AN and again. I only own my imagination. Which does get the better of me sometimes.

Chapter 3

LILY POV

I woke up. Vaguely remembering being carried inside from the truck. Though, not sure who carried her, and where I was exactly. All I knew was I was still exhausted like I hadn't slept at all. I groaned and stretched, I was so sore. Then I heard a noise.

"Who's there!?!"

"Lily?" a tired voice replied, "You're awake?"

"Remus?"

The lamp switched on. And I saw a very tired Remus sitting on a chair off to the side of the bed. "How are you feeling Lily?"

"I'm fine. Why are you in here?"

"Lily. You're not fine, you don't have to hide it. I'm in here to make sure you woke up."

"Of course I'm fine. Why ever would I not wake up?"

"Because you're exhausted, beaten, starved, and in an extreme amount of emotional pain. In fact I'm amazed you're even awake already," a new voice answered. I turned and there was Mrs. Lupin standing in the door.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Miss Evans. If you continue to argue I will forcefully put you back to sleep. I'm a healer, I know what I'm talking about. You can't hide it from me. You're skin still shows signs of extreme bruising" I tried to cut in, but she merely glared at me and continued on, "You don't have to tell me where it's from, but I will do everything in my power to get you better young lady and you have nothing you can do about it."

I stared at her indignantly. My spine straightened as I felt a burst of anger rush through me, What right has she to talk like that. She doesn't know anything! As I opened my mouth to voice my retort, I felt a hand touch my arm, and I turned to see Remus looking between us worriedly.

"Lily. Please. You don't have to say a thing, no one has to know. In fact, we don't even have to tell anyone that you're here. Just let us take care of you and get you better before you go running off."

I looked between Remus and his mother. From his gentle worry and care, to her equally worried look, though still quite firm. I felt so tired. I felt the anger drain out just as quickly as it came. "Fine. But no one can know that I'm here. Or that I'm unwell. It will bring up too many questions that I will not answer."

"That's fine dear," Mrs. Lupin's face had softened, though I could still see traces of the strength that was there just moments before. "Only our little family will know. And that's all that needs to. It will be nothing strange if people see me caring after someone. The neighbors know that Remus is often unwell himself, and I take care of him here whenever his illness takes him for a time. Here drink this."

I accepted the mug, it was warm, and already started to sooth me. "Of course." I took a sip, and my body began to relax immediately. I could feel sleep coming. "You don't have to hide from me Mrs. Lupin, Remus. I know what Remus' condition is. I've known since first year. They don't call me the brightest witch of our age for nothing." I yawned, my eyes closing so that I didn't see Remus and his mother's shocked and worried looks bouncing between each other and me.

REMUS POV

I was shocked. I couldn't believe what I just heard. Lily knows…in fact knew before even James, Sirius and Peter did? Bloody h…How could she have known so soon? I was so careful then. There's no way…No there is…

It was just after the Christmas holidays, and I was sitting in the corner of the Common Room reading the texts for Defense Against the Dark Arts class the next day. I glanced up when I heard someone sit down next to me. "Oh. Hiya there."

"Hello Remus, how were you're holidays?"

"They were alright Lily. Just me and Mum. Quiet, like I like it."

"Oh, that must've been lovely. The skies were very clear these last few nights. Made it very easy to see the moon."

I looked down, I didn't want to have any eye contact, so she couldn't see anything from my face. "Yeah. I suppose so. I haven't really noticed."

She nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah. Anyways, I was going to head to bed here soon, but I thought I'd return your book you let me borrow before the holidays. It was quite interesting."

"Oh. Yes. I'm glad you liked it."

"Very much. It explained a lot of creatures that I haven't understood. It's funny how much muggle perceptions on the different beings of our world are so different than how they are truly aren't they?"

"Oh? How so?"

"Oh just that anything that's not human, is something wild and scary. Especially if there's magic involved. I mean, each being has their own strengths and feelings too you know? Like werewolves, I mean they didn't choose to be a werewolf did they? And even though they lose themselves for a little while, that's not them truly. They are still human, even if they don't have control that one time you know?"

"Yeah, yeah I do."

"Of course you do. You're so smart. So kind and gentle. You have a very open mind and understanding for everything don't you?"

I looked up startled at how the conversation had changed. "I guess?"

"You do Remus. You're an amazing person. I'm quite proud to call you my friend."

She then gave me a hug, and flounced off. Her hair was much shorter than, she always had them in curls as well. I watched out for her in awe the rest of the years, as she grew into an even more beautiful young lady. Even though the curls left, the body changed, she was still little Lily. Hugging him every month, when he thought it was just coincidental that it always feel near the full moons. Each time telling him what an amazing person he was, and how she loved having him as a friend.

I guess…It wasn't coincidental after all.

"Remus. Has she really known that long dear?"

"Yeah Mum. I didn't think she had, but now it's so obvious she had."

"She never did anything about it did she?"

"No Mum. In fact, she's been as much of a help to me as the guys have. Always words of encouragement, hugs, and praise right when I needed it the most during the cycle. The guys helped me in the monster side, and she helped on the human side. Many times it was her who helped me feel human again."

Mum had tears in her eyes, and we both jumped when we heard Lily mutter sleepily, "There is no monster Remus. Just human Remus. That's what I've been telling you for years."

Mum nodded in agreement, "I've been saying that too. Thank you for saying it when I couldn't be there to."

"Always…will…" Lily had drifted back off to sleep

"Come on Remus. We should let her sleep. That's the first thing to get her back on the right track for her health."

I nodded, still in slight shock. As we started out the door, there was a gasp, and we turned to see Lily sitting up in bed, her eyes wide and wild. "Don't leave me alone! I can't be alone or they'll come back! They'll come back!" Tears started to stream down her face, leaving tracks along her cheeks that had gone ashy. I stepped back into the room.

"Of course Lily. I won't leave." She stared at me unblinkingly. Almost as if she thought if she blinked I would run.

"Don't worry darling," Mum said, "You're big brother Remus will stay." She walked over and stroked Lily's hair soothingly. "Big brother Remus won't let anything happen to you."

I went over and sat next to her. She laid back down slowly. Her breathing becoming smoother and she was asleep quickly.

"I'll get you some blankets and a pillow dear. You don't mind staying. Her feeling safe is the biggest thing we need to take care of while she's recovering."

"Of course Mum. I'll be here as long as she needs."

"That's my grown son." She kissed my head, and quietly slipped out of the room.

AN I know there's a lot of Remus. But I promise there is no Remus/Lily relationships other than close friendship and brotherly/sisterly love. And the rest of the Marauders will show up as well, this is eventually the story of Lily falling for James after all...Just other parts have to develop first or it won't work.