A/N Ditto as before...

Chapter Seven

The rest of the summer went without a glitch. James was confused about the change of the normal plans and the fact that no one was there for Remus at his changes. But with the help of Sirius he trusted that it's what had to be done, whether or not he knew why. Lily started to mend. Her appetite was still quite low, but the bags were gone from her eyes, and she was beginning to smile again. Remus was relieved as the continued progression in her mood.

LILY POV

Summer was almost over. I could often forget what had happened, that is until I went to sleep. When I slept I was still plagued with dreams. Flashes of colors, screams, terror, and pain filled my sleep. They could only relax through the relaxing and safe presence of Remus in the room.

I had often thought what that meant. That I felt so safe with Remus. Do I care for him? Yes. Do I love him? Yes. But do I want to snog the living daylights out of him? Do I want to pursue a relationship that meant something figuratively more? No. Good heavens no. The thought alone gave me the shivers. I loved him and cared for him, but it was the way I felt about Tuney. He was my protective big brother. He could save me from the dark reaches of my memories living in my dreams. I had all my trust in him. And I knew that whomever he trusted. I could just as well.

I ended up backing out of going to Alice's that summer. I had grown to cherish the sleep I could have, and I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep there in fear of the terrors coming back.

Remus' and my Hogwarts letters came together. "How-?" I started to say.

"Dumbledore is a good man. Nothing gets past him," Mrs. Lupin said with a smile. "Now you two after breakfast floo down to Diagon Alley and get that shopping done. Just be sure not to stay out after dark alright?"

"Of course not Mum. I'm done, you ready Lils?"

"Yeah," I said. Remus had started to refer to me as Lils at some point in the summer. I hadn't found it grating anymore, like I had in the past as Pot-James. Remus asked me to call them by their names. I promised to be civil as long as they would be. I can do that. I can do that for Remus after all he's done for me. "Lets go."

After stepping out of the flames in Diagon Alley, and I helped Remus dust off and he helped me dust off, we stepped out blinking into the sun. I hadn't been outside much, so I knew that by the end of the day I would be burnt to a crisp.

"Where shall we go first?" Remus asked, looking around with mild interest.

"Can we go to Gringotts first? I need to trade some money through. I still have some wizarding money from last year, but not enough."

"That's fine."

We started off down the bustling street, heading towards the leaning height that was Gringotts Bank. We were almost there when I heard them.

"Remus! Remus over here!"

"Moony! Fancy seeing you here!"

I turned slowly to face them as James, Sirius and Peter rushed forward. "Oh, hi Evans." James said surprised.

"Pot-" I was cut off by Remus clearing his throat, "-James. Have a nice holiday?"

James blinked a couple times, his eyes wide behind his round glasses. He looks like an owl…

JAMES POV

Did she? No she couldn't've. But she did. "Hi Lily. Thanks Lily. I did Lily." Dangit. Relax brain, don't say Lily too much, she'll find that more than odd. Maybe she didn't notice…Dangit. Look at that amused smile, she did notice. Please let her keep talking to me!

LILY POV

I smiled slight as James stuttered through the three short phrases, and his repetition of saying my name. "Good. Well it was good to see you lot. I'm off to do my shopping. Have fun. Talk to you later Remus."

REMUS POV

I stood there uncertainly as I watch Lily walk off on her own. Do I follow her, she seemed so small and vulnerable as she weaved through the people to get to the large doors of Gringotts. As she was walking through the doors, she turned and made eye contact with me. After giving me a slightly forced grin, she nodded her head signaling for me to go on. I was about to shake my head in reply and follow when James came out of his embarrassed stupor.

"Moony! Why in the world could we not come all this summer?"

"I tried to tell him Moony. But he just complained that he was bored all the time."

I turned back to them with a sigh. "Family matters Prongs. Come on lets get this shopping done. I have to be back for dinner."

LILY POV

I watched Remus walk off with the guys. I felt like an open target, but I knew that among all the bustling people, and the extra security I would be fine for the day. Besides I've been selfish enough and kept Remus to myself all summer. He needs time with his own friends. Not girls who have nightmares.

A/N Sorry it's short and a long time in coming. I've had a hard time concentrating recently. I should be back into a normal schedule again soon I think.