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.

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.

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, is available even for muggles.],
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 last every beat. A secret that evolves into much more than what it initially they've known and prepared for. A secret that tests not just the strength of their relation, but also their loyalties. A secret that brings them closer than ever.

Backdrop: A time of the Marauders. Set during their Hogwarts' education time, 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.

Note: 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 3 : One can help the blind, not the one who chooses to be.

September 6, 1974

Sirius yawned as he looked around the foggy field. Waking up at 5 in the morning on a weekend – correction, on the very first weekend – all geared up, out and ready to belt some sweat? How did the Marauders drop to such low standards? He snorted halfway through his yawn, chocking a bit over the confused air in his windpipe.

Amused, James raised a questioning brow at his brother, his eyes momentarily taken off the now clearing fog. "That sounded like a hippogriff trying to hold back a sneeze.", he grinned and turned back to the field.
There are a lot of things that James takes seriously. But there are very few things that James takes so seriously that they leave him in jittered nerves. Being a Quidditch Captain is one of them, he realized just a week back. While the very role is an honor, it is no secret that it holds immense responsibility.
If he thought that the tryouts and selections were daunting, James knew he'd have to search for a bigger word for what he was currently going through. This is their first practice session for the year – the first one with the new players, and the first one with him as the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain.
Sure, he loves Quidditch and playing Quidditch; and though it might sound as boasting, it is an absolute truth that James is exceptional when it comes to playing Quidditch. He is a treat to the eyes – an immensely talented chaser, who has hardly ever failed to make his pot. It is no exaggeration that the number of shots that James scored in the past 2 years, were actually a Hogwarts' record. And a huge credit for that goes to the yawning bloke beside him.

Sirius Black is called the Indomitable Beater of Hogwarts, and that pretty much sums up what Sirius does up and high on his broom. The two of them have always been a team of their own even when they were an equal part of their Quidditch team. The rules were simple. Gryffindor wins. And for that, James would have to score as much as possible until their seeker got hold of the snitch. But amidst the two of them, there was another rule. No one touches James or Sirius. Beater or not, James would smack – or get someone to smack – anyone that'd target Sirius. And Sirius didn't even have to look out for rules. He is a beater. Godric knows what they were thinking when they let Sirius Black become a beater.
The past two years, Quidditch had been fun. They did their best as the Chaser and the Beater, and played a mighty hand at winning the Quidditch Cups. But this year, it was different. He's got to lead them to their Quidditch Cup. And James knew quite well that being a Chaser as a team member and being a Chaser as a Team Captain are two different things. The sheer pressure and stress is too much to even describe. So far, he took the responsibility of Sirius and vice-versa. But now, he is responsible for 5 other players, winning of the Cup and the vigorous practice they'd need to reach that. And that is exactly what made his nerves jittery. A huge responsibility over something he loves and takes pride in. Just wonderful.

"You're going to blow a nerve." , Sirius snorted at his brother. Sure, he can – to a good extent – understand the reason why James was so on edge. But for Godric's sake, he couldn't understand how James couldn't see how natural he is at being a leader. Be that on the Quidditch field, or otherwise, James is the binding force. Always. Even amongst them 4 Marauders.
When he received all but a lame arse excuse of an attempt of a smile from James, Sirius sighed and dropped his smirk. Sometimes, he mused, James could be a child, – okay, may be more than just sometimes – a child who needs boosting and backup every now and then.
"Jamie..", he began, knowing quite well that the only time he and James called one another the way their Mum – as in, Euphemia Potter nee Black – does, is when they step into their Mum's shoes of giving one another the paternal kind of vibes and advise.
Having James' complete attention, he draped an arm around his brother and looked right into the vulnerable Hazels that stared at him from behind the glasses that adorned his handsome face.
"You will be the best badass Captain in the history of Hogwarts.", he declared.

James let out a whoosh of breath and shook with laughter. Brothers and friends could be your soul mates too. And there is a reason why he believes Sirius is his soul mate. The moment he heard Jamie, he knew things got serious – pun intended. But he wasn't sure if he was recipient enough for his Mum's kind of serious at the moment.

