A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing! I hope you like this one.

I don't own the Harry Potter universe.

Identity

"Hey, James, did you finish the Transfiguration essay?"

James stared into his juice, apparently unable to hear his friend's question.

"James! Hey, James!" Sirius snapped his fingers in front of James' face.

James shook his head slightly and looked at his friend. "Huh?"

"Eloquent," Sirius said, rolling his eyes. "Did you finish the essay for McGonagall?"

"Yeah, here," James said, shoving it at him.

Remus frowned. "Are you okay, James?"

"Yeah," James said. Then, a look came over his face as though he had made a decision. "No," he said. "I'm not."

"What's wrong?" Peter asked.

"Lily."

"What about her?"

"Wait," Sirius said before James could answer Peter's question. "This isn't still about her thinking you're a show-off, is it?

"Yeah," James admitted.

"You need to get over it," Sirius said. "She's probably forgotten all about it – so, you should, too."

"But, what if she hasn't?"

Remus exhaled. "Look, if it bothers you that much, why don't you go talk to her? Tell her that you're not really a show-off."

"Hey, that's a good idea!"

"Are you sure?" Peter asked, looking between his friends nervously. "That has very high potential to turn out badly."

"Why?" James asked. "If Sirius is right, and she's over it …"

"Of course, I'm right," Sirius said. "I'll even go with you to talk to her – for moral support."

James smiled and stood up, abandoning the last of his dinner. He started to walk down the table to where the girls normally sat, but only Dana and Olivia were there.

"Hi," he said as he approached them. "Do you know where Lily is?"

"She and Kathleen were going to the library to work on some homework," Dana said.

"I think she went back to the common room to get her books," Olivia added.

"Thanks!"

James took off with Sirius at his heels.

Olivia and Dana looked at each other.

"Well," Dana said, "that was … short."

Olivia giggled. "Do you think he has a crush on Lily?"

"Oh-o," Dana giggled. "Looks like her friend from Slytherin has some competition!"

Lily had already left Gryffindor Tower by the time James and Sirius reached it. Sirius shook his head.

"She's not here."

"They said she was going to the library," James said, already heading for the portrait hole again.

"This is getting ridiculous," Sirius said as he followed James out. "Next time Remus makes a suggestion, Remus goes on the wild goose chase."

"Shut it," James said as they turned a corner. "Hey! There she is!"

He began to speed up, leaving Sirius trailing behind at a much slower pace. "Lily! Hey, Lily, wait up!"

Lily stopped and turned at the sound of her name. When she saw James running toward her, she rolled her eyes.

"What is it, Potter?" she asked impatiently.

James looked at her in surprise. "What's got you in such a bad mood?"

"You," she replied bluntly.

James' mouth dropped open. "What?"

"Look, Potter, I don't have time to talk to you. I'm late to meet Kathleen to do our Charms homework –"

"Great!" James interrupted. "I wanted to ask you some questions about it … you're much better at Charms than I am, and –"

"Go away, Potter."

"Why?" James asked.

"Because you're annoying," she said simply.

With that, she turned and headed toward the library, where Kathleen was waiting for her. James stood rooted in his spot, staring after her. Sirius finally caught up to him.

"So," he began, "how did it go?"

James turned to look at him and wordlessly shook his head.

"That well, huh?"

"She said I'm annoying. So, now she thinks I'm a show-off and that I'm annoying!"

"Might be time to give it a rest, mate," Sirius said.

"No," James said. "Now I really need to prove who I am."

Lily and Kathleen had barely gotten to work when Olivia and Dana joined them. They sat down across from the other girls with knowing smiles.

"I thought you were both done with the Charms assignment already," Kathleen whispered.

"We are," Dana affirmed.

"We want to talk to Lily," Olivia said.

"Here?" Lily asked.

Dana and Olivia nodded.

"We just talked to James," Olivia whispered in a sing-song voice.

"And?" Lily asked, already feeling annoyed.

"We think he likes you," Dana said.

Lily rolled her eyes. "Too bad for him, then. I don't like him."

"Do you mean you don't like him, or you don't like him, like him?" Olivia asked.

"I don't like him. At all."

The other girls looked surprised.

"Why not?" Dana asked.

"He's annoying."

