The Kiss

Harry gritted her teeth, his fists clenched as he stood helplessly as Lily's lips connected with Remus'. Harry wanted to scream, pull them apart, but he knew it was no use trying. This was the past, it had already happened, he couldn't stop them.

Harry had to close his eyes as they kissed passionately. He couldn't stand it. Then they stopped kissing and Lily looked up into Remus' eyes and began to cry silently, tears rolling down her freckled cheeks.

"Remus, what are we doing? What are we doing to James?" cried Lily, covering her face with her hands.

Please, thought Harry, let her see sense.

"Lily, this feels right. This is right," Remus said, taking hold on Lily's hand. Harry drew in his breath sharply.

"It feels right......but it's not," said Lily, slowly the tears stopping.

"No, Lily, it is right."

"Remus, we can't do this! I'm too...I'm too involved with James, this is all going too fast. We can't do this!"

Lily ran away and headed right for the castle. Lupin followed right after her, his fraying robes blowing in the wind.

Harry felt and though he was falling forwards again, his surroundings disappearing in a shapeless blur. Then his surroundings began to take shape and Harry realised her was standing on a Hogwarts staircase.

He looked down and saw Lily and Remus running upwards. Lily was still crying and Remus had hold of her, trying to slow her. The soon reached the staircase Harry was standing on and stopped at the top.

"We can do this Lily," said Lupin, taking Lily's hand gently.

"I just don't know."

"Look me in the eye and tell me how you really feel, Lily, tell me," urged Lupin. Lily looked up, her eyes red from crying and she opened her mouth to speak but made no sound for a few seconds.

"I like you Remus, I really like you," said Lily, her voice cracking as though she was going to sob out loud.

"I like you too. What's the problem then?"

"I like James too. I like James possibly more. I don't want to risk what James and I have, I love him."

"And I love you!" Remus pulled Lily close to kiss her and Lily didn't pull away. Eventually, the spread apart and Lily was able to speak again.

"Remus, I've told you. I'm not risking what James and I have."

"This doesn't have to be serious you know," said Lupin, his arms around Lily's waist. Harry wanted to run forward and hit Lupin, hit him really hard. But he couldn't do anything until he was out of the pensieve.

"I just don't know...."

"Tell me your answer Lily, I'm not asking you to risk you relationship with James, I'm asking you to start one with me. What's your answer?"

"My answer is....."