Hi, everyone! How has your week been? Posting this and reading your comments are bringing down my writer's block, hopefully I'll be able to finish a new one-shot I've been working on for quite a while.

Hope you enjoy this chapter and see you all next Sunday! Don't forget to follow me on tumblr: maraudersinparadise

After reading all of the files she held, Lily had no choice but to agree with Moody's decision to investigate further. There was something weird – and even if Potter's was the only credential registered, he could not be the only suspect.

Therefore, Lily decided she would visit Remus and talk about the situation, then head to St. Mungo's and go over to Potter's after dinner at the magical hospital.

"Who's there?" a voice questioned when she knocked on Remus's door.

"It's me, Black. Lily Evans.

The door opened and Sirius Black's shining grin was the first thing Lily saw. He wore the same clothes of that morning's questioning at the Ministry, which made Lily think he, Potter and Pettigrew had gone straight to Remus's.

"We weren't expecting to see you so soon," Sirius said, indicating the way inside the small house.

"I'm not here for you three, actually," Lily explained, removing her overcoat, "I just came to talk to Remus. I was interrogating you a bit later."

Sirius shrugged and went ahead of her. When Lily entered the living room, she noticed what probably was a very usual scene. Peter laid on the couch, snoring lightly, while Remus had a chess board between him and Sirius, who had just sat down and ordered one of the pieces to move. Potter was sitting on the floor, hundreds of letters in front of him – but apparently the tiring day had been too much for him, as he had fallen asleep with his head on the sofa and mouth widely agape. She held back a chuckle.

"Lils!" Remus greeted with a tiny smile. She went in his direction and sat beside him.

"Hey, Rem. How are you?" Lily asked, holding his hand and assessing her friend's bruised face.

"I'm fine. Tired, but fine."

"Shouldn't you be resting?" she questioned, frowning.

"I've slept already, Lil. They're taking care of me," Remus replied. Sirius rolled his eyes.

"It might be better if you took care of them, huh?" she said. Remus grinned.

"Absolutely. I'm out of command for one night and Prongs becomes the main suspect of a crime."

Lily tried to hold back a grin, but couldn't.

"I've gotta ask you, Rem. They claimed they were with you the whole night," Lily said, pointing a finger to Sirius when he threatened to talk, "you stay quiet," Sirius raised his eyebrows, "but I know where you were last night. So… where were they?"

Remus sighed and cleared his hair from his eyes.

"They were making sure I was safe, Lily. And that my condition remained anonymous. As they've done since Hogwarts."

Lily sighed.

"See it through my eyes, Rem. This alibi is, well… nearly nonexistent. Potter told me you spent the night in the forest. He gave me the address, but even so."

"I see."

"And the worst is… how could I accept this alibi when I know it's a lie? I can simply say the story doesn't check… but Moody will want to know more, and I can't tell him why I know Potter is lying…"

"Lily, do you truly believe James did this?" Remus asked after some time in silence, "James Potter, the idiot bloke who charmed all the waffles from breakfast to ask you out?"

Lily tried to suppress her chuckles, but couldn't.

"The thing is, Rem, we're not at Hogwarts anymore," ('again with this bloody talk', Sirius grumbled), "and one thing Moody taught me is that I can't blindly trust almost anyone."

"But-"

"I've already trusted someone way too much who proved to me that I shouldn't have," Lily continued. They all knew she was talking about Severus Snape, "and my job tells me to mistrust people. I'm conducting this the same way as I always do: considering every possibility. But so far…"

Remus nodded.

"Evans, just listen," Sirius said, in a surprisingly calm voice, "I know what it looks like, I truly do. But Prongs would never do it. If you were suspecting me, I'd perfectly understand. But James? He never deliberately hurt anyone, not even when we were the nightmare of that castle! James knew when to stop. He stopped me."

"Black…"

"Listen!" he asked, quickly checking to see if Potter was still asleep, "Prongs saved Snivellus from turning into a werewolf, Evans. Snivellus! Our school nemesis. Do you truly believe he'd kill a boy he was so fond of?"

Lily stared at Sirius Black's stormy blue eyes. She was impressed with the loyalty and love in his speech.

But it proved nothing.

She sighed.

"Sirius… listen. I'm investigating. His credential has been used. A boy was murdered. You think I want Potter to be the real killer? Just out of respect for Remus, one of my closest friends, I wouldn't want that. I can't take into consideration Potter's character from five years ago. I shouldn't even be in the case, just for having known him back in school."

"Then why are you?" Sirius asked, "besides all that talk about being the best."

"Because I'm the only person who won't be start-struck about a simple Quidditch player, because I just couldn't care less about this game."

Sirius gaped widely, and Remus chuckled.

"Simple pla-" Sirius stuttered, before rising from the chair, "James is the best Quidditch player ever!" Sirius cried out, his voice louder. James and Peter woke up in a halt.

"Black, that's not what-"

"But that's what you said! I'll have you know that he's the youngest captain of the national team in history…!"

