A/N: Not JK Rowling. All characters belong to her.

RavenclawLupin11 presents:

A Remus and Lily Friendship Story

Chapter Two: Remus

Sitting at the table, lost in thought of Lily Evans Potter, Remus John Lupin was crying. Lily was dead. Prongs with her, and nothing was ever going to be the same. Pouring himself a goblet of firewhiskey, he sank down into a hard wooden chair. Looking back on the last years of Lily Potter.

June 8, 1978

"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore. Congratulations, Class of '78. You made it here, a feat we all thought would never come. Being muggle-born, I was anxious about what awaited me here. What I found here I will carry with me forever. Three amazing people have made their mark upon me. To Sirius Orion Black: He is the brother I never had and sometimes I wish I didn't have him. Through all of your crazy antics and rambunctious laughter, you are a great boy-man-and I am pleased beyond all recollection that I met you.

"To James Harold Potter: No one would have guessed seven years ago that we'd be together today, least of all me. But you proved to me that you were worth my time and I found that without you, nothing mattered. I am greatful for our friendship and our love we have shared. You mean the world to me.

"And third to Remus John Lupin. There aren't enough words to describe what you mean to me. You and I have been through so much in the past seven years. When I was feeling anxious about what awaited me here, you found me and reassured me that I would bloom in whatever house I was sorted into. You danced with me, you laughed with me and you shared one of your darkest secrets with me. No one in this whole world will ever be closer or more important that you, Remus. Je suis ta petite fleur rouge.

"May everyone of us go forth into the world, ablaze with hope, filled with desire and have a thirst for justice and peace. May the Lord bless and keep you."

Lily Evans finished her Valedictorian speech and sat down with the "E's". She turned around to find Remus Lupin crying and smiling at her. She bent her pinky finger up and down, he replied. Then they shared their secret smile one last time. Dumbledore then introduced the graduating class of 1978, and they were officially alumni of Hogwarts.

Remus found Lily first, and hugged her tightly. "That was beautiful."

"And I meant every word of it." Lily beamed at Remus.

James grabbed her by the waist and hugged her; he kissed her temple. Sirius hugged Remus in a brotherly way. Then exchanged with James to hug Lily. The four of them stood there in a circle for the longest time.

"What happens now?" Lily looked up at the three boys.

"You marry me, Lils." James said with sincerity.

"Marry you?"

"Yes. Marry me, Lily, and make me the happiest man alive."

Lily looked shocked for a time. She looked up into Remus' eyes and asked a million questions without saying a word. Remus nodded his head and smiled at her.

"Yes, James. I'll marry you!"

They embraced and he kissed her passionately. Sirius hopped around in a circle, yelling to everyone that James and Lily were engaged. Remus turned around and walked out.

That wasn't one of the happiest memories he had. For Lily it was happy, but for him, it felt like he was losing his best friend.

May 9, 1979

"Alright everyone, speech time. Sirius, mate, you're first!" Remus said loudly. Sirius Black stood and looked around at the eighteen people sitting in front of him.

"Standing here is very intimidating. Because sitting next to me are two of the greatest wizards of their age. I know they will triumph over evil, they will make their names known. But above all that, they will love. Each other, their friends, their family and maybe someday they'll even love their children. I remember thinking to myself that James was an idiot for pining away at Lily for six years. Til one holiday he flooed to my apartment screaming that Lily agreed to go out with him on one date. I was also there when he asked her to be his girlfriend, and his wife. I hope tomorrow when they take their vows, that these days stick in their heads. Because they will definitely stick in mine." Sirius sat down next to James as James hugged him brotherly. Applause broke out.

Sirius turned to Remus. "Your turn, mate." Remus stood.

"Good people are all around us. Great people are more rare. But James and Lily are some of the rarest types of people. They are my best friends. Watching James fawn over Lily for years was entertaining at times. And I couldn't hold back my excitement when the letter came from Lily expressing her feelings to James to me, for her confusion overwhelmed her senses. I was friends with Lily since the day we met on the train, through fifth year projects, to OWL's to NEWT's, we were sticking it out together. James is a real lucky guy to have her at his side for eternity. I hope that he takes good care of her, for nothing is greater than a Red Flower." Remus sat down next to Lily and they embraced as well.

"Remus-"

"Lily, don't say anything." He smiled at her. "He doesn't deserve you, you know."

Lily smacked him lightly on the shoulder. "What are you, my older, over-protective brother?"

"Perhaps. But he'll never know you like I do."

"He'll never love me like you do either. Because no matter what happenes, I'll always love you, Remus." Lily smiled as she grasped his hand from under the table.

