A/N: Hello there! So this is my first ever fanfiction here and to be honest I'm quite nervous to be posting this as I'm very self-conscious about my writing but I'm so in love with the idea of this story that I had to post it. This story is lightly based on the tv show "Freaks and Geeks" and you really don't need to watch it in order to read this (even though you should, the show is absolutely brilliant) but I am a huge fan of it and I kinda came up with the idea to adapt it a bit to the Harry Potter world, mainly in the Marauders Era. Hope you enjoy and please leave a review!
Summary: The story centers around Riley Ward, who early in her academic career was recognized as a bright witch, however, when her grandmother dies, she starts questioning if being a good student is all that matters and tries distancing herself from every aspect of her old life. She quits an academic tournament within Hogwarts, avoids her former best friend, Millie and starts hanging out with four people she never thought she would – the Marauders. Who knew she would end up falling in love with one of them?
They say there are 5 stages of grief. Riley Ward went through them all in her summer holidays, realizing there was actually a secret sixth one - rebellion. When her grandmother died, her family noticed how different she had become. She lost her interest in school, stopped talking to her best friend Millie, changed the way she dressed - never taking her dad's old leather jacket off - and almost quit her position as a Hogwarts prefect, thankfully her parents forced her to at least maintain her badge. What surprised them the most was when she stopped being a Wetter. And by that I mean, she quit the WET (Wizard's Exceptional Tournament), a contest within Hogwarts to find the smartest House of the year. It was a prestigious academic tournament that guaranteed Riley a spot in every job she wished. It pretty much had the same hype for her and her friends - and also for all the geeks in Hogwarts - as Quidditch had for the rest of the school.
It was with the realization that Riley had a desire to become a "burnout" - in her parents' words - that they signed her up for a guidance counselor at Hogwarts. She was really looking forward to her sixth year.
"Okay, do you have everything? Books, your wands, your luggages?" Riley's mother asked her and her brother Wesley before they entered the Hogwarts Express.
Wesley rolled his eyes at her. "Yes mum, we have everything."
"Are you sure?" their father asked with a smirk. He quickly took a toad from his pocket making Wesley widen his eyes in realization. "You're entering your fourth year Wesley, you need to be more careful."
"JESUS!" He screamed.
"I still don't get why you called your toad Jesus." Riley chuckled rolling her eyes.
"For the last time, it's pronounced Hey-soos, not Jesus. He's not the Son of God, he's a toad."
"I told you that trip to Spain was a bad idea." Riley joked to her parents.
"Come here sweeties, have a nice trip." their mother said forcing them to hug her.
"Hey-soos mum, you'll see us in three months." Riley said, making Wesley laugh.
"Yeah, and in those three months you better not get in trouble." threatened her father.
"Why are you so sure I'll get in trouble?"
"Because missy-" her mother started but was interrupted by the sound of the train honking.
"I would love to hear the rest of that lecture but we have to go. Bye!"
After their mother engulfed them into another hug, Riley and Wesley bid their farewell to their parents before quickly entering the train.
Wesley immediately started peeking at every compartment to see if he could find his friends. "Do you see Nathan or Ben?" Riley asked her brother.
"No, I can't see them. Merlin, every compartment is full." he complained.
"Here, I know someone who's in this one."
"No!" Wesley said as he noticed who was in that compartment, but it was too late. Riley had already opened the door.
"Hey, you don't mind we seat here right?"
"No, not at all." Remus Lupin, Riley's fellow prefect, said smiling at her.
"Well, well, well, look who it is. Wesley, the weasel. Don't be afraid we won't bite, you can seat here." Sirius Black said with a grin as Wesley hesitantly took his seat next to Riley.
"Wesley, the weasel? I expected more from you, Black." Riley smirked.
"Riley!" Wesley complained hitting her arm.
"What do you suggest, Ward? Nice jacket by the way." commented James Potter, referring to her dad's old leather jacket.
Riley rolled his eyes at him and ignored his comment "As much as I'd love to sit here and make fun of my brother, Remus and I unfortunately have to go to the prefect's meeting and patrol the corridors."
"Oh right! We'll see you guys later."
"Riley, don't leave me here alone with them!" Wesley begged as he noticed the grins on the Marauders faces.
"Wes, they won't hurt you, right guys?" she asked the grinning boys.
"No, as Sirius said, we don't bite." Peter said.
"Yeah, I was serious about that." Sirius joked making everyone groan.
"What's your toad's name?" Riley heard James ask before she closed the compartment door.
"So… Riley how was your summer?" Remus asked trying to make conversation as they made their way to the prefect's compartment.
"Oh. It was fine," she said. She wasn't really in the mood to get into her grandmother's death, which was all she could think about during summer. "How was yours?"
"It was a lot of fun. James and Sirius stayed at my house for a few weeks, much to my parent's dismay." he said making Riley laugh. The boys were known for their mayhem, she could imagine her parents faces if the Marauders ever entered her house. They would end up destroying every antique her mother so carefully treasured.
"We're here." Remus said opening the compartment door.
"Oh, yay." Riley groaned.
