Lily

Remus apparated to the small hallway with a soft pop. He stood in front of a heavy wood door marked "4C". He raised a fist and knocked a couple times and soon heard soft footsteps approaching from the other side. The door opened to reveal a petite redhead, not the brunette Remus was expecting.

"Remus! Hey!" Lily said enthusiastically.

"Hey Lily, is Dora here?" he asked.

"No, she actually just left to get some coffee," she answered. "Why don't you come in though, she'll be back any minute." Lily turned and walked back into the apartment, gesturing Remus to follow. He stepped in and she turned around quickly, "Shoot, I'm supposed to ask you a question, I'm sorry, you know the drill."

Remus smiled at her. "It's okay," he said.

Lily looked up in thought, "Umm, what did you get Tonks when she got into Auror school?"

"A necklace from Tiffany's," Remus answered instantly. 'A damn expensive one at that' Remus added in his head.

"Okay, you're safe," Lily said with a smile as she walked further into the apartment. "So what brings you here today?"

"Uh, Dora left her sweatshirt at my place, I'm just bringing it back," Remus said gesturing to the gray fabric in his hands. "I can just leave it here, it's fine."

"Okay, I'll tell her you stopped by," Lily said.

"Thanks," Remus replied as he placed the sweatshirt on the couch. "Bye Lily." He was about to apparate when the nagging thought in the back of his mind gave a sudden twitch. 'She's her best friend…and probably going to be the Maid of Honor…' He stopped in his tracks and turned quickly to face Lily again, filled with a sudden, strange nervousness. Remus had known Lily for a long time now, why was he suddenly so nervous? 'Because you're a self-demoting jerk,' he answered himself. 'You're worried about what she's going to say. She's doesn't want to see her best friend get hurt, and let's face it. The chances of that happening are pretty high considering your…furry little problem. No matter how much Dora tries to say otherwise…'

"I need to tell you something," Remus spat out quickly.

Lily furrowed her eyebrows together, confused and concerned. "Okay…" she said gesturing for him to continue.

Remus took a deep breath. "I'm going to ask Dora to marry me," he said and unconsciously held his breath for a moment.

Lily stared at him in shock for a second and then gasped and brought her hands up to cover her mouth. Her eyes glossed over and Remus was afraid she might cry.

After what seemed like an eternity, Lily finally spoke. "Oh my God, Remus, that is so great." Remus let out a breath of relief. "Why so relieved? Were you afraid I'd be mad or something?"

Remus avoided her eyes as he said "No," quietly.

Lily sighed, "You were never good at lying, Remus."

"I know, it's just…" Remus trailed off.

"You feel like you need everyone's approval," Lily finished for him.

"Yeah," he said reluctantly.

"Well don't! Remus, when are you going to get it through that thick skull of yours that you're a good person?"

"It's not that, it's…what parent would want their daughter marrying someone like me? What friend would let their friend get involved with someone like me?"

Lily threw her hands up in exasperation. "Well then why bother, Remus? If you feel that way then just end it, don't torture her and keep her hanging on. Why ask her to marry you?"

Remus looked down at his hands. "Because I love her," he said softly after a beat.

Lily smiled at him. "Then that's all you need. Forget about everything else. If you love her, and she loves you, which I know she does, then you'll get through the obstacles." Remus looked at her and gave her a tiny smile of thanks. "And as for that self-pitying thing, that's gotta stop. You are a good person, Remus, who does good things and fights for the good side. Don't let something terrible that happened to you a long time ago change that."

The two stood in silence for a moment, thinking about what was said. "I really should get going," Remus said gesturing toward the door.

"Okay, just don't forget what I said," Lily said walking with him to the door.

"I won't. Thanks Lily, I'll see you around," Remus said as he opened the door. He stepped into the hallway and turned to face Lily again when she spoke.

"She loves you Remus, just trust in that. She'd do anything for you."

And that's what scared him.

Disclaimer

Anything that is recognizable from any of the Harry Potter books is property of J.K. Rowling and I make no profit from it.