A/N: A little more T rated than the previous chapters…but I hope you like it anyways :)

* * *

Lily was walking alone down a corridor when suddenly Severus Snape stepped in front of her. Her stomach gave an unpleasant lurch- it was so very obvious that he had a huge crush on her ever since first year. Her plus Snape alone in a dark corridor didn't equal good things.

"Hello Severus," she said nervously.

"Hello Lily," he said, "I was wondering if you wished to join me for a walk down by the lake."

"Er," she said, not knowing how to respond. She didn't want to be rude, plus, what harm could a walk do? "Sure."

Snape offered her an awkward arm and Lily took it reluctantly. And like that, they walked down to the grounds.

James was peering out of the Gryffindor common room window. Suddenly, he saw to shapes linking arms. He pressed his face to the glass and saw that it was Evans and Snape!

"Hey, Padfoot! Look at this," he said, beckoning Sirius over. When he got there he didn't laugh like James had expected him to.

"What's he doing with Lily?"

"Who cares?" laughed James, "This is blackmail for Evans. I've got so much on her now."

"Prongs, shut it," he said, watching them closely; he had always had a protectiveness for Lily, she was one of his good friends. Moreover, he hated Snape.

Lily didn't know what to expect; they had been walking in silence for quite some time now. Suddenly, Snape stopped.

"Lily, I didn't bring you out here for the pure fun of it," he said anxiously.

Lily grimaced inwardly. 'Oh no,' she thought, 'He's going to ask me to the ball!'

"Oh?" said Lily uncertainly.

Sirius's eyes narrowed from atop the tower, he couldn't tell what they were saying, it was too dark.

"Yes," said Snape, "I was wondering…if you- Lily- would like to…accompany me to the ball this Halloween."

"Oh, er, I don't know Severus; I- was planning…on going with the girls," she said lamely.

"But they all have dates. And Lily, I can make you very happy. You just have to trust me," he said quickly, and leaned in closer.

Sirius saw this and started running down to the grounds, James followed, merely for the curiosity of seeing what Sirius would do.

"Severus, please," she said, pressing against the wall, "I'm sorry. I just- I rather we'd be friends."

"Is it that Potter?" he said, his hands balling into fists, "Because I'm a better candidate."

"No," cried Lily, "No it's not Potter. Never!"

"Well then," he said, "What's keeping you?"

He leaned in closer, aiming for her lips, and Lily squirmed to try to get away, but he grabbed her wrists. "I might not be as good-looking as Potter, but I believe that I can be a better boyfriend."

Lily shook her head, but Snape leaned in and dug his head into her shoulder, inhaling her scent. She shuddered and struggled, but couldn't get away. Suddenly, to her disgust, he felt him kissing her neck.

"I love you, Lily Evans," he whispered in her ear.

"Snape," she whimpered, "Please- we can be friends. I don't want anything more than that."

"But I do," he moaned, "I know we can make it work, Lily. We'll be great together, you'll see."

Lily shook her head and Snape pressed her against him, and that's when Lily smelled the Firewhisky.

"Snape! You're drunk!" she pleaded, "Please, stop. You don't know what you're doing."

Snape shook his head and leaned in to kiss her. Lily tried to shake him off, but he moved in; she moved her head just in time so that his lips smacked her neck awkwardly. Lily, expecting the worst, instead felt him fall back. Opening her eyes, she saw Sirius on top of him, punching him on the face.

"You stupid drunk git!" he cried, getting up, "What is wrong with you?!" When he stood up she saw Snape with two black eyes and his nose bleeding.

"Black!" he hissed.

"You're drunk, you disgusting maggot!" he roared, "Look what you did to Lily!"

The beating must have sobered him a little, because when he looked up and saw the trembling Lily Evans his eyes filled with sadness.

"Oh, Lily," he whispered, "I'm so sorry." He got up to hug her but Lily screamed.

"Get away from me!" she ran to hide behind Sirius.

"You heard her," spat Sirius, "Leave. Now."

Snape stalked off, cursing under his breath. When he left Lily sobbed and hugged Sirius.

"Thank you," she said, "I was so scared."

"If it wasn't for Prongs here spotting you, I don't know what would have happened."

Lily, red and puffy-eyed, looked up at James, "Thank you," she whispered.

James nodded curtly; he felt a twinge of guilt because he had thought that it was funny, he had no idea what had been going on.

