"She-she loves the Temptations- they're a Muggle Band- especially the song "My Girl". She…. She really loves to dance, too. She's been dancing ever since she could walk."

Remus Lupin was a good guy, generally. He was kind, considerate, polite, and honest, in… most cases. But in times like these, he truly doubted his own integrity. In times like these, he felt like a terrible, two-faced, lying bastard, and it was all because of James's face.

Which, at the moment, was positively beaming as the mind behind it envisioned slow dancing with Lily Evans at the End-of-Sixth-Year ball.

"Anything else?" he asked cheerfully, "Come on, Rem- what else does Lily love?"

Me, Remus wanted to scream, wanted to yell at the top of his lungs, me, James! Your crush of six years and counting is in love with me! In fact, she's my girlfriend! Now stop making me feel so guilty for it!

Instead, he mumbled, "No… not from yesterday."

"Oh." James looked momentarily disappointed, but then he smiled again. "Well, listen, mate, thanks for helping me out with Lily. I really feel like I have a fair chance with her now, y'know? Anyway… thanks, Moony, you're a really great friend."

No, I am not, Remus thought, I am a terrible friend… I'm a terrible person! I don't even remotely deserve a friend like you… and, James; you REALLY don't deserve a friend like me…

---

"Hey… Lily, I-I was wondering if… that is, if you want to… perhaps, maybe, go- go into Hogsmeade with me next Saturday? Er, y'know. As a date. Or- or not as a date, if you'd like… though obviously I'd prefer it was a date, but whichever you want- or, if you don't want to go with me at all- of course, that's fine, too… I just, y'know, thought I'd ask… Just in case… though you probably have loads of stuff you'd much rather do… I, well, I just wanted to ask anyway. That's all."

Lily Evans was a very nice girl. She was sweet, compassionate, polite, and, usually, quite honest. But there were moments when she absolutely hated herself. Moments where she felt more like a rude, heart-breaking, cheating liar, and all because of James's face.

Which, at the moment, was frowning nervously, the mind behind it worriedly racing, hoping desperately that she would accept his invitation.

"Well?" he asked, rumpling his hair subconsciously, "Er- Lily? D'you maybe want to say… something?"

Yes, she wanted to cry, yes, I do want to say something- I want to say that I am completely totally, hopelessly in love with your best friend! He is, in fact, my boyfriend. Which is why I cannot go to Hogsmeade with you as a date…. So please, please stop making me feel so terrible by asking!

Instead, she said quietly, "James- I would love to go to Hogsmeade with you." He grinned at her like he never had before, and it nearly killed her to complete the statement. "As…. As your friend."

"Oh." He said, his face falling.

"It's just- I'm so happy that we're friends again… I wouldn't want to ruin that with a silly fling that would only last a month. Not when our friendship could last forever."

"Yeah." James smiled weakly, "Yeah, I understand. I would never want to lose you as a friend, Lily. You've been so great, so nice to me, lately. And I'm honored to be your tutor, and I'm thrilled to be your friend. It's just- you're just something else, Lily… you can't blame me for wanting to be more…. But I'd love to go to Hogsmeade with you as your friend." He hesitated, and then smiled. "I'd love to go anywhere with you… be your anything. You are a truly lovely person, Lily."

No, I am not. Lily's mind yelled, I am not lovely. I am awful. I am an awful, terrible, horrible liar, and I am the least lovely person in the planet. I'm a liar just for going to Hogsmeade with you as a friend, James, because I lied about why, and I lie to you everyday… and these days, I'm the last person you need as a friend.

---

Later, Lily and Remus met in the Room of Requirement, as always. Both were feeling immensely guilty, but needed to see the other just the same.

Not wanted- needed. They were so in love that Lily couldn't stand to be away from him for more than a few hours. His face, his smile, his smell- he had become like water, or air- a physical necessity. On days when he was sick, she'd be quieter than usual, and even more fidgety. When where friends asked what was wrong, she would jokingly say that she was suffering "Remus- withdrawal", but it was far from a joke. Just being around him made her feel calm- satisfied, and whole. Even when he was there, though, she still had to stop herself from snogging him senseless.

In the Room of Requirement, though, where no one could see them, stopping herself wasn't necessary. Their lips met as soon as their eyes did, in a kiss that was more passionate than ever- just like it always was.

"Why, hello, there!" Lily giggled, playing with his hair. "How are you doing on this fine evening?"

Remus managed a small smile. "Better now."

Lily frowned. "What's wrong? Is it full moon already?"

"Nah," Remus sighed, flopping onto the couch, where Lily settled next to him. "It's James."

"Oh." Lily said quietly as he stroked her hair. "He asked me to Hogsmeade today."

Remus looked immensely guilty. "Yeah. He said he was going to."

"And you didn't discourage him?" Lily asked annoyed, pulling away from him.

"Er- no… actually, I've sort of been… giving him advice."

"Advice." Lily raised an eyebrow. "Advice on what, exactly?"

He appeared to be completely terrified as he muttered, "On… er, wooing members of the fairer sex…. Well, this one particular member actually, he's… he's quite taken with this girl, and since I know her fairly well."

"Damn right, you know her pretty well!" Lily shrieked, as she jumped to her feet. "You've been giving him advice on me?"

Remus nodded, looking quite sheepish, as if he knew the next question was coming.

"Since when?"

"Since… er- d'you remember that day… in the library… when we talked? You told me about Pride and Prejudice, I asked you about James being your tutor…"

"Yes, as a matter of face, I do seem to recall that day… wait, but what happened next… I can't quite recall- oh wait! We kissed!"

"Yep, that'll be the day." He muttered.

"So you mean to tell me," she said dangerously, "that the entire time we've been dating, you've been giving James advice on me?"

Remus nodded, appearing guiltier than ever.

"So… basically, for three months, you have been giving your best friend helpful pointers on how to get your own girlfriend to go out with him?"

Remus nodded again, waiting for Lily to scream, or slap him…

Instead, by some miracle, she giggled, and then kissed him on the cheek.

"You are one royally screwed up person, Remus Lupin." Lily said solemnly.

With that, the problem was solved, but even as they stood there together, the guilt was becoming a wedge, growing and tearing them apart.

---

Author's Note: Hello, people. I'm terribly sorry it's been so long since I've updated, but I just got home from Writing Camp and I had this chapter written down at home. Anyway, Next Chapter, Lily will go on her 'just as friends' Hogsmeade escapade with one, James Potter. Of course, as always, James has something special in mind… let's see how that works out. on that note… I think I'll talk to you all later.