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 apologize for the long wait between chapters, the story is almost finished, I wrote the last bits of it this morning and am getting the last two chapters typed. Find it in your hearts to forgive me and review…
Chapter Twenty-Six
"Are we good?" James asked cautiously, the argument from breakfast still fresh in his mind.
"You're not going to randomly snap at me again today, are you?" Lily asked, no trace of humor in her voice.
James stopped her in her tracks and turned to stand in front of her. He took her hand in his and looked into her green eyes. Oh how easy it would be to lose himself in those eyes…
"No, not today, not tomorrow, and not next week," he said.
"What about next month?" she asked, allowing herself to smile.
"Well, that depends on the moon," he said.
"Say no more," she said. "I promise I'll try and be a bit more understanding." Lily smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "So…what about Remus?"
They resumed walking hand-in-hand at a leisurely pace. "Well, it's not like he's a lifelong bachelor. The right girl is out there waiting for him somewhere…"
"But he's not a Ladies' Man like Sirius," said Lily.
"Exactly. You know how he's all smart and stuff."
"Right, stuff," she said, referencing his once a month furry problem.
"And, believe it or not, not to many girls are willing to accept that their boyfriend could become a furry, raging lunatic with huge claws once a month," said James.
"Let's not forget the teeth," Lily added. "James, I know all this already, why are you telling me what I already know?"
"No reason, just stalling," Lily glared at him. "Okay, okay I'm kidding! But other than us, you're the only other student that knows his secret."
"But he didn't tell me," she said. "I figured it out on my own."
"So did we — well, Sirius and I — but he admitted the truth to you, did he not?" asked James.
"Aye, he did," she said.
"And he asked you how you felt about it, right? How you saw him now that you know?"
"Yes, but what does that have to do with—?"
"You accept him as he is, and so do we. He's worried that a girl he hasn't really known as long as the four of us would tell the whole school if she found out. And he couldn't bring himself to trust anyone enough to date for more than a month."
"So he dumps them before the full moon?" Lily asked, starting to catch on.
"Exactly," said James. "He's too nice, always says he doesn't want to hurt anyone, and it's true. He sometimes dreads dating because he doesn't want to step on any toes."
"What about Riley?" Liv asked, the color draining from her face. She could already feel the guilt rising in her stomach for helping the two hook up.
"He'll probably drag this one out," said James. "When he really likes a girl he'll keep her at bay until after the full moon. As soon as he's recovered enough he'll ask her out and then most likely dump her just before the next full moon."
"Does he do this often?" Lily asked. In all the years she knew him, they had never really talked about their relationships. Odd that she should notice this now.
"No, like I said, he doesn't like to hurt anyone," said James. "He only had two girlfriends last year and one the year before. That's it…"
"Oh Remus…" she said, feeling sorry for him. He was such a sweet guy, he deserved the best.
"Yeah, Sirius is really the only big dater in our group," said James, shifting the subject a bit.
"Oh really?" Lily said with a smirk. "It's not like I've never seen you with some blond fan girl clinging onto your arm before…"
"So you noticed?" James asked with a grin. "I had hoped you would…"
"Of course I noticed. It meant that for at least a little while I wasn't being constantly asked out by you," said Lily. "It was a relief, really."
"Just admit it, you were jealous…" James teased.
"Of what? That you were sucking face with some dumb girl that cared more about her make up and hair then her school work rather than bothering me? Oh yeah, I was green with envy," she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she rolled her eyes at James.
"I knew it!" exclaimed James, nearly jumping for joy. Lily rolled her eyes again. "What?" he asked when she suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"Uh, I just realized I left a book behind," she said, grabbing James' arm and dragging him in the opposite direction.
"But you didn't have any books with you," said James, stopping behind her.
"Whatever," she said. "Just please come this way," she pleaded, her eyes darting toward something or someone behind him.
James saw this odd behavior and turned around. Lily's shoulders slumped and she let out a sigh as James' eyes narrowed in malice.
"Don't even start Potter. I already know what you'll say," sneered Severus Snape. "Couldn't you at least try and be more creative in your insults?"
"Ah, but if I don't use small words for you, you wouldn't be able to understand me," James said with an eerie smile.
They smirked and glared at each other while Lily fidgeted nervously. She was contemplating just walking away when Snape made his next move. "You thing you're pretty clever, don't you?" Snape hissed. "Putting me in the hospital wing like that."
"For once we did nothing to you," said James. He knew this confrontation was bound to happen sooner or later.
"Oh, and I'm sure you have a rock solid alibi too," said Snape sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
James opened his mouth but quickly snapped it shout. "He does," said Lily, stepping forward. "He was with me."
Snape turned to glare at her, "Anything any one of his friends does he can easily share their blame."
"I was with all four of them when they brought you into the Hospital Wing," Lily said calmly. "We were in the Hospital Wing when they brought you. I know how difficult it is for you to admit it, but it was your own mistake that put you there and you know it." Their eyes met and Lily stared him down until Snape looked away.
With something like a growl Snape turned and headed in the opposite direction. Lily prepared herself for the onslaught of curses she was about to hear from James.
"Now he knows we were there!" James said, clearly upset. "Now he's going to be suspicious about us being there."
"You don't think he isn't already?" she shot back quickly. "Any person with two eyes and even the slightest hint of a brain can see that you four are up to something, and I'm not talking about mindless little pranks either," she snapped.
"He can't be trusted at all. He's bound to destroy Remus's life if he finds out," said James. "And if not Remus now, then he's definitely going to make some poor bloke miserable in the future."
"You're probably right, but life will have it's revenge on him eventually," said Lily calmly. "He'll get his in the end."
"Yeah, you're right..." James agreed, his shoulders slumped. He let out a sigh, "I am just too tired to be doing this today."
"Doing what?" Lily asked, watching him curiously. His sudden shifts in his moods always alarmed Lily and put her on edge slightly.
"Doing this. Going to class, walking, talking...even breathing!" he said hopefully.
"You exaggerate," Lily laughed.
"Do I? I can't tell...Hey, maybe I'm sleep walking!" he said sounding hopeful.
"Don't bet your life on it, you're awake and I know it," said Lily, unsure whether she should roll her eyes or laugh.
"Prove it,' he said, throwing her a sly glance and leaning closer.
"Shut up and get to class, Potter," she laughed, shoving him away from her playfully.
A/N: Three more chapters to go. Thanks for bearing with me over my absence from this story... You guys are awesome!