Intro Note: Happy belated Valentine's Day! Here's an extra serving of sugary fluff with a side of plot setup for you ^3^
Birthday Surprises
Winter 1975
*.*.*.*.*
Lily awoke on January 30th with a hopeful, excited feeling. Surely something good was bound to happen on her fifteenth birthday. She felt energized as she cleaned up in the bathroom. Marlene McKinnon's bed curtains were still closed when she got back into her room.
She pulled them aside. "Lena, wake up. You'll miss breakfast."
Marlene grumbled that she didn't care, but Lily kept at it until her friend sat up. Her blonde curls were wild and tangled. She staggered out of bed, nearly tripping over her shoes in the process. Lily bit down on her lip to stop herself from laughing. Marlene was always a mess in the mornings.
"Want me to wait for you?"
"No, that's okay," she replied through a yawn. "See you in Potions."
Lily dressed quickly and bounded down the stairs. Remus was already in the common room. It came as a pleasant surprise when he enveloped her in a warm hug. He normally wouldn't do that if anyone was around.
"Happy birthday, Lily."
She smiled up at him. "Well it's certainly starting out as a good one."
"And it will get better as the day goes on."
"Oh really? Does that mean you have something special planned?"
"Wait and see," he replied with a smile.
A lot of Gryffindors at breakfast passed along their wishes. Severus even stopped by her table in Potions, pretending to borrow some ingredients so he could whisper a quick "happy birthday."
"Thank you for the lovely crystal vials," she whispered back. He had sent his gift by owl the night before. His mouth curled up at the corners before he went back to his work station.
"Don't you feel insulted?" Marlene asked in an undertone. "It's like he's ashamed of you."
"I was at first, but I understand it now. He'd be ostracized by his house if they knew he was friends with a Muggle-born. They could do something horrible to him."
"Hmm, I suppose you have a point." She glanced over at Severus with a frown. "But the whole thing is really unfair."
"I know, Lena. All of the prejudice in this world is unfair. I hate it." She was thinking of Remus now and what he would face if students ever discovered that he was a werewolf.
James and Sirius made their usual loud entrance. Remus slouched in behind them with Peter. He smiled over at her. The full moon was only days away. Lily knew that he must already be feeling it, yet he could still smile through his pain. She admired that strength, but it also made her feel helpless that there was nothing she could do to help him. No, maybe there is!
Lily was so excited about her idea that it was hard to concentrate. Luckily Marlene offered to do most of the work as a birthday favor. She hung back at the end of class to speak to Professor Slughorn.
"What can I do for you, Miss Evans?" he asked jovially when she approached his desk.
"Sir, I'm writing a paper about werewolves, and I came across something in a book that mentioned failed potion cures. I was wondering if there's any new developments among Potioneers you know?"
"Not that I am aware of, but I can make inquiries for you. One of my former students is a very accomplished Potioneer."
"Thank you, sir. I would really appreciate it. I know a cure is probably impossible, but treating the symptoms would be a realistic goal. Werewolves are only dangerous because they lose their minds when they transform. But what if a potion was invented that allowed a werewolf to remember their humanity? Everyone would be a lot safer then."
"An astute observation, Miss Evans! I will be sure to relay your thoughts to Mr. Belby when I speak with him. Perhaps it will pique his interest. He's a brilliant man who would certainly be up to the task."
Lily felt cautiously optimistic as she hurried to History of Magic. At least she had set the wheels in motion. And if he doesn't want to start any research, I most certainly will.
*.*.*
Lily and Remus went to the library during the afternoon free period. Their usual nook was taken, but they found a table near a window seat. The sun was slanting in through the diamond panes, illuminating the spiraling dust motes. Lily cast the Muffliato charm before sitting down on the worn velvet cushion to open the window. A refreshing breeze drifted into the stuffy library. When she faced forward, Remus had a small purple box in his hand. He gave her a nervous smile as he sat beside her.
