Remus was a little worried that hexing Black would mean Black was after him however that night as soon as Remus went into his dorm, Black shoved two things of ink into his hand.

"If you don't take these, I'll put a hex on you," Black threatened and then returned to Potter's bed and the game they were playing.

Remus was too tired to argue so he put them on his desk and then curled up in bed, wanting to ask Black why he had lied to McGonagall, not daring to. It's probably ego, didn't want to admit I managed to get him or something, he decided before he shut his curtains and wound up falling asleep fully dressed. He kept waking up as the other boys came and went, and then would drift off again. Sometime around midnight he woke up to hushed arguing and heard Potter and Black. He wondered if they were arguing about him but as he listened in to them for the millionth time that week, he realized they were arguing about some of the Slytherins. It sounded like Avery and Mulciber took offense to their second year friends being accused of hexing Black, and actually properly jumped Potter and hexed him, and Black and Potter were complaining about them, debating what to do in revenge.

Remus just lay awake until finally they went quiet, then he waited a bit longer and slithered out of bed. He froze when he saw someone sitting up in Potter's bed then saw it was Black. But he wasn't awake, he was asleep, and Potter was curled up next to him. They had fallen asleep while talking. They look angelic like that, Remus thought as he quietly gathered pajamas. Black looked like he could be out of some sort of Renaissance painting or something with his noble features and inky black locks falling across his pale face.

Remus went to the bathroom to change into the pajamas (even in the dead of night he wasn't risking anyone seeing him) and was going to go back to the dorm when he heard a noise down in the common room. He set his dirty uniform down just inside his dorm then tiptoed down the stairs. It sounded like... crying?

Remus crouched on the bottom of the steps and looked across the room, seeing a small figure hunched over by the fire. There was a glint of red, and he realized it was Evans-Lily. Remus watched her as she rocked back and forth, crying into her hands. He wanted to go back upstairs and pretend like he hadn't seen... then considered going in and comforting her... but he didn't know how to comfort. He silently rose, fully intending to go back upstairs, then took the final two steps down into the common room.

"Lily?"

She gave a gasp and jumped to her feet. "Oh! R-Remus, you-you scared me!"

He quietly walked over to her, chewing at his bottom lip. Her shoulder-length hair was a total mess and she was wearing a long nightgown, her feet bare. There was a piece of paper clutched in one of her hands.

"I heard crying," he said. "I'm sorry, I d-didn't mean to bother you."

She shook her head then sat down on the couch by the fire. "I didn't mean to wake you up. Could you really hear it all the way up there?"

"I was on the staircase," he replied, going over and sitting next to her. She pulled her feet up, tucking them underneath her. "Is... everything a-all right?"

Lily looked down at the paper in her hands and then unfolded it, smoothing out the wrinkles. "I don't know." She gave a little sigh and then rubbed at her eyes. "Do you have any brothers or sisters?" He shook his head. "Oh. I do. A sister..."

"Is-is she okay?" he asked.

Lily gave a half-hearted smile. "I guess. We used to be really close." She ran a finger down the flowery script written on the paper. "I've written to her several times since starting school, she's only just written me back. Telling me to stop sending my owl because it upsets her. Sh... she says... only freaks send messages by birds..."

Remus frowned at the word 'freak'. It was something he called himself, and couldn't every think of it being applied to someone like Lily! "I'm sorry."

She looked back up, the firelight reflecting in her green eyes. "She sent the letter with the letter from our parents 'cuz she didn't want anything to do with Bessie. My owl," Lily added when she noticed Remus's flash of confusion. "I named her Elizabeth. She's a barn owl."

"Barn owls are really pretty," he said.

"I think so too," she replied, a smile now on her face. "Oh, listen to me, rambling on. I'm sorry. You probably don't even care-"

"N-no!" he stammered quickly. "I do! Honest."

"Boys don't care about this stuff," she said flatly.

Remus jerked his head up. "I do, though," he said, knowing he shouldn't at all but unable to stop himself. He couldn't imagine someone doing that. Only freaks, he thought. Does her sister realize she's pretty much calling Lily a freak for doing that? Surely not!