Sirius grinned down at his mate. "Honestly though, you will be. Not because you are aware of every nuance and detail of the game or because you are an exceptional Chaser – which you are – but because you are..you. You are a phenomenal leader, James. And that coming from me is all the certification you need.", he paused at James frown.
"It's like…amongst our lot, I am the most reckless. We all prank and do our things, but I am the wildest one. And the only person who can tame me is you."

"And Remus.", James smirked. It isn't an everyday thing that Sirius admits himself to be reckless instead of perfect.

Sirius shrugged with a thoughtful look. "Remus is like…the voice of reason, which I, more often than not, royally ignore. But yeah, he is like this first warning alarm. But you..are the last warning. You draw the line, James. For me, it all boils down to you. Always.", he explained in the best way there is.
"Not because I love you – which I unconditionally do – but because even when you don't realize it, something about you demands that. And it is so strong, James, that no one can deny it, not even me. Why do you think my freaked out crazy arse calms down everytime after we have our talk or even just sit by in silence?", he confessed without holding back.
Sirius Black is a pro when it comes to making conversations. The words and phrases he uses would swoon any soul out there – living or otherwise. And he knew that. This is one of the traits that every Black is trained and made to excel at right from a very young age. It is a delicate but precious talent.

When Sirius speaks, without that mischievous smile or that mirth filled eyes, and induces his aristocratic vibe into his vocab, even a simple word, as simple as Morning would sound like a freaking phoenix's song. All you can do is be enchanted and give in to whatever he says. And James is no stranger to that. But somehow, this time, the confession hit him stronger than the vibes did.
"I'm going to whip your arse till we win this year's cup, brother." , James tried to convey what Sirius' words did and meant to him. And when Sirius stilled a beat before he gave into a smug smirk that slowly transformed into a wide grin, and when he pulled James into a headlock and ruffled his already unkempt hair, laughing so loud that James was sure that he and Sirius have successfully scared their team that were now approaching them; James knew that Sirius understood, cherished, respected and reciprocated it all the same.

Remus scowled down at the parchments in front of him.

Slughorn is one of those people who put House stereotypes to shame. But incidents like these: Potions assignment during the very first weekend where they're supposed to write about Unicorn's tail hair – of all the damned things – and it's varied uses, in no less than 14 inches. Fourteen bloody inches! Who the hell does that?

Why, a Slytherin, of course!

Remus opened the reference books in front of him rather roughly – but careful enough to not tear them apart. Assignment or not, he loves books way too much to even fold a paper into a bookmark.

"It only gets worse.", Lily smiled from her place.

Amongst the four marauders, Remus is the only one she converses with. She hated James' guts and she's made it pretty clear out loud. James and Sirius go hand in hand- always. So when she says James, it needn't be exclusively mentioned that she hated Sirius' guts too. Besides, she knew that Sirius wasn't particularly fond of her either. If anything, he always is amused. And she hated him even more for that. Peter somehow never really talked with her, neither did she show any interest or initiate anything. Apart the fact that he looked like a misfit amidst the marauders, something about him didn't exactly click in place for her to be friendly.

But Remus..Remus is an altogether different story. She couldn't for the life of her understand how he could be friends with the rest three, specially James and Sirius. How can someone so calm, wise, mature, friendly, warm and humble as him be best pals with Hogwarts' most notorious, thick headed, prankster bullies?!

Remus chuckled as he flipped through the pages. "A bloke can always wish, can't he?", he raised an eyebrow at Lily and turned back to the pages he stopped at. Blue and black notes scribbled on the top, sides and bottom of the pages in way too familiar handwritings split his face into a smile before he shook his head. He should've known.

Full moon is in another two days and he had been feeling extremely on edge, bordering on leaving him sick. His wolf was, for some reason, raging more than it had in over a year. Though he'd head to madam Pomfery by early evening of the Monday, he'd still have to attend the classes in the morning, which meant, he'll have to submit his assignment.

James and Sirius offered to complete his work – just like they do every time they face a situation as this – both of them having quite perfected the handwritings of all the four of them. But, he vehemently refused – just like he always does.

