Tiger Lily

Ah…the next chapter! So sweet a phrase, no? Thank you all so much for reviewing. As a token of my thanks, at the end of the chapter you will find a small ‘gift’ from me to you…my faithful readers and reviewers. Much love to all, and I hope you enjoy the story!

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Peter hopped down the stairs in his usual cheerful state. Remus is back today! His little heart sang. Yay, Remus is back today! He trotted on chubby legs down the length of the Great Hall, towards the massive front doors, and tugged on them in a vain attempt to open them. He failed, and slumped against the wall, panting. Those door seem to get heavier and heavier day by day… he mused, shoving off of the wall, ready to try again. Fortunately, this time he did not have to try alone.

Sirius was halfway up the dungeon steps, on his way to an early breakfast when he caught the tow-headed Peter struggling to open the doors. Deciding to be nice, he headed over to the much smaller boy, seized the handle over Peter’s shoulder, and pulled, opening the door easily.

Peter flashed him an adorable little smile, and skipped out onto the stone landing, craning for the first glimpse of the older brother figure he knew and loved. Sirius didn’t even glance upwards as he followed Peter out and flopped down on the damp stone steps. HE knew before Peter when Remus came into view; for some reason, his vision had always been better when he was looking for his best friend.

And there was Remus, walking with his eyes fastened on the ground, his face a glowing, pale color. He approached the stairs without looking up, and made his way up them, stopping to sit next to Sirius. He smiled briefly at Peter, who hurried off as the breakfast bell rang, then turned his eyes to his feet.

Sirius spoke first. "How’s your mum?" he asked.

For a long moment Remus didn’t reply, and Sirius wondered if he’d even heard him. Then came, "She all right."

"Getting better?"

"So the doctors say." Sirius knew the drill. They’d had this conversation many times before. Next Remus would ask him about Lily and his relationship.

"How’s your relationship with Lily going?" Right on cue. Sirius thought.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that." Sirius paused as Remus shifted slightly in his seat, turning more towards Sirius. "She seems…preoccupied. She doesn’t want to spend as much time together as we used to…she spends more time with James than she does with me…and I thought she didn’t like James."

Remus shrugged. "They did have that project to do together…and you know how important school is to Lils," he commented, the affectionate nickname creeping in out of habit. Sirius took no notice, staring glumly at his hands. "It’s really bothering you?" Remus asked, reading Sirius’ face rather than listening to the words.

Sirius said nothing as long minutes ticked by. Then, "Yeah…I guess it is. I mean, we made a pact, when we first got together- said we stay together as long as we could, but if one of us wanted to end it, we should just say so. I know it isn’t the easiest thing, but we’ve always kept to that ‘rule’, and many times it’s saved the relationship, ‘cause we figured out what was wrong…" he trailed off. "I dunno Remus…sometimes she seems so close, and other times she’s as distant as the sun itself." He flung his head back, his hair blowing in the wind. "I just wish she’d talk to me sometimes." He sighed.

Remus nodded, and together they sat for another few minutes. "Do you…do you want me to- talk to her?" Remus asked, turning to Sirius. Normally he didn’t get into his friends’ love affairs (or lack thereof in some cases). But this is different…Lily and Sirius have been together forever! I’ve even caught Lily planning their wedding…I guess that could be normal though. Wish someone would do that for me…

Finally Sirius spoke. "Yes." His voice was strong and serious, no trace of the usual jesting tone he normally had. Remus nodded.

"Alright then, mate," he replied, getting to his feet and offering Sirius a hand up. Sirius took it.

"Thanks Remus," Sirius said, shoving his gloved hands into his pockets. Remus just nodded again and turned to head back inside.

"Coming in?" Remus asked, facing the doors. He already knew Sirius’ answer.

"No thanks…I’ll sit for awhile," came the solemn reply.

"Alright," Remus replied, grabbing the door handle. Within moments he was well on his way up to Gryfinndor tower.

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Peter sat anxiously outside of the Fat Lady, who wasn’t in her frame. He’d been out there for about an hour or two when Remus came along, cheeks red from the cold.

"Hey there mate," Remus greeted him, flopping down alongside him.

"Hi," Peter said. "Welcome back."

Remus smiled, rather a sad smile. "Thanks Pete." There was a pause. "So…what are you doing out here anyway?"

"The Fat Lady’s gone," Peter said, pointing a chubby finger at the empty frame.

"Ah," Remus replied. He waited a moment to make sure that Peter was in the right mood. "In the mood for a portrait hunt?"

The younger boy’s face lit up. "Always!" he exclaimed, jumping up, pulling Remus with him. The older boy laughed.

"Alright…whoever finds her first wins…what shall the winner get Peter?"

Peter frowned a moment, then grinned. "They get their homework done by the loser for a whole week," he smiled proudly as Remus grinned.

