-I own none of this, that right and privilege lies with J.K. Rowling-

-I write because I enjoy it, please no nasty comments. Constructive criticism and random Hello's are welcome-

The Flower, the Snake, and the Stag

Chapter 7

Lily had been asking him what the Marauders names meant since they'd first started going out, he was finally going to have to tell her, he would have had to anyway.

"I'll have to talk to them first, it's not my secret to tell, but I think they'll do it, for me."

"Good then kiss me before I change my mind."

"Yes Mam!" he said saluting.

When they'd finished eating he chuckled.

"What's funny?" Lily asked

"You only made me ask you once; I asked you out hundreds of times before you said 'Yes'."

"But this is conditional," She said as they were leaving the restaurant.

"Oh I know." James said pulling out a small square mirror, "Sirius, Remus we've got to hold court."

"That sounds serious,"

"It is, the last time we did his they made me run from the Hogwarts kitchens to the astronomy tower, naked."

"Pity I missed that…" Lily said

"Good times, now Evans get your mind out of that gutter." Said Sirius' voice from the mirror in James' hand. James gave it a dirty look.

Then Remus' voice said "My place is available why don't you come here?"

"Agreed" put in Sirius

"Remus' house it is, we'll be there soon Moony." James said before putting the mirror away.

When they arrived the other two Marauders insisted that Lily remain in the den while they 'discussed things' in the kitchen. After ten minutes punctuated by several loud bangs and 'ouch's they returned to the den.

"Only Marauders can know our nicknames meanings" said Remus and Lily was a bout to protest when he continued, "So we're going to make you an honorary Marauder."

"What have I got to do?" she asked suspiciously.

"Well we're not going to make you a blood brother." Said Sirius, Lily raised her eyebrow at him. "Urm, blood sister as that would connect you to someone James would prefer you had no connection too,"

Lily knew they were thinking of Peter but didn't say anything.

"Besides if you were a blood sister, you'd be related to James and we can't have that now can we?"

Lily had to fight the urge to laugh.

"So we've decided," Sirius continued eagerly "That you've got to kiss each of us in turn."

Lily glanced at James, she could see by the look on his face that he would happily beat his friends to death is they tried anything.

"All right Remus, come here."

"You know Lily you're not my type." He protested as she kissed his cheek

"Remus, I'm crushed." She said while mock pouting.

"Sirius?" he strutted up to her but as she went to kiss his cheek he turned his head and got kissed full on the mouth.

"Black if I hadn't signed up for this you'd be in serious trouble! Lily steamed.

James looked livid. Lily went over and kissed him too, their kiss could only be described as snogging; Sirius was making retching noises in the background.

Finally the kiss ended and Lily was a Marauder.

They sat her down on the couch and suddenly Sirius was gone, in his place a giant black dog and abruptly she understood, Padfoot of coarse. Then just as suddenly as before James was gone, a tall stag with large antler and hazel eyes stood where he'd been only a second ago. Prongs, yes of coarse the antlers, Lily wanted to reach out and touch him. Then they were both back and James was sitting beside her.

"Moony?" she asked.

"Well that's another story." James replied. "You know how he's always sick at the full moon?"

"Yes."

"Well I'm not really sick," said Remus "I'm a werewolf." He looked apprehensively over at Lily.

"I thought it had something to do with that." Lily said coolly

"How long have you known?" Remus asked confused

"Since the middle of first year, it took me a few months to see the pattern."

"Wow." He breathed

"What? I'm not stupid Remus."

"No, it's just that it took this lot till half way through second year and we were best friends."

"What about Peter?" she asked seemingly nonplussed that Sirius and James were animagi or that Remus was a werewolf.

"Wormtail, ah the rat, that should have tipped us off right there. " Sirius answered her bitterly.

"Really?" Lily asked "Your names seem so obvious now, how did I not get these before?" she asked more to herself than to any of them.

By this time it was quarter to twelve, and Lily thought they'd best be getting home. She hugged Remus and Sirius on the way out and, taking James by the hand they apparated home.

"So you'll marry me then?" he asked taking out the ring again.

"Yes Prong I will." Said Lily smiling as he put the ring on her finger.

"You understand why I couldn't tell you right? He asked, "It wasn't my secret to tell." He repeated

"And because it's illegal I'm guessing you're all unregistered? Was Remus was scared I'd hate him?"

"He didn't want to risk it. What did you think when you realised what he is?"

"I was scared at first, all I connected with werewolves was horror movies, but then I realised that he was still the same person as before, still me friend, still Remus."

"He'll be glad to hear that."

"So what do you guys call me behind my back anyway?" Lily asked

"Flower, I had already started calling you 'My Lily-Flower' so it fit." James answered sheepishly.

Lily giggled; of course they'd use one of James' pet names for her.

"That's your Marauder name by the way, unless we come up with anything better. Remus said he'd put you on the map if you'd like."

"You guys still have that thing?"

"Ya, I was going to pass it on."

"Only after first year."

James looked confused.

"If you think I'm going to let you give that thing to our child in their first year of school you have another thing coming. That and I'll want to check on him now and then." Lily finished quietly.

"Lily you are a worrier." James said

"With good reason, Voldemort is out there and he's all ready gone after both of us, both of our families, not to mention we're in the order. We're not exactly the safest people James."

James knew she was right, he worried too. But he tried not to show it, he tried to be strong for her.

"James" she said in a whisper, "I don't know what I'd do if anything were to happen to you."

"You'd end this was Love. I pity whoever lays a wand on me. You get right dangerous when you're that mad."

Lily smiled weakly and took his hand they went into the house, or mansion would be a better word.

James knew both what she wanted and what she didn't. Lily had her own room for whenever she wanted it, but she only used it when James was busy for the order or during the full moon with Remus. So she spent that night in his room, in his arms, but James Potter did not make love to her, quite an accomplishment for a man holding such a beautiful woman in his arms.

-Thank You All For Reading-

-Comments Appreciated-

-Love Always-

-Lily-