Standing There By You

Chapter 55- The Scarlet Librarian

A/N: Hello! Phew, this is an extremely long update, but frankly, I just want to get to the Holidays. Beta and I have to sort out whether they will arrive next chapter or the one after that, but either way they're coming quickly.

Oh, and guys… I must say I was a tad disappointed by how many people asked '26 days till what?' I am, to specify, counting down the days until the oh-so-brilliant JKR releases her almighty sixth book! Lol I guess I didn't really think to label it, sorry about that.

9 days left now and I can hardly breathe I'm so excited, by the time I update next it will be out- oh my! If anyone ever wants to chat about it or anything else, my AIM is Elenya2, feel free to IM me!

Ah right, the story.

Remus Lupin was not daft. In fact, he was feeling rather proud. It was awful acting as if he had forgotten what this weekend meant… but it was really for the better. If his friends knew, they would blow it, if Grace knew she would torment him until he told her what was going on.

No, this time Remus was going to do things right. He had spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to think up the perfect thing to do, until finally he decided one could never go wrong with food. It was easy to coax the House Elves into giving them snacks or sweets whenever they desired, but it was an entirely different story, he soon found out, to request their permission to actually cook in the kitchen. After many hours of pleading and assuring them their products really were top notch, he just wanted to give it a shot himself, they finally grudgingly agreed. He woke up early the day of, an hour ungodly, as Sirius had complained, prepared to give it his best go.

A line of the little fellows had formed around him as he stirred and poured and baked away, and occasionally a few would shake their heads or tsk quietly at a mess or if he added too much salt or sugar, but overall they stayed calm and out of his way. In the end he achieved a steamy French Onion Soup, attempted Chicken Marsala, added a portion of spaghetti and meatballs in case the previous didn't work out, and finished it off with a hefty helping of cheesecake- his mum's old recipe. To conceal it he placed the items in a well scrubbed carton he had 'borrowed' from James that was normally used for carrying quidditch supplies, lined with a small blanket for picnicking. Currently his creation sat snuggled safely in a corner beneath his bed, and he thought of it and the day that was to come blissfully as he climbed the boys' staircase to retrieve it.

---

"Fifteen days till the Holidays," Angie sang, bouncing up and down on her mattress. She smiled goofily from beneath a Santa's hat she donned as she attempted to sip a flask of butterbeer at the same time.

"Practically fourteen," Lily chimed in as she smiled and bounced slightly on her own bed. "Sundays hardly count- they're so lazy and all."

"Fourteen days till the Holidays!" Val agreed from across the room. She tugged at her knee-high red and white striped stockings. "Thirteen if you're not counting next Sunday either!"

As Lily giggled at this Grace looked over at her and frowned, still in a very bitter mood. "Since when do you get into this holly-jolly junk?"

"I don't know," Lily shrugged, tossing a pillow at her unusually pessimistic friend. "It's just nice to have something to look forward to."

Julie nodded from her spot by the window. "It's really beautiful here in the winter." She looked at Lily and winked. "Perfect time for romance, eh?"

Lily's shoulders drooped. "Thanks for ruining absolutely any positive feelings I was having," she shook her head, "by reminding me of that jerk," she closed her eyes briefly to prove her disgust. "Do you know what Potter did this morning? He--,"

"Lily," Julie stopped her babbling friend, looking slightly entertained. "I was referring to Kirk. You know, your boyfriend? The one I would be apt to associate with any sort of romance?"

Lily snapped her mouth shut. "Oh. Well I- I knew that." She straightened up and shrugged unconvincingly. "I was just so riled about… Well anyway yes, Christmastime is quite pretty."

Grace raised a brow. "So it's going good with the Kirkster, then."

"Um, yes." Lily tapped her foot several times in contemplation before ducking beneath her bed. "Look," she said, reappearing with three very large books. "He just lent me these fabulous novels--,"

"Remind me," Angie rolled her eyes at Val. "Is she dating a boy or a library?"

The others snickered, but at Lily's not-so-pleasant face Julie stopped laughing. "Really, Lily… we asked about Kirk, not his books."

The red-head frowned. "He's… fine, I guess. I don't know." She looked hopefully at one of the hardbacks. "But wouldn't you like to hear about this novel?" she attempted meekly. "It's so intricately formed and…" she trailed off at the looks her four dorm-mates were giving her.

"Wow," Val said, a sly grin spreading across her face. "I never would've thought Lily Evans had it in her."

Lily's eyes darted up to look at her. "What do you mean?"

The brunette giggled. "You're using a boy for his books, Lily. You're like the Scarlet Lady." She frowned. "Switch the books for a handsome man and you've got your own daytime movie."

"I am not!" Lily immediately looked to her friends for support. "I would never do that!"

Julie gave a loyal, albeit weak smile, but Grace simply shrugged. "Well they are all you ever talk about."

