Resolutions

Lily was sat aimlessly picking at her cold toast and sipping her pumpkin juice when a sharp prod brought her out of her thoughts.
"Morning Lil, a certain Gryffindor seeker asked me to give this to you." Frank smiled at the baffled expression on Lily's face before turning to leave. Lily delicately opened the neatly folded parchment and saw the familiar scrawl of James' handwriting.

Dear Lily,
I am not feeling very well today so won't be attending
classes. Please meet me by the lake under the willow tree at
8 o'clock.
Yours James
xxxxxxxxxx

At once Lily's mind exploded with questions 'is he ok?' 'Why is he meeting me if he's too ill to come to class?' However, before she could think more deeply into this a pair of hands snatched the note off her.
"That's strange," but before Lily could ask any more Sam continued, "Sirius is ill today and Estelle said Remus was in the hospital wing." She laughed, "Ooh wouldn't it be funny if one of their pranks had backfired on them and they had all grown whiskers and tails or something?" Estelle however did not seem at all amused with this.
"Has nobody else noticed that Remus and the other three disappear rather a lot and always come back looking like they've wrestled an army of trolls?"
"What are you getting at 'Stel?" asked Lily.
"Oh I don't know I think I'm losing the plot, but I just thought it was strange. I know for a fact he wasn't with that Amy last night because I saw her in the library." She took a deep breath and continued, "I just think that they're up to something!" Lily made a mental note to quiz James about this later.
"So anyway, what do you think of this?" She picked up the note from James, trying to change the conversation. It worked.
"Seems innocent enough to me. He's probably going to wine and dine you! You know how spontaneously romantic that guy can be!" Lily beamed as she thought of all his romantic gestures.
"You have no idea how jealous I am of you," continued Sam, "You've got on the best looking guys in the school...no correction the world, and he treats you like a princess!"
"Urrrm Sam, you got something you want to tell me?" Lily laughed, "are you after my man?"
"Don't be daft Lil, I've got my eye on Sirius Black" and she grinned slyly.
"Come on guys" Estelle said, breaking the silence, "Double Care of Magical Creatures with the Slytherins!"

Lily glanced at her watch: 7:30, too early to be making tracks to meet James so instead she went hunting for her scarf and gloves as it was freezing outside. She was anxious to say the least. She didn't have a clue as to what James had planned for this evening having not seen him all day. She said a hurried farewell to Sam who was trying to persuade a disgruntled Estelle to let her highlight her hair using a semi-permanent potion she had got as a sample from 'Witch Weekly'.

Lily walked out of the warmth of the Entrance Hall into the freezing grounds, fastening her woolly scarf around her neck even tighter. As she walked down the sloping lawn to the willow tree by the lake, the grass crunching beneath her feet, she congratulated herself for thinking of putting on that extra pair of socks. Typical, he was late! What was it he called it....? 'Fashionably late!' She amused herself for a moment thinking how Sam's attempt at dying Estelle's hair was coming along.

That was when Lily heard it. The gently tone of James' voice being carried by the harsh wind from his resting place to hers. He had only just arrived and was laying a comfy looking blanket down on the floor and casting a complicated spell for a fire. Lily moved herself directly behind the thick trunk of the tree so that he couldn't see her.
"Hey Lil", she jumped, "no, no that's far too casual. Urrrm how about 'Hey honey, you look beautiful?' Urgh no that's far too sleazy! 'Lil, hi I didn't expect you to come?' No all lies, of course I expect her to come!" He began to pace up and down, "Oh but wait! She isn't here yet, she's late oh and spectacular, I'm talking to myself!" he laughed his amazing laugh. Lily thought now would be as good a time as any to interrupt.
"How about a simple 'Hello?'" she was grinning wickedly to herself. James jumped a mile and spun around to face her.
"You heard me." He asked.
"Of course I did. But to be honest I didn't really like any of those welcomes, the shocked gormless look always works a treat!" Her eyes were sparkling as James closed his mouth after realising that he had actually been gawping.
"I hope you're hungry?" He recovered well as he pointed to the wicker basket perched against the tree. He picked up two pebbles and transfigured them into two plush cushions. Lily sat down next to him and helped herself to a plate.
"Perfect! I love a girl with a healthy appetite."
"Don't know what you're talking about" she laughed, "I see you've loaded yourself two plates."
"Naturally, I'm a growing boy!" They both laughed and continued their picnic talking about friends, school, holidays, food and Quidditch. James looked her square in the eyes and said:
"You're really special Lil. Don't let anyone ever tell you that your not." Lily chuckled and thought 'Where had that come from?' Instead of spoiling the moment she replied:
"I won't James and thank you I think you're really special as well." He laughed and sat up on his knees. Lily smiled at him as he moved close to her and gently placed his fingers on her jaw line and gently moved in and kissed her on the cheek.

