A Marauder Story

Disclaimer: None of this is mine….even though I wish it was.

For one it was expected. For a second, it was a surprise. For a third, it was a concern. And for two others, it was an escape. The Letters, and the changes that came with them.

James Potter

An idyllic family. That's what the Potters were. Proud Gryffindors, they knew that one day, their son would receive a letter just like the ones they had gotten. He would go to Hogwarts for 7 years, and learn to make a difference. Everything had been perfectly planned. Neither of them ever expected that it would be a war that would change their son. A war, and a girl.

It began as a speck in the distance, slowly growing larger and larger until it took on the unmistakable shape of an owl.

"Look, honey! James, dear, it's the owl with your Letter!" Mrs. Potter exclaimed.

The owl flew closer, and just in time, Mr. Potter opened the curtains and unlatched the window, throwing it open to admit the messenger.

"Here you go James," his father said, "open it."

James Potter stared at the outside. Nope, it wasn't a mistake, it was addressed to him. From birth, this was what he had been waiting for. The Letter.

"We are delighted to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…"

Despite having grown up in a loving, magical environment, he had his reservations about going to Hogwarts.

"Was there ever anything to do for fun?" he said.

"Who said I didn't have fun? It was only your mother who decided that work was life itself," his father remarked laughingly.

"That's not fair, and you know it. Just because I applied myself instead of slacking off, doesn't mean I was a boring goody two-shoes," Mrs. Potter replied indignantly.

James briefly looked over the supplies he would need, and soon settled with his parents that they would go to Diagon Alley the following day.

Sirius Black

For Sirius, the enthusiasm his reception of his Letter gained was typical. After announcing his success, his father continued reading his paper and his mother only said,

"If you don't get into Slytherin, I will highly favor disowning you."

His brother Regulus took advantage of his exasperation with their lack of acknowledgement and attacked him from behind.

"Get off, Regulus….I said, GET OFF!!!"

But to no avail. His brother only let go when he had succeeded in pulling out vast quantities of Sirius' hair. It was, despite all, a regular day in the Black household. His parents ignored him, his brother abused him, and Kreacher mumbled strange threats under his breath. But Sirius was still happier than he had ever been. He was getting out. Leaving. For seven years. And he would only be back when there was absolutely no other place to go. For the first time in his life, an opportunity for freedom had been presented to him. And by God, he was going to take it without a backwards glance.

Peter Pettigrew

Peter was in no way a remarkable boy. In fact, there was absolutely nothing worth mentioning about him. He wasn't handsome, smart, or rich. He was awkward, nervous, and shy. Just like his parents. It was a huge shock to all three of them when he received his Letter. He was from a family of muggles, who were shocked to discover that there even was a wizarding world, let alone that their perfectly ordinary son had magical talent. But once they had their heads around it, they began to absorb and even take pride in the fact that for the first time, they had something other people would want. They had a child who had been singled out for whatever reasons. And they were going to embrace this chance, surprising as it was. Now if only they could figure out where you were supposed to buy wands and cauldrons…

Remus Lupin

When Remus Lupin received his Letter, his parents worried. His problem, normally hard to deal with, would be even more so far away from the careful guidance of his parents. Their unusually perceptive son realized this, but he wanted the chance that the headmaster had offered to him personally. Dumbledore had delivered the Letter personally, because he wanted to plead his case for Remus' magical education.

"You're afraid of what could happen, which is understandable. But please, think of his future. Already an outcast because of something he can't control, a lack of education is only going to serve to make his life more miserable than it is. He has the desire for knowledge, and he wants to go. So trust. In him, and in me. And your son will go further than he ever imagined."

The Lupins eventually consented, and all was well. But underneath the surface, fear still lurked. What would happen when others found out….

Severus Snape

Never to be a Marauder, but his violence always to be pitied. From the beginning, his life had been one of unspeakable terror. Abuse was the only constant. Day and night, his father hurt him and his mother. The terrible arguments. The bruises. And the questions. Why did his father hate him. Why was he worthless. And then came the Letter. It saved him; gave him a chance to make himself something. His father only agreed to get rid of him. But that was all okay. Because he now could live and breathe without all the hopelessness. It would be okay.