"I-," Lily seemed to shrink. "That's not true, I…" She wavered and frowned, finally falling back heavily onto her bed in surrender. "Well he's just so boring."

"It's all right, Lily," Julie attempted to comfort her. "You don't have to like him."

Lily pulled a pillow over her face. "I am a Scarlet Librarian, aren't I?"

"Mmm…" Sirius said contently, licking a bit of sauce off his fingers. "Pass me some more Italian, James."

Remus found that at the moment it was very hard to breathe. And also to refrain from beating each of his friends to a pulp with one of Madame Hooch's spiky loafers.

"Oh, hello Remus," Peter greeted his very pale looking friend, as he gulped down a large portion of steaming soup. "You'll never guess what we've found! A whole basket full of--,"

"Wait," Remus interrupted in a strangled voice. "Let me guess: a steamy bowl of French Onion Soup, Chicken Marsala, spaghetti and meatballs and a hefty helping of cheesecake?"

"Exactly," James grinned, a bit of graham-cracker crust in the corner of his mouth. "Wow, you're good. Is that your keen werewolf scent kicking in?"

"My keen were- no, no…" Remus said faintly. "That, that's just my entire day and future and prospect for a monumental occasion that you're eating…that's all."

"Wow." Sirius said after a long moment or two. He spit out the meatball he was chewing into a napkin and handed it to Remus. "Well, here."

"Oh that's just grand," Remus simpered scarily. "Here- I'll just say 'Hey Grace, I like you a whole lot, this year's been great, here's a chewed-up meatball with essence of Sirius's spit to show I care!'"

James raised a brow. "Sorry mate, but you shouldn't have hidden it in a roomful of hungry teenage boys. And it probably would've been helpful if you would've told us what it was for, instead of hiding it in an object I look through every day before practice."

"I know," Remus relented, sitting on his bed with a sigh. He rubbed his temple. "Oh… What am I going to do now?"

Sirius shrugged. "Do you have to do anything? I'm sure Grace doesn't expect a festival thrown for her every day."

Remus shook his head. "One year anniversary," he said miserably.

"Yikes," Sirius blanched.

James grimaced. "You're screwed."

Peter nodded his input from behind a checkered napkin. "Mm-hmm."

"Thanks guys," Remus sank into his mattress. "Thanks a lot."

"Oh," James said suddenly, looking thoughtful. "You know, one year my dad forgot his and mum's anniversary. Or Valentine's Day, or… well something absurd like that…"

"Really?" Remus sat up hopefully. "What did he do?"

James laughed, remembering. "He went to my Grandma's house and told her he was looking for something to cheer mum up, because she was sick with the flu, of course- he stretched the truth a bit- and she was more than happy to give him something with," he cleared his throat, and said importantly, "emotional value. That's what dad called it, anyway. It was some dumb charm my mom wore when she was a little girl, I don't know, but either way it worked. And she still doesn't know till this day," James looked around at his friends, especially Sirius, "so don't any of you mention it. Or he'll probably kill you."

"Why are you looking at me?" Sirius knitted is brows.

"No reason."

"That's all well and good," Remus said quickly, before Sirius could respond, "but where am I going to find something like that?"

James lifted a shoulder. "I dunno. Doesn't she have a relative that lives somewhere near here?"

"Well, yeah…" Remus said slowly, "she has an aunt that lives two or three miles off of the next town over, but… how would I get there? We aren't allowed to leave Hogwarts."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "You have a broomstick, don't you? Don't be a ninny, would you rather do something against the rules or have an immensely upset girlfriend? You must realize Remus, a present like this would make her very, very happy." He winked.

After a nanosecond of deliberation, Remus nodded. "Hand me my broomstick."

---

"That looks atrocious."

Angie stopped weaving holly into her bouncy blonde locks to look up at Grace. "Does it really?"

Grace snorted, flipping to another page in her magazine. "Well I think it looks festive," Val said firmly, giving her forlorn friend a reassuring pat on the back. She took a twig of holly for her own hair. "Aren't you Miss Sourpuss today?" she snapped at Grace.

"Yeah Grace," Lily said, as her friend rolled her eyes in response to the girls' reactions. "Why are you in such a horrid mood?"

Grace looked as if she was going to give yet another terse reply, so Julie scooted across the seat until she was beside her and took the magazine from her hands, tapping her lightly on the head. "Go on, what's the matter?"

She looked grouchy at first, but after a few moments she softened, slumping against Lily's bedpost. "He forgot," she said unhappily. "How in the world could he forget?"

Lily and Julie glanced at one another quickly before turning back to their desolately baffled friend. "Forgot what?" Lily asked carefully, for fear she would fall back into her snappish mood.

