A/N: I'm not sure what to say other than the fact it's been a hell of a long time since I've written anything.

Yeah.

After days of doing homework wether it be mine or Sirius' and James' work too, marveling at Jennifer in Potions, late night conversations with the rest of the Marauders.

"I'm so excited, a whole afternoon of Hogsmeade!" Sirius squealed, and James merely picked up a roll and shoved it into Sirius' open mouth.

"Would you shut it about Hogsmeade? Your lucky my parents were nice enough to sign the permission slip." This, and the roll, was enough to shut out a excited Sirius.

"I could've gotten old Remy to do it for me." I blushed, but they smiled at me proudly.

Can any good come from civil disobedience? My parents wouldn't have signed the permission slip at all, and I had very nice handwriting. Every time I handed it over to McGonagall, my eyes were glued to the floor in shame. Was it a crime to want to spend good times with friends, especially when the parents were a little less than friendly to their wolf-kid? Then, a question unexpectedly popped into my head:

Was it my fault that he insulted Greyback?

Before I could respond mentally, Lily came nearly skipping as I'd watched Jennifer do so many times. An unusually big grin was on her face as she plopped down beside James and put an arm around his neck, giving him a large kiss on the cheek.

As soon as this happened, Sirius choked on the roll he was working on, James' face flushed deeply, and I simply arched an eyebrow. She turned away and began to pile food onto her plate for lunch. "Hi, guys, Sirius, James, Remus!"

"So, how goes that opium you've been smoking, Lily?" Sirius asked jokingly, and she gave him a very sharp look, but within seconds, her expression relaxed.

"Ha, ha, Sirius. First Hogsmeade trip. Is it a little strange for me to be excited?" She asked, waving a fork with a slice of bacon on it around as she spoke.

"It is a little strange for you to be treating James like a king." They seemed surprised I spoke up, but the guys knew it was on their minds. James was still swirling excess syrup around his plate. I'd never see him act like such a child around Lily, but then again, I'd never seen Lily make flirtatious attempts at him. What a strange day it was beginning to be.

"Well, you know. He's not so bad, I mean, you two know him," Lily replied, grinning at James the entire time. I felt rather happy for him. Lily wasn't holding back her emotions, which was interesting, yet James had hardly responded. A strange day indeed.

Later on, after lunch, we went back to the common room and changed out of our uniforms. I stared in the mirror and blinked. I decided on a plain, white button-up shirt and over this, a grey and black checkered vest. I wasn't particularly fond of trainers, so I put on a pair of dress shoes, black, yet not shiny. I saw a pair of brown slacks and was going to put them on, but James threw a pair of jeans at me. I took that as a sign to wear them.

When I went downstairs, Sirius was sporting a tight black T-Shirt and a leather jacket. I s'pose he was going for 'cool' and it must've worked. He clicked his tongue and winked at girls that went past, and they giggled. James was simply wearing a white T-shirt that admittedly, showed off his build, a simple sketch of a Snitch on his chest, a denim jacket, blue jeans and trainers.

"Why're we standing around?" Lily called, stepping down from the girls side. James' mouth became comically large at Lily, dressed in autumn colors. Her hair wasn't nearly as tamed as usual, but spilled over her shoulders. She wore the school knee socks and a flaming red skirt that reached her knees, comparable to the color of her hair, she also had an apparently snug long sleeve white shirt on, and in her hand, a purse.

"Lily, I.." James mumbled, but he was interrupted by a yelp from Sirius. Lily must've caught him with his tongue rolled out of his mouth towards her, and it happened more often than it should I wonder why.

However, I couldn't find it anywhere near comparable to Jennifer, walking across the common room wearing a denim skirt that was to her mid-thigh, and a blue t-shirt with words I couldn't read from afar. Her hand was spreading a gloss over her lips, and her blue eyes reached me. I blushed and looked down.

"Remus!" I heard Lily say scoldingly from my side, but James piped in, "Leave him alone, Lily Pad, it's only normal." I didn't bother to look up at either of them.

"Yeah, Lily, it's normal for kids his age to have urges-OWW!" I tucked my wand back into my pocket and glared at Sirius, and he pouted back, rubbing his side. Jennifer walked and giggled with her group of girlfriends to the portrait. She nearly matched my height with the sandals she wore.

