The Early Years

Recap:

"Lily? Sirius?"

They looked up.

"JO?!"

Standing at the doorway was Jo (who else could it be?). And she had on this weird smile, "I think I'm going to enjoy staying in my new neighbourhood."

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"Oh man! Impossible! Your house is sandwiched between Jo's and Lily's? I don't believe it!" That was James' reaction when he was told that Jo moved beside Sirius.

"Believe it."

The gang was on the train to Hogwarts, with the exception of Kat. No one knew where she was.

"Do you think she ran into some trouble or something?" asked a very worried Remus.

The gang exchanged concerned looks. Suddenly, they heard some commotion outside the compartment. They hurried out and saw Kat struggling against some Slytherins.

"Hey! Get your hands off her!" Remus shouted.

Oh yes. He was angry. Very angry. (A/N Anyone wanna guess why?)

The Slytherins saw the Marauders and backed away a little. They were kind of intimidated by them. After all, Remus seldom got angry.

"Wingardiom Leviosa!"

The Slytherins suddenly started floating in mid-air. Kat hurried over to Remus' side. Then, with a flick of Lily's wand, the Slytherins landed with a thud.

"And don't let us see you again!"

With that, the gang turned on their heels and went back to their compartment, ignoring the crowd outside which had gathered to watch the fight.

Inside the compartment, Kat was bombarded with questions.

"Why were you with them?"

"Did they hurt you?"

Kat sat down, "I'm fine! I'm fine!"

"Really!" she added after sensing their uncertainty.

"What happened then?" Sirius asked.

"I don't know exactly, they just grabbed me into their compartment when I was looking for you guys, and they refused to let me out!"

"But why?" James was puzzled.

"Slytherins act very weirdly." Lily observed.

The rest nodded in agreement.

"Anyway, you had better be careful, the Slytherins have been acting a lot more weirder this year..."

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"Attention! Attention please!"

Shouts died down to hushed whispers.

"Thank you. This year we have a transfer student from Drumstrang. Please welcome Peter Pettigrew!"

There was some polite clapping and the students craned their necks to take a peep at the new transfer student. He had dark hair, a pointed nose and wasn't very tall. The sorting hat was placed on the transfer student and after what seemed like a struggle between the sorting hat and Peter's mind, a decision was reached.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

As Peter was walking towards the Gryffindor table, some Slytherin decided he needed to stretch his leg and maybe it was because Peter was so caught up in the heat of the moment that he totally ignored the outstretched leg and stepped on it instead... Which of course left the Slytherin howling in pain.

"Good showing!" James had praised him the moment he sat down.

"Oh, it was nothing!" Peter said, "It was quite obvious he wanted his foot to be stepped on if he just left it there, on the walkway."

Sirius grinned, "I like the way you think."

So that was how the Marauders became four. James, Sirius, Remus and Peter.

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"Sirius! Oh Sirius darling!"

Jo rolled her eyes as she walked past one of Sirius Black's many "fans". Of course, she had no idea why she was feeling so annoyed, even angry, at these people. It just irked her. (tsk tsk Jo, Jo, Jo, Jo, it's called jealousy?)

Suddenly, a pair of hands covered her eyes, "Guess who?" Jo let out a little smile, "If it isn't the great and powerful Sirius Black of the Marauders, who recently have been conferred the title of Most Charismatic."

"Ah, and let there be light."

Jo felt the hands leaving her eyes and whirled around to see Sirius with that usual grin of his.

"May I know for what reason is Your Royal Majesty playing peek-a-boo with me?" Jo asked.

"Aww, Jo, can't I play peek-a-boo with you without being suspected of harbouring an ulterior motive?" Sirius had grabbed Jo's shoulders and was steering her to the Great Hall.

"I didn't say you were harbouring an ulterior. You confessed on your own."

Sirius blinked. Why does she always make me feel stupid?

"So, where are you taking me?" Jo asked suddenly.

Sirius grinned, "You'll see."

Suddenly, they stopped in front of the Great Hall. Jo looked at Sirius, "Why did you bring me here?"

"Open the door."

Jo pushed it open and was greeted by loud cheers of,

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

"Like it?" a voice whispered in her ear.

"I thought you guys forgot about it." Jo said softly, almost to herself.

Sirius tapped her on the shoulder and was about to say something when they were interrupted by another girl.

"Sirius, sweetie, you're an expert at DADA aren't you? I need you to help me with my homework!"

Jo watched as Sirius was being pulled away, "Sirius nearly failed DADA..."

Lily, Kat, James, Remus and Peter walked up to her and gave her a present which they all forked up money to buy. A brand new cloak which could keep her warm during the cold winter.

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"Come on! Let's party!"

"I think Peter had too much butterbeer..."

"Nonsense! I'm fine!"

At the moment, Peter was on top of the Gryffindor table dong a really good impression of the famous ballet, The Nutcracker.

