Title: Glass Hearts

Rating: PG-13

Summary (of chapter): Lily's birthday, news about Petunia's wedding, and Marlene and Remus angst.

"Prongs, you're in love," Sirius said.

"Gee, Sirius, would you like to tell me something I didn't know?" James asked. He stood in front of the mirror, examining his hair. The present he had gotten for Lily's birthday lay on his bed, wrapped in gold wrapping paper.

"Well, you have a big bogie on the back of your head," Sirius said.

James reached back self-consciously, but, after Sirius started laughing, he glared at him. "You're an idiot," he said.

"And I'm the sexiest one in here," Sirius said with a flourish.

Remus shook his head from his bed, sighing. He was trying to do his homework, but kept getting distracted. "I think I'm getting stupider just sitting in here," he said.

"Do try to be jolly, Moony," Sirius said. "It's Evans's birthday!"

"Why didn't we throw her a party?" Peter asked.

"She didn't want one," Sirius said with a roll of his eyes. "And she's got James wrapped around her finger, so we have to succumb to her every wish."

A small group of them had surprised Lily in the kitchens with sweets, and they had exchanged presents and had fun with the house-elves. Unlike last year, there had been no firewhiskey, banners, or peeking at Lily's underwear. No, James wanted to be boring and take her to the top of the Astronomy Tower.

"Tell her we said happy birthday again," Remus said as James started to put on his shoes.

"Tell her Moony said happy birthday again," Sirius said. "I only give redheads one happy birthday."

"You are so strange," Remus said matter-of-factly.

Sirius narrowed his eyes at Remus. "It's not my fault she has red hair."

James stood up, grabbing Lily's present. "Don't wait up for me," he said, winking at them.

"Have fun," Peter said while Sirius made puking noises.

"Are you sure we're allowed up here?" Lily asked, looking over her shoulder.

"We're Head Boy and Girl," James said. "It's fine."

He had arranged a small spot for them: there was a blanket laid out on the ground next to a few candles and some sweets. Lily smiled as the two of them sat down. "This is nice," she said.

James smiled back at her, showing her a plate of pastries and candies. Lily helped herself to a pastry, saying, "Thank you, kind sir."

"Any time," James replied. He took one for himself. "I can't believe you're eighteen."

"Sounds old, doesn't it?" Lily said. "I'm almost twenty!"

"Sometimes, I feel like we're still thirteen," James said.

Lily smiled. "Thirteen," she repeated. "I remember when you and Sirius tried to convince me and Mary that the only people who could see thestrals were the girls who kissed Gryffindor boys and the boys who kissed Gryffindor girls."

James started laughing. "And Mary believed us!" he exclaimed.

"She hit Sirius so hard when she realized he was lying," Lily said.

"Why didn't you believe us?" James asked.

"I didn't want to see thestrals!" Lily said. "Not after seeing them eat that raw meat."

James continued laughing, his arm clutching to his side. Lily rolled her eyes, remembering back to the day when Mary and Sirius ducked behind their friends, out of the sight of Professor Kettleburn. She also remembered who in their Care of Magical Creatures class could see thestrals; Sirius and Avery.

"Well, more of us can see thestrals now," Lily said.

James looked at her, his smile faded. He took her hand and started playing with her fingers. Lily's eyes roved over his face, taking him in. His face had soft features, his jaw round, his eyelashes long. "Staring is rude, you know," he said with a smirk.

Lily smirked back at him. "I guess I should work on that."

"So, do you want your present?" James asked.

"Sure," Lily said brightly.

James pulled a small parcel out of his robes. With it was a small piece of parchment. "Read the letter first."

Lily took the parcel and the letter, meeting his eyes with a smile. She unfolded the letter and read it by the candlelight.

Lily,

I honestly don't know how I ended up with you. It seems like I did everything wrong. I still ended up with most amazing girl I've ever met, and I just want to thank you for putting up with me. Happy Birthday - I hope this isn't the only one I get to spend with you.

I love you.

James

A smile came onto her face. Lily looked up and leaned towards James. He looked slightly bashful, and she was sure he had never looked more adorable. She kissed him on the lips. She opened the present - inside of the brown cloth was a small potion flask with a molten gold potion inside of it. "What's this?" Lily asked.