"Seriously?" Olivia asked. "That's the best you can do?"

"He seems nice, Lil," Kathleen said.

Lily shook her head. "Nope. Sorry, girls." She looked down at her book, then back up at them. "Can we just get back to work now? Please?"

"Okay."

Olivia and Dana rose slowly, and left Lily and Kathleen to their homework.

"I don't think he's that bad," Dana whispered as they walked across the library.

"No, neither do I," Olivia agreed. She smiled. "Come on. Let's go see if the guys are in the common room. I'll bet they'd be up for a game of Exploding Snap."

Dana nodded, and the two girls went back to Gryffindor Tower in search of their new friends.

"So, it's tonight, huh?"

Lily nodded as she brushed her long hair. "It's tonight."

"Are you nervous?" Dana asked.

"Kind of," Lily said. "I don't know what to expect."

"My brother was in the Slug Club," Olivia said. She rolled her eyes. "He's such an overachiever. Anyway, he said Slughorn was really great about dinners and fancy events. I'm sure you'll have fun."

Lily nodded slowly. "I suppose. I just wish you girls were coming, too."

"I guess we're not special enough," Kathleen said with a smile.

"Don't say that," Lily said. "You're all very special."

"You're the special one," Kathleen said. "Even Slughorn can see that."

Lily blushed a deep shade of red. "I still wish you'd be there. Even if Sirius were going, I'd feel better. At least then I'd know someone."

"New friends aren't such a bad thing," Olivia said.

Lily nodded. "You're right." She finally put down her brush. "How do I look?"

Olivia grinned. "Ready for a party."

Lily smiled. "I'll tell you all about it when I get back."

"Have fun!"

The girls' warm wishes followed Lily out of her dormitory and into the common room. She was met at the portrait hole by another girl, a second year whose name she had not yet learned. Lily paused to let her leave the common room first.

"Thanks," the girl said. She climbed out, and glanced back as Lily followed her. "Where you off to this evening?"

"Oh," Lily said, blushing again, "I'm going to see Professor Slughorn."

The girl's eyes lit up. "You've been invited to join the Slug Club!"

"Well … yes, I suppose."

"I started going to his dinners last year," she said. "I'm Mary MacDonald."

Lily smiled. "I'm Lily Evans."

"It's so great that you're going!" Mary said as they fell into step together. "The only other Gryffindors are all in fifth year or above – they don't like to hang out with a second year like me. It's going to be so much more fun this year with a friend!"

Lily beamed. "I was so worried about going because I wouldn't know anyone."

"Yeah, I know that feeling. But, Professor Slughorn is great. You'll love the parties."

"That's what I've heard."

"Come on – over here."

Lily followed Mary to the entrance to Slughorn's office, where the party would be held. Mary opened the door, and, glancing at Lily to make sure she was following, entered the room.

Lily could hardly believe it was a professor's office. A roaring fire was in the fireplace, with squishy chairs and a sofa that reminded her of the ones in Gryffindor Tower pulled around it. A large table stood apart from the quaint scene, already set with heavy silver that would remind Sirius far too much of home.

"He tries to represent a little of all the Houses," Mary explained in a hushed voice. "Fireplace like in Gryffindor, table like in Slytherin, library like in Ravenclaw," she nodded toward the bookcases and desks, "and paintings like in Hufflepuff."

Lily looked up at the beautiful paintings that graced the walls. She nodded, too amazed to speak.

"Everyone feels at home this way, you know?"

Lily nodded again.

"Ah!" Professor Slughorn had finally noticed them. "Welcome, girls, welcome! I think we're all here – let's sit down."

Lily stayed close to Mary as they walked to the table; the girls found two seats together without too much trouble. Lily was surprised to see that it was a rather small group; only about fifteen others were gathered around the table.

The conversation flowed easily, even if it was dominated by Slughorn. He asked all the newest members of his "club" to tell him about their backgrounds; he asked probing questions as he learned more about them.

"Miss Evans, tell us about your family," Slughorn said. "Are they all wizards?"

"No, sir," she said. "They're Muggles."

She saw the looks that several of the older students exchanged, but chose to ignore them. Remembering what Sirius had told her about intolerance and her own parallels with racism, she had expected a reaction filled with prejudice and hatred.

