Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I have no ownership over Harry Potter and its wonderful universe. I do own my OC's and story line.

Harry Potter - The Marauders Era

"The Princess Marauder"

August, 1977 - Summer Holidays

Trying to cool myself with a hand, I made my way down the bustling busy streets of Diagon Alley. It was too early to be shopping for school, but the alley wasn't any less crowded as a lot of students enjoyed spending time wandering around the many shops during summer. I had always loved Diagon Alley. It was the epitome of chaotic beauty really. It was the only place in London where we could be witches and wizards freely, without worrying about muggles. Everything and everyone sizzled with magic. How could I not love it?

Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour showed up in my line of vision and I grinned. Lily was sitting at one of the outdoor tables, eagerly enjoying some lavender ice-cream (it was her favourite) and watching people stroll about. She really was an observer. She was like a visual sponge, soaking every little detail, every piece of information her eyes settled on.

"Hey, Lils!" I chirped cheerfully as I walked up to the table and took the seat next to her.

"Ten minutes late – again!"

I smiled sheepishly. "Sorry! I'll pay for your ice-cream, alright?"

"Sure," she drawled slowly, suddenly leaning closer to me, scrutinizing my face. Her eyebrows furrowed. I tilted my head sideways, amused. "Did you change your hair or something?"

"No. Why? What's wrong with me?"

Florean came up to greet me with a smile. I replied back and asked for the chocolate sundae with caramel topping. He rolled his eyes. I always ordered the same. It was my favourite. Remus' too. That thought made me grin warmly.

"Oh my god," Lily gasped, widening her eyes. I looked at her funny. "You didn't!"

"Didn't what?" I raised my eyebrows. What the devil?

"You did! You did it, didn't you?!"

"LILY!" I blushed crimson when several heads turned sharply towards us. I hid my burning face in my hands, absolutely mortified.

"I'm sorry," she said, lowering her voice this time. "I didn't mean to embarrass you, really."

"It's fine," I sighed, peering at her from parted fingers. "How could you possibly know that?"

"Because my sister came home with that same expression last summer after she went camping with her boyfriend," she explained before smirking. Oh dear. "Tell me everything! When did it happen? Where? How was it?"

My cheeks burned hotter. I took a large spoonful from my ice-cream to cool off the sudden raising temperature of my body. "Do I really have to tell you?" Lily nodded vehemently, and I sighed. "Well... it happened on the night of my birthday. We went to that new wizarding club that the seventh years wouldn't shut up about and, afterwards, we crashed at Prongs'."

She twisted her nose, scowling. "You did it in Potter's house?

"Shut up, he has like a gazillion of guest bedrooms!"

"Fine, fine!" She lifted her hands up in surrender. Then she leaned in some more, eagerness written all over her face. "So, how was it?"

"Amazing," I confessed in a breath.

I bit my lip, blushing again. Talking about this was so embarrassing... When Lily unexpectedly broke into a fit of girly giggles, I did too. I was pretty certain we looked like a pair of lunatics to the people walking by, but I really couldn't care less. I was so happy!

"How amazing though?" she asked once our giggles subsided substantially.

"Gobsmacking, earthshattering, mind-boggling amazing!"

She laughed, her face too darkening. "Oh come on, it couldn't have been that good for a first time, could it? I mean, everyone says it's terrible!"

"Well, I can't speak for everyone else but for us it was perfect."

"Maybe it's because you know each other better than anyone," she offered.

"It's more than that, Lils," I said, smiling softly to myself. "We were born to be together... we're mates..."

I heard her inhale sharply. "Merlin's beard, really?"

"You know what it means?"

"I've always read about it in books. Everyone thinks it's a myth!"

There's mention of this in books? How come I never found anything? I scooted closer, my curiosity spiking.

"Tell me what you know."

"Well, I didn't particularly focus on it during those researches I made for you, but I do remember there being quite a few debates about it. Most wizards believe that the reason why werewolves do not breed might be because they spend most of their lives excluded from society, therefore they never meet a possible mate. This, however, is where conflict rises. While some say anyone will do as long as there's an emotional bond, there are a few who firmly believe it's not a matter of choice but of magic.

"According to them, when in the presence of his perfect match, a werewolf feels a magnetic pull that links the two of them together. No one has any theories about what it serves for exactly or even if it causes any odd reactions to both mates, but when the link is finally made it can't be broken. They're tied forever."

Lily's face was grave. "You made the link, didn't you?"

"Yes," I murmured.

"I would lecture you about how reckless it is to tie yourself in that way to someone at such young age, but I've seen enough to know you two can't live without each other," she sighed, waving a hand dismissively. "Also, it's not as if you could've controlled it even if you wanted, right?"

"I don't think so, no... but it doesn't matter, I don't regret anything. I've loved Remus since I laid eyes on him, this only made that love all the more special and unique."

"Aww! You're so adorable, Aurora!" Lily cooed, pulling me into a heart-warming hug. I giggled, hugging her back. "I love the two of you so much! I only wish you didn't have to keep this a secret... you deserve to be together!"

