Disclaimer: See prologue

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Harry gazed at the photograph in wonder. It was one of the oddest things he had ever seen and that included the Weasley's ghoul…although that was in a league all of its own.

His mother tossed her hair and scowled repeatedly. Sirius sat beside the lake, looking on in amusement. James stood directly in front of Lily and it appeared that they were in the middle of a heated argument. Peter stood slightly behind James, a smile threatening to break out. Harry assumed Lupin had taken the photograph as he was no-where to be seen.

1975

"Moony please."

Lupin sighed and marked his page, wondering why he had come down to the lake in the first place. He should have known they wouldn't let him study but he had been persuaded by Sirius's promise to keep quiet and test him. "James, I'm trying to study. I have my Defence O.W.L. tomorrow, so do you for that matter. Perhaps you ought to get your priorities right."

"If you do this for me Remus, I swear…I'll leave you alone."

That was too tempting for words. James took advantage of his friend's hesitation. "Thanks Moony, you're a true friend."

"I don't know why you bother." said Sirius in the same clipped drawl he reserved for conversations centring around Lily Evans. "If she's said no to you once Prongs, she's no a hundred times."

"I think," began Lupin, finding amusement in flicking through the chapter on recognising a werewolf. "That poor love-sick James is working on the theory that eventually she will be so harassed that she'll accept just to stop him asking her all the damn time."

"You're cleverer than you look." said James with a smile. "And that's saying something."

Peter tittered and Lupin rolled his eyes. "James, what do you want me to do? What do you think I'm capable of, miracles? I don't think it's going to make any difference who asks her, at the end of the day, it'll still be you she's dating."

Sirius fell back onto the grass in laughter. "Gee Moony, you really know how to make a guy feel good about himself."

"Now you owe me, see?"

Lupin did not look amused. He returned to his book and began muttering about Boggarts and Red-Caps and all the ways in which to identify them.

"Remus, that's stuff we did years ago." said Sirius, snatching the book with cat-like reflexes. "I don't know why you bother, you've never failed an exam in your life."

Lupin didn't attempt to take it back. His face was set as he held out his hand for the book. Sirius handed it back to him, frightened that Lupin would remain in "prefect-mode" for the rest of the day if he didn't.

"I've never failed an exam because I work for them Sirius. Look it up, it is in the dictionary."

James sat beside him, peering into Lupin's peripheral vision, knowing it would irritate him into submission. Lupin sighed and threw down the book.

"Moony, I will personally entertain him for the rest of the day. Please. You're the only one she can stand."

"What do I have to say?"

The other three cheered and though he tried to refrain from smiling, Lupin couldn't stop himself grinning as his friends showed their appreciation for his lack of willpower.

He found Lily sitting nearby and cringed. She stood, already knowing why he was there.

"Remus?"

"Um…hello."

To an outsider, the exchange was perfectly pleasant. It may have looked as though Lupin was asking her out himself. His arm snaked around his neck, as was his want when he was nervous, and he leant on his right leg. His lips were pressed tightly together and his brow furrowed.

"Can I help you?" she finally asked.

Her almond shaped eyes had now shrunk to emerald slits.

"Um…yes. James was wondering-"

Lily sighed. "If this is him asking me out again then you can tell him from me that it hasn't worked for the past three years and it won't start now."

"Okay. Don't shoot the messenger."

"He ought to come over and ask himself if he cares that much."

Lupin's mouth twitched as though he was about to smile. "Well, to be honest Lily, you haven't told him where to go either."

Lily opened her mouth to protest.

"I mean not to his face." stammered Lupin, wishing he had just kept his mouth shut.

"Right. Where is he then?"

Lupin gave a nervous laugh and rubbed his neck harder. "Um…I don't know."

"Yes you do. Oh look, I think I see his head. It's not hard to miss; the size of it."

She marched towards him and Lupin trailed behind, wishing James had sent Sirius whose charm would have calmed her already, or better yet…told her himself.

It came as a shock to James as he lay beside Sirius, to find Lily's shadow looming over him. He sat up, smiling graciously.

"I knew if anyone could do it, it would be Remus." squealed Peter, who looked as though he was about to wet himself with excitement.

Lupin didn't look so confident in his match-making ability. Sirius sat up, leaning back on his arms which were splayed out behind him.

Lily smiled sweetly and James leapt to his feet. Lupin bit his bottom lip as Sirius smirked and Peter scrambled up to stand just behind James.

"Hey Evans."

"Hello Pervert."

Sirius caught Lupin's eye and both were soon beside themselves with laughter.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me Potter. Let me get this through to your thick skull. I wouldn't go out with you if you were the last man on earth. You are arrogant. You are rude. You have no dignity and you think you are God's gift."

"Evans, try and see this my way…"

"I would try and see it from your point of view Potter but I'm afraid I can't get my head that far up my own arse."

CLICK!

"Remus put that bloody camera down!"