"Peter? I think you better come down. The table looks like its gonna break," Kat advised, looking at the legs of the table.

"No! I like it up here!"

"Peter? It won't be wise to stay up there!"

"I'm not coming down!"

"Come down and we will do the... the," James looked around at his friends for some helpful suggestions.

"Can-can?" Remus suggested.

James shrugged, "If you'd come down, we'll do the can-can!"

"The can-can? Okay!" Delighted, Peter jumped down.

A sickening crash was heard. The table broke... quite badly.

"So, how 'bout the can-can?" Peter asked cheerfully.

The others looked on in disbelief, "You think we should slap him or something? To get him to wake up?"

"Why not throw him into the lake?"

"Good idea."

Jo grinned, this sure is one heck of a birthday party.

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"Goodnight Jo!"

"Goodnight Lily, Kat…"

Jo tucked herself into bed and was about to fall asleep when…

"Psst, wake up!"

"Hmm?"

"It hasn't past 12 midnight yet right? So I can still celebrate your birthday."

Jo looked up at Sirius, "Thanks, but no thanks, there's only 20 minutes to 12 and my birthday's going to be over soon."

"Come on, I really want to celebrate your birthday with you."

Jo smiled. Sirius can be kinda sweet sometimes. Aloud, she said, "Alright, if you insist, I don't want to wake up the rest with our squabblings."

Sirius grinned and pulled Jo out of bed with her protesting about putting on her cloak.

"There's no time!" was Sirius' answer.

"But I'm cold!"

Immediately, Sirius took of his cloak and draped it around Jo, "There, now stop complaining."

"Who says I'm complaining?" Jo pouted cutely.

Sirius smiled. He had always thought that Jo was different from other girls. Quickly he led Jo to the astronomy tower.

"What are we doing here?" Jo questioned.

"There's suppose to be a meteor shower tonight." Sirius said, looking at his watch, "Anytime now…"

Jo looked up at the starless sky and stated, "I only see the moon."

"Patience is a virtue, you know."

"Fine."

"There it is! Look up!"

Jo looked up and saw the beautiful shower of meteors.

"Happy Birthday." Sirius whispered as he took out something from his pocket.

Suddenly, Jo felt something cold against her skin and her hands flew up to her neck. A necklace.

"This…"

"Your birthday present."

"But you already gave me the cloak." Jo said turning to face Sirius.

"This is something special."

Jo bit her lip as she played with the necklace, "Thank you."

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"Hey Jo, you know Sirius really well right?"

Jo looked at Crystal, a 4th year Ravenclaw, and raised her eyebrows, "What ever possessed you to ask that?!"

Kat smiled and said, "As much as Jo hates to admit it, she really does know Sirius really well."

"Well, that's good. Do you know what kind of girl Sirius likes?" Crystal asked.

"Any girl who throws herself at him." Jo muttered under her breath but said aloud, "The intellectual kind to make up for his lack of brains."

"Then I should match his criteria seeing that I am a Ravenclaw…" she drawled.

"Why don't you ask the guy yourself?" Lily suggested, "He's coming this way."

True enough, the Marauders were headed for the girls.

"Hello ladies." Sirius flashed his award-winning smile.

Jo could hear Crystal sigh dreamily.

"Crystal has a question for you, Sirius." Kat said casually.

"Really?" Sirius asked, facing Crystal.

Crystal started blushing and stuttered, "Yeah, uh… what, the, girl… uh, like… nothing!" and off she ran.

Sirius blinked, "What's with her?"

"Sirius! She likes you! She just wanted to know what kind of girl you like."

James rolled his eyes, "Girls…"

"HEY!" came 3 indignant shouts.

"Anyway," Peter said, "What kind of girl do you like, exactly?"

"Yeah, I'm interested to know too." Remus chimed in.

"I don't know," Sirius started. Just at the moment, mental images of Jo laughing, smiling, sleeping, studying, playing quidditch and pulling pranks flashed across his mind, "Jo…"

"Huh?" Jo asked, puzzled.

Realising he said that out loud, Sirius blushed and stammered, "Not…Nothing."

"So what kind of girl do you like?"

Sirius started walking towards the greenhouses, the gang following close behind, eager to know Sirius' dream girl.

"Don't worry, I'll know when she comes along."

That's the problem. Lily looked over at Jo and frowned. I'm afraid you wouldn't.

Sirius woke up, feeling hungry.

"It's only 3 in the morning!" He looked around. No one was awake. (A/N It's 3 in the morning! What do you expect?)

I'll go to the kitchens on my own then. Sirius got dressed and hurried out of the dorm, grabbing James' invisibility cloak as he went. Finally, he reached the kitchens and was greeted by very enthusiastic house elves.

"Would Mr. Sirius like any food?"