Lily gave him a small smile and snuggled under Sirius's arm as he walked her back up to the common room, where everyone was waiting for her. James stayed down though. Why had he felt so guilty when she had looked at him with those eyes? Was it because she looked so helpless and so small? He huffed, what did he care about that Evans, anyways?

But he couldn't help tending to the strange feeling he felt.

* * *

"He didn't!" cried Macey.

"He did," said Lily, shuddering.

Amity stifled a giggle and Macey shot her a dark look, "What is so funny about Lily being harassed?!"

"That it was by Snape," said Amity, smiling.

Lily thought she saw Macy's lips twitch, but that thought was pushed out from her head when Sirius, James, and Remus landed with a thud- they had just flown in through the open window.

"Knocked him out good, didn't I Lils?" he asked, still outraged.

"Yes, and thank you again," she said, and turning to James she said, "You too."

Macey looked confused and Amity had her mouth open- she had addressed James Potter in a not-cruel way!

"Yeah, well, don't expect anything else from me- it was just lucky that I saw you. I wouldn't save my breath trying to purposely find and save you. You're not worth it. It was Sirius who decided to go and get you- and I still don't know why. I would have left with you with Snivellus for him to do whatever he wanted with you."

James didn't know what had gotten into him; the feeling downstairs had worried him so much that he decided he had to make sure everyone knew how much he hated that Evans.

Lily felt her eyes water, "Get out!" she cried. How could Potter say that?! She was worth millions of him! She was worth saving! How could he think of leaving her with Snape?!

Sirius looked the image of pure hatred as he was forced to put James back on his broom and fly out. Remus was left behind. He looked around awkwardly as tears began to silently go down Lily's face who was still in shock from what had happened with Snape. Macey took his hand and led him downstairs, but came back up quickly.

"How could Potter say that?!" Lily cried.

"He's James, he's an insufferable git," said Amity.

"Oh, Lily, don't let him affect you. What's so important about what he thinks anyways?"

"I don't know," Lily said, "It just hurt a lot, thinking that I might have not been able to get away."

Macey hugged her friend, "Lily, Sirius saved you and that's all that mattered. Snape wasn't right in the head; he never is, but especially tonight. Your ok, and that's all that matters. Now go downstairs and show that James that you're worth saving any day."

Lily smiled, "Oh I'll give him a piece of my mind."

"There we go," said Amity, "Now let's go downstairs."

When they reached the common room, they found Sirius yelling at James.

"You are a horrible person! What the bloody hell got into you up there?! She's traumatized James!"

"Thanks, Sirius. But he's not worth it," said Lily.

Sirius sighed, "You're right. Hey- listen, though, I have a brilliant plan to get back at Snape."

"What is it?" asked Amity.

Sirius leaned in closer so that they could all hear.

"I can't tell you," he whispered.

Amity, Macey, and Lily groaned.

"Of course," said Macey, "Remus want to come with me to the library?"

Remus smiled and threw his arm around her as they walked, kissing her on the cheek.

Sirius rolled his eyes, and the other two girls headed upstairs to go to sleep.

"Ok, Prongs, listen up."

James raised his eyebrows, "I thought I was an insufferable git."

"Oh, get over it- I still think you are for what you did, but I need your help with this prank.

Suddenly James seemed more interested, "Ok, tell me."

"I say we tell Snape how to get into the Whomping Willow tonight."

"Whaaat?! Are you crazy?! Tonight's a full moon! He could get killed!"

Sirius shrugged, "You're no fun."

"You're not going to do it are you?" asked James; Sirius didn't answer, "Are you?"

"Calm down, will you?"

"Fine. That was a stupid idea, though. I think we just let Snivellus be until, of course, he bothers us- then we can prank him- but still not that prank!"

James went up to bed to get a couple hours of sleep before they had to transform leaving Sirius alone in the common room, who never agreed to not doing the prank.

* * *

Sirius had decided to go for a solo walk around Hogwarts hoping to run into Snape- and he did.

"Black," he jeered, "I know there's something going on right now. There always is. Every full moon you look different- you're waiting for something."

Sirius smiled, "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Snape's frown turned into an unmistakable evil grin, "Ha!" he cried, "I was right! I bet it's something terrible- I'll get you expelled, I will. Then I won't have to deal with you and Potter."

