Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Everything belongs to J. K. Rowling. No profit is being made from this story. I am simply having fun and providing entertainment for other readers.

Chapter One

You're Lying

… … … … … … … … … … …

Lily Evans looked up as he climbed through the portrait hole with his friends, laughing and joking like typical teenage boys. While he was not paying attention, one of his friends stuck a foot out and he fell over.

He stood up, turning rather red, and began laughing along with everyone else. It was that embarrassed kind of laugh, the one where you laugh in order to look as if you don't care that you just completely humiliated yourself.

It was at that moment that she fell in love with him.

It was his eyes. They were so alluring. He was just so fascinating that Lily wanted to know everything there was to him. She wanted to talk to him, to get close to him, to be with him.

It didn't make sense to her though – Lily barely knew this boy. Of course she had talked to him before, but it wasn't as if they were good friends. She used to think he was so cocky and self-centered. So where had this sudden rush of feelings come from? Had she just decided right there in the common room that she loved him? Was it even love, or was it simply an infatuation?

It had to be the latter – she couldn't just fall in love with someone she barely knew.

Lily spent the entire evening watching him – the more she tried, the harder it was to take her eyes off him. He was so entrancing that she could not help being drawn to him. How had she never noticed the way his eyes lit up when he laughed? Or how his hair constantly fell into his eyes, or the way he would push it way impatiently? She was so blind – how had she never observed these simple perfections about him before? It was like he was completely flawless. . .

"Look Evans, you have been staring at me all evening. Have you changed your mind and agreed to go out with me? Or am I just so attractive that you cannot stop looking at me?"

For the first time that evening, Lily was forced to tear her eyes away from himand focus on the person that was standing in front of her. An irritated groan escaped her lips. Not now James . . .

"Potter, when your enormous head finally deflates back down to the ground, I would be happy to have a conversation with you. But for now –" she stood up, shoved her books quickly into her bag and turned to leave. "I have better things to do."

James had grabbed her wrist quickly. "Wait!" he said, almost pleadingly. He was looking at her, any hint of the cockiness normally visible in his blue eyes gone.

"What?" she said in a flat tone.

James seemed to be picking his words carefully. "How come . . . why were . . . did you finally change your mind about me, Lily?" he asked quietly. The loud, obnoxious voice Lily had been so used to hearing seemed to have disappeared for this one moment, replaced by a soft, hopeful whisper.

She opened her mouth, trying to restrain herself from saying something harsh. "No," was all she had managed to think up. Sometimes I can be really thick.

James seemed to deflate with disappointment. "Well, why were you watching me then?"

"I wasn't looking at you!" Lily said defensively and rather quickly at that. James looked fairly surprised. It had come out sounding somewhat rude, so she spoke a second time, trying to sound a bit nicer. "I was looking at – I wasn't looking at anyone. I was just staring off, I suppose."

James sighed dejectedly. "Well, if you ever do change your mind about going to Hogsmeade together, just let me know, okay?" he said seriously. Lily opened her mouth, and for some reason, she almost said she would go. But then the he his mouth once more and said, "Then again, I have so many women lined up for me that I think you just blew your last chance, Evans."

Lily let out an aggravated scream and several Gryffindors jumped in alarm. "Potter, why can't you learn to just shut your mouth sometimes? You can be such a stuck-up, spoiled idiot! I'm surprised any girl is willing to go on a date with you, considering the fact that your incredibly large head would be constantly in the way!"

Breathing loudly, Lily noticed that the entire Gryffindor common room was watching on with suppressed laughter.

As she felt her cheeks begin to burn, she left James standing there, his mouth open indignantly, and raced up to the seventh-year girls' dormitory. She pulled the curtains around her four-poster, lay down on her stomach, and began banging her forehead against the bedpost mercilessly.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid . . .

Stupid!

Why did she have to flip out like that? She had dealt with Potter's childish antics for many years now, so why did she have to scream at him this time? She could have kept her cool, but no, she just had to lose it! She silently cursed her red-headed temper.