"I still don't give a shite," Lily said, shrugging, "I don't care he's the youngest, or that he was the cover of 20 magazines. Popularity and fame mean nothing to me. Except a headache."

Sirius still stared at her agape. Lily rolled her eyes and stood, moving to sit near James.

"Potter, I'm still working on your alibi."

"Any news on the case?" the boy asked, cleaning his glasses. Lily smiled when she saw a bit of drool on his chin.

"I can't discuss the case with my main suspect," she replied. He nodded.

"Listen, I was really pissed off this morning. If you'd like, I could take you myself to the forest tomorrow morning," Lily noticed this wasn't exactly an apology, nor did she think he would try to.

"It's a nice offer. I think I'll take it. Not sure if in the morning, but stay either here or on your place, alright? I'll pass by one of those through the day."

"Alright. Don't forget to pack, Evans. We're going to France on Monday," he replied, showing her the same half-smile he always had used whenever he would ask her out.

"Marlene is taking care of it. And… you've got a bit of drool on your chin," she warned him, chuckling. James flushed and tried to clean it, but the damage was done: the others laughed too, "well, I've got to go. You can go back to answering your fans. Benjy's waiting for me."

Lily adjusted her overcoat distractedly while she approached Benjy's room. She tried, in every possible way, to imagine different scenarios for her case. She was so distracted that she only noticed that Moody was in the room when she entered and saw her boss there.

"Evans," he greeted, not even turning to the girl. Benjy moved so he could see Lily and his lips formed a huge grin.

Benjy Fenwick was one of the first Aurors to shelter Lily in the department. Her arrival had initially brought mistrust to the mainly male environment, even more because she looked like the 18 year-old-girl that she actually was at the time, and had used a ribbon and muggle clothing on her first day.

She remembered seeing some of the youngsters chuckle when Moody had introduced her, while others showed worried faces. Benjy waved and smiled.

All of them stared wide eyed at her on the first day of training.

"Sir!" Lily called out in surprise, after winking at Benjy, "I didn't know you were planning to come."

"I wasn't," Moody grumbled, "but I knew that you were, and I didn't want to get you to the Ministry again today. And, well, it is a Saturday. I didn't know if you'd be home."

"Oh, well," Lily replied, approaching the bed, "I was home for most of the day. I've just visited a friend who got sick yesterday," she turned to Benjy, "you've got no idea how bloody good it is to see you awake again, Benjy."

Benjy grinned again at her. Whenever they worked in pairs, Lily would usually pick him. He was the equivalent of a police 'partner', like she had explained to him one day. Since then he called her 'partner', even if it wasn't a thing amongst Aurors.

"Sounds like you were terribly worried, partner," Benjy replied. Lily grinned.

"More like pissed off because you've left me alone to finish all the paperwork by myself," she said, making Benjy laugh, "I suppose you've told him how the case ended?" she asked Moody.

"I've taken this liberty. Evans, I've decided I'll let Fenwick in your new case."

Lily stood straighter and Benjy sat on the bed.

"Actually, it'd be better if you told him. Fenwick will be one of the Aurors selected to represent our Ministry. As the pair of you already work together, I imagine you shall have no trouble doing it again. The only condition, Fenwick, is absolute secrecy about the people involved in the case. I don't wish to receive letters about it. Only in person. Fenwick will be responsible to keep me updated, considering Evans will be going on the condition of vacations."

Lily rolled her eyes and told Benjy about the case, while Moody listened and grunted at some points.

"…and tomorrow morning I'll check this said forest, see if there's anyone who could've seen anything."

"So we're investigating James Potter, England's Captain?" Benjy asked. Moody glared at him.

"Fenwick, I only allowed your participation on this because I supposed Potter's status wouldn't be a confounding factor for you on the case. If you can't keep it together, let me know now and I'll replace you," Moody snapped.

"No way I'll let this interfere. No worries, Sir."

Moody eyed Benjy for a bit longer than nodded.

"One last thing before I leave. Evans, you must act the most natural way you can. You should do what you'd usually do on vacations. I don't want anyone raising suspicions regarding your presence. You're going on vacation after two uninterrupted years. Simple as that. Except…" Moody said, causing Lily to raise her eyebrows at this, "I don't want Potter spending much time alone. So you must be with him at all times."

"Well…" Lily started, "spending time with Potter wouldn't be exactly what I'd do, Sir."

"You were on his guest list before all of this."

"I was invited by Remus Lupin, a friend in common," Moody stared, one raised eyebrow, "Potter and I don't exactly get along…" she explained hesitantly.

"I suggest you pretend to be mates. Or make up another excuse. Let Potter know he'll only leave his room at night under your supervision. And, ah… I don't think I need to warn you not to consume any sort of… well…"

"No need, Sir. I'm going on a working trip."

"Great. I can only wish you good luck and…" Moody wore a rare grin, "have fun on your vacations, Evans."

James wasn't able to really sleep – only before lunch. After they had eaten, he kept tossing around until, with a heavy sigh, he decided he would answer the letters from his fans he had neglected because of the troubled week. He always read each and every letter.

