AN: Sorry for the lateness! I had a lot of projects to do for school and then the PC contracted a virus and my MS Word crashed. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter :)

Disclaimer: You know the drill...

Chapter 17: Let Me Love You

Lily was exhausted from crying. She was sitting in the backyard, blowing her nose, as she tried to fathom why Remus would even think of breaking up with her. She knew he loved her. They were so perfect together. So why?

"Lily!"

Lily looked up to see James Potter swooping down upon her, his face creased with concern. Lily tried to stifle a sob, but failed to do so. Hesitantly, James put his arms around her.

"I'm sorry, Lily," he whispered very softly.

Lily felt a twinge of surprise—James had actually called her Lily.

"I heard of...I heard Remus broke up with you," James continued.

Those words brought a fresh round of tears.

"Why?" Lily cried. "I thought he cared—"

"He does," James stated firmly. "More than anything. He cares for you more than he cares for himself. He...just...has his reasons, Lily."

Lily buried her head in James's chest as she let out another sob.

"He loves you, Lily—I can assure you of that."

Lily let out one little sniffle and lifted her head. As she took in James's gentleness and handsome features, she was sharply reminded of why she had liked him so long ago. "Thanks, James."

He smiled and patted her head. "No problem, Evans."

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Remus reached the Shrieking Shack, all his things in hand. He took a very deep breath and tried to keep himself under control. But the crushing pain in his heart refused to go away.

You did what you had to do, Lupin, he told himself. There would be no going back.

There was no possible way for him and Lily to have a future.

Remus had made the choice after he, James, and Sirius had talked. He realized that he would never be able to support her. He wasn't capable of giving her anything. By holding onto her, all he would make her experience was horror, pain, the hardships of being with a werewolf. Even if Remus had had the guts to tell her about his true self, she would never be safe. Once again, it was time to let go.

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"Where is Remus?" Lily asked, her voice plaintive.

Sirius jumped. "Lily!"

"Where's Remus?" she repeated.

Oh Merlin. What the bloody hell am I supposed to do? "Uh, he-er-left," Sirius stammered.

"What? Sirius, where did he go?"

Sirius grabbed her by the shoulders. "Don't look for him, Lily. I implore you."

"Why? Sirius, we may be broken up and I'm no longer his girlfriend, but I have still the right to know where he is!"

Sirius looked pained. "Please, Lily."

"Don't, Sirius. I need to talk to him," Lily pleaded, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Padfoot...she deserves to know," James interjected softly as he entered the room. "It's still afternoon."

Sirius looked bewildered. "But—Moony—"

"It's not fair keeping this from her, Padfoot."

Sirius sighed. "Alright Lily. We'll take you to him."

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The door crashed open. Remus started as Sirius, James, and Lily entered. Lily ran to him, hugging him.

Remus once more felt a taste of paradise.

"Remus, why are you here? Oh Merlin, I was so worried!" Lily murmured into his shoulder.

"Tell her, Moony," Sirius said quietly. "It's time she knows."

Remus felt a sharp pain in his heart as he pulled her face from his shoulder. James and Sirius, knowing that Remus and Lily needed their alone time, exited immediately.

"Lily, there's something you must know...about me," Remus began.

"What is it?" Lily leaned her head on his chest and looked up at him.

Remus swallowed hard. Why did she have to look so sweet and innocent? It was making everything all the more difficult. "It's...I'm—I'm." He broke off.

"Well?"

"I—I am—me is—I'm a werewolf."

Lily gasped.

"I was bitten when I was very young," Remus continued in a rush. "It's the reason why I get so sick all the time. It's the reason why...why I can't be with you."

Lily had backed away a bit. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"I thought it was best that you be kept from this," Remus replied, the deep sadness showing in his face. "I never wanted to subject you to that kind of horror."

Lily's face had softened. "I wouldn't have thought any less of you, Remus. But now that I know, we can make every precaution, so..."

Remus shook his head. "No, you still don't understand, Lils. We can't be together at all. You'll never be safe. Not from me."

"But James and Sirius have managed, right? You can tell me how!"

"They're Animagi, Lily. That's how they do it. But even if you managed to become one, it won't change a thing. You'll still be in danger. A werewolf is not an easy creature to placate. Even James and Sirius have gotten hurt."

"But—"

"There's no other way."

Lily buried her face in Remus's shoulder once more. "It doesn't change how I feel about you."

"I know." Remus held her tighter.

After a few more short moments of quietness, Lily spoke.

"Remus?"

"Mmm?"

"Can you grant me something?"

"Alright, I will then."

"Just before we—part ways—can I have one last kiss?"

Remus acquiesced, closing his eyes and covering Lily's lips with his own for the last time. He slid his hands through her beautiful dark-red hair, savoring the feel of it, whichwas thick and silky. She tasted of salty tears, but still with a touch of the old sweetness. Lily drew him closer, her hand lightly stroking the back of his neck. Remus wouldn't have cared if the embrace wnt on forever, but he opened his eyes and saw that the sun was beginning to set.

"Lily," he whispered against her lips. "You have to go."

Lily's cheeks were wet. "I don't want this to end. I don't want to go back and not have you anymore."

Remus hugged her once more. "I know. I don't either. But this is my curse, Lily. I'm sorry."

Lily sadly returned the hug. "Goodbye, Remus."

AN: Thanks to all who reviewed the last chappie! Yea, 100 reviews! :) I love you all!