The Marauders were huddled in the back corner of the Gryffindor Common Room, furiously putting quill to parchment. Anyone who didn't know better would think they were hard at work on their school assignments. Four students hard at work, utilizing every free minute to further their education and become a proper part of society.
Of course, everyone knew better. No, along with writing down some hideous band name suggestions, James and Sirius were arguing over which one of them would sing. James felt, with it being his idea and all, he deserved the job. Sirius, on the other hand, thought he should sing because, well, he was Sirius Black. Peter was trying very hard not to fall asleep. Remus was lightly hitting his head against the wall, finding the physical pain soothing in comparison the never-ending bickering.
"I should do it, it was my idea!"
"But I'm Sirius Black."
"I can actually sing."
"I'm Sirius Black."
"But you – "
"I'm. Sirius. Black."
"I'll let you do it if you can tell me what we learned in Potions yesterday."
Sirius opened his mouth to respond but closed it quickly, knowing better. He thought hard about it. James relaxed in his chair and smirked. Sirius spent the lesson in question sending enchanted paper planes containing poetry of questionable content to a very unlucky Hufflepuff boy. Sirius was aiming for girl next to him, but he found it hard to concentrate with tiny explosions coming from nearby cauldrons. A few minutes had passed when Sirius spoke again.
"I've got it."
James moved within inches of his face and looked Sirius straight in the eye. "You've got nothing."
Sirius roughly exhaled a breath he didn't realize he was holding in. "I've got nothing," he said with a frown. "You've been a worthy competitor, Mr. Potter," he said in mock congratulations as he grabbed and shook James' hand.
"Yeah, that's all well and good, but we haven't even settled on a name yet," Remus reminded them.
"Can't we just be the Marauders? I can remember that," Peter said through a yawn.
"No we can't! That's the laziest band name I've ever heard."
"Is it lazy, Moony, or is it just lazy enough?" responded Sirius.
It's lazy, Remus was about to say when James cut him off with, "IT'S JUST LAZY ENOUGH."
"Fine," said Remus sternly, "but I'm getting something out of this deal!"
"What did you have in mind?" James questioned.
"I demand chocolate be within my grasp before and after all shows. All of them. You know I can be a bit of a monster about it."
James, Sirius, and Peter side-eyed Remus for about fifteen seconds before all four of them burst into laughter. "Come on," said Remus, "we'd better get to class."
"Moony, didn't you tell me once that you could play piano?" inquired James as they left Gryffindor tower. He nodded in agreement.
"What can I do?" asked Peter eagerly.
"Can you play anything?" inquired James, now walking backwards to face him properly.
"No, but I can learn!"
"You, my friend, will be the greatest bassist Hogwarts has ever kno – oof."
Suddenly, James was on the floor. He'd run into someone and landed on them with a tremendous thump. Sirius helped him up. James turned to apologize, until he saw the person he fell on top of.
"What are you doing up here, Snivellus?"
Severus Snape pointed his wand straight at James' and said, "If you must know, I'm looking for Lily."
"Evans? Well don't get your wand in a knot, I didn't do anything to her. I'm sure she's off avoiding you."
The four of them laughed while Severus gripped his wand tighter.
"Seriously, come off it and put your wand away. Blimey, it's a wonder she puts up with you."
"The only person I put up with in this bloody castle is you, Potter."
James flinched. He knew that voice. He adored that voice. Except when that voice was cross. He allowed himself a moment of panic, hoping she hadn't heard the entire exchange, before putting on his coolest face to greet her with.
"Evans! Funny meeting you here. No autographs, please."
"As if I'd ever want one."
"Allow me to escort you to class, it's the least I can do for a fan."
"I've already got someone whose company I enjoy to escort me, thanks," she retorted, linking arms with Severus and walking away.
"Why can't we be friends, Evans?"
"Because you bully my friends, Potter," Lily called over her shoulder.
James groaned and kicked the nearest wall.
"Bad luck with the missus, mate. Maybe you go that one step further and blow her up in potions today," Sirius joked.
Sirius took off running, then, with James close behind him, threatening to take his head off.
