Hello! This is my first fanfiction so please review and tell me if it is ok. It's a story I've mainly come up with about the Marauders.

Disclaimer: I obviously don't own Harry Potter. I own most of the plot, some of it is from the books though. Credit to J. K. Rowling.

25/1/19 Edit: I'm sixteen today! And can officially say that I've started to revamp this story. It'll probably take longer than the actual writing, as I have exams, stress, and all sorts of issues I'd never have dreamed of!

So, here we go, enjoy the story!

Chapter 1- The Hogwarts express

Hogwarts. At last. It was the 1st of September and Platform 9 3/4 was crowded with students and parents, several of them for their very first time, excited at the magic that was about to come their way. The whistle blew and the last minute scramble to get on the train broke out. Amongst the hustle-blust, an anxious Remus Lupin made his way towards the end of the train and found himself an empty compartment, where he sat down and and tried not to act too excited, or nervous or ecstatic, or anyone of the emotions swirling within him like a potion. But he oh so very looking forward to Hogwarts! He once only allowed himself to dream of the school in far-fetched, wild dreams, but now, he was actually going there! He may even make some friends! His thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of a scared looking boy. He was smaller than most other first years, and had light brown hair that looked like it had never met a comb. He had watery, brown eyes and large, protuding teeth. Yet he bore a cheeky smile, as he asked, 'May I join you?'

'Sure, come in'. Eager to make friends, Lupin added, 'I'm Remus Lupin, by the way.'

The boy reached for his outstretched hand quickly, also wanting to find friends, and shook it. 'I'm Peter Pettigrew. Pleasure to meet you. Want some sweets?'

James Potter tore himself away from his adoring parents, as the whistle blew, and the train chuffed. After a whole round of 'Yes, I'll remember to brush my teeth before breakfast each day!' and the like, he scrammed into the train, already singing internally at the chaotic, cheery atmosphere he loved. He spent while dashing up and down the train, before finally settling for a rather quiet compartment near the end of the train. If only as the trolley witch was going to pass it any moment soon. Taking a breath, he slid the door open.

Sirius Black inhaled. What was that he smelt? Freedom? Adventure? Familiar poop? He deliberately detached himself from his parents, and allowed himself to be devoured by the crowd. Alas- his bother of a brother that is Regulus caught him before he could sneak on to one of the carriages. 'Sirius! Mother wanted to give you this!' Into Sirius' hand came a galleon, but not just any one- a special one with the black crest engraved into it.

'Excellent! I can spend this at Hogsmeade!'

His brother looked confused. 'No, it's for luck!'

'Then I'll buy a lucky-draw-box at the joke shop!'

'You aren't even allowed at Hogsmeade yet Sirius!' but the lad didn't care, as he ran off into the train of freedom.

However his mood quickly dulled, as he thought of the consequences he'd face. Letters, maybe even howlers, and Christmas would be nasty. And his mood didn't brighten as he found a girl crying in compartment he just entered. She had fiery red hair, and emerald eyes, shaped like almonds, glazed with tears.

'Are you alright?' She made no reply. 'I'm Sirius Black. What's you name?'

"Lily Evans..." she muttered.

' Excited for Hogwarts?' Silence. 'I'll keep you company.' She gave a small nod, and he took his place in the seats opposite. He somewhat enjoyed the silence, albeit a melancholic one, and it sat there as the train rattled down the path. The melodic silence abruptly stopped as James Potter entered, with a loud grin. He had black messy hair, brown eyes, a pair of black glasses, and a readiness to talk. Sirius liked the look of him immensely pretty much immediately. Within minutes, they were chatting like they had known each other for years. Lily just became part of the surrounding, a nobody to them, until he came in. Greasy black hair surrounding his face, skin of an grandfather, wrinkly and scarred, emotionless, back eyes, a long, hooked nose, invading his face, a mouth that had never known a smile. Darkness surrounded him, and his matching back robes... or, at least, that was what James later told his friends. He was thinking of hexes he would like to put on him, when he heard a snippet of his conversation with Lily- which is the real reason why he initially disliked the boy, rather than his scruffy appearance.

'You better be in Slytherin."

'Ha!' James said without thinking. 'Who'd want to be in Slytherin?' That explains his initial reaction. He did look like foolish Slytherin!

'My whole family have been in Slytherin'. Sirius frowned. James didn't show it, but was also disappointed. If Sirius's whole family was in Slytherin, then it was likely he was in Slytherin- he hadn't made friends with a Slytherin, had he? But then he remembered why he liked Sirius in the first place- his rebellious, charming nature, eyes alight with light mischief. Maybe, no it was likely the he wouldn't be in Slytherin, and it's just his family was in Slytherin. Surpressing a shudder at the thought of having a family in Slytherin, he told Sirius he seemed alright before turning back to the lad in front of him.

