Three days later, it was the lesson they had been looking forward to for a long time. Professor Ernest was teaching them how to make Patronuses. It was only a pity that Chloe hadn't been able to share it with them.

"Alright class!" He boomed cheerily, with a voice of authority, "Think of happy things, and then say the incantation, Expecto Patronum!

Chaos reigned supreme in the classroom as a moment later the whole class began furiously waving their wands and saying "Expecto patronum!"

Lily got it first, and she exclaimed with delight as she saw her gorgeous male stag erupt from her wand and prance around the room.

Sirius stopped stock still when he saw the stag, "Prongs!" he said urgently, nudging his friend and pointing at the stag breathlessly.

James gaped, "It's Prongs!"

Remus smirked knowingly, "A Patronus can take the form of a loved one," was all he would say when he was pressed by Sirius.

It was James' turn to smirk, "Guess someone loves me," he boasted smugly, looking around the room curiously to figure out whose Patronus it was.

He caught sight of Lily talking happily to Mel. He leaned in, and could just catch what she was saying-

"I mean, isn't he gorgeous? I mean, I thought mine would be something really pathetic, you know, like a snail or something!"

He saw Mel smile, "I reckon! Doesn't a stag mean royal and proud?"

He froze. It couldn't be…

Lily's.

Could it?

"James?" Sirius said, waving his hand in front of his face, "Anyone home?"

"Uhhh," he moaned, trying to make sense of the emotions running through his head.

"What happened?" Remus asked, concerned.

James pointed towards Lily, and then at the stag.

"Lily… stag," Sirius said aloud, musing, "Lily stag. Stag Lily. Wait, I've got it! No, that can't be right, 'cause that would mean that Lily likes you and that would never happen."

"Thanks, mate," James said sarcastically, "Actually, I think it is hers."

Sirius snorted, "Wishful thinking!"

Remus nudged Sirius, "Don't make him feel worse than he does already! Geez, talk about tact!"

"Seriously! Why does no one believe me?!" James moaned, frustrated.

"No offence or anything, Prongs, but that stag is more likely to belong to Lisa Greene than Lily," Sirius replied, flicking his wand casually and muttering the Patronus spell, "A dog," he mused, "How original."

Remus laughed, and even James in his present state, cracked a smile.

Sirius' attention was diverted by the arrival of another dog, which started nuzzling his, "Okay, what in Merlin's name… Ooh she's cute!"

Mel snorted, "Honestly, Sirius! They're just Patronuses! Wait, what is she doing?"

"She's yours?" Sirius said happily, standing and hugging her.

"Yes," she breathed into his ear softly, "Do you like her?"

"I love her," he replied, smiling cheekily, "But I can think of someone I love more…"

"Who," James interjected, grinning, "Me? Why Sirius, I never knew you felt that way about me!" he said, acting mock-surprised, "I'm sorry, but I'm straight."

Sirius glared at him and whacked him on the shoulder, "Way to ruin a romantic moment."

James winced, "Ow, Padfoot!" he whined, "That hurt!"

Lily and Kendra were following Mel and coming over.

"Hey guys!" Lily said brightly, "So what're yours?"

Sirius proudly showed her his dog, and she "Aaaw"ed before turning to the other three Marauders, "How about you guys?"

"Don't know actually, "James said, "Expecto Patronum!"

They all watched as a silvery stallion burst from the tip of his wand. He smiled, "Wicked!"

"Hey Lily, what's yours?" Sirius said inquiringly, for James' sake.

She produced her stag proudly, "Isn't he gorgeous?"

The four Marauders froze.

Her smile tightened, "What's the matter? Don't you like him?"

"No, no," Sirius stammered, looking at James incredulously, "It's nothing! It's a really good looking stag, yeah."

She looked unconvinced, and looked to Remus next, "Remus?"

"It's Prongs," he breathed, "Wow… I would never have thought."

She looked confused, "How is he James?"

Sirius glared at Remus, "Remus, that's a Marauder secret! You can't just tell her! And what about your furry little problem?"

Lily smiled with relief, "Is it something about Remus' condition? Because I figured that out in second year."

James looked shaken, "You- you did?"

She nodded, "So how is my Patronus Prongs?"

The four Marauders leaned in close.

"Now what we're about to tell you girls," Sirius announced to Lily, Mel and Kendra theatrically, "Is highly confidential, okay? Don't tell anyone."

They nodded, looking at each other in apprehension.

"Now I know Lily and Mel know about Remus' furry little problem, but I'm assuming you don't," Sirius continued, talking to Mel, "Remus, you can tell this one."

"Mel, I'm a werewolf," Remus said slowly, his face screwed up in embarrassment, "And I totally understand if you don't want to be friends with me because of this," he assured her.

