A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who left some feedback! You guys are awesome and I appreciate it so much! I've got quite up to chapter nine written, so let me know when you're ready to read more! I don't want to overwhelm anyone by posting too much at once :)

Chapter 4:

Remus pulled out a chair for Lily and gestured towards it, signaling for her to be seated. She sat down eagerly, her stomach in knots from nervously anticipating these moments ever since Remus had first asked to speak with her alone.

"I'll be right back," Remus announced as he turned on his heel and walked towards the counter. Lily wrapped a lock of vibrant red hair around her finger tightly and tugged nervously on it. Her foot was jiggling at a rather rapid speed beneath the table, and her breakfast was threatening to make a sudden reappearance. Remus returned after a minute with two butterbeers in hand. He placed one in front of Lily and then took the seat next to her as he began to drink apprehensively. They both sat in silence for a while as they hesitantly sipped at their glasses. Finally, Lily could no longer stand it.

"So, Remus, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?" Remus looked rather shocked as he began to choke on the gulp of butterbeer he'd just taken.

"W—what? Oh, right, umm, well, Lily. You see—we've been friends for quite some time," Remus began awkwardly, tugging at the collar of his robes. "And, I, ukhuhh, well—I just wanted to know—well, what you thought of—of—of all the dark things going on in the news lately," Remus concluded finally, as he rolled his eyes at himself for having lost his courage.

"Well—uh—I don't know, Remus," Lily responded after a moment of silent disbelief. "I mean, it does seem like we're all going to be in for an awful lot of trouble. What with all the deaths recently and the supposed emergence of a very dark wizard, things are looking quite glib indeed."

"Yes, yes," Remus nodded his head solemnly. "Awful business that is."

"Did you want to talk to me alone because you wanted my honest opinion on current events?" Lily prodded gently, trying to remind Remus there was a larger purpose to their outing.

"No, of course not," Remus responded with a hard swallow. "I just, wondered what your thoughts were." He glanced around the room anxiously, avoiding Lily's questioning eyes.

"Remus, did you want to take a walk? Go somewhere a bit quieter?"

"Splendid idea!" Remus instantly lit up at the suggestion as he sprang to his feet. Lily drank the last few drops of her butterbeer and then followed suit. The pair exited The Three Broomsticks together and began to walk towards the edge of Hogsmeade where it was a bit more tree-lined and private.

"Lily," Remus began. "You're such a wonderful friend to me. You always have been. You're so smart, kind, generous…honest. You're caring and you're hilarious. And you're so beautiful—I mean, really, genuinely beautiful." Remus paused for a moment, his eyes locked with Lily's. His breath was coming in short little gasps, his whole body flushed due to pure trepidation.

"Thank you, Remus," Lily answered softly.

"I mean it, Lily. I mean every word of it. You're just wonderful, and—and, I just want you to know that, I—well—"

Lily smiled fondly at him as he stumbled over his words. Her heart began to race. She reached out suddenly and grasped one of his hands, intertwining her fingers with his own.

"Remus," she almost whispered as she stepped towards him. Remus looked at his hand in utter disbelief. He blinked hard as though perhaps this vision were only an illusion.

"What?" Shock was apparent in his voice as he continued to stare at his hand—interlocked with Lily's. Lily stepped even closer towards Remus as she tilted her head upwards, gazing into his kind eyes.

"I like you," she managed to say aloud. "A lot," she added. "In a romantic, more-than-just-friends way," she concluded with a smile. Remus's mouth fell open as he stood there dumbfounded.

"Hey, I was supposed to say something like that," Remus exclaimed in astonishment. Lily blushed a shade of red as deep as her hair.

"I'm sorry," she murmured.

"No, wait! I didn't mean that as a criticism. I like you, too," he announced excitedly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean ruin it, and I never meant to ask you about current affairs, believe me! I just, I didn't know what to say, Lily!" Remus bit his lip anxiously as he ran his free hand through his sandy hair.

"I like you, too, will do just fine," Lily replied with a grin. Remus's eyes filled with relief at her words, his lips curled into a smile. He let out a small laugh of joy as he wrapped his arms tightly around Lily and held her in a gentle embrace just as he had wanted to do for so long now.

"I like you, Lily Evans," he whispered into her sweet-smelling hair as he rested his chin atop her head. Lily breathed in deeply as she returned Remus's embrace, a contented twinkle in her eyes. They stood there for a while, just holding each other, a warm breeze swirling around them. Rays of sunshine made their way through the thick treetops and cast cheerful patterns upon the ground. Lily nestled her head further beneath Remus's chin and sighed happily. She couldn't have imagined a more perfect moment.