After they arrived at Hogwarts, Riley had only one goal - avoid Millie. She had ignored all her owls during the summer holidays and now she was sure Millie would follow her everywhere to make sure Riley was fine and ready to join the WET. Unfortunately she still had to share a dorm with her so she was trying to at least avoid her when not forced to be with her. With that, she joined the Marauders during dinner since they were the only few people she was acquainted with apart from the other members of the WET.
"So my foot's totally stuck in there right, I'm freaking out, the dog's having a seizure and I still got half a pie left." James finished telling his story as the boys and Riley were hysterically laughing, trying not to choke on their food.
"Merlin's beard, Prongs! You sly dog!" Sirius joked.
"That's more you, Padfoot." Remus chuckled making the others laugh. Riley could only guess it was an inside joke. Or a reference to Sirius' behaviour towards women.
"Why do you guys have those nicknames by the way?"
"Oh, that's a story for another time." Peter smirked eyeing Remus, making Riley look at him with a confused look.
"Hey Riley." she heard a voice say behind her. Bloody hell, so close…
"Hey Millie." she smiled, quickly turning her face to her food.
"Can I talk to you in private please?" Millie asked glaring at the four boys.
"Oooh, Riley is in trouble." James sang.
"Fine." she sighed, making her way to the Great Hall's entrance with Millie. "What's up?"
"Why have you been ignoring my owls?" Millie asked.
"Look, I wasn't really in the mood to talk to anyone, don't take it personally."
"I'm your best friend, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You ignore my owls, avoid me during dinner and start hanging out with those four gits?"
"They're actually very good people. At least they make me laugh."
"Good people? Riley, their hobbies include bullying your brother. And what is it with that rumor that you quit the WET?"
Riley sighed. "It's not a rumor, I did quit."
"What is happening Riley?" Millie asked, only receiving silence as an answer. "I thought we promised each other back in first year, we would share everything."
Riley rolled her eyes at her. "People change, Millie."
"Yeah you're right. People do change." she said going back to her seat.
Riley made her way to the Marauders and sat with a groan when she realized she still had to show the first years their way towards the common room. "I hate being a prefect." she mumbled.
"Why didn't you resign?" Peter said with his mouth full of food, earning a punch on his arm from Sirius.
"My parents forced me since I had already quit the WET competition."
"The what?" Sirius and James shouted as Peter choked on his food.
"Have you guys been living under a rock?" Remus asked.
"Is that some sort of wet robes contest?" Sirius asked with a smirk.
"No. It's an academic tournament within Hogwarts to decide which house has the best knowledge in every class. We have to answer questions about all the subjects we've been taught since first year."
"So, Quidditch for geeks." Sirius joked.
Riley laughed. "Yeah, pretty much."
"So, that's where you've been the past six years. I was wondering why we had never talked with you before." James said.
"I have talked with you before. Gave you detention last year for walking in the corridors after curfew."
"Oh right… now I remember." He said making Riley laugh.
"Yeah, my 'geeky' days are now over, so don't worry."
"That's great, because we need another prefect on our side to help us with all the mayhem." Sirius said earning a kick on the leg from Remus.
"About that. Could you give my brother and his friends a break?" she knew that the Marauders picked on Wesley and his mates whenever they had the opportunity. If she was befriending them, might as well make Wesley's life a bit easier.
"Oh sure. He's a good kid." Peter said with a smile.
At last, the food had disappeared, and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet making the hall fall silent.
"Ahern - just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."
Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Marauders. Sirius winked at him, earning a chuckle from those around them.
"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. And finally, Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"
Riley sighed and gave Remus a shy smile as the Gryffindor first years followed them through the crowds, out of the Great Hall and up the staircase as they made their way to the common room, but were interrupted by a ghost screaming.
"PEEVES!" Riley yelled. She was not in the mood to deal with him. "Peeves, you bloody turd, go away!" she yelled making the first years laugh.
"Riley.." Remus muttered.
"Is your name Sabrina?" Peeves said.
"Sabrina?"
"Yes, Sabrina the teenage bitch." he said earning a laugh from the muggle-borns in the group.
"Oh my, that's actually brilliant." Remus chuckled.
"Don't encourage him!" Riley said. "Go away Peeves, or I'll tell the Bloody Baron."
"Fine, you little tattle-tale." the poltergeist said blowing raspberries and zoomed away, rattling coats of armor as he passed the corridors.
"You want to watch out for Peeves, he's a wanker." said Riley as they set off again, making the group of first years laugh.
"You have to stop swearing in front of 11 year olds." Remus whispered.
"Like they don't do it." Riley said earning a chuckle from Remus.
"Here we are." Remus said when they reached the Fat Lady's portrait.
"Password?" she asked.
"Chocolate Frogs." answered Remus, making the portrait swung forward to reveal a round hole in the wall. The first years all scrambled through it and found themselves in the cozy Gryffindor common room.
"Okay, girls follow me to go to the dorms. Boys, follow Remus."
"Goodnight Riley." Remus smiled.
"Goodnight." Riley smiled back as the small group of girls followed her to the girls dorms.
"They are such a sweet couple." a small girl said to her friends.