I smiled sadly. "I know, but it's best this way. When we're Marauders we're the best friends we've always been, and when we're alone we're mates. It's not that bad really. We know it's not a permanent solution, but we'll deal with it one day at a time."

"Sounds fairly reasonable. I'm sure Black wouldn't exactly accept your relationship with open arms..."

I frowned slightly, sighing, "No, he wouldn't. He's very keen on me not dating any of them."

"I wonder why," she replied sarcastically. I shot her a look, eyebrow raised.

"What does that mean?"

Lily shook her head with a half-smile. "You're awfully clueless sometimes, you know?"

I tilted my head, now beyond confused. "Clueless about what?"

"Never mind," she said. "What would you do if he found out? I mean, it's bound to happen eventually, isn't it?"

"I don't know, Lils... I just don't wan't to hurt him, that's all I care about."

There was a brief silence between us. I could feel her staring at the side of my face intently.

"He's really special to you, isn't he?" she suddenly asked.

I pursed my lips, scowling softly. "Yes... he is..."

We finished our already melted ice-creams quickly before going for a stroll. I looped my arm around her with a grin. "What about you, Lils? How is everything going with Digeby?"

"Oh huh, everything's fine." Her smile didn't reach her pretty emerald green eyes. "I'm actually meeting his parents for dinner tonight."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Really? Then why do you sound like you're about to go to a funeral?"

"I do not!"

"Yes, you do." I tightened my arm around hers, asking, "Why?"

She sighed defeated. "Before school ended, Alice told me his parents are pureblood supremacists... I'm terrified of going in there..."

"Pureblood supremacists?" I repeated, scrunching my nose. I hated people like that, like my father's family. Lily nodded miserably. "Well... maybe they're not that bad... I mean, Digeby wouldn't take you to meet them if they were, would he?"

"That's what bothers me, Aurora. I have absolutely no idea."

I had a bad feeling about this. Her face was frighteningly pale, her eyes wide and fearful, pleading to me for an answer. Dear lord, she looked completely terrified.

"You can't go, Lily," I said firmly. "If you don't trust him, if you're this scared, then you can't go."

"But I promised him," she whispered.

"I don't care, feed him some excuse and don't go."

"What excuse?"

"Any excuse!" I threw my hands up exasperatedly. "Look, say I'm feeling sick and I begged you to stay with me. Certainly, he'll be understanding."

She gave it a thought for a few moments, chewing on her lip nervously. Aww, I thought fondly, she had caught my nervous habit. "Alright, I'll do that," she finally said. "Can I stay at your place for tonight, though? He might show up at my place if he doesn't get my letter in time."

"Of course, Lils, but err... there's something you might need to mentally prepare yourself for first..."

"I said I was sorry, Lily!"

"I do not need your apologies, Potter! I need you to get the bloody hell out of my sight before I break the D.R.R.U.S by transfiguring you into a peacock to match your smug, spoiled and exuberant personality!"

I rubbed my sore temples as I made a straight line for the kitchen, speeding past the bickering couple. For crying out loud, did they always have to be at each other's throats? We had just woken up! What could they possibly have to fight about?

Honestly, I was beginning to think Lily actually enjoyed arguing with James. Throughout the entirety of last night, she had picked up a fight about pretty much everything. If he made an arrogant joke, she yelled. If he accidentally (or purposely) touched her, she smacked him. If he moved a certain way, she pounced. Poor James, he couldn't get a break. She was being absolutely relentless.

My father gave me a suffering look over his morning paper. "Is this normal? I'm seriously considering calling the Department for Control of Domestic Violence!"

I blurted a chuckle at that. "They're not even dating, Da. I hardly think we can call it domestic violence."

"They're not?" My mom sounded surprised as she expertly flipped over a chocolate pancake before flickering her hand to levitate a glass of orange juice into my hands. "I was so sure they would be together by now, but I suppose these things take time. Romance cannot be rushed after all."

Taking a seat next to dad, I rolled my eyes and took a large sip from my glass. The smell filling the kitchen was mouth-wateringly divine. I couldn't wait for those pancakes to be done.

"Stop playing matchmaker, Ma," I told her.

"She can't, dandelion," dad said with a smirk. "Your mom is a born romantic. She puts all of her dedication into bringing people together."

"Translation: she terrorizes them until they succumb to her will." I dodged a flying lump of bread at my head, laughing. "You missed, Ma!"

"Quit throwing things at each other's heads!" Sirius barked as he dragged his feet into the kitchen with my brother in toll. He sat with a heavy thud and dropped his forehead on the table, groaning. "Why is everyone so bloody loud this morning? My brain feels about to explode!"

"The only loud people in this house are Prongs and Lily. The rest is courtesy of your sleep deprivation, Padfoot," I said, patting him on the back.

Mom clicked her tongue. "You shouldn't stay up so late, dear, you really need your sleep to grow."

"Well, it's not my fault, mom! Prongs didn't let me sleep a wink the whole night, he was too excited about Lily being in the next room. At one point I actually thought he was going to sneak in there so he could watch her sleep like a pervert."

I snorted. Yeah, that sounded like James. Last night he'd nearly passed out when he saw Lily in her pyjama shorts. He'd been so red it was a wonder he didn't burst into flames.

