DISCLAIMER: J.K. Rowling is the owner of the intellectual real estate where I'm staging this and the mother of nearly all of my actors and actresses, I'm only laying claim to the script. Please don't sue me, I'm not making any money from this, and I didn't have any to start with.

Sunday was relaxing, even at Hogwarts. Lily had finished most of her homework on Saturday after the Quidditch match while Amos was celebrating with his teammates in their common room. She was just finishing off a leisurely charms scroll when James stumbled down from the boys dormitory.

"Good morning, sunshine," she called, grinning. "How late were you boys out last night, and how much trouble did you get into?"

"We weren't out," Sirius said, bounding in from the portrait hole. "Unless Jamesy-boy went out without us, he sometimes goes to the pitch when he has trouble sleeping. Is something on your mind, Jamie?"

"Shut your pie-hole, Padfoot," James grumbled. "How can both of you be so perky so early?"

"James, it is eleven o'clock." Lily laughed, turning back to her charms homework.

"Whatever," James said. "I know you are lying, because I in no way feel like I got eight hours of sleep."

"God, you were out until three?" Lily turned back to him, "That's really bad for your health, James. You should take better care of yourself. If you get sick, we'll lose the match in two weeks."

"Nice to know you care," James said, giving a brave smile that made his eyes look almost normal. "How late were you out," he asked.

"What do you mean," Lily inquired quickly. "Unlike you, I don't take my Head Girl badge to mean free hall pass."

"It is eleven o'clock and you still haven't finished your work. You're usually done by nine thirty when we have a load this light, and I know you didn't have any divination."

"There was a match yesterday," Lily protested.

"Bull, where were you? Snogging with Diggory? On second thought, I'm sure that's where you were, so forget I asked," James grinned at the uncomfortable look on her face. He knew she didn't like him picturing her in the astronomy tower after hours with her boyfriend, but she definitely wouldn't admit to running around in the Forbidden Forest. Finally, she shrugged.

"It is none of your business where I was, but I'll tell you that you're wrong and we can drop the subject."

Unfortunately for Lily, Sirius liked the subject too much to let it drop. "So you were snogging someone else? Whoa, you'd better hope Amos doesn't find out. He'll kill to keep you."

"Shut up, Sirius," Lily deadpanned.

Elizabeth walked into the common room, talking with two sixth year girls. "Hey, Lily, Amos was looking for you in the library. Did you have a date with him today, or something?"

"Shit," Lily cried, throwing her scrolls and school books into her satchel. "I'm late. I'll talk to you boys later."

With that she sprinted out of the common room, through the hallways, avoiding the trick stairs, and arrived panting in the library, where Amos immediately broke into laughter. "You're only ten minutes late. I was early."

"I'm still sorry," she said, with a gracious smile. "Shall we?" Lily offered him her arm which he took and escorted her to a table near a window that was flooded with sunlight. Lily didn't exactly need tutoring, and neither did Amos, but they both found it helpful to discuss Defense Against the Dark Arts aloud with someone so that they could formulate their opinions. In class, they were discussing werewolf rights, so Amos thought they could start with anti-discrimination laws that would help werewolf wizards get jobs.

"Before we start, I should tell you something," Lily said quietly. "I'm prejudiced in this discussion. You see, I know a werewolf."

"Really," Amos asked.

"Well, I should probably say knew. She was put to death after killing my father," Lily said.

"What happened," Amos asked. "You never did tell me how your father died."

"It was the summer after fifth year, I don't know if I ever told you that. She was my neighbor, her name was Miss Ella Hurst and she was the only other witch in my neighborhood. We had tea occasionally, and I always wondered why she lived among muggles. I didn't know she was a werewolf, I just assumed she'd been muggle-born and liked it. I suppose I should have guessed something was wrong with her, I mean, she worked a muggle job (not even a very nice one) and she transfigured her own clothes, bed, everything. At that point, I thought it was really cool, but looking back I know I should have noticed something.

"As it later turned out, she had a steel cage in her basement that she would lock herself into every night of the full moon. On the second night that month however, someone apparently apparated into her home and let her out once she'd take her wolf form. I believe it was a Voldemort supporter who wanted to kill muggles and get a death sentence for a good witch.

