A Night Time Stroll
Chapter 1 - Full Moon
Written 2002-2003

Lily Evans was never the type to break the rules, but then, not many people knew her well. A sixth year student, she kept to herself - and the library - often having the misfortune to have been pranked on too many times by the Marauders. She had lively red hair and startling green eyes; not that anyone noticed. Lily Evans was a loner but she liked it that way.

This particular night, she was strolling along the lake, gazing up at the sky - and hoping Apollyon Pringle wouldn't catch her out of bed.

"Oh, Lily," she murmured to herself, "when will you stop wishing that you never came here? Being a witch is far more exciting!"

But there was always her sister, Petunia, to consider. Petunia had bullied her before the letter had arrived, but was that the only reason to stay at Hogwarts? Lily noticed that the moon was full and inviting. She'd never been out on the full moon before - perhaps she was afraid? She'd read about werewolves and no matter how it was impossible for one to be at Hogwarts, she still feared finding one on the deserted school grounds.

Nervously, Lily shot a look over at the Whomping Willow. The tree was oddly still, its branches reaching towards the heavens. Lily jumped as an owl hooted nearby. She couldn't help herself - she laughed.

I feel so stupid. She grinned. I'm the only one out here!

Suddenly, a mournful howl rose from the Forbidden Forest, sending birds soaring into the air. Lily gasped as she squinted into the darkness. Almost as a ghost, a man-wolf rose from the ground, its eyes glittering dangerously.

"Don't move, Lily," she whispered. "Don't move."

The monster had not spotted her yet moved menacingly forward. Deep in the lake, the giant squid stirred.

"Help," Lily managed softly.

The sound of pounding hooves reached her ears, growing louder and louder until -

A stag leaped and tackled the werewolf to the ground, ignoring the scratches the man-wolf inflicted upon it. Lily was taken by the beauty of the stag, so she remained rather than running. Another animal joint the fray, a large dog bristling at Lily as it bounded past. Breath taken, Lily watched as the were-wolf retreated to the Whomping Willow.

Lily thought that the werewolf was backed against the tree; surely he couldn't get away! Lily blinked as the werewolf seemed to melt into the tree, vanishing from her sight. The dog followed, its growls loud from even that distance. Lily then thought the stag was sure to disappear, too, but it did not.

Instead, it galloped towards her and paused, as thought it was considering what to do next. Slowly, its form writhed into a slender boy Lily knew well.

"James Potter!" she gasped. "What happened?"

His brown eyes flickered, not quite meeting hers. Silently, he began leading her back up to castle, his eyes the only source of his nervousness. Finally, at the snoozing Fat Lady he turned to her, "Tell no one of what you saw. The didn't see you, but I'm sure if they did, you'd never be safe again. Sleep well, Lily Evans."

She stepped forward to thank him, but suddenly he vanished into thin air. No stag replaced him - just empty cold air. Curious, Lily stood there, listening intently. She heard the swish of a cloak, and nothing more. Turning, she woke the Fat Lady and went inside.