A/N: Hey guys! This is my first Marauders era fic and I hope you people like it…!

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the great JKR.

Chapter 1: Partners

Contrary to popular belief, Lily Evans is not the only girl in 6th year, or the entire student body of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry for that matter, who holds a strong dislike for the Marauders. I, Emily Carter, absolutely loathe the Marauders, and in particular, a certain Sirius Black. It's not that I am personally acquainted with them; in fact I have not even spoken to any of the Marauders, except Remus, with whom I have spoken a few times in the library. But, I think I have heard and seen enough to make a judgment without seeming prejudiced. For one, I hate the way they walk around the place like they own it and expect people to worship the ground they walk on (which some pea- brained bimbos even do). I hate the way they disrespect the rules and act all arrogant and conceited. I hate the way, inspite of their ridiculous behavior, almost the entire female population of Hogwarts is at their mercy.

Actually, on second thought, not all of them are that bad. Remus is quite nice and polite, actually. His only mistake is befriending those loons, but I'll excuse him for that. I don't think Peter does anything much either, he is too busy worshipping Potter and Black to do any wrong to others. I feel pity for Potter, too, honestly. The poor thing has been chasing Lily for so many years. He seems pretty genuine and I have no doubt that he has changed himself for her. I, being Lily's best mate, have told her so on many occasions, but she just scoffs and tells me that Potter is and will always remain an "arrogant toerag". Ah, well. I am sure she'll come around. Those two are so meant to be.

So that leaves only one person. Sirius Idiotic "I can get any girl by just flashing a smile" Black. Just thinking about him makes me want to punch someone. I hate him so much, and he doesn't even know I exist. That's good actually, because I don't want to be just another one of his 'flings'. I am sure he thinks of all girls as just something to be snogged. He has no respect or real feelings for anyone. That is why I can proclaim without any hesitation that Sirius Orion Black is a pathetic excuse for a human being, and a mistake that God himself made.

I walked towards my first class on the first day of my sixth year, having these wonderful thoughts. Lily and I were on our way to Potions. I hated the dungeons. There were no windows and the place always felt so clammy and suffocating. We settled down in our place in the front of the class, and waited for the other students to come in.

"Hey Evans, looking beautiful as always," said Potter, as he entered the class. Lily just glared at him, as he and the rest of the Marauders made their way to the back of the classroom. I sighed, tired of the Lily/ James never- ending drama.

At this moment Professor Slughorn entered the class, with a bright smile on his face. "Hello everyone. Today's your first class, so nothing too difficult today. But don't be laidback this year, it is your 6th year after all. You have your NEWT's next year."

I groaned. Did they have to start off with the NEWT lectures on the first day itself?

"So, to make sure there are no disturbances in class this year," he continued, looking pointedly at the Marauders, "I will be assigning you all partners who you have to sit with and work with for the rest of the year."

Oh no! What if I was stuck with some bimbo, or some dork, or some idiot, or some super- intelligent nerd? I was not the most sociable person, honestly, and I didn't interact and mix with people easily. I took time to open up, but once I started trusting someone, I would be the best friend anyone can ask for. I didn't have too many friends, but I really valued all my friends.

Professor Slughorn started calling out names, assigning us our partners.
"Mr. Potter and Ms. Peterson, Mr. Lupin and Ms. Evans, Mr. Black and Ms. Carter…"

I didn't hear the rest of what he said because I was in complete shock. Black? I was potion partners for the entire year with Black? What bad deeds did I ever commit to deserve this? Lily gave me a sympathetic look before she went off to join Remus in the back. Lucky girl.

I trudged towards the end of the classroom gloomily and sat down next to Black, who didn't even notice me sitting down next to him.
"Not fair," he grumbled. "How come Prongs always gets the babe and I get-" he paused and turned to look at me for the first time. "Who are you? Are you new or something? I don't remember ever seeing you before…" he trailed off, looking at me with a confused expression.

"No Black, I am not new. I have also been in this school for five years, like you," I replied, rolling my eyes at him. I don't whether he didn't hear me or he simply didn't care, because he just turned back to look at Potter, who was sitting with some girl from Ravenclaw a few tables in front. "But why didn't I get the hot blonde for my potions partner?" he whined.

That obnoxious, arrogant, pig- faced, pea- brained moron! I took deep breaths, trying to calm myself.
"Look Black, I am not particularly thrilled to have you as my partner either, so stop bloody whining and get to work," I snapped.

He looked at me as if I had hit him on the head with a Bludger. "I don't think I heard you right. You said you don'twant me as a partner?" He was gaping now.

I rolled my eyes again. "I know your brain is dysfunctional, Black, but your ears are working just fine right now. That's exactly what I said." From next to me, Lily let out a laugh. She and Remus were working on the table next to ours and had obviously over heard our little exchange. Remus, too, looked like he was having a tough time holding in his laughter. Black glared at the two of them before refocusing his attention on me. He had a frown on his face and was looking at me very oddly.

I turned away from him and wordlessly passed him his share of the ingredients, before starting to work on my potion. We worked in silence for a few minutes.
"What's your name?" he asked me suddenly, looking at me sideways.

I raised an eyebrow at him but didn't reply. He frowned again but didn't say anything for the rest of the lesson.

A/N: So, what do you think? Want me to continue? If you like it and want me to continue, then please REVIEW and encourage me! If you guys don't like it, I won't waste my time posting any more chaps..!