"Why, you read my mind!" Sirius winked at the female house elf. Embarrassed, she quickly ran to get the food.

"You're even hitting on house elves eh?"

Sirius turned around, "JO!"

"Surprised to see me?"

Sirius took a few steps back, "Uh huh,"

Jo raised her eyebrows when she saw Sirius taking steps back.

"What's the matter? I don't bite."

"I know that!"

"So?"

"Nothing! I was just shocked you found your way into the kitchens!"

Jo blinked, "Right," She offered Sirius an apple.

"Thanks." What's wrong with me? Its just Jo! He ran his fingers around his collar. Why am I feeling so hot anyway?

"Are you okay?" Jo asked, frowning. "You look kinda red."

"I'm fine!" Sirius said, backing away some more.

Jo put her hand on Sirius forehead and he became redder. Did the temperature just rise significantly or is Sirius babe-magnet extraordinaire blushing?

"Uh…" Sirius looked around for an escape route. "I suddenly have a urge to uh… go frolic with the giant octopus!"

Jo didn't have time to stop Sirius. Instead, she shouted, "Be careful not to catch a cold!"

She sighed and looked at the door Sirius disappeared into. What's going on? Things are getting very strange around here.

After finishing her chocolate pudding, Jo dashed back to the dorm…

"Kat! Wake up! Wake up!"

"What on Earth Jo? It's 4 in the morning!"

"Lily, go back to sleep, it's none of your business."

"Well, I'm going to make it my business now."

Jo rolled her eyes and sighed, "If you want to know… see, Sirius have been acting very weird around me lately. As if, I don't know… it's like he always seems to have trouble breathing and all."

Lily listened intently and nodded, "That happens to James when he's around me as well. Plus, he looks red and feels hot. Like he's having a fever."

Jo nodded vigorously, "Wonder what's wrong with them?"

In her sleep, the corners of Kat's mouth turned up slightly.

------

"Hi James darling!"

Lily raised her eyebrows, so James' squeeze of the week is Evangeline Thomas eh? Figures, she's been pestering him the whole month. Lily smiled ruefully.

"Hello Van," James said as they walked hand in hand to the Charms classroom, the rest of the gang trailing behind.

Lily watched them when she suddenly felt a tug at her heart.

She winced.

Her steps slowed.

The pain grew.

She stopped.

"Lily? Are you alright?"

Lily looked up to see Kat frowning. She couldn't talk.

"Lil' what's wrong?" Jo was equally concerned.

Lily shook her head. The pain was getting worse, "I'm fine, let's go, don't let the others worry."

Slowly, they walked to the Charms classroom, Jo and Kat exchanging worried looks all the way. When the finally reached the classroom, Lily grabbed a quill and started copying down notes, looking perfectly natural. Then she looked up and the pain started again. She saw James and Evangeline talking to each other intimately.

What's wrong with me? Lily clenched her teeth and fist. Her quill broke from the pressure.

Jo's head snapped up. She looked worriedly at Lily. Lily shook her head and forced a smile, "I'm okay," she whispered.

Finally, they were dismissed and Jo ordered Lily to go to the infirmary.

"But I'm fine!" Lily protested.

Kat frowned, "Why do you think you're feeling this pain anyway?"

Lily shrugged. Just then, James and Evangeline passed by, "Hey Lil', can't help you with transfiguration today. Got a date with Van."

Lily bit her lip. It came again. The pain. Her heart felt like it was being twisted into knots.

"Lily? You okay?"

No response.

"Lil'?"

Still nothing.

"Lily?"

She collapsed onto the ground.

"Lily!"

Lily had her brows furrowed and fists clenched in pain. She struggled to open her eyes. A blurred vision of James hovering above her, registered into her brain. Then, she slipped into unconsciousness.

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Lily's eyes snapped open. Her breaths came out quick and short. It was all a bad dream wasn't it? She looked around. The walls of the infirmary stared back at her. Nope, it wasn't a bad dream. I really did feel the pain. But why?

"Lily?"

Shocked, Lily's eyes scanned the entire place. She was sure it was empty. Suddenly, James' face popped up in front of her.

"Ahh!"

"Did I scare you?" James asked innocently.

"What do you think?" Lily muttered darkly.

Suddenly, Lily remembered that James had a date with Evangeline that evening, "What are you doing her anyway? Don't you have a date with Evangeline today?" Lily asked, "If it's still today that is, had no idea how long I slept." She added.

James smiled, "Yes, it's still today. I just cancelled my date with Evangeline. She threatened to break up with me but, oh well, anything for your transfiguration grades."

Lily raised her eyebrows but inside, her heart was thumping madly, "Are you saying that my transfiguration grades are more important than your girlfriend?"

"Why, of course!" James looked at Lily's expression, "I'm serious! I even brought the textbooks along!" Saying so, he brought out a whole stack of them.

