Safe Haven (Marauders Era, October 1976)

The library had always calmed Lily. There was just something so familiar about the old books and the hushed voices. To her, there was no better place in the world. With a small contented smile on her face, she sat at an empty table in the back, prepared to start on her Potions essay. It wasn't due for another few days, but it was best to get it done early. Slughorn expected very much from her and she didn't want to let him down.

Not to mention the library was a good escape from him. It was the one place he wouldn't dare set foot, which made it her safe haven. Popping open her Advanced Potions textbook, she flipped to the page on the Drought of Living Death.

Remus walked through the library, enjoying the smell of faded parchment and ink that seemed to fill the place, especially in the older sections. He casually walked around, until he spotted a certain red head huddled at a table. "Lily!" he called, walking swiftly towards her.

Lily jumped a bit, the noise startling her. She looked up to see Remus strolling towards the table. She gave him a small smile, clearing a place at the table for him.
"'Morning, Remus." She greeted him, setting her quill down.

Remus smiled back. "Good morning! Can I sit here, or are you saving the spot for someone?" he asked politely. He knew Lily wasn't waiting for anyone, but that was no reason to abuse manners.

"No, not at all. Please. Sit. It would be nice to have some company." Lily grinned, folding up her essay and putting it in her backpack. "It's been a while since we've had a nice chat. NEWTS classes will be the death of me, I swear. And I thought last year was hard." She gave a small laugh, shaking her head. "No clue how I'll stay sane."

Remus sat down, snorting. "Lily, you're the brightest person in our year, perhaps the entire school. There's no way you're failing. And you make it through last year, you can make it through this one. And sorry about not talking recently... that's my fault. But, in my defense, I was busy stopping certain 'accidents' from happening. I had good cause."

Lily felt herself flush slightly at the praise. "Oh, hush. It's only because I study. Some of us don't study and still get high marks." She muttered bitterly, referencing Potter and Black. Those idiots. Why was it always the beautiful people who never had to work in life?

B-Beautiful? When had she considered Potter beautiful? She blushed darker at her thoughts and tried to distract herself.

"Accidents?" She rose an eyebrow. "Explain. Now, if you do not mind."

Remus snorted again. "They're... okay. I swear, sometimes I have to act like a life vest for them to keep them afloat." Remus sighed, "Let's just say, there might be an entire house with robes dyed pink. And I'll let you know, their plan was ingenious."

Lily couldn't help but facepalm. "Why do you let them go through with such obscenities?" She grumbled, shaking her head. "It only encourages them. They act like children! It's our sixth year! They need to grow up. Stupid little pranks like dying Slytherin robes pink is childish and idiotic. They should be focusing on the fact that in a year and a half, they will need to deal with the real world. In the real world, we act like grown ups, not schoolboys with a petty grudge."

Remus ran a hand through his hair. "Lily, it's a nasty house. I agree with them on that. And James doesn't have to worry about the future. He's well off. He plans on traveling the world and all that. And... for Sirius, it's more than a petty grudge. It's his life. His childhood was filled with this horrible prejudgment. He feels he needs to show them all what's right with force."

Lily shook her head, sighing. "That doesn't make it right, does it? Just because one of them is a pretty-boy with old money and the other was brought up that way? It doesn't give them any right to do such childish things. They need to learn to grow up." She frowned. "And they wonder why I can't stand them," with a roll of her eyes, she grumbled, "maybe if they weren't so immature."

Remus pouted. "Lily, please. I know they come off as five-year-olds on Gillyweed, but they're really very mature. You should see James. He's very adamant about fighting for the right side in the upcoming war. And Sirius... he's really..." Remus lost his train of thought. This tended to happen when Sirius came up in conversation.

With a huff, Lily rolled her eyes. "Don't get me started on Potter. You know that I will list each and every one of his flaws - don't think I won't. He may be fighting for the right side, but that doesn't make up for his atrocious personality.

I know you're hung up on Sirius, I can't see why, but I will be adamant about my statement. They are immature. They need to learn to grow up."

Remus was broken from his daydream by what Lily said. "Hung up?! What?! I'm not.... hung up..." he blushed.

Lily raised her eyebrows. "Oh really? Prove it." She smirked, knowing Remus couldn't. "Your eyes glaze over whenever he's mentioned, your face lights up when he walks in the room, you blush whenever he speaks to you. Not to mention that you've told me about your secret love for him. It's all very romantic," she rolled her eyes, "if you're into the whole mushy-secret-romance thing."

"... okay, so maybe I am..." Remus lamented, "but it's not at all romantic. It's painful and hearbreaking and depressing. Not at all romantic. Especially when the love of your life snogs anything that moves." He snorted.

Lily smiled sadly. "But that is romance, isn't it? Heartbreak and sadness and pain and joy and all that mushiness. Honestly, I do not wish to have it thrust upon me. Romance is so... it closes you off, doesn't it? It invades your mind and takes over. Like an illness. Romance is a disease." she gave a small chuckle. "I'm sorry, Remus, but you've been infected."


(OOC: It wouldn't be the first time. xD )

"Yeah, I guess I am..." Remus then gave Lily a quizzical look. "You don't ever want to be in love? Ever? I mean, no one should be alone..."

(OOC: That's low, Maddie. Real low.)

(OOC: You know you love me <3 )

Lily shook her head. "No. Not any time soon, at least. I want to establish a career first. Not to mention any boys I'm likely to meet between now and the end of school will be immature pricks. I don't want to fall in love with any of them. I don't want to end up hurt and broken. Not to mention love would be such a distraction from school work. I've come a long way and I'm not giving up yet." She stated.

Remus sighed again. "No one? No one's caught your eye, or your mind? And you're going to get hurt. That's guaranteed with any guy. And Lily... you're views on love are so rigid. Love isn't something you chose to do. It just happens. Trust me, I know..."

Lily flushed darkly, her thoughts flashing to a certain raven-haired idiot. No. NO. "No.." She shook her head. "I don't care if my views are unorthodox. I don't want any of that. I don't want anyone coming into my life. Taking over. Raiding my thoughts and actions. I want to establish my life on my own. I don't want love. I don't care if it just "happens". I may not be able to stop it, but I can try, can't I? I can protect myself. I WILL protect myself."

Remus whined. "Lily, I want to go to your wedding! I want to tell your husband he's in for it! I want to see you in love! You're so uptight. Being in love will be good for you. I can tell. It worked that way for James. He changed, out of love. I bet you will to."

Lily flushed darkly, angrily. She started gathering her things. "Don't mention that git to me. I don't care if he turned into a bloody messiah. I don't want to be in love, Remus. I'll get married, but not for years. I told you. I want to establish my life first. Then I'll fall in love." She hoisted her book bag on her shoulder and turned on her heel, seething silently.

"Lily, wait, don't-" but she was already gone. He sighed. "She'll admit it eventually..." he mumbled, "she will..." Remus stood up, heading to go find a book on werewolf mates...
END

(You didn't have to end it D:
Is she admitting she'll love someone? Or that she loves James?)