Disclaimer: J.K Rowling is the mommy, I'm just the neighbour who comes over to play.

A/N: This is something that came to me on the way to work one morning.

How They Came To Be

Remus sat in the Gryffindor Common Room staring blankly at the book that lay in his lap, surrounded – as usual – by Sirius, James and Peter. It was a week before the next full moon, but that wasn't the only reason that the werewolf was pretending to read a book he'd read a thousand times before; James and the others had pulled him aside at lunch and proudly announced that Remus was now looking at three newly-made, unregistered animagi. While Remus appreciated that they had done it to help him, he was furious with them for putting themselves in such danger – if not done correctly, the transformations could be fatal. But Remus loved his friends, even more so now, and despite his fury he couldn't help listening to the smooth drawl that was Sirius, the excited squeak that was Peter and the calm, measured tones that were James. He turned a page, unconsciously picked up on the lull in the trio's conversation. Which is why he looked up from his book when Peter spoke next.

'I think we should have nicknames.'

Sirius snorted derisively, 'We're not kids anymore, Pete.'

'Well, actually...' Peter trailed off as Sirius glared at him.

'I think it's a good idea.'

The three boys jumped, staring at Remus like deer's caught in the headlights. It was uncommon enough for Remus to take part in any conversation that didn't concern books, full moon, or teasing James about his school-boy crush on the fiery Lily Evans, but they all knew that he was annoyed with them.

'Well, I guess it isn't a bad idea...' James bit his lip, deep in thought, 'I want to be "Stud",' he puffed his chest out and looked around at them expectantly. Sirius gave a bark of laughter, Peter snickered and Remus rolled his eyes.

'James, I think Pete meant nicknames pertaining to our, er, –' Remus glanced around to make sure no one was listening in to their conversation, 'forms.'

James deflated, 'Oh... Alright, how about "Stag"?'

'Yeah, because that's not obvious at all,' Sirius drawled.

'Do you have a better idea, Snuffles?'

The smirk slid off Sirius' face and his eyes narrowed dangerously, 'I will not be called Snuffles,' he growled.

Remus sighed and the two boys' glares quickly turned guilty.

'How about "Antlers"?' Peter interjected. James opened his mouth but was interrupted by Sirius, who clicked fingers.

'Pete, you're a genius! But, except for "Antlers", how about "Prongs"?'

James paused, looking thoughtful, 'That's actually pretty clever...'

'What about me?' Peter squeaked excitedly.

The boys fell into silence as they considered this.

'How about "Wormtail"?'

Peter's face fell, 'Wormtail? Why!?' he whined.

'Well, think about it,' Sirius explained, 'What does a rat's tail look like?'

Peter's nose wrinkled as he thought this through. He sighed.

'I guess you're right...'

James grinned and then turned to Sirius, 'Your turn. How about...'

'Fido?' Peter snickered, yelping when a cushion connected with the side of his head.

'Canine?' James suggested but was shot down.

'A bit too obvious,' Remus muttered.

'Pup?'

'Woof?'

Sirius fell back against the couch with a heavy sigh. Twenty minutes later and he didn't have a nickname. Despite his earlier protests Sirius was jealous that Peter and James' nicknames had been so easy to come up with.

'This isn't fair!' he whined.

Remus studied his friend and suddenly it came to him.

'Sirius, your form is a black dog, right?'

Sirius nodded, looking at Remus expectantly.

'Padfoot,' Remus announced, grinning. Sirius wrinkled his nose but let Remus continue.

'Padfoot is a hellhound that's rumoured to haunt the moors in Leeds,' Remus smirked as Sirius caught on and howled with laughter.

'Why, thank you, Moony!'

James and Peter frowned, 'Moony?' they asked together.

'Yeah,' Sirius looked at Remus affectionately, 'Moony.'

Remus smiled, 'Moony it is.'