A/N: I don't own the rights to any of these characters, settings or anything to do with Wizarding World. This is work of fiction based on the universe created by J.K Rowling.
MISCHIEF MANAGED
CHAPTER ONE – JAMES
September 1976
A middle-aged man cast quizzical looks as two boys laughed their way along a busy platform at Kings Cross Station. It was a mild autumn morning and the boys stopped in front of a barrier a guitar case precariously resting on top of a trunk and a tawny brown owl hooting in a cage on top on of the other, an elderly couple stood to the side smiling at them. The boy with black unruly hair smiled at the curious man and they suddenly vanished as if they had fallen into the barrier itself.
James looked around Platform 9 3/4 beaming at the students running around and hugging their family goodbye. Sirius led the way as Mr and Mrs Potter appeared behind them. They reached an empty carriage and loaded their trunks, guitar and owl. The boys looked pleased with themselves.
"Much better compartment this year." Sirius decided, "I imagine the trolley lady will visit us nice and early."
"It's always about convenience with you isn't it Padfoot?" James joked and turned to his parents. "Well, we better get settled. Thanks for another splendid summer Mum and Dad."
Mrs Potter pulled James into a gentle hug patting his back while his father pulled out a heavy looking pouch.
"For the school year." He announced. "If you need any more we're only an owl away."
James took the pouch and hugged his father goodbye. "Cheers Dad. I'll be sure to write regularly."
"And do try to behave this year James. Leave that poor Filch alone." His mother scolded.
"You know me Mum, never one to make a promise I can't keep."
Sirius laughed and gave James' mother a hug goodbye. "Thank you again for taking me in Mrs Potter."
"Honestly Sirius, how many times have I told you to call me Euphemia. And you are most welcome; our home is your home for as long as you need it to be. And even after that."
Sirius smiled and nodded turning to Mr Potter holding out his hand. "And thank you to you too Fleamont next summer we'll continue your Mechanics 101."
Mr Potter chuckled and pulled Sirius into a hug. "You take care now young lad, keep this one in line will you?"
James scoffed and casually swung his arm around Sirius' shoulders. "Keep an eye on me? Where do you think I get all my mad ideas from Dad?"
The boys said their final goodbyes and boarded the train. Sirius immediately pulled out his guitar and began tuning it humming to himself. James sat down casually resting his feet on top of his trunk and pulled out the stolen snitch from his pocket. He ruffled his hair and peered out the window. There she was; Lily Evans. Her long deep red hair waving down her back hugging her parent's goodbye. There was no one like her. James smiled to himself and watched her board the train waving goodbye to her family. Perhaps he would take a wander along the train later and stumble across her.
Sirius began playing Gimme Shelter, singing softly, and the whistle blowed. Parents called out to their children and the train pulled away from the platform for another year at Hogwarts. James rested back watching the old Snitch flutter lazily around the compartment. The door slid open and a short boy with sandy blonde hair entered the compartment beaming followed by a tired looking boy with brown hair. James caught the snitch and patted the seat next to him, smirking.
"And what time do you call this gentlemen?"
"Ah Prongs, just as impatient as ever" Remus sat down next to Sirius nodding at the guitar. "A new hobby there Padfoot?"
"Just another thing to dazzle everyone with Moony you know that."
"I asked my parents for a drumkit once. They looked at me as if I'd grown an extra head." The boys raised their eyebrows and Peter laughed sitting next to James. "I got it in the end. I never played them though."
"Honestly Wormtail. You never cease to amaze me." James chuckled.
"Sensational compartment we've got here lads" Remus said stretching out along the seat resting his head in Sirius' lap. "Suppose the trolley lady will be along soon enough then?"
James laughed. "You and Padfoot… It's always about food with you two."
Remus looked up at Sirius who just winked at him and chuckled at James. "Who said it was about food? Maybe I'm just impatient to see the Trolley Lady."
"Ah yes, I can really see how a plumped old lady gets you going." James teased.
"The heart wants what the heart wants Prongs." Sirius responded and his flickered down to Remus.
James smiled to himself; he wondered when those two would get their act together. He'd been watching them flirt for the past year; their longing looks at each other and the way their embraces seemed to last that little bit longer… He watched them now; Remus' head in Sirius' lap while Sirius ran his fingers through Remus' hair. James doubted Sirius was even aware he was doing it, it had become that much of a habit now.
"Shall we get down to business then? I think we really need to fine tune the security of the map." James announced, sitting upright and nudging the trunk along so it was in the middle of all the boys.
Peter reached into his jacket pocket and retrieved a large piece of parchment and opened it out on top the trunk tapping it with his wand he muttered. "Revelio."