"It's Felix Felicis," James said.

Lily grinned. "Really?" she asked.

"Yeah," James said, grinning back at her. "There's enough to last for twelve hours in there."

"That rocks!" Lily exclaimed. She hugged James. "Thank you so much. I should use this the day of my sister's wedding."

"Use it whenever you want," James said. "It's really bloody cool."

"Have you ever used it before?" Lily asked.

"Yeah," James said. Lily loved that she was still finding things out about James, that the two of them were pretty close, but they were just going to get closer. "The four of us split a bottle in fifth year."

"What happened that day?" Lily asked. She moved closer to James. He wrapped an arm around her, and proceeded to tell her about the best day of his life.

An hour later, they were laying on their backs, looking up at the stars. Or at least that's what she would tell anyone who was asking. They pulled away from a long kiss. Lily shivered a little bit. "Are you getting cold?" James asked.

"No," Lily lied. "I'm fine."

James pulled her closer, then kissed her on the forehead.

"James," Lily said.

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Dear Lily,

I would like to apologize for my outburst on Christmas Day. I'm sure you understand how stressful the situation was. Thank you for erasing Vernon's memory of the event.

In order to not worry mum any longer and to establish tolerant relations between the two of us, I would like you to be one of my bridesmaids at my wedding. It is taking place April 29th at the church in our neighborhood. Mother said you would be coming a day early, and you'll be invited to the rehearsal dinner the night beforehand. My colors are pink and white, so if you need help finding a suitable dress, I would advise you to write mother.

I am also inviting you to bring one guest. This is a formal, serious event. Please make sure your date looks presentable and will not frighten any of the guests. He will also need a place to stay Friday night. Mother says to write her if he does not have any family or friends in Surrey.

Lily, this is my wedding, and I plan for it to be my only wedding. If you do anything to ruin it, I will never speak to you again.

Thank you.

Petunia Evans (soon to be Dursley)

Lily read the letter through three times. Maybe it was a joke. Surely her sister had not just sent her a letter to ask if she would be a bridesmaid. As the usual din of the Great Hall went on around her, she stared at her sister's neat writing.

"You all right, Lily?" Mary asked.

"Oh, yeah," Lily said, disoriented.

"Who wrote you?" Mary asked, leaning over Lily's shoulder.

"My sister," Lily replied. She folded the letter up before Mary could read it. It sounded more like a business letter than a letter from one sister to another.

"You have a sister?" Debra asked.

"Unfortunately," Lily said.

"How did I not know you had a sister?" Debra questioned. "We've been roommates for six years!"

Lily just shrugged. She looked at James, who was sitting next to her. He was laughing about something with Sirius. Although she knew she would have to bring a date before, she had never thought over how to ask James. Or how to make sure he wouldn't be an idiot.

"Is she older than you?" Debra asked Lily.

"Yeah," Lily said. "She's getting married in April."

"Who's getting married?" Sirius asked, his mouth full of food.

"Do you have to show the rest of us your food?" Lily asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Lily's sister," Debra informed Sirius. "The sister whom I had no idea existed until just now."

Sirius swallowed his food as his eyes widened. "Ah, James and I had the pleasure of meeting her sister during break," he said. "She's barking mad."

"Oh, shut up," Lily said, rolling her eyes.

"Honestly," Sirius said.

"Okay," Lily said loudly before he could continue. "Really, she's nothing exciting."

Sirius scoffed. Lily was ready to punch him in the head, but he dropped it. James gave her an apologetic look, as though Sirius's behavior was his fault. He always did that.

In Transfiguration, Lily wrote a note to James.

James,

My sister said I could bring a date to her wedding. Do you think Remus would like to go?

~Lily

She passed the piece of parchment over to James, who was sitting next to her, while Professor McGonagall wasn't looking. James gave her a mischievous look, then read the note. He scoffed, bringing a smile to Lily's face. He scribbled back to her,

NO.

Lily tried to look disappointed, but couldn't hold it for very long. She laughed quietly. James stuck his tongue out at her. She wrote to him,

Really? Well, in that case, do you want to go?