"I guess you're not like other boys," she said and Remus forced himself to keep a pleasant look on his face. "You're nicer. And not loud. And not rude. And you don't run around and set off firecrackers."

"Are you t-talking about all boys or just two in particular?" he teased.

Lily giggled. "Most boys. Though particularly those two. They're awful."

"Try sharing a dorm with them."

"Ew! No thanks!" They both giggled now and then scooted a little closer. "So what is Black's problem with you? Why's he been bothering you so much?"

Remus sighed and pulled his feet up, sitting cross-legged on the couch now. "He wants to be friends and I..."

"Want to be by yourself?" she asked when he fell silent. Remus slowly nodded. "Can I ask you something? Do I bother you?"

He instinctively wanted to say no however he had to think for a few seconds on whether he should or not. He knew he should say they weren't really friends. That they were just study buddies. "No," he said, digging his nail into the think, frayed section of pajamas covering his knee. "I... I g-grew up by myself. Just me and my parents. I'm not-used to people."

Lily looked rather shocked by that. "Nobody?"

"Nobody," he confirmed. "Since my mother's so sick all the-the time, we never wanted anyone around, and... that's just how it was. Black-Black says I'm scared to have friends and I guess he's sorta right." Definitely right. "Friends is a... new thing for me." He couldn't believe he was just telling her all this. Something about her eyes, he decided, looking away from her. She gave him that open, earnest, caring look that he didn't in any way, shape, or form deserve, and he just felt it was okay to confide.

"Are we... friends?" she whispered.

Yes. "Honestly, I... d-don't know. I don't know what... it's like. To be friends." He mumbled all of this, head down, fingers digging harder at the pajama bottoms so much that a hole formed. "I'd probably make a crap friend."

Lily moved even closer, her leg almost touching his. "Friends stay up and listen when the other is crying." Remus looked back up. "And... friends don't care if the other thinks he wouldn't be a good enough friend, cause he is."

They just stared at each other in silence. Even though it's wrong I don't care, I want her to be my friend. I want friends. Was Dumbledore right? He says it's okay to have friends but-it can't be, it isn't safe, if they figured it out... Are my parents wrong?

Then a new thought.

Are they both... right? It is a danger to have friends and a risk but... does that mean I shouldn't have them? I want friends. I do. I don't like feeling alone all the time. I want to laugh and have fun and-feel like a normal kid once in a while. Is that so... bad? Whether I'm friends with her or not, she'd be hearing the same excuses every month. It's not like this changes anything about that.

"I... g...guess... we're... friends," he finally said hesitantly, the words feeling strange on his tongue spoken like that. He knew with each word he was betraying his parents. "My... first... friend..." Lily beamed at that then suddenly grabbed his hand, wrapping her pinky finger around his. "Wh-what are you d-d-d-doing?"

"It's a pinky promise," she said. "Haven't you ever...? Ohh... errr..." Her face went red. "Anyway, a pinky promise is better than a regular promise. And I pinky promise to be the best first friend ever. That probably sounds super girly to you, though."

Remus just stared at their pinkies entwined. Her nail was a bit long and there was an ink stain along the inside edge of the finger. His nail was short from all the nail biting he did, and he too had an ink stain.

"I don't mind," he said, still staring at their hands. It felt... so weird... being touched like that... by someone not his parents. "I g-guess I should promise something too, right? Is that how it works?"

"If you want to."

He sucked in some air, trying to think. "I-g-guess I pinky promise to... try and be... an okay friend...?" He looked up at her, wondering if that was right.

She was smiling again then squeezed her pinky round his even more. "Sounds good to me," she said and let go of his hand. "Thanks for not making a spit swap promise."

"A what?"

"Boys at my old school would make promises by spitting in their hands and then shaking them."

Remus recoiled a little bit. "Ewww! That sounds disgusting!"

"Right?" she laughed. "It is! Honestly, sometimes I think boys are a different species altogether."

