Hey guys! I'm so sorry I didn't post anything last week, it's been crazy. So I'm putting up two chapters instead of just the one. My posts might start to become a little slower from now on so I apologize in advance for that.

As I've mentioned on my page, I'm going to be creating a stronger relationship between Remus and Lily than J. K. Rowling probably intended, but I rather like my take on it.

Everything goes to the Wonderful World of Rowling.

Lily woke grudgingly to multiple fuzzy shapes looming around her. As her vision cleared she realized she was in the Hospital Wing, surrounded by Potter, Severus, and that brown haired kid, Lupin. Severus visibly brightened when she came to. Potter gave a half smile and even Lupin looked a bit relieved. She let out breathe and tried to sit up, only to promptly be pushed back down.

"Oh no you don't Miss Evans, not for another forty-five minutes at least," Madame Pomphrey scolded. "I've given you a drink that should help calm your jittered nerves. It's a relaxant, so you might not be feeling up for class for the rest of the afternoon."

Lily squeaked. "Miss the rest of my classes! Madame Pomphrey, that can't happen. It's still the first day! What about Potions, and Herbology? I can't skip; it would practically be a disgrace. My Professors will think I'm sloppy and don't care, and what happens when I try to explain how I could possibly fall behind on the first day of term? No. I'm getting up right now and heading straight to the dungeons!"

She fought against the nurse's tight grip.

"Jeez Evans, breathe why don't you." Potter practically looked dizzy from her words. His hand swept through his black hair in wonder.

"How does she manage to talk so fast?" Lupin quietly mused.

"Lily, I don't know if that's such a good idea. . ." Severus cautiously warned; he knew her passion for learning magic and was equally familiar with her temper.

"No but I must if I'm to have any chance of learning everything properly from the start the year and I –"

"Enough," Madame Pomphrey cut in. "My orders are final Miss Evans. However, if the relaxant starts to wear off and you feel up for it, you may leave within the hour with an escort to your next class. You will just have to settle for going in late, or face missing it altogether."

Lily opened her mouth stubbornly to reply but after a moment of struggling with herself, she clamped it shut. Her cheeks turned pink with frustration and anger while her eyes burned a glare of death into Madame Pomphrey's back as the nurse bustled into her office.

"Skipping school . . . a mockery. Pure disgrace. What does she take me for?" She muttered under her breath.

Severus patted her hand reassuringly, drawing her back into the present. She looked over and smiled a thanks to him as Potter eyed their intertwined hands. Lupin on the other hand, seemed to be eyeing all of them, not missing the smirk Severus shot at Potter while Lily wasn't paying attention.

"So, what are you guys doing here?" Lily asked the three boys. "Well, Severus, you're my friend, so that rules you out. And I'm guessing Potter helped me in, so that leaves just you Lupin." She looked at him questioningly.

"Oh, I just helped bring you in and alerted Madame Pomphrey really." He kept an almost unreadable expression, but eyes betrayed his discomfort before he began to study the grounds through the window. Lily guessed he hadn't expected to be asked about his presence, he seemed like the type of person who either didn't like attention, or wasn't used to it.

"Oh thank you, that was very kind," she smiled reassuringly. He weakly returned it before gazing out again.

Potter shifted uncomfortably in his standing position and glanced around for a chair. Eventually he shrugged and flopped onto the bed next to Lily's, spreading out his arms behind his head as he settled in.

"Oi, Potter, what are you doing? That's for patients."

"Well, I figured I earned it see. After my quick reflexes and my dashing rescue." He flashed her a smile showing every one of the hidden white teeth. Lily scoffed.

"I'd hardly call it 'dashing' Potter, you were quick, but not exactly grade O on style," Lily remarked.

"Hey, I just saved your life. Show some respect why don't ya?" He looked a little hurt.

Snape curled a lip upward. "Why would anyone show you respect? You think that a few fast tricks on a broomstick can win you instant fame Potter? You make me sick."

Lily shot Sev a warning look but it was too late. Potter was on his feet with his wand in hand. Severus jumped up as well, looking hungry with the possibility of a rematch. Lupin watched the exchange between them closely, his eyes flitting back and forth between the two.

"You going to say that again Snape?"

"Why, are you deaf as well as obnoxious? I doubt a person could have that many flaws."

Just as they simultaneously raised their wands Madame Pomphrey walked into the room and gasped.

"What on earth are you doing? Dueling near my sick patient!" She grabbed them each by their ears and started hauling them out the door with cries of pain from both parties. "I don't care if you are having a friendly match to impress the lady, do it elsewhere!" Clearly had missed their murderous faces and misinterpreted their previous stance. Lily heard the door slam and gave a start. Lupin shifted and looked around awkwardly, as if wondering if he should go or not.

"Boys," Lily sighed. "Those two will never learn. Too bad, they had a lot in common."

Lupin cocked a puzzled eyebrow.

"They're both about as bright as a rock," she clarified. They both chuckled and the tension passed.

