Disclaimer: I don't own it and I have a feeling I'm not going to find it in my Christmas stocking… it's all JKR's.
A/N: Okay! I have finally gotten around to updating stories, although that's probably because I'm currently on Winter Break, am avoiding studying and what was the other thing… oh yeah! There's a blizzard in Colorado so I have no where to go.
This is the sixth in the Moonlight Series, the other parts don't need to be read for this to make sense, but they do provide background information on the mini-universe I've created through these stories. Essentially, Leaning on Moonlight deals with the evolution of Remus and Lily's friendship, and the beginning of Lily and James' relationship. In most of the other stories, it's been Lily helping Remus but now Remus gets a chance to return the favor. This takes place during their seventh year at Hogwarts.
There is LilyJames romance, and this essentially sums up Remus and Lily's friendship to this point. If I add anything to this, it will probably include Remus giving relationship advice and end at the inevitable wedding.
Leaning on Moonlight
Holding her head high and moving forward was Lily's method of dealing with pain. It was tearing her apart and Remus knew it. He watched her change from a carefree girl, full of laughter, into a determined young woman, hiding from sorrow.
When they were prefects in their fifth and sixth years, James and Sirius teased them, calling them "perfect prefects." Remus hated being teased, but Lily hated the word "perfect."
Whenever he had been on the verge of losing himself, Lily always pulled him back. It was time to return the favor. This year, their final year at Hogwarts, would be the year to repay her kindness. Just as Lily knew Remus' secret spot to escape, Remus knew Lily's. Lily didn't have a single spot; she had a tendency to roam, wandering the halls of Hogwarts until all unwanted thoughts were gone.
Of course, now that Peter lost the Marauders' Map, it was infinitely harder to find Lily. So far, he'd been looking for two hours.
During breakfast, Lily received a letter and no one had seen her since. Fortunately, it was a school day and she wasn't missing class.
Turing the corner into the Charms corridor, Remus nearly tripped over her abandoned bag. She was curled up against the wall, head tucked into her arms.
Remus crouched down and drew her into his arms. With one hand, he wiped some tears off of her cheeks.
Lily didn't look at him. She stared past him, seeing nothing.
"Petunia got married," she whispered, barely audible.
Interesting way to start a conversation, Remus thought.
"Was it a nice wedding?" he asked. It was almost Winter Holidays; maybe thinking of going home reminded her.
"I don't know. It was last week. She waited until I was gone so there wouldn't be a freak at her wedding," Lily looked at Remus, tears running down her face.
He rubbed her back soothingly, "It's okay, Lily. I'm sure Petunia didn't intend to-"
"Yes she did! I got a letter from my parents telling me that she was married and had just returned from her honeymoon. Mum was furious that I hadn't found a way to attend. How could I have? I wasn't even invited."
Her sobs grew louder as her entire body shook with tears.
"I'm sure your mom will understand if you tell her. Petunia's just resentful. Lily, she may be your sister by blood, but your friends here are your family."
"But Petunia and I weren't close, ever."
"Certain people can't get along. Like Snape and Sirius."
"Which one am I in that analogy?"
"What? It was an example. You'll be insulted either way I choose."
"You're a good friend, Remus."
Remus also recalled Lily's ability to draw attention away from herself. She hated talking about herself, "Not as good a friend as you,"
Perhaps Remus was as insecure as Lily believed. He never felt like he contributed enough to his friendships, that he took more than he gave.
"That's not true, Remus. No one else makes me laugh or understands me like you do."
"Lily, people care about you, and those who don't just don't know you like your friends do."
"Thanks," she blushed.
"Come one, why don't we walk around a while. We can talk about nothing."
"How can we talk about nothing?"
"I meant nothing important."
Remus stood and grabbed Lily's arms, hoisting her up to her feet. He thought he was short when he met her, but now he was at least a head taller.
Lily combed her fingers through her hair, "I must look like a wreck."
"Only a little," then he smirked, "I'm sure James thinks you're beautiful all the time."
She scoffed, "You're crazy. James is too sensible to think that."
"Sensible? Did you just use the word sensible while talking about James Potter? Are you feeling okay?"
"If you consider acting like a decent human being "sensible," then yes."
"Since when have you called him James?" his head quirked with the question.
"James and I are Head Students this year. It's perfectly normal to act civilly together. And being polite includes addressing each other by our first names."
"You like him."
"He's a friend."
"A friend whom you are attracted to?" Remus couldn't resist teasing Lily about James. He was pretty sure he saw Lily sneaking glimpses of James during breakfast…
"Just because he is aesthetically pleasing does not mean I am attracted to him." Lily's face began to match her hair as it grew red with embarrassment. Remus knew better; Lily would never openly admit she liked James.
"Attracted to who?" Sirius and James' path had crossed with theirs. They had such wonderful timing. James' head was cocked to the side, waiting for an answer.
Lily blushed and looked everywhere but James.
"Well?" Sirius asked. Remus smiled. Sirius might not get along with Lily, but he wouldn't let James freak out during awkward pauses.