He just wished she loved him enough.

May 10, 1979

The big day that Lily Evans had been waiting for her entire life, was finally here. Not that she had been waiting for James her entire life, in fact that dream only happened the summer before last. But she had been waiting for the exchanging of vows and the reception. She had been waiting for a wedding her entire life. Lily dreamed of a white gown and blue bonnet bouquet. She dreamed of the groom in a black tuxedo with a blue bonnet in the side lapel.

But since her entrance into the wizarding world this dream has been altered a of a white gown she settled for more of a homecoming dress. The dress came with sleeves up to her elbow crease. The gown was more ivory than white. Her bouquet was still blue bonnets but there were sprigs of natural baby's breath (grown in a greenhouse for baby's breath is white in winter) and white lilies. In her hair were also sprigs of baby's breath. Her hair was in a french bun and on the side of her head was a white lily, not unlike her bouquet lilies. James wasn't wearing a tuxedo. He was wearing black dress robes. He did however have a blue bonnet on his chest.

Sirius, Frank and Remus all had lilies on their chests. Standing behind Lily as her maid of honor was her good friend Marlene McKinnon. She and Sirius were having a fling at the moment so making Marlene her maid of honor was the right move. Behind Marlene were Alice Graham-Longbottom and Mary McDonald. Marlene was wearing a cream dress, just a shade darker than Lily's gown. Marlene's hair was in the same style as Lily's minus the lily in her hair. Marlene just had the baby's breath in it. Alice and Mary had on champagne colored dresses, a shade darker than Marlene's dress. They both had blue bonnets in their hair. Standing in the bride room, Lily was shaking with nerves. Looking into the vanity mirror, she barely recognized the girl in front of her. Her skin was cream and roses, her eyes bright and wide.

Suddenly the life that she was leaving behind finally caught up to her. She was leaving behind her parents and her sister. (though her sister she wasn't so sad about.) Lily was leaving behind a world of carefree wildness. She couldn't stay up all night with her boys because she will have responsibilities at home. Turning her head away from her reflection she sighed deeply and closed her eyes; clearing her head of any thoughts.

Hearing a knock at the door she jumped a foot in the air and screamed a little bit. "C-Come in," she said, her hand to her chest, gaining composure. The door opened a crack and revealed the prematurely lined face of Remus Lupin. "Oh, Remus, you scared me!"

"I apologize, Lily. May I come in?"

"Why, yes, of course you may." She opened the door wider and allowed him in. Closing the door, she turned towards a very nervous Remus. "Not to sound rude or anything, but why are you in my room," she glanced at the wall clock, "twenty minutes until the wedding starts?"

"I came to say goodbye for good, Lily."

"For good? What are you talking about?"

"Lily," Remus sighed. "You are getting married today. In twenty minutes you will no longer be Lily EVANS, but Lily POTTER. We can't hang out on weekdays under a willow tree. We can't dance the night away after our exams. Lily, we're losing our freedoms. You're moving onto bigger and better things. I don't want to interfere with your life. I'm done."

"Remus," Lily walked towards the young man. He was crying slightly but not bothering to wipe the tears away. Lily placed her hands on his forearms. "I don't care if I'm married. You and I are the best of friends and I don't want to lose you. If James has a problem with us hanging out on weekdays under a willow tree or dancing the night away, then we're not getting married. He's not giving up Sirius, nor will I make him do so. I'm not giving you up, Remus. That is a promise."

Lily hugged Remus around the neck and he pulled her close to him. Remus breathed in her scent and closed his eyes, letting his held back tears fall freely. He pulled away from the hug and looked into Lily's emerald green eyes. Lily locked her's onto Remus' hazel eyes and there they stayed for what felt like eternity. Then Remus dipped his head and kissed Lily. Nothing romantic in the least. They were friends, they had been for almost ten years. There was no tongue or touchy feely stuff. Just their lips together in a friendly embrace. Lily pulled away from the kiss and smiled at Remus.

"I'm glad you did that. It made me feel closure."

Remus looked confused. "Closure?"

"Yes. I'm entering a new life, and I needed closure of my old one. That was a great ending to my old life. Thank you."

"Anything for you, Claret Aurore."

"Oh, I miss her so much! I hate you, Remus Lupin!"

"Yeah, yeah. I love you, too."

An hour later Lily walked down the aisle as Mrs. James Potter. Remus couldn't have been happier

November 25, 1979

Remus Lupin was sitting at the dining table at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. He was sipping his morning coffee, something his mother forced on him when he was younger. Opening up the Daily Prophet he scanned the front page. Nothing new, but the fact that four more Muggles and three more wizards had disappeared worried the twenty year old. He worried endlessly what might happen if one of his friends were kidnapped. He didn't want You-Know-Who to take them away from him. Suddenly he heard footsteps in the hall. Turning to face the doorway, he watched his best friend Sirius Black walk in.

