Disclaimer: The characters and backdrop of the fictional world of Harry Potter belong to the immensely talented J. . I've gotta credit a huge chunk of my wonderful childhood to her. A huge thanks and love!
However, the plot and any new characters you see [that don't go along the lines of the book], belong to me.

Tags to look forward to:
Time travel [No. This is not another Hermione's time travel and life with the Marauders.],
Friendship [the first thing that has had me all hooked and enchanted with the Marauders.],
Marauders [they should've lived, dammit! All of them. Yes, even Peter – probably rotting in Azkaban, but alive, yes.],
Hogwarts [where help shall always be given to those who seek. In a way, a home to many.]
Love [the purest form of magic, which, even Muggles can feel, revel and treasure.],
War [ugh!],
Pre&Post War [yay!].

Heads Up: A secret. A life that depends upon that secret. A secret and life that the Marauders have sworn to protect with their very last beat. A secret that evolves into much more than what they've initially known and prepared for. A secret that tests not just the strength of their relations, but also their loyalties. A secret that brings them closer than ever before.

Backdrop: A time of the Marauders. Set during their Hogwarts' education years, this is the story of 4 friends and their lives. Stories of their pranks, friendship, love and just about everything that they probably went through as teens – or rather, quite rebellious teens - where love triumphed over the differences and walls that houses rise, when friendship laughed in the face of tribulations.

Dedication: To every reader who took the time to read.

Author's Note: Writing is something that just..is a part of me. And writing this story is like, quenching my thirst for writing and channeling my daydream of what-ifs of the Harry Potter World. The reviews mean a lot. I am not kidding, my fellow HP fans. I gobble them down [even if virtually] and energize myself for the next chapter. So, do drop your words regarding this chapter. Cheers!


Oenomel

Chapter 1: Slughorn, Slytherin's new seeker?


6th September, 1974

James Potter sprinted out of the Quidditch Meet with the broadest of grins splitting his handsome face into an even charming one. He could barely hold himself from laughing out loud. He was so happy, he'd have either declared a rest to the pranks for the day, or pull the most amazing prank the Marauders have come up in the past 3 years. He rushed past the long, crowded corridors and wished – like numerous other times – that he could just apparate. Not only is apparition and disapparition impossible in Hogwarts, the fact that the Marauders have mastered this skill is under wraps from everyone but them four, just like many other things – both legal and illegal – that they excel in. They are just kids, all but fourteen, you see; James sniggered skipping up the stairs. The familiar sound of laughter at the top of the stairs had his brows shoot up behind his glasses. But, not even Evans laughing at something Snevellius must've obviously said, could taper his pace or dampen his joy at that moment. And that coming from James meant something.

He needed to see Sirius. Pronto.

Despite what everyone thought and believed, James Potter is a simple guy. Yes, he is from one of the fourteen families, born into wealth that has been coming down from generations and probably is too much to even count. Oh, and is the direct descendant of Godric Gryffindor. But for James, what holds of importance is that he is born into a family that loves him to their last beat. He is the son of a couple who have their heads and hearts in the right places. And he is the brother of three absolutely amazing guys, whom he loves and cherishes with every last beat of his own heart.

Sure, he's born into joy, laughs and love; but you'd be surprised at how deeply and seamlessly he can understand people, or at least his brothers.

He didn't need anyone to tell him that Remus constantly lived on an edge. Even before he took a liking to that boy, far before he knew that Remus is a werewolf, he has always been aware and empathetic of Remus' sickness, or rather, condition, as they were often told.

How could he not?

Remus is one of the most intelligent, creative and sharpest wizards he has ever seen. He doubted if there were or would be any wizard or witch, who could excel in as many varied areas as Remus does, even though he has to go through hell every month, and live with the changes that a werewolf's life entitles, every single day. He doubted if there could be any person as wise, kind and ever-smiling as Remus is - werewolf or otherwise. He had begun to look out, care and protect that boy way before he and Sirius hooked this vulnerable but strong, kind and fierce, battered but charming lad into their little group.

