a/n-sorry, had to redo the dates of Diagon Alley so the kids meet there on the same day, other than Diagon Alley dates, this is the same.

CONGRATULATIONS TO EYESOFEMERALD FOR BEING MY FIRST REVIEWER!!!!!!!!

On with the improved chappie!

The Marauders Minus One

Chapter One The Letters

June 20, 1973 Lily's House

Lily woke up early on the morning of July twentieth, 1973. In fact, she woke up with a start. She had been dreaming. She had the strangest dream and it involved her. The problem was that her dreams had a funny habit of coming true.

She dreamed about going to a strange school where they taught witchcraft. She had a wand and was performing magic. There was also a very cute boy in her dream. Lily hoped that he would be real. It was at that moment that she realized that it was her eleventh birthday. She shrieked at the realization and bounded down the stairs two at a time, which was a stretch for the tiny four foot tall girl. She also had beautiful auburn curls that cascaded down her back all the way down to her non-existent hips. She also had the most startling green eyes. She had Irish skin, fair with a few freckles accenting her cheeks she shared this complexion with her mother.

"Mum! Dad! It's my birthday, it's my birthday!!" She yelled excitedly. Her birthdays were always grand occasions. Any other day of the year she was treated like crap by her peers and her sister. She was considered a freak for she had 'abnormal' ,as her sister called it, abilities. She often had dreams, though she shared these with no one. She also could change things when she was upset.

She had magicked her locker open on her first day of sixth grade (age 10) when she failed to get it open the sixth time running and was terrified that she'd be late for class. She had always been a year younger than her classmates because she had skipped first grade (age 6) all together. She didn't need it. She could read and write well by age four. That was another reason her sister, Petunia, hated her. Petunia struggled in school and had to repeat first grade while her sister skipped it.

Petunia never had much in the looks department either, while her younger sister would blossom into a beautiful lady. Petunia had thin, greasy blond hair and dull hazel eyes. Her neck was too long and she was a foot taller than her sister.

But today was different. It was her birthday and for some reason, nothing ever went wrong on Lily Marie Evans' birthday. Every year she got what she wanted and was treated like royalty. Petunia hadn't attended any birthdays since her first. Petunia was five years older than Lily and hated to be around her. Lily didn't mind this. She hated her sister about as much as Petunia hated her.

"Good morning," her Rose (mum) called up to her warmly. Rose was a short woman, five foot four. She had the same hair and eyes as her daughter, though her hair stopped at her shoulders. It gave the impression that this forty year old was only twenty-five. She loved her daughter, even with her strange gifts. In fact, that was her favorite part of her daughter. Unfortunately, Petunia had inherited none of their grandparents' gifts. Yet another squib born into the Evans family. Rose also happened to know that, with her gifts, Lily was sure to get her letter today, for it was her eleventh birthday.

Just then, an owl pecked against the windowpane in the kitchen, where Rose sat waiting for her daughter. The owl had an envelope made of thick, yellow parchment attached to her leg. It was a large barn owl. She quickly opened the window, untied the letter, and sent the owl off, already knowing what the letter contained.

Just as Rose stuffed the letter into the present pile, Lily burst through the doors into the magnificent kitchen. "Hi honey. How are you this morning?" Rose asked, knowing perfectly well what the answer would be.

"Mum, what are we having for breakfast?" Lily asked eagerly, for no matter how much she ate, she never gained a pound.

"Your favorite, eggs benedict and sausage." her mum answered. "First things first though, you have gifts!" Rose continued as she handed Lily a small box that happened to contain ruby and gold earrings and a matching necklace which complemented her green eyes perfectly.

She had bought it in Diagon Alley, which she could find because she was a squib, not a muggle. The jewelry had been spelled so that she, who owned an identical set in emerald, could always know when her daughter was in trouble. The jewelry was also spelled to be unbreakable.

Next Lily opened her present from her father, also a squib. Her father's name was Trenton. He had wavy, dark hair and exquisite blue eyes. His complexion was fair. This gift also came from Diagon Alley. It was a snowy owl. Lily was tremendously puzzled, as her parents had avoided telling her anything about her heritage, fearing she was a squib as well.

They handed her letter so she would understand. The letter was addressed in emerald green ink to the third largest room, 13 Mangolia Crescent, Little Whinging, Surrey. It also had a strange seal, a huge H surrounded by four animals. She opened it, shocked at the parchment envelope instead of the traditional paper.

She turned it upside-down and two pieces of parchment fell out. She picked up the first and read:

Dear Miss Lily Evans,

This letter is to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A list of supplies is enclosed as well. You are to catch the train in London on September first at Platform 9 ¾. Have a good rest of the holidays.

Deputy Headmistress

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall

"Mum? I-I think s-someone is s-sending me joke mail." Lily asked, clearly freaked at the prospect of going somewhere where they taught witchcraft. She had always been the studious one, top marks and such. She had never believed in witches or wizards or, least of all, magic.

