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: Sorry, I meant to post this yesterday... Enjoy and I'll post the last chapter in two weeks upon my return to the land of normal…

Chapter Twenty-Eight

"Moony, you're out!" Sirius exclaimed at the breakfast table the next morning.

"How are you feeling?" James asked.

"Because you look awful,"Peter added unnecessarily.

"I'm fine," Remus lied. "I just couldn't sleep last night, that's all." Remus Lupin does not get angry, he reminded himself. Remus Lupin does not punch Sirius Black in the nose. Remus Lupin does not—

"Stoop glaring at me like that Moony," said Sirius.

"He looks like he wants to eat Sirius," Peter whispered not-so-discreetly to James.

"More like he's going to punch him," James whispered back. "Rough night, mate?" he asked Remus.

"Aye, I had a visitor last night," said Remus, stabbing violently at a piece of sausage. "Riley was out after hours and broke in to see me."

"But that's a good thing, mate!" said Sirius, reaching across the table to pat Remus on the shoulder.

"Not if a little voice in your head won't leave you alone," grumbled Remus to himself, glaring once more at Sirius.

"Have you gone mad?" Peter asked simply around a mouthful of toast.

"Possibly," Remus shrugged. "But it was like having him," he pointed forcefully towards Sirius, "beside me shouting his smart arsed comments in my ear."

"Oh man, I'm sorry," said Sirius. "I didn't tell you to say something stupid, did I?" Sirius asked earnestly.

"Not entirely," Remus admitted, looking around briefly and lowering his voice he continued, "I have to end things with her," he unwillingly admitted. "She told me last night that she likes me."

"Do you like her?" asked Peter.

"Yes," Remus groaned miserably in response.

"Well there are many ways to do this," said Sirius, digging through his schoolbag. Pulling out a small book he began to flip through it.

"What's that, Padfoot? Your diary?" asked James.

"Bugger off," said Sirius. "Ah, here it is...So how do you want to do it? Avoidance? Ignoring her? Or using the old 'I like you, but...' excuse? Or by just moving on to some other bird?"

"What?" Remus asked, looking utterly confused.

"Well, avoidance can be difficult; although it's a big school, she's in the same year and you share a few classes with her," said Sirius, approaching the situation like a Quidditch game plan. "Ignoring her might work, but you yourself said that you like her, which sort of complicates things."

"Just a bit," James nodded in agreement.

"You would have to pretend she does not exist," Sirius continued. "Never looking at her, but through her. Ignoring her voice and notes and girlish charms. It's tough, but it works if you can stick with it."

"And he called me mad!" Remus muttered to James.

"But he's had more girlfriends than the two of us combined," James replied. "Sadly, I think he knows what he's talking about."

"The 'it's not you, it's me' approach, also known as the 'I like you, but...' excuse might work, except you need to have a damn good excuse," Sirius continued. "I like you, but I'm not ready for a commitment right now, I'm chronically ill and I don't want to burden you with my weaknesses."

"Nice one," said James.

"This is absolutely horrid! You're discussing a break up as if it was as common as the weather report in the Daily Prophet!" said Remus. "Besides, she's not even my girlfriend, so why do I have to break up with her? I just need to keep things from going any further."

"Then what's the problem?" asked Sirius. "Why am I giving you advice on breaking up with a bird that isn't even your girlfriend?"

"Because I need to keep things from going any further," repeated Remus.

"Knowing you the moving on and fancying another girl is not the way to go," said Sirius.

"That would only end in disaster," agreed Remus.

"All right then, here's what you can say..." Sirius drilled the lines into Remus's head all day until he had it memorized and could say them in his sleep. And by the end of the day he had resigned himself to his fate.

A/N: Sorry it's a bit of a short one this time around...