"Luckily, or extremely unluckily, my dad had just parked his car on the street when the wolf exploded out of the house. I heard him scream from my living room, and I dashed out, wand in hand. I used stupefy on her three times before she was stunned enough for me to drag my dad away. Ministry officials were there minutes later. My dad was taken to St. Mungo's and I was commended, but he died an hour after he got there. Miss Hurst didn't remember anything, and she was so sorry that I had to forgive her. I even spoke for her at her hearing, but she was put to death. I've been absolutely terrified of werewolves since then, but I know that they are no different than other people when they are not in wolf form."

"Wow," Amos said. He couldn't think of anything else to say. "I'm so sorry. I can't imagine what that must have been like."

"Well, that's my story. We can discuss the issues now." And as Amos really had no response to her story, they did discuss the issues. An hour later, they headed to lunch together, having both completed their essays.

The couple ate at the Gryffindor table, where Sirius teased them mercilessly about being out after hours, but stopped immediately after Amos looked questioningly at Lily, causing her to kick Sirius under the table repeatedly. Sirius looked truly sorry, and didn't even mention the fact that he was being kicked. Amos suggested a walk around the lake, so they went out into the early fall weather. It only took him a few seconds to ask.

"Where were you, really, last night?"

Lily took a deep breath. "I was gathering moonflowers in the Forbidden Forest."

"Why? Do you know how many rules that is breaking?"

"I want to try a different spell to find my soul mate. I can't deal with the fact that my soul mate isn't human. That just isn't possible. I need to try it again, but I can't do that spell again because I'd have to wait another month or two even for the right sort of day. That spell must have something wrong with it, or something that won't work for me or my soul mate."

"Why do you care who your soul mate is, anyway? Aren't we happy together? Will you break up with me if your soul mate ends up being, I don't know, Sirius Black? Can you see how this looks to me? It's making me very insecure." Amos knew that honesty was the best policy with Lily, but he couldn't bring himself to bring up James, he knew that was just pointless jealousy, so he used Sirius instead, knowing Lily and Sirius were springs wound in opposite directions. Pushing them together would just get everything tangled up.

"Sirius? I do understand what you are saying, although I think you are overlooking the obvious possibility that you are my soul mate. Frankly it makes me a little nervous that you don't think we are meant to be together. Supposing, though, that you think I'm the one of that opinion, you should know better. It upset me to find out that my soul mate is an animal, someone I'll never even have the chance to speak with because he can't speak back. I suppose it could have been worse, I could have seen Voldemort or Narcissa Adams, but it was pretty bad. You need to understand that who my soul mate is says something pretty specific about me. If my soul mate were evil, it would mean I am evil. If the being in the world that I am most suited to be with is a very big, very tame stag with great coat hangers on his head, a being that can't really think, speak or feel in any distinct, human way, what does that say about me? I'd just like a second opinion."

"I just wish you'd assume I was your soul mate like we did before you tried that spell. I don't know why, but it bugs me that you need confirmation."

"You're lying," Lily knew, suddenly. "Please tell me the truth. What bothers you? What are you really afraid of? You know I won't leave you no matter who I see."

"That's what bothers me, and what I'm afraid of," Amos said, giving up. "I'm afraid you'll see James. No, don't protest, I know you had a bit of a thing for him third year, and I know you got over it well before we got together last year, you told me all of that, and I believe it. I know you don't have any feelings for him, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't have any feelings for you, because he's the sort of guy who would come right out and tell you even if you do have a boyfriend. The thing is; James is like a better version of me, when you think about it. His Quidditch team hasn't lost the cup since he was made Captain. He is Head Boy when I'm only a Prefect. I make the occasional joke; he turns everyone in Slytherine's hair red and gold. I know I'm exaggerating, but I can't help but be a little jealous of him at times, and since the two of you are in Gryffindor together, he's known you for longer, you get along really well. I'm just nervous that I'll lose the last, most important contest to Potter."

"Wow," Lily said. It was her turn to be at a loss for words. "How long have you felt this way?"

"The first day of school, when I found out he had made Head Boy. When it wasn't me, I thought it would be someone from Ravenclaw or Slytherine. I knew he had the grades, but I never expected that after all of his stunts they would actually make him Head Boy."

