A/N only own my imagination.

Chapter Five

REMUS POV

It had been a couple weeks since we had gone to Lily's home. She had settled into the bedroom, and even had slept a couple nights all on her own. Both Mum and I were pleased with how she was progressing. There was color back in her cheeks, and moments where she'd smile and her green eyes would sparkle like before. She had also been able to start eating more foods and hopefully her weight would start to go back up to normal.

Even though Lily still couldn't stomach many foods, she still loved to cook. And before Mum could stop her Lily became the honorary cook for the three of us. Mum didn't seen to happy about Lily working, but when she saw how calm Lily looked in the kitchen she didn't have the heart to stop her. I didn't mind because her food was delicious.

It was a nice afternoon, though I wasn't feeling my best. The full moon was just a night away. James had sent me an owl, but I hadn't replied yet since I didn't know what to do about Lily. I knew I was going to have to talk to her about it, so I walked into the kitchen where I found her humming quietly to herself as she cut some vegetables she was going to use in whatever she was making for lunch.

"Now Remus. You know the rules, no snacks right before a meal, it'll ruin your appetite," she teased.

"Actually…I needed to talk to you about something…"

"What is it Remus?" She didn't look up from what she was doing which I was grateful for.

"Well, it's the full moon tomorrow night…and you see…well the guys they…you see James he…"

"MOONY! MOONY YOU GIT ARE YOU ALIVE?" I was cut off by the yelling of the voice that belonged to the person I was just talking of.

Lily looked up her face pale, "Why is he here Remus?"

LILY POV

I couldn't believe it. Potter…here…I mean yes Remus just tried to warn me I think, but why didn't he warn me earlier? Why oh why…

"That's what I was trying to say, the guys come to spend a few nights every full moon. It's a tradition, and I didn't want to stress you about it, and didn't know how you'd react…I didn't think they'd come so soon or unannounced though!"

"Right…Right…they're good friends to you. It makes sense why they'd be here. But you have to promise me you won't tell them I'm here."

"What?"

"They're not like you. They'll ask questions that I can't answer, I can't handle them. I can't handle him right now. Not like this."

"Lily-"

"Promise me Remus. They can't know I'm here. They can't."

REMUS POV

Lily's face was so pale, her eyes so big and frightened. "REMUS! ARE YOU HERE?"

She jumped as he yelled again closer. Rather than argue with her here, I nodded quickly. "I won't tell them you're here, and I'll make sure Mum won't either. But Lily, they'll be here for a couple days…"

"I'll figure something out. Thank you Remus." She gave me a swift kiss on the cheek and threw off the apron as she dashed up the stairs out the opposite end of the kitchen. The door shut behind her just as James and Sirius burst through the other door.

"Moony! There you are! Why didn't you answer?"

"I was-I was-"

"Cooking?" Sirius questioned as he looked around me at the food around the kitchen.

"No! Just…just cutting the vegetables for Mum. She had to run and work on something, and I thought I'd finish it up for her…"

"You're such a good son mate." James cut in. I think Mum would faint if me or Sirius did something like that right Padfoot?"

"She sure would. Especially since I'm not allowed in the kitchen at all anymore…"

"Man! You ate everything in there! Right before that big ministry dinner party!"

I chucked, "I'm surprised you're alive."

"Believe me. So am I. But I guess even Mum can't fight the effect I have on the ladies." Sirius smirked, and flipped his long hair back out of his eyes.

"Ha ha."

"Yeah, real funny Padfoot. Was this before or after she chased you with the broom?"

"The fact, Prongsie ol boy, that I'm here and breathing should be proof enough."

We all chuckled for a bit. "Hey, where's Peter?"

"Oh. Wormtail's Mum is sick again. Said he had to stay home and help her out this time. But he'll come next one."

"That's alright." Whew…that means I won't have to come up with a reason why one of them had to share a room since Lily's in the other guest room at the moment.

"Shall we eat then?" Sirius said looking around at all the food.

"Your animagus should have been a pig with how much you think with your stomach." James laughed.

