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: As a special "Holiday" present...here's chapter eleven! (but don't expect more for a while...I gotta finish writing 12.) For once I've caught up to myself, forcing my (wonderful) readers to wait while I get my lazy arse a writing! Right, let's cut the chit chat and get on with it shall we?
Chapter Eleven
"Is that her?" Sirius hissed in James' ear.
"No." James responded.
"What about her?"
"No."
"Ooo I like her…"
"Sirius!"
"Sorry…" he mumbled.
"Focus, would you?" said James. "There she is!"
"Where?"
"She just walked in," said James, rolling his eyes.
"Where?"
"Are you blind?!" James asked, turning around in his seat.
"Her?"
"Yes, her…"
"She's not even that pretty," said Sirius.
"Padfoot!"
"What? I'm just saying—"
"She's beautiful," said Remus, cutting him off.
"You know, I think I dated her best friend," said Sirius.
"Oh really? Do you remember her name?" Remus asked.
"Oh yeah, Jessica was great. A really good snog—"
"Not your ex, Sirius…her friend," said Remus, rolling his eyes.
"Uh…It was something different," said Sirius, searching her brain. "I want to say it starts with an R."
"What's the feminine form of Remus?" James teased.
"Bugger off…"
"Sush, guys class is about to start," said Lily interrupting them as she took her seat in front of James.
Remus glanced across the room to the dark haired girl and saw her blush and quickly look away. Yeah, that was definitely her.
"Take out your books and turn to page four-hundred and twenty-eight. Also, take out you notes and keep up," Professor Binns said in his monotone voice as he drifted through the chalkboard.
Remus took out his book, the list of do's and don'ts and the two charmed pieces of parchment, as well as a quill and ink. He chanced another glance at her and saw she was already busy writing, but he suspected she wasn't taking notes…
When she moved to brush a stray strand of hair from her eyes he took a moment to watch her and analyze her appearance. 'Analyze? Why must I always analyze?' he thought.
She may not be picture perfect, but he didn't care. Her curly hair was slightly frizzy and kept falling in her face as she wrote, causing her to either flick it out of her eyes or toss her head in a manner he found attractive. She wore glasses that kept slipping down her nose and she gave off an overall appearance of being sweet and innocent with a touch of shyness.
Lily, who was sitting next to Remus, threw a wadded piece of parchment at his head. He turned around and mouthed "What?" She nodded at the piece of paper wadded on his desk.
"Read it," she mouthed.
Remus unfurled the parchment as quietly as possible and read Lily's neat handwriting:
Stop staring and try to look a little more miserable. Oh, and don't forget to send her a little note… check the guidelines…
Remus nodded and tucked the ball of paper into his pocket and unfolded the guidelines.
Remember, you're sick.
Don't mention me (or any other girl, it will only make her jealous).
Start off by telling her you charmed the parchment, it will impress her.
Ask her how her day has been so far or how she's feeling. Women like to know their significant other is interested in them.
Remus stopped reading, he could handle this. Right? While Binns had his back turned and facing the black board, Remus shoved one of the enchanted pieces of parchment off of the side of the desk and charmed it so it landed at the girl's feet.
She felt something lightly brush against her ankles and looked down. She was surprised to see the word 'Hello' appear upside down on the page. She glanced around the room, no one seemed to have noticed. Half of the class slept, others did homework for other classes while even fewer still were awake and taking notes — or passing them. Even an exhausted looking Remus was diligently taking notes as usual.
She looked down at the parchment and to her surprise more words began to appear.
Don't worry, I won't bite… I just wanted to talk to you. She bent over and picked up the parchment as more words appeared. I…I'm not disturbing your note taking, am I?
She decided to bite the bullet — as the muggle saying goes — and dipped her quill into her ink. No, I wasn't taking notes… I'm sorry, but who are you?
Remus chanced a quick glance out of the corner of his eye in her direction. My deepest sympathies, where are my manners? I just assumed… well, never mind. Look up.
And she did. When her eyes met his she couldn't look away. He gave her a weak smile and brief wave before turning and hunching back over his work.
Remus? She wrote hesitantly.
Tis I. He responded.
But how…?
Simple copying spell. When I was told of your encounter with my friends this morning I knew I had to speak with you. Or in this case, write with you.
But…oh, wow this is weird…
I'm sorry, I'll let you get back to, well, whatever it was you were doing.
No, that's okay. I'd rather talk to you anyway… she wrote, chancing another glance.
So how are you this fine holiday? Remus wrote.
I'm fine, and you? You look exhausted…
I am, I couldn't sleep last night, but I won't bore you with the details…
Oh, I'm sorry. I hope you feel better soon.
So do I, I'd hate to miss the feast, but even the thought of food makes me cringe.
Oh… she looked over at him and they made eye contact again. His eyes were dull and full of pain and regret and she tried to hide her disappointment, after all he was sick.
"…which the Minister passed for the safety of…" Professor Binn's boring voice continued to drone on. Lily's quill scratching against the parchment and the occasional snore met Remus's ears, but were ignored. He hated lying to this girl — who he couldn't even remember her name — already. She deserved better, but of what he knew so far, he liked. Even though he wasn't about to blab his dark secret to her.
The two continued to write to each other until there were ten minutes left of class. Only ten more minutes…talking to you has really made this class go a lot quicker!
Aye, it did. Um, I was wondering… if you're not busy, that is, when I'm feeling better, would you like to go on a walk with me?
Really? Then recover quickly! I'm looking forward to it. She looked up and gave her a bashful smirk.
When the bell rang the school shuddered to life as classroom doors banged open and students poured into the corridors. Remus urged his friends ahead of him as he gathered his things and walked, slightly hunched, over to he Ravenclaw girl.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly, "but I don't even know your name… It bothers me that I can't remember it but—"
"Don't worry about it," she said with a shrug, and Remus was able to distinguish a slight Scottish accent. "It's not an easy name to remember…I'm Riley," she said with a smile.
"Riley…well it's not a name I'll soon forget," he said, his gloomy eyes brightening.
She blushed and ducked her head as she left the room. Remus smiled to himself and rejoined his friends in the hall.
"How'd it go?" asked Sirius.
"What did she say?" asked James.
"Are you sure you're not sick?" insisted Peter.
All questions were thrown at him at once but Remus just turned to Lily and smiled. "Well, how did it go?" she asked after the others had quieted down.
Remus wrapped her up in a one armed hug and said "Thank you!"
A/N: Trying to not make her Mary Sue... She's kind of based on my one friend who seems all shy and innocent, but has a wild side to her that always seems to surprise people... (which might be considered a bit of a spoiler...oops, sorry.) Read and Review folks, I love hearing from ya!