"Deal," Poor kid doesn’t know what he’s getting into…Remus thought. I’m the best portrait hunter here…partially because all of t he portraits know I’m a werewolf and give themselves up easily. Poor little bloke…we always have the most homework the week after I come back…dunno why.

"Ready?" Peter asked, jogging in place, a happy look on his face.

"Ready!" Remus confirmed.

"Meet back here in a hour," Peter stated. Remus nodded.

"Affirmative."

"And if we haven’t found her…"

"We both lose, so…"

"We have to do each other’s homework!" Peter cried delightedly, clapping his hands. He sure loves these things…

"Sure hope you haven’t gotten any better at hunting while I’ve been away Peter," Remus said. Peter just smiled. "Okay, marks…set…go!" And off they went.

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Lily stood just outside the Forbidden Forest, a slightly icy wind whipping through her red hair. She’d arranged for meeting with Sirius, but as he was an hour late she was seriously beginning to believe that Remus had forgotten to give him the message. Maybe next time I should send it with James, Lily thought, glancing at her watch. But no- everyone in Slytherin hates him. At least they sort of like Remus…And speak of the devil.

A red-faced and laughing Gryfinndor headed down the sloping hill to her, cheeks red with the cold, gloved hand running through his shaggy hair.

"Ah, Lily!" he cried, jogging over to her. "I was just looking for you."

"Did you tell Sirius about my meeting?" Lily asked anxiously. "I haven’t seen him around for the past few days…is he mad at me? What’s the matter?"

Remus shook his head and took hold of her arm, pulling her a little ways into the forest and flopping down on a frozen log. "Actually, I haven’t seen him," Remus replied, lying through his slightly pointed teeth. "But speaking of Sirius…is everything okay with you two?"

Lily started to nod, then shook her head, turning to the one person she had always been able to count on for a readily listening ear. "I don’t know Remus," she turned away slightly, rubbing her ungloved hands together slightly. "Something changed between us…and it’s my fault. I just don’t know how to tell him."

Remus settled himself more comfortably on the log. "Tell me about it. Maybe I can help," he suggested, taking off his hand protection and giving it to her. Lily smiled at him gratefully, slipping the warm gloves on.

"Okay. It all started when James and I were working on this project…I told you about it remember?" Remus nodded. "Well…it was early morning…and no one was around. And one second I was sitting doing my work…and the next second James was kissing me." she looked over at Remus to see his reaction.

Remus sat there stunned. He’d known that James had liked Lily, but he’d always thought that it was just a crush…and that he liked Sirius enough not to do that to his friend’s girlfriend. His shock then turned into anger. James had no right to do that! He fumed.

Lily was silent for a moment. "Remus?" The boy turned to look at her. "There’s more." Uh-oh…Remus thought, his heart sinking. "See after the kiss…I got to thinking…" Remus wished with all his might that he couldn’t hear her. He didn’t want to know something that would hurt Sirius before Sirius did. "I got to thinking that maybe…just maybe, I like James. Maybe more- more than I like Sirius." She paused, her breath swirling in front of her face. "Don’t get me wrong, I mean, Sirius is a great guy…but, we’ve been together for so long…" she trailed off. "Oh Remus…I’m so confused."

Remus sat like a statue, digesting the information he’d just received. "So…you want to break up him." It wasn’t a question. Lily sighed.

"I don’t know Remus," she replied slowly. "I’m thinking about it…but- well…I just don’t know."

"Well…" Remus began. "Seems to me you’ve got a choice to make." Lily nodded. "And you alone have to make it." She nodded again. "If you ask me though," Lily looked up. "If you ask me, go with what feels right. If it turns out that James isn’t the one for you, you can always turn back. Granted, Sirius might not be single then- but if it’s meant to be then it’s meant to be." He shrugged. "But think hard and long Lils," he warned, hopping off the log. "You know Sirius would much rather hear from you if you two were to break up than from…oh, I don’t know- James?" he paused to let his words sink in. I’m going inside. Coming?"

"No," Lily replied, standing and brushing away the snow that clung to her hair and cloak from the log. "I think I’ll take a walk."

Remus nodded. How did I now that she was going to say that? Maybe because Sirius said the same thing this morning…maybe I was wrong about the two of them. But it seemed so much like they were meant to be…He turned and headed back up the icy slopes.

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Sirius lay sprawled out on the wet grass just outside the greenhouses, his mind whirling with fun and games he could play on members of the other houses. It was whirling so much that for the first time in many days, he did not hear Lily approach. It was her pretty voice that tumbled him out of his scheming reverie.

"Sirius! What the hell are you doing out here lying on the wet grass. You’ll catch cold, you know you will- and Madam Pomfrey is sick and tired of having you in the infirmary." Lily scolded, pulling Sirius off of the ground. He watched her with intent eyes as she brushed off his coat and smiled at him. If I didn’t know any better I’d swear that that smile is a false one…Sirius thought, saying nothing as he leaned in and brushed his lips over hers in a quick kiss that she didn’t return. How odd…

"Sirius- I have to talk to you," Lily said, her voice much more confident than she felt. He nodded sagely.