"Muggles!" he exclaimed. "Fascinating! And, how do you find the wizarding lifestyle here at Hogwarts?"

"Amazing, sir," she replied with utter honesty.

He smiled. "Well, you certainly are a very talented witch, Miss Evans. I'm sure we can expect great things from you."

James, Sirius, and Peter sat in the common room with Remus, waiting for McGonagall to come for him. Remus fidgeted with the straps of his bag.

"You know, you guys don't have to wait with me. If there's something else you'd rather do, feel free."

"No, we'll stay," James replied. "I don't have anything else to do."

Sirius laughed. "He's just mad that Lily didn't say hello to him today."

"Did I ask your opinion?" James said peevishly.

"You've got to get over it, mate," Sirius said. "She never says hello to you. I'd even say she doesn't want to have anything to do with you. In fact, I believe she says she doesn't want to have anything to do with you."

James frowned, and looked to the other boys for support. Peter shrugged, at a loss for words.

"You have to admit, you're fighting a losing battle," Remus said.

James sighed. "It's not that easy. I can't give up. I don't like the idea of her thinking I'm a bad person."

Professor McGonagall appeared in the common room, ending their conversation. "Mr. Lupin, are you ready to go?"

"Yes, Professor." Remus stood, lifting his bag, and turned to say goodbye to his friends. "I'll see you guys on Sunday."

"Tell your mum we said to feel better," James said.

"Good luck," Sirius said solemnly.

"Safe trip," Peter added.

Remus nodded his thanks. "Bye, then."

Professor McGonagall waited until they were in the hall before speaking. "You told them that your mother is ill?"

"Yes. I had to have a reason for being gone."

She nodded. "That is a story you can use again, you know. Very clever, Lupin.

Remus nodded. He wasn't very inclined to converse, and was thankful that McGonagall did not speak again until they were outside, where Madam Pomfrey was waiting, holding a long stick in her hands.

"This is where I leave you," McGonagall said. "Good luck, Lupin."

"Thank you."

With one last almost strained smile, McGonagall turned away, disappearing into the gathering darkness of dusk.

"Right this way," Madam Pomfrey said, leading Remus away from the castle. "Is there anything we can get for you to make this more comfortable?"

"Nothing I can think of," Remus admitted. "There's not much that can make it more comfortable, is there?"

"Nothing we've heard of yet," Madam Pomfrey said with a hint of sadness in her voice. "But we'll keep looking."

Remus nodded.

They reached the Willow, which immediately began to lash its branches, trying to keep them at bay. Madam Pomfrey used her stick to freeze the tree, and led Remus to the tunnel's entrance. It was nearly impossible to spot unless you knew exactly where to look.

"Come along," she said, leading the way down the tunnel.

At the end of the tunnel, Remus could see a patch of light. As they drew closer, he realized it was the entrance to a house. Madam Pomfrey climbed out of the tunnel into a furnished living room.

"Welcome to your home for one night a month," she said as Remus climbed out behind her.

"Where are we?" Remus asked, looking around in amazement.

"A house just outside of Hogsmeade," Madam Pomfrey replied. "No one lives close enough to worry about, and Dumbledore ordered the windows and doors barred. No one can get in."

"There's a locking charm on them?"

"The strongest Dumbledore could produce."

Remus nodded. "Good."

"I believe we've thought of everything. You just make yourself at home. Remember, if there's anything you need, let one of us know."

Remus nodded again. He had nodded so much he was beginning to feel like his head was permanently bobbing. "Thanks, Madam Pomfrey."

"Don't mention it, dear. I'll see you in the morning."

And with that, she disappeared down the tunnel, leaving Remus alone. He sighed, and dropped his bag onto the nearest chair.

"Make yourself at home," he muttered. "Yeah, some home. Boarded windows and doors so no one can even see me." He looked down at his hands. They were still human, but not for much longer, he was sure. "People fear you, Remus. No one wants to be around you during the full moon - nor the rest of the time, if they know what you are. Get over it."

The moon, which had been rising in the sky, appeared from behind a cloud. Bars of its light appeared in the room, hitting Remus. His last thought before he transformed was thankfulness that he had friends he could return to when it was all over. Then the pain took over as his body turned itself into his own greatest nightmare and fear. He was alone to deal with the monster he had become.