Sirius flicked a lock of hair out of his face, almost mimicking a muggle actress, "Come on Remus, tell us."
"Sirius, if Lily doesn't want us to know, we shouldn't pry,"
Was this what Lily meant by James acting like a decent human being? Back in fifth year, James would have found out the name and threatened the poor soul until they left Lily alone. But now…
"What's up with them?" Sirius whispered into Remus' ear.
"Huh?" Obviously he had missed something while thinking.
"Prongs and Evans acting like lovebirds."
Remus looked around and was what Sirius meant.
James and Lily had moved until they were only a few feet apart. Lily's face was still flushed, but no longer from embarrassment. Their eyes were locked and searching. James' hand tenderly pushed wisps of hair form her face. For the first time since breakfast, Remus was a true smile on Lily's face.
Remus turned away and nodded his head towards an empty classroom. He and Sirius left, leaving James and Lily alone.
"Did you see what I think I saw just happen?"
"Yeah," Hopefully James wouldn't screw up and break Lily heart.
"No, I mean, did Evans look like she liked Prongs?"
"It appears that way."
Sirius paused. "You and Evans are close, right? You don't like her the way James does, do you?"
Remus almost laughed at the absurdity of the claim, "I love Lily, but as a sister. Even thinking about the idea of Lily and me together is disturbing."
"Just checking, mate. I'd hate it if one of you was happy and the other heartbroken." Ah, classic Sirius: acts like nothing matters, but loyal to his friends to the end.
"If I liked Lily in a romantic sense, I would never have given James advice."
"Yes you would. You're an all-around nice guy."
"Thanks Sirius, but I really don't need an ego right now." Getting complements, even from friends was too weird. He never felt like they were deserved.
"How did you and Evans get to be so close anyways?" Strangely enough, Remus had expected this question years ago. James often looked at him funnily when he saw Remus studying with Lily. But Remus never thought Sirius would be the one to actually ask.
"We met on the platform, first year. Actually, I ran into her quite literally outside the train. She was trying to find Alice while going through a larger space in order to avoid a rather annoying boy."
"Lemme guess, James?"
"Yup. He's been stalking her since day one.
"That's it? You just became friends."
"We enjoy having a friend who enjoys reading and values learning."
"Do you ever have fun? You're always reading. Know what? You and I are going to play a prank, just the two of us and-"
"Stop trying to replace James with me. Just because he might finally be dating Lily doesn't mean you've lost your best friend."
"Stop being so smart," he ordered and punched Remus lightly on the arm, "are you gonna give James the "hurt her and I'll kill you" speech?"
"Probably."
"This brings me back to the original question of why you and Lily are so close."
"We do know how to have fun. No one else knows muggle card games."
"Like Exploding Snap?"
"Try poker, BS or speed,"
Sirius wrinkled his nose, "Muggles are confusing. Hey! If you're normally hanging out with us, when do you have time for other friends? You don't have a time-turner, do you?" he asked suspiciously.
The Marauders were his closest group of friends, but Remus always managed to have strong friendships outside the close circle.
"I visit them over the summer?"
"What do two book-aholics do over the summer?" Sirius never understood how boys and girls could be friends without lust.
"We went swimming, pranked her sister, did homework-"
"Hold it! You pulled a prank with Evans?"
"It was Lily's idea."
Remus waited for the explosion, counting down in his head until Sirius comprehended what he'd just said. Three…two…one…
"Why would Evans do that? I refuse to believe that Miss Rules-are-your-friend would do that. Stop joking and tell me it was your idea."
"You obviously don't know Lily's sister. Petunia is a coldhearted bitch. Close your mouth, Sirius. It's the most accurate description and I can't help that it's crude."
"But you cursed! You never curse,"
"Petunia, in polite terms, resembles a giraffe-horse hybrid and takes her insecurities out on Lily. She's worse than Snape."
"So no secret love affair?"
"Sirius! How many times must I tell you that Lily is my sister as far as I'm concerned.
Finally, Sirius looked properly convinced and they both jumped as the door to the classroom slammed open.
James was grinning and Lily was laughing at something James said.
Jokingly Sirius asked, "When's the wedding?"
"In three years," Lily promptly replied, "James is going to propose on our one-year anniversary and we will have a two-year engagement period."
Even James looked stunned. In Remus' opinion, James looked like cupid stuck him with multiple arrows. Sirius just looked like himself with his jaw hanging wide open.
"Do you mean that?" James looked over at Lily hopefully.
"Ask a silly questions, get a silly answer," she replied, but continued after seeing the crestfallen look on James' face, "I'm more partial to spontaneity rather that planned affairs. So why don't we play it by ear for now, James, and see where it takes us. After all, women have as much a right to propose as men do."
"So, we're in for the long term then?" James' face was back to its normal, love-struck light.
"I hope so," she gave James a sweet smile to reassure him. James smiled back and comically offered his arm to escort her back to the common room.
Remus and Sirius shared a look, realizing that this would definitely be an interesting love-story to watch.
James and Lily were finally together and, more importantly to Remus, his little sister was happy and smiling again.