body and soul.

[Lily Evans]

There was only one rule that Lily Evans had ever broken while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And that was that, on numerous occasions, she had snuck out of her bed after hours. While most students have made the same decision, it was usually to meet a boyfriend or girlfriend or try and sneak off grounds. But Lily Evans? When Lily Evans snuck out of her common room, and tip-toe'd down the corridors, it was to go to the library.

It wasn't exactly difficult to do, but she was still slightly paranoid everytime she did so. She would hardly even leave the Common Room before she'd placed a simple disillusion charm on her book bag, and levitated it behind her. If she could have, or it was necessary, she might have placed the charm on herself, as well. However, there was very little chance to practice, and Lily could never be quite sure if the charm wouldn't waver right as an authority figure rounded the corner. In any case, she didn't exactly need it. As soon as she heard footsteps, or even thought she saw the shadow of someone, her back would immediately straighten proudly, and her footsteps would fall harder, with purpose. When questioned, she'd merely flash her prefect - now Head Girl - badge, smile sweetly, and lie through her teeth.

And people said Lily Evans was an angel.

It was the first night back, though, and a particular redhead had no reading materials, let alone somewhere to read them. There was always the Common Room and well-worn paperbacks from home that had been read a hundred times over, but if something better could be achieved, if even through a little rule-breaking, then so be it.

The soft sound of footsteps, muffled by woolen socks and layers of stone, could be heard echoing quietly through the corridors as the green-eyed book worm almost silently unlocked the library doors, and opened them just enough to slip inside the darkness beyond. Instantly she felt warmer, as if somehow the stone floor beneath her feet had transfigured itself into the carpet that covered floors at her house and warmed her toes, or as if a blanket had been draped around her. Now that there was no longer a need for secrecy - as much - she was free to take her time, becoming oblivious to her surroundings.

Relieved sighs whispered from chapsticked lips, as fingertips ghosted over dusty tombs, untouched after nearly three months of summer. Oh, this was heaven...[/font]

[Remus Lupin]

First night of the year and Remus Lupin was already dozing in the library. One may think this was a prefect taking advantage of his duties. But, no, there was a far more upsetting explanation for his current position. Due to recent developments, or perhaps set backs would be better, in his friendships, Remus did not find himself comfortable in his own dormitory. So, with that said, Remus tried to spend as little time as possible within it. Instead of hanging around with the boys on the grounds or in the common room, Remus had taken to napping and working in the library or wandering around with Lily, the only friend he truely thought he had left. Remus hadn't let Lily in on all of the problems within the group, it didn't feel nessicary. And she didn't ask.

It was nice to have a friend who wasn't asking awkwardly placed questions about how you felt, or if things were getting better. Remus could talk to Lily comfortably and put all of that rubbish aside. Unfortunately, he couldn't have someone so agreeable and non-confrontational as Lily for a dormmate. Instead he was stuck with three people who he'd just as easily not speak to right now. It was as if the level of tension increased a tenfold every time they were in the room together. His exit was either a silent one, or closing the door on some snotty comment unleashed by Sirius. Either way, it wasn't fun. So, like stated previously, Remus tried to spend as much time away from that room as possible. Most nights, he expected, were going to be spent in his current position. Asleep against the pages of an old book, his wand lit in his hand. Remus hadn't even planned on waking up until he heard the entrance of another being.

Being who he was, Remus was a light sleeper. He was always on his toes, always ready to evacuate any situation. Pulling as many pranks as he and his boys had at this school, you learned to be quick. So, at the sound of any noise, you also learned to jump. This situation was no different. Regardless of how quiet Lily's entrance may have been, Remus' ears picked up on the tiny sound and he was soon awake. Diffusing the light in his wand, Remus quickly shut the book and tucked it away in his back. Finding himself in a state of delerium, Remus gave himself a few moments to become composed. Raising to his feet, Remus began to try and track the source of the disturbance. It wasn't long before he came across the aisle where a petite redhead stood admiring books. Sighing in relief, Remus grinned before speaking. "Looks like I'm not the only one who takes after dark visits to the library.."

[Lily Evans]

Thin fingers traveled over book spines, tracing titles and authors, golden letters imprinted on worn, faded covers of hardcover books, the pages inside thick and coarse to the touch. Lazily, they brushed soft fabric were words had once been written, but was now well-used that they were completely impossible to make out. Deftly plucking the volume from the shelf, she allowed it to open in her hand, flipping through a pages before shutting it softly and replacing it where it had been, continuing her prizeless search once more. She was so consumed by the mere familiar feeling that the library gave her, that she didn't notice the presence of another being in the room. The air seemed almost electric, buzzing with the whispers of the books as words slipped off the pages, filling every empty space in the room.

Even the scent of the books were comfortable. They smelled faintly like dust, old perfume, and the musky scent of the fireplaces that so plentifully populated Hogwarts. So Lily closed her eyes for a minute, leaning against the bookshelf behind her, silently taking it all in. This was home, for her. Not the grounds, not the castle, not even the house she lived in with her family, no. The library, that's where she belonged.

