Moon Goddess

Chapter 1: Plans

Lily Evans sat on her bed, staring at the letter in disgust. She hated James Potter. The one person she hated most would do almost anything to have her in his arms, but Lily knew better. James had the reputation of a heartbreaker. The most he could want from her was sex, and she of all people to have the looks, as her sister would say, was not a slut. She wasn't a Muggleborn either, for that matter. She was a pureblood witch who knew exactly how thin the ice she was treading on was. In her first year, she had requested her last name be changed from Black, to Evans, and that she should be known as a Muggleborn. Only Sirius and Remus knew who she really was, being her cousin. To be raised with Sirius at the house at Grimmauld Place had been torture enough. Sirius wasn't really the problem, he was a sweet kid. It was their family. Abusive and negligent, their family mainly supported Voldemort, which was why her cousin had sworn not to tell a soul when he'd realized she'd changed her name; not even James. Sirius was the reason she was a Mauradaur, but even he agreed that James was a jerk at times, and tried very hard not to pressure her into any kind of relationship with him.

Lily, who never bothered to open any letter in James' handwriting, threw the still sealed letter into the fire, just as her sister, Petunia, burst into the room. Petunia had never bothered to change her name, and was one of the most popular Slytherin girls in Hogwarts. For the most part, they ignored each other. Lily sat at her desk, and began her letter to Remus.

Dear Remus,

How's your summer been so far? It can't be crappier than mine. I'm sharing a tiny room with Petunia, Sirius does nothing but set off dungbombs and stink pellets, and I end up taking the blame. He really has to stop doing that. James has been sending me letters; I haven't bothered with a single one. They're better suited for the fireplace rather than my eyes. The stupid prat. I tried to sneak you some Wolfsbane, but I was caught again. Maybe we can get some in Diagon alley. Meet you there in a week? Please write back, but don't bother trying to come here; it's been a war zone lately. The way my Aunt keeps looking at me, I think she's gonna make me choose. Some choice. Maybe I'll be able to stay with you next summer, though I'd understand if you'd rather not. Sirius is with James right now, so I'd better go, considering I'm the only scapegoat still here.

See you soon,

-TigerLily

Lily sent her letter with her owl, Kitty, and went back to her Potions essay. Charms aside, Potions was her favorite subject. Lily was currently considering one day becoming Potions professor. It would do the school good to get rid of Professor Lestrange, her other Aunt. The woman was clearly evil, without having yet seen the Dark Mark on her arm. It was almost midnight when her reply from Remus came. Lily opened the letter cautiously, in fear of waking her sister. She quietly lit a single candle, watching light fill the tiny room.

Lily,

My summer has been about as pleasant as yours. The full moon is in a week and I'll be in the shack again. Don't you dare show up, lils. I'll try to talk to Sirius about the dungbombs and stink pellets; he needs to learn. I trust you've stolen his stash? It's really nice of you to try getting the wolfsbane potion, but please don't do that again. I know how they treat you and Sirius. I hate to see you hurt. Don't try to buy it for me either. You guys barely scrape enough money for secondhand books. I won't try to come over unless you do something stupid. Then, I'm getting you out of there. Sirius too. I've cleared it with mum, and she says you can stay next summer. I told her that you're a friend from school, and that your famiy is having alot of...er...problems. You can come for the holidays this year, too. Sirius will be with James. He suspected the same, about the two of you having to make the choice, so we're not taking any more chances. You be careful, and if You-Know-Who shows up, run. Call the Knight Bus, and get a room in The Leaky Cauldron. Tell them it's an emergency. Give them what money you can, and tell them someone'll be there to pay them the rest. Then owl Dumbledore. See you soon,

Moony

Lily giggled softly at Remus' precautions. It was a plan the two of them had thought of last year, when the Maradaurs had overheard Petunia talking. She doubted she would need to use it, considering after this summer, she was not planning on returning to Grimmauld Place anyways. Lily was about to blow out the candle, when something else fell out of the envelope. It was a quartz crystal, decorated with a shimmering moon on the front, hanging on thick black string. She turned it over to see an inscription on the back. Moon Goddess, it said. She smiled as she put it on, hiding it under her nightgown. Before she blew out her candle, she looked towards her sister's bed. It was empty.