Disclaimer: I do not own anything you recognize… I'm just borrowing them.

Once in a Lifetime

"I hope you know I'm still mad at you."

"Sirius, I think we should drop the bet," James said, as he walked into the common room later that evening.

The feel of her mouth and body against him was still following him.

"If you drop it, that means I win by default," Sirius said gleefully. Remus looked at James. He could tell that something was bothering the youth.

"What's up Prongs?" he asked. He set the book he had been reading for the tenth time on the couch cushion.

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing," James said. "I'm just tired is all." James then quickly climbed into his bed, before Remus could question him further.

Remus nodded his head, not saying anything, and went back to his book. He would drag the problem out later.

Lily grabbed her favorite chair, by the fire. In her arms she carried Pride and Prejudice, something she read whenever her thoughts were in turmoil.

As she began the book, her mind wandered away from the dialogue. Eventually she gave up on reading anything for awhile, and just sat staring into the fireplace.

She pressed her fingertip to her mouth, still feeling the tingling aftereffects of James' kisses.

"So Lily, what's on your mind?"

When she turned around at the male voice, Remus came into view. He held up the book in his hand, like it was supposed to explain his entrance.

She stared hard at the coverless book, (probably Potter's and Black's fault, she surmised later) and looked up at Remus's smiling face.

"May I sit with you?" he asked, gesturing to the empty couch. She nodded, mute, and he was quick to take her up on it.

"James has been distant lately," he began. "Ever since he started working with you actually; and no matter how much I ask, he won't talk. Even Sirius can't, and let me tell you, that's quite a feat."

Lily refused to look at him, not quite sure how to respond to Remus's gentle questioning. "I overheard you guys talking in the great hall a couple of hours ago, something about a bet?" She was fishing and Remus knew it.

He gazed into the fire, not responding for a few minutes.

"Oh I see," she said, sighing, and listening to the crackle of the flames. "If you don't want to talk about it, I'm okay with that. I just wanted a little more information than what I had."

"Sirius bet James that he couldn't get you to dance with him by the end of the year," Remus answered, finally, tearing his eyes from the burning logs and looking right at Lily. "James didn't really want to take it though."

There, he thought, it may be the truth but she doesn't really need to know.

"That's all?" she asked doubtfully, knowing of the Marauders' reputation as mischief makers.

Remus nodded, and she let out a sigh. Leaning her head back on the couch, she stared at the crimson ceiling above her. "It really isn't that harmless," she mused, considering the 'bet'.

"Well, I came down to find out how you were holding up, so I guess I'm saying goodnight now." Remus stood up, stretching his back a bit. Ruffling her hair, he moved toward the stairs.

Before he could get away, Lily stood up and grabbed his arm. When he looked back, she quickly pecked him on the cheek, and whispered, "Thanks Remus. It's been awhile since anyone asked me how I was."

He nodded his head slightly. "Well, goodnight then, Lily."

"Good night, Remus."

When Remus entered the boys' dorm, Sirius was waiting up, James and Peter having gone to bed a few hours before.

"So? How did she seem to you?" Sirius asked, as soon as Remus had sat down.

He shrugged. "She wanted more information on that bet that you so cleverly let slip," he responded. "I had to think of something so that she wouldn't get mad."

"What'd you tell her?" Sirius asked, bouncing on his bed, eagerly awaiting the answer.

"You bet James that he couldn't get Lily to dance with him by the end of the year."

"But that's boring," Sirius moaned. "I would much rather they fucked than danced."

Remus flinched at the crude word. Before he could rebuke Sirius on his language, however, Sirius said thoughtfully, "Maybe they could fuck on the dance-floor."

"Pads, there's no way I'd fuck Lily on something as crude as a dance-floor. She deserves much better than that." James was sitting on his bed, wearing his glasses, and listening to every word Remus said.

"Jamesy! I thought you had gone to sleep," Sirius said, looking at his best friend.

"Nope, not a chance, Pads, old pal."

Remus watched this exchange in amusement. He wasn't going to bother about the language. He was too tired to really care, anyway.

A/N: I'M BACK!! After what felt like years for this update too, probably. I hope you liked it, please review!

Serindraxx