haha, I know. Snape and Bella never really get along, not even in the actual books. so yeah.

thanks! I love the encouragement!

okay, NEW CHAPTER YAY. it is rather short, but that's all right. long chapters to come!

Ch. 4- Suspicions


He waited for her to come back today. He needed to apologize…he had been a git…well, he was a git most times. He paced his living room while Sirius lay on his belly on the floor, playing with his owl, Rocky. Rocky would belong to Sirius and be the only owl that actually plays. Sirius laughed heartily as he grabbed Rocky’s wing and flung him into the air; the bird squawked playfully and fluttered around the living room noisily. James, despite being preoccupied with worry, couldn’t help but give a small grin.

There was a knock on the door, and James rushed to open it. He threw it open; Remus Lupin walked in, looking very ragged and older than usual. James groaned in annoyace; seriously, Moony?

“What a welcome, eh?” asked Remus with his eyebrows raised in confusion. “Expecting someone else?”

“Of course he is. Evans,” replied Sirius, going back to playing with Rocky. He threw a pair of rolled up socks at the bird, and Rocky hooted as he hit them back with one of his wings. Rocky then landed on Remus’ shoulder, and Remus chortled as he stroked the enormous bird’s back.

“Lily? I haven’t seen her in ages. Would be nice to see her again. Still rejecting you?” he asked, trying VERY hard not to laugh.

“Of course she is, she’s Evans,” replied Sirius before James could answer. Sirius ran his hand through his overgrown hair and stood up.

“She’s with Severus,” James said softly, looking anywhere but at either of the two’s faces. He strolled over to the window and peered out onto the street…any minute now…

Remus choked. “Severus? Snape? Good Lord…I knew they were close…but…” he trailed off, looking at his friend with pity. James must be dying, being beaten by Snivellus at something. James turned sharply to Remus.

“When is your time of month?” he asked, without realizing what it sounded like. All three men laughed until it hurt, and James couldn’t help but feel much less gloomy.

“Let’s go out! Party! We’re young men, twenty years old, let’s go to that new place opened up in Diagon Alley! I hear it is the place to be for people like us!” suggested Sirius with glee, checking his hair in the hallway mirror. James glanced at Remus, who rolled his eyes.

“Er…No. Not my cup of tea. Plus, my “time of the month” is quite near. I would rather not take any chances…” replied Remus briskly. James just then noticed how raggedy his pal looked.

“Having a hard time finding a job, Moony?” he asked, nudging him on the shoulder. Remus nodded.

“Of course. I could always lie and say I’m not a werewolf, but I hate lying. What if some freak accident were to happen? I just have to put on all my job applications when they ask if there is anything odd worthy of knowing about me that I am a werewolf…” he said simply, sitting at the table and folding his hands on top of it. James nodded, biting his bottom lip. There was a soft knock on the door. James jumped up speedily and raced to the door.

Lily walked in, her dark red hair flowing down her back like a serene waterfall, glistening in the soft light. Her eyes shone out like emeralds against her pale skin, and her cheeks flushed from going up the stairs to get to James’ apartment. She looked stunning. James simply ogled at her, and he envied Severus more than ever at this moment. She smiled as she gave a quick hug and squealed happily when she noticed Remus.

“Remus! Oh my, I haven’t seen you in forever!” she cried excitedly, as he stood up to give her a hug. He smiled back.

“Lily, nice to see you, too. James told me you got a job at St. Mungos…I didn’t know you were interested in being a Healer,” he said as she took a seat across from him. Lily nodded, placing her wand on the table. Sirius wandered into his room, up to something or another. James sat down, rather timidly, next to Lily.

“Oh, yes. And since I’ve got a knack for potions I figured I could help the top researches there--I mean, once I get up to being a Healer. Right now I only have the night shift, shuffling around the place and making sure nothing goes wrong. My co-workers are all rather old, I’m the youngest of the lot, but I enjoy it. I’m off the rest of this week,” she explained to Remus, and he nodded.

“A job’s a job. You’re lucky. I’m trying to get one, but it’s proving hard right about now. The only places that will hire me are stores on Knockturn Alley, and there’s no way I’m working there,” he replied, tapping his fingers on the table. Lily noticed how dirty they were and wondered if he had a place to live. She glanced at James, raising her eyebrows at him, then looked back at Remus’ nails. James blinked back, looking blank. She rolled her eyes. Honestly, what a fool!

“Where are you staying, Remus?” she asked him kindly. Remus’ face fell.

“Well-you see, a very nice place--got a bed and a bath bu-” but he was cut off by James.

“What?! You Don’t have a place to stay! Remus! You could live with us!” he cut him off loudly. He looked angry, outraged. Remus scowled and shook his head.

“No. I’m not a charity case-”

“Remus,” said Lily forcefully, glaring at him with worry. Remus shook his head.

“No, I’m not living here, I wouldn’t be able to pay, and-”

“You can live with us, then, and I can help you get a job with me!” exclaimed Lily, flailing her hands in the air dramatically. Remus crinkled his face in confusion.

“Us? You live with someone?” he asked. James furrowed his eyebrows, a frown appearing on his face.

“Severus…Snape, remember? We started dating right after Hogwarts, and we make three years soon,” she replied, blushing but grinning all the same. Remus forced a smile.

“That’s..er..great, Lily….I’m glad for you! You and Severus get along, then?”

“Yes, yes. But he works during the day, and I work at night, except when I’m off, so we haven’t seen each other too much lately. I’ll see him later tonight, though…” she replied, beaming at the thought. She tucked her hair behind her ear, looking down at her hands in her lap. She didn’t see Remus exchange looks with James. Remus had been hearing rumors…for some time now…

“What does he do? I mean, for a job?” he asked suspiciously, though trying his hardest not to sound accusing. Lily’s eyes froze, her hands tensed. She faked a smile.

“Somewhere at the ministry…I’m not entirely sure where,” she responded nervously. James seemed clueless, but Remus’ brain was ticking, thinking…

After a quick lunch Sirius became bored, again, and suggested that they all went out…again.

“Sirius, you asked earlier, and I told you I can’t go,” Remus replied and looked at his watch. He was waiting for Lily to go. She yawned and stretched.

“I must be going soon…Sev should be back anytime now…” she muttered, also checking her watch. James messed up his hair more and stood up. He held out a hand to help Lily up. Remus looked up at her through caring, worried eyes.

“Lily…”

“Yes?”

“Watch out for Snape”

“What do you mean, Remus?” she asked, her facing turning red. Sirius sensed a rage coming on.

“I’m just warning you. I care about you, Lily. You are a nice person, a genuine person, just…be careful, Lily,” he said darkly, and Lily simply stared at him before walking out the door. James followed her. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Lily, I didn’t say anything to him--he just said that all on his own. I don’t even know what he was talking abou-”

“Whatever you say, James. I have to go--I gotta’ see Severus,” she replied briskly, barely giving him a second glance as she jetted away.