Such Sweethearts

By Lily Orange

Summary: How did James Potter and Lily Evans fall in love? And how did their friends fare romantically? Will Sirius "I have rampant hormones" Black ever settle down? Will Lizzie and a certain Marauder ever admit their feelings for one another? And will Rebecca "Sexy French Girl" Villade ever find true love?

Disclaimer: Sadly I'm not JK Rowling and don't own any of the characters, locations or general things you recognise from Harry Potter.

A/N: Thank you to crazey logic 13, Bramble Icedancer, Lisbry, shroomy-eyes, Stephie Cat-Kat, lily-james-forevs and xExpectoxPatronumx for reviewing; thank you to thejoysofdollhood., Bramble Icedancer, Cass92, crazey logic 13 and Ron3Hermione for adding my story to your favourites and thank you to Bramble Icedancer, crazey logic 13 and Freya-Rhianna for adding my story to your alerts. I hope you are all having a brilliant holiday and have a happy new year!

Please could you check out my profile because I'm trying to find a story I read in the summer before I got an account and there's a description of it on there - if you know what it's called could you let me know? Thank you!!!!! Enjoy the chapter...


Chapter Twenty-Eight

THE FURRY DRAMA

In my mind, I certainly agreed that Rebecca and Remus would make an excellent couple. Remus certainly liked her. But being the caring person he was, he wouldn't go out with her because of his werewolf problem in case he hurt her.

In my opinion, he should tell her. But I was going to get Rebecca to ask him because, strictly speaking, I wasn't supposed to know. Nobody had actually told me, but I'd figured it out, and when Severus had told me his theory – which was in fact correct – I denied it.

Looking at the lunar chart that James had left on the table in our common room from his Astronomy class, I noticed that full moon was one day from then. Poor Remus. Every full moon, excuses were made by the Marauders for his whereabouts – his aunt was ill, he had gone to visit his parents, an old family friend was staying in Hogsmeade and he was with them... they ran on and on.

But what I was most intrigued about was what happened to the other Marauders on the night of the full moon. James, Sirius and Peter disappeared for that night only and reappeared the next morning, secretive and jokey as usual.

I wanted to know exactly what happened to them all. It wasn't possible for them to go with Remus to transform – wherever that was – because they would be mauled to death.

I found it hard to comprehend the fact that sweet, gentle Remus became a werewolf every month. But it was part of who he was, and as his friend, I was willing to accept it – and I thought Rebecca would too, but she would want to hear it from his mouth and not mine.

At that present moment, I was sitting alone in the common room by the fire, reading a book. It wasn't an incredibly interesting one, it was one I had taken out of the library for background reading to History of Magic. Professor Binns was freaking me out now though – two days ago I and the rest of the class were seated in the classroom, Lizzie and I next to each other, Rhiannon and Jasper behind us (the Marauders, Rebecca and Eden had opted out of taking History of Magic to NEWT level) and we were waiting for Professor Binns to arrive when suddenly he appeared as a ghost through the blackboard! I swear I nearly fainted!

James was out and about with Sirius, probably cooking up some prank that they would evade getting caught doing, and Remus and Peter were in the library – Remus was trying to teach Peter how to project your voice through your Patronus, and was being very patient with him. Unfortunately, James and Sirius did not have that kind of patience, so had left them to it.

I was trying to concentrate on reading about a medieval witch-burning when I heard tapping at the window. It reminded me of those numerous owls tapping on my window in the summer on Lizzie's birthday – so I turned my head, closing my book and putting it on the arm of the chair, advanced towards the window.

Sure enough, my beautiful owl was knocking on our window. I opened it, and she flew in. Tied to her foot was a piece of paper, and I unrolled it, and she nipped my finger lovingly, and then perched herself on the bookshelf.

It was from my mum and dad, about the arrangements for Petunia's wedding. Apparently the bridesmaids (as previously mentioned, not me) were going to be wearing ice blue, and mum was going to be wearing navy blue and white. She wanted to check that James was still coming to the wedding and the reception (he was), that Mr and Mrs Potter were happy to attend both the ceremony and the reception (they were), and that my friends were perfectly okay with attending only the reception (they were pleased to).

In some ways, I was looking forward to Petunia's wedding. Seeing her married off to Vernon Dursley – or the walrus as James and I had affectionately named him – would be good as it meant that when I finished Hogwarts, she would not be at home and I could have the house to myself, with my parents of course, but could have my friends round as much as I desired without her trying – and failing – to flirt with them, or calling them freaks.

