Chapter 1: A not so normal first day
Four 15 year old boys sat in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express about to embark on their 5th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. These, however, were not ordinary boys, at least not in the eyes of Hogwarts' society. These were the Marauders.
From first year these boys had been a tight knit group, no one else joined and none of them left. They acted, in the eyes of some, like a secret society, and in more than one way they were. Each member had a sort of codename, a name that only Marauders called them by. They had skyrocketed to popularity with their pranks. Usually targeted on Slytherins, the Marauders pranks were infamous; they carved a name for the boys' audacity and rebellion. The Marauders included:
James Potter aka Prongs: Pureblood wizard whose family widely accepts people of all heritages (Muggle, half and pure) and are strongly opposed to the new Pureblood movement and Voldemort. Agrees whole heartedly with family beliefs. Considered to be a family of 'blood traitors' by other pureblood families. Comes from a long line of Gryffindors. Confident and arrogant in himself and his own beliefs, he is often described as the unofficial leader of the Marauders. In love with Lily Evans who hates him (or so she says).
Sirius Black aka Padfoot: Pureblood wizard whose family only accepts purebloods and despises mudbloods (Muggle borns) and are only slightly more tolerant of half bloods. Almost all Black's are sorted into Slytherin (including Sirius' brother; excepting Sirius and a cousin Andromeda, a Ravenclaw) they despise Gryffindors. Sirius, however, is considered a 'blood traitor', the black sheep, and hates all things that the Black family stands for. Accepting of Muggle borns, half bloods and selected purebloods, hates Slytherins and Voldemort. First Black to be sorted into Gryffindor. Proud Gryffindor and also described as arrogant at times, he has an aristocratic air about him and is best not to be crossed. Considered a 'chauvinistic prat' by Lily Evans and friends, though he couldn't care less as every other girl in the school is in love with him.
Remus Lupin aka Moony: Werewolf, half blood whose family has been struggling with his diagnoses of Lycanthropy though they are fairly accepting of him. Keeps his condition secret, though teachers and fellow Marauders are aware and accepting, blames monthly disappearances on his 'ill' mother and Marauders explain his scratched appearance when he returns to be due to his 'furry little problem' and lead people to believe he has a poorly behaved rabbit. Disagrees openly with Voldemort's attempted reform along with all Marauders. Sorted into Gryffindor to his delight, proving that not all werewolves are evil. Quieter and more studious than the others, he is voted 'most tolerable' by Lily Evans and friends, and is often considered a friend to them.
Peter Pettigrew aka Wormtail: Half blood whose family neither opposes nor supports Voldemort, not much is known on their position regarding the war. Peter, like all Marauders, disagrees with the pureblood only mentality. Though his bravery and courage is sometimes uncertain, was sorted into Gryffindor. Sheepish and overall mousy, Peter's membership in the group is often questioned by outsiders. Considered 'creepy' by Lily Evans and friends, and most girls avoid him (especially being left alone with him).
By regular standards the boys should not have been friends. The group was so mismatched in history it was a wonder that any of them got along. That was the beauty of it all, the group appeared incredibly diverse, and in some ways it was, but really they shared values, and their different attitudes and talents complemented each other nicely.
So the Marauders became Hogwarts' elite, royalty. The girls loved them, the boys envied them. Life was good. They sat in their regular compartment talking about pranks and the upcoming year, snacking on chocolate frogs and every flavour beans.
"Do you reckon they got Miller to teach Defence again?" Sirius Black asked his friends as they sat in their usual compartment on the Hogwarts Express. They were going into their fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and pretty much every year there was a new Defence against the Dark Arts professor.
"Probably, we'll have to give him a welcoming prank." James Potter, leader of the infamous prank group The Marauders, answered his best mate.
"I suppose there's no point in arguing with you lot about pranking professors is there?" Remus Lupin, often voted the sanest of the four Marauders, asked.
"Moony, don't go all prefect on us. You've only had that badge a couple weeks and already we're losing you to the light side." Sirius said melodramatically as Remus rolled his eyes.
Just then the door to the compartment slid open and a girl with fiery red hair stood in the door.
"Hello my Lily-flower, have you come to accept my many invitations for a date?" James asked semi-hopefully. Lily Evans glared at the boy with messy black hair that had addressed her.
"Get over yourself, Potter." She said spitefully before turning with a smile to the boy with sandy brown hair. "Remus, I heard you were made prefect, congratulations. Are you ready for the meeting?"
"Yes I am Lily, see you lot later." He said standing and putting his book away. He walked out of the compartment with Lily much James' dislike and Sirius' amusement.
When they got to the school, Remus and Lily were still doing their prefect duties so the other Marauders climbed into one of the carriages waiting to take them up to the Castle. The first years followed the Prefects' directions and Hagrid's booming voice down to the lake where they would take the traditional journey by boat to the castle. Everything was going as it should be, as it had for the past four years.
Sitting at the long Gryffindor table, the four Marauders, now rejoined by Remus, sat with grumbling stomachs.
"I wish they would just skip the sorting so we could eat." Sirius grumbled.
"Just stop thinking about it, think about something else." Remus suggested.
"Like what? I'm so hungry." Sirius whined staring forlornly at the empty gold plate in front of him.
"Well I see Miller, got any ideas yet?" James said conveniently providing a distraction for Sirius.
"Nah, not yet, I reckon just showing up late for the first class will set him off." Sirius said shrugging but also looking at the teachers table that ran along the front of the Great Hall. "What d' you think, up for a detention tomorrow?"
