see too it that there wounds are taken care of. As soon as you do that we may need you back at the shack."

She didn't need to say it but they knew she was sorry for doubting them at the beginning. With that the Professors rushed out of the room while Madam Pomfrey led them to the infirmary.

~~~

He couldn't get up. He simply couldn't. He couldn't even let out a whimper of pain. He lay there bleeding bruised and half conscious as the human laughed above him.

He couldn't even feel the craving for human flesh within him.

Two more human scents emerged. A old male and a female. Usually this would have maddened him with hunger. But his senses felt nothing but pain.

"So Ambrosius." the old male said. "You've decided to torture my students for your amusement."

'You should never have let such a monstrosity come to our school." said the younger male.

"Yes I probably shouldn't have accepted you as a teacher."

"Lupin would never would hurt anyone knowingly." the female said coldly. "Whereas you...you serve that man who would rather see the likes of most us enslaved. You disgust me!"

The younger male ignored her. 

"Albus love has blinded you yet again." he sneered. 

"Then you would know that Voldemort's doctrine is madness."

"I wasn't talking about Grindlewald Albus. But what was her name oh yes Ari-"

There was a loud crash. 

"Now Minerva..." came the old male's voice calm as water.

"What does the Dark Lord want?" asked the female, her voice raised to a passionate octave.

"He wants the school." the younger male hissed. "I've told him of this passage and I've been breaking down the shields the whole year. When he's in he will defeat you!"

The old man's blue eyes met the wolf's. The wolf breathed in.

"No..." said the old man, his voice hoarse. "Not if we have those brave enough to stand up, those with hearts of love. Yes there is power in fear but more so in love. And today proved it to us Ambrosius. You an accomplished apprentice of your dark lord bested by four boys who had nothing but bravery love for each other and a love for laughter."

The wolf found himself slipping into unconsciousness. Barely able to register the flash light that sent the younger male tumbling. All he could feel was the small yellow duckling nestle against him.

~~~

Bandaged and wide eyed Peter James and Sirius sat at the infirmary waiting for both the Professors, Madame Pomfrey and Remus. They were silent. Peter was fast asleep on James's shoulder. Sirius was letting out soundless tears. No one had dared approach him afraid he would become a screaming mess or worse withdraw into himself.

James learnt that it was sometimes best to leave a person alone.

Finally the noiseless room was filled with footsteps. In came McGonagall with Dumbledore who carried a bleeding shattered Remus. For the first time James wondered if Remus was going to die. Sirius had choked on his gasp.

Remus was placed on the bed. None of them could hear what was being said. Professor Dumbledore met their gaze and walked over to them Madame Pomfrey hastily drew the curtain. James shook Peter awake.

"Will Remus be alright?" asked James before Dumbledore could even open his mouth.

"His life-threatening wounds were treated at the shack." answered Dumbledore. "His minor cuts and bruises will be looked after here as well as his broken bones."

The boys hung in the head in solemnity.

"It was a valiant effort." commended Dumbledore. "Truly worthy of Gryffindor, but truly foolish. You could have been killed! Why did you not tell us earlier?"

"I am afraid the fault is mine Albus." said Professor McGonagall. "They had told me but I doubted them."

"In that case how did this all happen."

So James Sirius and Peter told them all what had happened through the year. When they were finished Dumbledore smiled.

"Truly ingenious the mind of a child." he murmured. "Do me a favour and keep up the practical jokes."

As he turned to leave Peter spoke up.

"Professor." he said. "We forgot to mention there is werewolf  in the shack."

"Oh I know." said Professor Dumbledore. "So it happens the lone wolf can prove to the most invaluable member when it joins a pack."

"I hate cryptic sentences." muttered Sirius as Dumbledore left.

~~~

Remus awoke to Sirius's head asleep at the foot of his bed. Peter asleep on a chair and James pacing about back and forth. James turned to Remus and a smile broke into his tired face.

"Oi get up!" he shouted. "Remus is awake."

They both shot up before taking Remus in for an embrace.

A small fluff-ball of yellow left on to Remus's lap from under the covers. Remus was reminded of the warmth and comfort the duck had provided for him.

"He wouldn't leave your side." said Sirius.

"I guess he's our Gang pet!" said Peter.

"I'm naming him Gerald and I'm setting him free." announced Remus

"That's a hideous name!" exclaimed James.

"I'd like to see you come up with a gang name less hideous." said Remus.

"What are you Marauders arguing about?" it was Professor McGonagall.

Before any of them could explain James's eyes lit.

"The Marauders! It's perfect!" he leapt up and held her in a tight embrace. "Thanks Professor you just named our Gang."

Professor McGonagall stiffened, flustered she patted James's head awkwardly.

"You're welcome Mr. Potter." she turned to Remus. "Mr. Lupin I have just had a word with your parents, they have been worried but they still wish for you to continue here at Hogwarts if you feel comfortable enough."

"Yeah I'm swell." answered Remus. He couldn't imagine life without the four of them together. "How long have I been out?"

"Three days." said Sirius. There were bags under his eyes.

Remus finally felt the pain.

"How bad was it?" he asked. 

"You completely shattered your shoulder." replied James. "You also have a scar on your chest. You hit your head pretty hard. The rest are scrapes and bruises."

Remus nodded.

"If it makes you feel any better." said McGonagall in a rare tender tone. "Kingsley requested that I bring you this.:

It was a small card with a drawing of a lion at front, inside it was crammed with names and signatures. All from Gryffindor house. Even Lily had signed it.

"You're tale has become well known." she said. "There may be a few necessary omissions you will find. But you will be rewarded for your bravery."

"Thanks." Remus replied shyly.

"Please don't thank me." she gave them another smile before leaving.

When she left Remus glared icily at his friends.

"I'm still naming him Gerald.

~~~

A/N - I'm nearing the end. 

A special thanks to AlexTheOnion you may not know it but you have definitely given me the incentive to write more.

One more chapter to go! See you all soon!