"I think I can understand how you feel, but you know that thinking you'll lose me to James is just silly. I mean, I haven't even thought about him as a possibility for my soul mate."

"That's why they make soul mate spells, because most of the time, it is some one you wouldn't expect, or someone right under your nose." Amos sighed, "But I know I'm just being petty. I just really don't want you to do that spell and see James. I'm so afraid to lose you, to anyone, but especially to him, because I think he is the one most likely to take you."

"If you're that worried, I'll put off doing the spell." Lily sighed. "I'm getting a little chilly; let's go in now, okay?"

"Alright."

***

Lily was lounging luxuriously in a comfortable chair, reading by the fire while Sirius, Elizabeth and James played exploding snap nearby. Remus and Peter had already gone up to bed. It was Wednesday, three days after Lily had agreed not to do the spell, and also the first day she was considering going out again to see Prongs. She had a few sugar cubes and an apple stowed away, but she wasn't sure he would be out there.

"Bad move Prongsie," Sirius laughed as his friend was singed by the exploding deck.

"Why do you call James Prongs," Lily asked suddenly, something was bothering her, but she wasn't sure what. Professor Metoki told her to go with her impulses when that happened, and it had never really failed before.

Sirius started laughing. "When he was dating Rebecca Ashcourt fifth year, she was a seventh year, remember, she took him out somewhere, we never really found out where, and he came back piss drunk and butt naked! You may not know this about Prongs here, but."

"I don't want to know," Lily shouted, plugging her ears. When it became apparent that Sirius had stopped talking and James was a lovely shade of magenta, she unplugged them. "If you ever try to tell me that story again, Sirius Black, I'll find some really illegal curse to use on you!"

Sirius laughed again. "Hey, you asked. Speaking of asking, Exploding Snap is getting boring, does anyone want to play Campfire Questions?"

"How do you know about Campfire Questions," Lily asked. Sirius came from a wizarding family.

"My cousin and I went to a muggle sleep over a few summers ago."

"I'll play," Elizabeth said.

"I'm in, I guess," Lily agreed, laying aside her book.

"Ditto," James stated, putting away the game of Exploding Snap. As he was the last person to agree to play, he had to ask first.

"What is your biggest fear and why does it scare you," he asked, wondering how honest everyone would be.

"Severus Snape in a thong," Sirius stated immediately getting a laugh from everyone. "If I need to explain what is terrifying about Snape in a bikini to anyone, I am never speaking to any of you ever again."

"We can only hope," Lily and Elizabeth cried at the same time.

"Being left alone, I mean really alone, never seeing anyone I know or love ever again," Elizabeth said quietly and anxiously. Lily gave her a hug; she knew Lizzy was still getting over her mother's death. "I love living with my aunt and all, but I've given a lot of thought to being alone, what with the whole being an orphan thing. I just think it would be terrible."

"Werewolves," Lily stated simply. "My neighbor was a werewolf, and she killed my father during one of her transformations. I never suspected anything. I guess that's what scares me about werewolves, the unexpectedness. They can be the nicest people in the world, but when they transform, they are nothing but violence." Lily's voice was bored, almost detached while she said this, as though she was reciting from a carefully rehearsed script. She couldn't handle opening up about her father's death twice in one day. While Lily answered, she noticed Sirius staring at her, and she wondered briefly why.

"Voldemort ruling the world," James said realistically. "I just can't imagine anything worse than a world ruled by Voldemort," James stated softly. "There would be widespread terror. Muggles would be rounded up for slaughter or slavery. Wizards with a conscience might be, at best, given a little corner of the world to ignore what was going on in the rest. At worst, killed or enslaved with the muggles. Dangerous creatures would be allowed to roam free, terrorizing the innocent, while good magical creatures would be lost to the world." There was a tear in his eye while he spoke, but he blinked it back and looked to Sirius to ask the next question. Everyone was surprised by the very clique query he chose.

"Who was the last person you kissed?"

"You," Elizabeth said quietly, her entire face turning fuchsia.

"What," Lily exclaimed. "When? Where? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Now, now, Lily," Sirius said, cutting off Elizabeth before she could answer. "It isn't your turn to ask a question, you have to answer mine."

"Amos Diggory," she said grumpily, shooting an angry look at her friend.