Then again, would I be going back to my parents' house after Hogwarts? Would I move in somewhere with James? It wasn't something we had particularly discussed – but I knew we would be together forever. Our relationship had that kind of feel about it.

I scribbled a quick reply to my parents, and sent it back with my owl.

"Lily?"

I heard James call my name. He was walking in, carrying some books. He smiled. I loved his smile.

He kissed me softly, and put the books down on the desk.

"My mum just wrote to me about Petunia's wedding," I told him. He grinned once again.

"The wedding they had to force your sister to let you attend?" he said, smirking.

"Yep. You still want to come, right?" I asked anxiously.

"Of course, Lily. I wouldn't leave you to be tortured by the uniting of the horse and the walrus," he answered, hugging me tightly.

"I like Petunia's nickname," I remarked, "the horse."

"I thought it fitted quite well," he said.

"It definitely does. She is, after all, a horsy-faced prat," I said bitterly, which made him laugh. First he laughed softly, and then he began to roar with laughter. "What's so funny?" I asked, intrigued.

"Oh Merlin!" he cried, "imagine what their children will be like! A horse walrus cross-breed! Ha ha! A holrus!"

This made me laugh, and we were both crying with laughter when Sirius entered the common room. Merlin knows why James divulged the password to him of all people, but there you go. His mind works in mysterious ways.

"What the bloody hell are you laughing at?" he asked, bewildered.

"Lily's sister and fiancé will have a horse and walrus cross-breed for a child!" James howled with laughter. Consequentially, Sirius began to laugh too.

We were now all crying with laughter. It was lightening the mood of the evening.

When we had calmed down slightly, I suddenly wondered why exactly Sirius had come into the common room.

"Er, Sirius?" I asked.

"Yes, Lily?"

"Why precisely are you here?"

"Oh, charming that is, Lily. There I was, thinking you would be pleased to see me, but no. You want to know why I am here!" he exclaimed.

"Padfoot, why are you here?"

"Well Prongs, Moony is a bit, er, off-colour and has to go, erm, visit his, er..." Sirius began to explain. I noticed the severe pauses in this explanation and knew that they were trying to conceal the fact that Remus was going to be transforming into a werewolf the next day and was feeling ill.

"So we have to...?"

"Exactly."

"You have to what?" I asked sharply.

"Erm, nothing!" James said brightly.

"James Potter, what are you trying to hide?" I demanded of him. He was my boyfriend – I had a right to know.

"Nothing, Lily, nothing," Sirius answered for him.

"There is quite obviously something and if you don't tell me now I will make it so that you cannot leave!" I said, desperate to find out the big secret they were masking.

"And how exactly are you going to do that?" Sirius grinned, folding his arms. I knew what he thought – two six-foot-something muscular Quidditch-playing seventeen year olds against a five-foot-seven slim girl with positively no muscles to speak of; it would be a pushover.

"Like this," I answered, swiftly drawing my wand and yelling, "Petrificus Totalus!"

The body binding curse immediately made them seize up and fall on the floor, lying straight, but their mouths still working.

"Aw, Lily, no fair!" Sirius whined.

"Tell me, now!" I squealed.

"I think she has a right to know, Padfoot," James said. Thank Merlin.

"Well, to be fair, she does, but that doesn't mean, strictly speaking, we have to tell her," Sirius replied. His brain worked in highly inexplicable ways.

"I think you should tell me, if that helps," I offered.

"Padfoot!" James moaned.

"Prongs!" Sirius moaned back.

"Please, let me tell her! Pretty please with a snitch on top!"

"What, I don't get badger?"

"You can have a badger if you want!"

"Alright, just tell her!"

"Lily, I am allowed to tell you–"

"But if we tell you, we have to kill you," Sirius badly ripped off a Bond line, interrupting James.

"Yes, thank you Sirius," I said sarcastically.

"'S'alright Evans, any time," he grinned.

"Lily, do you know about Remus?" James asked me, choosing very sensibly to ignore Sirius.

"I do. Nobody told me, but I worked it out for myself. He's a werewolf, isn't he?" I said cautiously, knowing I was probably skating on thin ice.

"Yes," James nodded, "and before he told us, every month, he was alone during his transformation. And us being the Marauders, once we knew, we didn't like to leave our friend to suffer once a month without us to be there with him."

"But he would maul you to pieces!" I said in a high-pitched voice.

"Ah, Lily, you are forgetting – he would maul us to pieces if we were humans," James said. Obviously this was the very clever part, but I was not grasping what exactly he meant.

