A/N: I have two weeks off of work and I was bored out of my mind, so I decided to make another story. Something more mysterious, adventurous (I guess), drama, romance (of course), and just something different. This is to take place during Lily, James, Sirius, Remus, Peter, and Severus' days at Hogwarts. I don't know how it was back in the 70's, so it's going to be a bit modern, so I hope that's okay!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters you all know. I only own the characters I have made up and none of you have ever heard of.

Within The Darkness

Chapter One

Life. We should cherish it... treasure it. Just like friendship, love, and many others we humans love. Though, a bond never leaves a persons soul nor the memory of a loved one. We must forget about the past. About the guilt. Enjoy life's simple pleasures, for days are now short livid. Many like to grieve of mistakes in the past, while life moves on around them. Don't hold on to what has pass, for turning back time is impossible. And as of now, everyone lives in the shadow of another's dream.

But when one walks on a lonely road, they walk in fear and dread. Even so, everyone looks at one another like an open door... It's time to close that door. Memories of the past are always pleasant, and sometimes so are of the present. But when the loved one is taken, memories of the present become the past. For death is always near. Death is part of everyone's everyday lives. Some may see it only a little, others see it more, or some don't see it at all. Not until it's too late.

Standing on the walkway of Golden Gate Bridge, a lone figure dressed in black, a hat placed on top of their head, looked straight ahead. They stared out to the dark, calm waves below them, tears shinning down her cheek, as the full moon was partially covered by clouds.

"Because of you, father, is the reason I turned out to be who I am." The voice whispered with much hatred and sadness.

Picking up the pack that was on the floor next to them, the figure turned right and walked towards the city of San Francisco. The clouds covered the moon, the figure disappearing with the dark shadows. A single red rose that was fully bloomed lay on the railing where the figure was standing in front of. A slight breeze blew, and the rose withered into nothing and soared to the waters.

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Mariana Light sat in the Gryffindor table, eating toast smeared with jelly. It was early in the morning, and not many kids, or teachers for that matter, were up and eating in the Great Hall. Mariana was average for a girl. She wasn't skinny nor was she fat, and her chest was a bit big for her liking. She had a tanned complexion that brought out her light brown eyes. Mariana wore her mid-back brown hair down, faded caramel streaks seen here and there.

Mariana was a loner, so to say. She talks to many of her classmates, within and out of her House, but she never really had 'friends' that she could go and tell her deepest secrets with. She is Muggle-born and comes from the States, though not many people know this of her. Mariana has been coming to Hogwarts for six years now and not many people take notice to her for she tends to hide in the shadows, purposely not wanting to be seen.

She doesn't know how long she has been sitting there, sipping her pumpkin juice, but laughter erupting and the Great Hall doors opening brought her out of her thoughts. She looks up to see the famous boys and girls within the walls of Hogwarts. James Potter, Gryffindor's Seeker, troublemaker, and boyfriend to Lily Evans. Every girl liked, and wanted James.

He was tall and thin, but a bit built (or so what Mariana has heard from other girls say). He has hazel eyes that always twinkle with mischief and always hid behind glasses. His hair is black and always untidy, and sticks up in the back. (And how Mariana knows this? She always sat behind him and his friends in Transfiguration.) And James deliberately messes it up further, reason, unknown to her expect his closes friends. James, to her, is bold, a bit cocky, and sometimes arrogant.

Mariana tares her eyes from James to the girl in his arms. Lily Evans. She's famous for being beautiful and kind hearted. And she too is a Muggle-born. She has brilliant green eyes that always sparkle to those who those others do not notice. Her thick hair is that of a dark red that falls down her back. She too is in Gryffindor, and the same year as Mariana. Lily, to her, is smart, kind, noble, and sometimes down right scary when mad. (Mariana was glad she wasn't the one who Lily was mad at. But she pity James, who Lily was mad at.)

Behind them were Sirius Black and Remus J. Lupin. Remus was a kind, sweet, and quiet boy. He has dark brown eyes that shows much knowledge and mischief, though not as much as James. He was the peacemaker within the group, but still got into trouble with his friends. He was fairly tall, thin, and somewhat well built.

Next, Mariana looks to Sirius. He is exactly like James, but more of a womanizer that cannot be tamed or controlled. Every girl wants to be with Sirius, and Mariana has no doubt that every girl has been Sirius, besides herself that is. Sirius has black hair that seemed to grow whenever he is down (which is very rare) but short when things are well (which is almost all the time). But at the moment, Sirius' hair is somewhat unkempt, a few strands of hair falling in front of his much mischief gray eyes. Sirius is good looking out of the group, but he's too arrogant and a bit proud sometimes. He was the most trouble maker within the group and proud of it (Mariana believed it was because every girl fell for his bad ways). He was fairly tall and, like the others, thin, and well built.

But lastly, a small boy treads behind them. His name, Peter Pettigrew. He was small boy, and a bit rounded boy. His eyes are small and blue, while his hair is a thin, unkempt, brownish color. He looked almost rat-like, but Mariana wasn't fast to judge him. He is very quiet and always following the other three, wanting to be like them. Mariana felt sorry for him because sometimes the group always seems to forget Peter, but she could see why because during classes for Peter was a bit annoying.

Before Lily came into the picture, James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were famous around the school for being trouble makers, and pranksters. Lily entered the picture after being annoyed and constantly being asked by James to go out with her. So sometime during the end of fifth year, Lily said yes, and the duo has been going out ever since.

