Illusion

Ding-dong. The doorbell of the Evan's house rang. Mrs. Evans hurried to answer it.

"Hello, Rosie. I am sorry for butting in like this. I do hope I'm not imposing. It's just that Remus really wanted to 'see' the baby. I told him it was kicking, and he insisted on coming over. Is this a bad time?" asked Gwen Lupin, the mother of Remus Lupin, age 2.

"No, not at all. Come in. I was just about to call you!" remarked Rose Evans.

Rose was the mother of Petunia Evans, who was Remus's age. However, the two children did not get along, which was surprising, considering that their mothers were the best of friends.

"Thank you, Mrs. Evans," said Remus politely. Even at an early age, Remus was very polite and grave.

"Mama said that the baby was kicking you. Does it hurt?" Even so, he was the normal inquisitive toddler.

"No, bless you dear. Would you like to feel? I think she just woke up from a nap, so she should be nice and active now," replied Mrs. Evans kindly.

"How do you know it's a girl?" asked Mr. Evans, who was off work since it was a Saturday. Mr. Evans was the Prime Minister, and was very happy to be able to be at home that day.

"It could be a boy!"

"It's a girl. I can feel it," said Mrs. Evans. "You'll just have to wait on that son of yours! Now, come in, Remus, Gwen. Would you like anything?"

"No, thank you. We just ate lunch," said Gwen, stepping into the house. "Come, Remus."

******

"Harder, Rose! Come on! You can do this!" encouraged Gwen Lupin. Both of the friends were at the hospital. Lily Azalea Evans, as they had decided to call her, was being born.

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Mr. Evans, here's your baby girl," said the nurse with a smile, placing the tiny bundle in his arms.

"You can go see your wife if you like."

"Hello, darling. How are you? Alright, I hope?" asked Mr. Evans, with a smile.

"I'm fine, but we need to talk. Soon," said Rose, gravely. "It's important, having to do with the you-know-what that Petty didn't have. Lily does." With that statement, Mr. Evans face turned rapidly paler, till it was white.

"You don't mean. Not possible! We took measures, so many of them! But. How?" he asked, finally accepting the inevitable. "I don't know, Edward. I...I think that we've been found out."

"We'll get through this. Together. For better, or worse, but together."

******

"Hurry up!" yelled a red-headed five-year-old. "Remus-slow-poke!"

"You're going to fast! Slow down!" yelled a sandy-haired boy that looked to be about seven.

"Lil-lee! You know it's the day before...before." the little boy swallowed anxiously.

"Oops! Sorry, Remi! I forgot. Do you need to go home?" asked Lily Azalea Evans, for indeed, that's who it was. She looked at the boy worriedly, her brilliant green-eyes shining compassionately.

"No, I'm alright. Let's go to the creek!"

"Okay!" And hand-in-hand, they walked east through the woods.

"Let's jump in!" yelled Remus, already half-way in. Lily quickly followed, landing on top of Remus. Soon, a splashing war began.

"Ya! Take that, Lupin!"

"Ar! That'll teach you, Evans! Hey! Where'd you go?!" yelled Remus, looking around, bewildered.

Splash!

"Got you!" shouted Lily happily. This started a game of water hide-and -go-seek. As Remus hid behind the branches of a weeping willow, he noticed that the sky was getting darker.

Oh well, he thought, I should get Lily home. The moon will be out soon.

"Lily! We should be going!" he yelled. "The moon!"

"Of course! Let's go!" she said, coming up behind him. Taking his hand, they started walking home. Soon they were at the edge of the woods again. Remus saw something that made his heart stop. The moon!

"Lily! Lily! Run!" he shouted. But it was too late. He could already feel himself changing. He let out a moan of agony.

Lily's eyes widened. She knew the danger she was in, but all she could think about was her friend. She had never known it was that painful. She watched as his form shifted, giving one last shuddering moan before turning completely into a wolf.

...want blood.... The wolf lunged at Lily. The human...right in front of me...good... His animal mind looked over the trembling girl. She was small, and wouldn't be able to run as fast. Plus, she was convenient. However, there was something strange about her.

Bite, now!, his wolf side commanded. Remus tried desperately to control his instincts, but to no avail. He was fighting a losing battle.

"Stop!" Lily cried in horror. "Oh, please, Remi, stop!"

The wolf paused. What? Remi? He slowly sat down, confused and angry, unsure of who he really was. Girl not girl! Deceived!, the wolf thought. He lunged again, meaning to bite her just for the inconvenience.

"Please! STOP! Remi, please!" she cried again. The wolf slowly stopped.

Wait. Not really...don't want...stop... I...I...I... The wolf's head suddenly raised up to the moon and he moaned, though it sounded like he was in pain. Suddenly, Remus was in control of himself again.

Wow, he thought. The full moon really is beautiful, just like Mother told me. I wish I could see it as me, though.

"Remi?" asked Lily softly, as if unsure of herself. In response, the wolf nuzzled her hand. Tentatively, she reached a hand out and stroked the wolf's fur. Lily told herself to breath deeply. In and out, she thought. Slowly she said, "I'm with you, Remi, I'm with you."