"You want Lily to yourself then, basically?" he maliciously teased.

Snape hissed, "Watch yourself."

"If I were you, I would be watching myself, especially if you try to get into the Whomping Willow tonight by poking at one of the knobs with the broken branch on the ground."

Snape's eyes widened, "You're hiding something! You're hiding something!" he cried, "I'll find out tonight- you'll be expelled, Black!"

Snape ran off into the corridor, probably getting ready for finally finding out the Marauders' secret.

"Oops," Sirius mumbled happily to himself.

* * *

That night was one of those nights where the Marauders were never in sight. Lily loved these nights. She didn't know what they were up to, and frankly, she didn't care, just as long as she didn't have to deal with that arrogant Potter.

"I don't understand where they go," said Macey worriedly. She and Remus were never apart except for when they slept or went to the bathroom. Little did she know that Remus was now in the midst of painfully transforming into a werewolf.

Amity shrugged, "Me neither, but I think we should enjoy the peace."

"Here, here!" cried Lily happily. She was doing her Charms essay in front of the window and momentarily paused to look out at it. She had a perfect view of the Whomping Willow and at night, she thought, it was a beautiful sight. Suddenly, though, a figure that didn't belong to her regular midnight scene came into view. It was Remus. Surprisingly, he managed to make the tree freeze in time to go down a secret passageway. This, though, was not what scared her. It was Snape who was lurking in the shadows. He was going into the tree, too! She had to find out what was going on, so she ran down to the grounds. She got there with enough time to see Snape use the same branch to pause the tree and slip into the hole. Lily ran, hit the knob, and climbed into the hole in the nick of time- the tree had regained consciousness.

She had not realized James running behind her since he was wearing his invisibility cloak.

"SIRIUS YOU ARE AN IDIOT!" cried James who had just seen Snape and Lily enter the tree from afar. He speedily stopped the branch and went down the passage. The tunnel seemed endless and his heart was racing. What if Remus bit Snape? What if Remus bit Lily? Remus wouldn't be able to live with himself- he'd kill himself! All this hard work of keeping his secret was going to go down the drain.

Finally, to his great relief, he reached the end of the passage and found Lily and Snape arguing. He dared not to say anything else, worried that they might scream and get Remus's attention.

"Snape what are you doing down here?" asked Lily.

"Why did you follow me?" he hissed.

"How did you know to stop the tree?"

"That idiot Black told me- they're hiding something Lily, I know it! He told me!"

"What are you talking about?! They're not hiding anything! Let's go back up, please!" Lily begged.

"No," he said stubbornly, "I am going to get them expelled."

"You stupid boy!" she cried, tears filling in her eyes, "I'm scared- let's go back! I came here to help you!"

But Snape instead reached for the trap door and before James was able to say anything Remus, in werewolf form, stood on top of them baring his teeth. Snape's eyes widened and he started to run back to the castle. Lily, however, was rooted to the spot and gave a piercing cry of horror.

"OH MY GOD!" she cried.

James changed into his stag form and reared his antlers, hitting Remus square in the stomach. The werewolf was angry now and he plunged on James, biting him in the neck. James's vision was blurring and the blood was dripping but he ran and jumped, managing to hit Remus in the head with his antlers. The werewolf fell to the floor unconscious. James stumbled and fell, too, but he was still conscious. He unknowingly changed back into his human form and Lily gasped. James was an animagus!

Running up the stairs, she fell next to James. He had saved her life. His pained eyes looked back at her.

"James?" she asked, "James are you ok?" But he wasn't; she saw him clutching his right side and when she removed his hand she almost vomited. There by his ribs was a deep gory bite. Luckily, he had been bitten in animal form, if not…she shuddered.

"James?" she asked again, now panicking, "James talk to me!"

"You called me James…" he whispered.

Everything went black.

* * *

The next morning, James had no idea where he was. All he knew was that the room he was in was bright and that there were voices- loud voices.

"Sirius you egotistic git!"

"Look at him! He's in terrible shape!"

"I-I didn't mean it. I didn't think that-

"That's right, Sirius- you didn't think. About anyone else but you, that is. Just thought it was going to be another great prank, did you? Well look what you did! You almost killed your best friend!"

"Wait- everyone…I think he's awake."

