Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Harry Potter franchise. Any recognizable characters/locations/magic thingies from the series do not belong to me, and are the property of JKR. Author's Note: A huge thanks to my betas in this chapter! I was feeling unsure about Maureen and they were very reassuring. Thanks to those of you who have taken the time to read, review and add my story to your alerts list. I'm chuffed to bits that you'd pay it any attention at all! Also, I want to mention that I've finally revealed where Lily is from. I'm sorry if I'm butchering the lovely accents. I'm just writing how Lily sounds in my head. Hope you enjoy!

Lily had woken unusually early for a Saturday morning. She'd tried to fall back asleep but was unsuccessful, listening to the wind howl outside the window. After getting dressed, she'd crept down quietly into the common room, planning on settling into an overstuffed armchair and reading her library book. However, someone had been sitting in her seat.

"Good morning," Remus said, looking up at her from his own book. "Great minds think alike, I suppose."

Lily shrugged and flopped down onto the sofa. The fire was still burning, warming the Gryffindor tower on the first morning of that frosty December. She opened her book, but was unable to even read the first sentence on her marked page before Remus struck up a conversation.

"What did you think of the Potions lesson yesterday?"

Lily closed her book and smiled patiently at him. She could read Remus as easily as her library book. He'd never been able to keep secrets from her. "I thought it was alright. You?"

"I found myself having trouble following," he said. His sandy hair fell sweetly into his eyes, giving him an innocent look that matched with his self-deprecating smile. He was dead cute, and he knew it. "You know Potions has never really been my best subject."

Lily rolled her eyes. He was definitely after something. "Out with it, shifty."

Remus' charm fell from his face and he sighed, caught yet again. He really needed to work on his covertness, if he still wanted to keep certain things secret from her. "I need your help in Potions."

"Need my help?"

"Yes," Remus nodded. "You're one of Slughorn's favourites. I was hoping you could tutor me."

Lily was a little surprised. She knew that he'd never been good at Potions, but didn't expect he'd need her help when he had Potter and Black at his disposal. As much as she hated to have to admit it, those two had as good of grades as she did.

"Why me?" She sat up and tucked her Christmas sock covered feet underneath herself.

"Because you'll take it seriously," he rolled his eyes. "They... won't."

"I dunno Remus," Lily said, rubbing her hands over her arms to stave off the chill. "My time's been really limited lately."

"Please? Whenever is fine with me."

The thought couldn't be pushed to the back of her mind. She knew Evelyn wouldn't appreciate it, but Remus was a friend in need too. Between her own studies and her prefect duties, the only time she could spare to give him and his Potions problem the attention it deserved was Thursday. Maybe Evie would learn to adjust to his presence and even be able to make friends with Remus. He was a lovely boy, and she was a lovely girl—underneath her hardened exterior.

"I'll tell you what, you can join Evie and me in the library on a temporary basis," she said, hesitantly. "If Evie tells you to piss off then you'll leave. Promise?"

"Evie?" He chuckled at the name.

"Yes, Evie." Lily gave him a serious look. "And you're not to be a bastard to her either. She's my friend and so help me Remus—"

"I'll be on my best behaviour, I swear." He crossed his heart. "Any friend of yours will be tolerated by me."

Lily smiled at him, but was internally chomping at the bit. Evelyn did not seem to be a people person. She was barely able to stand Alice. But she was more likely to have things in common with Remus than she did with Alice. Lily could only hope that when she turned up Thursday evening with Remus in tow, that Evelyn wouldn't go into a strop.

"Well, if it isn't the smile that's made of sunlight."

Potter had appeared and was leaning over the back of the couch and giving her his dashing grin. She scoffed, getting up and stomping away. "You have the morning breath of a dragon, Potter."

Remus tried to cover up his snort of amusement when James turned around and gave him a nasty face. The lovestruck boy gave one last longing look in the direction that Lily had stormed away in, before flopping on the sofa just like Lily had not but five minutes earlier.

"Spending time with my girl? Not trying to make me jealous, I hope." James said, stretching out his legs.

