11.

Severus knew that Lily would be upset with him for having found and attempted to talk to Lupin without her, he would just have to explain to her that he hadn't planned on talking to the boy alone, he had merely found him wandering the corridor and thought that now was as good a time as any…even if Lily wasn't there at the moment. He figured that since they had planned to meet here anyway, then perhaps she wouldn't be too upset that Lupin was already here.

Remus was glad of the company, even if it was rather strange company. Severus had tried talking to Remus, however when he didn't answer then the other boy seemed to realize that something was wrong with his voice and didn't ask questions that couldn't be answered with a shake or nod of the head. He had come to learn a lot simply by observing the other boy, Severus wasn't evil as the others had said and although his hair was rather greasy, Remus didn't see why that was something to completely dislike and torment him over…he probably couldn't help it. He was discovering much about Severus that he didn't think he would have been able to learn otherwise, though he was quiet he was extremely smart, he was kind hearted under that hard outer shell that he always wore and he also seemed to want someone who wasn't going to bully him for a friend and that rather surprised Remus. He had thought that Severus either didn't want friends or was fine with the ones that he had in Slytherin, it had never occurred to him that perhaps Severus felt out of place there among the others who were from rather darker families.

He blinked in confusion as he realized that Severus had been talking to him, he shook his head slightly in hopes that perhaps Severus would repeat himself. The other boy looked at him and sighed heavily, it seemed that he had already repeated himself; however he closed his eyes briefly in what must have been exasperation before saying calmly.

"Lily will be most upset to find that I have been talking to you without her, she thought we should talk to you together however I saw an opportunity and I took it. Hopefully she will understand that, either way you are safe with us Lupin, neither one of us will harm you or let anyone else harm you in our presence. I wanted you to know that." Severus's voice was calm and low, hardly any inflection in his words…succeeding in making Remus believe that he could be safe around them, at least until they discovered what he was.

Remus offered a small smile in response to Severus's statement, he thought that perhaps Lily and Severus wouldn't mind so much if he became friends with them even if they couldn't really be friends, perhaps something of a friendship could be formed between them.

Remus had been thinking about what the relationship between the three of them could be when he heard something that sounded like approaching footsteps, his head shot up and his spine went rigid as all his attention was on the door. Beside him Severus looked if not nearly as alert and worried as Remus did, he was at least wary and had his wand at the ready; they both waited as the door opened slowly to reveal non-other than Lily. Severus scowled slightly as he stowed his wand away, then it was gone and replaced by an actual smile as Lily came into the room and shut the door behind her. Remus relaxed slightly even if it wasn't completely, he watched Lily approach them cautiously, he could tell that while she may have been slightly upset that Severus was here without her, she hid it rather well with her concern.

"I got your note Remus, and I don't want you to worry. I know you were scared and I don't blame you for running away, I probably would have done the same if I was cornered and afraid like you are. I hope that Sev told you that we won't hurt you, and that we want to help you." Lily spoke so calmly and with such kindness that for a moment Remus was floored and didn't know how to respond.

She continued her slow approach until she was directly in front of him, it took every ounce of control to not shrink away from her, he had to trust her if she really was going to be kind and possibly be his friend. Lily knelt in front of him and simply looked at him for a moment, her eyes falling on each of his injuries, pausing at his hand and looking appalled before looking at his face and smiling a little at him; he attempted to smile back and was completely caught off guard as she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Remus froze, his eyes wide at the unexpected contact; he hesitantly brought his own arms up to carefully hug her back, slowly letting himself enjoy the feeling of having someone hug him and offer comfort.

When Lily pulled away he offered her a small smile in thanks, watching her as she sat down facing him and Severus who had watched the exchange with something like longing in his face though only Remus had actually seen it. He wondered if there was something that he could do to make him more comfortable, maybe with time Severus would become a little more outgoing and it wouldn't be a guess as to what he was wanting, though perhaps it would always be a guess with Severus.

The three of them talked for a while, well the other two talked and Remus listened, when Remus doubled over in pain. Sweat forming on his brow as small sounds came from him, really the only ones that he could even make anymore, Lily and Severus looked at him with mounting concern and were trying to decide what would be best to do for him when he shook his head and stumbled out the door. Limping heavily as he made his way down the corridor, aware that they were following him as he tried to find some way to stop the burning that was growing worse with every passing day, the burning that he was sure was going to consume him.

Thank you for reading, I do hope that you are enjoying the story so far. Please R&R.