He held it out wordlessly. Inside was a silver link bracelet with amethyst beads and a dangling lily charm. "Oh, it's so pretty! Thank you! Help me put it on?"
His cheeks reddened as his big fingers fumbled with the clasp. Remus seemed even more anxious when the bracelet was on her wrist. "Umm, Lily, will you close your eyes for a second?"
"Okay," she replied, shutting them. Her pulse was racing now. Is he going to kiss me? But he didn't. Remus took her hand, setting it palm up on her thigh. She felt the ticklish sensation of a marker as he wrote something across it.
"You can look."
It took a moment for her brain to register the meaning of the Runic script. She met his eyes; heart soaring with happiness. "I love you too, Remus."
His bright smile gave Lily the courage to make the next move. He bent his head down to meet her halfway. His lips were soft and gentle under hers. The atmosphere changed when he ran his fingers along the nape of her neck; igniting every nerve ending in her body. For all of their inexperience, they managed snogging well enough.
Remus rested his forehead against hers when they paused to catch their breath. His eyes were still closed. "I should have told you earlier," he murmured. "I was scared, but I won't be anymore."
"Scared? Why?"
"I was scared of something going wrong." He leaned back to look at her. "Of being abandoned if it didn't work out."
"Oh, Remus, that will never happen." She cupped the side of his face. "I'm going to love you my whole life."
Tears filled his eyes. "But how do you know?"
"Because I've decided to. I won't let anything go wrong, and I know you won't either."
He pulled her into a hug. It was a while before he could speak again. "No, I won't." They stretched out on the window seat. Remus twined their fingers together. "You're so determined, so strong. You make me believe that I can be those things too."
"Funny you should say that, because I've always seen you the same way. I suppose we inspire each other."
He smiled back at her. They talked the whole time: sharing their hearts in a way they never had before. Years of emotion were finally given a voice.
*.*.*
Remus floated through the rest of the day. His friends noticed his spaciness and he told them the good news on his way to dinner. They made a fuss over it, ruffling his hair and thumping him on the back as they congratulated him.
Sirius grinned. "Did you kiss her, Moony?"
He could feel his ears turning red.
"He did!" Peter crowed.
"And? What was it like?"
"Really nice," he replied sheepishly.
"Oh come on, you have to give us more details than that!" Sirius insisted.
"No way. It's private."
"But we always tell you," James said.
"Yeah, well, this is different. I love Lily, so I'm keeping it to myself."
They teased him for being a romantic sap, but Remus didn't let it get to him. "You'll feel the same about it when you fall in love. Some things are sacred."
"Moony's words of wisdom," Peter quipped, trying to keep up with their longer strides.
He saw that Lily had saved a seat for him.
"Evans, you need a nickname since you're Moony's girl now," Sirius said, reaching for the potatoes.
"Little Red," James suggested.
"Good one," agreed Peter.
They were of course implying Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. Remus frowned. It was too obvious. His friends explained away 'Moony' as referring to his introspective nature of "mooning about." But 'Little Red' might set warning bells off.
"No," Lily replied. "I'd rather you keep calling me Evans."
James shook his head. "Too formal. You're practically one of us."
"Flora," Sirius declared. "You know, after the flower goddess."
"Hey, I just remembered something!" Peter exclaimed. "My mum has moonflowers in her garden. They're called that because they only open at night. Weird coincidence, huh?"
"Yeah it is. Guess you two were always meant to be," James said, taking a sip of pumpkin juice.
Lily and Remus exchanged a smile. When it was time for dessert, a lemon-vanilla cake with sparkler candles appeared in front of the birthday girl. Remus had arranged it with Clover the house elf. Lily kissed his cheek before blowing them out.
There was a party in the common room later that night. James and Sirius used the invisibility cloak to get Butterbeer and snacks from the kitchens. The 4th years lounged around, toasting marshmallows, and playing Exploding Snap while listening to Lily's Beatles records.
