Evy began writing out another outline for Professor Slughorn about the ingredients and potential uses of the Babbling Beverage potions when Lily stormed into their dormitory. She looked around wildly as Evy continued to scribble on her parchment paper.

"My handwriting is not that terrible," Evy huffed. "I don't care what Slughorne says. I just happen to have my own font. Anyone with half a brain could clearly see that I had written down 'Wolfsbane' in my last essay. Not 'wolf blood.' Stupid git."

Lily said nothing.

Evy glanced up from her paper, surprised that the bright redhead didn't jump her favorite professor's defense. "Hey, you there?" she asked.

When Lily didn't say anything again, Evy craned her neck to look Lily in the eye. Lily's face was as pale as Nearly Headless Nick. She trembled, her body pressed against the doorframe as if she had seen a dementor. "Lily, what's wrong?" Evy asked, standing up from her chair.

"Is… is anyone else here?" Lily whispered, looking around the room.

Evy shook her head. "No, it's just us. Lils, what's wrong? Do you need to go see Madam Pomphrey? You look ill."

Lily shook her head, her red waves whipping back and forth. "No! No, I mean. I'm fine. Evy,.. Evy, I needto tell you something, but you have to keep it a secret."

"Alright," Evy said.

"No!" Lily huffed, "No, I mean it, Evy. This is huge. Please. Promise me."

Evy nodded and walked over to Lily. She let Lily lean on her as she sat her on the edge of Lily's bed. Lily's skin felt cold and clammy as Evy pressed the back of her hand to Lily's forehead to be sure she wasn't running a fever. It was something her older sister did for her and somehow it felt comforting to Evy. "What's wrong? What secret? Lily, you're freaking me out girl…"

"It's about Remus," Lily muttered, staring Evy in the eye. Lily's green eyes flashed like wildfire. Fear and worry vibrated from her, like even a knock on the door might send her into an anxiety attack. But what could gentle, kind Remus have done to frighten lily so much?

"What about Remus?" Evy asked. Sitting next to Lily, she wrapped a blanket around her friend, trying to warm up her skin. Evy wondered how Lily could feel so cold…

"He's… he's…. Oh God, Evy. He's a werewolf," Lily moaned.

Evy would have thought this was the worst prank ever if Lily wasn't so frightened. Lily was a poor actress and a terrible liar. And no one could make their skin feel so clammy or their eyes shine so bright like that without a good reason. "Lily," Evy began. "Are you sure? How do you know this? Did he tell you?"

"No. I figured it out," Lily's hollow voice squeaked a little as she spoke. "He's gone every full moon. He's always sick, or visiting a family member. Every month, Evy. Always during the full moon. And the professors never say anything, but some of them give him these looks. Almost like they want to keep their distance from him. But he's one of the nicest people. It didn't add up until I put the moon cycle into the mix… It all makes sense, Evy."

Evy shook her head. "No, you could just be jumping to conclusions, Lily. That's a heavy accusation."

"I went to the library and researched the last cycles of the moon this year. Every full moon, he is gone, nowhere to be seen. For days. Then he comes back and it's like he's run a marathon. He's tired for a few more days, and sometimes he has some new scratches or scars too. And he acts like he's getting over a cold. He skittish. He's vague when you ask him how his sick family member is doing, or how is his illness? Every illness he uses as his excuse is something Madam Pomphrey could cure in an hour. But he's out for days."

Evy shook her head, refusing to believe one of her best friends might be a monster. "No. No, you're wrong. Remus can't be a werewolf. He wouldn't harm anyone."

"So what? He wouldn't have a choice. Werewolves can't control themselves when they transform. Remus could have murdered people for all we know." Lily's body trembled, shaking the bed. She heaved, trying to breathe as her breath became quick and shallow, like the oxygen had been sucked from the room. She panted, like there wasn't enough air getting to her lungs. "Can't breathe," she choked.

Evy helped her stand before levitating Lily into the air a few inches with her wand. "We're going to Madame Pomphrey. Close your eyes Lily and just focus on breathing," Evy said. Lily obeyed and tried to breathe slower as Evy escorted her out of the room. Evy jogged with Lily levitating a few feet in front of her. "Just focus on my voice," she panted, trying to sound calm as she raced down the corridors. "Everything is alright." In a few minutes, Lily's breathing had slowed to a more steady, even breath. Evy walked them both into the hospital wing and set Lily down on a bed.

