This whole collection written for luckycharm944's Writing Prompts Challenge using the prompt 'I like a quiet life, you know me'

This chapter also written for Clever Ink Slinger's Christmas Boot Camp using the prompt 'Christmas Tree'

Into Hiding

It was their first Christmas outside of Hogwarts. The air was cold, but inside was warm. A fire blazed in the corner, melting the snow off everybody as they came in. The Christmas tree sat in the other corner, decorated with enchanted tinsel and a shining star on top.

Only a few presents lay underneath, but that was okay. After all, it was only a house made for two.

"So, you like our new place, Remus?" Lily questioned, smiling brightly at him.

Remus took another glance around the room, and nodded. "It's very fitting for you," he commented. "It's small and cosy… and romantic."

Her smile widened even further. "It is, isn't it? Can you believe James was the one to find it?"

"That I can't believe," Remus chuckled.

Oh, how things had changed these past months. This time last year, they'd all been lazing in the Great Hall, enjoying the Christmas Eve feast. Now, they were all grown up. James and Lily had found a place together, and were due to be married in a few months. Sirius was recovering from a broken heart after Alice Fortescue had left him for Frank Longbottom, and Peter… well Peter hadn't changed much at all, to be telling the truth. He was still as shy and as unsure of himself as the day Remus had met him.

Remus…. He was much happier than he had been a year ago. Despite everything – a war coming, his wolfish nature being exposed to more people than he had ever anticipated, and Lord Voldemort killing every day – everything seemed as good as it could be.

The smile Lily Evans – soon to be Potter – gave him, warmed his heart. She had no idea how her joy made him feel. At least something good could come from all the bad.

"It's not much yet," Lily continued, taking a sip from her glass of champagne, "But one day we're hoping to fix it. Have you seen upstairs yet? It's two bedrooms, a bathroom –"

"You mean a spare bedroom for Sirius?" Remus teased.

Lily laughed. "For now," she said. "But not permanently. I have other uses for it." The hint in her voice was undeniable.

"And does your fiancé know of these plans?" he questioned.

Lily blushed slightly, but didn't say anything. It seemed that discussing this with James had not been her top priority.

"Maybe a wedding might be enough for him to focus on to begin with," Remus suggested. "You'll frighten the poor bloke."

They both turned to where James stood with Sirius and Peter, a Butterbeer each in their hands. They were laughing about something.

"You're right," she sighed after a moment. "I guess I was just too excited about everything. Two years ago, I wouldn't have dreamed that I'd be living with James Potter, but now things have changed, haven't they?"

Remus nodded. He knew more than anyone how things had changed. "Lily," he began. She turned her gentle face him, watching him curiously.

"Yes?" she questioned.

"I have to tell you something. It's something Dumbledore asked of me a few weeks ago." It was something he hadn't even dared tell James or Sirius. Not yet.

Lily watched him without speaking.

"Dumbledore wants me to join the werewolves," he blurted out.

"What?" Her voice was barely a whisper, and her eyes became bleary… like she was going to cry.

"As a spy," he continued. "We need to know what Voldemort is planning, and who better than me to spy on one of his closest allies?"

"But… Remus…."

"I know the risks, Lily," Remus said before she could. "I know, but I have to do it. I want to do it."

"But why?"

Remus shrugged. "There's not much else for me out there, Lily. Not many who are willing to hire a werewolf. Besides… I'll live a quiet life, right? Exactly what I want." His attempt to humour her failed when she didn't smile.

Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tightly. "Be safe," she said.

"I will; I promise." Though, was it really a promise he could keep?

"Oi, Lupin, what are you doing with my fiancé." James' voice echoed across the small room, and Lily broke away from him.

"You should tell them," she said. "They'll want to know."

Remus nodded. "I will," he said. "Just not right now."

Er, so I start this collection in the hopes that I'll make it through the first round of the Writing Prompts challenge :P If not, then this will just turn into a one-shot/drabble. I was given the pairing LilyRemus, so all of these will be based around them. They'll be sequential, but also you can read them by themselves too. It'll be friendship based, because, well, I'm a canon girl :)

Anyway, Marauders are a challenge for me, so I hope you enjoyed.