The Marauders: In The Beginning
Chapter One: Potter and Black Again



Disclaimer: All characters were created by J. K. Rowling, not me.

A/N: Okay, this is the first HP fic I've uploaded here at ff.net. The plot involves the Marauders in their early years - their very first year at Hogwarts, in fact. There may be a few minor mistakes. For example, I put Lily in Gryffindor even though it's possible she belonged to a different house, such as Ravenclaw. And was Dumbledore the headmaster during the time James was in school? Anyway, enough from me. Please read and review to tell me what you think. Constructive criticism appreciated.



James and Sirius were on their way to the headmaster's office. Again. It was the third time in the second week (of their first year) that they'd been sent there for "disrupting class."

"Improving it," Sirius managed to say between peals of laughter. "Classes around here are so dull... it's not like it's our fault Professor Binns doesn't have a proper sense of humor!" He put on a mock-innocent expression. "Is it such a crime, trying to provide our fellow students with a bit of good, wholesome entertainment?"

Both boys burst out laughing once more. "Besides," James added once the giggles had subsided enough to speak normally. "Did you see the look on Snape's face when the Dungbomb went off? 'Teacher, teacher, it was Potter and Black again!' " he mimicked. "It was priceless!"

They reached the end of the corridor. Sirius bumped into someone as he and James were turning a corner. The boy he'd walked into stumbled backwards, lost his balance, and fell.

"Oh - hey, sorry about that," said Sirius, helping him up. "Er... Remus, isn't it?"

James also recognized him. "You're in Gryffindor, too," he said.

Remus was almost as tall as Sirius, though his frame was slight, and his complexion rather pale. He had light brown hair and gray eyes. He just nodded and gave a weak smile. It looked as though he hadn't slept in days.

"I'm James, and this is my friend, Sirius," James said with a grin. "Well, my partner in crime, more like," he added slyly.

Sirius laughed. "We just set a Dungbomb on some of the Slytherins," he said proudly, by way of an explanation. "What were you in for?"

"What was I... in for?" Remus repeated, confused. Sirius nodded toward the door to the headmaster's office. "Yeah," he said. "What'd you do?"

"Oh," Remus replied. "It was nothing like that, I... I just..." He looked extremely uncomfortable. "There was a mix-up in my course schedule," he said hurriedly. "Well, I guess I'd better be going... Headmaster Dumbledore's really nice, by the way, hope he goes easy on you with your punishment..."

And he walked off before James or Sirius could utter another word.

"He seems okay," said James. "Bit high-strung maybe." Sirius agreed, and the two of them continued toward their destination, sniggering occasionally at their own displays of cleverness and skill.



Later, when all the students were enjoying dinner in the Great Hall, the two friends were recounting their tale to a few of the other Gryffindors. Peter chuckled nervously whenever they came to a particularly funny part in the story, but mainly just sat listening intently, admiration in his beady eyes.

"And we ended up getting a detention, but believe me, it was worth it," said Sirius with his mouth full of mashed potatoes.

"James Potter, that was a rotten thing to do," said one of the other first years, catching his eye, although he noticed she was smiling as she said this. He grinned back at the pretty redhead mischeviously, causing her to blush and look away. For first years, James and Sirius seemed awfully sure of themselves.

Severus Snape still glowered at them angrily from the Slytherin table. Sirius made a nasty face at him from across the Hall, then quickly looked away before a teacher could spot him.

"Look!" he said, directing his attention upward. "You can actually see the moon through the enchanted ceiling. Does that happen often?"

Some of the other students at the table followed Sirius' gaze. The moon was just beginning to come up. "No," replied Griffin, a fifth year. "Never seen that before..."

"It's almost full," noted one of the Gryffindors. It was Remus. He spoke very softly when he said this, a hint of anxiety in his voice.

"Hmm," said Sirius, shrugging. "Odd." He returned to his meal in time to see Remus approaching one of the teachers, who nodded to him absent- mindedly. Remus, taking quick strides, started toward one of the exits of the Great Hall.

James watched him leave, a puzzled look on his face. "You know, Sirius," he said to his friend in a low voice. "We really don't know Remus too well. I mean, we're in the same house. We're in the same year. We're in the same dormitory and we barely know anything about him."

Sirius was silent. "Poor bloke's always by himself, isn't he?" he said finally. "It must be tough for him."

After a moment, Sirius' face broke into a smile. "Well, that's enough of that," he said, flustered. "Guess we'll just have to get to know him, then, won't we, James?"

"I was worried," said James. "You were actually serious there for a second, Sirius."

Sirius glared. "Yeah, well... what about you?" he finished lamely. He hated being made fun of for his name. James just laughed, and Sirius joined him soon enough, but they finished the rest of their dinner in silence, thinking of Remus' constant solitude.



A/N: What did you think? The next chapter talks a bit about Lupin =) Please read and review!