SIRIUS POV

For once in his lifetime Sirius Black found himself at breakfast before any of his friends. He was using the unusual moment of silence to see how many sausages he could eat before he was sick. He had a sinking feeling that James was acting all sulky because Lily still had written him. In all fairness, James hadn't written her either.

He stabbed a sausage, eyeing it with interest. He was almost positive he could fit the entire thing into his mouth. A loud screech drew his attention from his breakfast to a beady-eyed owl about two places down from him. A letter was tied to its leg.

"Well bring it here then," Sirius said with interest. He didn't usually get mail.

The owl hopped obediently towards him. Sirius untied the letter, folding it out neatly onto the table. His eyes instantly went to the name at the bottom when he failed to recognize the writing. What in earth's name was Lily doing writing to him?

Dear Sirius,

I know you probably weren't expecting a letter from me anytime soon but I thought you might be able to help. James has told me about your brother, and well I don't know if he's told you about my sister but she's pretty much of the same mould.

I don't really know what I'm trying to ask here but its just so hard knowing that she hates me for something I can't change. It feels like Gryffindor vs. Slytherin but in my household. I guess I just thought you could relate.

Hope you have a Merry Christmas and I'll see you in two days.

From Lily

Sirius folded the letter, thoroughly confused. There wasn't a question in there at all, but somehow Sirius felt obliged to send a reply. He had no clue what she was expecting from him. Sure he had his fair share of family issues but his answer had been to run away when it suddenly had become too much. If it weren't for the Potter family he'd be on the streets.

Sirius knew how it felt to be ostracized. To be yelled at for being different. He'd been beaten by his father, robbed of a normal childhood. But he'd never wanted to patch things over – of course he hated his situation – but he was a lot happier now, then he'd ever been before. And besides, his great uncle's will had only widened the gap between him and his family.

If Lily should be writing to anyone about this, it should be James. He'd comforted Sirius countless times.

"Whose the lucky lady?" James said, thumping himself down beside his best friend.

Remus took the seat opposite them, rubbing sleep from the deep bags under his eyes.

"What?" Sirius said, before realizing Lily's letter was sitting open on the table and James was already scanning the first line.

Sirius snatched the letter away, wincing. "Just another fan apparently," he lied. "Asking me to the ball. Unfortunately my heart is already taken."

Remus snorted. "By yourself I'm assuming."

"You wound me Moony," Sirius replied, almost in default.

If James had recognized the writing he didn't say anything about it, something that came as a huge relief to Sirius.

LILY POV

If was an unfortunate coincidence that Lily's arrival – by floo powder – into McGonagall's office coincided with Marlene's. After their rather abrupt last conversation, Lily wasn't sure what to expect. A stern faced Marlene that offered Lily a brief hug wasn't one of them. The two girls smiled tentatively at each other.

"Good to see you Marls," Lily said, smiling.

"Same for you," Marlene said.

"Move along girls," McGonagall said, flustered. She ushered the girls out of her office and into a dim corridor. The ball was supposed to start in four hours, and Lily still had to run to the Great Hall and check on last minute decorations.

Feeling immensely guilty, and not sure why, she waved goodbye to Marlene again – wincing as her friend looked a little pissed off – before pelting towards the Hall. She hoped James had kept his word and had rallied the remaining prefects to help with the set up. If the ball was a success, her and James would be praised with compliments for the rest of the holidays – however, if it was a failure, well Lily shuddered to think.

She pushed through the Great Hall's doors, instantly beaming at the sight. James had – unsurprisingly – gone for a radiant gold theme, covering most of the surfaces in silky, gold material. Retro, Muggle disco balls hung from the ceiling, interspersed in-between the thousands and thousands of naked light bulbs. To the side three tressel tables – covered in black table clothes – contained neatly stacked glasses and bowels for the punch. A band was set up where the high table normally stood. Mistletoe hung in corners. Confetti canons where stationed by the doors. The windows were frosted over with patterned ice.

And standing among it all was James, Sirius and Remus with their team of prefects and a bunch of grinning first years. Sirius was the first to spot her, a look of apprehension on his face. He hadn't replied to her letter, but in all fairness he'd probably only received it yesterday.

James caught her eye next. "Hey Bug!" He called, waving her over.

He kissed her on the temple before brandishing his arm around the room, smiling at all his own handiwork. "Good huh?"

"Prongs did none of it," Sirius said solemnly. "You should've seen him yelling orders at the first years. Of course, they took none of it and naturally, I took the place as their innate leader."

"What are you trying to get at Padfoot?" Remus said rolling his eyes. "Did you have a good time at home Lily?"

Lily shrugged, glancing at Sirius. "Nothing out of the ordinary." Which wasn't an exact lie, but didn't really cover the extent of it either. "I should probably go and get ready."