The voices stopped. James heard muffled steps and opened his eyes. Staring back at him were the most beautiful emerald eyes he had ever seen. When everything came into focus, he realized that they were Lily's.

"You called me James."

Lily rolled her eyes, but everyone else in the room took this comment more seriously.

"What?" asked Macey incredulously, "Seriously?"

"He was bleeding, I was panicking, there was an unconscious werewolf feet away from me- I don't think I took notice of what I was calling him."

"He saved you again, Lils," said Sirius, "You owe him."

"Hey- he owes her, too! If it wasn't for her carrying him all the way to the hospital wing, then he'd have bled to death!" retorted Macey.

James looked at Lily, who was blushing, and saw for the first time that her robes were stained with blood.

"Thank you," he whispered.

Lily smiled weakly, "Thank you, too."

"I just don't understand what a werewolf was doing in the Shrieking Shack!" cried Amity.

James looked hesitantly at Sirius, but none of them said anything. Finally, James decided it might be best to let them know.

"Look in the bed next to me," he said.

The hospital bed to his right had curtains pulled around it, but Amity, being the most curious pulled them wide apart. And to the girls' horror, especially Macey, there was Remus, sleeping and scarred.

"What happened to him?" cried Macey, who instantly ran over to his bed and grabbed his hand, "Who did this?"

"Macey," said Sirius who went over to put an arm around her, "Remus is a werewolf."

Macey fainted.

"What have you done?!" cried the nurse, who had just come in, "Three students in one night! Get out! Out! Out! Out!!"

Everyone but James, Remus, and now Macey, scrambled outside.

"That was Remus?" Lily croaked.

Sirius nodded solemnly and suddenly heard a crack and felt a searing pain in his left cheek. Lily had slapped him, eyes a little watery.

"What was that for?" he cried.

"You could've hurt Snape. And you could've hurt Remus! Have you no heart? Do you not care for your friends? Look what happened to James! Look what almost happened to me! I could've died! Remus could've died! James could've died! Snape could've died! Look at all the people that could've died Sirius. I hope you're ashamed of yourself."

She walked away, followed by Amity; this left Sirius all alone.

* * *

Later that day James, Remus, and Macey all returned to the common room. Lily gasped when she saw them and hugged Macey saying,

"It's going to be okay, wait for me upstairs?"

Macey nodded quietly before heading to the dormitory. Remus looked up at her longingly, but was interrupted by Lily jumping on him,

"Oh, Remus! I don't care- I really don't! I was so worried, I'm so glad you're okay."

Remus smiled feebly, "I just hope Macey…" Lily nodded, she understood.

Then she stood in front of James- both didn't know how to greet each other so they shook their hands awkwardly,

"Thanks again," she said.

"You too," said James; and for the first time, he couldn't stop staring at her; her green eyes were like whirlpools, they just sucked you in, and in, and in…

"Hello?"

"Oh- yeah- thanks," said James stupidly, and he went to go sit down with Sirius, who was already surprisingly forgiven.

Lily went to head upstairs followed by Amity. They were both worried about Macey.

"Macey?" Lily said as she came through the door; she found her friend sitting on her bed, staring out of the window, "Macey, are you okay?"

Macey looked at Lily with tears in her eyes and smiled, "I still love him," she croaked. Lily went down and hugged her as tears began streaming down Macey's face, "Lily, I don't think I can ever stop loving him. I don't care if he's a werewolf- he's Remus. He's my Remus."

"Go tell him that," Lily whispered, "He's worried."

Macey nodded and got up, looking back at Lily, she mouthed, "Thank you."

From there, she sprinted down the stairs and threw herself on Remus who consequently fell off the couch, Macey landing comfortably on top of him.

He smiled, "Macey I-

"I love you, Remus," she said smiling, "I love you werewolf or not."

Remus couldn't help but laugh, "I love you too, Mace."

He then put her face in his hands and kissed her, then they got up and headed to the library together for more "privacy."

Lily smiled, finally relaxed, and slumped down on the couch. She looked at everyone going about regular nighttime activities. Her gaze came upon James who was staring somewhat moodily at the fire. Then a thought popped into her mind…

'James Potter actually doesn't seem so bad.'

* * *

A/N: Viola! Longest chapter so far! Seven pages! :) I'm proud- so go review! P.S. The next chapter will be the mascarade ball, so I'm expecting it to be pretty lengthy ;)