"I thought as much. Come into one of the greenhouses though. It’s cold out here," he said, pulling her by the hand and leading her into a steamy glass room. She sighed happily, pulling her gloves off and warming her hands on the heated glass. Sirius stood a little ways away, his arms folded over his muscular chest, his dark eyes following Lily’s every move. He seemed to sense what was coming, and Lily could see him mentally brace himself for her oncoming words. She took a deep breath, prayed that she was doing the right thing, and opened her mouth to speak.

"Sirius," her voice sounded hesitant and weak. She tried again. "Sirius, I’ve been thinking for awhile." She paused; amazed at how something that had sounded so good in her head just seconds ago could sound so flat and unconvincing when she actually said the words. "See- well…" she suddenly gave up on her speech, and began to speak what she really felt. She had learned long ago that this was how Sirius wanted you to talk to him when you had something important to say, and if this wasn’t important, Lily didn’t know what was. "This relationship is treasured by me, and will always be treasured by me. It’s just that lately, well, lately I’ve been experiencing…I dunno, some sort of bored-ness. A sort of longing to be single and on the market…you know?" Sirius nodded. "And then…the other day when I was acting so strangely…It was because something happened." Interest flashed in Sirius’ eyes. "See, I told you about the project that James and I were working on. What I didn’t tell you was that he- he- oh hell. He kissed me." No reaction from Sirius. He seemed to have already guessed what she was going to say. "And- not that I like him more than you- or that he kisses better than you do- it just that well…" she trailed off.

"You want a chance to see if the grass really is greener on the other side," Sirius finished, gently coming forward and taking Lily’s chin in his hand. She was so much shorter than he was (She was five six and he six three) that she had to crane her neck to look at him. He captured her mouth, briefly and with feeling, letting his unsaid emotions and opinions out. Then, quite suddenly, he let her go. "I understand Lily," he said, his heart aching at the sight of her face. He gave a small laugh. "I completely understand."

"We’ll still be friends right Sirius?" Lily asked. Sirius looked at her in surprise.

"Why wouldn’t we be?" he asked. Lily shrugged.

"I don’t know…I’m glad you understood Sirius." She said finally. There was silence. "I guess I better go…" she said, turning to leave.

"Let me get the door for you," he said, brushing past her. "It sticks sometimes."

She let him ‘unstick’ the door, kiss her on the cheek, and then she left, her red hair blowing out behind her, Sirius’ heart in a million pieces back at the greenhouse.

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"Peter," a hiss from the shadows just outside the Fat Lay portrait startled the little boy. Turning quickly, he focused his eyes on a patch of darkness. "Peter!"

The voice sounded familiar. "Sirius?" he asked, tentatively taking a step forward. "IS that you Sirius?"

"Who the hell else would it be?" the Slytherin asked moodily, standing up and coming out of his hideout. Anxiously Peter peered behind him, wary for signs of other Slytherins…mainly Snape and Lucius…the two that scared him the most. "There’s no one there Peter," Sirius said, grabbing Peter’s arm and hauling him off to a nearby nook. "So…what did you find out for me?"

"Well…I found out from Dumbledore that Remus doesn’t have a mother…she died when he was only two from severe werewolf injuries. And Remus’ father doesn’t live with him- he’s a muggle trucker who is never home. Remus lives with his grandpa, who is old and can’t see." Peter smiled importantly.

Werewolf injuries? God…

Sirius thought, eyes widening with the thought. "IS that it Peter?’ he asked.

"Nope. One more thing." He smiled importantly. "Remus has a funny shaped burn scar on his leg." Apparently the words were actually supposed to sound like some significant meaning. Sirius shrugged.

"So what. I have a funny scar on my arm too, shaped like a beater stick." He looked at Peter.

Peter nodded sagely. "Well…. Remus’ isn’t shaped like a beater stick… it’s shaped like one of those medieval crosses." HE grinned. "Cool, huh? I want one." Poor little fellow doesn’t even get what he just told me…Sirius thought satisfactorily, turning away and walking down the hall. "Thanks Pete." He called.

"Sure Sirius. See you at dinner!" Peter replied, heading through the portal.

Sirius smiled and waved, waited until he was sure that Peter was all the way in, then took off towards the library.

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Okay, end of Chapter three. Next chapter... Sirius finds out something in the library, and lets James into the secret. Lily confronts James about their relationship (or lack thereof), and the two of them go out on their first date….(collective "aww)…

And, as promised, my gift to you, the faithful readers:

They read the story

Let you know what they think,

They either say it’s wondeful,

Or call you a fink.

It is they who skim the story,

Like reading angels up above,

To them- her faithful readers-

Desert Rose sends her love.

Okay…well, I tried. THANK YOU ALL SOOO MUCH! LOTS OF LOVE

-Desert Rose