"James! I'm tired! No transfiguration for me today!"

"Nonsense! You just had 8 hours of rest."

That was it. No questions asked about her pain. Just 2 hours of transfiguration tuition. Lily couldn't help but wonder.

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"Hey Lil'!"

"JO?! What are you doing here?"

"What? Why that shocked expression?"

Lily blinked, "You're in the library Jo! Did you lose your way or something?"

Jo crossed her arms, "What's wrong with me being in the library? Ever since I entered, people have been whispering non-stop. Even the mean ol' librarian lady!"

"Jo, remember you swore off the library ever since our 1st year?"

Jo stroked her chin, "Oh… the chopstick and egg-yolk incident…"

Lily nodded, "So what are you doing here? And what's with that book?" Lily said, eyeing the book in Jo's hands.

"I'm borrowing it!" Jo stated, a matter-of-factly.

That statement got everyone in the library staring at her, then people started whispering again, "Jo's borrowing a book!", "She finally borrowing something!"

Jo walked down the walkway, towards the librarian. She beamed at Jo and said, as she checked out the book, "I never thought I'd live to see this day."

"Neither did I." Jo replied, smiling.

"What book did you borrow?" Lily asked as they exited the library.

Jo handed the book to Lily.

"Twitch of the…" Lily wiped the dust of the last word, "Heart." Lily blinked, "Twitch of the Heart?"

Jo nodded, "Read it. Figured it had something to do with that pain you keep feeling in your chest."

"Are you sure?" Lily was skeptical.

"Trust me."

Lily's gaze fell onto the book, "If you say so…"

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"Argh! Get off me, Sirius!"

"There isn't enough space!"

"Why are we doing in the broom closet anyway?"

"So no one would find us! Dummy!"

"Why did you even suggest playing hide and seek?"

"It's the weekend Jo! Lighten up!"

"I don't want to spend my whole weekend in the broom closet, thank you very much."

With that, the closet door was kicked open and both, Sirius and Jo, toppled out.

"Aww… come on Jo!"

Jo shook her head, "Goodbye!"

Sirius sighed. He watched Jo walk towards the quidditch pitch with the sun shinning down on her. He rolled over on his back and blew on his hair, "Messed up again."

Meanwhile, Jo was seated behind one of the quidditch stands, blowing at the dandelions, minding her own business when she heard footsteps. Thinking it was Sirius, she stood up and was about to call him when a voice spoke. Unmistakably, Severus Snape's. She stopped in her tracks. Perhaps she shouldn't go out right now.

"Are you sure we should do this?"

Snape.

"Of course."

Who?

"Are you telling me you want to back out?"

Has to be an older student. His voice sounds mature.

"No! It's not that!"

Why does Snape sound so… scared?

"To achieve great things, one mustn't be indecisive."

Whoa. What's with the wise words?

"Yes, Lucius. I'll remember."

Lucius? Lucius Malfoy? Jo stepped back on a rock and lost her balance, "Ahh!"

"Who's there?"

Jo quickly covered her mouth with her hands but it was too late.

"My, my, what do we have here?"

Jo narrowed her eyes. Lucious Malfoy smirked, "You've got spirit. No wonder that obnoxious Gryffindor has his eyes set on you."

Jo blinked, "Wh… What?"

"Suppose he hasn't told you yet," Malfoy shook his head, "Gryffindors always take pride in their courage, I say it's rubbish."

Jo glared at him, "You have no right to say that!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Malfoy moved closer to Jo, "So young, so naïve."

Jo took in a sharp breath. Stop moving any closer. She looked around for help. They were the only people there. Darn.

"GET AWAY FROM HER!"

Jo turned her head. Sirius!

"Ah… the obnoxious Gryffindor to the rescue eh?" Lucius Malfoy winked at Jo, "Must be your knight in shining amour."

Jo stared back, at loss for words. Whether it was because Lucius Malfoy had just winked at her or because the obnoxious Gryffindor he was talking about was actually Sirius, she didn't know.

"Jo! You alright?"

She nodded absentmindedly, thoughts preoccupied on something else.

"Snape, Malfoy, you better had not done anything to her…"

"Sirius, let's just go." Jo said.

"But!"

"It's okay, let's go."

"Fine, you sure you okay?"

Snape turned to the older boy, "Are you letting them off? Just like that?"

Malfoy smirked, not saying anything else. They started walking towards the castle. Then, Malfoy turned back to look at the two Gryffindors walking in the opposite direction. Wonder when you two will come out of your denial… It's not everyday I help a Gryffindor.

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Yay! I'm done! I'll just leave you to ponder upon Lucius Malfoy's. So, you like it? Peter finally came. Didn't make him a sneaky or bad or puny or timid guy. Felt that he should be just a normal teenager like any of them. He'll join Voldermort when he graduates. So, all you have to do now is review! LoL… Please?