She hadn't necessarily cared that she had blown up in James's face – she had done it so many times before that James was used to it by now (and plus he deserved it). The problem was that she had acted like a complete witch – no pun intended – in front of Emery.

Emery William Haywood, the son of one of the richest wizards in the entire wizarding world. Lily felt her heart melt. He was also considered the dreamiest, best-looking boy ever to walk the planet by the entire female population of Hogwarts. Lily thought for a moment, deciding he was probably second only to the Marauders.

She banged her head against the side of her bedpost again angrily. She didn't know how she was supposed to change her infatuation for him into something more – into love, into a relationship. Lily allowed her head and her bedpost to continue making contact, ignoring the feeling that she would have a large bruise in the morning.

… … … … … … … … … … …

"Lily! Hello? Lily, wake up!" snapped an irritated voice.

Lily jerked her head up quickly. "What? Oh – yes I'm here. Sorry!" she said, slightly dazed.

Emery rolled his eyes, looking annoyed. "Weren't you listening?"

"Well…er – no…actually, do you know what I was just thinking about?" Lily paused, glancing at Emery, and her mouth curved into a small smile. "I was just thinking about that first night – the first night that I started to like you."

Emery nodded swiftly. "That's nice Lily – but you need to stop daydreaming. Weren't you listening to what I was just saying?" he asked, impatiently.

Lily frowned, her heart sinking slightly. "Er…no," she said blankly.

Emery's mouth twitched into a small smile. "I was saying that my father sent me an owl about my Emerging Ball," he said proudly. "I just finished my final training over the summer, you know." He paused, waiting almost excitedly to see her reaction.

"Come again?" Lily said thickly. I need to be getting more sleep.

"My Emerging Ball, Lily? You know, when the prestigious wizarding families launch their heirs onto society? Lily please tell me you know what I'm talking about," Emery said, looking almost apprehensive to hear the answer. She shrugged, and he laughed slightly. "Well, I can't expect too much of you, considering you're of Muggle heritage."

Lily remained silent for several moments, feeling slightly put out. "Oh wait!" she said, sitting up quickly. "I do know what you're talking about! I went to Remus's ball thingy over the summer."

Emery rolled his eyes for the second time. Lily looked at him and raised her eyebrows, slightly surprised. "What are you rolling your eyes at? What did I do now?" she asked, in an almost weary voice.

"Keep your voice down, dear. We are in the library," Emery said impatiently, glancing around him. Lily looked up and saw James Potter staring at her with an odd look on his face. They made eye contact for a moment, but he looked down after she noticed him watching her and Emery.

"Sorry. But what's wrong with me going to Remus's Emerging Ball?" Lily asked, turning back to Emery, who quickly scribbled down the last line of his essay.

He sighed lazily, and took his time to answer, as though searching for words. "Nothing, it's just…."

"Just – what?"

"You seem to spend an awful lot of time with that Remus Lupin," said Emery, his tone turning somewhat suspicious.

"Oh Emery come on. It's not like that. Remus is a really good friend of mine, and nothing more. I promise you, we are only friends, alright? Just friends," Lily said, for what felt like the millionth time. It was true after all. She had befriended Remus Lupin in fifth year and they had been pretty close ever since, but they had never gone passed anything but friends, and Lily didn't intend to.

"Yes, whatever," Emery said airily, waving his hand as if dismissing the matter. "Come on, I'm finished my essay. Let's head to breakfast," he said, shoving his books in his bag and grabbing her hand. "Lily, let's go I'm hungry."

"Well…er…do you – do you mind if I stay here? Because I haven't quite finished my essay –"

Emery held up his hand, and she gave him a strange look. "You can finish it later Lily. Now come on, we won't have much time to eat breakfast if you don't hurry up," he said, tapping his foot impatiently.

Lily restrained herself from rolling her eyes. "Emery, I already ate. So I'll just see you in History of Magic then, alright?" she said stubbornly, forcing herself to keep her tone under control.