Remus had only last year given up on his feelings for Lily. She was a very special person, and awfully pretty too. However, between his best friend's love for her and his own personal condition, he hadn't nursed much hope of a future with Lily. They were very much alike in many respects, but her constant disapproval of his best friends would have been a hindrance on any romantic relationship between them. The Marauders were a brotherhood, and no girl, despite how special to him she was, could possibly change his opinion of them. Something very important to understand about Remus Lupin was that he was nothing if not loyal.

"Don't be silly," Remus smiled at him gently. "Lily's just agreed to study with me for Potions."

"Really?"

"Thursday evening."

"Wait... doesn't she study with that Slytherin girl on Thursdays?"

Remus had neglected to tell James that she was in actual fact tutoring this girl, just like he'd told Lily he would.

Remus nodded and James gave him a hopeful look. "Yes, I will be studying with them."

James leapt off the couch excitedly and gave Moony's hair a tussle. He was thrilled. Remus held up his hand, halting his friend's celebration.

"I know what you're thinking Prongs, and the answer is: no!"

James sat back down on the arm of sofa giving him a confused look. "What do you mean?"

"I am not using these study sessions as a way to sabotage Lily's friendship with Evie," he said, flattening his hair.

"Evie?"

"Never mind," Remus shook his head. "The point is that I'm not going to get into Lily's bad books when she's doing me a favour."

James pouted and pleaded with him, forcing Remus to try and hurriedly escape the common room. But not before James got down on his knees, begging. "Moony! Please just let me know what's going on between them? Tell me she's not getting into trouble."

Remus gave in, catching a glimpse of the pleading in his friend's eyes. He really was as much of a pushover as Prongs was a pest. When it came to Lily, James cared for her in a way that Remus never had. When it came to Lily, James Potter had no shame.

Having Luther back was wondrous. She'd missed him more than she realized was possible until he'd curled up behind her that night in bed. Things were becoming relatively normal. She and Lily were on good terms, she hadn't had any notable run-ins with any of her peers, and Luther wasn't missing anymore. She was finally feeling like she could handle whatever was hurled her way. Unfortunately, Evelyn hadn't expected for the blow to come from Maureen.

Her sister wouldn't speak to her. Maureen refused to look at her or even acknowledge her presence. It had gone on all weekend, and finally Evelyn had had enough. She cornered Maureen when she was out for a breath of fresh air with her friends in the courtyard.

"You really shouldn't be outside," she said, causing Maureen and her two companions to turn around. Maureen said nothing and continued walking, the snow crunching loudly with every step she took. Evelyn followed, glaring at the two Slytherin girls until they got the message and took off in another direction.

"Maureen!" She called, widening her stride to catch up. She put a hand on Maureen's shoulder and spun her around to face her. "What's wrong?"

The sickly girl refused to meet her eyes. Maureen was bundled up tight, but her tiny frame still shook from the cold. Her cheeks were red and her narrow nose was running.

"Maureen, you shouldn't be outside. You know the cold does nothing for your health," Evelyn said, removing her hand from her sister's person.

When Maureen still refused to answer her, she crossed her arms over her chest and gave her silent sister an impatient look. "Why are you behaving this way?" Still Maureen said nothing. "I can wait as long as need be."

Maureen's dark, beady eyes found hers. "What have you been writing in your letters to father?"

Evelyn was taken a little off guard, but recovered quickly. "What I'm supposed to. I tell him how you're fairing."

Maureen's thin mouth twisted angrily. "You told him about last week."

"Yes," she answered calmly. "Maureen you weren't well."

"I'm fine!" Maureen screeched, gaining the attention of a few students passing by.

Evelyn glared at them, hoping they'd turn their attention elsewhere. She uncrossed her arms and tried to take Maureen's hand to quieten her. "Enough yelling, now. You're acting childish. You know father and I are only looking after you—"

"I don't want you anywhere near me!" Maureen interrupted pulling away so hard that she almost fell backwards onto the fountain's frozen water.

Evelyn, forgetting the onlookers for a moment, let her hurt shine through. "Maureen... why are you so angry with me?"