"It's Remus, right?"

Lupin seemed surprised that she remembered him. "Er, yeah. We met on the train. . ."

Lily giggled. "I don't think I could ever forget someone who tries to look like they don't care about being placed in Gryffindor. Especially when they seemed particularly surprised in the first place.

Remus almost blushed as he looked at the floor, embarrassed. "You could see all that?"

Lily nodded.

Lupin fidgeted for a moment, replying with, "I was afraid the hat wouldn't sort me at all. What if it just sat there on my head and never called out anything?"

"Why would it do a thing like that?" she laughed. "You're seem like an alright wizard, probably got twice the brains over Potter or Black. It's not like you're some bloodthirsty block head who's got it out for everyone, right?" She gave him a crooked smile.

Remus paled a sickly white.

Lily dropped her smile in a flash. "Remus, what is it? What's wrong?"

Lupin looked indecisive for a moment, internally struggling with himself. Then his face wiped blank again. "Nothing," he shrugged impassively. He turned his head toward the window again, which overlooked the grounds.

"You really are lucky that boy – James – saved you, you know. Your friend should have more restraint than that. Especially if he claims to be you're best friend. It's not very honorable of him to start mouthing off to the guy you just literally grabbed you from death." He tensed, as if waiting to see if he had spoken out off turn.

"You're absolutely right."

Remus turned back to her and relaxed, a small smile playing on his scratched up face. With anyone else she might have tried to defend Severus, even if she did agree. But with Remus, she felt oddly comforted by his wise presence, and found herself wanting to befriend him.

"You know, if I could I would make them each have to clean that disgusting owlry without magic for their detention."

Remus gave her a questioning look.

"By the time they'd finish all the owls would have pooped again! It'd be a never ending cycle of dung scrubbing." She grinned evilly.

Remus scrunched up his nose, but chuckled nonetheless.

"You are one strange witch Lily."

Lily opened her mouth and beamed, pleasant surprise lighting up her whole face.

"What?"

"You called me Lily."

"So? You called me Remus."

"So it just makes me happy. I like not being called Evans all the time." She paused for a moment. "Remus, are we friends now?"

He thought for a moment, hesitating. "I . . . suppose we could be, yeah."

"Good." She smiled at him again, and she thought he might have turned slightly pink.

Madame Pomphrey bustled back into the room. "Mr. Lupin I'm glad you're here. In about fifteen minutes time would you please escort Miss Evans to her next class if she's ready? I believe you have Potions as well, yes?"

Remus nodded and turned back to the window as she reentered her office. "Is that the Whomping Willow?" Lily asked, from her position, she could only see partway out the window. "I heard they only planted it this year. Seems strange, don't you think?"

Remus' face darkened and his blood visibly drained from his face again.

"Remus, are you alright? You look positively awful. Maybe you should go and ask Madame Pomphrey for –"

"No, I'm fine. Really." He insisted when she gave him a disbelieving look.

He paused and gave the impression of choosing his next words with great delicacy before answering her previous question. "Yes, it does seem rather strange they put it there. But, there are a lot of strange things here at Hogwarts, don't you think? Most of which we don't understand anyway, so, why question this one?"

"Well yes, but why wouldn't they plant it as a sapling?" Lily asked. "They reinstated an entirely grown tree. Doesn't that seem odd? I just can't help but wonder why," her voice trailed off. Remus took the impression that she didn't often let things go. She was just too stubborn that way.

"Maybe . . . it's for protection purposes?" Lupin offered. "From anything that might sneak in from the forest?"

"But that wouldn't be very logical. It's only one tree, even if it can move; the forest stretches on for ages against the castle grounds. It can't reach that far."

"Perhaps they have a rodent problem or gnomes in the area. Or what if the tree was enchanted to instantly repair itself and they'll use it for firewood in winter? Just because we can start a fire magically, doesn't mean the wood wont burn out," Remus was starting to sound enthusiastic about all the new possibilities in which the Willow could be used for.

"Firewood?" Lily pondered doubtfully. "Well, I s'pose sending people into the Forbidden Forest with snow on the ground doesn't come across as a popular idea . . . I'm sure anyone would be reluctant to go, even if it wasn't already freezing out."

"Oh! Maybe they're using it for medical research of some kind!" Remus beamed at himself. "I bet that's it. I'm sure Professor Sprout would tell us in Herbology if we asked."

Lily nodded. That scenario made a lot more sense than anything else they'd come up with. She'd just have to corner the Professor and force a confession out of her. Lily smiled thinking of the middle aged, happy teacher. She was a very kind and exceedingly beautiful woman who loved her work in the greenhouses. Lily had heard many of the older students – mostly boys really – talking about her in great detail.

"Well, come on, let's get out of here. I don't think I can stand the feeling of missing class much more."

"Good, because I'm dying to open my new textbook and start mixing up potions," Lupin smiled. Lily grinned in return.

"Remus my friend, I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful new friendship."