Ha! You all make me laugh! As if I would tell you ANYTHING about what's going to happen between Lily and James! Puleez! Then what would be the point in coming back to read my fic, huh?

I think that I should address this, just because some of you seem a little confused. This story and its prequel are both written by me, Kirsten. Kylah's story is Raven (and you should totally read and review it!). The only story that we've written together (so far! Heheh!) is Aladdin ( looks at you hypnotically which you should also read and review…). Just thought that I would clarify/recap. So all of these little author notices are from Kirsten, AnimeAngel90! Anywho! On with the story! (And you're too right, HappySnakes Rule, I DO update often… almost TOO often…)

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Chapter 23

Joe's Condition

"Lily… wake up… Lily?" Belle was poking at Lily's back trying to get her to open her eyes. Lily groaned and rolled over to face Belle.

"What?" She muttered dryly.

"Classes, sleepy-head. Madison already left." Belle chuckled. She whipped open Lily's bed hangings so the rare sun could blast through.

Lily shielded her eyes. "I'm too tired…" She moaned helplessly. "I didn't get to bed last night until three…"

"I noticed that." Belle said. "Where were you anyway?"

"Er… with Remus."

"I thought he was away with his great granddad?"

"He came back late last night, and we talked for awhile." Lily said. She then smiled, thinking back to what occurred in Hagrid's cabin. "We're dating now, you know."

"What? Are you serious?" Belle squealed, sitting on Lily's bed.

"Yup." Lily laughed, pushing back her covers and searching in her dresser for a clean blouse. She pulled on her clothes and snatched her book bag. "See you in class."

"Right." Belle laughed again. "See you." Lily bounded down the stairs and collided into James and Sirius, causing her bag to split open and all of her books slid onto the floor.

"Oh, hey guys…" Lily said. "Sorry about that…"

"God, Lil… what's the rush? You can't actually be looking forward to Defense Against the Dark Arts." Sirius said, as he and James bent over to help her collect her things.

"I can if Moody teaches it." She said cheerfully. "Thanks. I'll catch up with you all later…" She replied, accepting her book, and rushing out the door.

Lily walked swiftly down to the Grand Hall, and smiled at the sight of Remus eating fried eggs.

"Hello there." He said, scooting over to give her a place to sit.

"Thanks. So… how's it going?" Lily asked.

"Well, considering the fact that I almost killed someone last night--okay." He replied. "And yourself?"

"I'm okay, too." Lily said. "Have you heard anything about Joe yet?"

"I went and checked on him this morning." Remus replied, coughing slightly. Lily looked at him nervously.

"And? What did Madam Pomfry say?" She asked. She braced herself for the worst.

"Well, she said that she'd been, er, working on him all night." Remus said softly. "And she hasn't seen much improvement. He's still out cold. She told me that even if he does survive, he might turn into a werewolf come next full moon."

"A werewolf? That's what she said?" Lily breathed. "Are they going to move him to the hospital wing? What's going to happen now? What about--"

"Whoa, whoa! Slow down!" Remus chuckled. "No, they're not going to move him to the hospital wing. There would be too many unanswerable questions if they did. Besides," He said, taking another bite of his eggs. "He'll be safe in Hagrid's cabin. Madam Pomfry can go back to the hospital wing, and Hagrid can watch over him."

"Do you think you bit him?" Lily asked softly.

"I told you-- I don't know. I don't remember anything. All I know is what you've told me." He sighed heavily. "I just hope he'll be okay."

"I'm sure he will Remus." Lily said, putting a supportive hand on his shoulder. "We can go visit him at lunch."

"Does Sirius know yet? What about Wormtail?" He asked her.

"I'm sure Sirius knows… but I dunno about Peter." Lily replied. "But I do know that we have to get to class…" She said.

"Yeah, all right." Remus sighed again.

Later, at lunchtime, Lily and Remus walked out of the castle. The sun beat down on them through the welcome clear sky. Hand in hand, they walked past the greenhouses, and over to Hagrid's stone cabin.

"Hagrid! It's me!" Remus called, pounding on the door. Lily held her breath slightly as the door creaked open. "How is he?" He asked Hagrid.

"Not much difference." He said gruffly. "Yeh can have a look at 'im though."

Lily moved to the bed where Joe lay. He was no longer caked in his blood, but was pretty much clean. He had many distinct cuts covering his face, and his forearms were gashed and swollen. His eyes were still closed, and his hair was messy and limp.

Although, he seemed--there was no other word for it-- peaceful. It was as though there was nothing left to worry him, anymore. Lily felt like, at this moment, he wouldn't care if he were a werewolf… he wouldn't care if the rest of his life were a living Hell, trying to escape one full moon at a time…

 But maybe that's because he's already dead.

Lily breathed shortly and touched her head as she pushed that thought aside. She jerked herself out of her thoughts and realized that Remus was standing right next to her with his fingers intertwined with hers.

"We should go." Lily whispered.

"Okay." Remus nodded. "I agree."

They thanked Hagrid and told him to let them know if Joe stirred. He promised he would, and only then did they leave the cabin. On their way back up to the castle, they saw James and Sirius hopping down the castle steps.

"Hello, lovebirds." Sirius joked. "How's it goin'?"

"All right." Lily shrugged, wincing slightly at the nickname. "Where are you off to?"

"Me and Jimbo, here, are off to visit little Joey." Sirius explained.

"Don't call me Jimbo…" James sighed. "As if Jamie-boy wasn't bad enough…"

"I like Jimbo." Remus teased to Sirius in an undertone.

"I told you, James! Jimbo is waaay cooler!" Sirius begged.

"No way, it's embarrassing!" He groaned. "Anyway, Reme," James said, his eyes filled with laughter. "We'll see you guys later." He said, leading Sirius down the lawn.

"Reme… I like it!" Lily could hear Sirius shouting as they headed to Hagrid's cabin. Remus rolled his eyes playfully, and he and Lily continued up to the castle.

"Nutters… the whole lot of them." Remus murmured.

Lily smiled. "But they're just so funny." She said sarcastically.

"Right. Funny." Remus nodded, laughing. As they headed down to the dungeons for Potions, they bumped into Peter who did not look happy.

"What's up, Wormtail?" Remus asked worriedly. "Something wrong?"

"No. I'll be fine." Peter said as he glanced sharply at Lily. "I'll tell you later, maybe. When you're without your girlfriend, that is."

Remus stared at him for a moment. "What's your problem?" He asked in surprise.

"My problem is that we can't go anywhere without Lily anymore!" Peter shouted. Lily drew back slightly. "It makes me sick! Look what's happened to us!"

"Maybe I should go…" Lily trailed.

"No, Lil. We've got class." Remus said, putting his hand around her waist affectionately. Peter rolled his eyes irritably. "Come on…"

They tried to get past Peter, but he stopped them. His eyes were suddenly wide and he was smiling mischievously. He stared at Lily as though he had seen her for the first time. "Lily!"

"Er- yeah?"

"You haven't seen Madison, by chance, have you?" He asked eagerly, licking his lips. Lily was confused.

"Um, no. Last I saw she was in the Grand Hall." She said uncomfortably.

"And, uh, what about James?"

"Hagrid's." Remus answered.

"Fabulous!" Peter cheered. "Must be off!" He said happily, shoving past Remus and Lily and up the corridor.

"He sure is odd, isn't he?" Lily said, watching him bound up the hallway.