James

The wind of James speed whistled through his ears as he made his way down to the trophy room, surprised when a pile of scarlet and gold cloth hit him in the face. James halted to a stop, looking down at the mysterious object that had slapped him in the face.

In a heap on the floor were James Quidditch robes, just as wrinkled as when he had last seen them. He picked them up, momentarily forgetting his mission. James sighed deeply, he would miss Quidditch, miss the thrill of the game, and the feeling that he actually knew what he was doing. More and more James was just winging it, where did his future lead? He didn't have a career in mind; all he really wanted to do was stay here, at Hogwarts, why did things always have to change.

James train of thought reminded him of Lily, the one thing he did want to go his way. Didn't it seem like just yesterday when James had been flirting with her on the train? So much had changed since then but one thing remained the same, he still wanted her.

Lily

Lily shivered; the cold frigidness of the air seemed to cut straight to her bones. Remus stared at her in shock. "You, you know," Remus stuttered, he looked so worried. The anxiety wrinkled his face and made him look wise beyond his years, and quite frankly like an old man.

"I figured it out just today but yes I know," Lily paused and looked him straight in the eye, she had to let him know that she wouldn't abandon him, he was still her friend, werewolf or not. "Remus, I just want you to know that it doesn't matter, any of it."

"Did Sirius squeal?" Remus asked suddenly looking deathly angry, Lily couldn't imagine why.

"No," Lily said in alarm. "Why?"

"Because it's happened before," Remus said darkly. Lily had never seen him so anger, so dark, so much like a werewolf, something had changed in the air, and Lily could feel it. Some dam of emotions had broken free from Remus, and once the river starts you shouldn't stop it.

"No one betrayed you, I figured it out" Lily repeated emphasizing her every word. "Who did he …" Lily suddenly broke off and she knew, when James had saved Severus in their fifth year. Sirius had told Severus in annoyance, and James had saved him from Remus. Remus looked at her with wry amusement, nothing funny about it, watching the expression on her face as the pieces fell together.

"I'm a monster" Remus spat, his expression dangerous, murderous even. "You know who did this to me?"

Lily shook her head listing with frightened eyes she had never seen this side of Remus before. She watched him as he took a deep breath, leaned against the pillar and opened his mouth to speak "Fenrir Grayback, first I felt sorry for him, see werewolves, we have no control over our senses when we change, we have no control. But my father angered him, so he stationed himself by our house when I was just three, waiting for someone to come." Lily looked at him in horror she didn't know what to say at his hands examining the multiple and after a long pause Remus spoke again. "Now I have to live with it, every month" Remus looked down scratches and bruises lining them. He raised one up to the light as though he would be able to see through his hand if he raised it high enough.

"Remus…" Lily began reaching out and hugging him. "I'm sorry, I really truly am, and you shouldn't have to go through this." Lily paused. "But can I ask you a favor?"