A new dawn rises over the harbor three days later. There was more than the usual hustle and bustle at the docks and in the village square, but for good reason. The kingdom of Aryalupe was going to be taken under a new reign. Those who knew the late king were aware that his son had a good head on his shoulders and a golden heart. What they weren't aware of, however was the king-to-be's, well, furry little problem so to speak. Of course, most of the chatter consisted of rumors of varying degrees as to why Remus had been shut away for so long, and it wasn't long before it was impossible to pick out any sort of truth in it.

Several dock masters were greeting visitors as they came in and helped made sure said visitors knew their way around. It was a pleasant sight to be perfectly honest. Everyone seemed so friendly and so at home.

A little girl, not much older than five years old folded her arms across her chest in protest to her mother fixing her dress.

"Why do I have to wear this?" she complained, highly disliking the typical frills and lace a typical girl would adore. Her mousy brown hair was pulled back in short pigtails that resided low on her head.

Her parents couldn't help but laugh a little at the slight scene. Their daughter was by no means throwing a tantrum or anything of the sort. She was rebelling as if she was a few years older.

The girl's mother smiled as she straightened up. "The king has finally come of age. It's coronation day." She explained, knowing the reason her daughter was more than eager. "Besides, what happened to the constant begging to see Cousin Sirius?"

"Someone call for me?" A toned, handsome figure with sleek raven hair strode up to the small family, a familiar smirk playing across his lips.

"Cousin Sirius!" The little girl squealed in excitement, her mousy brown hair turning bubblegum pink on the spot. Her currently cerulean eyes lit up on the spot as she raced up to him.

Sirius laughed. "Merlin, you've gotten big." He answered, catching her in his arms. The currently 17 year old smiled, his grey eyes twinkling with the usual mischief. "So, Nymphy, what have you been getting up to lately?"

"Don't call me Nymphy." Nymphadora protested. "It's Tonks."

"When did this happen, Andy?"

The girl's mother, Andromeda, laughed softly. "Sirius, ever since Dora here heard of you rebelling against your parents, it was obvious she favored the same. I doubt she'll have any reason to do what you did."

"With Mum and Dad?" Sirius shook his head. "Of course not. You were too much like me, Andy. You know, breaking the traditions of the Ancient and Noble House of Black."

"And with good reason." Her husband, a blacksmith who wasn't so bad looking himself smiled, gently pecking her on the cheek.

Andromeda smiled, looking up at him. "Yes, Ted. Because you're such a charmer."

The younger man couldn't help but laugh. "Just glad you're happy, Andy. Besides, everyone has what they want now. I've got my freedom, Reg is now heir to the throne, and Mum and Dad don't have to deal with me anymore."

The small group passed the May Pole being raised before Sirius quickly transformed into a large black dog and bounced around Nymphadora excitedly. The crowd around them was too busy to notice the transformation. She squealed happily, reaching out to pet him but missed, suddenly falling on her hands and knees. Looking around, the lovable furry canine came back over and lovingly licked the girl's cheek before she could start crying.

Andromeda smiled, picking her daughter off the ground before proceeding to fix her dress. "Sirius, with the way you act, it's a wonder why you just didn't come with us."

The dog cocked his large furry head, about to transform back to answer when he heard and all too familiar voice.

"Padfoot! C'mere, boy." A familiar face with messy hair and glasses came jogging up and the dog tackled him to the ground. The boy smiled, noticing the small family before answering himself. "He's been staying with me the past year couple of years." He explained. "It works out, though. Mum and Dad don't mind having their son's best friend living with them. I mean, we're practically brothers anyway."

Sirius clambered off before transforming back to his normal self. "It's great, really." He added, straightening up. "I'd rather have Prongs here as brother over Reg any day."

James laughed. "Don't you know it. Where's the little bugger anyway?"

His friend grinned. "Definitely not here. Regulus would act like he rules the place if he was."

Ted Tonks, having been quite amused with the situation couldn't help but give his input. "Speaking of which, don't you two have a friend who's going to be coronated or something?"

Sirius nodded. "It's the reason why we're here in the first place. I mean, Merlin knows it's been forever since we've actually seen him. But I've been thinking-"

"Oh, no, this can't be good…" James mumbled, a smile spreading across his face. "Sirius is actually thinking for once. He'll blow a gasket or something."

"Sod off, James." The boy in question insisted. "It'll be fine. Besides, you're the same way. As I was saying, I was thinking of how we used to be so close. It's going to be like old times again."

"If you're talking about old times, then you're obviously forgetting Lily." The former reminded. "Come off it, Pads. I'm sure she's as beautiful as ever."

