Quality Time

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters. However, since Rowling discarded my favourite characters I picked them up and took them into my care to give them the love and attention they deserve...and occasionally give them reason to need that love and attention no matter how much they deserve it without needing a reason.

Summary: A zoo visit with friends and a disastrous evening with family show Lily just who her family truly is and bonds are strengthened as secrets are revealed along the way.

Warnings: Strong bromance, can't stomach boys being extremely close without it being sexual, then this is not the story for you and you should hit the return button.

This story is part of a series called A Bond of Family. If you are interested in reading the entire series, then the chronological order can be found on my profile.

Special thanks to Kitty for beta-ing this story for me and giving me endless support and inspiration for this series. Thank you for your endless patience with my grammar and for all the lessons you've taught me and are still trying to stamp into my brain.

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Lily looked up as a dark shape came to lean beside her on the dark stones of the animal territory behind them.

"I think I understand your nickname now," she grinned as he looked at her startled. "You're so quiet when you walk, almost like your feet are padded."

"You're just not listening very well," he snorted as he made himself comfortable.

"If you say so, I do wonder what gave the others their nicknames, though."

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Sirius teased as he raised his camera to take a photo of the prairie dog appearing out of a small hole across of where they were seated.

She waited until he'd snapped a few photos before looking around. "Where did James and Remus disappear off to?"

"Rem discovered a cotton candy stand and dragged James with him when I refused to wait in line."

"Of course he did," Lily laughed, fairly familiar with Remus' sugar addiction by now.

It were the summer holidays and Lily had accepted the Marauders' invitation to go to the zoo with them as Sirius was supposed to make photos of animals for his art assignment.

Peter hadn't been able to join though, his mother insisting he'd stay at home to study.

Sirius and James had both offered to come over and help him study, but his mother had refused and claimed that if they came over, they would end up making most of her son's homework.

And although both boys had protested, Lily knew the woman was right in that as Peter was quite horrible at his homework.

It never ceased to amaze her how he could be so average academically when he hung out with three intelligent and hard working guys.

Even her own grades had risen after she had begun to hang out with the Marauders and they had never been of the lowest in the first place.

As a matter of fact, after beginning to date James in earnest, she had begun to spend a lot of time in the library with him and his friends, both enjoying their company and learning at the same time as they brought up the most surprising subjects.

"I never did say thank you," suddenly occurred to her.

"For what?" Confused grey eyes turned to her.

"Asking me to give James a chance. You were right after all."

"About?"

"That I wouldn't be able to resist falling in love with him once I got to know him," she smiled as he grinned.

"Well, I was going to save it for your wedding day, but since you're bringing it up, I told you so."

"What makes you so sure we'll get married?" Lily laughed and gave him a small shove as he snorted in response.

"Want an ice cream?"

"Not desperately enough to want to move, but when we come across a stand later I'd not say no, why?"

"They are bringing ice cream back with them," Sirius indicated as he snapped a photo of the two approaching young men and Lily turned.

"What happened to the cotton candy?"

"We ate it all. But we brought back a peace offering," Remus grinned bashfully at James' words.

"One strawberry and chocolate for milady and one melon for you."

"Why thank you, good sir," Sirius mock bowed to Remus before accepting his ice cream.

"How are the photos coming along?" Remus asked as he sat down beside Sirius to eat his ice cream.

"Oh, you know...the whole animals in their semi-natural behaviour isn't really working for me."

"No kidding," Lily laughed as a prairie dog tried to climb onto Sirius' arm to get to the ice cream and several others were curled up on his lap or running around his legs.

Despite seeing cats and owls seek him out and having seen various magical animals react to him in their Care lessons, it had still surprised Lily to see most animals respond to his presence when they visited their territories.

James and Remus had laughed themselves silly as caretakers had stared at Sirius in shock and he'd even been offered a job as they saw even the most dangerous animals turn meek before the seventeen year old.

She glanced down as a prairie dog sniffed at her arm and pulled her ice cream away so the animal couldn't accidentally lick it and get sick.

"Where will we go after this?" James asked as he took Sirius' camera to snap a photo of the three of them with the prairie dogs.

"I'd like to see the wolves; the brochure said they had pups in April."

"Ah, why don't you and Sirius go while we pick up something real to eat?" James suggested.