"Hey, Remy.." Jennifer bat her eyelashes and I smiled, waving back timidly. They left before us and I kept seeing her glance back at me. I swallowed and kept smiling back, and I guess that just made her laugh more. I was nervous, though, if she were laughing at me.

The more I did this, the more disgusted Lily's expression grew and the prouder Sirius and James were. I wondered to myself if I was doing this all for them or for myself anymore. Once they hurried away, Sirius put an arm around me. "How're you feeling, Moony?"

My throat felt hoarse as I replied, "I think my heart dropped into my stomach."

"I think your heart won't be the only thing dropping soon." James tried to say between burst of laughter. I stared at him incredulously, and Lily looked offended. However, Sirius was nearly blue in the face with suppressed laughter.

"James, that's gross.." I said, giving him a mildly scathing look.

"Try telling me it's not true!" I felt blood rush to my face terribly fast as we rounded the corner at the doors. Filch was taking permission slips and McGonagall was calming and trying to give her usual speech for when we went out. But for the first time, as I handed Filch my permission slip absentmindedly, I felt myself wander.

My eyes went over to Jennifer. The way she stood with such poise, but beauty made my heart melt. The way her eyes looked so eager, darting around for the first place she was going to go and spend her money, and the way her chest rose and and fell as she breathed..her chest...

I facepalmed. "Ugh." Sirius glanced over at me.

"You okay, Remus?" I heard Lily ask.

"Ah..yes..allergies, I guess." I gave her a ridiculously large smile, my eyes shut tightly and I could hear her laugh. McGonagall must've been done because people rushed past us.

"Okay, where do we go first? Get some butterbeer from The Three Broomsticks, Honeydukes-"

"I want to go to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop," Lily interrupted.

"But, but, The Three Broomsticks!" Sirius whined as we walked down the cobblestone path together, looking around to suit our interest.

"Glad to know most students appreciate my place!" I heard a voice say, but we all turned our heads to look. On our left, looking rather cheerful, Madame Rosmerta stood with a smile, her hands on her hips. "I love when Hogwarts students come to Hogsmeade, brightens my day." She sighed with longing, as if she had been anticipating this all year.

"H-hi, Madame Rosmertaaa.." Sirius murmured, shuffling his feet and staring down, his face a beet red.

"Mr. Black, how have you been doing?" Madame Rosmerta asked approaching us. I felt laughter build up inside as Sirius grew quieter, his dark eyes wide towards his feet.

"Goooood.." He mumbled, then directed his attention, particularly interested in cloaks worn by models in a nearby shop window.

"And Mr. Lupin..how..are..uhm, things?" She asked nervously, concern in her eyes. I felt ashamed, all of a sudden, reminded of my condition. Dumbledore had to tell her why there were screams from the Shrieking Shack, and she had known everything. However, I took solace in knowing an ally had trusted me, despite my curse.

"I've been working hard, but, uh..things have been great." I flashed her a half hearted smile and she nodded.

"Brilliant, darling." She then directed her attention and James and Sirius, who were staring at her as if intoxicated.

"Well, we're going to go to Zonko's or Gladrags, thanks." Lily said, glancing pointedly at Sirius and James. She tugged them along and I followed behind, closely.

"Bye, Madame Rosmerta!" I called, waving, and she simply waved back.

"Didn't we come here for a purpose, James?" Lily asked.

"..Maybe.." He replied, confused. Lily gave him a flat look and sighed exasperatedly.

"New clothes for Remus to attract...Jennifer." There was a strained look in her face as she uttered the name.

"YES! TO GLADRAGS WIZARDWEAR!" Sirius shouted, raising his arm like a gallant jouster.

"TALLY HO, AND NOT THE GOOD KIND!" James screamed in turn and began to run down the path, nearly tripping over a gnome who stared after them disgustedly. Me and Lily exchanged exasperated looks and ran after them.

Once we reached the door and went inside, Sirius was already flirting up a shop assistant and James was piling things onto his shoulder. I looked around at all the fashions, the name brands I'd only heard about.

As soon as I approached the fitting room, I was shoved a pile of clothing. "Get in there and show us whatcha got, mate!" James grinned and I nodded, feeling pretty confident. I opened the dressing room and walked in and after a couple moments of being insanely uncomfortable, I walked out. I wondered if these were the things I was supposed to put together. When I left, Lily, James, and Sirius all had pulled up chairs

"Oh..oh, no.." Lily said, bowing her head.