I am literally a different species though, he thought, and instead of feeling bad and hating himself for it, it just made him want to laugh at the irony. "I can't s-say the same about girls. I've never been around'em except for my mum." He thought of the other girls in his class. He couldn't picture himself having a late night chat and pinky promising with them. With anyone. This was something he could never, ever, ever have pictured anything like this.

"So... we're friends, then," she said.

"Yes. We're... friends."

"Pinky promised friends."

Remus smiled back. "Pinky promised friends."

He felt incredibly happy.

()

Dearest Remus, 15/10/71

What's Hogwarts like in October? Is it as pretty as I imagine? Is it as rainy as it is here? Your father says the shop has been pretty busy lately for this time of the year which is really good. Though life at the house without either of you around is terribly lonely, and this time of the year is always the worst. Your anniversary...

I've decided to pick up knitting and have been working on something for you for Christmas! I hope you'll like it. Don't worry, you're not only going to get an unfashionable knitted present from your mum, there will be a little more than that ha ha. Oh I can't wait for you to come home for the holidays. I know you've only been gone six weeks and there's what, nine more until you can visit? I just can't wait. As soon as you know the exact date the holidays start please let me know so I can mark it on my calendar.

Thank you so much for sending copies of some of your homework to us, it really brightens my day and makes me SO PROUD to see how smart my baby is! Of course your father has to tell me most of it. He's gotten me a couple of very old text books like the ones you have so I can read through along with you. You know when your father told me all about magic and showed me things, I never thought my own baby would be like him. My flesh and blood... doing all these wonderful things right out of a fantasy story!

Though as proud as I am I would rather have you at home, have your father teaching you out of a book. I know it's not the same but it is so much safer for you. I think about your safety night and day. I know you're keeping to yourself though, you're so smart. I trust you. I hope you know that. I do trust you. It's everyone else I don't trust. A mother's duty is to take care of and protect her child, and you're out of my hands. I suppose I feel somewhat of a failure because of that. I know you're happy there, I just wish you weren't so happy that you wouldn't stay here back home after the holidays.

Please reply as soon as you can! Miss you!

Love always,

Mother

Remus sighed as he read the letter he received on Saturday morning, then he read it through a second time. Of course he'd get a letter like this nine hours after his newly formed friendship with Lily. I trust you, he read, the words practically lit up. Like she knew.

"You all right?" Lily asked as he slumped down. "Not bad news, I hope. Is your mother sick again?"

He was about to say no then quickly folded the letter, putting it in his pocket, guilt throbbing through his entire body. For lying to his parents. For lying to his pinky promised friend. "Yes though it's not as bad as her relapse at the beginning of the month, Dad says she'll be staying at home so... that's... a g-good thing, I think."

Lily nodded emphatically. "That's probably true, yes. Erm, is it rude of me to ask...?"

She didn't even finish the sentence but she didn't need to. "A... blood disease," he said, studying the food on his plate. "I... have it too," he added, since he knew he'd be saying he was sick on occasion. "G-genetic."

"Is it bad?"

He began cutting up a piece of sausage with his fork, smaller and smaller pieces. "It can be," he said softly, finally not a lie.

She reached over, her fingertips resting lightly on his wrist for a brief second, then pulled her hand back. "I'm sorry."

"Thank you," he said since there was nothing else to say to that.

After they finished eating the two of them headed back up to the common room, intending to get some of their school stuff to work on assignments together. Halfway back to the library they were blocked walking down the corridor by a group of Slytherins. Mulciber, Avery, Bulstrode, and two older boys who looked even more thuggish than Bulstrode.

"C-come on, let's find a different way," Remus muttered, quickly pulling at Lily's sleeve since the Slytherins hadn't noticed them yet.

They turned and then froze as one of the Slytherins said, "Say, aren't those two little lion cubs?" Remus and Lily exchanged looks then started walking again. "Hey! I'm talking to you."

Several footsteps and then a large hand came down on Remus's shoulder, spinning him around. It was Bulstrode. "It's the crazy one," he laughed and then shoved Remus back.