"I don't care if you've already had breakfast, Lily. I would like you to accompany me while I eat. So go on, pack your books – don't worry, I'll wait," he said, as though he was doing her some big favor. But the tone of his voice was final, and Lily knew how Emery could get when he didn't have his way.

Recognizing defeat, she threw her books into her bag rather grumpily and allowed Emery to grab her hand and pull her out of the library, all the while ignoring the weird look James was still giving them.

Remus Lupin slowly ambled down the hallway, feeling both tired and relieved. His transformation had been rather painful last night, but now it was over, and he wouldn't have to deal with it for another month…

He had chosen to skip breakfast in the Great Hall today, an action he often repeated the morning after the full moon. He simply didn't want to face any of his fellow students at the moment…he could almost sense that they knew something was wrong with him, almost as if they were shooting him accusatory stares. He would receive at least one grey streak in his hair, and that, along with the large bags that would form under his eyes, did not make Remus feel all too comfortable around people after his transformations.

At times like this, he just wanted to be alone. The only people he could stand after a full moon were his professors, or the Marauders, or Lily.

Remus felt his heart give a guilty lurch. He and Lily had been close friends for over two years, and he still hadn't told her his dark secret. He knew that she deserved to be told the truth – she had been so kind to him. She wasn't like the other girls at Hogwarts, who would try warming up to him in order to get close to Sirius, or James, or even – to his own shock – just him. But all Lily wanted was to be his friend, and he had proven to be a horrible friend in return by keeping such a dark secret from her.

Remus stopped walking and leaned against the wall, closing his eyes and covering his face with his hands. Sometimes he just wanted to give up – just stop. At times he hated himself for what he was, regardless of the fact that his friends and parents constantly told him it wasn't his fault. He hated himself after transformations – he would feel so murderous and violent, but he wasn't like that. He didn't want to hurt anybody - ever.

But if they were ever unfortunate enough to cross his path during a full moon, he would have no choice.

What would he ever do if he turned back into himself after a transformation only to find out that he had killed someone – or one if his closest friends. That was the very reason he would never tell Lily. She wouldn't ignore him, but even worse, she would try to help him. And if she got too close…

Remus backed away from the wall and felt his eyes snap back open when he heard angry voices arguing through the hallway.

Upon further inspection, Remus felt his stomach drop. It was Lily, and she was with her boyfriend. Remus didn't like Emery Haywood at all. Though he tried with all his might to be civil to Emery around Lily, he couldn't help the anger that welled up inside him. Emery was not at all the person most people thought him to be. He was a real jerk – he knew it, James knew it, and Sirius knew it. Only Lily and the rest of the female population seemed to be out of the circle on that one.

"Hello Lily!" said Remus, running up to Emery and Lily as they made their way down the Charms corridor on the way to the Great Hall. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Emery grip Lily's hand a little tighter than he thought normal.

"Hey Remus," Lily said, smiling at him and all the while trying to loosen the grip Emery had on her hand.

Remus nodded at Emery, who scowled. Ignoring this gesture, Remus asked, "Where are you off to?"

He saw Lily open her mouth to speak but Emery talked over her. "We're heading for breakfast in the Great Hall. If you don't mind, we don't have much longer to eat Lupin," he said, not bothering to hide the maliciousness in his voice. He started to walk off and tugged on Lily's hand, but she remained standing with Remus.

"Well, I already told you that I did eat breakfast, Emery," she said innocently. Emery shot her a look that surprised Remus greatly.

He was able to tell that Lily did not want to go to the Great Hall, so he said, "Well Lily, if you've already eaten, do you want to walk to Arithmancy with me?" At this point Remus knew Lily's hand had to have lost all feeling.

"She's going to accompany me to breakfast, Lupin," said Emery, his voice dangerously low.