"He can remember the Tirade of Colterks and the date of every single invention and battle," she continued, seemingly lost in her own puzzled world, "but he can't remember the day that marks our one year anniversary."

"He forgot?" Julie asked, stunned. "That's so…"

"Un-Remus," Lily finished for her. She gave Grace a sympathetic smile. "Maybe he… has a lot on his mind," she attempted.

"Yeah," Julie nodded. "He has seemed really tired lately, and it's rough, you know, with all that homework the teachers are piling on…"

"I guess," Grace said, frowning.

"Honey," Angie called across the room. This was the first time the three girls realized their dorm-mates had been listening. "This is a modern world!"

Grace brushed aside a lock of raven hair, looking up strangely at the girl. "What?"

"She's right," Val agreed, nodding. "Nowadays the girl is expected to do just as much as the guy is. Maybe he's waiting for you to do something. And if he's not… Well take matters into your own hands. Anyway, it's possible he really did remember, but is just waiting for you to take the first plunge."

Grace considered this. "Maybe… But it doesn't really- well I just don't think Remus really goes for that 'modern' stuff, you know. I'm not sure…"

When she looked up to her two friends for their opinions, Julie shrugged. "It is possible that they're right, I suppose." She frowned, looking very uncertain.

"I think you should go for it," Lily said. "It's better than lingering around here and feeling horrible, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Grace nodded. She stood up and made her way towards the door. "Thanks," she said. Before exiting she spun quickly around. "Oh, and sorry about before," she plucked a twig of holly off the dresser and stuck it in her own mass of locks. "The red berries do go marvelously with your hair."

Grace could practically feel Angie beaming as she turned back around and headed down the girls' staircase. She took long strides to make her way across the common room, meanwhile trying to sort out the jumbled thoughts inside of her. Unfortunately she did not succeed in this endeavor at all, and realized that for the first time since last Christmas she actually had butterflies tumbling in her stomach. These weren't nearly as enjoyable as they had been back then however, and only added to her mixed up thoughts. Finally, she found she had much too quickly arrived at the Fifth Year dormitory; she took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly, before knocking several times on the wooden door.

"Oh, hello." Peter darted a glance into his dormitory before looking back at Grace. "What is it?"

"I'm looking for Remus," she told him, standing on her toes to try and peer into the room.

"Oh, sorry," said Peter, "you've just missed him. He's just er, taken a ride on his broomstick for a bit."

Grace blinked. "He left?" she asked, deflating slightly.

"Yes, sorry," Peter began to step back into the room. "Try back again later." He nodded his goodbye and closed the door quickly, feeling rather proud that he had managed not to spoil his friend's surprise.

Grace remained standing still before the closed door, feeling even worse than she had before. Determined not to show it, she pushed her hair back roughly and turned to return to her own dormitory as fast as possible. It was going to take loads of Ben and Jerry's to fix this.

---

"Who was that?" James asked, glancing up at the door.

"Grace," Peter told him, and smiled. "She was looking for Remus. I told her he was out for a bit, and didn't mention one word about the anniversary."

Sirius cringed. "That's going to be one terribly miserable girl," he shook his head in pity.

"You can say that again," James agreed. "Let's just hope her Aunt has a substantial amount of items with emotional value."

"Uh-huh," Sirius said. He shifted on his bed so he could have a better view of the window, and observed the far off trees of the Forbidden Forest with a distracted sort of interest. "You know," he began; he talked as if directed to no one in particular, but James turned to look at him anyway. "Those brownie barrages we ordered for the hols should start simmering tomorrow, if you want them to be the right texture."

"Ah…" James's watchful gaze remained on his friend, but Sirius continued to stare outside in the other direction. "Right, I'll remember that."

Sirius nodded, still gazing unblinkingly. After a few minutes of this, he reached to scratch his left ear and tilted his head toward James. "I really did want to stay," he told him finally. "They just…"

"Yeah, I know." James inclined his head understandingly. "Those batty old fools like to ruin everything, don't they?"

"Yeah…" Sirius shifted so that he was lying on the bed with his feet propped up on the bedpost. "So," he said, voice returning to its usual tone. "Kirk throw a book at you yet for slobbering all over his girlfriend?"

James snorted. "Like he'd waste a precious book on that. Besides, he's so puny I'd be surprised if he could throw a tiny paperback book one eighth the distance I could throw a bag of three dozen bludgers."

"Oh, of course," Sirius agreed. "No question."

"You know, I was thinking," James began, scooting to the edge of his mattress. "The next Quidditch match is against the Ravenclaws, right after the Holidays, so if- er, when- I do really well, we'll win, right, and the whole house's spirits will be up, and well, if everyone's spirits are high, then…"

Sirius frowned thoughtfully. "I do think Lily has more House spirit than she lets on; and Kirk will be glum and boring as usual at his own team's loss. That's where you're going with this, isn't it?"