"Remus, I fully support you in this and I am your friend! Why would I not want to be?" Mel said strongly, giving him a reassuring look.

"Alright, and so he's Moony, because of what the full moon does to him," Sirius said, taking control again, "And I'm Padfoot, because, well, us three became Animagi to help Remus' transformations, and I'm a dog."

Lily gasped, "But we've seen the list, and you three aren't on it!"

Sirius smiled sheepishly.

"But that's illegal!" Lily said worriedly, "I mean, not that it's not incredibly brave and caring of you to do, but why didn't you register?!"

Sirius shrugged, "More fun, I suppose. The thrill of the risk of getting caught, that kind of thing."

She sighed, but dropped it, turning to Peter.

"So what are you?" she asked, trying to imagine what kind of animal he would be.

"A rat," Peter replied, "Wormtail."

"And you're Prongs," She stated, looking at James, "Why?"

"I'm a stag," he said heavily, wincing as he anticipated her reaction. To his surprise, she took it in her stride.

"Like my Patronus," she said wearily, "I've read the textbook, I know what it means."

He shifted over and sat next to her, "I'm sorry," he said gently, knowing how terrible she would be feeling right now.

"Can we talk?" She asked abruptly, then stopped, realizing how rude she must have sounded, "Sorry- I mean, maybe later?"

"Yeah," he said, wondering what she could possibly want to talk about, "Meet me at the Astronomy Tower at ten."

She nodded, and they both sat there and watched as Kendra finally managed to produce her Patronus, which was a rabbit, and Remus produce his dove Patronus.

"It suits him," Lily said finally, pondering Remus' Patronus, "A dove being a symbol of peace and all."

James nodded, agreeing, "Yeah. He's the peacemaker in our group," he commented lightly.

Peter's Patronus was a cute little duck which everyone agreed was simply the cutest thing they had ever seen. A duck was right for him, because he was so little and such a follower. Just like a proud stallion was right for James, a dove was right for Remus, a dog was right for Sirius and Mel and a rabbit was right for Kendra.

xXoXx

She arrived first, and shuffled into the room cautiously, "James?" she said softly into the darkness. When she heard no response, she walked over to the balcony and stared out into the sky.

She knew it was no accident that her patronus was a stag. She had known for a long time, deep down, that she liked James as more than a friend, and now that she knew it for sure, she wanted to act on it. She couldn't help it - he had matured so much in the last six months!

She loved everything about him - the way he tried to flatten his unruly brown hair, but never managed to, the way his deep hazel eyes could see right into her soul, the carefree way he laughed, the way he smiled - yes, she loved everything about him.

But it wasn't just the way he looked. He was so grown up and thoughtful nowadays, but he hadn't and would probably never lose that youthful spark he had in him.

"Thinking about something?" Came his voice from behind her. She turned around to see James smiling at her good-naturedly.

"Yes," she replied, her breath catching in her throat. He seemed to notice this, and smiled at her gently, making her relax.

"So what did you want to talk about?" he asked her slowly, stepping towards her.

"I can't- I don't-" she said, feeling pressured and nervous, "I mean, I can't do this! I don't know how I feel anymore!"

He looked sympathetically at her now, "I know what you mean. The exams are taking up a lot of our time, aren't they?"

"I'm not talking about the exams, and you know it."

He shifted slightly, taken aback, "Then what are you talking about?"

"It's just- there's this guy, and he used to be really immature… but now he's grown up and I see him as more than the immature boy he used to be, and I think I like him," she confessed, unable to look him in the eye.

His eyes widened as he processed what she had just revealed to him, "And what is the name of this guy?" he asked huskily, his voice catching a little.

She looked at him then, right in the eyes, "His name's James. James Potter," she said honestly, steeling herself for his reaction.

He leaned in towards her, slowly closing the gap between them.

She stepped towards him and his lips found hers as if they had been made to go together. Her tongue found his and she deepened the kiss. Passion and lust erupted in their minds, and as they broke away and stood facing each other, they both were panting and gazing at each other.

"Wow…" James breathed finally, breaking the silence, "I thought you'd never…"

"Well, I did," she replied.

"Lily?" he said nervously, interrupting her thoughts, "What is this? What does this mean for us?"

She shifted slightly, "I don't know! I mean, I want to be with you, but I can't! I don't know if you'll stay mature once you finally have me, or if you'll go back to being an immature jerk! And what about Kendra? We can't do this to her - she'd be so upset!"

He nodded understandingly, "So how about we keep it secret?" he suggested.

"Maybe- Yes- No- Oh, I don't know!" she cried exasperatedly.

"Please?" he pleaded softly, "For me?"

She grinned, "Let's do it."

Hey!!

I know they're only supposed to get together in 7th year, but I couldn't resist!!!

:D Please review and make me happy!!

xx

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