The first week of term passed in a blur of cold snows that surrounded the warmth of the fireplace top of the tallest tower where Lily spent most nights in the arms of James and surrounded by his friends (to whom she was becoming increasingly close). Lily spent the entirety of every potions lesson with Remus and a strong friendship was blossoming between the pair among the charred cauldrons and dark walls of the dungeons. Lily loved her new-found friendships but didn't realise how important it was to the others – especially Remus – until one day after potions.

They had a free lesson afterwards and Lily assumed they would head up to the common room to meet James, Sirius, and Peter (where they had been meeting instead of outside due to the freezing temperatures that had hit them over the past month). Instead, however, Remus asked Lily to go outside with him so they could talk. Lily tentatively agreed and followed him outside and into the bitter wind. They found a secluded spot near to the whomping willow where no one ever went.

"Lily," He started, he seemed extremely nervous. "We've become good friends these past few months wouldn't you say?" He looked cautiously over at Lily – as if she would say no!

"Great friends, Remus. I would say best but I fear you already have enough of them!" Lily laughed. Remus tried to smile back but the tension in his face forced it into a thin line as beads of sweat appeared on his forehead despite the foot of snow surrounding them.

"I have room for one more I think. Especially someone like you, Lily, who has been nothing but nice to me since we met on the train over five years ago," He paused, summoning strength to continue. "But there's something you need to know first. Something that only James, Sirius, Peter - and a few others that have to – know. James says that you'll be able to handle it and I think that the face that you were raised a muggle might mean that you also weren't brought up with the prejudice that so many pure-bloods are. But…if you no longer want to be my friend I will understand, although I would appreciate it if you would not tell anyone – for old times' sake?" He took another breath and closed his eyes. "Lily, I'm a were-wolf." He said it quickly, as if this made it easier.

Lily was stunned. She said nothing but stared at him in shock. Lily considered it all for a moment before realising the most important thing: how much Remus must trust her to tell her this. She realised how much this affliction must have affected this incredibly timid boy. Lily took a single step towards him and threw her arms around his neck. Remus seemed stunned for a split second before returning the hug and Lily could have sworn she felt a single tiny tear fall from his face onto her skin.

"Thank you." He breathed as they released one another. "I'd best get you back to James before he kills me." He laughed as the two of them walked back up towards the castle. "He'll be glad I told you, and even more glad – but not surprised – that you're ok with it all."

They found the boys sat around the fire, James was especially nervous and looked up as they walked in. He noticed the closeness of their walk and the smiles on both faces and his face lit up too. He jumped out of his chair before Lily reached them and grabbed her hand to lead her back out of the door she just came through.

"I'm going to be so fit if everyone's going to drag me down seven flights of stairs and back up again." Lily moaned as she once again was taken out into the freezing cold outside world. "I didn't even have time to grab a coat." But James wasn't listening, his focus was on the spot by the tree where she had just been.

"Remus told you, didn't he?" He demanded and Lily nodded in reply. James looked anxious, as if there was something very serious on his mind.

"There's another secret that you need to know before you can truly know everything. It's what I wanted to tell you at New Year but couldn't because it has a lot to do with Remus." He glanced around the area which was still deserted as most students had lessons and those who didn't were staying away from the chill in the warm rooms of the castle. The pair were round the back of the tree and so couldn't see any of the windows, but James still seemed worried someone would see them. He took a step back. Then another. And another. He crouched down onto the ground and grew.

Lily blinked several times to convince herself that this was really happening; that it wasn't just a trick of the light. But, every time she opened her eyes, James looked more and more like an animal. A Horse? She wondered but soon corrected herself as an impressive pair of antlers began to protrude out of his skull.

Lily looked at him, confusion on her face as she stared into the eyes of a stag. It took her a moment to piece everything together. Remus was a werewolf. James was an Animagius. James said he would have told her his secret if it hadn't been so closely linked to Remus'. So why had a notoriously work-shy sixteen-year-old boy decided to use incredibly complex magic - that most fully-fledged witches and wizards were unable to do - in order to become a stag. And then keep it a secret. It must be to help Remus with his monthly terrors.

"Can Peter and Sirius turn into animals too?" She asked. James – the stag – nodded. "Is it to keep Remus company every month?" again, he nodded. "James! You are probably the sweetest person on the planet! You would do all this for your friend? Wow. I would kiss you but…you're a deer, and that would be weird." But James nuzzled into her, his soft fuzz between her fingers and her chest.

"Can you turn back into human James now?" She asked after a moment. "I'm cold, some of us don't have a fur coat!" James took a step backwards and soon stepped forwards again as the human boy.

"I love you, James. I can't believe how much you would all do for your friend." Lily embraced him. James slipped his arms around her waist and held her closer, her head resting on his shoulder.

"I love you, too." He said into her hair. "And I'm glad that you're ok with it, with everything. I know it's all a little crazy, but my friends are like my family."

"Life's crazy, James. If you can handle my family – especially my sister – then I can handle four people who I actually like and their drama. I promise that I will always be there for your drama if you are always there for mine."

"Just try and keep me away." James muttered against her lips before kissing her passionately. After a moment, Lily pulled away.

"Ok. Can I go inside and stay there, or do I have to speak to Sirius next?" She asked jokingly. James laughed and threw an arm around her shoulder as they walked back towards the warmth of the castle.

"Y'know, we have ten minutes before transfiguration." James winked, Lily smiled.

"Yep. Just the right amount of time to grab my books and head down to McGonagall's lesson." She laughed.

"I don't care as long as I'm with you." James said and the pair went off to finish their school day.

This is a little bit of a shorter chapter than I was hoping but I feel like a lot has happened and I quite enjoyed writing it – I hope you enjoyed reading it as much. Please review – they make my day – and have a great holiday season – chescaannie xx