A/N: Ok, this is my first fic, so bear with me. It is going to be a time-travel fic (over-used story I know, but this is my take on it). I think it will be refreshingly different from other time-travel fics seeing as I have really put thought into each of the characters and given them a depth one rarely finds in fanfics. I really hope you enjoy it! Read and Review!
Chapter 1: Who Everyone Wants to Be
The marauders were living the golden years of their social life at Hogwarts. No one could doubt that they were the most popular boys in school, not to mention they were brilliant and excelled in all their classes. All the boys wanted to be their friends, and all the girls wanted their affections. The marauders took all this in stride. Not that they ever lost their cool exterior. They made a point to keep from everyone what went on in their minds. The marauders had many secrets, none of which they were too keen to share with the rest of Hogwarts. The other, lesser students regarded them as idols, and could only try to dream up what was constantly going through the minds of the fascinating four. They all walked confidently about the school, some would say as if they owned it. They might as well have, because they had so much blackmail on their teachers that they could get them to do whatever popped into the boys' heads, all save McGonagall. And of course the entire student populace feared and admired them to the point that they would obey their every command, with the exception of any Slytherins, who all had a singular disgust for the foursome. Yes, those boys had all that anyone could ask for out of a social life.
James Potter was the unspoken leader of their little group. He of all the marauders was quite possibly the most self-absorbed of the marauders. He had deep, hazel eyes whose color changed so often that if you asked several girls what color they were, they would argue about it for hours but agree on one thing: how absolutely entrancing they were, even when he wore glasses. He had hair black as pitch that was constantly messy in the back, although he didn't really help matters as he ruffled it at every opportunity. His he had a pleasant mouth; it could be used for a charming smile that could melt any female's heart or a roguish grin given as a hint of a plan for a new prank. He was 6'3" with a muscular build, the result of five years of hard-core quidditch. While the ties between all the marauders were unbreakable, the bond between James and Sirius Black was that of true best friends.
Sirius Black was easily the most sought-after male in Hogwarts. With coal black hair that was just the right length so that it fell elegantly into his captivating gray eyes, he could win a girl's fancy just by looking at her and win her heart by smiling. For his smile was one that could only be described by the greatest poet. My humble self could not do it justice. When he smiled at you it was like winning a game of quidditch, tasting chocolate for the first time, getting an Outstanding on your transfiguration O.W.L. and being tickled with a soft goose feather all at once. There wasn't a girl at Hogwarts that did not dream of Sirius Black smiling that amazing smile at her. Of course, there were many on the receiving end of that famous smile, as Sirius seemed determined to date all the loveliest ladies in Hogwarts (save for the Slytherin ones, of course, whose beauty diminished the wider their smirks grew, in his opinion, anyway). No female had ever rejected any offer from him. Indeed, Sirius Black was never in want of anything.
By far the most studious of the group, was Remus Lupin. He had a kind face, with a gentleman-like countenance about him. While he was not the sort of boy you see girls drooling over, he had a soft smile and a sweetness to him that made him very difficult to dislike. He had eyes as gray as a wolf's fur, that could penetrate the coldest stare and see the true feelings behind it. He had shaggy sandy-blonde hair and a light sprinkling of adorable freckles, a sign that he was unable to tan nicely as Sirius or James. He had a tall, thin frame, but when he needed to be he was surprisingly strong. No one but the marauders knew where his strange strength came from, for he was not a quidditch player nor overly active. And while Remus was neither the debonair James nor the studly Sirius, he did have a fair few female admirers. However, whenever Remus entered a relationship, it was one of deep commitment that lasted longer than two weeks. He valued friendship above all, and would do anything for his best friends.
Lastly, there was Peter Pettigrew. It was a mystery to everyone as to how the short, plump boy with watery eyes ever managed to be accepted by the likes of James, Sirius, and Remus. On the surface he was just a simple boy who did not seem to excel in anything, nor did he seem to have any original thoughts. He had no charm, and was terrible when it came to speaking to pretty girls (something that every other marauder happened to be very good at). He just laughed at James and Sirius' jokes, begged Remus for help in Transfiguration, and was awed by James' astounding quidditch skills. No, Peter did not meet the marauder standards by any means. It was simply fate that they took a liking to his naivety and they allowed him into their circle. Then again, that was Peter on the surface. Beneath it was a boy who wanted fit in, who wanted to be awed by others like the other marauders, and above all just wanted to accepted. For no matter how the other marauders treated him, he still heard what others said about him not fitting the part of a marauder, and he could not help feeling alienated. He had many original thoughts that may have even been found witty, but in his insecurity he never deemed them worthy enough to be expressed in the presence of his idols. So therefore all he spoke of was their praises. Still, that was Peter beneath the surface; the Peter that no one had ever seen or rather, the one no one had bothered to look hard enough for.
Yes, those four boys ruled Hogwarts in their time. They knew every nook and cranny of Hogwarts and could therefore escape from anywhere faster than you could say "Filch." Their love for mischief attributed to their extensive detentions, yet nothing could extinguish their love for what was forbidden.
For the marauders everything always went as planned, people did as they said with no objections and they had everything going the way they wanted it. Until one fateful day….
A/N: Okay, do y'all like it (yes, I am from the south)? This is really more of a prologue, just to go ahead and let y'all know my view of the marauders. My next chapter will be longer, I promise.
I would love some reviews! Constructive criticism is awesome, but please, no flames. I'll welcome any ideas for what you want in the story. I have it kinda planned out, but if I like your ideas, I might use them (and give you credit, of course).
Well, I hope you enjoy my fic!
Twinkling Blue Eyes