He should've known though, that when James and Sirius asked Peter to stay with him – to escort him to the hospital wing, if need calls, unlike they usually take it upon themselves – and vanished only to return sometime during the mid of the night; they would've done something like this. This isn't the first time they've snuck into the library, finished their works, jotted down enough side notes for him in the respective pages, charmed them to go invisible after 72 hours, brought those reference books back to the dorm, and let Peter and him use them for their assignments. No matter what he said, they've never stopped, specially when situations arise.

"Well, it sure would get a bit better if you'd have a couple others split up the work.", Lily treaded one foot a time. She knew she probably might be crossing a line. But then, what kind of friends leave their sick mate – which was quite obvious, thanks to Remus' pale skin – and go fly their brooms?

Remus bit back a sigh. He was very well aware of what Lily is hinting at and where she's leading to. As much as he liked and respected Lily, she is too stubborn for her own good. The world is shades of grey, so are people. But how do you explain that to someone who looks at things in black and white? He doesn't have the energy either at the moment, and so, he smiled and began to read the perfect, sharp cursive writing of Sirius'.

That smile...Lily shook her head. Remus is extremely kind and forgiving. And it bothered her a great deal that he is both aware and okay with James and Sirius taking advantage of it. She kept quiet for a couple of minutes before she turned to look at him. Seeing him frown at whatever he was reading and struggling with – it isn't a secret that Remus and Potions aren't exactly a peachy combination – to probably make sense of it; she spoke, again, before she could stop, control or filter her thoughts and words. "Why do you keep doing this, Remus?"

Remus was trying to figure out how James could twist the tail of 'g' so differently from how Sirius does. Both of those purebloods are well trained or may be it ran in their blood and genes, but even their running notes look like calligraphy art. Sirius more than James, but still. He keeps practicing almost everyday, and he's done quite a good job so far, but there still are a few strokes and stresses that make James' and Sirius' stand apart.

And so, Lily's sudden question not only startled, but also embarrassed him. What the hell was he doing instead of finishing his goddamn assignment?

"Why do you let James and Sirius walk all over you? Why do you let them copy your work? Why do you take the burn of the stuff they do, and, just why are you even friends with them?", Lily flushed as she fumed. She had no idea how a simple doubt began to fire out as raging questions.

Remus has always liked solitude. Or probably the quietude it brings. Especially when he's battling to contain his wolf. But, at the moment, he is thankful for the empty common room sans him and Lily. This isn't the first time she asked why he chose to be a marauder, even if not always in the same words. But, this sure is the first time they triggered something dangerously intense. Maybe it was the disgust and pity in her blazing green eyes or the accusation and judgment in her voice, or maybe because the full moon was just round the corner. But, something in him snapped. He took a deep breath and shut his eyes, willing to calm himself down.

"How long have you known me, Lily? No, let me rephrase that. On a daily basis, how often do we see one another?", he began in still calmness – something that scares the Merlin's pants out of the rest of the marauders. He didn't give her the chance to respond and answered, "We're both studious enough to forget the world around us during the classes, so that's a no. The breakfast, lunch and dinner? Where I'd be busy with my friends and you with yours. That's probably the only time we can pay attention to one another. And maybe my limited time in here, the common room. Have you, ever, during those times, seen me sad, wallowing or distressed?"

Clearly taken aback, Lily took a moment to think. Remus never answered her though she subtly asked him the same question quite a few times. And his voice..though it was gentle, she understood that she clearly pissed him off. But what stunned her was her realization that, Remus was making a valid point. "No. But.."

"No.", Remus cut her, his voice as gentle as ever but cold like no one ever heard. "No, you haven't. Nor did anyone else. You know why?"

Somehow guilt began to slither into her. She couldn't be this completely wrong about the marauders. No, she isn't; she tried to reason with herself defiantly. "That's because you are kind and forgiving. You just can't see the bad in anyone.", she held onto her words, desperately so.

And you just choose to not see the good in them! Remus wanted to scream and tug at his hair. He just couldn't understand how and why this extremely kind and wise Lily chooses to be stubbornly blind to the idea of another side of his friends, let alone their reality. He held her gaze and fisted his hands tight, holding himself back from lashing out.