As the group neared, Mariana purposely looked down to her half-eaten toast as Lily looked up. Sure, there were occasions when Mariana talked with Lily but that's was only when she was having trouble in charms. Soon, more students have started to arrive for breakfast as will as some of the teachers. Not wanting to be in the crowd, Mariana finished off her pumpkin juice and stood up. Gathering several books, Mariana stood up and moved away from the bench.

A group of girls that were literally Sirius' fan club was walking by and purposely pushed Mariana back down to the bench, dropping her books. Several of the kids around started to laugh as the girls smirked and continued on their way. Mariana only kneeled to the floor, picked up her books and quickly leaving the Great Hall.

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At the sound of books hitting the marble floor, the four boys and Lily looked up to see Sirius' little fan club smirking down at a girl before making their way towards them. Lily sympathetically looked at the poor girl before glaring at the group of girls. They stopped behind Sirius, the 'leader' of the group flipping her hair back, a wide smile on her lips.

"Hi Sirius, how are you this morning?"

"Fine." Sirius smiled.

"You could have at least helped Mariana pick up her books, June." Lily said coldly.

June raised a delicate eyebrow. "You mean that loner?"

Lily narrowed her eyes, standing up. "I've lost my appetite. I'll see you all in Herbology." And with that Lily walked away.

Since classes didn't start until eight fifteen, Lily had almost half an hour to get her books and such. She made her way towards Gryffindor Tower, calming down a bit. It wasn't that she didn't hate June; it was just that she was cruel to those who are not 'popular'. Stopping in front of the Fat Lady, Lily smiled.

"Password."

"Forbidden Forest."

The portrait swung open, Lily climbing inside. But she quickly stopped as she saw Mariana looking back towards her. She was seated at the corner by the window. Lily smiled, Mariana returning it with her own before looking back down at the book she was reading. Lily was about to make her way towards the lonely girl when the portrait opened once more. She turned to see the boys climbing in, each with a plate of food.

"We knew you weren't really hungry." James said, making Lily smile in appreciation.

"Thanks guys."

Lily took a plate that James handed her and looked back over to the table to see Mariana already walking towards the girl's dormitories.

"Mariana!" Lily called out.

Mariana was a bit startled that someone was calling her and came to an abrupt halt. She turned to see Lily, her boyfriend and friends.

"You want to hang out with us in the common room. James brought food." Lily smiled, holding up her plate.

Mariana smiled faintly. "No thank you. I have to go get ready for class." And she quickly ran up the stairs before Lily could say a word.

"That was an out right lie." Sirius mumbled with a piece of beacon in his mouth.

Lily sighed and walked over to the tables, the guys following suit.

"Why do you care so much to be friends with her, Lil?" James asked.

"Mariana is nice. I've talked with her sometimes during Charms. But she's never around with others. She hardly talks unless she is force too."

"Don't worry, Lily, I am sure you can befriend Mariana quickly. You always can." Remus reassured, Peter nodding in agreement.

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During the rest of the day, Lily has tried to find Mariana to sit with her friends during the free periods, lunch and dinner, but either she was nowhere in sight or Mariana had a ready lie to tell. After dinner, Lily made her way up to the room she shared with Mariana, April Smith, and Caroline Wright. She entered the room and saw Mariana's bed closes to the window with it's curtain's drawn all around.

Lily made her way, speaking softly. "Mariana?" Lily pulled back the curtain slightly to see Mariana asleep.

Sighing in defeat, Lilly closed the curtain and walked out of the room, closing the door quietly. She made her way down to the common room and over to the couches by the fireplace.

"Did Mariana have another excuse to not come and hang out?" Sirius asked, Lily plopping down next to James, who put an arm around her shoulders.

"No, she's asleep."

"At this time?" Sirius asked confused.

"I guess so. And you know what, I give up. If she doesn't want to hang out, than that's fine with me." Lily said, putting her head on James' shoulder.

"Hey! My girlfriend never gives up!" James said, looking down at Lily. "You are going to continued to bring Mariana hang out with us, and we're going to help."

"We are?" Sirius and Remus said at the same time.

James looked at them pointing-ly. "Yes, we are."

Lily smiled. "Thank you guys."

Sirius sighed in irritation, glaring at James, while Remus smiled in welcome to Lily. Peter only stayed quiet, looking between the friends. The night quickly became late and everyone retired to their beds, wanting much needed sleep. Around midnight, Mariana awoke with sweat covering her whole body. The dream she had was that of the past and Mariana always had hated to have that event happen again and again in her dreams.

Quietly pushing back the covers, Mariana pushed aside the left curtains and got off her bed. The cold floor sent shivers up her spine, but Mariana paid no heed and walked over to the front of her bed, kneeling in front of her trunk. She opened it and took out blue jeans and a black, long sleeved shirt that was baggy but still fitted her form. Grabbing her school robes, backpack, and shoes, Mariana quietly walked out of the room and towards the girl's bathroom.

She took a long, hot shower before changing into her Muggle clothing and using a quick, simple spell to dry her hair. She shoulders her backpack, and placed her robes over her left arm before walking out of the bathroom and into the common room. Mariana sat in front of the couch that faced the fireplace, which was still blazing, and took out anything that she had to finish.

But unknown to her, that day would probably change the way she lived from now on.

A/N:Not much, just getting to know the characters and such. I hope it wasn't TOO Mary-sue. Review, and tell me what you all thought!