JAMES POV

James straightened his tie, looking at himself in the mirror. With his hair sticking up at all angles it looked like he'd just rolled out of bed and hadn't put any effort into tonight.

"Should I put some gel into it?" James said to the room.

"Depends," Sirius said, scratching his chin.

"On what?"

"If you're referring to your hair or something else entirely."

James snorted. "Moony? What do you think?"

Remus ran his hand through his own just as disorderly hair, looking more run down than normal. Vaguely James wondered if maybe tonight was a recipe for disaster. Ever since their conversation with the girls about werewolves, Remus had been more agitated than normal. Not to mention the fact that he knew both him and Sirius were lying to him about their midnight excursions around the castle to eavesdrop on the teachers. Then there was Sirius, who had lied to him at breakfast yesterday and was still certain that it'd been Regulus who'd attacked James. James still hadn't told anyone the truth about that fatal night – for many reasons, few which he had worked out.

Thirdly there was Marlene, who'd brushed James off in the common room and had turned sour at the thought any werewolves. He'd admired Lily for believing her friend to overcome her prejudices, but he knew better. The three variables felt like an equation from hell. He hadn't even bothered to give the Slytherins second thought, not with so much confusion in his own ranks. It felt wrong having so many secrets among them.

"You know it's a pity Peter isn't going to be here," James said, reluctantly accepting that his hair was going to be nothing but messy. "Would've been good to have the whole team."

Sirius snorted. "It's just a stupid ball."

"I suppose you'd rather it just be you and James under the invisibility cloak tonight?" Remus said bluntly.

"Is that what you think we've been doing?" Sirius scoffed, fixing his collar.

"Well since you refuse to tell me I've had to draw so conclusions of my own." Remus took a step closer to his friend, eyes blank.

Sirius face went blank, his hands in fists. "Oh don't talk so mightily you only sound stupid."

James leapt between them. "Come on," he said hastily. "Lets just head down to the Hall."

"Go ahead James," Remus said icily. "I've still got some choice words for this imbecile." He went to shove James away, an angry snarl escaping from his lips.

James froze, startled at the wolfish noise that had emanated from his friend. Sirius looked just as bewildered. Both boys backed away, not in fear, but from guilt. They both knew the toll Remus infliction imposed upon their friend, and here they were, at sides with him.

Remus shifted shakily at of his anger. "I'm sorry," he said softly.

"No Moony," James said, resting his hand on Remus' shoulder. His friend shrugged out from under his touch.

"I'm a monster," Remus said bitterly. "What do you expect?"

"Come off it Moony," Sirius said rolling his eyes. "We all know you're not a monster. Don't let what Marlene and Alice were saying affect you."

"But –"

"Moony," James said firmly. "You fold your socks. I'm sorry we're not withering with fear. Padfoot's right. You've still got us, and you've got Lily to remember."

"Come on," Sirius said, grabbing Remus by the collar and pulling him along. "Or I'll forever be known as the miscreant you led the Head Boy and a prefect astray if we're late."

"I'm afraid you've already got that title," Remus said, some of the usual sarcasm returning to his voice.

The three boys marched down to the common room; grinning at the groups of boys they found waiting nervously in the stairwell, obviously trying to pluck up the courage to greet their date. He ran into one of his beaters – fifth year Thomas McFarland – slouched in the corner, his eyebrows creased.

"Who's the lucky girl?" James asked, nudging Thomas.

Thomas flinched. "Ahh hey captain – uh sorry what?"

"Whose the girl?" James repeated.

"Uh Holly," he muttered.

"Holly from the team?" James asked incredulously. Third year Holly Balderstone was the newest chaser on James team whose fiery temper always kept the team in high spirits. "Keep it mutual buddy. Don't jeopardize the team alright."

James barely seemed to realise that his words might've had a less than relaxing effect on Thomas, something Remus felt obliged to point out. James shrugged him off, in sudden high spirits. Who cares if all his friends were in sudden cahoots, he got to spend the entire night with Lily. He found her waiting at the bottom of the stairwell, her hair in curls around her neck and shoulders. She was wearing a gold dress that clung to her narrow waist and billowed silkily around her legs. She beamed up at him.

"Hey James," she said breathlessly. "And boys. Don't you all look dashing."

"Hey Bug," James said, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple.

"Hey Lily," Sirius said. "All alone huh?"

"That's what happens when you agree to go to the ball with the least punctual boy in the whole of Hogwarts," Lily said teasingly. "Frank was very romantic."

James laughed as Lily grimaced at the idea. "So who's taking my ass hat of a cousin?"

"She is," Lily said. "Come on, let's go."