"You don't want to see the cubs?"

"I'm good," Remus' smile was a little forced and Lily stared at him confused for a moment before she suddenly understood.

"You think the wolves will react to the wolf in you?"

Three identical shocked faces snapped at her and it would've been a comical sight if Remus hadn't paled considerably and choked on his ice cream.

"I don't...I..."

"How long have you know?" Sirius was the first to compose himself, slapping Remus on his back to help him get rid of the ice cream that had gotten stuck in his throat.

"I've known for sure since just before last year's Yule ball, but have suspected some time longer," Lily winced as Sirius guided Remus' head down between his knees so he could take deep breaths.

"What a way to let us know you know," James grumbled, having risen to his feet.

"Like you're one to talk, cornering the poor guy and saying out of the blue that 'we know you are a werewolf so there's no point in lying to us any more' isn't much better," Sirius' imitated James' voice and Lily stared at him in disbelief. "Merlin, you two are made for each other."

"You did that?" Lily wasn't too sure it was a compliment and decided wisely not to comment.

"He's not throwing up this time, so that's an improvement," James winced as Remus shot him a glare. "Not the right time?"

Remus shook his head, resting his forehead against Sirius' shoulder and trying to follow the other's slow breathing to get his own under control again as he was clearly on the verge of a panic attack.

"Sorry, I didn't mean for it to slip out like that."

"Should hope so," Sirius looked up to her, squinting a little as he had to look up into the sun to do so. "From your relaxed stance I take it you have no problem with it?"

"I was a little nervous at first, but I decided almost immediately that he's still the same guy I've always shared classes with and that our world is wrong about them," Lily answered honestly, aware Sirius was gauging her and ready to protect his friend should it be needed.

She had seen his protectiveness in play before and didn't want to give him any reason to keep his guard up, so she told him the truth of what she'd felt in the hopes he'd see she was being sincere.

She had noticed James had taken a protective stance between her and them, her boyfriend tense body relaxing when Sirius gave her a curt nod and turned his attention back to Remus.

James sat down beside Remus to rub his back, no longer flanking Sirius and she realised he'd been positioned in such a way that he was protecting Sirius should the need arise.

The realisation that her boyfriend had seen her as a momentarily treat hurt, but she couldn't find it inside her to blame him as she had learned just how close the bonds between the Marauders were, especially between these three.

She had no doubt that for Sirius, James would be willing to walk through fire barefoot and that the dark-haired boy he called his brother, would always come first for him.

Something that went both ways as Sirius was very protective of James as well; something that had been cemented to her when she'd agreed to go out on a date with James.

Sirius had sought her out that same evening and had cornered her to demand to know her intentions.

He had made it very clear that although he liked her, it would make no difference in his revenge if it turned out she was toying with his heart, would break it or hurt him in any way. And if that was her intention, she should walk away now or he'd destroy her if she messed with his brother.

The threat had warmed her heart and she had felt privileged to see just how much the guy loved James and how far he was willing to go to protect the other from any type of harm, even from someone he'd grown fond of over the months.

Although it had scared her as she had no doubt that he would indeed follow up on his threat if she ever were to break James' heart, so it was lucky for her that she had absolutely no intention of doing so.

She wasn't sure why James had been positioned to protect Sirius when it was Remus who she made the thoughtless comment to, but almost immediately the answer came to her.

If for some insane reason, she'd target Remus for this, she had no doubt that Sirius would jump to his defence, for the protectiveness she'd seen displayed towards James, also went to the brown-haired boy still leaning in his embrace.

And she knew that if she was aware of that, then James certainly was. Her boyfriend had positioned himself in such a way that he covered both of them, intent to protect them even from the girlfriend he'd wanted for so long, should it be needed.

So instead of it hurting her, that realisation made her love him even more as it was that protective nature that had first made her fall for him.

It did occasionally leave her to wonder of what might have happened if Sirius hadn't been supportive of James' crush on her as she knew her boyfriend listened and looked to him for advice, but brushed it off as Remus took a deep shuddering breath as he finally got his breathing under control.

"I'm really sorry I startled you so badly," she didn't try to move closer to Remus as he remained where he was, not sure if the dark-haired boy would let her close despite having clearly dismissed her as a treat.