Kind. Forgiving. If only she knew. If only she knew what he leads his friends through every month. If only she knew what he is letting them do for him. If only she knew how selfish and cruel he is. If only…

The quill in his fisted palm snapped into two, drawing both their attentions. Not taking his eyes off the curved writings on the pages of the book infront of him, that are now splattered with tiny ink droplets; he waved his wand. "Tergeo.", he mumbled, clearing the spilt ink.

Taking a deep breath and a moment for himself, Remus looked at a now rattled Lily. Kind, did she say? He almost sniggered.

"I know you don't like them, Lily. Everyone in Hogwarts does.", he pointed out coldly, well aware that he was going below the belt. But like hell he will let anyone accuse his friends. "I know your reasons, or atleast a few of them – the few that I too hold against them, the few which help me understand your hatred for them. And I'm not here to make you see otherwise. That's your journey. One can help the blind, not the one who chooses to be."

He held for a moment waiting to see if she'd bristle out. But when she didn't, he tried to really calm down. Accusations or not, he liked Lily for the innate person she is. Sure, she's got a few things wrong, but then, he is no Saint either, is he?

"They never walk over me, Lily.", he spoke, this time, genuinely gently. "It infact, is the other way round." He turned the books infront of him and pushed them towards her. As her eyes gazed over the pages, he continued, "They never copy. From anyone. They don't have the need to. There's only so much you can achieve from cheating your assignments. Topping every class, every year, is not one of them. Both James and Sirius have always topped the last 3 years. We both know this better, coz, we..always end up second.", he scrunched his nose in a tinge of irk drawing soft giggles from her.

"Well, can we be blamed?", Lily shrugged and smiled. "We spend hours working. As many as they do plotting their next prank probably and yet they win."

Pulling the book back, Remus smiled and shook his head. Contrary to popular belief, all the four marauders loved reading. But their range expanded and explored way beyond the allocated syllabus. "The next time you visit the library, you might want to check the log register.", Remus winked. Boi, she's in for a huge shock, more than a surprise.

Lily stared at him wide eyed. "You're joking."

"Nope.", he chuckled and shook his head. "Also, if we spend as much time in reading as they'd to plan their next prank, we'd not even be able to complete a regular assignment. And I'm not kidding.", he added for extra measure. IT is true that some of their pranks hardly take anytime. The ideas are almost always spontaneous and instantaneous. The work they put behind it, does take time but not as much as one'd think. The Marauders are one clever lot.
"Trust me, I'm almost always a part of it." A huge part, he smiled, and then continued, "And, I never take the burn, Lily. Most of the times, not even for things I do. I'm not saying that James and Sirius are Saints, but not all the detentions they serve are the result of their sole actions."

He let her breathe through the truths. She's probably learning about them more than she ever did in the last 3 years. He watched her closely as she glazed in and out of focus, trying to grasp onto whatever he said – especially since they most probably are clashing and cracking down her strongly built notions.

"And finally..", he gently broke her from her thoughts. "Why am I friends with them? Hell, I have no idea why they want to be friends with me, Lily. I didn't understand when Sirius broke my stuttering speech about the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall, in the train, on our first day to Hogwarts; draping his arm around my shoulder and smiling down at me, telling me he liked me. I didn't understand when James declared that we three were going to be best friends within a minute after Sirius' statement. I didn't understand when Pete became friends with me. I didn't understand then, or the next day, or the next month, or the next year, or even now. They are my friends. They chose to be. Just the way I did and do."

"Because..", Lily whispered, clearly in awe. She, for a good extent, began to see these blokes in a new light.

Remus smiled. "Because when I'm with them, I'm happy – the kind of happy that I haven't felt until I became friends with them. They make me happy, Lily. And Merlin knows, I have too less a reason to be happy."

Lily watched Remus smile at her before he silently continued to finish his assignment. Guilt, confusion, anger at herself and more shockingly, awe, began to clash within her. Has she really been blind to all this? Does that mean that whatever she saw for these past three years, it was with a certain bias? Looking down at her incomplete assignment, she sighed and wondered. Wondered if she really deserved to judge them as harshly as she did. Shaking her head, she continued to write, thankful for the silent company; coz somewhere deep down, she knew that she wouldn't like the answer to the question she just sought.

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