"Is it someone you kissed or someone who kissed you," James asked carefully.

"Someone you initiated the kiss with," Sirius said with a smile.

"Then I might have to change my answer," Lily said with a frown. "Amos hasn't waited for me to initiate anything for a week at least."

"Well, yeah," Elizabeth retorted, "But you haven't kissed anyone else, have you?"

"Unless the cheek of a stag counts, no," Lily muttered.

"Aw, Lily, you found your soul mate, do tell," Sirius exclaimed happily.

"That wasn't your question, Sirius," Lily said sweetly. "It is James's turn to answer now, not mine."

James smiled and answered. "Molly Doyle, from Ravenclaw."

"And my answer is Lizzy, which makes it her turn to ask a question."

"You just wanted to announce to everyone that we kissed," she accused.

"Yep," he replied with a cocky smirk.

Lily grinned malevolently. "My turn, Elizabeth wasted her question on something specific. Describe the time and circumstances of the kiss you referred to earlier."

"Right," James said with a grin. "Two weeks ago, outside of the transfiguration classroom. I'd walked her there and grabbed a kiss before I left her."

"Two weeks," Sirius asked, wanting to delay his answer. "For you, two weeks is an eternity to be without a girl."

"Not so much this year," Lily added, giving James a penetrating look. "You didn't go and grow up on us, did you?"

James threw a grin at her, "That's not the question; it's Sirius' turn to answer."

Lily grew a predatory smile. "So it is."

"Alright then, about an hour and a half ago, just outside the common room. We had been talking in the library, I walked her back, and then I made a move. Not remotely a big deal, until she."

"Hey, I tell that part," Elizabeth cut in, frantically afraid of whatever it was being told callously or as a joke by the Gryffindor jester. Then she froze, unable or unwilling to say whatever she wouldn't let Sirius tell.

"Then tell it," James said, laughing at her.

"Well, he started walking away, so I said, I don't remember what I said," Elizabeth began nervously.

"She said," Sirius cut in helpfully, "'Is that all?'"

"Yeah," Elizabeth said, squirming in her chair. "And then he turned around, and I grabbed him and, erm."

"Snogged the hell out of me," Sirius interjected.

Lily was too busy giggling to begin to answer.

"Lily, I said person, and since animals are people, too, and you think the last time you chose to kiss Amos was before you kissed the deer or whatever, you have to tell us about that," Sirius said, still giggling about Elizabeth, who was shooting him an icy glare.

"Fine then," Lily said, sitting up straight. "I was in the forbidden forest at midnight on Friday, and a stag saved my life. Never mind what I was doing there, I've cancelled that project because Amos asked me to."

"You cancelled the project," James squeaked, interrupting her.

"Yeah, that's what I said. So don't worry, I won't be going out after midnight anymore."

"I think that's what he is worried about," Sirius interjected smoothly, "When you aren't breaking rules you pay a lot more attention to other people doing so."

"Oh," Lily shot James a broad grin. "Don't worry about it James, I've given up on trying to catch you. Anyway, when I was leaving I kissed its nose, but that isn't the kiss I was referring to, because the next day I kissed Amos after the Quidditch match. I went back to the forest midnight after the Quidditch match again and I saw the stag again, gave it some apples and sugar, walked around, had a lovely talk and kissed it again on the cheek. So to be technical, that was the last creature I kissed."

"Lovely," Sirius grinned. "And that would make it James' turn to ask a question."

"What was your reason for breaking whatever the most recent school rule you broke was?" James smiled at Lily, and she knew he would find a way to get her to talk about her "project".

"I don't like Snape," Sirius said. "I'm not sure what rule I broke, but I'm pretty sure it had something to do with 'Don't put Engorgement Charms on the noses of slimy gits', because that is what I got detention for doing."

"I like my Yelping Yoyo. I was playing with it this morning. It's on the contraband list, so I'm sure that counts." Elizabeth would have been hard pressed to think of a broken rule without her handy yoyo.

"I didn't want my soul mate to be a dumb, mute animal, no matter how nice of an animal he is. I wanted to try a different spell, and I needed moonflowers to do the spell I found. I had to go to the Forbidden Forest to get them. I broke five rules while doing this, would you like me to list them?"