Not that Remus needed his protection, or anyone's for that matter - that guy is a werewolf for Merlin's sake. He could take down the strongest lads with his bare hands and hex the strongest wizard into the next century with the kind of mind, memory and extensive knowledge he possessed.

But that's how James rolled. When he loved, he loved with all of him. So much that, he took the responsibility of the people he loved, irrespective of whether they were aware or approved of it.

He didn't need anyone to tell him that Peter relies on them way too much. It's not that he had a problem with it, but he sure was aware that the kind of relation Pete tries to tie himself with amongst the Marauders could turn toxic if not nutured carefully. He was aware that Pete might not be as strong spined - in matters that really matter - as the rest of the three were. But he was also aware that none of them were perfect. They all had their own battles and demons. Pete might not be the example of what a classic Gryffindor is, but he is one of them in his own way.

And he absolutely didn't need anyone to spell to or help him figure out that Sirius is the most damaged amongst them four. Mentally, emotionally and even physically, Sirius has been through hell. He still does everytime he'd go to his home.

He has always been in awe of that smug Black. He chose, stood and reigned his life against everything that was expected of and from a typical Black. But then, Sirius was anything but typical.

Maybe that's why he loved Sirius the most.

Despite what he goes through with his parents, he had never let them break him down. He was rebellious in a terrifying and dangerous way - more to himself than anyone else.

He was just 11 when he first met Sirius, but it didn't take him any longer than their first week into Hogwarts to realize that his best friend was not all fun, smiles, pranks, mischief and rebels. It didn't take him more than a term to figure, decode and get Sirius to talk to him about what goes through in his life. And it didn't take him another second more to embrace that tormented but brave, reckless but amazing boy as his own brother - his very own. And anyone who had a doubt or problem with that could go lick Merlin's stinking socks, for all he cared.

"Leo rugiet.", he shouted at the portrait guarding the entrance to Gryffindor Common room, even before the Lady opened her mouth.

The Lady in the portrait looked as if she was offended, but James didn't have the time or interest to step back and watch her to come to a conclusion. He's got important stuff on him - stuff way more important than a probable offended portrait lady.

He rushed past the now crowding common room, uncaring of the things and people he's running into.

"Watch it!", Frank called out to him, but he could really care less.

Stopping outside their dorm's door, he took a moment to breathe, before he pushed open the door, as quietly as he could. He didn't want to startle Sirius, who he hoped was resting. Though there have been no strong evidences of any physical abuse, James knew that Sirius had had an extremely tortuous month or two at his place. Apart the obvious loss of weight, so much that a usually decently built Sirius is now thinner than Remus, it did not miss his notice as to how Sirius appeared to be having trouble with walking, leaning his back against anything other than the fluffy mattress. Elf's whips; he realized darkly. He didn't even want to know how many days Sirius was made to starve. He wished he could do something about it.

"What have you been flying through?", Remus's amused voice broke through his mess of thoughts and emotions.

His eyes zeroed on an equally amused Sirius, who, to James's relief, sported his trademark smirk. He shut the door and walked towards his bed upon which lay both Remus and Sirius sprawled with the rough draft of sorts of the Marauders map that they are working on, heaps of chocolate and a couple of Potions and Transfiguration books.

"Evans hexed you hair? We've seen you rush past her and Snevellius.", Sirius pointed at the barely functioning map and chuckled as he watched his best friend grin down at him brightly. "Not that it ever is tamed but boy, do you look like potions gone wrong in a jinxed hailstorm.", he said and managed to stretch his lips into a genuine smile. It hurt, but it was worth it.

Even though James didn't say a word more than Those bastards when they met at the Hogwarts Train, and didn't bring up that topic to discuss and make him spill what he has been through through the summer, Sirius knew that James figured it out. Just the way he always does. His long hug spoke louder than his silence did. He also knew that it affected James more than it affects him. It always does. He tried his best to not let his bestie worry about him, but that's like asking a human to survive without breathing. The real James, his soft side and his love for his brothers, is not something anyone - but them four - is privy to.

