A/N: I really wanted to update this over Christmas but between homework, food, presents and my mother, I never got the chance. I'm sorry.

Disclaimer: Do I need to write this again?

-OOOOOO-

Remus flipped another page in his book, surreptitiously peering at Sirius over the top of it. Sirius was engaged in a game of exploding snap with James. Sirius was the indisputable master of exploding snap and every now and then he would throw his head back and guffaw as the game blew up in James' face, singing his eyebrows and turning his skin from his usual tan to a strange shade of grey. Occasionally James would look over in Remus' direction, catch his eye and raise a knowing eyebrow, causing a bright blush to spread across Remus' cheeks.

"Wanna play, Remmy?" Sirius called across the near empty room.

James accompanied Sirius' comment with yet another raised eyebrow and a suggestive smile.

Remus felt the blush flare again, rushing up his neck and dashing across his cheeks. Not trusting himself to peak he shook his head and his himself back behind his book.

Sirius gave a small sigh of disappointment that only James heard.

"Don't worry, mate," he muttered "he likes you. I could deliver that card and then you'll see his reaction."

"You dare," said Sirius, leaning forward to stop anyone else from hearing "and I will personally show Evans your My Little Unicorn collection."

James visibly paled.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Oh, I would," Sirius said. Leaning back in his chair and pretending to examine his nails "you know I would. And I'm sure it'd help you to get a date with her. She's always going on about you being insensitive. Maybe it's time she learnt how sensitive you really are."

"But I've told you before, it's Peter's collection. I'm just looking after it for him."

"Okay," said Sirius disbelievingly "I'm sure Evans will believe you more than I do."

"Sometimes I think you should have been in slytherin Sirius Black," said James, only half insulting.

Sirius just grinned, his previous melancholy forgotten.

James scowled at Sirius and begun dealing the cards again.

Remus missed this entire episode, hidden behind his book as he was. He continued to let his eyes drift over the words whilst fighting the blush and probably would have continued to do so if someone hadn't tapped him on the shoulder. With an indignant squawk and nearly drop his book. Tilting his head back he looked at his assailant. Lily Evans smiled back at him.

"You're books upside down," she said, still smiling "let me guess. We on Black watch?"

"I do wish you'd stop calling it that. I'm merely observing a friend."

"Yeah, the day that's true is the day I date Severus Snape. Come on, admit it. You like him."

"I will not."

"Ha. You just said that you weren't going to admit that you liked him, not that you didn't like him."

Remus simply raised an eyebrow at her.

"Was there a point to you bothering me or did you just wish to disrupt my study?" Remus asked, attempting to surreptitiously turn his book the right way up.

"Don't even try and pretend that you were studying," said Lily, plucking the book from Remus' hands and tossing it to one side.

Remus gave a cry of protest that Lily ignored. Grabbing his hand, she pulled him out of his seat and towards the portrait hole.

"Where are we going?" Remus asked as he was dragged along.

He threw a look at James and Sirius but they were absorbed in another game and didn't notice him being manhandled out of the room.

"Look, Remus, I need help with something. And only you can help me."

"Okay, Lils, all you had to do was ask. You know me, anything for a friend. What do you need help with?"

"I can't tell you yet. I'll tell you when we get there."

Remus shrugged. It wasn't like Lily was one of his sneaky Marauder friends. What was there to worry about?

She pulled him along corridors and down a couple of staircases for about a quarter of an hour until suddenly she stopped and Remus nearly walked into her.

"Why've we stopped?" he asked, peering around.

The corridor was empty apart from a classroom at the other end, a secret passage only he, Peter, Sirius and James knew about and what was probably one of the many supply closets littered around the school.

"I'm really sorry about this, Remus, but it has to be done."

She had her wand out before Remus even realised she had moved and, before he had time to draw his own, she had pointed it at him and the world went red, then black.

-OOOOOO-

A/N: There we go. What do you think? We are nearing the end and now I'm getting a little more cheerful about it. Five (nice) reviews and I'll post the next chapter.

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