A boy with sandy brown hair and a pale, sensitive face was sitting in a café in Covent Garden. It was a hot day, one of the hottest that year, and most of the varied patrons were relaxing.

The boy frowned at a book he was reading, a heavy, leather-bound tome that had an ominously boring look about it. He sighed and closed it; leaning back and watching the people go past.

A girl with short red hair and a long black coat was walking towards him. She looked him straight in the eye. He turned around and glanced back. No one behind him. She grinned wider. He waited nervously for her to come in earshot.

'Remus? It is you!'

'uh….yes…who…'

She laughed, head thrown back slightly and something in Remus Lupin's mind clicked.

'Lily?'

'There we go! It's the hair, right? I got it cut and now no one recognises me'

'It's the whole….' He gestured to her outfit wildly '…thing'

She laughed again.

'Right, I never see you out of school. You won't have met my friends then…'

She turned and Remus noticed for the first time, the three people standing behind Lily.

'….Chris…'

She pointed out a tall, skinny teenager, with dark brown hair, jeans and army surplus boots. He smiled and nodded to Remus.

'…Dylan and Renee.'

The other two, who were obviously together, were a little more odd looking. Dylan was tall too, but much bulkier than Chris. His dark hair curled slightly and his eyes were very dark. He wore a black trench coat. Renee had white blonde hair, dyed and cut short, and a lot of eyeliner. She was dressed in black. They nodded curtly to Remus, who was looking nervous.

'Its ok' whispered Lily 'they know.'

She turned, and addressed her friends.

'I'll meet you guys back here in a half hour, ok?'

Chris sauntered off. Remus didn't think Dylan and Renee had even heard. They were snogging just behind Lily's chair.

'So why are you here? I thought you lived in Norfolk or some other God Forsaken place.'

Remus chuckled.

'I do. James and I are staying with Sirius in his new flat. You know he…uh…isn't received too well at home'

Lily frowned sympathetically.

'Yeah, I heard.' She shook her head ' I don't especially like the guy, but no one deserves that.'

Lily noticed the glances Remus was throwing her two friends, and the grin sprang onto her face again. She hit Dylan's arm.

'Guys? GUYS? Could you go somewhere else? I think you're disturbing my only normal friend'

They moved off. Remus moved in closer and whispered

'Not all that normal. Remember?'

Lily grinned. A thought struck her.

'How does that work in London?'

'I apparate home every month'

'So how come you're in the middle of Covent Garden. IndieRockLand isn't exactly The Fantastic Four's style, is it? While we're on the subject aren't you missing three of them?'

'I don't know exactly where Peter is; Sirius and James were ripping apart the flat looking for something when I left. The flat's just round the corner.'

Lily whistled slightly.

'It must have cost a packet. This is prime estate.'

'Well, you know Sirius. Does nothing by halves.'

'Mmmm. So. You guys are bored?'

'Did I say that?'

Would James and Sirius do housework otherwise?'

'Point taken. So what do you suggest?'

'There are a couple of clubs around here. I could give you some names…..'

'What? Not taking us yourself?'

She hesitated.

'It's just…you know…James….'

'What if I make him promise to be nice?'

'Is that possible?' Lily asked with just a little bitterness she couldn't hide.

'He's not that bad'

'I know. He just…ugh…. He makes me so furious!'

Remus smiled to himself.

'But you'll come?'

She paused.

'Yuh. Definitely. Give me the address, we'll meet you there'

'About six?'

'Uh? Remus, honey, we're going underground clubbing. We'll swing by about half eight, k?

She picked up her bag and, waving, strolled over to Chris without a backward glance.