Title: A Time For Change
Author Name: DarkForest214
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: "Transforming Thoughts"
Summery: Sequel to "Transforming Thoughts." Follow Lily and James in their new relationship while keeping an eye on their mischievous friends Remus Lupin and Sirius Black.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or Hogwarts School. I did not write this to try and make money. I am not stealing from JKR and the publishing companies and whatnot… I own nothing!
Author's Note: I've been really busy with work and everything, so when I had a moment at school to post I jumped on the chance. Enjoy…

Chapter Five

The Marauders sat around the fireplace that night in the Gryffindor common room talking in hushed tones. Whenever someone entered the room they'd stop talking and would look around warily before continuing their conversation. At the moment they were trying to figure out if they should tell Lily about their unregistered animagi selves.

It was tied two-to-two when Lily entered the common room and their conversation abruptly ended. James wanted her to know and Remus backed him up, insisting she could be trusted. But Sirius didn't want to risk it and Peter was too panicky about anyone knowing at all. So they dropped it, knowing they could always discuss it later in their dorm room.

"Am I interrupting something?" Lily asked when she joined the group.

"Er, not really," said James.

"We were just…talking," Remus said with a shrug.

"Fair enough," she said as she sat down next to James. The Marauders exchanged a glance and Lily fidgeted in her seat. "Are you sure I'm not interrupting?" she asked, breaking the awkward silence.

"No, no…it's fine," said Remus. But silence fell over them again.

"Um…sure…" said Lily. "Er, James can I talk to you?" she asked. The unnatural silence made her very uncomfortable.

"Yeah," he muttered as he stood and held out his hand for her. She took it and the two headed toward the exit.

Before they stepped through the portrait hole James paused to hold the door open and looked back. Sirius glared at him, the look in his eyes clearly said 'Tell her and I'll deal with you personally…' James nodded and silently reassured his best friend that he wouldn't share their secret until they had all agreed otherwise.

"Where to?" James asked as he closed the door.

"Let's just walk," said Lily. She slipped her hand in his and the two wandered the corridors.

After walking around in silence for a while James paused and turned to Lily. "What did you want to talk to me about?" he asked.

She looked up into his eyes and sighed. 'What did she want to talk to him about?' But as she watched his brow furrow in worry she knew she had to just come right out and say it. "I feel like an outsider, James," she said bluntly. The look in his eyes quickly went from confusion to hurt. "I know you don't mean to," she added quickly. "But, when we're with your friends… You don't talk around me, you aren't normal. Is it because you don't trust me?"

"I do. You know I do," said James, speaking quickly and softly. "And Remus does too, it's just—"

"Sirius?"

"And Peter."

"What?"

"I can't lie to you. I could never lie to you about something like this," said James, picking his words carefully. "But I can't tell you…not yet at least."

"Does it have to do with Remus?" Lily asked quietly. James looked surprised but quickly covered it up. "Don't tell me you forgot that I knew?! The full moon is tomorrow night, James."

"Remus told us you knew…"

"And you know I'd never tell anyone his secret," said Lily.

"Just like I know you'll never betray mine…" James muttered to himself.

"What?"

"Huh?"

"You just said something," said Lily, eying him suspiciously.

"I was thinking out loud to myself," said James, trying to shrug it off. "I promise you now, that you'll find out soon."

Lily nodded and figured she'd try to change the subject. "So, will you sit with me at the feast tomorrow?" she asked, flashing him her most charming smile.

"The feast?"

"The Halloween feast… Don' tell me you forgot!" said Lily.

"It completely slipped my mind," he said. His heart was torn; go with Lily and leave Remus or go with Remus and leave Lily. The second option seemed less dangerous. Padfoot and Wormtail would need his help keeping the wolf under control. "I — I don't know if I can…" he said regretfully.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I have to be there for Remus."

"But once he's fully transformed you can't be anywhere near him. Any scent of human flesh and he'll—"

"I know, but I — argh, I just can't tell you yet," said James. He never thought he could be torn like this, but he couldn't tell her, not yet at least. He couldn't even tell her about himself because he was so closely tied with Sirius and Peter. Nobody outside of their circle knew anything about any of them. Lily was the first to know about Remus, and would eventually be the first to know about the other three.

"All right, I know you can't say," said Lily with a resigned sigh. "And I trust that you will tell me eventually."

"Sooner or later," James assured.

"More like sooner," said Sirius as he stepped out of the shadows and seemed to appear in thin air.

A/N: I don't know when I'll be able to post again, I've been really busy with work...so R&R and Yay for the movie (I'll post my ideas/review on it later)

Live, Laugh, Love,
DarkForest214