It wasn't too long before it became apparent that she wasn't the only soul in the library, and judging by the lack of sudden temperature change, Lily doubted it was a ghost. But Remus was as familiar as the library itself, and his being there hardly disturbed the environment at all, other than the slightest shift in the air. His voice came next, announcing his presence. Bright, green eyes flickered open, a small smile quirking on her lips as she turned to face him. There was a minute where she didn't move, and then Lily Evans took few steps forward and leaned into him, wrapping her arms tightly around his torso, resting her chin on his shoulder and turning her face into him. He even smelled familiar, like a mixture between cocoa beans and willow bark.

Now, Lily Evans wasn't exactly a small girl. She stood out the proud height of 5'8, and had more curves than straight edges, but anyone who stood next to Remus Lupin felt small. He was over half a foot taller than her, and her head fit easily under his chin, instantly dwarfing her. But she didn't mind, not really. As small as he made her feel physically, he was always building up her ego with simple compliments and his mere friendship. After a moment, she drew back, smiling wider. "What can I say, a home is where the heart is," she answered easily, her voice as hushed as his. "What brings you down here, after hours?"[/font]

[Remus Lupin]

Remus' heart skipped a single beat the moment Lily's tiny wrists wrapped around him. He didn't know what it was, but something about this little red head just made him feel better inside. All of the stupid things that were lurking in his mind quickly disappated and he just enjoyed the moment. Something felt very right about holding ..hugging Lily like this. She was the closest female friend Remus had and he truely valued her opinion and friendship. Friendship..

Shaking his head briefly, Remus rid his brain of any thoughts of that nature and held Lily tightly before reluctantly letting go. Grinning still from the hug, Remus looked her over. This was their first encounter since the term started and truthfully, Remus was glad it happened so soon. They'd written briefly over the summer but hadn't seen eachother. Then again, Remus hadn't really seen anyone over this summer. It was his time to be angsty and brooding, but maybe now it was time to start forgetting that. He couldn't be angry forever. Therefore, from that point on, he decided to forget it all. More importantly, though, he wanted to catch up with Lily. Looking at her once more, Remus crossed his arms across his chest and leaned against one of the bookcases. She looked just the same. Same firey red hair, same thin frame, same pretty face..

"How was your summer?"

Before hearing an answer to his generic question, Remus took a moment to absorb what she had said and nodded his head in agreement. "This really is the only place I feel comfortable at in this school," To the next question, Remus didn't really know how to phrase the answer. He hadn't been here after hours. In fact, Remus had been lurking around the library for the better part of the afternoon, getting ahead in homework, reading numerous books, and more importantly, avoiding people he knew wouldn't set foot in there. Before he knew it, the place was empty and he was unconcious. Remus wouldn't have minded much if it weren't for the fact that he fell asleep sitting up and his neck was incredibly sore after the fact. Raising a hand to rub his neck gingerly, he shrugged. "Oh, you know. I'm sure the same reason you are," Smiling, Remus let his eyes wander from her face for a moment, looking over the bindings she had been eyeing lazily.[/font]

[Lily Evans]

Pressing her face back into the warm skin of his neck, she took another deep breath, his comforting scent overwhelming her senses. Sighing softly, she nuzzled closer, curling her fingers in the material of his shirt. This simple action, so familiar and pleasant, was one of her favorite things to do. Remus was always warm and with open arms, ready to gather her closer whenever she needed a hug. He didn't squeeze her too tightly or hold her too limply, and his arms were never too heavy around her waist or shoulders, rather firm and just right. However, he could have been completely awful at it and it still would have been an enjoyed activity of hers. He always seemed to save a smile just for her, and even when it wasn't necessarily happy, it was there.

Remus had always been there for her in the past, waiting with open arms and her smile and a ready ear, in case she needed to talk about anything or everything. He was the most excellent listener she'd ever come across, and he knew the exact places to prompt her story with confused glances or quiet laughter or any of the other proper responses. In short, Remus was her very best friend, her rock. Lily supposed at some point, she may even have been in love with him, but she had done her best to let him know without actually saying such, and he had never acted on it, and then the feelings had passed. She still loved him, of course, but more in the way that one would a favorite cousin or older brother. He was her family, and the only semblance of any that she had at Hogwarts. Hell, he was one of the only semblances of family that she had at all these days, her biological family fast deteriorating, what with her father having past the previous winter, and her sister very open about her... unhappiness, with Lily. Frankly, Remus was more of a sibling than Petunia could ever hope to be.

Lily smiled, releasing him as he pulled away and taking a half-step back herself, allowing him room to breathe. Her eyes scanned his face for any signs of change, but he was happier than she had seen him since June, which was admittedly very little. He was smiling broadly and looked much more upbeat than he had when she'd glanced back to catch his eye as she left the train station, so many months ago, and all distraught that had been evident in his expression or vague in his letters was gone for the moment, and so she allowed her own smile to widen in turn.

"It was alright. More of the same, really. Spain was lovely, though. How was yours, aside from your letters?" she asked, her voice quiet in case anyone should walk by the library, patrolling as they might both have pretended to be. Her eyes flickered to his before she nodded her assent to his next statement. The library truly was her favorite place on all of Hogwarts grounds. But the only place? "It is lovely," she agreed, trailing fingers over spines of books once more, her eyes shifting to the impressively tall stacks, each shelf neatly categorized and piled, before she looked back up at him. Her expression shifted just slightly at his words, playfully teasing"Oh? You came down to sneak and illicit love affair in the Restricted section, too?"



[[okay so maybe i fell asleep a little, but it wasn't on purpose.]][/font]