A/N ( 07/03/08): I've revamped the entire story, correcting the grammar and storyline. I've also added 5 new chapters. Feedback would be brilliant as always.
I'm also having a torrid time, getting the format correct on here if anyone has any advice.
Chapter 1 - The Last Train
Passing commuters didn't pay too much attention the four seventeen year old boys save the odd curious glance at their luggage. The first boy was grinning as the other three boys were laughing at the joke he'd just told.
The first boy was tall, about 6'1 or 6'2 and lean, not thin and underweight, but slim and toned, his body well defined and muscular from years of playing Quidditch. His hair was raven, and messy, sticking up at the back. His face was well chiselled and handsome, his striking hazel eyes behind rounded glasses. As he walked with his friends, he casually ruffled up the back of his hair to achieve a windswept look.
His companion next him was just as equally, if not better looking. His long, jet black hair, rested just on his shoulders, whilst his handsome face and devilish smile complimented his dazzling grey eyes. He too was toned, filling out his teenage frame well, as if he played the same sport as the first boy. He was slightly taller than the first boy though, by maybe an inch or less.
The third of the boy's had light sandy hair that fell around his ears. His face looked slightly pale as if he hadn't slept well previously, but still handsome in an unorthodox way. His eyes, although slightly weary, gave off a natural, enigmatic look, as if there was more than met the eye to him. He was the same height as the first boy, and a toned build, although not so much as the first two boys. Looking like he was just naturally in good shape, rather than played a sport.
The fourth of the boys was completely different from the first three. This boy was smaller by at least half a foot compared to the other boys. He had tangled, mousy hair, whilst his podgy face matched his slightly overweight frame.
The boys were still chuckling merrily as they slowed their walk, approaching the wall in between Platforms 9 and 10 of Kings Cross Station. The four never stopped though, and instead paced gently straight into the wall, and disappeared through it.
The boys' faces never changed, when instead of the wall, they were now on Platform 9 ¾ and the Hogwarts Express' was waiting for them to board. Their faces never waived when groups of girls behind the windows of the train broke into giggles and were pointing intently as soon as they appeared; in fact they seem to embrace the female attention.
"Hi, James" said a passing brunette to the spectacled boy, "Hi, Remus" said her friend the same time. "It's Sirius Black!" a slightly too loud cry emanated from a group of nearby whispering girls. The four broke into chuckles, as the tallest, long haired boy, who it was aimed at flashed a smile back to the group.
"It's started already then?" asked the sandy haired boy rhetorically.
"Of course Remus, why ever would it not?" said the spectacled James.
"Come on let's get to our compartment" said Sirius.
"Come on Peter, hurry up" quipped Remus, rather impatiently towards the mousy, smaller boy, as he lead the way to the train.
The four walked down the corridor of the carriage, and opened the door to a compartment marked 'Marauder's'. The four seemed genuinely surprised to find the compartment already inhabited by several First Years.
"Whoa, can't you read? It says 'Marauder's', so come on, out you go."
"Sirius, take it easy" said Remus calmly, "Sorry guys, but I'm a prefect and I'm going to have to ask you to seek out another compartment" continued Remus politely, towards the group of younger pupils.
"Always the diplomat, Moony" laughed James, as the compartment was vacated of its extra passengers.
"You'll have to get used it being Head Boy, James" responded Remus with a smile.
"Please don't remind me" pleaded James. "I've got to work with Evans all this year. Just as I'm working to try and get over her, Dumbledore throws me back into the deep end" said James.
"Wait" cried Peter. "I thought you liked Lily?"
"Yes I do, I mean I did, I mean" answered James. "well…no.., yes I still like her. But I've finally taken Sirius' advice. I mean it's been 6 years of trying and she won't say yes, so maybe she's just not the one for me."
"I still think it's the wrong move Prongs" responded Remus. "Just try talking to her, and for heaven's sake don't annoy her, and she'll eventually come round"
"Moony, we tried that last year!" interjected Sirius. "For 3 months! 3 months of trying and not one single response!"
"Well you certainly didn't annoy her for those 3 months, but you really didn't try to be nice to her"
"Whoa, I was nice!" cried James. "I sent her flowers and chocolates, loads of times"
"Yes I know that James, but what I'm trying to say is that, Lily is caring and intelligent. So you have to show her that you are also."
"I dunno, I think I may have wasted my time for the last 6 years" said James miserably.
"Sure Prongs, you keep telling yourself that" replied Remus, although the sarcasm was wasted upon the other three.
After half an hour of general chat and scheming about the year ahead, Remus sat up quickly.
"What?" asked Sirius nonchalantly.
"Prefects meeting" stated Remus.
"Oh, ok, see you later" responded James lethargically.
"You too, James" said Remus exasperatedly. "The Head's run the meeting!"
"Oh, bloody hell, this Head Boy thing is getting on my nerves already!" cried James, "I'll have to meet you there Moony, my old boy; a little visit to the Men's Room is in order first!"
"Fine, but hurry up; you know what Lily's like" offered Remus.
The two quickly left the compartment and moments after the door slid shut again, Sirius jumped up alarmed, and went after them.
Sirius reach the Prefect's compartment to find only Remus there with the other Prefect's and Head Girl, Lily Evans. It was, the redhead Lily who spoke first:
"What do you want Black?" she spat "This meeting's for heads and prefects only."
"I know" quipped Sirius charmingly, "I just needed my..." but he was cut off by her before he could finish.
"And what do you want Potter?" she barked at James who'd appeared at the door. "Come to gloat, or cause trouble again? Well tough, I'm Head Girl, and you're not allowed in here so get lost"
"Well, erm, I'm Head Boy" said James shyly, as if he were embarrassed about his position whilst casting a downward glance to the Head Boy badge pinned on his chest to make the others aware of its presence.
"What?" spluttered Lily, glancing from James to his badge and back again, "You!? Head Boy? That's impossible! How could Dumbledore do such a thing to me? You of all people!" on the verge of shouting Lily was now rounding on James, who was now looking thoroughly down heartened "You! The most egotistical, loathsome, troublemaking, pathetic, conceited, selfish…"
Lily never got to finish the rest of the sentence because on uttering that last word two things happened. James muttered "Yeah you're right" and stalked off down the corridor. At the same time, Sirius exploded with rage and dove for Lily, only to be pulled back, just in time in Lily's case by Remus.
"You heartless bitch!" roared Sirius, shocking everyone in the compartment, bar Remus.
"Sirius, no!" cried Remus, whilst manoeuvring to stand directly in front of his friend and now looking him directly in the eyes, "Let's go and find James!" he pleaded.
Sirius shrugged Remus off, but instead of charging towards Lily; he simply stood up tall, and looked her directly in the eyes. "All this time you called him bigheaded but really it's the other way round" said Sirius, "It's you who never gave him a chance, you who always turned him down because you think you're too good for him."
"And conceited?" Sirius scoffed. "Calling him conceited, and yet you know absolutely nothing about him, because if you did you wouldn't be calling him selfish." Sirius now took one step forward as he spoke.
"And mark my words Lily Evans, if you ever call James Potter selfish ever again, not even Remus will be able to save you" threatened Sirius, the raw emotion in his voice completely convincing every single person in the room, including Lily and Remus, that his threat was completely real.
"Sirius, come on. We need to find James" ushered Remus, before dragging Sirius, whose intense glare never left Lily's shocked eyes, out of the compartment and down the corridor.