Sirius tried to hit on Marlene, but she was having none of it. "I'm not interested so give it a rest." Remus could tell that he was upset. Girls never refused him. Marlene cheered Sirius up somewhat by telling him about a 5th year Hufflepuff named Julia who liked him.
"The reserve chaser with long hair?" James asked.
"Yeah, that's her."
"She's not bad, mate. I think you'd like her. I'll point her out to you tomorrow."
Remus hoped she was pretty enough to distract him from Marlene. He didn't want Lily's closest friend getting hurt. Sirius had many good qualities, but sincerity with girls wasn't one of them.
The Prefects broke up the party at ten. "Meet me down here in an hour," Lily whispered at the staircase.
Remus was filled with euphoria as he cleaned up for bed. He pulled on a pair of striped pajama bottoms and a thermal henley before glancing in the wardrobe mirror. Remus tried to smooth his shaggy, chin-length hair. His fringe was now long enough to tuck behind his ears.
Lily's words from a few months ago floated back to him. "I like being able to see so much of your face." He could still recall the sensation of her fingertip running across the scar that cut through his eyebrow. Remus smiled at the memory.
"Look at our lovesick puppy primping over there," James said.
"Isn't he adorable?" Sirius asked.
"Absolutely precious," Peter replied with a snicker.
All three of them were piled on one bed, watching him with mischievous grins. James and Sirius started role-playing as his parents.
"Remember that it's a school night, young man."
Sirius raised the pitch of his voice. "Your father and I expect you back at midnight."
"Don't make us ground you," James warned in a stern tone.
"We'll come down and get you if you're late."
Remus tossed a pillow at them, but they only laughed harder. "You better not! I'll come up when I'm ready."
James let out an indignant gasp. "How dare you speak to your mother that way! Apologize this instant!"
He heaved a sigh. "Don't spy on us or do anything embarrassing. This is really important to me."
"We know, Moony," Sirius said. "I swear we won't."
"Thanks. Well, see you later."
Remus arrived in the common room early. He lay down on the couch. The approaching full moon made him feel lethargic and achy. Remus closed his eyes as he waited, drifting off a minute later. He awoke when Lily snuggled beside him, covering their bodies with a blanket. Remus stared back at her; lost in her smiling eyes and mouth. He traced the contours of her face with his index finger, stopping on her flower petal lips. "Am I dreaming?"
"No," she whispered. Remus moved down her chin until he reached the hollow of her throat. He felt the throb of her pulse underneath his fingers. Surely it was real. Lily touched her lips to his, giving him soft little kisses that made him smile. "Now do you believe you're awake?"
He held her close. Their hearts were beating in the same rhythm. "I believe it," he replied, looking into her eyes.
She slipped her arm around his waist. "Thank you for today, Remus. You made my birthday so special."
"You're welcome." He ran his hand through her freshly washed hair. "You know, I think I fell in love with you on my twelfth birthday when you gave me that cupcake."
Lily smiled. "I remember us falling asleep on the couch. Can we do that again?"
"Yes. I couldn't leave you tonight."
"Good, because I'm too comfortable to move." She rubbed his back. "Remus, are you feeling ill?"
"I was before you got here, but I'm fine now." He was too happy to be hurting. She could heal his pain with only the simplest touch. "You've always been my cure, Lily."
Now it was her turn to blink back tears. He kissed her until her eyes fluttered closed. She tucked herself near his collarbone; lips brushing against the spot on his chest where he had been attacked. She seemed to instinctively know the wound was there, hidden underneath his shirt. He felt such a strong outpouring of love from Lily, and for Lily. It was as though the warmth of the sun was inside of him: pushing out the cold destruction of the moon. Instead of darkness, Remus was made of shining light.
Closing Note: I played "A Window to the Past" from the Prisoner of Azkaban soundtrack on repeat while writing the love confession. "With You" by Priscilla Ahn inspired the romantic mood of the closing scene. I'll put together a song mix for these cuties soon!
Free snuggles with Remus (or Lily) to everyone who reviews ;)