Lily was taken rather by surprise when James jumped to his feet screaming "CRAMP! I've got cramp in my foot!" Lily burst out laughing as James began hopping up and down like a lunatic.
"I'm glad you find my pain so amusing Lil" he said cheekily. Lily got to her feet too and started to jump on the spot.
"Lil stop it!" James said through gritted teeth, "This isn't a game you know, people might be watching!"
"No I'm cold" she replied laughing.
"Wow Lily look over there!" James was pointing somewhere near the Forbidden Forest. Lily stopped jumping and turned around.
"There's nothing there." But as Lily had turned around James had crept up behind her and their faces were now mere centimetres apart.
"You're cold did you say?" As he said this James put one hand on Lily's waist and entwined his other hand with her own. Lily automatically wrapped her spare hand around his neck.
"Lets dance, that will warm you up, and give you the added pleasure of being so close to me!" he grinned in a very cute way.
"We can't dance, there's no music."
"Don't be so plain Lil you don't need music that's just noise". And with this James began to rock Lily from side to side. Lily smiled and couldn't wait to tell Sam and Estelle about James' latest romantic scenario. She really was the luckiest girl in the world and at that precise moment, as she was resting in his arms dancing with him, she felt like the happiest she had felt in a very, very long time.

Estelle gazed longingly out of the window at the besotted couple dancing beneath her in the moonlit castle grounds. She yearned to be in Lily's place with Remus' arms wrapped tightly around her, keeping her safe. No one knew about her feelings for Remus, not even the girls– and especially not him. She shuddered to think what anyone would say; he had never treated Estelle as anything more than a friend.

Then there was that girl that he seemed head over heels in love with, Estelle's mouth filled with a bitter taste every time he mentioned her name. A deep sigh escaped Estelle as she sat on the common room windowsill staring absent-mindedly out of the window. Her newly streaked hair shone in the bright light, she was actually surprised at how well Sam's spell had worked- she remembered the last time Sam had tried to change the colour of her eyes. . . not a pretty sight, well actually Sam couldn't see at all! She smiled to herself- the common room was empty as students were slowly but surely giving up on the masses of homework they had and instead opting for a good nights sleep.

Estelle had been debating with herself for a long time over whether or not she should just tell someone about her feelings; so long in fact that now Remus was no longer single. A bang interrupted her thoughts. She spun round to see Remus settling into the sofa by the fire. He didn't seem to have noticed the shadowed girl by the window. He let out a deep sigh and rested his worried face in his hands. Estelle moved closer to him concerned.
"Are you alright?" Remus jumped and spun round to face the voice that had addressed him.
"Oh 'Stel! Hi! I didn't see you there!" he smiled wearily.
"Hey, are you ok? You look really ill!" she looked noticing the black bags beneath his eyes; he seemed to have lost a lot of weight too.
"Just tired, all this work," he replied, 'I'll be fine. So what's going on with you?" Estelle sighed, if only I could tell you, she thought.
"Nothing new!" she added giving him a worried look, he really didn't seem fine. Remus turned to look out of the window at the almost full moon in the dark sky.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Estelle voiced, noticing his stare. Remus sighed, "If you like that kind of thing." His voice was harsh. Estelle tried to move onto a new subject.
"So . . .We missed you in Arithmancy?"
"I had to see my Grandma," he answered automatically.
"You've been seeing her a lot recently."
"Yeh well she's not well ok?" His voice hit Estelle hard and she felt she'd put her foot in it now- he would just think of her as interfering. Great Estelle, just great! She sat beside him on the sofa and put a hand on his.
"I'm sorry!" she whispered tentatively. Remus looked up at her. Here was someone who seemed genuinely concerned about him and all he wanted to do was tell her about his problem but he just couldn't. He'd tried to tell Amy but she just seemed so wrapped up in her own problems...
"It's not your fault, I ... I've just got a lot on my mind . . ." he trailed off.
"You can tell me," Estelle pushed, "please, I might be able to help".
"No I'm sorry, I can't!"
"Remus look I ..." Estelle began.
"Look, I'm a Werewolf okay! Happy now? I'm a Werewolf!" Remus yelled into the empty room. Everything went silent and the wind could be heard whistling outside through the ancient windows. Estelle sat dumbfounded. She stared at Remus then at her hand on his. He pulled it away and Estelle saw him wipe a tear from his eyes.
"look, I'm not dangerous ... at the moment anyway ... I ... please don't tell anyone!" he pleaded. Estelle couldn't speak; she didn't know what to say. Remus shook his head.
"I thought you'd understand I can't believe I told you!" he muttered. He got up and turned to go up the stairs. Estelle reached out and grabbed his arm, she felt the electricity between their touching skin; she wrapped her arms around him surprising him slightly. After a moment she felt his arms wrap around her, she got her wish.

They stood there for what seemed like half an hour when Estelle reluctantly pulled away. Her face was still close to Remus'. She smiled and began to walk away when his warm hand turned her around to face him again. He kissed her and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her towards him. Estelle leaned back against the wall behind her and ran her fingers through his hair, her face burned as Remus brushed a hand down her side. Estelle couldn't believe her luck until .... Remus jumped back and looked at Estelle in shock.