"Well, well, well, hello there," a jubilant voice called out suddenly. Lily jumped at the sudden, unexpected noise and Remus turned suddenly to see who had interrupted their moment together, a look of irritation evident on his face. "Well aren't you two just a regular pair of lovebirds?"

"Stuff it, Padfoot," Remus called out in annoyance. Sirius lifted his fingers to his mouth and whistled loudly.

"Good thing I walked in when I did! It looks like things were about to get pretty hot and heavy," Sirius continued on with a smirk. "I mean, we all know what a total pervert Remus is."

"No, that's you you're thinking of," Lily offered without hesitation. He looked thoughtful for a minute as he ran a hand through his shaggy black hair.

"You know, I suppose you're right," he finally answered. "Well, good for you then, Remus. You treat our Lily right. And I'm glad you two crazy kids finally took the big leap. I'll expect an engagement by spring of course," Sirius grinned broadly, his eyes twinkling. "I'll be the best man, naturally. And I'll want to be the godfather to all your children, which I'm sure there will be heaps of, because you two probably won't be able to keep your hands off each other."

"Bugger off," Lily shot at him with a look of aggravation.

"I'm just trying to wish you two the best," Sirius replied, slightly offended. "Don't tell James, though. He'd have my head on a platter if he knew I was relieved you two had finally declared what had been so obvious to the rest of us for some time now." Sirius shot a pointed look at Remus who skillfully avoided eye contact.

"James will find another girl to stalk," Lily retorted.

"James would sooner die than stalk another girl. For some reason he's caught up on you," came Sirius's truthful return. "So just warn me before you two tell James about this. I certainly don't want to be on the same continent when such a dreaded thing occurs," Sirius explained with a fleeting smile. "But congratulations to you two then," he offered as he turned on his heel and began to walk away. "I've got to go find Constance. She suffers so without me by her side," he called out over his shoulder.

"He's delusional," Lily concluded.

"Well, Lily," Remus began, a pained look on his face. "There is some truth to what he says. I mean, James--"

"Remus, don't," Lily interrupted quickly. "James Potter is anything but in love with me. Perhaps he's infatuated with me because he can't have me, but he is not in love."

"Lily--"

"No. I know he's your friend. He's my friend, too. We both know how he is and we both know there's no way he's in love with me," Lily stated firmly, a resolved look in her shining green eyes. Remus just nodded mutely, seeing no sense in arguing this point with her. Besides, she'd be happier if she didn't know the truth.

"Alright, Lily. Alright," he said softly as he embraced her once more. The pair, knowing that their free time left in Hogsmeade was limited, decided to venture back to school.

"Lily, there's something about me you should know," Remus began unsteadily as they walked back towards Hogwarts. "Especially if we're going to be--involved." Lily shot a quizzical glance at Remus.

"I know everything about you that I need to know, Remus," she replied with a smile.

"No, Lily, you don't," Remus responded hesitantly. He had never told anyone about his 'furry little problem' as James had once so eloquently put it except for the Marauders and some of the professors at Hogwarts who needed to know. He heaved a great sigh as he allowed himself to cast a sideward glance at Lily. "You're so beautiful," he said softly as he reached for her hand instinctively. Lily's eyes sparkled jubilantly as she squeezed his hand eagerly. Remus shook himself mentally, trying to renew his courage to tell her about his monthly fiasco. He furrowed his brow, clearly deep in thought.

"Remus, what is it?" Lily's big green eyes were focused on him with concern. As he gazed back into her eyes he lost all his desire to tell her his secret. He didn't want anything to ruin what he'd just found with Lily.

"Nothing," he reassured her with a smile. "Everything's right," he added as he kissed her forehead lightly.

When they arrived back at school, they both headed up to their rooms to gather their books having agreed to devote some time to academics. It already appeared they were going to make a very responsible couple. Remus climbed the stairs to the boys' dormitories, a grin on his face, a little bit of extra spring in his step. He opened the door at the very top of the stairs and headed towards the bookshelf near his bed. He traced a finger along the gleaming wood of the top shelf as he searched for his Defense Against the Dark Arts book. He was so deep in concentration that he didn't even notice that someone had entered the room behind him.

"What are you all dressed up for?" James examined Remus curiously. Remus turned quickly to look at James, dropping his book clumsily in the process. "You've got your best robes on," James continued, "And your hair even looks like you put some mild effort into it." Remus's cheeks began to glow as he averted his eyes from James.

"It's nothing," he muttered half to himself.

"It certainly doesn't look like nothing," James returned suspiciously. "And Lily was sitting in the common room looking very pleased and happy about something. She didn't even insult me when I asked her to snog. She just politely declined and responded absent-mindedly that perhaps some other time would be better." James stared intently at Remus, trying to size up the situation. A sudden flash of understanding etched itself on his face followed by a long silence. "You've told her then, haven't you?"