He didn't know the exact moment he had lost consciousness, but Sirius's cries still were on his mind, marking precisely just when he had woken up. There was no way he couldn't not be pissed off, considering the little sleep he had had (even if Sirius apparently had been defending him).

After offering to join Evans to the forest and cleaning the drool on his chin, he decided it was time to stretch his legs and leave the remaining letters on the following day.

"So Prongs's got a date with Evans tomorrow, huh?" Sirius observed with a smirk. Remus chuckled and James rolled his eyes, while Peter fell asleep again. "It only took you 10 years, mate. Congratulations, we're oh, so very proud."

"Padfoot, I don't have the patience for this," James retorted, stowing the already answered letters, "actually, until this investigation is over, you're all forbidden to make any sort of insinuation regarding Evans, alright?"

Sirius laughed whilst Remus simply stared at James as if asking 'do you really think this will hold Sirius back?'.

After many complaints from James, Sirius volunteered to get some food, returning shortly after with dinner.

"Moony, would you mind if I crash here?" James asked while they ate.

"Not at all."

"It's easier for Evans to find me here," James explained. Peter frowned.

"So you've really got a date with the Redhead?" Peter asked, making Sirius grin.

"Of course not, Wormtail. I'll take her to the forest we always go to. I don't think it'll matter much, but it is my alibi, so…" James explained exasperatedly. "Besides, she's still investigating me. Aurors don't date suspects. And even if they did, there's no chance for me and Evans," he finished.

"This we've noticed 10 years ago…" Sirius whispered in reply, causing James to take advantage of his above average aim and hitting ox gut square on Sirius's nose.

Obviously the move resulted in an intense food fight, which in turn made James responsible to get more food. Although it hadn't been said, it was implicitly decided that all the three of them would spend the weekend at Remus's.

James hated to see how his friend fared after the full moon. Thankfully he hadn't vomited so far, but there was still the whole night. All the help was needed in order to make Remus feel better, and none of the remaining Marauders spared any effort to ensure their friend's wellbeing.

They weren't up until late – the previous night had been too tiring. Before ten p.m. all of the mattresses were laid down beside Remus's bed, leaving only the needed space for bathroom access.

Before they fell asleep, James reminded Remus to take the potion to avoid nausea and vomits. Fleamont had a vague idea that his son's friend had some special needs, and always had one of these potions available.

And that was the exact scene that welcomed Lily when she arrived at Remus's place. The three boys circling their friend, taking care of him after another hard night, was more than necessary to make Lily hesitate on the door. She had a key to the place, and when nobody answered she thought it prudent to verify if Remus was okay.

The noise of her steps was enough to wake James, who had the lightest sleep of the four. He frowned and put his glasses on his face.

"Hey, Evans," he greeted her with a whisper, "I'm sorry I didn't wake up, night's not been an easy one."

She nodded and watched James stretch and get up. She looked at Remus and didn't notice James putting a shirt on and following her out of the room.

"Is he alright?" Lily asked with her brow furrowed, while James prepared some tea.

"Sure…" James replied mid-yawn.

"But you said the night…?"

"Well, yeah. But nothing out of the usual. He usually only gets to sleep around three in the morning and… whenever he wakes, we wake…" James explained shrugging. "Can I get you something?" James offered.

"No, thanks. I've already eaten."

James looked from the kitchen's watch back to Lily, and raised an eyebrow.

"It's seven thirty in the morning."

"I don't usually leave my place without eating, unless it's urgent."

"Like yesterday?" he asked.

"Exactly. As soon as you're ready we may go," she told him. James smiled lightly and headed to the bedroom.

She didn't show much surprise when he explained that the three of them kept some clothes in Remus's house for any needed sleepover. James didn't take up much time to get ready, drinking his tea and eating a toast as fast as possible while Lily watched him with arms crossed.

James tried to ignore how pretty he still considered his ex-peer, but it was difficult. The fact she was wearing muggle jeans and a shirt, instead of the long wizard robes only made it harder.

He also tried to ignore the slight hesitation that Lily displayed when he offered her his arm for a Side-Along Apparition. In seconds they appeared in the forest near James's house where they used to go for Remus's monthly transformations.

"So that's where you were?" Lily asked James nodded, stuffing his hands on the back pockets of his trousers.

"That's where we were," he repeated.

"Potter… Remus was in werewolf form. This place looks very proper for him. Not for the rest of you at the same moment."

James sighed.

"I… truly cannot tell. Just that we were guaranteeing that Moony was safe.

It was Lily's turn to sigh.

"You are aware of your situation?" she asked with the patience she did not have while they were students.

"Believe me, I am. But there are far more… important things… in this case… compared to my situation."

"Potter. Your situation at the moment is the only suspect in a murder case. What could possibly be more important than you not going to Azkaban?"

James stared deeply into her eyes and gave her a tiny smile.

"There're people far more important in my life than myself, Evans."

He felt her penetrating gaze, and watched as she bit her lower lip as had always done every time she focused on something.

"You'd better hope I'm bloody brilliant in France, Potter. You're gonna need it."