James read her response and wrote,

I'll have to check my calendar.

After class, James stood up briskly. "Well, it's been nice corresponding with you," he said in a business-like tone.

He walked ahead of her, catching up with his friends, and Lily walked with her roommates. She smiled as he acted like he was angry with Remus. "That's the smile of a girl in love," Candace said in a sing-song voice.

Later on that day, the two of them were talking in the common room. "You'll go with me, then?" Lily asked.

"Your sister won't try to kill me again, will she?" James asked.

Lily shook her head. "I'll protect you."

"What do I have to wear?" James asked.

"Muggle dress clothes," Lily replied. "We might have to leave a day early so we can go shopping for you."

James sighed a little bit. "I think that'd be fun," he said, patting her knee.

Lily smiled at him. "Cool."

Marlene knew it was coming, really. Since they had visited the Come and Go Room, Remus had been a bit stand-offish. She wondered why, since they had had such a good time. But it seemed like Lily was the only girl he was capable of being friends with.

It still didn't make it any easier. Marlene could tell where this conversation was headed.

"It's just . . ." Remus trailed off. "I don't really see where we're going, you know?"

Marlene stared at her Potions book. "I thought . . . I mean," she faltered. "If you don't want to be with me, Remus, just say so."

Remus opened his mouth, looking frustrated. He closed it after a moment of silence, then put his head in his hands. "There's just . . . look, I don't want . . ." he trailed off. "Marlene, I like you. I just - I can't do this."

"This?" Marlene repeated.

"This," Remus repeated. "This, us, I can't . . . I don't know how to - to be in this kind of a relationship. I don't want to hurt you."

"Hurt me?" Marlene said incredulously. "Remus, you're not going to hurt me."

"You don't know that," Remus said. "I'm freaked out, okay? And - I just - look, maybe . . . in the future . . ."

They fell into silence, and Marlene sighed. That was it, then. They had had about a month of normalcy, and then it went down the drain. She felt like she had done something wrong. Maybe she came on too strong. She felt her eyes start to sting.

"I'm sorry," Remus said quietly.

Marlene nodded, blinking back tears. She started to gather up her books slowly. "Don't worry about it," she said. "I'm going to go, okay?"

"Do you want me to walk you?" Remus asked.

Marlene shook her head quickly. She stood up, avoiding his eyes. "Bye, Remus," she said.

She rushed out of the library, feeling like an idiot. Why had she poured the last two months of her life into him? He seemed so perfect sometimes, and other times, she wanted to hit him over the head.

The tears came down, against Marlene's wishes. She avoided the eyes of the people she passed, wiping her face self-consciously. She went up a few floors, on her way to Gryffindor tower.

Eventually, she saw Lily and James walking towards her. She swore under her breath, wiping her cheeks again. They were not the people she wanted to see right now. "Hey, guys," she said as they approached her.

"You all right?" Lily asked, her eyebrows furrowing in concern.

Marlene nodded. James suddenly looked awkward, and she wondered if Remus had told James he was going to break up with her. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said.

"You sure?" Lily asked. "You look like you've been crying."

Marlene's eyes welled up. "I'm fine," she repeated. "I'll see you guys later."

She started to walk past them. She heard Lily tell James something, then come up behind her. "I'll walk you," she said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

Marlene tried to hold back more tears, but she found that they just wouldn't stop. By the time they got to Gryffindor Tower, she was trying not to sob. Marlene jogged to her room, sure that that had been the longest walk of her life. Lily followed her, closing the door behind them.

After dropping her book bag on the ground, Marlene threw herself unto her bed and shoved her face into a pillow. She let out a long yell, then broke down into tears.

Lily patted her on the back. "It'll be okay," she said. "I have no idea what happened, but don't worry about it."

Marlene resurfaced. "Remus broke up with me!" she said indignantly.

"What?" Lily asked.

"He broke up with me!" Marlene exclaimed. "I don't get it. We have so much fun together. I mean, I knew it was coming. It seems like the only people he can even think about having a relationship with are you guys."

"Us?" Lily asked.

Marlene turned her head to glare at Lily. "Yeah," she said. "His stupid boyfriends and you."