Remus held up the paper. "Seven more disappearances. Four muggles and three wizards. They're getting worse."

Sirius sat down and poured himself a glass of orange juice. "I have a feeling that things aren't going to get any easier, mate." Sirius shook his head. "Heard anything from the Potter's lately?"

"No," Remus said, cocking an eyebrow. "Why would I have?"

"Well, you and Lily are darn near inseperable."

"Sirius, we WERE like that. Lily has Prongs now. She doesn't need me."

Sirius nodded his head. "Yes she does. You are her best friend. Much like Prongs is mine. They've been married half a year. She still needs you."

"Be that as it may, I haven't heard a word from her."

As soon as those words left his mouth, an owl flitted into the window above the sink. It was Gretl, the Potter owl. She landed directly in front of Remus and hooted. Remus untied the letter attached to her leg and recongnized the calligraphy of Lily Ev-Potter.

"See, I told you she still needs you." Sirius said with a smirk.

Remus just gave him the evil eye, as he bent his head to read the letter.

Dear Moon Beam,

I write to you in desperation. Remus, I'm scared to tell James what I fear is unstoppable. We weren't TRYING for this to happen, but you know how things go. They just happen. And I can't tell James, he'll freak. He told me when we got married, that he's not ready for this to happen yet and BAM here it is. I need your friendly adivce, Remus. I'm so confused and rampant. I can't keep food down hardly, and James told me to go to St. Mungo's. I was already suspicious of my sickness and the Healer confirmed it. Remus, I have eight months! Help me!

Forever yours,

Red Flower.

Remus' eyes got wider and wider as he read on. Lily had EIGHT MONTHS to live? This was horrible, no wonder she couldn't tell James. Imagine being married for six months then have this dumped on you. "I have to go to Lily. Now."

Sirius looked concerned. "What's up?"

"I'll tell you when I get home. I'll be back." Remus flooed to Potter Mansion. Stepping out of the fireplace, he was attacked by Lily Ev-Potter.

"Thank Merlin, you're here! I need your help, Remus. I don't know what to do!"

"Lily, let's sit down and you can tell me from the beginning."

Lily led him to the sitting room and pulled him down to the sofa. "Well, first of all, James doesn't want this. It's only been six months."

"Do you care?"

"Well, sort of. I wouldn't mind. It's something I've always wanted. But then again, it's only been six months."

Remus pondered the It's something I've always wanted part of Lily's sentence. Remus chose to ignore it for now. "Well, do you need to tell him?"

"Well, not really, but he's going to find out one way or the other. It's not like I can hide it forever. It'll present itself in due time."

Remus was getting the feeling they weren't talking about the same thing. "Lily, what are you talking about?"

"What are YOU talking about?"

"You're letter. You said you had eight months."

"Yes, that's right."

"You're going to die in eight months?"

"Die?" Lily suddenly broke out into peals of laughter. "I'm not going to DIE in eight months, Remus. I'm going to give BIRTH in eight months, silly goose."

"Birth-You're on the nest?"

"So it would seem. You thought I was going to die?"

Remus chuckled. "I don't know the first thing about women, you know that. You wrote your letter in code, I deciphered it wrong. Sue me."

"So now that YOU know what I'm REALLY going on about, how do I tell James?" Lily bit her lip.

"The same way you told me."

"What? I can't tell him I'm going to die! He'll have a coronary."

"Like I did? I know. You tell him you have something urgent to tell him. Tell him that he doesn't want it but there is nothing that can be done. Say when you went to the Healer, she confirmed it. You have eight months. His mind will go to where mine went and he'll go nuts. Then when he asks you more questions your answers will confuse him and he'll ask you what your talking about same as me. Then you tell him that your pregnant not dying. See? He'd rather have you pregnant than die. After thinking you were going to die, you being pregnant won't be so bad."

Lily smiled. "That's a lovely plan, Remus. But, it won't work."

"What won't work?" Remus and Lily both turned to see James and Sirius in the entrance way.

"Sirius, what are you doing here?" Remus asked.

"You got Lily's letter and you blanched. You're face was white as a ghost. I went and got James right after you left. I was worried something was wrong."

"Oh, Sirius, thank you," Lily said. "I do have something to tell you James."

James walked to Lily and took her hands in his. "Tell me, Lily."

"Well, you remember when you told me to see a Healer?"