Lily was fast asleep in her quarters. Dreaming peacefully, she rolled over dangerously close to the edge of the bed while a knock from the door startled her awake.

"Lily?" a familiar voice called through the door.

She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes, her flaming red hair a mess. "Huh? Yeah?" Lily mumbled, mentally trying to process who had woken her.

"Come on, Lily." It was the voice of her older sister, Petunia, who seemed annoyed by the fact her sister wasn't out of bed yet. "It's going to make everyone look bad if you're late again."

"No I won't." The younger protested, yawning. "I've been up for hours." Amongst the cozy blankets, however, Lily drifted off. Petunia knocked again, causing her to tumble off the bed, covers and all.

Lily scrambled, trying to untangle herself. "Who is it?" She asked, now annoyed as well.

"It's still me, Lil." Her sister answered. Lily could tell by her tone the blonde was rolling her eyes. "Time to get ready."

"Ready for what?" As intelligent as Lily was, she was simply not functional first thing in the morning.

"The coronation." Petunia scoffed, walking away. "If you're late, they'll think you've been sitting outside the prince's door again."

The redhead had managed to free herself from the bear trap that was her blankets. "Rem's corneration?" she mumbled. Lily's bright emerald eyes caught sight of her dress in a corner. Memories started flooding back, and she smiled in realization. "It's Coronation Day!"

This day was just as important to her as it was to Remus. Today was the day she would finally get to see him again: a best friend and a boy who she thought of as a brother. All these years spent of trying to coax him out of his room might actually pay off…. Or at least help Remus recognize her. He had hardly spoken since the accident. Lily didn't know what happened, but it must have been bad to force him into isolation for thirteen years. Maybe, just maybe, she would be able to try to find out what happened. Lily bursts out of her room, wearing her coronation dress. Stereotypical emerald green, but it didn't matter to her. It was a symbol of a new start and a whole new adventure with her best friend. Tying her hair back, the excitement only grew once the usual hustle and bustle around the castle was noticed.

"The window is open! So's that door! I didn't know they did that anymore. Who knew we owned eight thousand salad plates...?" She dashed through the halls, shoes in hand. Windows were streaming with sunlight and everything just seemed brighter. Making her way through the ballroom, she slid across the hardwood floor.

"For years I have roamed these empty halls. Why have a ballroom with no balls? Finally, they're opening up the gates!" Lily sat down on a bench, pulling her shoes over her socked feet.

Spotting a suit of armor, the redhead shook it's had excitedly, only for it to break. "There'll be real, actual people - it'll be totally strange."

Embarrassed, she hid the evidence, hoping no one would notice as she rushed over to an open window. "But wow, am I so ready for this change!"

Lily opened it and jumped out onto a window washer's pulley. Raising herself up to see the ships arriving in the harbor. The vast sea in the distance reminded her just how big the world really was out there, and the redhead intended to see it. "For the first time in forever, there'll be music, there'll be light. For the first time in forever, I'll be dancing through the night. Don't know if I'm elated or gassy, but I'm somewhere in that zone. 'Cause for the first time in forever, I won't be alone."

She smiled, unable to shake off the excitement. "I can't wait to meet everyone..." Lily gasped, a thought coming to mind. "What if I meet the one?"

Lily stepped back into the castle through a window and twisted herself in a velvet drape as if it were a gown. In all honesty, she didn't care if other castle staff looked at her oddly. The castle gates were opening, and this was the most fun she had in years.

"Tonight, imagine me gown and all fetchingly draped against the wall; the picture of sophisticated grace. I suddenly see him standing there, a beautiful stranger tall and fair. I want to stuff some chocolate in my face!"

She unraveled herself, remembering her lost friend. Remus was a complete chocolate addict. However, it obviously wasn't enough to convince the prince to come out. Shaking the feeling, Lily reminded herself that she'd be seeing him soon and began twirling down the corridor. "But then we laugh and talk all evening, which is totally bizarre. Nothing like the life I've led so far. For the first time in forever, there'll be magic, there'll be fun. For the first time in forever, I could be noticed by someone. And I know it is totally crazy to dream I'd find romance. But for the first time in forever, at least I've got a chance!"

Meanwhile, a poised and polished Remus Lupin was anxiously watching all the guests arrive from a window in his room. Ebony gloves covered his hands, which matched his gloves and trousers. His shirt and vest combination where varying shades of blue with silver subtly intermixed while the cape vaguely resembled the night sky… and he loathed it. Everything he wore, everything about him reminded the prince of what he was. However, Remus went along with it regardless as it was his father's idea for Remus to show his true colors without revealing the monster underneath. Amidst Lily's excitement in the hallways (he could more than hear it thanks to his lycanthropy); he could spot several all too familiar ships. The werewolf had noticed a few of his old friends down on the grounds in past years. Were they mad at him? Did they even think about him now? Remus shook his head, shutting the curtains behind him.