"That won't be necessary," James said with a grin. "Why did you cancel the project if you cared enough about it to break five school rules?"

"Amos asked me to."

"So you just, did?" James looked at her quizzically. "Great reason, that. If I ask you to skip class tomorrow, would you?"

"You're not by boyfriend, and my not skipping class wouldn't make you feel inadequate as my boyfriend, so no, I wouldn't."

"Actually, that's a hell of a good reason," Sirius interjected, "And it's James' turn to answer."

"I don't like Snape, I helped Sirius." James smiled. "And it is now his turn to ask a question."

"What is the most embarrassing thing you have ever done," he asked promptly.

"Kissed you," Elizabeth answered just as quickly.

"Ouch, that stings, love," Sirius grinned over at Lily, telling her it was her turn.

"Done or had happen to me?"

"Whichever you'd rather share," Sirius said, "I know what you did, and if you don't want to talk about it, that's okay."

"I guess I will. Third year, Valentines Day, when I wrote that poem for James and he burst out laughing thinking it was a joke and you put me up to it, and he insisted on using the Sonarus Charm to read it to everyone in the common room, and didn't figure it out until I ran to the girls dormitory."

"I really am sorry about that, Lily," James said, softly. "You know I wouldn't do it again, right, I just wasn't used to thinking of you as a girl."

"That's okay, I got over you," Lily laughed aloud. "And Sirius beat you up for me, although you already felt bad enough."

James grinned, "That makes it my turn then, huh? I'd have to go with Rebecca Ashcourt dumping me and listing all of my faults in the Great Hall a week before school let out fifth year, right after I told her I loved her and made those little red sparkles explode all over the hall because red was her favorite color."

"Which brings us to me hitting James with a bludger on accident in my first real Quidditch match and makes it Beth's turn to ask a question," Sirius stated in a businesslike manner.

"Actually, I'm sort of tired," Elizabeth said. "I think I'll head up to the girls dorm, you can carry on without me."

"Nah, games over if you're gone," Sirius said, getting up and walking her to the stairs where they shared a small, lovely kiss. He then tore up the stairs to the boys rooms, while Elizabeth took her own stairs one at a time, walking as though she didn't know the ground would be there when she put her foot down.

"I'm going out to meet my stag friend now, would you like to come," Lily asked, turning to James.

James blinked at the unexpected invitation. "Will he come up to you if someone else is there?"

"Only one way to find out," Lily replied. "And he might not come at all. If he doesn't show up, I'd rather be waiting in the cold with a friend."

"Good enough, and we can talk more about why you're afraid to find your soul mate." James smiled as he led her through the portrait hole, "Better not retort just now, though, it is better to be stealthy." They didn't speak as they wandered through the castle; James was wishing he had brought his invisibility cloak. Lily was wishing she had gone out the window as planned.

Once they exited the castle and were walking across the grounds to the forest, it was okay to talk. "Your soul mate is probably a stink bug," Lily shot back, almost ten minutes late.

James laughed. "Sitting on that one for a while, were we?"

"Yes, but that is entirely your fault. We should head over to the closest path into the forest; that is where I saw him last time." Lily pointed to the spot she was speaking of, and they turned to walk there.

"So tell me again why you don't want to seek your soul mate?" James turned to look at her as they stood on the eaves of the forest.

"Keep your eyes open for P.Mr. Coathangers," Lily instructed.

"I can look and talk at the same time, so please answer my question." He stopped looking at her, and cast his eyes into the dark eaves of the trees.

"Because Amos knows it isn't him, and while we were talking, I realized that too."

"So if it isn't Amos, you don't want to know?" James laughed lightly. "I thought you were a touch braver than that."

"You don't get it, do you? I wouldn't break up with Amos no matter who I saw, because I love Amos. That said, it doesn't matter who I see." Lily smiled a little at herself, knowing she was oversimplifying things.

"So you wouldn't revise your theory with new information? You would still go off and marry Amos straight out of Hogwarts. While he works his way up at the Ministry you'll stay home with the kids to make huge world-changing discoveries and write text books for Hogwarts." James smiled through the darkness at her. "You'll be happy, of course, but will you be the happiest you could be?"

"Why don't you tell me what the happiest I could be would be?" Lily grinned back then turned to face the forest once more.