"'s all right, James' right, at least I didn't throw up this time," Remus blinked rapidly for a few times before straightening again. "Thanks."

Sirius smiled, keeping a hand on Remus' knee to keep him grounded just in case. "And you didn't even break any toes today either."

"That's still not funny," Lily grumbled but smiled confused when Remus laughed.

"It kind of is. All of the things we've pulled through the years, everyone's broken bones at some point. Everyone except me because my bones are much denser than theirs," Remus explained.

"And yet I broke them in a simple spin during a dance," Lily realised. "No wonder you both claimed I was heavy."

"Can't blame us for thinking that when you succeeded where nothing else had before," James shrugged as he accepted the piece of chocolate Sirius handed out.

"Technically she is heavier than Sirius is," Remus suddenly commented as he popped the chocolate into his mouth.

"She's not," Sirius protested. "I'm taller and...don't laugh!"

Lily tried to sidestep the push Sirius directed at her, but couldn't stop laughing and was pushed backwards into Remus.

"He's certainly stronger than me," she managed to bring out after a long moment.

"You know, most girls would be offended at being called heavier than a guy who's taller than them," James commented thoughtfully.

"Wrong thing to say, Prongs. That'll get you thrown out of the bedroom if you're not careful. Always tell her she's lovely the way she is and not at all heavy and it might be wise to mention that I'm completely nuts," Remus snickered.

"I am not above admitting I might be heavier than him," Lily shrugged. "But he's a twig and don't count. He's thinner than can be considered healthy."

"This is actually the heaviest he's ever been," James' arms shot out to pull Sirius to his side and wrap his arms around his waist. "See? There was a time when my arms could fit around him twice!"

"Don't exaggerate, James. It was only one and a half times," Lily laughed as Sirius pouted at Remus' words.

"It's not my fault you two stuff yourself with junk food!"

"Good thing we stuff you with it, too, or you'd simply vanish," James nuzzled his face into Sirius' shoulder-blades when the other plopped down onto his leg in protest. "Nope, not heavy enough to even knock the breath out of me."

Sirius sighed as James refused to let go of him and Lily stepped forward with the intent of saving him when she was grabbed.

"Sirius!" she squealed as her feet left the ground and Sirius lifted her up to plant her on James' other leg.

"Okay...that's a little too heavy," James groaned and finally let go of Sirius, who immediately scampered away.

"Oi, what about me?" Lily protested as James pulled her back into his arms as she tried to escape as well.

"Sorry, Lil," Sirius stepped forward again to expertly and quickly poke a finger into James' side, making him squeak in laughter and Lily laughed as Sirius grabbed her hand and pulled her out of James' grip.

"No fair, teaming up against me! Remus, help me out!"

"Not a chance. She broke my toes before and he knows all my weaknesses. I know better than to gain their wrath," Remus laughed as he shuffled backwards with his hands raised.

Lily laughed as Sirius cheered and gave her a high five and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"Coward," James laughed as he got to his feet and almost tripped over one of the prairie dogs that had gathered around his feet while Sirius had been beside him.

"You do know you've got those glasses for a reason, right James?" Sirius laughed as he stepped forward to steady him in time and shoo the prairie dog off.

"I think it's about high time we get away from here," Lily suggested as she picked up their bag when several of the small animals tried to dig into it.

"Wolves then?" Sirius asked as he took the bag from her and slung it around his shoulder before snapping a photo of them and walking over the iron bridge that marked the prairie dog's territory so they couldn't follow him any more.

"Are you sure it'll be all right?" Lily turned to Remus.

"If you know, then I guess there's no problem even if they'll growl at the sight of me," he sighed.

"Or they won't have a problem with your presence like other animals have when Sirius is at your side," James offered.

"That might work. None of the animals so far reacted to you in any way, not even the prairie dogs and they were right up to you while you were seated beside Sirius," Lily agreed.

"Guess you're stuck with me then," Sirius held out his hand with a grin and Remus entwined their hands with a roll of his eyes.

"Thought we'd already established that six years ago."

"He makes it sound so friendly, doesn't he?" Sirius complained to Lily, who laughed.

"Not really. But then, I don't have to live with you any time soon."

"It was out of his own free will that he agreed to share a flat with me once we graduate," Sirius stuck out his tongue to her.