I looked in the mirror and my eyes widened. I was wearing a sleeveless, black turtleneck, jeans that were too tight, I could easily see the shape of legs through them. The back had skulls printed on them and I murmured, "No."

"Looking a bit angst, are we?" Sirius snickered, I blushed ands retreated to my dressing room. I tried another attempt, but this was another failure.

The jeans were too baggy, with awefully too many chains, and hung very..very low. I had to keep hitching them up, but Sirius stated it was a 'style'. How could showing off your boxers to the world be a style? And the shirt was a giant, blue t-shirt with some sort of graffiti style on it.

"You know what? Try again." Lily said, waving me away.

And that I did, but this time was the worst. I dont know it was the fact that the pink polo shirt was so small, it showed off my abdomen to my bellybutton and the pants were very light brown and very, very hard to walk in, if it was James calling me camp, or the fact that Jennifer Strewing was standing four feet away from me as I stepped out wearing this. She had her head cocked at a tank top, but her eyes scrolled up to the s

She saw me and raised her eyebrows and my eyes widened, all the blood rushing to my face as I fell back into the dressing room, slamming the door. I stayed behind it and it was silent other than the quiet conversation of the helpers. I stayed, frozen to the door before I heard Lily's soft voice.

"Remus?" I glanced at the door.

"Y-yes, Lily?"

"I sent the boys away to The Three Broomsticks and Jennifer left. Now, let me tell you something, Remus. Matter how you look, you should be able to win that girls heart. No matter how you dress, or how 'cool' you look, or whatever, you'll always be our friend. Our intelligent, fun and caring friend, Remus John Lupin." I was silent for a while and closed my eyes. I could nearly feel the tears build up in my eyes.

"Do-do you understand, Remus?" I nodded, then realized she didn't see me and I said, "Yes.."

"Okay. Well, just pick out what you want, and we'll just see how it turns out." Going to my pile of clothes, I nodded confidently and began to think about my own tastes, but most of all, what Lily had said.

Without even trying them out, I picked out several outfits and went to the shop counter, piling them on. I thanked Lily a lot for paying for all of it, but she said it was no problem. Then, the most nerve wracking thing of all, Lily thought I should have some stuff done to my hair. I trusted Lily..but not hair products.

I swallowed and glanced at Lily nervously. We stood outside of Madame Rosmerta's place for quite a bit, only so I couldn't be talked out of showing off my new look. The guys had been at The Three Broomsticks for nearly a half hour, and Lily nodded confidently at me while we stood at the entrance. We went around to nearly every shop, buying clothes and accessories. Lily was very helpful with all of this, however, slapping my hand when I picked up something she said "was for more of a Potter."

"You look great, Remus. I had no idea you had muscles, mate." She punched me lightly in the abdomen and grinned. It was remarkable how much like one of the guys Lily could be while being such a lady. She walked in and I heard her say, "Introducing, Remus Luuuuupin!"

I walked in and clenched my stomach, staring at James and Sirius who sat close to the door on barstools. Sirius and James both dropped their jaws, butterbeer spilling onto James' shirt.

"Like it?" I raised my hand to pick at my hair. It was only down to my neck now, a sandy brown, last time I checked and had it cut to be layered, my bangs nearly reaching my eyes and parted. I changed into a navy blue t-shirt that Lily said 'complimented my eyes'. It was rather comfortable besides that. Today was probably the day I first discovered the fact I had definition in my abdomen. Sure, maybe not disgustingly bulging abs, but I had something. The jeans had, admittedly, hung down a bit, but not ridiculously so.

For the first time, I'd worn a pre-made ripped pair of jeans, the knees on it completely worn out. I had to admit, I liked that look. I had spent most of my life with ripped clothing and it just seemed right. A bit of personality in clothing, that's what I desired. The sandals under my feet were very comfortable, more so than the constricting dress shoes I'd had before.

"Well, well, look who's fancy now.." Sirius said, standing and getting a good look at me.

"Woah, now, Sirius, I'm not one of your girlfriends," I replied with joking caution as he gave me the same once over he gave most girls.

"Lookin' good, Moons." As James said this, Lily stepped forward and gave a curtsey, then stared at me proudly like a piece of art.