"Yes."

"Well I went to see one yesterday and she gave me some news. I know you weren't ready for this, but it's not something either of us can change." Lily took a breath and looked into James' eyes. "I have eight months, James."

"Eight months? But, Lily, you were just getting sick."

"Sometimes, getting sick happens to people who are like me."

"Lily, are you sure there is nothing we can do?"

"No. We'll have to go through with this."

James paled even more. "Lily, is eight months a solid number, or an estimate?"

"Well it's eight months, give or take a few weeks. I'd rather not be premature but if I am, well then so be it!"

James cocked his eyebrow. "I have a feeling we're not talking about the same thing."

"What do you think I'm talking about?"

"Death." James whispered.

Lily looked at Remus and smiled their secret smile. Remus chuckled. "I told you so." He said.

"What are YOU talking about?"

"James, we've been married for six months. This wasn't exactly what we planned but-James, we're going to have to buy some furniture for the nusery."

"The nursery-? Lily, are you saying what I think you're saying?" Lily just raised her eyebrow. "Lily, are you pregnant?"

"Yes. We have eight months until the little bundle arrives."

James took Lily and spun her around. "James! Be carerul!"

"I'm sorry, are you hurt, darling?"

"Just the opposite. James, WE'RE HAVING A BABY!"

Don't get him wrong, he was happy Lily was going to have a baby but, he kinda wished that she would have waited.

December 25, 1979

Christmas was always one of Lily Potter's favorite holidays. It was a time when friends a family could all be together and fellowship. Not long before the holiday season really started, Lily began to notice that her abdomen was expanding just a little. If you didn't know she was pregnant, you couldn't tell. But she could tell, and so could James. He was always spreading his large Quiddich hands over her stomach and talking to it. He was always so cute about it. He'd say things like: "Hi, Baby, this is your daddy!" and "Daddy loves you!" Lily always giggled when he'd put his ear to her stomach and "listen" to thier child's reply.

Sirius was the supplier of the nursery things. He bought a versatile crib that could be magiked 'boy' or 'girl' depending on the gender. It came with a matching rocker and changing table. Sirius was always really cute about the baby as well. He would blush when Lily would bombard him, tackle him and place his hand on her stomach. He would always smile and act like he didn't care but both James and Lily knew better. James and Lily had decided that Sirius would be their son's godfather, and Remus would be their daughters. Lily explained that Sirius had a 'son' in fifth year, and Remus had had a 'girl'. Now for the names!

Lily liked "Harold James" after her husband and his father. James liked "James Sirius" after himself and his best friend. (The only problem is that Lily refused to name her son after Sirius Orion Black.)

Lily liked "Claret Aurore" after her 'daughter' in fifth year. James liked "MacKenzie Lillian" after her mother and his wife. (The only problem with THAT name is that her name was LILY not LILLIAN.)

So they were at an impasse, to say the least.

Christmas Day was going to be hectic, for sure. Lily and Remus spent all morning cooking the food, like Muggles. James and Sirius decorated the living and dining rooms, along with the foyer and outside of the house, like wizards. Thought that SHOULD have been an easy, simple task for any other person, for James and Sirius it was a nightmare. They goofed around and laughed hesterically. Lily and Remus were beginning to question thier sanity.

"Remind me again, why I married him?" Lily said sarcastically while kneading the biscuit dough.

"I think it's because you love him, but I can't be sure." Remus said with a smile.

"I suppose you're right." Lily looked into the living room. "They are making an easy task extraordinarily difficult, you realize?"

Remus smiled. "Yes, I realize that you and I could have decorated the house about four hours less than they are. But then, they would have to cook dinner."

"Okay, point taken. I'd rather eat beofre midnight than have a fully decorated house."

"No, Lily, if they did the cooking we'd have to order out. Their food wouldn't be edible."

"Okay, two points for the warewolf."

Remus looked at Lily and they both broke out in laughter.

"What are you two laughing at," hollered James from the foyer.

"Nothing!" They both shouted.

About an hour later Lily called everyone to the table. Remus sat next to Lily, across from Sirius, who sat next to James, across from Lily. "James, will you say the blessing, please, darling?"

"Yes, love. Join hands." James and Sirius reached across to join their hands with Lily and Remus, respectively. James and Sirius linked, as did Lily and Remus. "On this Christmas night, let us rejoice in this wonderful meal that we will share with wonderful company. Bless the hands that made it, bless the bodies that consume it and may we always keep Christmas in our hearts all year long. Let us not forget the true meaning of this day; may it not be clouded by Muggle romanticizing. May each person sitting here have good fortune this coming year, including my little son or daughter! As Tiny Tim observed, "God bless us, everyone!" Amen."