"What on earth…" Madame Pomphrey murmured.

"She had some sort of panic attack. We were just talking and something got her flustered and she just started having trouble breathing. She was shaking and cold and…"

"It's alright, Ms. Graham. Take it easy before you have an attack too. Sit over there," Madam Pomphrey said, pointing to a seat next to Lily's bed. As Evy sat, Madame Pomphrey turned and examined Lily, going through some routine questions about how she was feeling before this happened, how she felt now, what might have caused it.

"Um, I'd rather not talk about it," Lily said, glancing nervously at Evy before turning back to Madame Pomphrey, She rubbed her arm and looked down, a faint blush tinted her cheeks. "It's silly. I feel fine now."

"I would like to know. This might trigger another attack if you continue to talk about a subject that bothers you. It might help if I informed some of the professors of what was troubling you too."

"Werewolves," Evy said. "We were just talking about werewolves. And what they're like when they're transformed."

"Oh?" Madame Pomphrey said. She paused, glancing between the two girls, who kept their heads bowed down.

Lily kept rubbing her arm. Evy stared at the tips of her shoes.

"Oh," Madame Pomphrey said again, this time her face falling into a grimace. Her lips flattened into a thin, pink line. "I can see why that topic might be particularly frightening. But girls, let me tell you both this. When they are in human form, most werewolves are nothing to fear. The wolf does not define the person. Good people can be werewolves too. Some of them have very tragic accidents happen when they are young. Don't let that shade your judgment of someone."

"But… but how do we know that we're safe? When people transform into werewolves, they don't know who they are. They turn into monsters. Killers even, and…" Evy said.

"Dumbledore has ensured that no matter what, the students will always be safe from any roaming werewolves. Just stay inside the castle during the full moon. There are no werewolves roaming the grounds, but it's best not to go looking for trouble."

"Trouble usually finds us," Evy murmured.

"Ms. Evans, I think what would be best for you is some rest. And perhaps maybe you should both avoid discussing the topic of werewolves with your fellow students. We can keep this between us girls for now," Madame Pomphrey said with a smile.

"You heard her then" Evy said, jumping to her feet. "Off to bed with you."

"Yes, mom," Lily said, rolling her eyes.

"But you might want to get a shower," Evy suggested.

Lily glared at her as the girls walked out of the hospital wing. "I don't stink," she huffed.

"I never said you did. But you were kind of sweaty earlier and you might want to shower before you go lay down. It'll help you feel better. And I'll bring you some food from the Great Hall, alright?" Evy suggested.

"Oh," Lily blinked in surprise. "That's a good idea."

"I have those once in a while," Evy smirked.

"Thanks Evy," Lily said, stopping by the staircase leading to the Gryffindor common room. "Really, you didn't have to do this. You're a really good friend," Lily smiled and Evy's chest churned, a warmth spreading from her chest to the tips of her toes and top of her head.

"You're a good friend too Lily," Evy smiled. "Now get upstairs. Just because I didn't say you stink doesn't mean it's not true." She laughed and turned away from the redhead whose jaw dropped and whose skin turned fifty shades of pink.

"I'll be back with food! You can't be mad at me if I bring you food!" Evy shouted behind her as she bolted down the hall. She heard Lily shout something back but couldn't quite make it out. She thought she heard something about cake… Cake sounded good!

Evy's smile faltered as she strode into the Great Hall, seeing the Marauders sitting across the room. She sighed and strode over towards them. The wolf does not define the person. Madame Pomphrey's words echoed in her mind like a clip from a movie. She smiled and waved at the boys and she grabbed two plates. She started piling them high with food.

"What're you doing?" Sirius asked with his mouth half full of shepherd's pie. Chunks of mashed food flew from his mouth as he talked.

"Ew," she murmured. "Close your mouth. You eat like a hog."

Sirius tried to make a snorting noise, but he choked a little on his food. The boys laughed at him as he swallowed his mouthful of food before shoveling another heaping spoonful into his mouth.

"We're just growing boys, Evy. We need to eat," Peter chimed in with his boyish smile.

"Right. And you're a growing girl so eat with us," Remus said, patting the seat beside him.

A small flurry of nerves tingled in her stomach as she watched Remus, weary of his movements like he might turn into a wolf at any second if she wasn't too careful. She shook her head. "Thanks, but I'm going to go eat with Lily." She added a chocolate éclair to the sides of each of their plates.