"True...shame on you then," Lily shook her index finger at Remus in mock anger. "Be nice."

"Yes, Madame," Remus shoved James as the other snickered and turned to Sirius. "Where are the wolves located?"

"You sure? We could simply split up for a bit and get dinner," Sirius offered as he pulled the map from his pocket.

"When I was little they'd always growl at me and Dad had to pull me away as they scared me. I have to admit that I am a little curious to how they'll react when you're at my side."

"All right, but if you want to go, then just give me a sign and we'll go."

"Yes, Mum."

"Atta boy."

"Do you think I'll have you trained that properly some day?" Lily wondered out loud to James as Sirius patted Remus' arm with his free hand.

"What do you take me for, a pet?" James grumbled at the same time Remus protested.

"I am not his pet."

"Could have fooled me and It's not that weird for me to wonder if my boyfriend will listen to me like that some day when Sirius has trained Remus perfectly."

"You do realise we're not dating, right?" Remus raised an eyebrow as he held in his step so they'd walk together.

"So you keep saying," Lily cheerfully replied. "As far as I see it, you're always together. Walk hand in hand often and will be sharing a flat soon."

"That doesn't make us a couple," Remus protested.

"No, but it also doesn't not give the signs of one," Lily shot back. "And since neither of you ever shows the slightest bit of interest in anyone, you have to admit it's a fair assumption since your behaviour didn't change after James and I started dating."

"Fair enough, I'll give you that."

Sirius shrugged. "I don't see why we should care what anyone else thinks or believes as long as we're happy the way we are."

"Easy for you to say, you're not the least bit interested in dating or marrying a good party," Lily laughed.

"If they don't meet anyone, they could always just simply marry each other and be done with it," James spoke up and they all turned to him, making him shrug. "Well, it's an option. If Remus never meets anyone, he could always simply marry Sirius and protect him from the marriage proposals offered to him on a daily basis."

"You still get marriage proposals?"

"Unfortunately, yes," Sirius shrugged. "I never saw the use of them, why would you want to marry someone you hardly know?"

"For the money you'll inherit once you become Lord Black?" Remus suggested.

"Rather unromantic, isn't it?"

"Since when are you a romantic at heart?" Lily teased despite knowing it was utterly true.

"He's the most romantic of the Marauders," James admitted. "Just not interested in dating."

"And yet you wonder why everyone believed you were a player," Lily laughed as Sirius snorted disgusted but didn't answer as they reached the wolves enclosure.

"Let's give this a try, then," Remus swallowed as Sirius pulled him forward with him and they walked as close as they could to the fence.

Lily held her breath as the pack came forward almost immediately and whined before nervously walking up and down in front of the fence in the area Sirius and Remus stood.

Sirius leaned against the cordon and after a few moments of pacing the wolves settled down near the fence, in clear view of Sirius' camera.

"That wasn't so bad," James commented and Lily cooed at the six or seven month old pups as they played near their parents.

"Smile, Lil," Sirius warned as he raised the camera at her to snap a picture of her with the wolf cub nearest to her.

"You know you will have to give me copies of the ones you've made, right?"

"Sure, I'll probably develop them tomorrow while you're out for dinner with James."

"Right," Lily took a deep breath.

"Nervous?" Sirius asked curiously as he put down his camera again and they watched James and Remus for a moment as the two laughed at the cubs' antics.

"A little."

"It probably doesn't help that you are meeting Petunia's fiancé at the same time, does it?"

"Not really, no," Lily smiled at how easy he read her and sighed as he patted her hand.

"Don't worry too much, even if she doesn't like him. The most important thing is that you like him and you know your parents adore him," Sirius squeezed her hand. "Worst case scenario is that they don't get along, that still isn't a disaster as you hardly see each other."

"I hate how you make it seem so simple while I'm forever worrying myself," Lily sighed.

"That's because it is. They don't have to become best friends, it's just a meeting. And the same counts for Petunia's fiancé. No harm done if you don't like the guy, just have to remain civil and remember that you rarely have to see him."

Sirius patted her hand once more before lifting his camera to take a photo of an overflying bird. "Just remember to breath and that even if the worst happens, it's only a three course dinner and will end soon enough."

"Thanks, I might just need that tomorrow," Lily laughed as she moved with him when they made their way back to James and Remus to continue on their way.