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: Please forgive me for the long pause between updates, I've been working and getting ready for college as well as working on some of my other stories...But it's about time I got back to this one!

Chapter Twenty-Four

"All right, Remus Lupin for the next twenty minutes I'm all yours!" Lily said as she rounded the curtain around his bed.

"Hey Lils," Remus said, looking up from a spread of books on his bed.

"Looks like you're keeping busy Rem," said Lily as he cleared a spot for her. "When are you coming back?"

"Pomfrey is letting me out tomorrow after morning classes…by special request," he added with a grin.

"You sly dog, you're missing out on Double Potions!" Lily exclaimed, punching him lightly on the shoulder.

"I told her I still have an essay to write and need that extra time," said Remus. "She feels sorry for me. I don't need her pity, but it can come in handy."

"Remus…" Lily shook her head disapprovingly.

"I know, I don't like using people like that, but I really need to finish that essay," said Remus, picking up on her thoughts.

"If you need any help—"

"I know, you're always there for me," Remus cut her off with a smile. Lily returned his smile and snatched his essay out from under his nose. "Hey!"

"Just proof-reading it," said Lily.

"Proof-reading or holding it hostage until I tell you what happened today with Riley?" asked Remus, arms crossed in front of his chest.

"You saw Riley today?" Lily asked, trying to sound innocent, her sly smile giving her away.

'Yes, but apparently you already knew that," said Remus, resisting a laugh.

"Maybe," Lily said with a shrug. Her eyes gave her away, Remus just looked at her in that knowing kind of way of his. "Okay, I know. Spoilsport…you're ruining my fun," she teased.

"I know," said Remus using his sly smile. "But we only have…" he looked at his watch "…seventeen minutes left, so if you want details…"

"Yes! I want details…" said Lily. "I passed Riley in the hallway earlier and she was absolutely glowing!"

"Was she?" Remus asked, feeling a little giddy.

Lily nodded. "So, what happened?" she asked eagerly.

"Wouldn't you like to know," teased Remus.

"I know you're just dying to tell someone, and who better would understand?" said Lily, and Remus nodded. "Who else are you going to tell? Sirius and James would just ask how far you got then tease you about it."

"Probably true."

"Then tell me!" said Lily. She grabbed his arm and looked at his watch. "You have fifteen minutes. Go!"

"Fine. She came, we talked, she left," said Remus.

"You lie."

"We snogged."

"I knew it!"

"I know…"

"Then why did you—?"

"Because I wanted to hear it from the horses mouth, so to speak," she said with a shrug. "So…give me details…!"

"I don't know…" he said shyly, his face burning red.

"Then I guess you don't want my advice," she said firmly, standing to leave.

"No, wait," said Remus, believing in her bluff.

"Go on then," she said, sitting back down.

"We just sort of sat here and talked. She asked me if I found her attractive."

"And you told her…" Lily urged when he didn't continue.

"The truth. That I think she's beautiful," said Remus. "And that I'm also attracted to her mind."

"Good boy," Lily smiled. "So…get to the part where you two snogged!" she said.

"Either you've been hanging around Sirius way to much lately or you mistake me for one of your gossiping girl friends," said Remus, blushing again.

"I'm sorry, please continue," said Lily sincerely.

"Time flew while I was with her, yet I feel like I've known her forever… When she went to leave I gave her a hug goodbye. When our eyes met it was like a magnet drew us together and we kissed." Lily stared at him awestruck as he told his story. "I didn't want to let go, I could have held her forever, but she had to get to class… I don't know Lils, I really like her and I hate that I have to hurt her."

"Hurt her? But…how?" asked Lily.

"By breaking up with her in a month," said Remus, his eyes suddenly downcast.

"But why would you do something like that when you like her?" Lily asked, looking confused.

"Because it's easier than trying to hide my condition from her," said Remus gloomily.

"Don't worry about it, we'll keep your secret and help cover for you," said Lily. "Don't throw away a good thing."

"What if I never ask her to be my girlfriend?" asked Remus.

