*disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me they are JK Rowling's creation

Chapter One – The Loyal band of Idiots

(Lily's point of view)

'Goodbye sweetheart, we'll see you at Christmas!' the young witch's mother said as she hugged her goodbye, closely followed by her father who added 'Have a good term love, remember to keep up with your classes, I know you'll make us proud'. Lily couldn't help but smile at her father's words. Even though her parents were muggles they really tried their very best to support her in this whole new world she had become part of. However her smile soon faded as she glanced over her father's shoulder. She saw the scowling face of her older sister Petunia. Her arms were crossed tight over her chest and her eyes looking anywhere else apart from Lily. 'Obviously she isn't going to be wishing me a goodbye, probably more of a good riddance if she even bothered at all' Lily thought to herself. She sighed and with a final wave, pushing her luggage trolley along in front of her she ran straight at the barrier between platforms 9 & 10.

As the red head stepped through the barrier and onto the platform, she was greeted by the familiar sight of wizarding families saying their goodbyes as students boarded the Hogwarts Express. Lily felt a small twinge of sadness as she watched on at the scene before her, wishing her parents were able to come through with her and wave goodbye as the train slowly pulls away from the station.

It was her 7th and final year at Hogwarts and she predicted it would go out with a bang, especially if the Marauders had anything to do with it. The Marauders were four boys in Lily's year that had been terrorizing the Hogwarts staff and students with their brilliant (which lily never liked to admit) but immature pranks ever since the start of their first year. They were named James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew.

Still watching families and not paying much attention to what's happening around her, she suddenly found herself face down on the floor after being knocked over right in front of the barrier, someone else had come running through. She whipped her head around to see when she was met by the smirking face of a boy with shaggy black hair, hanging over his steely grey eyes. Sirius Black.

Standing up abruptly to scold him, He cut her off by exclaiming 'LILY FLOWER!' and lifting her up into bear hug. 'BLACK! LET ME DOWN' she growled, as she whacked her small fists against his broad shoulders. 'Alright alright, don't get your wand in a knot...' Lily rolled her eyes as he set her back down onto the ground. 'Shouldn't you be looking for your loyal band of idiot's?' she said mockingly. Now it was his turn to roll his eyes, He shook his head smiling and said 'dear Lily Flower when are you going to understand, we Marauders are noble, chivalrous and gracious gentlemen?' Lily had to bite her lip to stop herself from sniggering. 'Oh please!' She exclaimed. 'If you Marauders are so gentlemanly, please tell me, Why every year you and Potter insist on making a bet to see how many girls you can get in the 7th floor broom cupboard in the first week, hmm?'. The marauder just smiled cheekily but it suddenly faltered when his eyes directed to the lapel of her jacket. She followed his gaze to her Head Girl badge and inwardly smiled to herself. 'I knew it was a good idea to put it on before I got here' she thought. 'You Marauders better watch yourself this year; you won't get away with half the stuff you used to if I have anything to do with it'. She said haughtily. She looked up at his face and became worried at the expression on Black's face, He looked almost smug but she could see he was trying to control it. It didn't last for long as a slow grin spread across the Marauders face as he looked past her. Then she heard another male voice shout 'PADFOOT!' Lily inwardly groaned and thought 'already? I didn't want to have to deal with him now! At least wait until we get to the welcoming feast' she turned around slowly, she took in his lanky frame, that messy nest of black hair atop his head and the bright hazel eyes that were framed by black rimmed glasses. 'Same as ever' she thought. She realised how equally smug Potter looked. It seemed to puzzle her as to why he also played that expression until she saw the silver glint on his t-shirt. 'No… no it can't be' Lily thought. 'No Dumbledore wouldn't be so stupid as to… no I'm seeing things... That's right I must be going mad. Dumbledore maybe off his rocker but he would never do that...' she watched as the two boys embraced like brothers. When they separated, that's when she saw it clearly; she wasn't going mad at all. The head boy badge sat proudly on the pocket of the boy's grey t-shirt. She stared dumbfounded at it until someone cleared their throat. She looked up to see James looking back at her with a small smile playing at his lips. 'Oi Evan's are you going to keep ogling me or are you going to let me here that lovely voice of yours' He said shooting her a crooked smile. She shot him a scowl and was about to respond when she was interrupted by another male voice shouting 'PRONGS! PADFOOT!' the trio turned around to see the swift form of Remus Lupin proceeding towards them. Lily smiled lightly; he was the only somewhat sensible one out of the four boys. They had become friends when they were both prefects in the previous year.

(Remus' point of view)

As Remus strode up to his friends, he was cut off by a flash of long blonde hair whipping past him, enveloping Lily into a hug. His amber eyes lit up when he realised it was Dorcas Meadows. As he watched her he didn't notice, as his friends crept up either side of him and carried on nervously running a hand through his golden brown hair. He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard James whisper 'Hey…moony? You might want to close your mouth you're starting to drool' He jumped around and saw both James and Sirius both giving him knowing smirks. 'Oh shut up, you're the exact same with Lily and you know it' he muttered shaking his head.

Dorcas Meadows was a Ravenclaw; she had long toffee blonde curls that framed her lightly freckled face and reached down to her slender waist. Remus had met her when he became friends with Lily. When he looked back at her, his breath caught in his throat as he saw those glittering blue eyes staring back at him. She gave him that dazzling smile that always left him speechless. She turned to the other boys 'Potter you don't mind if I steal your lovely Lily away do you?' she asked with a slight smirk. The red head face reddened and before James could answer Lily spoke 'Oh be quiet I am not and never will be HIS Lily' she remarked a little flustered. With that she pulled Dorcas along with her towards the train without another word. James wore a look of defeat on his face, but quickly changed it to a grin when Dorcas winked at him. 'what's going on there' Remus thought to himself. He felt a little disappointed at the abrupt exit of the two girls, but none the less called 'See you later Dorcas…Lily!' the red head waved as she carried on towards the train, and Dorcas turned around and exclaimed 'Remus! How many times have I asked you to call me Doe? That name is just dreadful!' as she pouted.

He chuckled slightly walking over to her 'Too many times to count, But it's your name and I don't think it's as dreadful as you make it out to be' he stated. Her cheeks tinged pink slightly as she rolled her eyes. 'Whatever Moony, see you later' she winked at him and followed after the still blushing red head. After watching her walk away, he turned back to see his friends lightly scuffling still in front of the barrier. He sighed and walked back to them. James stood up straight and complained 'Moony, when are you and Meadows going to stop dancing around each other? It's infuriating!' Remus sighed tiredly as if about to explain something for the millionth time when Sirius cut in. 'Prongs, I don't think you're in a position to judge Moony and his little infatuation with our Miss Meadows… I mean you've been after Evans since third year and you've gotten no-where' as soon as he said this James went to tackle him again. 'Bloody idiots' Remus murmured to himself and then said 'come on we've got to get on the train before it leaves without us' looking down at his watch.

'Hold on where's Pete?' James queried looking around the platform at the remaining students. 'He's probably already on the train' Sirius answered as he started sauntering off towards the train doors with Remus. James shrugged to himself and followed on behind them.