LILY POV

I stood on the stairs listening to the boys talk and laugh and eat in the kitchen. I wasn't surprised about the mention that they were animagi. I had suspected as such since fifth year. They all think they're so good at hiding things…sometimes I wonder that the whole school doesn't know.

When I heard what Sirius said next though, I had to stifle a gasp. "You know Moony…shouldn't you go and get the others for lunch as well. Didn't you have another guest here for the summer?"

"What do you mean Padfoot?" came Remus' quiet reply.

"Oh. I just hear that you had someone over for the summer, a girl by chance?"

There was a slightly forced sounding laugh. "A girl here? For the summer? Other than my Mum, there's no girls in this house. Why would there be."

"Just something I heard…"

"Well I wouldn't trust that source anymore if I were you."

"Of course mate…Of course…"

I didn't relax until James started talking, but tensed again after I heard what he said, "So we went to check in on Lily already."

"Oh?"

"Yeah…They moved apparently. Padfoot said that he saw people taking boxes out, I knew that Lily's sister, that really tall skinny blonde, had gotten married. So I sent him back to make sure, and he said that the house is completely empty."

"Well I guess means you won't be tempted to bother her anymore?"

"Except, now I want to know where she lives…"

"Isn't it for the better though Prongs," Remus cut in, "Didn't you say that you wanted to get over her this summer so you wouldn't be hurt anymore next year."

"Yeah…but it doesn't hurt to be curious."

"It has before."

"But Moony…" I stopped listening, and went back to thinking. I hope that Sirius hadn't seen anything that would give hints to him that I'm here. Could he have?

"Lily honey," a voice came. I gasped and jumped, turning to see Mrs. Lupin.

"Oh, it's you."

She nodded and smiled sweetly. "I'm guessing you didn't want to be found out?"

I shook my head quickly. "Alright," she sighed, "Go on up to your room. I'll bring you something in a bit alright."

"Thank you." I breathed. She smiled carefully and kissed my forehead.

"Go on up and rest. I'll bring you some books as well."

I nodded again and went up the stairs, after I reached the top I heard her open the door, and say, "Well would you look at this. Two apparently starving boys in my kitchen. What a charitable heart you have Remus." And as I closed my bedroom door I heard the enthusiastic replies "Hi Mrs. Lupin!" "How are you this beautiful day Anne?"

SIRIUS POV

I waited until later that evening before attempting to approach Remus. I hadn't noticed a thing out of place, but I knew what I saw. After making sure that James was distracted completely helping Anne with the dishes. "So. You seen Lily at all?"

"Do I ever see Lily over the summer?"

"You normally hear from her…"

"She's my friend Padfoot."

"Friend?…" I trailed off suggestively.

"Sirius. Have I ever given any sign of anything more?" Remus turned to me, it was clear in his face that I had offended him. "She is like the sister I've never had. And James is my brother. So one. That would be like incest from my account. Two. I would never betray James."

"I know…I know. But sometimes emotions can't be controlled…"

"Sirius. Incest."

"Kay. Kay. Just making sure. But you knew she moved."

"Yes."

"When."

"Right as."

"Why?"

"She won't say."

"Will you help us find her."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because, I do know it's a matter of safety. And for the safety of James and Lily. I will protect them both, and all things connected to them to the point that I would give my life."

"It's really a matter of safety?"

"Yes."

"And you swear, you're not with her?"

"I swear."

"Alright. That's all I needed to know."

"Sirius."

"Remus."

"You need to swear never to bring this up again, you can't say anything to James. This it is."

"I'm with you Remus. I'll protect them, and any little mini Prongs' and Lily's to my grave."

JAMES POV

It's nice being here again. It's always been such a safe haven. It's strange though. I could've sworn I smelt vanilla earlier…not from the cooking. Especially when I go upstairs…Lily always smells like vanilla…oh man…I've lost it. I try to get over her and not think about her, and I start smelling her places…

A/N Thanks you all for reading, no I'm not done. But doesn't mean I can't be grateful during it.