The four Gryffindor's entered the Great Hall in a mixture of high spirits and nerves. The live band was belting out a song, nothing James was exactly familiar with. A few groups of students were huddled around the drink table, clutching jugs of Butterbeer as if they were life ropes. The dance floor wasn't even half full, but the couples dancing looked as if they were having fun.

"Well this looks like a bore," Sirius said grumpily.

James whacked him over the head, suddenly pissed.

"Come off it," Sirius complained, rubbing his head. "I was only joking."

James ignored him, turning to face Lily instead. "Want a drink Lils?"

"Lets go together," Lily said, sounding a little uneven. "Uh will you boys be –"

"They're fine," James said, sliding his arm into Lily's and ushering her away.

"What's going on between you lot?" Lily asked once she was sure they were out of earshot.

James felt awful with only giving her half of the truth, especially since it meant he was blaming Lily's friends for Remus' agitated behaviour. He just hoped he wouldn't pick up on his half-truth. "It's Moony," James explained, keeping his voice quiet. "The stuff Marley said really affected him. He's – well it's like we're back in second year all over again."

To his surprise Lily barely flinched. "Well Marlene's being stupid, isn't she? Blaming Remus for something he can't help. It's just as stupid as this whole pureblood mania issue." Her voice was rigid, stern.

James felt his heart leap. He reached out and tucked a strand of red curls behind her ear. "You're amazing, you know that?" He whispered. "Honestly."

Lily's gaze softened. "Your world would be a much better place if you let a few Muggleborns write a few new laws every now and again."

"You sound just like my father," James said, grabbing to glasses from the table and filling them with punch. "Always ranting on about the staleness of the Ministry. Says it needs some fresh blood."

In that moment James desperately wanted to confess his and Sirius suspicion, but that would involve delving into a whole array of secrets he was keeping from her, including his Dad's cloak and the Map.

"You think that's why the Ministry is trying to hush things over?" Lily asked curiously. She took her cup from James, looking inside it as if the answer might lie there. "Put off the fact that there probably will be a war and that it'll probably involve an overthrow inside the Ministry."

James shrugged. "There will be a war," he said shrewdly. "The question is what side will the Ministry take when it comes to it."

Lily shuddered. "I haven't told my parents, you know."

"It's probably best that they don't know," James agreed. "It isn't there war to worry about."

"But it will be," Lily said. "If Voldemort wins he'll want me dead." Catching James horrified expression she continued, "not me specifically but my kind – Muggleborns. Which means he's targeting Muggle families just as strongly. They'll have to know eventually."

"You know the Muggle Prime Minister knows," James said.

"Knows what?"

"About the Magical World," James explained. "The Minister for Magic keeps him up to date with Magical happenings."

"I didn't know that," Lily said. "I suppose it makes sense."

"Dad told me when I was a kid," James said. "He used to say the hardest secret to keep is one that doesn't belong to you. He used to think it was fool hardy to let the Prime Minister in on our biggest secret."

"Used to?" Lily asked. James didn't miss the admiration in her tone, and his chest filled with pride.

He shrugged. "He doesn't tell me as much anymore," James told her.

"Well he sounds – hang on," Lily said, distracted.

"What?" James said, frowning. He followed her gaze to the punch bowel.

"It's refilling itself," she said.

"Yeah McGonagall's doing."

"I so wish I knew how she does it," Lily said enviously.

James snorted. "I'm guessing that's why she set the assignment. You know – for us to learn how she does it."

"It's just – well," Lily said, lowering her voice. A mischievous glint filled her eyes. "DO you think it only works on food?"

"What – like do you mean it could also –"

"Work on other objects," she said, finishing his sentence. "Like letters."

"What?" James said, now thoroughly confused.

"Did you know if you duplicate a sealed envelope the parchment inside will be empty," Lily told him. "It's similar with – well say a gold cup. The Gemino Curse can only replicate the outside appearance, the inside is basically nothing."

"Are we still talking about McGonagall's assignment?" James asked, frowning.

Lily pursed her lips. Her eyes were creased in concentration, an expression that gave nothing away. It was frustrating to James, to be standing so close but to feel so apart from her thoughts. He had a sinking feeling that this was probably how Remus had been feeling for the past week.

"I dunno," Lily said truthfully. "I just – well I wonder if maybe McGonagall was trying to test us."

"Well of course she's trying to test us," James said. "That's the point of homework."

"I don't think our partners were random," she said. "She never partners you with Sirius."

"I guess –"

"Oi! Prongs!" Sirius yelled. James turned to see his friend shoving his way through a crowd of Hufflepuff fourth years. They each sent him angry scowls as one of their friends nearly toppled into a bowel of punch.

James knew that glance well. And, apparently, so did Lily.

"You're up to no good Black," she said.