It's been a week since they were back to Hogwarts and he's feeling more than just better. Thanks to Madam Pomfery and his mates, he's pretty close to feeling like himself, again. And so, he smiled. That's all he could do. That's all James would ever want too.

And just like that, his best bud dropped himself beside him and grinned even wider, in his infectiously charming way.

"Okay, spill it.", Remus straightened up, ready to figure out the counter hexes if James would be in need of them after whatever prank he probably must've successful pulled. That wide smile? Those kind light up James and Sirius only when they manage to top their mischief chart.

Shaking his head, James looked back at the door and flicked his wand to lock it. It makes him feel bad and guilty at times but, somehow, there are a few things he is not exactly comfortable with when it comes to sharing them with Peter. He'd rather talk with Sirius and Remus first and depending upon their reactions, they'd let Pete know, or sometimes, not. And the one he is about to share, tops that list.

He plopped a chocolate frog into his mouth and asked, "Guess who Slytherin's new seeker is?", he rolled onto his elbows and stomach and watched his friends with barely controlled excitement, his eyes gone wide and twinkling. Everyone, or at least those interested in Hogwarts Quidditch, knew that Slytherin's seeker completed his graduation and there have been tryouts going on since day one of this year.

Remus leaned back onto the headboard and watched James with a skeptical eye. They knew he went for a Quidditch Meet, but he couldn't point out any such outcome that would have James as high as he appeared to be.

James is undoubtedly one of the best chasers but Sirius is an exceptionally quick and sharp beater, who has almost never missed his target aka smashing the players who are a threat to James…and the other chasers and the seeker, but mostly, to James. They were an unstoppable force on the field - a scrumptious treat to the eyes, both for the ones who come to enjoy the sport and the ones who come to enjoy the people who play the sport.

Now, whose presence on the Slytherin team could make James this excited to smash their jaws? Malfoy is already on the team.

And then it clicked. "Please don't tell me it is Snape.", he groaned. And cringed when he saw Sirius's face light up almost as bright as James's was.

"Now that's a scenario worth imagining.", James looked almost serious, as if he were actually picturing Sirius beating the hell out of Severus. "However-", he broke out of his thoughts and got back to grinning, "-it's not him. Take a wild guess, Sirius. As wild as you possibly can."

There is something about James and his genuine vibes. The way he loves, cares and embraces you, vibrates off him. That must have been one of the reasons why Sirius always felt home when he was with James. There is a warmth that you can't put a finger on or give a name to or describe in words. It is something you can only feel. Feel it deep within your bones, in the depth of your soul. It's like, he lights up a warm, bright fire even on the darkest and coldest of nights.

Sure he loves Pete as a brother. He is a marauder too. And that's a statement that is self explainatory. But with James and Remus, it is more personal. As if on a new, deeper level. He found himself healing in ways he couldn't begin to even fathom when with these two. Both James and Remus are an addiction, their presence equals meditation for Sirius. And he often finds himself slipping into comfortable silence, sit between them and bask in their warmth. It fills him with hope and strength and every other thing he needs to be the Sirius he is, and not the Black that his family tries to break and mold him into.

So, when James looked at him with that bright twinkle in his eyes, the one that not even his ruffled hair and glasses could hide, Sirius couldn't help but feel lighter than he has in days. All his pain, troubles and worry dissipating, he found himself grinning back equally bright, if not more. "Slughorn?", he quipped and burst into chuckles almost instantly.

You can't really blame him for the round of laughter that erupted in their room. The three of them had a really quick, vivid and weird imagination skills.

"Two words, mate.", James managed to speak between their laughter. "Marion. Abirwik."

For a moment, the world seemed to have stopped. There was a fleeting momentary but thick silence. Sirius was still reeling from the name he heard, before Remus burst into another round of laughter and James split into chuckles. He took his time, but soon, Sirius grinned wide, falling back onto the bed. That girl.

Of everyone he could fancy after, he just had to go crazy over that badass girl; he found himself chuckling along with James. He is damned, alright.


Thank you for taking the time to read.

Do drop your reviews, it would mean a lot. Also, don't forget to follow/fav.

Cheers!