"Orion what do I do? Voldemort's dead in my time! I can't cope with knowing what's going to happen. What if I change it?" Hermione ranted in his office..

"Hermione, you are smart enough to know what to do. Just let things take their natural course. If anything changes, then we'll deal with it as it happens." Orion advised.

Hermione frowned. "When did you get so smart?" Orion growled.

"Oh, so you don't want your birthday present?" Hermione jumped up with her hand held out. Orion smiled and gave her a small box which contained a hand carved wooden rose on a bracelet with runes for tranquility, love and power engraved on it. She hugged Orion as her new friends walked into the classroom. Remus' brow furrowed. Was Professor Knight her boyfriend? A sudden surge of jealousy coursed through his veins, shocking him. He couldn't understand why he was suddenly jealous of his Defense Professor and why he was overprotective of Jane...

Finally the rest of the class filed in. "Good morning. Now that you're all here, I can begin. As you know, this year is your NEWTs. I shall start this year by teaching you about Boggarts, Werewolves, Patronus', The Unforgiveables and my personal favourite, Mini Duels." Orion explained. "Right, books away. We're going to start with Boggarts. Who can tell me what a Boggart is?"

Hermione's hand flew into the air, closely followed by Remus and Severus, earning a few laughs from the class. "Miss Granger?"

"A Boggart is classified as a Dark Creature. No one knows what it looks like, but it takes on the form of your darkest fear, and if unrepelled, could eventually shock you to death, by effectively stopping your heart." Hermione answered, thinking of her previous encounters with Boggarts.

"Excellent! 10 points to Gryffindor! Mr Lupin what confuses a Boggart?"

"Laughter." Remus replied shortly.

Orion awarded another 10 points to Gryffindor, before explaining the spell 'Riddikulus' and what you have to do. He even demonstrated, becoming slightly concerned when he had to turn a dead Harry, Ron and Hermione into a group of Irish dancers, which earned a loud laugh from everyone in the room, including Hermione.

"Why are you afraid of James and Jane dying?" Lily asked loudly. James' head flew up at this, as he punched Sirius in the arm excitedly.

"Did you hear that? She called me James!" he whispered.

Orion answered Lily's question. "James? I don't...OH! No, that was Harry, my godson. And I worry for Hermione because" Remus' eyes narrowed, "she's my cousin." Remus relaxed. Cousin?

"But why did she slap you at the feast?" Sirius asked loudly.

"Because I ran away a few years ago, without telling anyone where I had gone." he lied smoothly. Most of the girls tutted and shook their heads, while the boys laughed. "Anyway, line up. Everyone is going to go against the Boggart."

There was a mad scramble to get to the front of the of the line, but of course, the Maruders were at the front...almost. James had managed to grab hold of Lily, and was trying to persuade her to take up the front.

"Thanks Potter, why are you being so mature all of a sudden?"she asked suspiciously.

James just smiled and walked towards his friends. Lily took a deep breath and faced Orion. Orion smiled and released the Boggart. Almost immediately, the Boggart took the form of James Potter. Everyone watched on in shock. "Ha, who would ever love you? You were just a challenge to me." the Boggart sneered.

"R-riddikulus!" Lily cried. The James-Boggart was suddenly wearing a pink fairy dress, and doing ballet around the room. Bright red, Lily moved to the other side of the room, avoiding eye contact with James. James strode forward and there was a dead dog on the floor. The dog got up and performed a few acrobatics. Sirius smiled fondly. Hermione strode forward. Both Orion and Remus laent forward, anxious the see her Boggart.

The Boggart paused for a moment before turning into a handsome young man, with sandy brown hair and piercing blue eyes. Orion's eyes widened in shock. "You left us." His white shirt bagan to turn crimson. "You left me to die. It's all your fault. You KILLED me!" the Boggart shouted.

"NOO!" Hermione screamed, falling to her knees, tears rolling down her face. "I didn't know. I didn't want to leave." she chanted. Everyone watched the distraught girl crying in the middle of the room concernedly. Remus rushed forward to get rid of the Boggart. He turned his full moon into a balloon, which whizzed around the room. Turning around he saw Orion talking to Hermione in urgent tones.

"If you're sure..." he heard him say. "Mr Black, Mr Potter, Mr Lupin, Miss Evans, could you please accompany Jane to the Hospital Wing?" They nodded dumbly and escarted Hermione out of the classroom.

"Jane, are you alright?" Remus asked hesitantly. Hermione looked at him, and to his chagrin burst into tears again. He was beginning to feel uncomfortable, but Sirius had run on ahead, and James was behind talking to Lily. And so, he squeezed her hand, lending her strength.

"Lily?" James asked tentatively.

"What?"

"What was...that... Boggart...you know...? Is that why you keep rejecting me?"

"Yes," Lily sighed, "I'm scared that if I say yes, you would break my heart."

James smiled. "I would never do that, Lily. Although, it may not look like it, I've loved you since I first met you, that fateful day seven years ago. If you would let me, I will love you forever. I will never hurt you intentionally, and try not to hurt you unintentionally. I will protect you from all the evil out there, especially V-V-Voldemort." Here, he took a shuddering breath. "I would kill for you, I would die before anything can happen to you. I love you." he finished, blushing bright red.

Lily stared at him, her eyes welling up. "That is the sweetest thing you have ever said to me. And...I love you too."

James beamed, and swung Lily around in a circle, before kissing her. It was the best thing by far, that either had ever felt. It was as though a hundred fireworks had gone off in their brains.

Finally, they broke apart and caught up with Remus and Hermione, smiling, their lips swollen.

"Why are you two holding hands?" James asked smirking. Remus and Hermione looked at their entwined hands and jumped apart.

"Are you feeling better Jane?" Lily asked kindly. Hermione nodded.

"Yes, it was just a shock that's all. My Boggart wasn't that form the last time I faced it."

"Who was that man?"

"Someone I hold in my heart. A dear friend of mine, and Orion's best friend." she explained slowly, thinking over her words. Remus' face had fallen slightly. So, she already has someone, he thought bitterly. Why was he always unable to get the girl?

"So, where are you taking me?" Hermione asked, 'curiously', after a short silence.

"Hospital Wing." Remus answered shortly, increasing his pace. Hermione watched him walk away, completely confused. Lily saw her upset face and quickly ran over to Remus.

"What the hell is your problem?" she hissed, "I know you like her, it's all over your face."

Remus looked at her face and sighed. "I do like her. A lot. But, there's no chance for me. I mean, did you see her face when she told us who that man was. I know she loves him!"

Lily punched him in the arm. "You moron! She likes you! You! You fool! Whenever you're not looking at her, she's looking at you. She's really subtle about it as well. I know we've only known her for what? Two days? But you've already fallen for her. Accept it. Now go ask her out."

Remus gaped at her outburst. "I'm not going to ask her out. I'll apologise though. I want to get to know her better first."

"Mr Lupn, Miss Evans. What are you doing here?" Madam Pomfrey's shrill voice cried..