"Yeah…" James leaned back onto his pillow. "So just maybe - if I play my cards right, she'll be cheerful enough for me to get a word in, perhaps to remind her of my impressive performance…"

Watching his friend, Sirius lifted a curious brow. "James," he began musingly. "Why the sudden rebound? Yesterday you had practically given up on all of humanity."

"I don't know," James said, honestly confused himself. "I just… I don't know." He crawled forward and knelt on the end of his bed, giving him a good view of his image in the mirror on the opposite wall. Lifting his head high, he grinned and effectively roughed up his hair to appear as if he had just stepped off a broomstick. "This new tactic should work though, eh?"

"Eh," Sirius affirmed.

Remus's heart pounded wildly in his chest as he reached to knock on a hand-painted old wooden door. All around him small clay statues of forest critters grinned, chimes danced and rang in the wind, and colorful murals lay propped up against trees and bushes-- it wasn't very hard to see where Grace had gotten her artistic side from. Just as he thought maybe a blue-spotted ceramic camel resting two feet away would have enough 'emotional value', the door opened widely and a very pretty lady looked back at him with an interested smile. Clearly the artistic trait wasn't the only thing Grace had acquired from her.

"Hello," the lady greeted, smoothing down a violet checkered apron. She eyed his somewhat desperate appearance. "Are you lost?"

"Oh," Remus began, embarrassed. "No… I-- you're Grace Shadron's Aunt Eliza, right?"

"Oh, yes," she said, smile growing. "Do you know her?"

"Yes I do," he nodded, and held out his hand politely. "Hello Ma'am, I'm Remus Lupin, and you see I'm in a bit of a pickle--,"

"Remus Lupin?" she repeated, looking pleasantly surprised. "Oh, I remember hearing all about you!"

"Really?" Remus grinned. He reminded himself to stay focused. "Well you see, today's actually our one year…"

He proceeded to tell her the whole story and to explain the predicament he was it, and when he finally finished Grace's aunt was looking thoughtfully at the ceiling, and tapping a shoe in contemplation.

"You know," she said slowly, "I think I might have just the thing. Wait here for a second."

"Oh, all right- thanks," said Remus, feeling much more relieved. Perhaps everything would work out after all. As he waited for the kind lady he envisioned how he was going to give the item to Grace and what her reaction might be, putting a drowsy smile across his face. Grace's aunt came hurrying back into the room a few minutes later, bringing him back from his blissful thoughts.

"Here," she said excitedly, holding up a basket made up of wicker and tiny intertwined silk flowers. "Her birth-mother- my sister- and I used to play with this tea set all the time when we were children - it was given to her by our grandmother and she planned to give it to her daughter, but then she got sick, you know, and had to give her up for adoption…" she paused a moment and took a small breath, before continuing with a pleasant smile. "But Grace will love it, I'm sure. She's examined it a bit on the occasions she was here, and vaguely knows the story-," with a slender finger she propped open the lid to reveal the items inside. "And it's a gorgeous set, see - pure silver!"

Remus leaped immediately in the opposite direction- which rather unfortunately for him was a solid brick wall.

"Oh dear," Eliza said, setting down the basket and hurrying over to him. "Are you all right?"

Remus nodded hurriedly, taking a wobbly step up off the ground and safely distancing himself from the basket. "Oh no, I'm fine," he attempted a laugh, "there was just a uh… bug."

"Oh," she looked a bit confused, but smiled anyway. "Well, here you are then." She reached for the basket.

Remus began to panic. He hadn't anticipated things could go so very badly- and just when everything was looking perfect. There was no way Remus could tell Grace's aunt that he didn't want the gift… after the story she had explained about the tea set he would look like an insensitive, absolute git. But he couldn't accept it- one bit of contact with anything remotely silver and his wonderfully lycanthropic self rejected it immediately, with awful side effects to boot. And trying to explain to the lady that her niece was dating a werewolf… well that wasn't even an option.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Eliza said, concerned. "You're looking a bit sick."

"I'm… fine," lied Remus. If he didn't take the gift he'd have nothing for Grace… he couldn't disappoint her like that. "Right, then. I'll go get my broomstick."

---

Remus skidded along the ground, dragging his feet to bring him to a stop as quickly as possible. For the fifth time on what had seemed like such a short trip on the way there, his flight was interrupted due to a rebellious immune system and the fact that everything around him looked upside down. "Ugh," he moaned out loud, crawling to lean against a large oak tree. He had no idea where he was, but didn't really care, either. A few feet away lay his broomstick, a brown sac hanging off one end of it with the sick-inducing items resting securely inside. The bag he had found abandoned on the side of a road succeeded in at least weakening the effect of the silver cups and saucers, but somehow they still managed to sicken him to the point of stopping every five minutes, or ten if he was lucky. He sighed heavily. At this rate it was looking as if he might not even make it for their next anniversary.