Slowly the parchment began to fill with lines and etchings depicting Hogwarts and it's grounds, little footprints appeared in several places on the map; two sets moving down the Great Hall and another set moving back and forth in a nearby corridor. James turned the parchment slightly and frowned.
"We need to finish marking the west side of the grounds. Once that's finished the map should be good to go." He muttered and Sirius nodded in agreement.
Remus sat up and pointed at the footprints. "I think we can improve this too. We should update the charm to include the names alongside the footprints. Thoughts?"
"Brilliant." Responded Sirius and patted Remus on the back.
"What about security? Anyone would know to cast Revelio. Now I don't imagine this is something we are ever going to leave lying around but I don't like the thought of someone being able to access the map so easily"
"You're right James. It's an honour to use the map and they need to earn it." Peter said, his face wrinkled in thought.
"So how do they prove they're worthy then?" Sirius asked "Perform a series of tasks? Do a jig? Answer these questions three?"
James laughed. "The map needs to determine that they're of the right calibre. Pranksters. Hooligans. Purveyors of mischief!"
"Purveyors of mischief?!" Remus exclaimed shaking his head.
"My apologies sir, I forgot we were in the presence of a Prefect." James responded sitting upright and buttoning up his shirt.
"Oh yes, I promise you sir I won't take one step out of line!" Sirius joined in flattening his hair.
"You won't hear a peep out of me sir, I will only speak when spoken to!" Peter added folding his hands in his lap.
"Alright, alright gentlemen..." Remus said smiling.
"We wouldn't dream of getting up to mischief. Stickler for the rules we are!" James said smirking.
Sirius laughed throwing his arm around Remus. "Wouldn't want to be punished for bad behaviour now would we Wormtail?"
"Oh no, not I. I am on my very best behaviour!" Peter squeaked.
James laughed and winked at Remus. "Better shine your badge Moony, you're an inspiration to us all!"
"A model student!" Sirius exclaimed and the boys laughed.
"Me? A model student? I'm a bloody werewolf!" Remus laughed. "And I solemnly swear I am up to no good!"
"That's it!" James said grabbing the Map. "That's our security detail!"
"What? A mischievous adolescent werewolf?" Sirius asked tilting his head at Remus.
"The password for the map dickhead." James said proudly. "I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good"
"Brilliant." whispered Peter. "Remus, can you enchant it to reveal itself upon hearing those words?"
"I can work something out, wave of a wand or a tap or two on the parchment. And how do we make it disappear again?"
The boys sat in silence for a few minutes thinking of a solution until Sirius smiled.
"Mischief Managed."
"Mischief Managed." repeated James "Its perfect."
They spent the remainder of the journey swapping stories of their summer adventures, tossing around ideas for the map and plotting pranks to keep Filch busy. As the train came to a stop they were dressed in their school robes and laughing as they made their way up to the castle.
Once in the Great Hall James took his seat next to Sirius and looked around. Other students were taking their seats, hugging their friends and chatting excitedly. James felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the three boys sitting around him, his partners in crime and greatest allies. The other students couldn't possibly understand the bond they shared, James felt superior in his friendships. He was sure they were like no other and he loved that.
The Great Hall became louder as more students piled in. James waved at his Hufflepuff chums Benjy Fenwick and Edgar Bones, fellow Quidditch enthusiasts he looked forward to smashing again in this years tournament. Gideon and Fabian planted themselves down next the boys chatting away with one another.
"Ah, there's my favourite twins!" said James beaming at the red haired boys. "How was your summer?"
"Busy and productive. We sent Dumbledore owls all summer asking to join the Order." said Gideon.
"Too young he says. Couldn't possibly allow it." added Fabian. "Bullshit."
"You want to join the order?" asked Remus.
"Why, don't you?" said Gideon. "You Know Who's out there, getting more followers and gaining more power, killing and torturing those who stand against him."
Peter whimpered and stared into his lap. Sometimes James wondered how his dear old friend ended up in Gryffindor. He didn't have an ounce of bravery in him. James sighed and ruffled his hair.
"Curse that no nose twat. I want to join the Order too. My parents won't allow it. Not til I finish school anyway."
"I live with the Potters now so the same thing applies to me." said Sirius "But you can bet that once I graduate I'll be signing up to fight. My idiot brother might worship that evil plonker but I never will."
Fabian nodded. "Well we're determined to get in. Dumbledore said we had to wait until we are of age and that's not far away now."
"We'll be right there with you." said Remus determinedly.
"Did you see your nephews much this summer?" asked Peter, desperate for a different subject no doubt.
Gideon laughed. "Oh yes we saw plenty of them. In fact we have new one, arrived a few weeks ago. Bill and Charlie have been so delighted about that."