Then the first years came in following McGonagall sheepishly. On their faces were looks of fear, uncertainness and awe at the Great Hall and the coming sorting. None of them really knew what exactly took place at the sorting; it was one of Hogwarts' best kept secret traditions.
At the very back of the group walked two people, a boy and a girl, but they weren't like the others. They were both at least a head taller than the little 11 year olds and they walked with a confidence that just couldn't be faked. Both had black hair, though the girl's was a deeper, raven black than the boy's. The girl's hair was pulled back with a headband made from strings of silver woven together loosely. The boy's was short with tapered wispy strands around the back and jagged layers on the top with his bangs pieced out onto the forehead. These two were definitely not first years; they looked more like 15 than 11, like they should be going into fifth with the Marauders. Both wore identical robes of plain black and their eyes flicked around the Hall once or twice not meeting anyone's gaze.
"Hey Prongs, those aren't first years are they?" Sirius asked using James' nickname.
"Definitely not, transfers probably." He said but his eyes remained on the two strangers trying to read them.
Something about them was different. They were shrouded by mystery and confidence. They had an air about them that told everyone around them they knew things, things that others didn't and they knew exactly why they were at Hogwarts…and it wasn't for magical education.
When the last of the actual first years were sorted Professor Dumbledore stood and the whole Great Hall fell silent, the two students still standing off to the side.
"Good Evening students and welcome to Hogwarts School. We have two new students that will be joining our fifth year classes, Brenna and Cyrus Templar." He gestured to the two students who gave a curt nod. "If you will Minerva." He said and before McGonagall could read out the names in the customary alphabetical fashion, the boy, Cyrus, stepped forward and sat on the stool.
Somewhat startled at the finality and authority in such a small gesture, McGonagall blinked at the boy a couple times before placing the Sorting Hat on his head. After a few moments of whispering among the students in the Hall the hat shouted its decision.
"SLYTHERIN"
The boy stood, removing the hat and looking at his twin sister giving her a small, accomplished smile and a nod which she returned.
Great, more Slytherin pureblood fanatics. Sirius thought sarcastically.
After Cyrus had joined the clapping Slytherin table, Brenna stepped forward and put on the hat.
You aren't going to fight me too are you? I swear putting your twin in that house was a mistake, he doesn't belong there, oh, but he was adamant, it had to be Slytherin. But you won't be Slytherin. No, I haven't seen this much bravery and power for centuries. You are strong, stronger than most know, maybe even stronger than you know yourself. It had better be GRYFFINDOR" The hat shouted as the girl, with a small smile on her face stood and removed the hat.
With a last look at her brother, she walked to the clapping Gryffindors. She didn't look sad or disappointed that she wasn't with her brother or in Slytherin as you would expect from the look on her brother's face when he was sorted there. She too looked pleased and successful, as though she had done exactly what she was supposed to do.
Brenna walked down the isle between the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables looking for a place to sit, she still seemed confident and it was more like she was looking for somewhere she would like to sit, a way to get to know people. Where she sat would likely determine her friends for the next few days at least, they would show her around and introduce her to Hogwarts life. She was actually walking toward the Marauders, and Sirius at least would offer her a seat (lets just say she was pretty), when she stopped a few people away.
"You can sit with us if you'd like." Lily Evans offered with a smile. Looking at the people sitting with the friendly girl, Brenna noticed that they were all smiling encouragingly.
"Thanks" Brenna said with a relieved smile, glad that someone had offered her a seat. She wouldn't have hesitated too much to ask to sit with people but it was nice to know that she didn't have to.
"I'm Lily Evans by the way, and this is Alice Prewitt and Marlene McKinnon." She said gesturing to the two girls sitting with her, the first with short chocolate brown hair and the other with medium length blond hair.
"I'm Brenna Templar, but I guess you just heard that."
Just then, Dumbledore clapped his hands and the feast appeared on the table in front of them. As they ate the three Gryffindor friends asked questions about Brenna's past and what life was like at Hogwarts. Just as dinner was ending and they were getting ready to go upstairs, Professor McGonagall walked up to them.
"Miss Templar might I have a word?" She asked.
"Of course Professor…I guess I'll see you in the Common Room." Brenna said standing and following Professor McGonagall out of the Hall and into her office.
"Miss Templar I would have liked to speak with your brother as well but since he is a Slytherin I think it best that I allow him time to bond with his fellows as his job is dangerous enough without my interference.
"You need to be aware that Professor Dumbledore has chosen to only make myself aware of you and your brother's advanced abilities, the other professors know only that you have transferred to Hogwarts for your fifth year and the years following should you choose. It is entirely up to you and Cyrus as far as how much of your abilities you show them.
"Should you get into any trouble, you will be reprimanded as any other student. You will also be expected to complete all assignments and attend all your classes. Do you have any questions, Brenna?"
"Just one Professor, Dumbledore said that we would still be able to train regularly, where and when would we be able to do that?" Brenna asked curiously. With a little chuckle and a small smile McGonagall answered her only question.
"I was told you take your regimen very seriously. Professor Dumbledore has arranged for a room where you can train, it will be password protected; unfortunately it is not ready yet. Professor Dumbledore said he would like to be the one to show you both the room himself since you are here as a favour to him."
"Thank you Professor."
"Thank you, Brenna and your brother as well. Please keep us informed." Understanding that it was time for Brenna to go back to her dormitory, she stood from her chair.
"We will Professor. And for the record, we are here because we can help, not as a favour." She said sincerely looking McGonagall straight in the eye, earning a smile from McGonagall.
"Goodnight Brenna."
"Goodnight Professor." She said as she walked out of the office.