Hey all you Marauders lovers out there! This fanfiction is something that my friend and I came up with ages ago, but never really set in motion until now. I hope you all enjoy. If you recognize it, it is most likely a brainchild of JK Rowling, not mine. My brain is not that brilliant. Now, before you get bored and stop reading, A Melee of Marauders.
Sirius Black lounged in his seat on the comfortable bench, slightly braced to refrain from sliding off with the movement of the Hogwarts Express, a precaution he had learned to take the hard way. However, he was not focused on his position, but instead on the boy across from him. His best friend and brother in everything but blood, James Potter, sat across from him. He was not sprawled gracefully like Sirius, but instead hunched over and small, his head in his hands, clearly deep in thought. His messy black hair covered his face and concealed his expression, but Sirius had known him for a long time. He knew exactly what his best friend was thinking about. Sirius studied him with light gray eyes, unsure whether to make fun of him for what he surely was thinking about, or just leave him to marinate in his own thoughts. Or something like that. It sounded wrong, but Sirius couldn't be bothered with that at the moment. As he turned the question over in his head, Sirius caught the eye of one of his other best friends, Remus Lupin, who shook his head a tiny amount, trying not alert his other friend, Peter Pettigrew, who was animatedly telling a tale. He didn't notice, though. Though he was actually pretty funny and kind, when telling a story, Peter got immersed in his own little world and wouldn't notice little things, like dungbombs, the Quidditch Cup being won, or the end of the world. (Don't ask.)
But Sirius was never one to take subtle hints.
"Hey James, what's up? Are you thinking about her again?"
Without a word, James got up and left. Remus raised an eyebrow, as if saying, "I told you." Sirius, however, had expected this to happen. He got and followed him out of the compartment. He found James just outside, in a secluded corner to avoid his fangirls. Both Sirius and James were considered good-looking by the girls of Hogwarts, and as a consequence they frequently were followed around by a couple of simpering girls. James hated it. Sirius tolerated it and sometimes flirted with them when he got bored, but only to watch their reactions. They frequently fainted, or stuttered uncontrollably. It was considered the height of popularity to be flirted with by Sirius, a fact he enjoyed immensely.
Shaking his head out of thoughts, Sirius looked inquisitively at James.
"What's wrong?"
James turned to him, speaking for the first time. "It's Lily." Sirius, having guessed this already, just nodded for James to continue.
"I don't know what to do. I've tried everything I know to get her to at least look at me. Right before we got on the train, I tried to tell her to have a good summer, and she gave me a horrible look and told me to drown myself in frog spawn. I had just opened my mouth. I didn't even say anything."
Sirius thought for a bit. Contrary to popular belief, Sirius did actually think. He just didn't advertise it. "Maybe it's just in the way she sees you…"
"Obviously."
"But what can you do about it? Maybe if you become nicer, she'll notice."
"I tried! I complimented her five times just this morning."
"Not just her. Everyone. You could even pretend to be nicer to Snivellus-"
"What?!"
"Just an act. But if she sees you nicer to others, she might notice."
"How would you know?"
"I don't. But it's basically the only thing you haven't tried. You only have so much time. If this doesn't work, you have no options left."
James considered this for a minute, and when he refocused in the moment, Sirius, to his immense relief, saw a new determination in his eyes. Sirius sighed internally. He wasn't really good at the whole feelings thing.
"So are we good?" Sirius asked.
James smiled at his best friend. "Yeah, of course, Padfoot." Sirius grinned back, then together, they walked back to the compartment where Remus and Peter waited, and soon the trolley came come by, and the four talked, laughed, ate, and played Exploding Snap all the way back to King's Cross Station.
But the real surprise came when they got off the train. At the platform, the quartet walked towards the exit with their trunks. Suddenly, a small first year tripped right in front of them, and her trunk spilled all over. James, remembering his new resolution, rushed forward and helped the small girl up, restoring her things to the trunk.
"Are you alright?" He asked kindly
She blushed a bit, but smiled back. "Fine. Thanks so much!" The diminutive girl grabbed her trunk, and with a last grateful grin, she headed off towards the exit.
James continued on with his friends, but right before he passed through the solid wall that led to the Muggle world, he heard a voice calling his name.
He turned around, and right behind him was Lily Evans in all her red-haired, green-eyed glory. Before he could say anything, she said five words that rendered him speechless.
"Have a good summer, Potter." Then she stepped around him, and through the wall, leaving James staring after her with a small smile on his face.
"What's up, mate?" asked Remus, coming up beside him.
"You know what, Padfoot? You might just be right for once."
"Wow! Quick, someone take a picture!"
"Write the Prophet!"
"Tell Dumbledore!"
"All right, you lot. Let's go home," James cut them off, and together, they slid through the barrier and entered the Muggle world.
Love it? Hate it? Want to throw this story off the internet and burn it slowly in front of me and watch me break down in tears? You can let me know all that by reviewing! Constructive criticisms are welcome, but flames don't do anything. Thanks so much! Until next time, mischief managed.