Remus smiled harmlessly, seeming to make Emery even angrier. "Well, don't you know where the Great Hall is?" he asked, as Lily bit her lip and attempted to hold in her laughter.

"I know where the Great Hall is, Lupin," Emery said, his eyes glaring with such intensity that Remus could almost feel his anger radiating off him. He clutched Lily's arm and said "Let's go Lily, we're leaving."

"Emery, it's fine! I'll see you in History of Magic. Now please let go of my arm because it's beginning to lose circulation!" Lily said, and Remus was extremely surprised that she had refused to do what he wanted. Normally she shot up and followed him at the snap of his fingers. She made a doubtful face, as if she knew she was going to be paying for it later.

Remus leaned over and cautiously pulled Emery's hand off Lily's arm. "That's right, let go. Just calm down a little Emery." Emery snatched his hand away from Remus quickly. "Don't touch me Lupin!"

Remus put up his hands and backed away a little. "Just trying to help. You coming, Lily?" he asked, turning to her. She nodded her head.

"Lily, do not go with him."

Lily ignored him.

"LILY!" Emery yelled.

She walked over to Remus and they began to walk down the hallway, all the while ignoring Emery's angry shouts until they finally subsided. I guess his hunger got the best of him . . .

They walked on for several moments until Remus finally broke the awkward silence.

"Lily?"

"Yeah?"

"What are you doing?"

"I'm walking to Arithmancy with you," Lily said, knowing perfectly well that this was not what he was asking.

Remus didn't speak for a moment, seeming to consider his words very cautiously. "No – I'm talking about Emery," he said slowly. He had been meaning to talk to her about this for a long time.

"What about him?" she snapped defensively. "Everything is fine with Emery."

Remus stopped walking and held out his hand in order to make her stop as well. Oblivious, she walked right into him. "Ouch! Remus, what are you doing?" Lily said, becoming a little irritated for some reason. Remus could tell she knew where this was going, and she didn't seem keen to get into another argument about it with him.

"I'm walking to Arithmancy with you," Remus teased, smirking.

"Shut up," she said with a grin, as they began walking once more to the classroom.

"Really, though, Lily – why do you put up with him?" he asked, as she pretended to be interested in something out of the window they were passing.

"Put up with him? Remus, what are you talking about? He is my boyfriend. I agree to date him because I like him." As she said this, Remus began to feel a dropping feeling in his stomach, because he could almost sense Lily did not believe a word she was saying. It made him sick. You're lying. You don't like him. Stop lying.

"Lily!" Remus said, the frustration evident in his voice. "He treats you like you don't have the right to do want you want to do. He bosses you around! Can't you see that? And you listen to him, Lily – you do everything he says."

Lily winced and Remus could almost detect a flicker of something flash across her eyes – it was fear, or something like it. Lily was hiding something. She opened her mouth as if she was about to defend Emery, but she stopped, and closed them back up.

"No…he…he doesn't do that. That's not true…I'm okay…I'm fine…I'm okay," Lily said weakly. Her hand began shaking.

Remus grasped it without even thinking. "Stop it Lily! Stop it! Stop lying! You're not okay, Lily. You're in trouble!" he said angrily. Why couldn't she see that?

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

Remus froze, and Lily's face paled until she was ghostly white.

"Emery it was nothing we –"

"GET AWAY FROM HIM – NOW!" Emery shouted.

Lily seized her hand away from Remus as though she had just been shocked. "I'm sorry. I – I've got to go. I…I'm okay Remus."

Lily walked over to Emery, who grasped her hand tightly. Remus saw her wince slightly, but she said nothing. With one backwards glare at Remus, Emery turned and pulled Lily away with him.

Remus put his hands over his face once again and closed his eyes. How could she have said that? How? "I'm okay Remus".

You're lying . . .

………………….

A/N: Okay, you guys can probably understand how uneasy authors are about putting the first chapter up on the net, so reviewing is really encouraging. I really like the Lily/James ship, so I thought I'd give it a try. Please review…I'm nervous about this one!