"I don't know, Rem," said Lily, thinking it over. On one hand Remus wouldn't have to commit to something that could break both their hearts, but on the other, not committing might be painful for Riley or hard for her to understand. Either way, Lily didn't envy Remus and his situation. It was definitely a lot easier for her and James—now.

"I envy you Lily," said Remus in that way he had of reading her thoughts. "It's so easy for you and James…"

"Hello? Have you met me? For years I couldn't stand him," said Lily sounding disgusted. "Even towards the end of my contempt for him I tried to convince myself that it was you I liked and not him!"

"Yes, but you're not limited with this...this disease!" said Remus "You're not hunted in your dreams by a wolf. A wolf I know is my other half, constantly chasing me, fighting for control. That damned beast haunts me!" he nearly shouted.

"Remus," Lily said apologetically. She felt awful that she had brought on this sensitive topic.

"I wasn't born this way, that monster Greyback did this to me!" Remus explained. Lily remained quiet, not only because she was unable to think of anything to say, but because this was the first time she had heard him discus how he became a werewolf. Eager for him to continue but not wanting to interrupt him she remained silent. "I just…" Remus sighed "I just wish I was normal."

"Oh Remus…"

"No, Lily…I really wish that I was normal. But there's nothing you or anyone else can do to help me," he said quietly.

Lily sat there quietly, unsure of what to say. An awkward tension filled silence filled the room and Lily looked away, racking her brain for something to say. She would give anything for an interruption from one of the boys. Lily let out a quiet laugh.

"What's so funny?" Remus asked, sounding slightly offended.

"Oh it's not you, Remus," she reassured him. "I was just thinking that rarely the boys interrupt awkward moments."

"I'm afraid I don't follow you," said Remus.

"For example," said Lily, making herself comfortable. "Sirius always seems to barge in right when James kisses me. Yet when there's a tense and awkward moment they're nowhere to be found."

"Thanks for keeping James and Sirius out of my hair during lunch," he said with a grateful smile.

"It was tough, believe me," Lily laughed. "As a last ditch effort I asked them who they thought would win next month's Ravenclaw verses Slytherin Quidditch match before slipping off to eat with my girlfriends."

"I bet that got them going," said Remus with a smile. His friends despised Slytherins and everything they stood for, but their Quidditch team had a rather forceful way of winning…

"Kept them busy through to the next class," said Lily. "They're impossible to do homework with. Please, I beg of you, get better soon!"

Remus laughed. "I'll try, for Riley's sake and yours," he said with a smile.

"How sweet…"

"The things I do for the women in my life," Remus snorted, rolling his eyes.

"Ah, but you love us," Lily teased and Remus rolled his eyes again. She grabbed his arm to look at his watch. "Whoops, time to go. I'm meeting my girlfriends for dinner."

"Not eating with James?" Remus asked, eyebrows raised.

"Yup, and he'll get over it," said Lily.

"He might actually eat something rather than stare at you the entire time," Remus teased.

"Good, then maybe he won't complain later tonight that he's famished and ready to fall over from hunger!" Lily laughed.

"Fear not, he'll still complain," said Remus.

"Great," she said, rolling her eyes. She stood and shouldered her bag. "Take care," she said, leaning over to give him a hug.

"You dragging the Marauders down here tonight?" Remus asked as she parted.

Lily laughed, "If I come tonight it'll be because those marauding friends of yours drag me here, not the other way around."

"True…can you tell those juvenile delinquents to bring me some real food? I'm getting tired of chicken broth and biscuits."

"Sure thing, Rem," said Lily. "I'll see you later."

"Take care," Remus called.

"Let me know what happens the next time you see Riley," she said slyly.

"Only if you behave," he teased.

"It's not me you have to worry about," she laughed. "Bye Remus." And with that she was gone.

Left alone Remus returned to his potions essay while his thoughts remained on Riley. What was he going to do about her? He didn't want to like her because he knew if he did he would hurt her. Problem was, he did like her, and she him. What was a young werewolf to do?

A/N: Forgive me yet?