Rolling to his side with as much effort he could muster, an act meant to allow him some rest, he sat up suddenly when he heard a figure quite some distance away bellowing his name. "What?" he swiveled around dizzily. "Who's there?"

Lily did feel awful about the whole situation she had found herself mixed up in, and she certainly didn't want to disclose such news to Kirk so close to the holidays-- but it was quite necessary that she rid of her Scarlet Librarian guise as quickly as possible. She smiled to herself as she stared out the grand windows and into the darkening outdoors; she was rather proud of her personal feat, and it felt as if nothing could ruin this pleasurable moment of realization as she made her way down the corridor.

"Why, hello Evans."

Almost nothing.

Lily scowled and kept walking. "Go on, what is it?" James tilted his head with feigned concern. "You're not being your usual bickering self."

"Go away," she said sharply, keeping her eyes directed on the dim scenery outside.

"There's my girl." James had to pick up his pace a bit in order to keep up with her. "So how's life?" he continued amiably, as if she was interested in having an actual conversation. "Schoolwork's as fun as ever, eh? Your family well? That's nice. How's Kirk?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "Nice tact," she chided. "He's fine. They're… fine. Now go away."

"All right," James shrugged. "I was just wondering what you're doing out in the corridors this late."

"Not your business."

"Mmm… I see," James nodded, maintaining a speed and pace similar to hers.

Lily sighed. "You're not going to leave me along until I tell you, are you?"

"Not planning on it."

"Fine," she continued crossly. "I'm going to see Kirk, if you must know." She turned sharply around a corner, almost throwing James off track.

"Ah," he said lightly, taking several long strides to keep up. It wasn't too difficult- Lily was a good foot shorter than he. "Well isn't that convenient! I was just about to have a chat with him myself."

Lily stopped walking suddenly. "No, you weren't. Potter, I mean it-- you're not coming with me."

---

"H-Hagrid?"

The large man grunted in response, kneeling down beside Remus. "Are yeh all righ', Remus?"

Remus wished sincerely he had thought to bring James's invisibility cloak. "I'm fine," he said quickly. "I- I just…"

Hagrid knitted his brows. "Wha' are yeh doin' out 'ere anyway? Yere lucky I was runnin' an errand for Dumbledore or God knows wha' could o' ha'en to you in this state."

"I- I…" Remus couldn't speak. He was going to be suspended. Expelled, even. His career was over. His future was over. He was never-

"Are yeh goin' ter be sick?"

Remus gulped. "There's a good chance, yes."

"Ah... Well, when yer well enough ter ge' up I'll hail the Knight Bus for yeh – there's no way you can ride yer broomstick in a condition like this. Once yer off I'll let Dumbledore know yer comin'--,"

"No!" Remus shakily stood up and leaned against the large tree. "I- I'm fine—please Hagrid, don't tell the Headmaster."

Hagrid glanced down at the boy. "Not tell Dumbledore? Now Remus, I can't do that. How are yeh supposed to get back home on yer own, anyway?"

"It's not a long walk from where the Knight bus would drop me off," Remus insisted. "Trust me, I could make it, I--,"

Hagrid's confused expression suddenly relaxed into a knowing one. "Ah, yeh don't want Dumbledore to know yer off school grounds," he comprehended the situation. "Is tha' it?"

"Yeah," came Remus's rushed response.

Hagrid nodded perceptively, stroking his long beard in thought. "Well, I won't tell 'im," he said finally.

"Really?" Remus's sickly features brightened. "Thanks, Hagrid!"

"Ah, but," he patted Remus consolingly on the shoulder. The boy flinched at the thought of the bruises that were sure to form. "There's a very good chance he already knows. Maps and devices and gadgets everywhere ter le' him know what's goin' on, tha' man."

Remus shrunk against the tree. "Oh…"

"Well, c'mon," Hagrid lifted him beneath the elbows until he was standing upright. He pulled out a peculiar pink umbrella. "I'll flag that darn bus down fer yeh."

---

"Hello, Kirk," Lily greeted with a soft smile. She perched on the edge of one of the many desks that occupied the Ravenclaw common room, and waited for him to look up his from homework.

"Hi," he said distractedly, still scribbling. He glanced curiously in her direction. "Oh, hello James…"

"Hello," James grinned.

Lily bit her lip to refrain from cursing. "Sorry, Kirk, I couldn't rid of this cockroach."

The fair-haired boy shrugged. "It's all right," he said quickly, before returning to his assignment.

Lily sighed tiredly. She had half-expected him to tell James to get out, or at least to suggest an alternative place they could talk. "I need to speak with you for a bit," she hinted, nodding toward James and not caring if he noticed or not.

"Mm… Aren't we speaking right now?"