Lily opened her mouth, ready to argue with her. Marlene put her hand up before she could. She had never been jealous of Lily before, but she didn't like the feeling. "If it's not true, then why did he break up with me?" Marlene asked. "Why is he freaked out and why does he think he'll hurt me? Huh? I don't understand what's so hard about having a girlfriend!"

She threw herself into her pillow again, letting out a scream.

"Is there something wrong with me?" Marlene asked, coming up for air.

"No," Lily said adamantly. "He's just . . . he's got a lot of . . . baggage."

"From what?" Marlene asked. "He's never had a girlfriend. His family is still alive. But never mind, I know you can't tell me because you're practically one of them now and -"

"Oh, Marlene, come on," Lily cut her off.

"Oh, come on what?" Marlene questioned. "What don't you know -"

"I'm just James's girlfriend," Lily said.

"And you happen to know more about my boyfriend than I do!" Marlene exclaimed. "Ex-boyfriend, I mean."

Lily paused for a moment, looking as though she were about to give up the argument. Both of them knew that wasn't going to happen any time soon. They could argue about this until the end of the year, and they still wouldn't get anywhere. But the two of them were too stubborn.

Marlene got up to go into the bathroom.

"Marlene, I've just been friends with Remus longer," Lily called after her.

After blowing her nose, Marlene said, "So, tell me why he would be afraid to hurt me."

"I can't just tell you those things," Lily said. "If Remus asked me tell you things that you didn't want him to know -"

"So, you know something that he doesn't want me to know?" Marlene asked. She came out of the bathroom. "Why doesn't he just go out with you?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "That's ridiculous," she said. "We're just friends, Marlene. You're just upset because -"

"Because my best friend knows my boy - ex-boyfriend more than I do," Marlene snapped. "And because he just dumped me for no apparent reason."

There was a knock on the door. "Go away!" Marlene yelled.

The door opened, and Marlene threw her hands up in frustration. It was one of her roommates, Beatrice Jubiel. She raised her eyebrows at her. "All right?" she asked, walking over to her bed quietly.

"Remus and I broke up," Marlene said tersely.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Beatrice said sympathetically. "What happened?"

Marlene sighed, walking back into the bathroom. "I have no idea," she called out.

"Maybe he's gay," Beatrice suggested.

Marlene scoffed. She was pretty sure that wasn't the case. She looked at her puffy eyes in her reflection. Maybe he had just wanted to snog, and she had tried to get too much from him. She felt horrible right after thinking it. It was Remus, for heaven's sake. She sat on the toilet, putting her head in her hands. Well, she had thought it before . . . for about a month before they started going out.

Maybe Remus was afraid of commitment, and he just wanted some action. Maybe she could do that. Maybe, instead of only seeing Remus from across the common room and sitting by him awkwardly during dinner while their friends were in love, she could see Remus in closets and secret rooms he knew about, stealing moments from his day while the two of their bodies came into contact.

Marlene grabbed some toilet paper, and saw Lily standing in the doorway. She blew her nose again, pretending to ignore her friend.

"I'm really sorry, Marlene," Lily said. "I wish the two of you could have stayed together."

There was a moment of silence as Marlene avoided Lily's eyes.

"But maybe if he's not ready for anything, you deserve better," Lily said.

Marlene nodded with a sigh. She threw her toilet paper away. Lily seemed to be the girl one was stuck with after getting dumped. She remembered finding Mary and Lily in their room after Frank had broken up with Mary. Maybe there was another girl, as there had been with Frank.

She sighed again. "My mind is going wild," she said.

"Maybe we could sneak off to Hogsmeade," Lily suggested.

Marlene looked at Lily, laughing a little bit. "Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?" she asked.

Lily blushed, then started laughing. Soon, the two of them were laughing together. Lily bent over in the doorway, holding her side. Tears streamed down Marlene's cheeks, her sorrow mixing with her amusement.

People were nice enough not to talk about Marlene and Remus to Remus and Marlene for a few days. It was sort of the grace period, especially since their best friends were going out. The fact that Valentine's Day was only a few days away made it worse. Mary insulted Remus a few times, thinking it would make Marlene feel better. The boys didn't talk about it at all; it was almost as though they understood without Remus ever mentioning it.

