AN: Greetings dear readers!! 'Yet another story?!' you say exasperatedly, 'why haven't you finished the others?!?' Well, the answer to that is that I have many ideas floating around this muddled object that I like to call my head, and they need to be unleashed!! But I shall update ALL of my stories within the next few weeks, because my severe lack of updating is getting a bit ridiculous!!!

This story will be more serious than 'The New Leader', although you may not believe it after reading the prologue! In fact, you may believe it is the opposite!

One more thing to say, I nicked the opening line from mercutio-rane's 'Blood, Fire and Ice.'

Disclaimer: Anything that you recognise is not mine!

So, here we go, welcome to 'The Underground'!!

It was once said that friendship is not expensive; it costs exactly what it should.

If you are confused right now, I don't blame you. How on earth could friendship cost you money? Surely if you pay for someone to become your friend, to become someone who you can reveal your deepest feelings to and never have to worry about what they'll think, to become someone who will stand by you no matter what road in life you choose to walk, to become someone who knows you better than you know yourself… Surely if all of this is bought thenthey are not truly your friend?

But what if the cost isn't money. What ifthe costis love?

The following is a story of laughter, lies, deceit, loss, betrayal, love, and ultimately…

Friendship.

Prologue

"….Sirius, man, that's disgusting!"

"Yeah dude! You need to get that checked out!"

"Oh God, I think I'm choking!! Your farts are toxic!"

Sirius Black just grinned at his friends and turned back to the headmaster, a little too proud of himself. He noticed the looks of disgust on the faces around him as the smell spread with the light breeze, but chose to ignore them and hid a small grin when they looked his way.

Lily Evans rolled her eyes and looked up at the podium where the great Albus Dumbledore was giving a speech to the Hogwarts seventh years and their families. She could hardly believethat this day had finally arrived.Here they were, seventeen year-old witches and wizardswho were now leaving the school to make their way in the world, to embark on a life outside of the stone walls that had been their home for so many years. Fully-grown and mature… Another disgusting scent assaulted her nostrils and, looking over at the trio of idiots that she had slowly come to call her friends, she realised that Peter had joined in the 'game'.

Mature, she thought, well almost…

James Potter put a hand over his mouth to cover his sniggering, his eyes watering. Unfortunately, Professor Dumbledore chose that moment to glance over at them and mistook James' mirth for something else.

"Now, now, Mr. Potter, this is not really goodbye. I'm sure you'll be seeing everyone again quite soon. There's no need to become so emotional." James felt a blush creeping up his neck and covering his face, while the entire of his year burst out laughing. But it was no use looking to his friends for support; they were laughing harder than anyone else! James glared at them and slunk down in his seat, brick red, and glanced hopefully at his girlfriend. But Lily was very obviously sniggering into her hand, although she was making great attempts to try to hide it. James turned back around, a little angry. You'd think that my so-called friends would at least support me, he thought moodily.

Peter Pettigrew noticed the grumpy look on his friends' face, but he just couldn't stop himself from sniggering atthe young mans'misfortune. James would get over it quickly, he always did.

For the first time in his life, Peter felt content and at ease with the world. It had taken him a long time to get here, but he wouldn't change a thing about the way in which he had arrived... Well, maybethe time that Sirius had dared him to go streaking through the Hogwarts grounds at three in the morning and he'd been caught by Professor McGonagall. She'd been so shocked that she'd ordered him inside and didn't punish him on the condition that he never spoke of the event to anyone. Peter was pretty sure neither of them had stopped blushing for weeks, and he thought he'd never survive the humiliation.

But here he was, five years later, surrounded by his best friends and hecouldn't help but sigh contently.

Life was good.

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"….and I wish you all happiness and success in the years to come," Professor Dumbledore said, beaming at the sea of students before him. "Congratulations…." He paused, sniffing. "Great Merlin's Beard, what is that dreadful aroma?" His query was answered by a burst of laughter from the third row, which was hastily turned into a very unconvincing coughing fit. The headmaster suppressed a smile and continued his speech. "Well, as I was saying, congratulations to all of you. And as the Irish would say, 'Go n-éirí an bóthar leat!'"

His words were followed by a torrent of applause and the students whooped, cheered and cried as they realised that their time at Hogwarts was finally over. Suddenly, there was an explosion from somewhere behind the rows ofchairs, and hundreds of glowing scarlet, gold and silver fireworks shot over the crowd, taking the forms of a lion, a snake, a badger and a falcon, which swooped around the crowd.

"A final goodbye from Messrs Potter, Black and Pettigrew I think," Dumbledore called happily. Many of the students laughed and those near The Marauders slapped them on the back. There was a great scraping noise as the entire student body leapt onto their chairs to fling their hats into the air. James, Sirius, Peter and Lily laughed and cheered with the crowd, their hearts full and free.

AN: Yes yes, a bit sappy I know!! Hey, let the poor guys be happy, they have a hard few years ahead of them don't they!! Things get way more exciting in chapter two!! And the Irish phrase in there is literally translated as "may the road rise to meet you", which is the start of a longer old Irish saying. It's basically a good wish for the future!

Oh, and just to let you know, farting and other forms of gaseous exchange will NOT be central themes in this story! That particular little subplot was just for a bit of comic relief!

Please review and let me know what you think, otherwise I may get very sad and be forced to eat lots of toast!!!

IrishCailin16

PS: Has anyone ever turned a laughing fit into an extremely unconvincing coughing fit? It's incredibly hilarious!!!