Chapter 1

Lily Evans stepped nervously out of the car, looking around for Severus. He had promised to meet her here! What if he didn't show up? Was she even here at the right time? What if the train came a week ago, and now it was too late to go to Hogwarts, and she'd have to live out her boring mundane life, never learning magic nor doing anything remotely important... No. That wasn't going to happen.

The young redhead composed herself and thought about the scenario logically. The train could not have left a week ago, as she had seen Severus just two days ago. Lily pulled out his letter just to double-check the time. He had sent it by owl the previous night, and Lily spent quite some time cleaning the droppings from her bedroom floor. She carefully unfolded the parchment held in her hands, and read:

Hi Lily!

I can't wait to finally go to Hogwarts! I'm so nervous. What about you? I just hope you'll be sorted in to Slytherin with me! I'll see you tomorrow at King's Cross, right? Remember, the train leaves at 11:00, so make sure you come at 10:30. This way I can show you how to get through the platform, and we won't have trouble finding a seat.

Love,

Sev

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you to the train? I can help out with your luggage!" Her mother had asked several times, a bit sadly. Lily gave her mother a heartfelt goodbye, promising to write weekly, but also assuring her mother that assistance was not required. It was then that Lily spotted a head of greasy black hair. Quickly, she folded Sev's letter up neatly and placed in back in her pocket.

"Hi Sev!" She waved. The young wizard was standing with an uncaring middle-aged and equally greasy-haired witch; his mother. As the woman's son spotted Lily, he nearly ran up to meet her.

"Hi Lily!" He responded enthusiastically. "You look really nice." Lily blushed. They began talking as they walked to King's Cross Station, sharing ideas of what Hogwarts might be like. When the pair was standing between Platforms 9 and 10, Lily looked questioningly to her companion.

"Sev, what do they mean by Platform 9 and 3/4? I mean, there is no Platform 9 and 3/4! Is it hidden with magic? I don't see how they could hide something so big from everyone. I mean, maybe it's in another part of the station? Did they just make a mistake? I don't understand."

Severus quickly explained how the brick wall had been enchanted, and how they could run through it. Lily looked at him with disbelief. "A brick wall? Really Severus? Do you actually think I'm going to fall for that again? I mean I'm not an idiot."

At that precise moment, two screaming boys ran headfirst into the wall, vanishing as they hit the surface. A tired, harried looking woman followed them, pushing two luggage carts. An older kid could be heard muttering, "Freshmen."

Realizing that Snape had told the truth, Lily calmly walked through the wall, with her friend trailing just behind her. In front of her was an impressive scarlet train. She and Sev boarded it together. "C'mon," said Snape, taking her hand, "Let's go find a compartment."

Lily and Sev sat down in the seventh compartment they found (the first five were occupied, and the sixth had a suspicious yellow stain on one of the seats). Thirty minutes later, they were forced out.

The blonde, long-haired, and very tall (he must have been at least in his sixth year) boy was already wearing his robes, adorned with a green badge that matched that of his girlfriend. Their mouths were pressed against one another's as they barged into the room.

"You two," spat the boy, "Get out. This cabin is taken."

Sev and Lily did not need to be told twice. They bolted for the door.

It was not long before the pair found a new compartment- this one already occupied. Lily recognized the two boys that she had seen run through the brick wall at King's Cross Station. One had rather long hair for a boy. The other's was remarkably messy. With them sat a third boy, who had lighter hair compared to the jet black of his companions.

"Well, good day there, good sir, madam. I welcome you to our compartment!" one of the boys said, bowing in a humorous and exaggerated fashion. "My name is Sirius Black, and it quite a pleasure to be meeting such distinguished wizards as yourself." With that, he grabbed Lily's hand and kissed it. Lily's face turned a shade of red rival to her hair. Severus turned green with envy.

"What brings you to our humble cabin on this fine day?"

"Sevvy and I were forced out of our old cabin by these two upperclassmen. Some weird guy with long hair and a girl called Narcissa." At this, Sirius' ears perked up. "I guess they were just too busy eating each others' faces to spare some decency."

"Narcissa, eh? I can't wait to exploit this one," the Sirius boy said, grinning. He clarified, saying, "She's my cousin. Rather unpleasant, but I certainly prefer her to Bella. Just what compartment did you say they were in?"

Lily raised an eyebrow before directing the boy to her previous compartment. Sirius exchanged a mischievous glance with the other dark-haired boy, and they both ran out of the room.

The three remaining students sat in silence for a while. Then:

"So... what's your name?"

The light-haired boy, who had been reading, set down his potions textbook and extended a hand. "Remus Lupin," he introduced himself, grinning. Lily took his hand, noticing that he was fairly good looking.

"I'm Lily. Lily Evans. Oh, and this is Sev-"

"-Severus. Hi."

Ignoring Severus, Lily said quickly, "I'm so excited to come to Hogwarts. I'm Muggle-born, so it was a total shock to find out I was a wizard. I almost didn't come! Did you know you were a wizard? I just want to learn everything there is to know! This is all so exciting! I just hope everything goes well. What about you?"

As Remus contemplated how he could possibly respond, a piercing and girly shriek was heard from a distant point on the train. He chuckled. "Perhaps it would have been wiser not to tell James and Sirius where Narcissa is. From what I've heard, she doesn't enjoy being pranked."

Authors Note:
First of all, all credits to J.K. Rowling. I own nothing.

Thank you all for taking the time to read Lily Evans and the Four Marauders. I hope to continue this story mainly by writing about the exploits of the Marauders throughout their seven years at Hogwarts. However, there will also be some romantic development. I plan on releasing a new chapter each week.

Additionally: Aside from small details, I plan on having the fanfic follow a canon direction (ie. James and Lily). However, what happens in the middle of their time at Hogwarts...