A/N: I know…I know…it's been forever…I don't think it's even worth apologising….but I will anyway. I am so sorry…so so so so sorry. School work has finally ended and I only have one week of year 10 left. I was reading my A/N for chapter six and I was saying how scary it was to be going into year 10. Well, it's almost over now…so expect a few updates over the next 8 weeks or so…holidays…but back to the story…if you can forgive me enough to read it. I've kinda lost where I was going with this…so it may take a while to get back into it…

Chapter eight

Lily headed back inside, feeling guilty because she wasn't feeling guilty and trying to stay calm because she and Remus had some serious planning to do. She reflected on what they were doing. Her and Remus that is. They were going to pretend they were a couple. This was good. She had found a way out of the Mark issue. Very good, Lily was glad over this. They were getting back at James. Also good, right? Lily was unsure. She didn't hate James as much as she used to, that's for sure. But she was very reluctant to form a friendship with him. The incident, in their first year, was like a painful scar, constantly reminding her of why she hated him so much in the first place.

But maybe it was time to let it go. It had been a long time now. She could see he had been feeling vulnerable. He had just admitted he liked her. He was at her mercy. She could see that now, when she was blind to it before. Maybe it was time to move on, stop hating the Marauders. Her friends would certainly be happy, and she realised now how much they meant to her. And she could then actually talk to Sirius and Remus and Peter in public. Yes, not hating James could prove to be very useful…She just hoped that Remus…well, she just hoped.

By this time, she had reached the room where she was to meet Remus. He was already there, waiting for her like he said he would. Always reliable. She entered and sat atop a desk, as he strode across the room from the teacher's desk. She suddenly felt young, like Remus was the one in control. He seemed to have been very focused in thought. He spoke, in a business-like tone,

'Lily, I've thought this all through. We're definitely going to have to make this seem real. People are suspicious creatures and they will suspect us unless we hold this together. Are you willing to put in that much effort?'

'Yeah, I am. I need this to work. It's given me a great way to get rid of Mark, and it's a great way to show James I'm off limits. I just ask one thing. Let's not go into this too full on. Mark's feeling pretty unhappy right now, and I think it's best we just ease into this and build, like we would if this was a real relationship. Is that alright?'

Remus nodded, pleased at Lily's clear thinking, one of the many things he admired her for. That's why he felt so sure this was the right thing to do. She was the perfect person to carry out something like this.

'So, what are some of the basics? What should we start with? How can we make people believe us?' asked Lily.

'Well, spending considerable amounts of time together is obviously necessary. I suggest sitting together in class, in the Common Room, at meals, that sort of thing. Your friends know right? They won't mind missing out on you every now and again?' He asked, as Lily nodded in reply.

'Right, ok. And every now and againI suggest we head off somewhere together, even if we just come here and do homework.. No-one will know.' he continued.

'Sounds great.' agreed Lily. 'There's just one problem. Full moon.'

Remus looked shocked. 'How did you know?' he managed to ask.

'I'm not as stupid as Potter thinks me to be you know.'

'Of course you're not. There's brains a-plenty under that striking red hair,' thought Remus.

'There have been plenty of clues. But don't worry, I've never said a word to anyone and I don't intent to. And I don't hate you for it, if that's what you're worried about.' she concluded.

'Well, seeing as you know, it takes away a lot of odd questions. I suppose I'll just go of with the boys as usual. It shouldn't be a problem.'

'Well, that's settled then. Shall we go?'

Remus nodded.

'Perhaps I should do this,' said Lily as she messed up her perfect hair. 'And this,' as she slightly smudged her faint shade of lipstick. 'We should make them think we've been doing what they think we've been doing.' she added with a wink as he wrapped his arm about her waist again. He admired her sense of humour as well. He admired a lot of things about her, come to think of it.

James, Sirius and Peter climbed though the Portrait Hole. James was thinking over what he had just seen. Remus…and Lily…together. He knew he should be happy for Remus…and Lily for that matter. They were both happy and Lily was at least now going out with someone decent, better than that irritating Mark. So why were his insides disappearing and re-appearing every few seconds? Why did he feel sick? Why did a look of disgust cross his face every time he imagined them together?

Because he was jealous. Jealous beyond belief. He knew they would return soon, and he knew what they would have been doing. He felt his stomach lurch. He took a few deep breaths. He assessed the situation as he sauntered over to the window, watching the wind blow through the Forbidden Forest. Remus and Lily were a couple…Remus and not James was the one Lily would be inseparable from. Lily was off-limits. He could no longer pester her constantly. He was so unbearably jealous.

At least now he would be spending more time in her presence, and by her consent too. At least that was a bonus. And he had his friends back, and Lily. She may still hate him, but she had good reason to. He still couldn't forgive himself for what had happened that December back in first year. He still couldn't believe how stupid and insensitive he had been.

The day after Lily's return to Hogwarts, the few remaining students were breakfasting in the Great Hall. Lily was munching on some toast and reading the Daily Prophet when a barn owl landed on the paper in front of her. It seemed that nobody was paying much attention. If one had looked out to the Entrance Hall, where younger versions of the Marauders were peering into the Great Hall nervously, one would have noticed that there were several people paying attention. A lot of attention. Lily read the piece of parchment the owl had brought in. The Marauders watched her face. How would she react to the letter they had sent? She looked nervously around, then glanced to the ceiling.

The Marauders exchanged satisfied smirks. So far, so good. Right on cue, another barn owl swept in and dropped another letter in front of Lily. This time it was a bright red Howler. Lily looked worried. And frightened. It was almost as though she knew what it was going to say.

'LILY EVANS,

HOW DARE YOU LEAVE HOME LIKE THAT. YOU KNEW HOW MUCH WE NEEDED YOU HERE. WE DO NOT WISH FOR YOU TO RETURN HOME AGAIN. EVER. A LIST OF ORPHANAGES FOR YOU TO ATTEND IS COMING IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. TAKE YOUR PICK.

The Howler then burst into flames. People had stopped talking when the Howler had arrived, but resumed it very fast and very loud. A few sniggered, but many felt bad for Lily. They tried to pretend they had not heard. The Marauders, waiting outside, smiled gleefully. Lily Evans had been embarrassed. And was now the one left feeling vulnerable. Exactly what they had intended.

It was only when Lily had run past them into the nearest girl's bathroom did they feel some pangs of regret. Surely she knew it was not actually her mother. It sounded nothing like her. But they didn't know what had caused her to return to Hogwarts. Nobody did.

It was at this point that James heard Sirius and Peter making noises that surely signalled the arrival of Lily and Remus. James turned reluctantly to face them, and took in Lily's dishevelled appearance. He burned with jealousy, but remembered why she was with Remus and not him. He deserved her hatred. He regretted what he had done to her every day. It was because Remus had cared enough to apologise to Lily and comfort her that she didn't hate him. That he was standing there now, her head resting on his shoulder. It was because Remus understood.

A/N: well, there you go. Finally. I can't say how sorry I am. But I hope this short chapter satisfied. Another one will be along soon I suspect. I know roughly what's going to happen in the next few chapters so hopefully the next update won't be too far off.

Please review

Caitlin