Lily spilled the whole story of the night before to Kaylen the next morning. "So you were right in believing Brianna," Lily said with a heavy heart. "I'm really sorry."

"Don't be!" Kaylen cried, grasping her friend's hand. "The next Hogsmeade trip has been set for February 14th! We have much planning to do for your big Valentine's date!"

The days flew by and Lily managed to avoid both Brianna and James for the most part. She was happy with her life. Remus was as sweet as any guy could be and Kaylen adored helping Lily pick out her wardrobe for her date. Once again, clothing was strewn across the dorm room as the girls went through every article of clothing they both owned. Lily also managed to keep up with her Transfiguration lessons and with time, she was improving noticeably. Before she knew it, Valentine's Day had arrived and the three girls were getting ready in the dorm.

"Have fun today," Brianna told Lily as she walked out the door. Lily just shook her head. She knew Brianna meant well, but no matter what the context of the conversation was, Brianna could make it sound harsh.

"Ignore her," Kaylen said, happily preparing for the day. "Seriously, do have fun, be careful and don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"And that leaves what?" Lily joked, ducking from Kaylen's pillow. "I'll meet you back here tonight."

"No, you won't," Kaylen replied. "Don't you remember? All the seventh years get to stay at Hogsmeade for the entire night. We're coming back tomorrow morning. How could you forget?"

"Lots on my mind," Lily answered, her mind far away. "Well, I'm sure I'll see you sometime while we're there."

"Have fun!" Kaylen whispered as Lily left the room. She met Remus in the common room and they departed from the others, paying no attention to James' stares.

Lily had more fun this time than she did the last. They visited as many shops as possible, buying more than they probably should have. "I booked a room in the Three Broomsticks, upstairs," Remus told her as they left Honeydukes. "Technically, its two rooms, but joined together by a door."

Lily could only nod. Her heart was pounding. No matter how mature and responsible she wanted to be, she still felt she was too young to be left in the village all night long, almost by herself. Remus noticed her silence and took it for fear. "Don't worry," he told her reassuringly. "I won't try any of that fresh stuff." He moved closer to her. "Unless you want me to, of course."

She laughed at the goofball face he was making. "If I come home pregnant," she warned him, "my parents might have to kill you."

"That's a risk I'm willing to take," he said jokingly. "So where to next, Miss Evans?"

She shrugged. Looking up at the sky, she noted that it was getting darker. Several stars had already begun to appear and the moon was slowly making its way into the night sky. At least we'll have the light from the full moon tonight, she thought as they walked arm and arm through the village. Coming to rest at the foot of the grassy hill, they took a moment's rest, basking in the precious few days they had of warmer weather.

"I'm kind of glad the snow's gone," Remus said, looking around him at the grass. "I always want it to snow for Christmas, but once New Years is over, I kind of wish the snow would just disappear."

"Without the slushy mess," Lily chimed in. "Snow for Christmas, snow for New Years, then gone without a trace." She nodded and smiled. "Sounds nice." She felt Remus' hand tighten hers and she looked at him. He was smiling softly at her, his face moving closer in the beginning moonlight.

He really is cute, she thought to herself as he moved closer. But just before his lips touched hers, they heard a cry. "Hey guys!"

"Damn," Remus muttered, turning towards the sound. Brianna was marching towards them, a big smile on her face. Beside her was Kaylen, looking more embarrassed and upset than Lily had seen her in a long time.

"I tried to stop her," Kaylen whispered as Brianna struck up a conversation with Remus on Transfiguration. "But you know how she is and what she's like. Everything has to be about her." She glared hatefully at Brianna and it occurred to Lily how different Brianna and Kaylen were. It had taken seven years for it to sink in but she finally clued in that all the snide comments and hateful remarks were actually sparks of hate. Thankfully, it was their last year and the two girls would be separated before one ended up killing the other in her sleep.

"Thanks so much for clearing that up," Brianna giggled. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Remus."

"Good to know," Kaylen said, pulling Brianna away by the arm. "We'll catch you guys around. Sorry for bothering you."

"You weren't bothering us!" Lily called after them. Then she added in a quiet tone, "Brianna was."

"She's something else," Remus said, looking after Brianna and Lily felt a surge of jealousy. Desperately she searched for something to bring attention back to herself.

"She can be," she said, hopping up on the picnic table someone had set out on the property. "But so can I."

"I don't doubt it," Remus said smiling at her. Casually, he glanced up at the sky. "Oh my god! Lily I think we should get back to the Three Broomsticks!"

"Why?" Lily began to panic at the sound of fright in Remus' voice. "It's not late; we still have plenty of time."

"It's not that." Remus was becoming more visibly panicky with each passing moment. "I just think that, well, it's nearing midnight."

"Is it really?" Lily was amazed at how quickly time could pass with Remus by her side. She started to tell him so, but stopped when he began pulling her by the arm.

"Let's go. Now!" he hollered when she protested. Silently she followed him, startled by the urgency in his voice. But as they neared the inn doorway, she realized why.

His face began to contort. Looking like he was in serious pain, she started to scream as she watched him transform into a fully-grown werewolf. Backing up against the wall of the tavern, she searched desperately for a sign of help. But the village streets were deserted and the werewolf that was standing on the spot occupied by Remus only moments ago began to approach her.

Screaming as loudly as she could, Lily was certain that she was going to die. Thinking of how pleased Petunia would be when she caught the news that her sister had been killed by a fellow student who just happened to be a werewolf, Lily prepared to feel the fangs sinking into her skin.

But no such pain came. Instead, she looked up to see James Potter holding his wand out, no more than fifteen feet away. He had frozen the werewolf in his position of readying to attack Lily. She let out a heavy sob and collapsed to the ground by the wall of the tavern, feeling James walk by her.

"He'll turn back soon," he muttered before he entered the tavern. "And he'll be fine." His footsteps echoed as he walked away and Lily found herself running back to the castle as fast as she could. Scared more of herself than of Remus, she ran up to Gryffindor tower and up to her empty dorm room. Silently, she threw herself on her bed and fell into an immediate sleep.