Thank you so much if you are reading this. I would appreciate any reviews I can get. Please no flames. Just constructive critique. Many thanks to my dad who taught me that the best pranks are the one that annoy the crap out of you. Much love, Airy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. In no way do I benefit from writing fanfiction other than the thrill of writing. Please do not sue.

The Dark Surrounds Us by Airy Girl

"You're joking!" Marlene shrieked with laughter, slamming her fist down on the seat. She, Alice, and Lily were on the train home for winter break, lounging in their usual compartment. Lily sat curled up by the window, winding her fiery hair around her finger, and watching the snow flurries drift. Alice was sprawled out beside Lily, using the seat across from her as a foot rest, and flicking through a copy of the Daily Prophet. Marlene was across from Lily, listening intently as she described being a Head Girl with James Potter as the Head Boy.

Lily giggled, "I kid you not. I'm as serious as a heart attack."

Alice glanced up from her newspaper. "A James Potter who takes Head Boy duties seriously? I'd have to see it to believe it!" Lily would have agreed if she hadn't witnessed it herself.

James Potter was the ringleader of an obnoxious and pretentious group. They, the marauders, had gone about making others lives miserable since the day they had arrived at Hogwarts. It wasn't that they were so terrible if they liked you; it was just that they had a talent for trouble that they flaunted. Lily had often called James arrogant and bullying, but after he had pulled himself together for their 7th year she didn't think those words could quite describe him.

"No, really, he's been quite good. He's great with giving directions to the first years and he knows when people are up to something." Lily defended him.

Marlene snorted, "From personal experience, no doubt!"

Alice and Lily giggled, and soon Marlene was laughing along with them.

"I'm bored." Sirius Black plopped down beside his best mate. James glanced up from his copy of Quidditch Through the Ages. With much teasing, his three best mates had agreed to sit in the train compartment across from Lily Evans'. Through the glass he could see her laughing with her friends. James couldn't help but admire her shining emerald eyes, even though he'd promised himself that he would get over her.

Sirius groaned. "Prooongs! Quit pining over her and do something."

"I am not pining!"

Wormtail had a coughing fit that sounded a lot like 'pining'.

James leapt to his feet indignantly, tripped, and stumbled into the luggage rack. He grabbed onto it for support. "I am not pining. James Potter does not pine!"

Remus sighed."James you've been on your best behavior the entire year. Why don't you just ask her out?"

Sirius rolled his eyes at Remus. "Mr. Padfoot would like to remind Mr. Moony of the many dating fails of Mr. Prongs. He could write a book: 'What Not to Do When Asking Out the Witch of Your Dreams'."

James grimaced and sat back down. "Alright, alright, I'll ask her out on the train back from break."

Sirius thumped him on the back. "That's the spirit, Prongs! With some help from Moony and I, what could go wrong?"

James mock-punched him in the gut. "How many things would you like me to name?"

The marauders launched into a long tirade of 'Things That Could Go Wrong'. It included: being mistaken for her younger brother and bumping into an actual Cerberus, among other catastrophes. But really, what were the odds that they'd bump into a three-headed dog at Hogwarts?

The Hogwarts' Express pulled into the platform on time as usual, and the students hastened to grab their luggage and exit. The Marauders were some of the first students off of the train. The four guys stood there frowning at the deserted platform.

"Something isn't right," Remus muttered, dropping his trunk. There wasn't a parent in sight. The other students milling around the platform seemed to agree. A scrawny first year leaned against the barrier, shoving against it with all of his might.

"The barrier!" he shouted "It's blocked"

Then chaos broke loose. With a flash of light, the first year crumpled to the floor. His friends cried out in alarm. Figures robed in black and wearing masks had forced their way through the barrier. A flash of light flew from one of the figures wands and a girl screamed in pain.

Wormtail squealed and grabbed onto James' arm. "D-d-death eaters."

With a flash of light and a roar of sound, the fight began.