"I heard that! And we're not together." Riley yelled making them blush and laugh. "Anyways, here we are, the parchments Professor McGonagall gave you will tell you which dorm is yours. Goodnight and don't leave your rooms!"
"Goodnight." the girls screamed in unison, excitingly making their way to the respective dormitories.
When Riley reached her room's door she took a deep breathe before entering it. Millie was lying down on her bed, reading a book. Her other roommates, Lily Evans and Alice Price were seating on Alice's bed talking. They weren't very close with Riley, but were still very nice to her.
"Hey Riley, how are you?" Alice asked.
"Fine, what about you guys?"
"Great, excited to be back at Hogwarts!" Lily cheered.
Riley quickly glanced at Millie who was now lying on her bed, possibly pretending to be asleep. She noticed Lily and Alice's confused glances. Riley and Millie had been best friends for 6 years and they were founding strange the fact that the two girls hadn't shared a word.
"I'm going to sleep. Long day." Riley said quickly changing into her pyjamas and lying on the bed.
"Goodnight." Alice and Lily said, as Millie remained silent.
After the first class - Transfiguration - Riley quickly rummaged through the crowd to make sure Professor McGonagall didn't notice her but it was in vain as she heard the old woman yell her name.
"Riley, please stay, I'd like to speak with you."
"Of course, professor." she sighed.
"Already in trouble. I like her." James chuckled as he stepped out of the classroom with the boys following him.
"It has come to my attention that your parents have requested you to see our guidance counselor. I'm surprised, Riley. I was also not expecting you to quit the Wizard's Exceptional Tournament."
"Yeah, I was a bit sick of being called a Wetter." she chuckled hoping the professor would find her comment funny, but it wasn't the case.
"Riley, you are one of the smartest students I've ever had the pleasure to teach, you have a great future ahead of you, I wouldn't want you to waste your talent because of what happened." she sighed lowering her voice. "I know it's a delicate subject but-"
"Professor, I appreciate the concern but I'm not returning to the tournament."
"Very well." she sighed. "Professor Trelawney is expecting you."
"Trelawney, the divination teacher? She's my guidance counselor? But she's my age!" Riley said. Oh boy, was she in for a treat.
"Yes, well… She thought it would be a good idea since she feels more connected to the students… Good luck, you'll need it." Professor McGonagall said.
"Indeed." Riley sighed making her way to professor Trelawney's office.
When she knocked on her office door she heard the professor scream her name.
"Riley! Come in, my Inner Eye told me you were arriving."
"Or maybe your schedule did…" Riley mumbled under her breath.
"My Inner Ear heard that. Sit down." she said as Riley did so. "Very well, tell me my dear, what is bothering you?"
"Can't your Inner Eye figure that out?"
"Well, it has come to me that you have lost a great person close to your heart," she said closing her eyes with a focused look on her face. "Perhaps… a grandmother?" she said, after quickly looking at her desk before closing her eyes again.
Riley looked at her table and saw parchments laying there. "That is literally on my file!" she snapped.
"Riley, I'm sure your grandma was very proud of you, wouldn't you want her to continue to be proud? You can still be apart of the Wizard's Exceptional Tournament, the deadline isn't until the end of the week."
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE STUPID TOURNAMENT." Riley screamed. "I'm so sick of having my future dictated. Plus, my grandmother isn't here right now, I have no obligation to make her proud. She's dead."
"Riley-"
"Have a good day." Riley said before exiting the office and entering the school grounds. She noticed the Marauders sitting under a tree next to the lake.
"Hey." she greeted them with a sigh as she grabbed some rocks at started throwing them to the lake.
"Killing merpeople won't cheer you up." Sirius chuckled.
"Want to be next?" she groaned.
"What's wrong?" Remus asked her as he got up and made his way to her.
"Stupid school," SPLASH "Stupid professors," SPLASH "Stupid Guidance Counselor" SPLASH "Stupid friends!"
"Hey! We're your friends!" Peter said.
"What?" Riley quickly turned to face them as she heard those words.
"At least she doesn't talk rubbish about us behind our backs." James chuckled.
"I wasn't- you guys consider me a friend?" she asked confused. She did need friends at that time, considering she was completely alone now that she was avoiding Millie.
"Of course! What do you think we are? Next door neighbours?" Remus joked trying to cheer her up.
"Thank you." she said as she gave Remus a hug.
"Oh, you're welcome." he said patting her on her back.
"Hey, what about us?" Peter chuckled making her laugh.
"What's on your mind, do you want us to hex anyone?" James asked.
"Unless you'd be able to turn Professor Trelawney into the little rat she is then fine by me."
"Oh, Peter would love that." James joked. Riley didn't notice Peter's red face as she ignored the comment and continued to throw rocks at the lake.
"I mean, what does she know? She's 18! I'm pretty sure she's not even old enough to be a teacher…"
"She's old enough to teach me some things…" Sirius smirked.
"You aren't, though." Remus joked.
"Well, I wouldn't mind touching her Inner-"
"MATE!"
A/N: I really hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter! I promise the following ones are going to be way better. And please review and leave as many constructive criticism as you can, I know I'm not the best writer around but I really hope I can improve. :)