James snickered. "I thought Ravenclaws were supposed to be smart," he muttered to Lily.

She ignored him. "Privately, Kirk."

"Lily," he said, expression growing a tad irate. "You know I can't stand it when my concentration is broken. Especially during an important assignment like this- History of Magic requires extreme application."

Suddenly it was a lot easier for Lily to continue forth with what she had to say. "Kirk," she continued readily, "we need to talk."

James shook his head. "Oh look, you've gone and gotten her all riled up-,"

"Shove off, Potter..." Lily spat.

"I don't see what's so important," Kirk set down his quill exasperatedly, "can't it wait-,"

"What do you mean?" she exclaimed. "I'm trying to tell you--,"

"You're such a bleeding idiot…"

"Shove off, Potter!"

"Well excuse me…"

"Who's an idiot? Are you calling me an idiot?"

"Good job, Evans you picked a real clever one--,"

"I'll have you know my father was voted brightest in his class!"

"Would you two--,"

"Eh, must've been upset when his genius genes skipped a generation."

"They did not--,"

"Hey!" Lily shouted, unable to restrain herself any longer, "I'm trying to break up with you!"

Both boys stopped exchanging blows immediately and threw a side-glance at the other. "Er, who are you talking to?" Kirk asked.

Lily put her head in her hands. "You," she said, and then paused to soften her voice. "I'm really sorry, Kirk, I didn't mean to say it like that…" she sighed. Her life really was a daytime movie.

"Oh," Kirk frowned. "Well, all right then… I guess I'll see you around." He reached forward to tuck his books and parchment into an over-flowing bag, and hurried to make his way up the boys' staircase.

"Ugh," Lily slid off the desk, watching Kirk disappear into the boys' dormitories. "That was awful."

James grinning beside her did not help at all.

"What is it with you?" she said angrily, turning in the opposite direction to exit the Ravenclaw common room.

"I'm sorry," he said, forcing himself to frown. "You're right, that was awful."

"It was awful," Lily swiveled around to face him, "because of you. Oh I just can't believe how insensitive you are!"

"Ah," James tilted his head with concern. "I know this is a trying time for you Evans, so I'm all right with you unleashing some pent up emotion on me."

"Oh Potter," she snarled, "You wouldn't be able to move if I unleashed all of my 'pent up emotion' on you."

"Ah right, right." James nodded slowly, as they began to venture down the corridor once more.

It was pretty upsetting how distressed Lily felt now in comparison to how at ease she had been before. But the longer she walked in silence down the corridor with her irritating housemate by her side, the more she found that what bothered her most was Kirk's indifferent attitude rather than James's intrusive actions. She had expected him to at least show a fragment of disappointment.

"Poor bloke." Having been abnormally quiet for so long, Lily nearly jumped at the sound of James's voice. Beside her, he shook his head. "He didn't even see it coming."

Lily shrugged, trying to remain nonchalant. "He didn't seem that distressed."

"He was," James nodded knowingly. He snuck a glance in her direction. "Who wouldn't be?"

"Mmm…" Lily said, mostly because she had no idea with what to respond. She turned her head quickly to look at him, searching for a smirk or teasing grin, but found neither. She was almost taken aback- a genuine compliment from James was something she had never anticipated receiving.

"Evans," he continued, looking at her with that atypical serious expression. "Could I ask you a question?"

"I," she began, mind boggled at his sudden and unusual sincerity, "I suppose so."

"Is the reason you broke it off with him," he began with an interested grin, "that my kiss thrilled you so much you were suddenly hit with the realization that Kirk could never bring you such joy and were forced to end it with him immediately in the first step to getting together with me, the only one that can truly satisfy your needs?"

Lily grinned inwardly as she stomped forcefully on his toes, happy now that everything was back to normal. "Git."

James, however, took it into consideration that she never truly answered his question.

Remus panted heavily, collapsing on the hearthrug beside the fireplace. It had cost him nearly the entire day, his lunch, and his reputation as a Prefect- but he finally found himself back in the idyllic surroundings of the Gryffindor common room. After reaching Hogsmeade by the Knight Bus, he had created a device out of a thin rotting branch that allowed him a good four or five foot distance from the silver pieces, so the remainder of the journey hadn't been too terrible. He didn't have time to rest, because for any of this to be worth it he had to reach Grace by the end of the day. It was very dark around him, and he worried it was close to or past midnight; he set off quickly to Grace's dormitory.

Unfortunately he was forced to leave the branch behind and tie the gift onto the end of his broomstick instead- there was no way he could fly with both items. Settling on his trusty flying device, he leaned back as far as possible away from the silver tea set and prepared to fly.

He and his friends learned early in their Hogwarts careers that boys were not permitted or able to take the steps up to the girls' dormitories, but, as James had announced at the time, true wizards can always find alternatives. The gradual flight up the rather narrow stairwell was quite difficult, especially while attempting to avoid one end of his broomstick, but finally he found himself exactly where he needed to be.