"Don't touch him!" Lily said, putting her hands on her hips.

"Ooooh, so scawy!" Avery laughed, waving his hands in a mocked terrified manner.

Mulciber turned to the older boys. "You should have seen the baby trying to fly on Tuesday, we were doing loop-de-loops and he fell off three times!" All the Slytherins laughed and Bulstrode gave Remus another shove.

"If you don't leave us alone, I'll tell a teacher!" Lily said.

That just got more laughter. "Looks like we got a little tattle in our midst, eh?" Avery asked then pulled out his wand.

"You can't use magic on the cor-" Lily started to say and then was thrown to the ground by a spell.

"Lily!" Remus dropped his bag and dove to her side. Avery had been attempting the leg-locking curse but it went wrong and Lily was curled up on the ground, clutching her ankle which was twisted around in a weird way. "You-jerks!"

The Slytherins just kept up their stupid laughter and Avery pointed his wand at Remus. "Let's see if I can get it right this time..." Then suddenly there was a wet thumping sound and Avery stumbled as a disgusting, horrific odor filled the air.

"Five on two isn't fair," Potter said from down the hall with Black and Pettigrew on either side of him. Black had his wand out, Pettigrew was clutching a bag, however Potter was wearing one of his potions gloves and holding a dungbomb, tossing it up and down light enough so it didn't burst. "How about five on five?" He threw the dungbomb with perfect accuracy and it hit one of the second years right between the eyes, breaking on his face and sending him staggering around, gagging.

Mulciber started to go for the three boys but Pettigrew-also wearing a glove-pulled out another dungbomb and handed it to Potter who got Mulciber in the mouth. Now Remus and Lily were gagging too as the stench was unbearable with three dungbombs having gone off. Pettigrew's eyes were watering but he pulled out a fourth to give to Potter.

"Whatever, not worth it," Avery coughed out, bringing up his arm to cover his mouth and nose. All five Slytherins ran off down a side corridor, moaning and hacking.

Remus pulled the neck of his sweatshirt up to cover his own lower face then slid an arm around Lily, helping her to her feet. Or foot. "You okay?" he asked as she tentatively put weight on the twisted one.

"Owwww!" she cried out, leaning heavily against him. "No. God, I think I'm going to throw up it stinks!"

"Yeah, you're welcome and all," Potter said, peeling off the gloves and dropping them in the bag as the three of them walked over. Pettigrew quickly shut the bag, a look of vague relief on his face.

"You okay, Lupin?" Black asked.

"I'm not the one limping, genius," Remus growled. "Come on, let's ge-ge-get you to Madame Pomfrey."

"I'll help," Potter offered.

"You've been handling those dungbombs, don't touch me!" Lily squealed as he took her other arm, draping it over his shoulder.

"I wore a glove, genius," Potter said, imitating Remus's tone from a few seconds before.

Black picked up Remus's and Lily's bags, following the others to the hospital wing, with Pettigrew trailing behind. Once in the hospital wing, Remus helped Lily up onto a bed so Pomfrey could examine the ankle. Turned out just to be a light sprain, easily fixed.

"How did this happen?" Pomfrey asked as she ran her wand around Lily's foot.

Lily looked at Remus and he knew what was going on in her head. A little tattle. Lily looked back at Pomfrey. "I fell," she said.

Potter opened his mouth then slowly closed it. "But-" Pettigrew started to say and Black nudged him.

"But what, Mr. Pettigrew?" Pomfrey asked, finishing the healing magic and straightening up. "Is there something you need to say?" Pettigrew blinked round at everyone then slowly shook his head. "I see. Well, Miss Evans, you need to keep your walking to a minimum today. Rest up that ankle, all right?"

"All right, thank you..." Remus helped Lily off the bed then held out his hand for the bags Black was holding, giving him a look. If you try that again, you'll be sorry, he tried to convey with his face. Black slowly passed over the bags and Remus shouldered them both, feeling a bit triumphant.