"Lily what will you name your children?"

"Cedric after Amos's father and Violet following the floral tradition of my family," Lily stated quickly.

"Shouldn't you at least be married, let alone pregnant before you decide on your children's names? Does it make you happy to know that Amos will never surprise you with anything? He will be spontaneous with flowers and nights out, but they will never really catch you off guard. I know you don't like that, you've told me so. Shouldn't you at least know who your soul mate is, before you decide to marry someone else?"

"Amos is a down to earth guy. I like that, and I'm wiling to sacrifice spontaneity for an eighteen year old that is willing to be completely honest with me."

"Most teenagers grow into honesty and out of spontaneity."

"So you think I should marry Sirius?" Lily laughed loudly. "I wonder where Prongs is."

"I'm right next to you."

"No the other, um, I mean Mr. Antlers."

"You named him after me, how sweet. What, did you think I would mind?"

"No, I thought you would tease me like you are about to. After all, I did name my 'soul mate' animal after you."

"I won't tease you. I really am flattered. I don't think your stag friend is coming, however, we should head back to the castle."

"Alright," Lily said, nodding deftly. They crossed the grounds with a comfortable silence between them, until they got to the castle door.

"It's locked," James exclaimed.

"Well use the Alohomora charm already," Lily said, crossing her arms.

"It won't work, the doors in and out of the castle are all locked magically, they're so rarely locked that Sirius and I haven't bothered to find their keys."

"Then let's go to the broom shed and fly up to the dormitory windows. Someone will wake up and let us in, even if I didn't leave one open tonight."

"Here, how about I go, and you meet me at the bottom of Gryffindor Tower? That way, if you get caught out, you can say you were chasing me, and only I'll get in trouble."

"That's really nice of you, James," Lily said, giving him a piercing look.

"No tricks, I promise. I just don't want any of the professors to die of shock when they found out you broke a school rule." James gave her a cocky grin and dashed off to the broom shed.

A few seconds after she lost sight of James, Lily saw Prongs step out of the forest and look at her. She called his name, and tried to walk toward him, but as soon as she took a step, he shied and sprang away into the woods. Minutes later, James came soaring back on his Silver Arrow.

"Climb on board," he said. The recently full moon cast surreal shadows about him, making him look mysterious and strange.

"I saw Prongs. I think you were right, I don't think he wants me to meet him with other people around." Lily stated, getting on the broom behind James and holding on to the boy's waist.

"Maybe he is jealous of your time alone together," James laughed, kicking off from the ground.

"Or maybe he is a wild animal, not given over to trusting humans. Whatever the reason, I think I'll come alone from now on." Lily was sure James jolted the broom on purpose, so she squeezed him a little tighter than may have been absolutely necessary.

"Erg, I like to breathe, Lily, let up." Lily did, and they reached the window of James's dormitory. He knocked lightly and whispered, "Sirius, get up and open the window."

"I'm sleeping James," came the muffled reply.

"Sirius get up and open the window," Lily said loudly.

"Lils, what are you doing in the boys dorm? Huh?" Sirius sat up and looked around the room. Finally, his eyes landed on the window and he laughed. James and Lily were hovering just outside, looking cold and annoyed.

"Come on in, then," he said, opening the window. They ducked and swooped inside the warm room. James held the broom steady while Lily dismounted, then he landed and put it away. "Was James the one you were snogging instead of Amos on Saturday?"

"I told you about the stag, so no. James wanted to come with me to see him, but he scared him away." Lily answered abruptly. "Thank you for letting us in, Sirius, but it is late and I have class in the morning. I will talk to both of you tomorrow."

"Bye Lily," James called softly as she shut the door carefully.

"So, you wanted to see Prongs," Sirius asked with a deep chuckle in his voice.

"Shut up, Padfoot. Like Lily said, its late, I'm tired." James grumpily tore of his clothes and started putting on his pajamas.

"You should just tell her you love her and let her deal with it," Sirius suggested as his friend flopped into his bed. "She'll either dump Amos for you, or she'll tell you she's sorry. It isn't life and death, just Lily."

"Sirius, you just contradicted yourself," James said softly, rolling over and closing his eyes. Chalking his friend's behavior up to general teenage angst and stupidity, he got back into his own bed to go back to sleep.