Coming from a long line of Gryffindors, James knew that that was where his destiny lay. On the other hand, Slytherin repulsed him. He was upfront and rash, so couldn't even imagine being very cunning, let alone embracing it! But of course, the greasy haired boy seemed like someone who would.

'And what house do you want to be in?' Janes smirked, well prepared, as he drew his imaginary sword from his side.

Sirius watched with excitement, as James and Snape argued, for it was the first time he'd actually seen a positive attitude to Gryffindor. Glancing to the side however, he saw Evans' look of confusion and disgust. He was somewhat disappointed when she broke off the argument, by walking away with Severus Snape, who's name had just been revealed. Sirius scanned his mind for a pureblood family but- he could recall no 'Snape'. Either way, the boy repulsed him, he was a reminder of the family he hated. He'd hate, hate, hate to be in Slytherin! But- he reconsidered- if he got into any other house, his parents would never forgive him...he drew himself back into the Hogwarts carriage.

'See Ya, Snivellus!... That girl wasn't bad though... poor her.'

'Lily Evans? I thought you didn't register her existence!'

'With hair has red as that, how could you not register her?' They grinned at eachother.

Sirius has never talked so much in his life! They continued chatting until they heard a shriek coming from the corridor- smacking them silent. They dashed to the source of the sound, at the end of the train- a young boy was curled up on the floor, tears streaming down face, with weird purple growths coming out of him. A brown-haired, tired-looking boy was frantically looking for the counter curse in a book, and some other first years were there, cackling as the older students responsible swaggered away. James turned, and narrowed his eyes as he spotted Snape in the distance, trying not to laugh. 'Th..th..tha...thank yo..you' Stuttered the boy behind them behind him.

James flung himself around- some older Ravenclaw had performed the counter curse, and two boys and Lily Evans were comforting him. James and Sirius made their way to Snape and a boy standing besides him, smirking. Snake was rather pathetically trying to looked shocked at the happenings. 'Keep away from Evans, and all the other good students!' James shouted.

'As if you care about her!' Snape growled. He knew he never payed any attention to her when she was crying but... Snape made his way towards Lily while the other by went to join some of his other friends.

'Damn it.' The tired boy said from behind them, causing James and Sirius to jump up in shock, 'I'm going to hex that boy into obliviation!' He wore a scowl on his usually placid face.

'Make that we.' Sirius added. 'Mulciber will pay!'

'And Snivellus, laughing at that!' James muttered. 'Wait- how did you know who he is?'

'Welcome to life as a Black. His brother shall be in our year, and he has a fear of moths.'

'Useful!' commented a boy joining the circle. 'I'm Peter Pettigrew by the way.'

'I'm tired' the other boy added- they all burst into laughter.

Remus was surprised at all that happened- an emotional ship indeed! Anger for the one who got hexed, surprise at this friendly reception, tired (he wasn't lying!) considering his last transformation was only a few days ago, and anxious, because he was always anxious.

'They seemed like jolly good chaps!' Peter broke his chain of thoughts.

'I guess. But they're so hyper! I don't think I could cope.' His eyelids were drooping.

'Someone's sleepy.'

Sigh. Being a werewolf is hard sometimes. Especially when sleep summons you randomly. As it did now.

Peter observed the quiet boy before him, the pale skin, tattered clothes and very messy hair. Except, looking up at his own mop... he had no right to say anything. Instead, out from him bag came some parchiment and a pencil, and he started drawing.

A while later, Remus stirred- and was quite surprised to find Peter in utter concentration, as his pencil darted along the paper swiftly. He got up to look at it, and gave a cry of surprise; Peter had drawn a sweet little cartoon of him sleeping peacefully! It was one of the most adorable things he'd ever seen! Peter smiled proudly and they sat next to eachother, stunned.

'That looks amazing!'

'Thanks!' Peter murmured, blushing. 'I've been drawing since I was young.'

'Woah' was all Remus could say.

'I grew up in a very forestry nature. The power of it fascinated me. Power in general fascinates me, but there's something special about the trees.'

'You sound so grown up! That made Peter burst out laughing- he really wasn't! He just found the forest intimidating and dark. But Remus pocketed the doodle, and the whistle blew once more to indicate that it was time to change into robes if they hadn't, as the shops of Hogsmeade flew past them.

Screech!

The train jolted, motion stopped. Remus and Peter stuffed their chocolate snacks back into their pockets, Sirius and James, further along in the carriage, stopped trying to come up with the weirdest shapes they could make with their potion ingredients. Once more caught in the flow of the crowd, each boy travelled downstream, to some carriages pulling themselves. They all found one in their current duos, Sirius and James in a carriage with two giggling girls, Peter and Remus, two girls ardently reading.

The carriages rattled and clattered their way to Hogwarts.

To a new, second home.

But first: the lake.