A plate with a stack of chocolate pancakes slipped in front of me. Oh, I loved Sunday mornings. Mom always made these especially for me. To top it off before digging in, I drizzled a bit of chocolate syrup over them. Next to me, my brother scoffed, "I still don't understand how you can eat that much amount of chocolate so early in the morning."

I flashed him a toothy grin, but Sirius spoke first, "That's on Moony, he's the one who turned her into a chocolate addict."

"He did not!" I argued, blushing. "What's the problem with my fondness for chocolate, anyway? Trying to call me fat, are you, Padfoot?"

He paled slightly, raising his hands up in surrender. "Of course not! Why would I call you fat? You've seen yourself in the mirror, haven't you? You're absolutely perfect!"

I bit back a smirk, my cheeks growing warm. "Am I now?"

"Absolutely!"

My mom and dad exchanged a meaningful look that did not go unnoticed by me. I cleared my throat uncomfortably, "Well, hum, I'm having lunch with Remus and his mom today, is that alright?"

Sirius' eyebrows shot to his hairline. "You are?"

"Sure, sweetheart, that's perfectly alright," mom said, taking seat between dad and Sirius, ruffling the last one's hair affectionately.

"Well, take Lily with you then," Sirius added. "If she stays any longer, Prongs is going to get himself killed. And not necessarily by her."

I rolled my eyes. "Lily's going to her grandparents today, but she can take the bus with me."

"Why don't you use the floo network?" Nikon asked confused.

"Hope freaks out when I do that," I answered, laughing. "She thought I was on fire and dumped a bucket of water over my head the last time."

Sirius snorted. "Merlin bless that woman, she's absolutely brilliant."

Later, after dropping off Lily near the muggle subway, the Knight Bus driver let me out just outside London, in the small, quiet village where the Lupin family lived. Walking up the stairs of the old cottage, I couldn't help smiling. I just loved this place so much. When he opened the door, I flung myself at him, kissing him to my heart's content. Remus smiled against my lips, his arms grasping me tightly as he backed me to the wall of the house. We were breathless by the time we parted.

"I missed you so much," I murmured heatedly.

"Me too," he breathed, kissing me again. I moaned when his tongue touched mine. God, I would never tire of this. "I'm not the only one, though, my mom won't shut up about how much she wants to see you."

"Don't be jealous, love. It's no one's fault if your mom likes me more than you," I teased.

"Shut up, Aurora."

"Make me."

He chuckled, gladly complying to my request. I fisted his hair as his body melded into mine, pressing me harder agaisnt the wall. Another moan escaped my throat when his hands found my waist, rubbing up and down over the soft fabric of my pink dress in the most delicious way.

"Oh my!"

We broke apart with a gasp, turning around to find a completely flustered Hope watching us through wide blue eyes. I blushed ten thousand shades of red, mortified to the core, and Remus wasn't any better.

Bloody sodding hell!

"This isn't what it looks like!" he sputtered weakly.

Much to my surprise, Hope actually smiled. No; she smirked. Oh dear lord, she found this funny! "Well, I don't know, Remmy," she started in a mocking voice, "it looks like a particularly heavy snogging session to me."

"MOM!"

I hid my hot face in my hands. "I think I'm going to dig a hole, crawl inside and stay there for the next hundred years!"

"Don't be silly, dear, there's nothing to be embarrassed about," she tutted, prying my hands away. Her dancing mirthful and kind eyes eased my nerves a bit. "I was your age once too, you know? I did my fair share of snogging in my days as well."

"Ugh," Remus groaned, twisting his nose. "I'm going to pretend you did not just say that."

She rolled her eyes. I took her hand, squeezing it. "Hope please, you can't tell anyone... If the others find out about us, it'll be a disaster!"

"But it's so wonderful!"

Remus laughed at his mother's enthusiasm. His arm wrapped around my waist, drawing me close, and he beamed down at me. "It is wonderful."

I blushed, biting my lip with a smile.

"Well," she said, glancing back and forth between us, "if you want to keep it a secret, then my mouth is a grave. I promise."

"Thank you!"

Just like that, a weight was lifted off my shoulders.

"Alright then, let's go inside shall we? I'm making pot roast for lunch."

The kitchen smelled divine. Roasted potatoes and rosemary, I think. The oven was on so the room was hot, but there was a pleasant breeze sneaking through the window, billowing the lacy curtains. Music was playing in an old radio sitting on the counter. Neil Young's voice made me smile softly.

As Remus and I helped his mother with a peach cobbler she was making for desert, my heart soared. Something about this – the house, the kitchen, the music, the two of them, all of it – filled me with unbelievable happiness. I was deeply full. Wholeheartedly so, and I couldn't help but to think that I belonged here. This felt like home.

When he pulled me to dance and we swayed gently to the sound of a love song, I looked up at him with tears in my eyes.

He was my home.

Remus smiled as he joined our foreheads, rubbing his nose against mine, closing his eyes with a satisfied sigh.

"I love you," he murmured.

"I love you, Remus," I breathed, my hand shaking against his. "Always."

"Always, Aurora... always..."