Maureen shook her head and closed her eyes for a brief moment, composing herself. "I have friends, now. I'm not sick, so you can stop telling me what to do!" And with that she stomped away inside.

Evelyn stood there, her scarf billowing in the wind. The cold air nipped at her watery eyes, making her look as though she was crying. But she wasn't. Not even a little bit.

"Evie? You alright?"

Evelyn didn't need to look to see who it was talking to her. She was now familiar with Lily's sweet tone of voice juxtaposing her gruff, Sheffield accent. All the same, Evelyn sniffled discreetly and turned to greet Lily, as was polite.

The pretty girl waved goodbye to the curly-haired Ravenclaw she'd been walking with. He waved back and left them alone. Lily gave her a sad smile.

"You heard, I gather," Evelyn said hoarsely, looking away, embarrassed.

"Bit hard not to." The redhead shrugged her shoulders. "She were proper nasty to you."

Evelyn shook her head and pushed her glasses further up her hooked nose. The lenses were fogging up. "She's just upset."

"About what?"

"You're being nosy," she admonished.

Lily laughed self-consciously and shoved her gloved hands into her pockets. "Sorry. I don't mean to be. You just—you looked like you were needing a chat."

Evelyn released a sigh, her breath visible in the winter air. She crossed her arms over her chest and followed Lily, who insisted they get out of the cold. They entered through the doors, and walked past the stairs that would lead up, up, up into the clock tower. They were quiet, not bothering to try and speak over the loud ringing of the four o'clock bells.

"Maureen's just upset right now," Evelyn defended. Having removed her brown, leather gloves, she wrung them with her strong hands.

"Oh," Lily nodded. She looked like she had more to say, but she managed to refrain herself.

"I know it must have seemed as though she was being cruel, but you don't understand the circumstances."

Lily nodded again. "You could always tell me. We're mates aren't we?"

Evelyn, having been pondering that very thing, paused a moment in reflection. She had known Lily for over two months now, and in that time her respect for the girl had only grown. Lily had proven to be a genuinely nice person, one of the few that Evelyn had ever met. Despite her instincts not to trust it, her fondness for Lily's company allowed for a sort of relationship to form. However, much like when Black had confronted her, she didn't quite know how to define it. Now, Lily was giving her the option of labelling it as whatever she saw fit in that moment.

"I think so," Evelyn said, quietly. She removed her scarf, trying not to look directly at Lily's giant grin of approval.

"Grand," Lily said, pleased.

They walked in silence for a moment, letting that information sink in. Evelyn smoothed back the stray hairs that had escaped her bun. Lily ran her fingers through her own thick, dark red hair that was left down about her shoulders. They didn't look at each other.

"So, did you want to chat?" Lily asked, ending the long pause.

"Not particularly," Evelyn said. "But I suppose since I've already disclosed so much to you already, I might as well."

Lily indicated for her to continue.

"My sister has always been prone to illness. Mr Gray was hesitant to send her to a school so far away, but Headmaster Dumbledore assured him that Maureen would be cared for here."

Lily peered at her curiously, but didn't interrupt, for which Evelyn was grateful. It would be easier to share this without having to answer a series of questions.

"Maureen doesn't appreciate the constant worrying and vigilance. She wants to be 'normal'." At this Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Whatever that is, I suppose. I can't fault her for being irritated with her situation, but I promised I would send word to Mr Gray should Maureen's condition take a turn for the worse. Although, in saying that, I did make a promise to her that I wouldn't interfere."

"If she's not well, you need to look after her," Lily argued her case, which made Evelyn give her a small smile.

"Maybe, but sometimes I think I might be over compensating. Maybe I do just stick my nose in," she said, recalling Black's words. Damn him for being right.

Lily opened her mouth to argue, but Evelyn shook her head. "No more, I think. This is a tired subject."

Evelyn took off her glasses and cleaned them with the handkerchief that she kept hidden up the sleeve of her black cardigan. Lily looked around, trying to think of another topic of conversation, until she remembered. "Evie? Can I ask you a favour?"

Giving Lily a weary look, Evelyn then raised an expectant eyebrow. "If you were to stop calling me by that odious name, I might be inclined to repay you somehow."

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