"James, it all just sort of slipped out. I didn't mean to fall for her, James, I really didn't," Remus explained apprehensively. "I never knew she'd fall for me, too," he continued apologetically.

"So she responded favorably then?" James sighed deeply as he turned away from Remus, but not before his friend caught a glimpse of a very hurt look in the eyes beneath that messy black hair.

"I'm so sorry, James. I'll stay away from her if you want me to," Remus offered against his better judgement. If James actually took him up on that offer he'd be crushed.

"No," James replied firmly. "Remus, I'm glad she likes you. You're a good guy, Moony. You'll make her happy." James turned suddenly back towards Remus, a look of desperation in his eyes. "Please, make her happy. She deserves it."

"I promise I will," Remus vowed quietly. James managed to smile weakly in response. He stood in silence for a moment gathering his thoughts before he spoke again. This time the tone of his voice had returned to normal, along with his usual confident demeanor.

"Remus, my friend, if you break her heart, you're disowned as a Marauder," James declared with a grin as he clapped Remus hard on the back. "And if at any point you find she's willing to snog me instead, send her my way directly." Remus let out a relieved laugh at his friend's usual antics.

"Sod off," Remus replied for good measure. "Come on. Come work on your Defense Against the Dark Arts essay with us so you can have two people breathing down your neck to finish it. Maybe then you'll actually have a chance of doing the unthinkable and completing an assignment on time."

"I guess it wouldn't do any harm to hand in an essay on time," James replied thoughtfully. "Alright, let's go then." The two boys grabbed their books along with some parchment and a few quills and headed back towards the common room where Lily was waiting, already having made a general outline for the essay.

"Mind if I join in on this fun, Evans?" James shot a charming grin at Lily as he took the seat beside her and began to spread out a few loose bits of parchment. Lily raised an eyebrow in Remus's direction, but all she received was an enigmatic shrug in response.

"Yeah, join in, Potter. You probably should start passing your courses now that you're Head Boy anyway."

"So, I heard you and Remus are the hottest new item at Hogwarts," James began casually as he picked up his quill and started to write. Lily shot Remus another questioning glance behind James's back and received another shrug.

"I didn't realize you were such a gossip king, James," Lily returned as she scribbled on her parchment. "And do tell me who the latest couple to break up was, and what shade of pink eye shadow Constance decided to wear today, and how many boys Elaine from Hufflepuff has kissed in the last month."

"I'm just going to go grab another roll of parchment," Remus interjected as he started up the stairs again. Both Lily and James ignored his departure.

"Well, I can hardly begin to tell you how many boys Elaine has kissed, because I haven't enough fingers to keep track," James replied matter-of-factly. "Constance's eyeshadow was a salmon pink today, and John and Lynn broke up last night because John kept claiming he was spending his nights studying Charms in the library when in reality he was spending his nights studying the charms of something entirely different--Ann from Ravenclaw."

"Thank you for that informative update, Potter."

"Anytime, Evans. I'm just a wealth of information."

"Apparently so."

"So—you and Remus? Congratulations," James proclaimed in an overly cheerful voice. Lily glanced at him for a moment to see a ridiculously fake smile plastered on his face.

"Stuff it, Potter," Lily returned.

"I was being sincere! Is he a good kisser or is he rubbish? And when's the wedding?"

"I don't know, but when you don't receive an invitation, I didn't just forget. It was very intentional," Lily answered evenly as she kept her eyes on her parchment.

"Now, now, Evans, I'd invite you to my wedding. In fact, I'd have to since you'd be the one in the wedding robes."

"The only way I'd ever marry you is if you'd threatened to behead me if I refused, and even then it'd be a close call."

"Hmm," James began thoughtfully. "Perhaps I ought to go through with ordering that guillotine then. I knew it'd come in handy one day."

"What's this talk of guillotines," Remus questioned as he returned with a roll of parchment.

"Oh, we're just planning our wedding," James responded easily as he continued writing.

"Clearly a guillotine is a necessary component then," Remus mused aloud as he shook his head.

"Alright, enough talk of our wedding, Lily. Really, you go on about it much too often. Let's finish this essay," James commanded with a hint of a smirk.

"Well now, let's not expect miracles. I'm sure our professor would be pleased if you even finished half of it," Lily answered while still scratching away with her quill.

"I'll have you know, Lily, I'm doing remarkably well this year so far," James announced.

"Good. Maybe you'll make something out of yourself yet. I always knew there was a glimmer of hope somewhere."