"Dear, there has been no mistake. You see, your father and I are what they call squibs, your grandparents are witches and wizards but we were born without an ounce of magic. This is why odd things always seem to happen to you. You are a witch. We'll go to Diagon Alley on August Sixth, we're still going to France as scheduled! How about you take a look at that list." Rose said gently.

Lily obeyed and opened the second piece of parchment. It read:

Uniform

First Year Students Will Require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)

2. One Plain pointed hat (black) for daywear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One Winter Cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Other Equipment

One wand

One cauldron

One set glass or crystal phials

One telescope

One set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a rat OR a toad

First years are not allowed their own brooms.

Books:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade One) by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emerick Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phydilla Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Timble

"Oh, I get it, that's why you got me the owl." Lily exclaimed as understanding dawned on her. "So, what's Diagon Alley?" she asked curiously.

"You'll see." Trenton replied mischievously.

June 25, 1973, Sirius' House

Sirius awoke early and bounded out of bed. He was eleven today. His letter was coming! He quickly jumped out of bed and got dressed. He had an awesome head of black hair that fell gracefully across his face. He had dark brown eyes and an amazing smile. As soon as he had pulled on jeans and an oversized tee-shirt, he hurried down the stairs, eager that it was his birthday for the first time since he was seven, when he had declared that he would never perform dark magic.

It was then that Sirius started being ignored, all the time. Even on his birthday the only thing they gave him was paperclips and old socks if he was good, usually nothing at all for Sirius Black had a knack for attracting trouble wherever he went. He knew that even if his parents ignored his birthday and his siblings shunned him, he'd still get his Hogwarts letter. Plus, he had access to Floo Powder so he could get into Diagon Alley. He also had a copy of his parents' key to their vault and they had so much gold, they didn't ever realize how much Sirius treated himself.

When he got downstairs, he noticed a large brown barn owl tapping on the living room window. He opened the window and quickly untied the letter. He noticed that it was addressed to him in green ink and immediately knew what it was, as he was expecting it. He turned it over and saw the Hogwarts Seal, the four animals surrounding the H. He opened it, skimmed it, and made plans for Diagon Alley. As he was going to be going on a vacation, he quickly decided on August Sixth as a good time to go.

July 26, 1973, Remus' House

It was Remus Lupin's eleventh birthday. He woke up later than usual for he had been up all night long. He was exhausted and very scratched up. He hurriedly got dressed when he noticed the time and ran down the stairs, his clothes hanging ragged and limp on his frail form. He had blond hair and dulled blue eyes.

Remus sighed as he remembered that this was the day he would have gotten his letter, unfortunately, he doubted he would receive one as he had a dangerous condition. Remus Lupin was a werewolf. He had gotten a bite when he was only five years old. That was why he had no sleep the night before, it had been a full moon. That is why he was scratched up and his clothes ragged.

He ate breakfast quickly and heard a tapping on the window. He glanced over and saw a large Tawny owl. He opened the window and untied the rather thick envelope from the bird's leg then noticing that the letter was addressed to him from Hogwarts.

"Hogwarts?!" Remus shouted disbelievingly though unimaginably excited at the same time. "Mum, dad! Come here. I got into Hogwarts, I really did!" he yelled. His parents, Lunette and John ran down the stairs, grinning broadly at the fact that what they believed impossible was happening, their son was going to Hogwarts!

Lunette had dark hair and was rather tall. She had brown eyes as well. John had fair blond hair and bright blue eyes. They had one thing in common at that moment, their infectious smiles.

"Did you really? Oh Remus, that's wonderful!" Mrs. Lupin exclaimed.

"That's terrific son. We'll go to Diagon Alley on August Sixth as we're going to Ireland tomorrow." Mr. Lupin said proudly.

It was then that Remus opened his letter. He quickly skimmed the note from McGonagall and the list but he had an extra paper. A note from the headmaster. It read:

Dear Mr. Remus Lupin,

We can except you as long as certain precautions are taken and adhered to. Once a month, our nurse will smuggle you out of the castle into a special house for your transformation. You are to tell no one about your transformations that you believe untrustworthy. You must stay in the shack for the entire time you are dangerous to protect the other students.

Best Wishes,

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

August 5, 1973, James' House

James leapt out of bed and quickly pulled on some muggle clothes. It was his eleventh birthday and he knew that his letter would come today. James Potter had unruly black hair that never lay flat and hazel eyes that were often half-hidden by his bangs.

"It's my birthday! My letter's finally coming! I can finally go to Hogwarts!" James exclaimed excitedly.

"James, come down here." Traci Dalton-Potter called up the stairs.

"We have some gifts for you." James Potter Sr. added.

"I'll be right down!" James called and hurried down the stairs at breakneck speed, on his broomstick of course. The Silver Arrow was the best broom available and as James was such a terrific flyer, he of course had the best broom money could buy. The family lived in Hogsmeade so he was allowed to fly whenever he wanted.

"My letter!" he exclaimed. He quickly tore it open and read it. Then, "Can we go to Diagon Alley tomorrow?" he asked.

"Of course. Now hurry up and eat and we'll go to Zonko's." James Sr. replied.