"Isn't she coming down here to eat?" James asked.

"No, she's not feeling well," she answered.

"What's wrong with her?" James asked, jumping to his feet. "Is she in the hospital wing? What happened?"

"Calm down, Romeo" she said. "She went to the hospital wing. She was worried about classes and almost had a panic attack. She's fine but Madame Pomphrey said she needs rest."

"I'll go help her rest. Rub her feet or something. Sing her a lullaby. Something to make her feel better!" He darted off towards the common room, leaving a plate full of food behind.

"Aren't you going to try to stop him?" Remus asked, his eyebrow quirking up in amusement.

"Why bother?" Evy said. "It's not like he can get up the stairs to the girls' dormitory anyway." The three boys laughed.

Evy smiled a little as she tried to balance two heavy plates of food in both hands.

"Let me help," Remus said, jumping from his seat and lifting one of the plates in his hands, smiling at Evy.

"No, it's alright. I've got it," she said, trying to balance one of the plates on one hand. As she held out her free hand for Remus to put the second plate in it, the first plate wobbled, the éclair falling to the floor. "Oops," she mumbled, placing the plate back on the table and adding another éclair to it.

"That's it, I'm helping," Remus said. He whistled an annoying tune and he walked out of the Great Hall, carrying one of the plates in both hands. Evy sighed and took her plate, following him out of the hall.

He turned back towards her, the smile slipping from his face when he saw her expression. "Is everything alright Evy?"

"Why are you being so nice?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I don't know. Guess that's just how I am, maybe? I never really thought about it."

"That's just the kind of person you are," she mumbled.

"Um, yeah?" he said. "Are you sure you're alright, Evy? Maybe Lily caught some sort of bug and now you're getting it? No offense, but you look rather pale."

"Remus," Evy said as they wound up the stairs to the Gryffindor common room. "Lily knows about you. I know about you… We know your secret."

Remus' face fell as they reached the top of the steps. He gripped the railing with one hand and sunk onto the top step. Luckily no one was around to hear them. Evy sat down beside him, resting the food beside her. "How?" his voice cracked.

"We both know how smart Lily is. She figured it out. You always being sick and all…" Evy reached over and patted his hand. For a moment, she expected him to flinch or pull away from her.

Instead Remus held her hand like it was his only tie to the world around him. They sat on the steps in silence for a moment. "Is that why Lily's in bed? She had a panic attack over me? Over what I am?"

Evy grimaced. "Well, kind of, yeah. She was worried that she was right. She was worried about you and it being a secret. She felt overwhelmed when she found out, like she didn't want to be right, but she knew she was. She as worried. I was too."

"Why are you still talking to me then if you know? Why didn't you tell the Marauders?" he asked.

Evy shrugged. "It's not my secret to tell. And you're still a good friend Remus. It might take a bit of getting used to, knowing my friend's a…well, you know. You're a good person Remus. The wolf doesn't define the person."

Remus turned to her, his eyes wide with surprise. "You… you really think that?" he asked.

Her warm smile melted the last traces of worry in his eyes. "Of course I think that, you git!"

Remus chuckled. "Thanks, Evy. Not a lot of people… I've always worried if anyone found out that they'd hate me. That'd they'd think I'm a monster. But I'm not. Really I'm not. I've never hurt a person before, honest. Maybe a few rabbits, but that's been it. Promise."

Evy smiled. "I know Remus. You'd never hurt anyone."

"Can…can you do me a favor? Well, two really," he asked.

"Sure Remus. Anything," she said.

"Can you promise me you and Lily won't tell anyone? This… I want this to stay a secret, alright. Even from the Marauders."

"My lips are sealed," she promised.

"And… And can you tell Lily I'm sorry I caused this. If I'd thought she known… That she'd even guess it, I'd have told her myself. The shock… It must have been a lot for her. I didn't want to worry anyone. Can you please tell her I'm sorry for her panic attack?" he asked, his free hand fidgeting in his lap.

Evy smiled. "I'll tell her, but I'm sure she'd tell you that you have nothing to apologize for. Now come on and help me get this food to Lily before James decides to steal a broom and fly some up to her. And don't give him any idea!" she teased. The two of them jumped to their feet and bounded back up to their common room, walking a bit closer than they had before, wearing twin smiles.

*****Hi everyone! I'm sorry it took me so long to post another chapter, but I made it a bit longer than usual. I hope that sort of make up for the delay. Please please review! Pretty please!