"It took a bit of work, but he was very cooperative. He's got more style than you two knuckleheads know," Lily announced, and I grinned at the three of them.

"Well, before we get wasted off our arses, lets get a bit of candy." We all exited and strode to Honeydukes, chatting. I walked with anew confident and felt people glance at me, other students, adults, and, best of all, girls. When we went to Honeydukes and walked in, I rushed to ther chocolates.

Not many people know that of all pleasures in the world, my main one is chocolate. Lily and James departed to the suckers and Sirius to the poisonous looking jellies. But while I marvled at what Honeydukes had in store, I saw Jennifer, nibbling on a biscuit stick coated in pink strawberry colors and picking Toothflossing Stringmints with curiousity.

"H-hey.." I said to her, trying to forget our earlier encounter. She glanced at me and had a flirtatious stare, before I watched the realization rush over her.

"Remy?" She exhaled, removing the snack from her lips. "You look so.."

"Different? Yeah, I went and bought some stuff..what-what d'you think?" I spun on the spot, a trick James said impressed people. She giggled loudly and put her hand on my shoulder.

"Gosh, you are absolutely.." She paused, then quirked her lips, glancing me up and down. "You know what, Lupin?" My face heated terribly as Jen grabbed my arm and led me to the door. She pulled from her bag a Chocolate Frog and slipped something flat inside.

Handing it to me with a winning smile, she said, "Eat this."

"Jen! These Peppermint Toads taste so good!" I saw her friend, Aubury waving her over, a half eaten Peppermint Toad in her other hand. Jen glanced over with interest, then looked back at me, smiling. I had to be honest, those blue eyes could take me to a higher place in my mind.

"Well, I've got to go. Promise me, you'll have it?" She put her hands around mine holding the candy and I nearly flinched at the warmth of her small, smooth hands.

"Yeah, I will.." She nodded and winked.

"Thanks, darlin'. Now, I've got to go, bye, Remy!' And she trotted away. I read on the back of her shirt, "Save a broom, ride a player." And felt a chuckle rise in me. It felt so strange, this person I was becoming. I dont think anyone else saw it, but I felt it, I was changing. I just had a conversation with Jennifer, the girl of my dreams. I slid the Chocolate Frog into my pocket and began to pick up a handful of Sugar Quills, for I chewed on my quill enough as it was.

It was nearly sunset when we returned to the castle. I felt happier than I had in a while, and gotten a bit more attention than usual. Some Ravenclaw and Gryffindor girls smiled at me, male friends of mile wolf whistled jokingly, and us, The Marauders, sat around the common room and chatted as we did nearly every night. We passed around Ice Mice and Licorice Wands, chomping happily when we weren't talking.

Until, that is, I realized I still had the Chocolate Frog in my pocket. I looked around to see if Jennifer was around, but I remembered she'd gone to the Hufflepuff common room.

"What's that, Moony?" James asked and I looked up, then back down and opened it. I had been very good at getting Chocolate Frogs to stay still as soon as I opened the small box. I tugged onto his legs and pressed a bit on his back. At once, it became immobile. It made me feel a little less guilty about eating them if they weren't hopping around like live things.

Biting into it's side, a small card flew up from the box, spun around a couple times in the air and landed on my lap. Cautiously, I picked it up and glanced at James, Sirius and Lily nervously. Around it, there was a pink, shimmering aura, and it smelled like fresh strawberries.

On it, in curly handwriting, I read out loud, "Let's have a chat. Tomorrow. Sit at my table for dinner. JS."

"Ooh, a minidate?" Sirius asked with interest. I picked up my wand and tapped it, so the aura disappeared, yet the scent didn't. I tucked it into my pocket and stared at a portrait pointedly. Did Jennifer wanted me to talk with her, sit with her..anything else? Well, probably nothing but that. I couldn't help but to wonder, however, if she felt anything for me.. That flirtatious stare. I couldn't remember if that was before or after she had realized who I was.

"You going?" James asked. I had actually been wondering that myself, and I nodded. Lily gave me a smile and said something I honestly didn't expect.

"You'll win her soon, Remus."

A/N: Wow. I feel so drained, I'm sorry if that wasn't my best. I was so fucking unfocused during like all of this. xD Oh, well.