"Anything that distracts them from begging me to take them flying is alright by me. Let's hope Percy grows up a little less needy eh?" Fabian chuckled. "Molly's going to end up with her own Quidditch team at this rate. Arthur just wants more and more!"
"Well as long as they're happy" said Remus "That's all that matters."
"Ah Moony, you old softy" Sirius teased.
James opened his mouth to respond when Lily walked in. She looked divine, giggling with Alice and her arm looped through Marlene's. James ruffled his hair once more and watched them take their place a little way up the table. Why did she have to sit so far away, he wanted to talk to her but he couldn't just wander up there now he'd look like a right desperate prat. Sirius nudged him and winked.
"Look who's finally arrived Prongs." he whispered.
"Yeah yeah." Said James "About time."
At that moment the doors opened and Professor McGongall walked in leading the first years. James watched and cheered along with the Gryffindors whenever a new student was sorted to them, his stomach grumbling in the process. Once the sorting was finished the tables filled with food and James dug in eating and talking about Quidditch with Sirius and their captain Dorcas Meadows. James was itching to get back out there and play again; he and Sirius had spent a large portion of their summer practicing in the grounds at his parent's house. Remus and Peter were caught up discussing subjects with the twins, making plans to study together again throughout the year. Every so often James let his gaze flicker down the table to Lily. She was talking to some younger students, smiling and laughing and James' stomach did all sorts of flips. As he finished his second treacle tart the dishes cleared themselves and silence fell over the hall for Dumbledore's speech.
He welcomed the students back and extended a warm welcome to the first years. James watched the Bloody Baron in the distance floating along the Slytherin table as Dumbledore listed off the rules, Filch requests and reminder of the Forbidden Forest being out of bounds. Maybe for everyone else, James thought, but not for The Mauraders. Dumbledore continued his speech, touching on the current state of the Wizarding World and James narrowed his eyes at the Slytherins especially those who follow the Dark Lord. He watched Antonin Dolohov and Augustus Rookwood roll their eyes at Dumbledore and Evan Rosier look like he was bored out of his brain and felt anger boil in him. Yaxley and Travers were whispering to one another, Rowle just looked annoyed. And then his eyes found Snape. Snivelus, the greasy haired long nosed prat and he nudged Sirius.
"Five Sickles if you can hex Snivelus' nose to bleed."
Sirius smirked and pulled his wand out. "Prepare to hand your sickles over mate" and he swished his wand muttering under his breath.
Snape's hands shot up his face he attempted to mop up the blood and James and Sirius struggled to keep a straight face as James tipped five sickles into Sirius' hand. James shot a glance down at Lily startled to see her glaring at him. What was her problem anyway? She wasn't even friends with him anymore.
Dumbledore ushered the students off to bed, a twinkle in his eye and everyone began making their way to their respective dormitories. Remus lent across the table to James and Sirius.
"I've got to help with the first years, don't crack a prefect joke! The password for the Common Room is Vernacular Trout"
James watched Remus and Lily round up first years with a pang of jealousy before following Sirius and Peter out of the Great Hall. They used a few of their secret passageways to avoid the crowded staircases and found themselves in the Common Room before anyone else. The Common Room was warm and inviting, a familiar feeling of comfort flooded James and he flopped down on to one of the armchairs.
"That was some feast." he said rubbing his stomach "Probably should've left it at the one treacle tart."
"You never learn do you?" quipped Sirius and Peter laughed.
Students began entering the Common Room and James saw the familiar red hair amongst them and jumped to his feet strutting across the room, ruffling his hair.
"Hey there Evans, have a great summer?"
She turned to him, eyebrows raised. "Are we really going to do this for another year James?"
"I can think of others things we could do instead." James said winking.
Lily rolled her eyes and looped her arm through Alice's. "I'd rather sleep with a giant squid than with you James."
She walked off with a giggling Alice and James laughed to himself catching Remus' eye as he came through the portrait shaking his head.
"Struck out so early in the year Prongs?"
"Yeah, yeah she'll come around." James said and swung his arm around Remus' shoulders looking over at Peter and Sirius. "Come on lads."
The four boys headed upstairs to their dormitory and began unpacking some things. James changed into his pyjamas scowling as he thought of Lily. Where do she get off insulting him the way she did? Didn't she know that there was a line of girls after James? But he only wanted her. He scoffed to himself and climbed into bed. Peter had already drawn his curtains and was snoring softly across the room. It shouldn't matter, James thought, he had everything he needed in this room anyway. He reached to close his curtains catching Sirius and Remus sneaking longing looks at each other and he smiled to himself. James had a good feeling about the school year ahead; as long as he had his friends beside him he was going to be okay.