"Don't let them in. Don't let them see. Be the good boy you always have to be." He reminded himself, knowing that one slip up with his temper would give him a bad reputation. And if anyone discovered he was a werewolf, it would pretty much end the rule that hadn't even started. The werewolf looked up, gazing at the picture of his father's coronation.

"Conceal. Don't feel…" He reminded himself, repeating the mantra his father had come up with when he was young. Walking over to a table, Remus picked up a candlestick and an ornament to try and mimic Lyall at his coronation. "Put on a show. Make one wrong move, and everyone will know."

The prince looked up, dropping everything at an instant. He had caught sight of his reflection in the mirror. Ever since the accident, Remus has always avoided looking at his reflection whenever possible.

"But it's only for today". Remus exhaled, picking everything off the ground and trying to steady himself. His heart and mind were racing, and it was hard to tell which was faster while his stomach was in knots.

Lily grinned, racing along the corridors so she could see them open for the first time in years. "It's only for today!"

"It's agony to wait." The werewolf set the faux scepter and orb back on the table while desperately trying to get a handle on his nerves.

"It's agony to wait."

Remus made his way to the door, well knowing that it was no or never. "Tell the guards to open up the gate." He had given the order, and there was no turning back now.

Lily's emerald eyes widened in excitement. It was the moment she had been waiting for almost her entire life. "The gate! For the first time in forever."

"Don't let them in, don't let them see." He walked through the corridors, already feeling eyes on him. However, it was only the reassuring looks of encouragement from the castle staff. Though his posture and movements didn't show it, his amber eyes shone with nervousness and slight paranoia. They knew it was hard on him all these years, and now it was going to be a done deal with no getting out of it.

"I'm getting what I'm dreaming of." She rushed out of the gates, mingling with others with her friendly personality while taking in the sights of the village at the same time. The sunlight, the decorations, everything was just as how the redhead had imagined it all.

Remus stepped out to a nearby balcony and opened up the door, trying to figure out who he was going to be dealing with. "Be the good boy you always have to be." Down below, he was able to pick out a few familiar faces. However, no one seemed to notice as everyone seemed too excited to enter through the castle gates.

Lily jumped up on the side of a cobblestone bridge, carefully jumping back down before exploring the village a little. "A chance to change my lonely world."

"Conceal." The werewolf fixed his gloves once more out of habit, soaking up the sun and the salty smell of the ocean air. In a few short hours, all of this would be his and there was no getting out of it. Backing down meant

"A chance to find true love."

"Conceal. Don't feel. Don't let them know."

"I know it all ends tomorrow, so it has to be today! 'Cause for the first time in forever… For the first time in forever! Nothing's in my way!" The redhead smiled, spinning around a pole before jumping down onto the road… Only to run into someone on the way, causing her to snap out of her fantasies. "Hey!"

Lily would have to admit that it was mainly her fault, but at least this other person would have moved if they had sen her.

"I'm so sorry." A voice replied, backing up a few steps, and clearly sincere about his apology. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, dusting herself off. "Hey. I-ya, no. No. I'm okay." Lilt answered, looking up at the stranger. Instantly, her cheeks tinged pink. "I'm sorry."

In front of her stood a young man her age, lean, fair skin, a hooked nose, and raven black hair. "Are you sure?" He asked, looking over her.

Lily nodded. "Yeah, I just wasn't looking where I was going. But I'm okay… I'm great, actually."

"Oh, thank goodness." He offered her a hand to lead her up a set of stairs onto a landing. The crisp early spring air made it quite comfortable to be outside. The young man let go before bowing politely in front of her. "Prince Severus of the Southern Isles.

She gave him a small, sincere smile as he straightened up and took her gently by the hand. "Lily." The servant girl replied, gazing up at him with bright emerald eyes. "Just Lily…"

The man in front of her lifted her hand to his lips. "Just Lily?" He asked, returning the gaze. "You seem to be more than that."

"Everyone has their stories. Mine just isn't that interesting." A nearby bell tower chimed, cutting the prince off before he could get another word in. "...The bells. The coronation." Lily replied quickly, whirling around. "I-I-I better go. I have to...I better go." She dashed off, before stopping to turn back and give Severus a small wave. "Bye!"

I apologize for the massive delay. Summer and now college as well as Quidditch have been getting in the way. Now that it's November, I'm finally able to start writing again. I haven't given up on all of you. I promise. The ending of this chapter has been tricky to figure out.