Warning: AU (No magic), pre-Harry Potter (MWPP) and there will be M/M relationships and sexual situations. If you don't like it, then don't read.
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended, all familiar characters belong to JK Rowling and her publishers.

"And when the music fades away,
I know I'll be okay."

-Little Boots, Remedy

Prologue

"I don't fucking care if this no longer within my bloody jurisdiction! I want that bastard locked up indefinitely!" yelled Chief Superintendent Jonathan Evans. A few minutes prior to slamming his office door and starting the phone call that was currently leaking through his supposedly soundproof office, Jonathan Evans had charged into CID London headquarters barking out random orders. A number of surprised inspectors were still running around in a manner similar to that of headless chickens. All in all, it was an entertaining show.

"If you can't keep Greyback locked up then so help me I'll personally go over there and break that worm's legs so he can't get out!" ranted Evans.

"Chief Super doesn't sound too happy." James Potter mentioned as he dramatically shifted his chair to face Sirius Black, his best friend and colleague. The attempted suaveness of his movement was ruined by the fact he had to jump and jerk his chair a few times.

"Sounds like Evans can't get his way with something. You know how he gets." observed Sirius with a small smirk.

"You know anything about this Greyback fellow?" James asked suddenly as he continued to listen to the heated exchange.

"He's some drug lord." Peter Pettigrew said leaning on James' desk. He tried to make it seem like he was simply passing by but had actually been listening in on the whole conversation. This was a relatively normal occurrence and didn't annoy the two friends. Peter had a high position on the researching team and was the go to man if you wanted to know anything about cases or just petty work gossip. He was also a fun extra on pub Friday.

"Well makes sense then. I suppose he's been eluding Evans for ages? It's the first I've heard of him." mentioned Sirius.

"Well, actually he's on trial for assault. Knifed some bloke pretty bad in his flat."

"So? Sounds like the crime Chief Super needs to lock up the bastard." shrugged James, losing interest now that it seemed all was normal.

"Well..." started Peter as he conspiratorially leaned in. Sirius and James followed suit. "Thing is, he wasn't in charge of the case or showed too much interest before this. It was always Kelly's case. Some of the blokes say it has something to do with the guy who got knifed."

"Really?" James's interest was peaked once more.

"Yeah, Remi Lupus or something like that. But I can't figure out any connections he'd have to the man. At least none that show up right away. One of the girls bets Evans knocked up some bird years back before he got married and it's his secret son."

"Evans? A love child? I don't buy it." Sirius said while leaning back into his chair. Peter shrugged, nonplussed.

"Not saying if it's true or not. I bet Greyback will get locked up- unless he gets a good lawyer. Don't really know why Evans is making such a fuss. You should see the pictures of this Lupus fellow though."

"Bad huh?"

"Greyback attacked him with a small kitchen knife in his flat, then left the bloke there. Didn't finish the job or try to hide the body or anything. Bloke's lucky someone found him in time. Almost bled to death."

"And that's what you get when you get into drugs." announced James suddenly before sighing and picking up a file from Sirius's desk, signaling the end of the discussion. Attacks on junkies who couldn't pay up were becoming more and more common but what could a Detective Sergeant really do about it?

The artificial lights of London could be seen in a flat where eerie shadows were being created by a tall floor lamp. Next to the lamp, on a nightstand, sat a rather expensive but empty bottle of wine. Two best friends were sitting on a bed with their legs comfortably intertwined.

It was Remus Lupin's first night back from the hospital and his best friend, Lily Evans, was drinking out of a half full wine bottle with as little grace as possible. After audibly gulping, she handed the bottle to Remus, who took it willingly and almost finished the rest of it.

Both were stripped down to their underwear from when the alcohol ("a much better and exciting painkiller than those pills") of the first bottle hit, causing Lily to declare it would be liberating and symbolic to shed their clothes and dance to the beat of radio. It had helped Remus forget for a little bit but as soon as the alcohol wore off the pains deep in his chest would come back and it was getting harder to distinguish whether or not it stemmed from his stitches. It was quickly agreed that it would be best to rest on the bed with another bottle of wine before Remus's stitches broke open.

Lily stumbled out of the room and towards the kitchen to retrieve another bottle. At the bedroom doorway, she fell onto the carpeted bedroom floor with a thud, causing the bottle and corkscrew to roll away. Instead of worrying about a drunken woman running around with a corkscrew, Remus started to laugh. More laughs ensued as Lily tried to pull out the cork with a combination of her feet and elbows before she finally opened the bottle with a triumphant shout and took a rather large gulp before plopping next to Remus.

"I'm gonna get a hangover." observed Remus with a slightly hysterical laugh, wiping excess wine from the corners of his mouth. Lily grabbed the bottle for another swig before handing it back to Remus, shrugging.

"Why you have pain killers, right?"

"Life really hates me doesn't it?" Remus admitted after a beat with a slight slur.

"It'll get better. I know it will." Insisted Lily but Remus laughed bitterly before taking a short swig.

"I suppose I should move out of here. Or get a roommate. Or sell my organs. We both know I can't afford the rent on my own even if I wanted to. Hafta sell all the furniture to get out of the lease. Maybe I can just talk my way out of it. Joint account might not be locked yet…" mused Remus as he and Lily continued to pass the bottle back and forth until it was empty and forgotten on the carpet. His rambling was a sign that the alcohol was mixing with exhaustion. They shifted slightly and Lily now had her head resting on Remus's neck and her arms around his waist. Remus put his arms around her in a tight hug and in response she lightly caressed his bandages with the tips of her fingers.

"Think you need to get away from here. S'not healthy to stay after what happened to you." concluded Lily, her mumbles slightly tickling Remus's neck.

"Where do I go then?"

"Find a place with me!" Lily said, visibly perking up. She lifted her head to look right at Remus.

"What?"

"I agreed with Severus that I would move out. The least I could do as I did do the breaking up."

"He was an arse in the first place, surely you get flat rights?"

"Doesn't matter. We both need a change. So what do you say?"

The two friends were looking eye to eye now, with no hint of amusement. There was the hanging comment in the air that Lily let sit. 'I need you back.' The two friends hadn't been in good contact for the past couple of years and Lily was determined to fix this, even in her somewhat inebriated state.

Finally, Remus nodded and let Lily kiss him on the cheek before she leaned towards the radio-clock. Turning on the radio, Lily took a few moments to remember how to change the station. She eventually got the hang of it and stopped at a station playing an upbeat electro pop song. With a smile and bit of a woozy stumble, she stood up and reached for Remus.

"We can start over. Together." she said with a smile that Remus returned. He took her hand and they danced away their sorrow.