"So what are you? Aliens from Planet Zog?" I asked, very confused.

"No, not exactly," James replied, "it's better if we show you. Could you un-bind us?"

"I suppose so," I grumbled, and cast the counter-curse, and they immediately sprang up.

"Ready Padfoot?"

"Ready Prongs," Sirius answered.

They both closed their eyes – and suddenly, before my eyes, James and Sirius disappeared. Correction – they didn't disappear, they morphed from being James and Sirius the boys to a stag and a black dog.

"What the hell? You're an animagus!" I screeched.

The stag had the same hazel eyes as James, and came and stroked my arm with its head. The dog ran in circles round my feet, barking, in the similar hyper maniac way that Sirius often was.

They morphed back into their human forms.

"Oh my Merlin... you became illegal animagus, just so you could be with Remus when he transforms? That is the sweetest, most friendliest thing I have ever heard! James, I'm sorry for ever saying you do nothing for your friends – and Sirius, I'm sorry for ever calling you selfish! What about Peter, what animal does he transform into?" I babbled.

"A rat," Sirius replied.

"Hence the nicknames – I'm Prongs, because of my antlers; Sirius is Padfoot, because it is a name for a dog, but sometimes we call him Snuffles–" James explained, but I interrupted.

"Aww, Snuffles! And you were such a cute little dog as well, Sirius," I smiled, and he pretended to blush.

"Oi! Wasn't I a cute little stag?" James protested indignantly.

"Of course you were, my darling," I kissed him, and Sirius made a sound like he was vomiting.

"And Lily – you are the only person, apart from the Marauders and Dumbledore, at Hogwarts that know Remus is a werewolf. And only the Marauders and you know about the fact that Padfoot, Wormy and I are animagi. I know you won't tell anyone – Remus doesn't like telling people, but I don't think he would mind if you knew – seeing as you figured it out yourself," James said.

"Can you ask Remus something for me?" I said, before they left to go and keep him company.

"Yeah?" Sirius replied.

"Can you tell him that it won't injure him to tell the one he likes. She'll understand," I told them.

"What? Remus doesn't fancy anyone," Sirius said.

"If he did, we'd know," James commented.

"Just because he hasn't told you, doesn't mean that he doesn't. Could you just repeat that to him please? And also tell him that she likes him – and wonders why he won't say anything to her," I continued.

They looked perplexed, but nevertheless, nodded, and promised they would repeat my message. Then, off they went for their furry little drama of the month.

*

Due to Remus' transformation, he and James were absent from the prefect meeting the following day. I covered for them, saying that they were feeling a little under the weather and were recovering in the east tower together. I couldn't help but notice Charli Minton looked disappointed at the fact that James wasn't there, but paid attention to what I was saying.

Unfortunately, due to the fact that James wasn't there, the seventh year Slytherins felt that it was okay to taunt me, seeing as James wasn't threatening them with a curse of some description every time they looked at me funnily or made a rude remark.

And when I told Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Black what exactly they were required to do for their prefect duties for the next few weeks, Lucius Malfoy gave me a glacial look and coolly said, "As if I would take orders from a filthy little mudblood like you."

That led to me, Lizzie and a fifth-year Hufflepuff called Barry Brennan having to pull Fabian and Gideon Prewett off of Lucius, who had been shoved to the floor when the twins lunged at him.

"There's no need for that language, Malfoy, you'll do as you're told," I said coldly. I turned to the rest of the prefects present, and said, in a much warmer voice, "Any problems, you know where to find me."

Malfoy and Narcissa were the first to leave; thank Merlin. Fabian and Gideon stayed behind to apologise for their violent outburst, but thought it was warranted considering the circumstances. I laughed, and promised that they wouldn't be reported for fighting.

"Thanks Lily!" they called cheerfully as they left the classroom.

Two days after the full moon, Remus was starting back in classes. He was looking tired and weary, but was still smiling nonetheless. I asked him how he was, he said he was okay, and also whispered in my ear that James had told him that I knew. And he added also that he didn't mind me knowing, and thanked me for my advice.

"My advice?" I questioned him quietly.

"I quote Padfoot and Prongs here: 'We don't know what the bloody Merlin she's going on about Moony, but she said it won't injure you to tell the one that you like. She also said she will understand. Who on earth does she mean? Oh, and she said she likes you back. Who, Moony, who?'" he laughed.

"Sorry, I couldn't put it any subtler than that," I smiled.

"Thanks, Lily," he said, and left in the direction of the Gryffindor tower whilst I went down to History of Magic. As I was about to enter the classroom, Rebecca came rushing towards me. Bearing in mind she does not take History of Magic, I found this odd, but was pleased to see my friend.

