A/N: This may or may not be short; we'll see when I'm done writing. Sorry if it is in fact short. I'll try and make this chapter interesting. Review and tell me if I succeeded.

P.S. Hi Ella! (Random shout outs are fun, tee hee.)

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER! If I did, I would definitely be in the south of France, stuffing my face full of bread and cheese.

Mmmmmmmmm… Cheese…

Chapter 1: Remus Hates His Friends

Remus awoke in his dorm to the sounds of Christmas bells. The first snow had fallen and the students were celebrating. He threw on his robes, ran his fingers threw his hair and ran into the common room to find James and Sirius. Both were lounging on the couch, discussing the upcoming Gryffindor Christmas Party.

"Do you think Lily will go with me?" James asked Sirius.

"I don't think so, mate. But ask Remus," Sirius said, pointing to Remus over James's shoulder. "He's the head boy with her; maybe he knows something we don't."

Remus turned red as James twisted around to see him. He was head boy with Lily, which tended to be a sore spot with James. Remus got to spend a lot of alone time with Lily, something James craved very much.

"Well, Moony, what do you think? Do I have a chance with her?"

Remus's stomach knotted itself. Why did James have to love Lily? He was all wrong for her anyway. She would never go out with him. Wait, why should I care who she goes out with? I don't have any claim to her. I should be happy for James. Remus glanced over at the girl in question. Her pale complexion made the light dusting of freckles across her nose stand out. She noticed him looking at her and flashed a smile.

Remus felt his legs go numb.

She had that kind of affect on him.

"I don't know, James. She doesn't really seem to be particularly taken with you." Remus said, remembering a long discussion he had had with Lily, involving the defending of his friendship with James. James turned to face the fire, sulking. Sirius sat chewing on his lip for a minute, silently formulating a plan. Remus knew he was planning something. He always chewed on his lip when he was planning something.

"I know," he said finally. "Moony, would she go to the party with you?"

"WHAT?" Remus bellowed.

"If you asked Lily to the Christmas party, would she say yes?"

"I don't know! Maybe…"

"Ask her! Then, during the party, James can catch her under the mistletoe and work his magic, no pun intended."

"Sirius, you're a bloody genius!" James roared. He glanced over at Remus, who still had a look of horrified shock across his face. "Ask her after Charms," James instructed. "Then meet me at lunch and tell me how it went." He got up and started toward the crawl space that led out of the Gryffindor tower. He threw a "Good luck!" over his shoulder and then he was gone.

"Sirius, how could do that to me!" Remus shouted, turning to yell at his so called best friend. "What?" Sirius said with an indignant look. "All you have to do is ask her to the party and then give James some room. You'll be fine. It's not like you have a crush on her." He got up and followed suit, leaving Remus in the tower.

I hate my friends. Remus thought savagely. Because of them, he couldn't pursue Lily on his own. And now because of them, he had to ask her out so that James could make his move. My life sucks.

"Remus? Can I ask you a question?" a very familiar voice said behind him.

Remus whipped around, startled. Oh God, Lily! She was standing right in front of him.

"Hey, Lily!" Remus squeaked. He gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

It took a moment for Lily to continue her train of speech. She was stunned at how adorable Remus looked when he was surprised. His beautiful gray eyes were lit with the light pouring in from the window, early morning glare off the snow.

"I was just wondering, Remus, if… maybe you'd… like to go to the Christmas party with me tonight?" Lilly stammered nervously. He'll never say yes. She thought sadly.

"Go with you?" Remus asked in surprise. He looked stunned again. Then slowly, his eyes changed from stormy gray to the gray of the clouds just before dawn. He lips twitched into a grin.

"I'd love to, Lily."

Now it was Lily's turn to be shocked. She smiled too. HE SAID YES!