Slowly Remus opened the door. He was careful not to wake the other girls, but at this point he was getting rather desperate to reach Grace, and made that his main concern instead. Hopping off his broomstick now that he was on solid ground, he stumbled his way onto Grace's bed and dragged the bag along with him.

"Remus?" Grace admonished, voice groggy and confused. "What…"

"I'm sorry," he said, collapsing weakly onto the end of her bed. "I… There was food, and- and they ate it, and…" with a slight groan he rolled onto his other side, in hopes to shield the continuous effect of the silver.

"What are you talking about?" Grace asked concernedly, sitting upright and leaning over him. "Remus, are you all right? You look--,"

"I'm fine," he said, sitting up. He was very grateful that the dark room prevented her from seeing his distressed face. "Listen, I just- I didn't forget. I was stupid, I wanted it to be a surprise and-," shaking his head, he cut off his explanation and sighed. "It isn't past midnight, is it?"

"No," Grace shook her head. "You just made it."

"Good," he said, glad something had gone right. He motioned to the bag he had set beside the bed. "That's for you."

"Oh, all-right," Grace nodded, looking interested. "I got you something too… but I was a bit upset before at you forgetting at all," she smiled apologetically, "so it's er- sort of in a thousand bits and pieces under my mattress."

Remus laughed tiredly. "That's okay," he said, "I shouldn't have tried to trick you in the first place. I'm just glad I'm back."

Grace smiled too. So am I allowed to open this?"

"Ah, sure," Remus consented. "Just- just stay where you are, though."

"All right…" she eyed him curiously as she reached inside the bag. "Remus," she said confusedly, a smile growing slowly as she recognized the tea set at once. "How did you get this?"

"Oh you know, just stopped by your aunt's for a spell," he said, smiling with reassurance now that he had witnessed her approval.

"Oh…" she leaned forward to wrap her arms around his shoulder and pull him into a hug, but stopped when he abruptly jerked backwards. "What is it?"

"I uh… can't come that close to silver," he explained, gesturing to the cup in her hands. "Werewolf thing… heh."

Grace stared at him, wide-eyed. "Well how in the world did you get it back here?"

Remus gave a slight shrug. "Oh, you know… it wasn't that much trouble."

A smile grew across her face as Grace blindly set the bag onto a pillow behind her. "Yeah," she said simply, but with a hint of knowing disbelief. With one arm she pushed some fallen locks out of the way, and with the other pulled him closer to her, lessening the distance between them until her lips very eagerly met his.

And suddenly Remus understood completely Mr. Potter's respect for emotional value.

A/N: Now, now, set aside any dirty thoughts because this is a K+ fic, remember? True I do not have a clue what K+ represents, but either way…

Thanks for reading!

JKRobsessed- Hi! Thanks so much for understanding and the kind review, I really appreciate it : )

Hazel Maraa- Glad you think so : ) Oh and it was 26 days till the sixth book, lol.

Erisedxdesire- Wow, thanks so much for understanding and empathizing with my computer misfortunes, your review was so nice. Aw, you mentioned me on Mugglenet? That's so cool!

Tennislvr1904- Hello : ) No.. of course he didn't, hehe. I'm guessing by your penname that you like tennis… (I'm clever like that) and that's awesome because I play tennis too! Well thanks for the review and continual support, talk to you soon.

Rebel Rose- No, I'm still here! And I'm ready to write bunches : ) Yeah I'm sorry about the whole Sirius/Grace thing (I made it seem that way on purpose in the beginning) but you never know what twists and turns are on their way ; ) Thanks for the review!

HarryluvsMoaningMyrtle- I love that you're curious about things because it makes me eager to hurry up and write chapters to answer your questions. Thanks for the review!

RavenSiriusBlack- Yay, glad you thought it was an absolute joy : ) Yes I know… but McGonagall was just doing her job. 26 days until what? 26 days until Half Blood Prince! Hehe sorry I didn't specify.

Scooby-doo-poo- Hello! I'm glad you liked James, and also that you knew what the '26 days' meant, hehe. Hmm Johnny Depp in glasses sounds super hot to me. Except I always imagined him as more of a Sirius type. Ooh Deppgirl would be an awesome name, I hope no one already has it!

Kat44- Hmm nope, I never posted on fictionalley. I tried once but the site was kind of confusing. Thanks for the lovely review!

Sallymander- Wow, thanks! I'm very glad you enjoy this story, because I really enjoy your reviews : )

Xeyelovex- Aww… that was such an awesome review, you don't even know how good it made me feel. You're my happy pill too!