Once the Slytherins caught on, it was a different story.

"Hey, Lupin!" Avery called after Remus on day in the corridors. "Lupin, I heard you dumped your girlfriend!"

Remus continued walking, ignoring him. "Lupin, come on, tell me about it!" Avery said. "Why would you dump a girl like McKinnon? I mean, besides the fact that her family is all blood-traitors and she has small tits?"

Remus silently fumed as Avery and his friends laughed. He was lucky James and Sirius weren't there; there would have been hell in the corridors.

Marlene was walking back from Quidditch practice when Regulus caught up with her. "Hey," he said.

Marlene gave him a strange look, and Regulus didn't blame her. He hadn't talked to her since before Christmas break. "I heard about you and Lupin," Regulus said.

"And?" Marlene said, rolling her eyes.

"He's an arsehole," Regulus said.

"You know, everyone keeps telling me that because they think it'll make me feel better," Marlene said.

"I'm serious," Regulus said. He paused. "I don't like him. Have you heard what Snape says about him?"

Marlene looked annoyed. "I could care less what Snape says about anyone."

Regulus paused again. Snape had told him about seeing the wolf on the other end of the tunnel and his theory that Lupin was a werewolf. He had told Avery, too, but Dumbledore had given Snape detention for two weeks because of his mouth, and ensured all three of them expulsion if there was any sort of leak again.

Regulus dropped his voice, stepping closer to Marlene. "You don't ever wonder where he goes each month?" he asked.

Marlene gave him a look that was equal to McGonagall when she was angry. "Black, I am really not in the mood for your stupid games -" she began.

"Don't you wonder about his scars?" Regulus asked.

Marlene looked thoughtful for a moment, then a look of even fiercer anger came onto her face after realizing she was letting Regulus's words get to her. Regulus smirked. "Or the Shrieking Shack," he said. "You don't wonder about that?"

"Where the hell are you going with this?" Marlene snapped.

"Come on, McKinnon," Regulus said. "I know you're a Gryffindor, but you're not an idiot."

"Hey!"

Regulus stepped away from Marlene. He only just realized that the two of them had stopped walking. He turned and saw his brother and Potter walking towards them.

"Hey, is there a problem here?" Sirius asked.

"No," Regulus replied, "but thanks for being so concerned."

The two of them looked from Regulus to Marlene. "Leave her alone," Sirius said.

Regulus put his hands up innocently. "How do you know she's not harassing me?"

"Just shove off," Sirius said.

"All right," Marlene said. "I am fully capable of taking care of myself. I've got a broomstick, and he hasn't. Tell you what - I'll make this all easier on you, and I'll leave myself."

Marlene turned and walked away. "Oh, no, I'll leave," Regulus called after her. He jogged after her. "Really, I insist, go back there and talk to your friends."

"Just leave her alone!" Sirius yelled at him.

Regulus dropped his voice. "Ask him why Lupin's so -"

Before he got a chance to answer, Sirius grabbed his arm. Regulus shoved him off. "Don't touch me!" he yelled.

"Oh, bloody hell, cut it out," Marlene exclaimed.

"Why not?" Sirius asked. He pushed Regulus in the chest. "What were you saying about Remus?"

Regulus pushed Sirius back. "I was just saying how much of an arsehole he was," he said.

Sirius took out his wand and pointed it at Regulus's chest. "You don't know him at all," he said.

"I know enough," Regulus said, taking his own wand out.

Potter took his wand out, too. Marlene glanced around at the boys. "This is so stupid," she said. "I'm leaving."

She began to walk away. The three boys watched her for a moment, then Regulus sent Sirius flying backward into the lake. Potter said, "Petrificus Totalus!"

Regulus snapped onto the ground like a board. Potter loomed over him. "Ten points from Slytherin," he said. He began to walk away. Regulus heard his brother yelling, and then Potter yelling back at them. Soon, their voices faded away, and Regulus realized they had left him.

Bugger.

A/N: Sorry this update took so long! For your patience, I give you two chapters!