"Old nick-names from school" Remus eyed the two, an eyebrow raised. "Why do you ask?"
"Nick-names from school?" Fred repeated. He and George stared avidly at the two men.
"Are you the Marauders?"
Sirius and Remus looked at the two.
"Well yes once" Remus said, still looking at them oddly. "A very long time ago."
Fred and George stared at the two in something very close to awe.
"The Marauders" Fred said slowly. "The greatest pranksters in the history of Hogwarts? The legendary group whose name still strikes fear in the hearts of old teachers?"
"I wouldn't say that" Remus said, disconcerted.
"I would" Sirius interjected, smiling wistfully.
"I wouldn't" James countered, smirking.
"You're Moony" Fred said slowly.
"And your Padfoot" George said.
"Yes" Remus repeated, looking a little baffled as he glanced at Molly and Arthur.
With a noise of exclamation Fred and George leapt up out of their seats as one.
"You're the Marauders!" Fred yelled.
"You're our idols!" George exclaimed. "Our heroes our predecessors!"
"The writers of the Marauders Map! The greatest group of pranksters that walked through Hogwarts ever!"
"The-"
"Ok stop!" Remus cried, looking pained, rubbing his ears. Sirius had started laughing early on as had the other teenagers. Molly and Arthur just watched on, stunned.
"Sorry sir" the two chorused as one. They stood shoulder to shoulder, almost military style, both wearing identical looks of rapture and eagerness.
"I never managed to get you to call me that when I was teaching" Remus looked at the two amused.
"Just think George" Fred breathed. "We were taught by a Marauder for a whole year and didn't even know it."
"I feel ashamed" George hung his head.
"I haven't been a Marauder for year's boys" Remus said dryly.
Sirius smiled sadly. The Marauders had been broken by the death of James and Peter's betrayal.
"So you're Moony" Fred said almost reverently to Remus. He paused, thinking. "The werewolf thing, yes?"
"Very good" Remus smiled slightly.
"And Padfoot" George turned to Sirius. "Because-"
"My Animagus form" Sirius grinned at Moony.
"You learned how to become an Animagus when you were in school?" George looked deeply impressed.
"Yup" Sirius smiled slightly.
"Who were the other Marauders?" Fred said eagerly. "Wormtail and Prongs?"
Sirius and Remus looked at each other for a second. The name Wormtail filled Sirius with hatred, hatred reserved only for Peter Pettigrew.
"James Potter was Prongs" Remus said quietly.
"James Potter?" George frowned and then his eyes widened. "Harry's dad?"
Sirius nodded minutely as the two boys turned to stare at Harry. Harry avoided their eyes and looked at his plate.
"I never knew that" George said in a hushed voice.
"Well Harry gets into plenty of trouble so it kind of makes sense" Fred said thoughtfully.
"He...." Harry started to object before considering and falling silent. James and Al exchanged grins.
"Who was Wormtail?" Fred asked curiously. Harry's head snapped up to look at his godfather and old professor. Sirius's face had darkened and Remus had clenched his fists.
"Peter Pettigrew" Sirius said stiffly.
"Peter P...." Fred frowned. Hermione cleared her throat loudly. When the twins turned to look at her she gave them a warning look and shook her head. Ron was scowling at the mention of Pettigrew as were the future children. Harry was staring at his plate again.
The twins got the hint. "Fred!" George exclaimed with a start. "We gave the Marauders Map to a son of a Marauder and didn't even know it!"
"Blimey you're right! Fred exclaimed. "I can't believe....." he trailed off. "Hang on. Does this mean you knew who the Marauders were?"
Harry looked from one to the other warily. "Uh...."
George's eyes widened. "You did! You knew who they were and you didn't tell us?! We gave you the Map!"
"Did you know?" Fred demanded to his younger brother. Ron froze, looking trapped.
"You did know" Fred growled, looking pissed. "Harry's one thing but you knew and didn't tell us. This-means-war little bro."
"We couldn't tell you" Hermione said flatly.
"You as well!" Fred exclaimed. "Bloody hell did everyone know and not bother to tell us? This is one joke I do not find funny."
"Harry Ron and I found out when we first met Sirius" Hermione said calmly. "Even if we told you, you would have wanted to know how we knew and in case you've forgotten, we helped Sirius go on the run. So not only would we be incriminating ourselves we would also be incriminating Professor Lupin who was there as well by helping a supposed mass murderer escape. Sorry Sirius" she added apologetically. "Harry had every right not telling you; his dad was Prongs and Sirius is his godfather it was his secret to share and Ron and I would never tell Harry's secrets. Also by the time you found out that Sirius was innocent, more important things were happening and quite honestly it didn't occur to any of us." With that she got up and put her plate by the kitchen sink.
"Mum hasn't changed" Hugo muttered grinning at his sister, who grinned back.
Fred and George stared after Hermione, still annoyed, but her statement had robbed most of their righteous indignation.
"Fine" Fred muttered. He shot his brother a dark look, clearly saying that this was not forgotten. He and George sat back down.
"So how did you guys get together? When did you decide to make the Map? Were you all Animagi? It that where your nicknames came from? How-"
"Ok slow down" Sirius let out a bark like laugh.
"Boys" Arthur scolded. "A little peace at the table. And besides, your future nieces and nephews will not remain here for very long. Get to know them before pouncing on the poor chaps."
"Never" Molly shook her head as she rose and began to stack up the dishes. "Never once did I think that you Remus Lupin would help my children with that nonsense they carry on with."
"It's not nonsense!" George said indignantly.
"You shouldn't let appearances fool you Molly" Sirius grinned at his old friend. "Remus might not act like it but he was one of the main reasons our schemes worked so well."
"Yes well" Remus said hastily as the twins mouths opened simultaneously. "We'll talk about our youthful adventures another time, sorry but I would actually like to get to know our guests before they leave."
"Great!" James said brightly, hopping up as did most of the occupants.
"We have to help Nana first" Rose pointed out. The boys groaned while Lily sighed but nodded.
"No go on dear" Molly beamed at her granddaughter. "I'll be done in a jiffy go on."
"Are you sure Nana?" Lily asked hesitantly.
"Go on I'll be done soon."
"Thanks Nana!" Al said sincerely. The group began to make its way to the sitting room. James paused as Sirius fell into step with him.
"Hey Sirius" he ventured in a low voice. Sirius looked at him.
"Yes?"
"D'you think you can help me with some Animagus training later?"
A/N: Opinions please I want to know what you think. Thank God they're finally out of the kitchen it was going to be the longest lunch time ever if I kept at it. Any ideas would be great, I'd like to see what people suggestions would be.