"Amen" spoke the remaining three. Lily squeezed James' and Remus' hands before letting them fall.

After a night of memories, presents and friendship, Remus and Sirius left Potter Mansion.

Little did any of them realize that it was the second to last one the Potters would ever have.

May 10, 1980

"One year, mate! Congratulations, Lily and James!" Sirius said before eight Muggle wine glasses 'clinked' together. Lily was seven months pregnant now and she was absolutely sure that she was having a boy. James was set on a girl. Remus and Sirius had 25 galleons on Lily against James. They both knew that Lily would have a boy first.

Finding Lily on the patio later that night, Remus slid his are around her shoulders. "Beautiful night, no?"

"Yes, Remus. It's a gorgeous night." She cradled her womb protectively. "Two more months, Remus and he'll be in my arms! Sometimes it doesn't seem possible."

"I sometimes render it impossible, too."

"Remus," she started, but she cut her statement off with a 'oh!' and a sudden movement to her abdomen.

"What is it? Are you alright?"

"Remus, I'm fine. Give me your hand." She offered hers to him.

"Why?" He pulled his back.

"Just give it here, coward."

Remus, reluctant and hesitating, gave her his left hand. She took his large hand into her small one and placed his on the top of her mounded belly. There she pressed down on his hand and what Remus felt was unlike anything he'd ever felt before. "Was that, the-baby?"

Lily smiled and nodded, not trusting her voice. "There, feel it?"

"Oh, I feel it. You've got a strong boy in there, so you do."

"I hope he's a strong Quiddich player like his father, but smart and studious like me. The best of both worlds."

"Well, if you get a perfect child this time 'round, why have another?"

Lily smiled. "He won't be perfect, Remus. He's half James'."

They both laughed, as the child gave another solid kick. Remus laughed. Lily looked up into his hazel eyes, Remus into her emerald ones and for a split second they moved towards each other. But they both stopped before something bad happened. "Lily, we should go in now."

"No, not yet, Remus." Then she leaned in and placed her head on his shoulder. Remus could feel her bump on the waistband of his jeans. She took his hand in hers, and placed his other on her waist; she took his waist. "Don't you hear that music, Remus?"

"What musi-? Yes, I hear it, Lily. Will you dance with me, mon peu, la fleur rouge? "

"I'd be delighted, mon garçon de loup."

And they danced like their fourth year.

July came much to quickly

July 31, 1980

After twenty hours of hard, back-breaking, labor, Lily delivered Harry James Potter into the world. 7 lbs., 12 oz. 20 1/2 in. long. He had a black tuft of hair upon his head and his eyes were bright blue. (Though, all babies are born with blue or gray eyes.) Sirius was excited to be named godfather. Remus however, was happy to just hold Harry in his arms.

He would cradle him and carry him around the birth room, Lily smiling at her boys. Remus would make a good father someday. He was showing Harry everything from his Mummy to the drapes on the window. Harry stared up at Remus with unending awe until he fell alsleep. Remus was so shocked that he had a sleeping baby in his arms.

"What do I do wit him?"

"You can either carry him or lay him in his crib."

"I vote second option." Remus did just that, then sat on the end of Lily's bed. "He's wonderful, Lily. A reincarnation of James."

"I hope in looks only. Could you imagine eleven years from now and James and I getting a disiplinary letter from McGonagall? James would flip and then I'd remind him that at one point HIS mother and father opened a similar letter. And I'll miss my little boy when he goes off to Hogwarts for the first time. I'll fuss and cry when he leaves."

"Lily, that is a long way away. Let's not make him eleven yet, shall we?"

"Sounds good. Remus," she took his hand. "I'm so very happy, he's here. He's everything and more. I didn't think I could love another human more than I love you and James but I look into his eyes and I do, and more. I love him with every fiber of my being. He's amazing."

"That he is, Lily. He's beautiful, and he'll be a wonderful child for both of you. I'm proud of you, also, Lily."

"For what?"

"For accomplishing the highest natural feat of a human being. Reprodution and birth."

"Remus, you are SO corny!"

Remus nodded his head. "Why, yes, yes I am!"

Lily's smiled softened. "Remus, do you think I'll be a good mother to him?"

"You? Of course you will, Lils! You were always the mother to us Marauders! If anyone would make a good mother, it's you!"

Lily sniffed. "You think so?"

"I know so, Lily! Now, stop your crying!"

They smiled thier secret smile. "You're right, once again, Remus. I'm just being silly!"

"Why yes, yes you are!"

Thoughts? R&R!