"Oh no!" he sighed, kicking the wall beside Estelle. She jumped as the bang echoed. "I....I'm sorry!" he finished and headed out of the portrait door. Estelle slid down the wall and sat on the floor. She ran her hands through her hair and began to feel sick. The tears spilled over and she didn't even hear the portrait door open again.
"Estelle! What happened? Are you okay?" Lily asked hurrying over to her friend. Estelle couldn't get her words out through her tears.
"Come on honey, let's get you to bed." Lily whispered tenderly. Estelle's legs were like jelly and her head was dizzy. James took her arm and helped her up, putting a steadying arm around her waist. Lily smiled inwardly at the care and concern on James' face. They both lead her up the stairs and James left them at their dormitory.
"Sweet dreams darling" he whispered, kissing her cheek. Lily followed Estelle into the dormitory. They changed in silence and Estelle climbed into bed pulling the curtains around her.
"Night", she mumbled. Lily stared at the closed curtain for a moment before getting into her own bed.

Estelle opened her eyes on Sunday morning and cuddled up to her pillow, still in a dreamy state. As she rolled over her stomach dropped, the memory of last night's events flooded back to her and she groaned. This alerted Lily, who popped her head through the red curtains around her bed. She sat on the bed and handed Estelle a steaming mug.
"Drink up, it's something Madame Pomfrey mixed up for me to give you," she smiled, "I told her you were feeling slightly under the weather." Estelle took a sip from the mug and a warm sensation slipped down her throat and instantly filled her stomach.
"Thanks Lil," Estelle mumbled sleepily, "That's made me feel a lot better. I suppose you want to know what happened?" she added.
"Well, me and Sam were really worried about you this morning", Lily placed a caring hand on Estelle's. "Come on 'Stel, you were in a right state when I saw you." Sam came over in her pink satin pyjamas and sat cross-legged on the bed.
"Shoot!" she smiled, obviously not planning on taking 'no' for an answer. Estelle took another sip of her drink and began telling the girls about the night before. She chatted for about half an hour and they just nodded and smiled sympathetically here and there.

Estelle told them everything –well almost everything- she did not tell them about Remus and his... secret, it wasn't hers to share. Just as she had finished, the dormitory door opened and screams came from a few girls still clambering out of bed. The three girls turned to see James, Sirius and Peter running towards the bed.
"Estelle...I...need...talk...Remus..." James panted.
"It's okay James, 'Stelle told us everything." Lily answered, cutting him short. The three boys looked at Estelle with shock and worry in their eyes. Estelle shook her head at them lightly and they realised she hadn't told them everything – they breathed a sigh of relief.
"Anyway, you lot shouldn't be in here!" Lily suddenly realised, "McGonagall would go mad if she caught you! Out! We'll see you in a bit!" She began pushing them out of the door. Sirius turned to Sam.
"Nice jim-jams gorgeous," he winked at her cheekily. Sam blushed and laughed as Lily shoved him out of the door.
"Out!" she laughed, shutting the door behind him. "Now then. Come on 'Stelle, time to get dressed, you're coming to the Great Hall with us for breakfast."

Remus sat at his desk with his head in his hands dreading the return of his best friends and thinking about what would happen to him if Estelle told everyone his secret. As he heard the hurried footsteps getting closer and closer his heart beat quickened and his stomach churned, making him feel sick and dizzy. The door burst open and James, Sirius and Peter unceremoniously fell through the door, panting and looking extremely flustered.
"WELL?" Remus practically screamed.
"You should have been there mate...pink silky, very sexy pyjamas. She was..."
"SIRIUS YOU IDIOT!"
"Calm down Mooney your secrets safe she's not said a word". As the good news reached his ears Remus flopped down on to his bed and sank his head on to his pillow. He could have cried he felt so relieved. Relieved yet very confused, he was ecstatic that someone he liked had accepted him for who he truly was, but confused because he had no idea how much he did like her.
"Are you coming for breakfast Mooney?" asked Sirius as his stomach gave a mighty grumble.
"I'm not hungry" he replied.
"Come on you great lump you need feeding!" Sirius lobbed a pillow at the heap that was Remus and walked out of the room. As Remus heaved himself out of bed once again, James noticed his worried expression ad whispered in his ear:
"She really likes you, you know?"
"Really?" questioned Remus
"Yes. Lily said she's crazy about you. If you want my advice, dump that loser Amy and go for 'Stelle. What have you got to lose? She's pretty she knows everything about you and you obviously trust her." With that James walked out of the room, followed by Remus heading for the Great Hall. When the lads had entered the Hall Remus began scanning the Gryffindor table looking for a certain someone. His eyes fell upon her sitting between her two best friends, looking extremely pretty.

However, at the opposite end of the same table, unknown to Remus, a pair of beady eyes was watching him full of lust. Remus knew that James was right, he had to choose; it was either Amy or Estelle. He knew in his heart who he wanted but he didn't know how to break the news to either girl. There was also the possibility of rejection which had always scared him ever since he received the bite. He was a coward and he knew it but he also knew that the time had come to follow his heart....something he had never done before.