(A/N): So this chapter was written in two separate books, in two different pens, god knows when, and this is where I managed to fit it into the story. There's a little bit of tweaking, because it was originally meant to be the day after the full moon, but there are a few chapters between then and now (because I forgot this chapter existed) so its now changed a bit to hopefully make more sense.

Dislaimer: Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo, I own nothing, how 'bout you?

Leo

As it turns out, Lily was not best pleased with Snape's actions the previous full moon, and within the week I found her down by the lake, watching a scene that at first made me annoyed, but later made me wish I could join in.

"What are those idiots up to now?" I asked wearily, expecting her to have much to say on the subject as the marauder boys- though still mainly James and Sirius- levitated Severus Snape high above the ground by his ankles.

"Defending me." Something in her voice made me look at her, and I noticed for the first time that she had recently been crying.

"What- Lily, what did he do?!" I threw my arms around her and pulled her into my lap, giving her the best hug I could manage even as I seethed internally.

"He called me- a- a mudblood." The statement was punctuated with little sniffles that damn near broke my heart, and I pressed my cheek to the top of her head.

"That fucking bastard!" I growled, somewhat literally, and while I wanted to punish Snape and comfort Lily at the same time, a call from behind me assured me the subject was well taken care of.

"Who wants to see me take Snivelly's trousers off?" Good old James, sticking up for his crush by being vaguely homoerotic.

"Come on, let's get out of here- get some cocoa, go to the common room, where its warmer."

Lily

Leo was now officially my best friend. In the past few months there had been less and less of a competition between he and Sev- Snape, but now there was absolutely no hesitation.

"Leo?" His eyes flicked up over the rim of his mug, and I decided not to mention the fact he had quiet a fitting milk mustache.

"Mmhm?" He murmured, knocking his knee with mine in a comforting manor as he did so.

"Thank you for being here. You know, to help me." His expressiong turned from absent-minded to attentitve and he smiled, a sort of small, sad smile.

"You could have just gone to Elaine if I hadn't found you first- Pigged out on ice cream and done each others nails or something." Like he and I had done the last time? No.

"No, Leo, I couldn't have." His gaze dropped, and he sipped his cocoa in a rather obvious way to try and avoid addressing the subject. "Elaine's great, you know that better than anyone, but you're my best friend, Leo. No one's ever going to be able to replace you. You're the only person I wanted to see, and then you were there. You're the only person I want to pig out on ice cream with, and paint each others nails. Because you're my favourite, and not just because you have super nice nails."

When I looked up, I realised he was blinking back tears, and there was no way I could have missed the flush on his cheeks.

"Aww, Leo!" I immediately reached out to put a hand on his shoulder.

"No, it's fine, I just-" He choked up, his voice cracking, and I felt my smile drop as he brought his hand up to cover his mouth.

"Don't." I said bluntly, regretting it slightly as he jumped. "Don't hide your feelings, Leo. No one's going to judge you for it, least of all me." His eyebrows drew together, and he leaned backwards, out of my reach, in an attempt to get away. "Leo-" He shook his head.

"It's okay Lily, it isn't because of you- Old habits die hard, I guess... When I was little, I'd get punished for... drawing attention, for acting out. So, whenever something comes up I don't want to deal with, I push it away, push it down. I can't help it, it's all I know." I winced, knowing what I was about to say would inevitably hurt his feelings.

"You're wrong." His eyebrows quirked upwards, and he looked like he wanted to say something, but I ploughed on. "You can help it, you just don't want to."

He was silent for almost a full minute.

"Yeah. You got me, Lily. There are a lot of things I can't handle- not all of them bad- and that scares me. So I'm a coward, Lily. I push eerything away, and thats probably going to come back and bite me in the arse, but thats just what I do, okay? And I really don't want to talk about why I'm tearing up, either." He said, and I struggled to restrain myself from saying what I really wanted to.

"...Okay, Leo. But promise me, if you do want to talk about anything, you'll talk to me- or to someone, at least." He nodded, but I could see the look in his eyes.

"Sure, Lily."

Liar.

(A/N): Once again, please note that these chapters were written years ago at this point, so when I actually get to new chapters, they will probably be slightly different.

I hope you enjoyed this new update.