Note: All lyrics to "Live Forever" belong to Oasis.

Chapter 2—Definitely Maybe

Remus Lupin was new at Hogwarts, but so were all the other first years who were pouring into the Great Hall one fateful, rainy morning. It would seem as though he had no more to fear from walking to herbology than getting a little wet. But he was a thin, nervous child and he was on the receiving end of more than one odd stare on the way through the crowded entrance hall, second-hand books clutched tightly to his chest.

"Hey, Lupin!" He heard a voice behind him and froze. Every instinct within his head told him to run, but his feet stayed planted where they were.

"Where are you going, mate?" The dark haired attacker elbowed his buddy playfully. "Can you believe this guy? Acts like he owns the halls."

The other boy—a recklessly good-looking chap—tossed his long hair out of his eyes and gave his companion a rather bored look. "Does he now? Well, we can't have that, can we, Jamesy my boy?"

"Most definitely not." He pulled out a wand. "How do you like ducks, mate?"

Remus just shook his head. It was the most he could do, under the circumstances. A hundred spells flew, as if with tiny wings from his mind as the one called "Jamesy" threw a casual arm around his shoulder.

"That's too bad about those ducks, mate." He led a frightened Remus out the front door and onto the rainy grounds. Water came down in heavy droplets upon their heads and soon they were soaked to the bone. This didn't seem to bother James, but his companion glared up at the sky in annoyance and trudged through the soggy grass.

"Oy! James! This looks as good a spot as any. Let's do this and get out of the rain." He glanced around and muttered again to himself, "I hate the rain."

"Fine, Sirius. We'll drop him here." James pulled out a wand and waved it. "Impedimenta!"

Remus felt himself lose control of all his limbs. He felt the air passing over him as he crashed to the ground. And then . . . black.

"Maybe I don't really want to know, how your garden grows. I just want to fly. Lately, have you ever felt the pain of the pouring rain, as it soaks into the bone."

"I think he'll be just fine, Miss Evans. Mr. Lupin is very lucky you found him."

The room was swimming in a strange haze and Remus tried to blink his eyes to clear it away, but it sent shockwaves of fiery pain coursing through his temples. So, he gave in and allowed the events inside the room to go on as if in a dream.

"Well, would you mind if I sat with him for a little while longer?"

"I don't . . ."

"Please, Professor McGonagall? He doesn't have anyone else to sit with him."

At this, he wanted to protest, as feelings of hurt and indignation manifested themselves deep within him. He didn't want anyone's pity!

"Oh, alright, Miss Evans! I give in! I can't argue with you forever. Now, I'm going to look into the situation involving Sirius Black and Mr. Potter. Sit with him until he comes to, and then report straight to your next class. Remember, straight to your next class."

He heard the click of heels on the tile floor as McGonagall left the hospital wing to go about her duties, after which came silence. His mind worked quickly in the silence. 'Evans. Evans. Who is she? Her name sounds familiar. But I can't place it.'

Then he felt it. Her hand touched his. It was a warm touch, soft and gentle. His first reaction was to pull away, but she grasped his hand firmly.

"Remus Lupin. You're a quiet boy, aren't you? That's all right. I'll do the talking for both of us. My name is Lily Evans. We have Potions and Herbology together. And, although you never speak to me, I see you in the Great Hall every day and wave at you . . ."

She continued like this for a long time. Her voice was soothing and warm and she spoke so that he needn't worry about what to say in return. Soon he found himself drifting off to sleep to the sound of her voice.

"Hey, Remus!"

He flushed bright red and sped his pace up as he pushed through the crowd of robed students. Remus glanced back to see if she was still there. Sure enough, her red hair could be seen bobbing as she moved toward him.

'Why doesn't this girl give up?' He thought, desperately.

It wasn't as though he wasn't grateful for what she had done for him, it was just that he was afraid she would find out his secret and never want to see him again. He never wanted her to have to regret saving him that day.

CRASH!

"Oy, watch where you're going Loopy."

That voice. It was familiar and it brought a strange throb back in his head.

Lily Evans had finally caught up to him and slid, panting into the circle that had formed around the two wizards. Everyone was sure there would be a fight.

"Where're you going in such a hurry, Loopy?" There, again was the handsome friend called Sirius.

"Yeah, Sirius and I just wanted to have a little talk with you. You know, man-to-man?"

Having caught her breath, Lily charged up to the dark, tousle-haired boy. "You leave him alone, Potter."

He laughed. "And I suppose you're going to stop me?"

The other boy grinned as well and crossed his arms over his chest.

"If I have to, yes. Someone needs to." She looked to the faces in the crowd. "Well? Come on! Are you all just going to stand there and let him beat up on this poor little boy?" Her face was red and she glared daggers around the hall.

It was odd, what happened next. A surge of raw emotions coursed through his veins and Remus soon found himself clutching his wand tightly in his robes.

"What's the matter, Loopy? Cat got your tongue?" James laughed. "Are you gonna let your little girlfriend do all your fighting?"

He flushed. "Sh-She's not my g-girlfriend!"

"Oh, he can speak! James, did you hear that? Loopy says that this little wench isn't his girlfriend."

"Well, I can't blame her. Even the ugly ones should have a little self respect."

"D-Don't talk about her like that!"

"What're you gonna do about it?" James had his wand out now and had pushed up the sleeves of his robes.

"I-I-I-I'll . . ."

But whether or not he could follow through with his future threat, was never discovered, because just as both boys readied their wands, Professor Dumbledore made his way through the milling throng of students.

At the end of the day, Remus Lupin came out with his first detention.

As he lay in bed that night, staring up into the darkness near the ceiling, he tried to take his mind off of Lily, unsuccessfully. He sighed and rolled over in bed.

"Maybe you're the same as me, we see things they'll never see. You and I are gonna live forever."