IamSiriusgirl- Ooh you moved? How's that working out for you? Well anyway, thanks much for the review, I really appreciate it : )

Dulcis- Hi! I miss you : ( How's MICA? I'm expecting to meet a hot funky artist when we gather in Nevada.

Holly-Short-Evans- Thanks, I'm glad you like it : ) Don't worry, I'm writing much more now that my computer's back in shape.

DisastaMasta- Lol, my beta and I love to say your penname. It has a certain flow to it… Well anyway, thanks so much for taking the time to review, hope this chapter was updated early enough for you to remember what's going on!

Abby- Yep, the ball and Sirius's 'social gathering' will be in the next chapter. Thanks for the review, much appreciated!

Zippyfox- Hello! Aw, I'm glad you're enjoying it, your reviews are always so kind and enthusiastic. Thanks so much: )

Jamie88- Thanks for the review, mucho appreciated!

Sarah Warder- Hey! You're right, it has been a long time since we talked : ( Thanks so much for the kind review, I really appreciate it. Which state are you in, if you don't mind me asking?

BlueSeal- Yes… Poor Sirius : ( Thanks for the review, I hope you're having fun at work camp!

Sweet Sarcasm- But of course I'm a part of the countdown ; ) The Great Break.. Hmm sounds interesting. What exactly is it?

Mystikalolo- Lol, I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter so much and that it could keep you laughing : ) It's always nice to put a smile on someone's face. Hmm as for the question about the Shakespeare reference linking to James's kiss… Let's just say Shakespeare was a very good writer.

Aratna- Ah, I'm writing, I'm writing! Hehe… I hope you're enjoying the story.

Sapphire039- Aw, I hate when that happens. Well I'm glad I'm back under your author alerts, ooh good luck with that phone and answering machine.. I know how dads can be with technology. Thanks for the review!

Highlandhottie- Of course I pre-ordered my story… and of course I'll keep writing this story! I figure if HBP has anything that will change my plot I can still work through it somehow. I couldn't finish by the time the book came, though. Thanks for the review!

m-girls- Okay, here's an update: )

Celebrien- Thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying it. Don't worry, more romance is soon to come.

Spork Princess- Hello! May I inquire what the meaning of your penname might be? Oh I checked out your story, great new chapter : ) Thanks for the review!

Myfavcolorispink- Thanks, I'm glad you liked it : ) Happy I could keep you laughing, I love when people enjoy it like that. The review's much appreciated!

Avovisto- Wow, thanks for such an amazing review! You said so many nice things about it that it actually made me smile. You're awesome, thanks again : )

Antara- Hmm I'm not sure what you mean by 'fix him up' since you're on chapter 33… but thanks for the review anyway.

Espergirl04- Hi! Yes don't worry, Remus is always thinking ahead. Thanks very much for the review!

Iamari- I'm glad you're enjoying the story, thanks for the awesome review : )

Ieyre- Hmm you have many suspicions, hehe. Thanks for the great review, much appreciated!

Purplereader- It's okay, the petition did make me feel appreciated. Just as long as you know I really am so grateful to readers and reviews, especially faithful ones like you. Thanks for the kind words : )

Agent Pigeon- Awesome name! Hehe. Thanks so much for the great review, I really appreciate it : )

Lilypad-7879- I'm really glad you're enjoying it! Let me know how you liked the rest : )

Tara- Hehe, I'm glad you liked my depiction of James as an ape, it was pretty fun to create. Thanks for the great review!

4 Privet Drive- Hey, great name : ) Glad you like the plot, I hope you enjoyed the rest!

Soyy- Wow, glad you liked it so much! Thanks for the awesome review : )

Gal y1- Awesome, I'm glad the translation is going good. The review was great, always appreciated!

Kasey Rider- Hello! I hope you're having a fun time at camp, talk to you in six weeks : )

Mrs Bloom- Ahh.. lovely name ; ) I'm really excited you seem to like the fic so much, the enthusiasm is very appreciated! Lol yeah, I know James's head is getting a tad big, but that is how JKR described him in the 5th book so I'm just following her lead… Anyway, thanks again for taking so much time to read and review!

Mistress Editor- Wow, you remembered about the purple hair! Props for that. Sorry about the whole lack of updates… but I'm trying : )

InuBecka- Much more Lily and James is to come, don't fret : ) Thanks for the review!

Siiarrei- Hehe I'm glad you're enjoying it, I tried to update as soon as possible for great reviewers like you! Thanks a billion : )

May Olivia- Lol I'm happy that you like the story so much, and tremendously grateful you took the time to read this monster of a fic. Thanks so very much for the support and encouragement, it's all enormously appreciated : )

Lily- I'm glad you like it so much! Hehe I had to go back and read the earlier chapters to see what you were talking about in your review, but I'm really happy to hear the parts you enjoy. Thanks!

Blade13hjp- Don't worry, I'm updating as quickly as possible. ; )