"Of course am I," he said, pretending to look confused. "I have a reputation to behold tonight. And that reputation involved borrowing your boyfriend for the time being."

"I'm not her boy –"

"Whatever lover boy," Sirius said. "Tally ho."

James sent Lily an apologetic glance. She looked at him, wondering why he'd been so quick to deny any official relationship between them. He was smiling, almost cheekily, but his eyes were round and sincere.

"As long as it's not some stupid prank," she said. "He's all yours."

"Thanks Bug," James said, kissing her cheek.

LILY POV

The dance floor suddenly felt like a much bigger place without James by her side. Maybe she should find Marlene and talk to her, since she was sure Alice and Frank wouldn't want to be interrupted. The safer option would be to find Remus but that almost felt like betrayal. Or cowardice.

She found Remus first, or more accurately, he found her.

"Hey Lily," he said. "Want to grab a seat?"

She nodded. Remus lead her to one of the tables at the back of the room, his shoulders slouched. Lily watched the boy who'd always rivaled her in classes, who'd stayed up late in the common room with her finishing off their Potions Essays. The boy who hadn't said one cruel word to her in six years. The boy who was best friends with James.

"Sirius found James, didn't he?" Remus said, looking resigned. Lily nodded. It was worrying to say the least that Remus looked as if he'd simply given up on reining his friend's in. "Don't worry – they're not pranking. Apparently."

Lily winced. "You don't sound so sure – don't you know where they went."

Remus shook his head. "Sometimes I feel cut off from them," he started. Noticing Lily's horrified expression, he quickly carried on. "Not like that – they've always included me. What I mean is that they're both from renowned Pureblood families. Fleamont Potter is on of the best Aurors the Ministry has ever seen, and Sirius' family is fully devoted to Voldemort. Some of his cousins and older relatives are in his inner circle. They hear things, know things. Understand things our families couldn't ever comprehend."

"I – I'm not following," Lily said uncertainly.

"If a war does start their families will be the first to know," he explained. "They're both on different sides, but both their families play vital roles. No one expects anything from our families – not trying to sound harsh or anything, but it's true."

Lily frowned. She still didn't get what Remus was trying to explain but she tried to sympathize regardless. In that moment she forgot about the surrounding crowd, about Marlene's anger and James' confusing behaviour. She drew Remus in for a hug, curling her arms around his bony shoulders.

"This looks cozy," a voice said from behind them.

Lily sprung away from Remus, eyes wide. Marlene grinned sarcastically down at them. She pointed a finger at Remus, her lips pinched. A cold wind seemed to filter around them, icing their bones.

"Marlene – don't," Lily whispered.

Remus shook out his shoulders.

"I know what you are," she said quietly.

"And?" Remus said.

His voice sounded broken and Lily wanted to scream. She couldn't believe Marlene – how could she ever accuse Remus of a monster, when he was nothing but kind to her.

"I don't think you're a monster, if that's what you're worried about," Marlene snapped. "But I don't understand how Dumbledore would ever let you come here. What if you'd bitten someone?"

"You don't think I'm not worried about that?" Remus said loudly.

But no one heard him over the music and the dim lights kept them hidden in the shadows.

"Oh don't give me that crap!" Marlene nearly screamed. She lowered her voice considerably, rubbing her jaw. "If you're worried about biting someone imagine how everyone else will feel if they found out what you are! If you're so worried you're going to bite someone what does that mean – that you're not locked up on the full moon? That you're running around the grounds free? What?"

Remus paled. He'd let something slip, Lily realized. "I am locked up," Remus said quietly. "In the shrieking shack. That's what the Whomping Willow is for."

"Then what've you got to worry about?" She asked him.

"I did nearly bite someone," Remus admitted silently.

Both girls gawped at him.

"He'd figured it out, you see," Remus continued. "And Sirius thought it'd be fun to prank him – to introduce him to Moony."

"Severus," Lily whispered, remember something from fifth year.

Remus nodded. "If it wasn't for James I dunno what would've happened," he admitted. "Not everyone survives the bite."

"You're not a monster Remus," Marlene said. "But the werewolf is."

"Marley," Lily pleaded. "Please – this is insane."

"I'm not angry Lily," she said. "And I don't care that you can see past that. But you just don't understand. I'm sorry Remus."

With that she turned on her heels and vanished into the crowed. Lily sunk back into her chair, breathing heavily. She'd never been so confused in her life. She turned to look at Remus, who instantly turned his head – but Lily could've sworn she saw him wipe a tear away. Disgust and full of anger she stomped to her feet.

"Come and dance with me," she said loudly. She thrust her hand out. "I wanna know if it's true that werewolves are terrible dancers."

Remus smiled weakly. "Who told you that?"

"James," she said. "Come on I love this song."

"You don't even know this song," but he took her hand regardless.