'Sirius knows!' Lily and Remus were sitting in Lily's favourite armchair by the common room fire, a week later. This was the umpteentth time this conversation had been held. Lily glanced at the clock; it was so late that even the other marauders were 'in bed' (probably out exploring the forest) so the two could afford to be together.

'Calm down. Relax, it's fine.' Remus wasn't too worried about Sirius. He was a friends and though he was close to James, he would never tell him something he had sworn to secrecy on, making his knowing okay.

'If you say so.' Lily snuggled closer to Remus. She was glad that they had got past the initial awkwardness of their relationship. But that was more that they were just like friends again, but with hugs and fleeting glances. Since the first one, they hadn't kissed, even though Lily yearned for it to happen again. Remus, on the other hand, was extremely uncomfortable with and physical contact with Lily, but he did like to sit with her by the fire with an arm around her shoulders.

'Remus?'

'Uh-huh?'

'Tell me how we got together, again?'

Remus sighed. 'You followed me to the willow because you were curious. I told you to go away.'

'Umm, that isn't the bit I was thinking of.'

'We went to the library, and you said that you enjoyed the novelty of a Potter-free environment.'

Lily laughed. 'That's true, but I want to hear how we got where we are now.'

'Well, before that in Hogsmeade when I confessed my . . . illness,' he said carefully, 'I lost it a bit and started hugging you.'

'Lost it?'

'Lily, would I normally start stroking your hair and pulling you towards me?'

'Nope, not back then.'

'Exactly.'

'But how did we get together?'

'I asked you out.'

'Obviously. But why? Before that you were just my friend and wanted it to stay that way.'

'I saw no harm in it, and I want you to be happy.'

'That's what I love about you,' Lily sighed. 'You only want other people to be happy. It's a beautiful thing, to have a kind nature.'

'Thank you.' Remus kissed the top of her head.

'No, thank you.' Lily stretched her head up and kissed his chapped lips gently.

'Lily!'

'Remus!' she mocked, grinning.

'What was that for?'

'For you.'

'I know that, Lily.'

'Then why did you ask?'

'We need to do this steadily. I still don't know -'

'If you like me?'

'Of course I like you! You've been my friend since second year, you're beautiful, and you're the brightest person I know.'

'Then why do you want to go slow?' Lily was closer now. 'Remus, I thought that you could like me too.'

'I still don't know if I like you enough. Look, I want to go slowly in this, Lily.'

'How slowly?'

'Slow enough not to be knocked off balance.' Remus stood up. 'Good night, Lily.' He stalked up the stairs to his dorm.

Lily sat, silent, watching the dying embers of the fire. She understood Remus' desire for a slow relationship. They had been going out how long? Eight days? Okay, so that wasn't very long, she appreciated that, but their relationship hadn't really changed that much. The fact that he was treating this like a friendship with a hint of romance was fine for her, but she wished they had more.

So . . . the eleventh chapter!

I really want to work on my other Fanfic for a while, I've been neglecting it for a while, so you, loyal fans, may have to wait a while. Why don't you go read my other stories? Or just sit and watch some Blackadder and eat crumpets whilst you wait for this to be ready. I'm going to try to write some now so don't fret!

Sorry for being so frustrating,

Ophelia xx