"Lily!" she called, and stopped me on the way in. "Remus 'as asked eef I will meet 'im at ze tree by zee lake after dinner, 'e 'as zumteeng 'e wants to tell me!" she said in an ecstatic voice.

"Oh, Rebecca, that's brilliant!" I replied.


Remus Lupin


After dinner, I slipped away from Padfoot, Prongs and Wormtail and down to the lake. I saw Rebecca wasn't there yet, by the tree, so I sat down by myself, looking across the Black Lake.

Although named rather sinisterly as the Black Lake, it was quite serene sitting there in the low light, contemplating things.

What exactly was I contemplating? The fact that Lily had told me to tell Rebecca that I was a werewolf.

It wasn't as easy as it sounded – in fact, it sounded positively simple. But, I was so worried. I really liked Rebecca. Rebecca Villade, the famously beautiful French girl, with sunny waist-length hair and entrancing grey eyes. And, according to Lily, who was exceptionally astute, she liked me!

And the little thought in the back of my mind that kept interrupting my happy images of Rebecca and I together was depressing me. It was that Rebecca wouldn't want me when she found out I was a monster.

But then, that thought was conquered by another that quashed it by saying – Rebecca isn't superficial. She likes you for you, and that is you.

I turned my head to look up at Hogwarts castle – the place that had been so accepting of me and my condition. My friends, who had done the unthinkable and made it so that they could join me on my monthly excursions. Despite the fact that I was a werewolf, I was lucky. People had been so accommodating of me. I was included, I was not an outcast like I'd feared I would be when people found out about me. They were sympathetic, and helped me. What more could I ask for?

And now, I liked a girl so much I was prepared to tell her. I had never asked any girl out before – primarily because of the fact I am a werewolf. It's not like I didn't have opportunity, either. In fourth year, Daisy Reid and Emmeline Cuthbert. Fifth year, Veronica May. Sixth year, Patricia Lewis. True enough, I didn't like them as much as I liked Rebecca. Merlin, I couldn't stop thinkingabout Rebecca Villade. She was in my every thought and feeling.

Looking at Hogwarts, I saw a golden blonde exit the large doors and begin to walk down to where I was.

Rebecca.

When she saw me, she smiled. Her whole face lit up when she smiled like that – it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen in all my life.

"Remus," she said in her lovely French accent. She sat down beside me. "You said you had zumteeng to tell me?"

"I do, Rebecca, but I'm not sure whether you will like it or not – but let me explain something to you first," I replied, and she looked slightly confused.

"What eez it, Remus?" she asked, concerned, and put her hand on mine.

"The thing I must explain to you first, Rebecca, is that: I really like you. I have liked you ever since we first saw you at Platform 9¾ a year ago. You're amazing, and I couldn't believe it when Lily told me you liked me too. But there is something I have to confess – and it may prevent you from liking me... and you might believe me a monster afterwards..." I drifted off uncertainly. Her welcoming expression silently invited me to carry on.

"There's no easy way to say this, Rebecca, but... have you noticed I disappear regularly?" I asked.

"Yes, to visit your aunt and such," she replied.

"No, it's not to visit my aunt. That's a cover story which Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs thought up... the truth is, Rebecca, that I'm a werewolf," I said slowly and carefully. My face burned as she scrutinized me after what I said.

"A werewolf? Et why would zat make me believe you a monster?" Rebecca asked softly.

"It's the generalised perception of a werewolf," I responded quietly.

"Remus Lupin... you mean zat you teenk I would no longer like you because you are a werewolf?" she asked me. I nodded. "Well I hope this answers your question."

And with that, she kissed me.

It was as if sparks and fireworks had been set off in my brain – she still liked me. She still liked me and didn't care that I was a werewolf. This was magical.

She pulled away. "Remus – I adore you. I have for ages – I don't care eef you are a werewolf," she smiled.

"But I might hurt you!" I protested.

"Remus, don't concern yourself with zat. Eef you did, so what? Madam Pomfrey would patch me up in no time," she answered.

"But still – what if I caused you a serious injury?" I asked her.

"Stop making excuses and kiss me again," Rebecca requested, so I complied with her request.

It was only polite, after all.


I hope you liked that :) Thanks for reading and please review for the next chapter, which involves Halloween; and, of course, when you give James opportunity to think of ideas of how to celebrate an occasion, he ALWAYS comes up with the most exciting ones ;)

:) x Lily Orange x (: