I skipped forward a few years because nothing much in the way of plot was happening in the 1st-3rd years. If it feels like its jumped too randomly let me know! I had written a big section of this chapter a while ago where Regulus was sorted into Gryffindor because he felt betrayed that Sirius was in Slytherin (seeing as he seemed different from the rest of the family and Reg looked up to him for it etc) and this turned him away from his family completely... but then no one chose Gryffindor in the poll ha ha so I just stuck with Slytherin. I had major writers block on the earlier version as well so this just seemed to flow better.

September 1974 - Marauders' 4th Year

Sirius had a problem. That much was clear to himself, although he hoped not others, and it didn't seem as if this particular problem looming over him was going to go away any time soon. Which was another problem in itself really. A never-ending circle. Okay so maybe he was being a little dramatic, but he honestly couldn't stop thinking about her.

It was the worst in Potions. The feelings were so cheesy that they made him blush furiously, but she seemed to light up the cold dank dungeons as they slaved away over their haliwinkles and billywig stings, Slughorn droning on in the background relentlessly.

It also didn't help that she was always hanging around them these days, Snape's fault of course. Why couldn't he be a good little Slytherin and stick to his own house? Five of them sat out on the grass one Saturday, enjoying the rare sunny spell. Sirius lay flat on his back, Potions book covering his face from the sun's rays; Abi was sitting up next to him playing absent-mindedly with a daisy she'd picked out of the ground. Regulus was caught up in a heated debate with Avery over something, and of course Snape was having another whispered discussion with her.

Sirius rolled his eyes, hidden from view by the textbook, but tried to listen into the seemingly intense conversation nonetheless before a familiar voice interrupted them. He could tell who was approaching without even lifting the book from his face: Potter, no doubt followed by Lupin and that cretin Pettigrew. His nose wrinkled in distaste, he couldn't stand that little weasel. How he had been sorted into Gryffindor was anyone's guess. He zoned out of the next part of the exchange, it would be the same old same old: Potter heckling, the minions laughing, Lily scolding, Snape sulking.

Sirius and James had developed a mutual understanding back after the infamous detention incident in first year, which had resulted in Professor Dawkins' retirement less than a year later. Sirius ruled the Slytherins; James was king of the Gryffindors. Neither encroached on the other's territory, aside from one notable exception to the rule. It wasn't that he particularly liked the greasy git or anything… but his borders were being tested. And he didn't like it.

He bristled at the familiar line that came next: "Go out with me, Evans, and I'll stop!"

Oh yeah, there was that other reason Potter seemed like more of a threat these days. Of course Lily gave one of her smart-arse replies and he soon backed off, taking the others with him. Finally sitting up and letting the textbook slide into his lap, he noted with a stab of surprise that Snape looked as jealous as he felt.

Andromeda Yaxley stared out of the window into the pouring rain beyond, the weather matching her mood perfectly; not that it had changed much in the past two years. Her husband was a cruel, cold-hearted man with nothing to offer her but money and social standing, coincidentally the only two things her parents were really looking for in potential husbands. They had wed just after she graduated Hogwarts, thank Merlin her father had at least let her finish her education before sentencing her to a life of misery.

Forceful hands gripped her shoulders, interrupting her train of thought.

"You're looking very solemn, my pet," Yaxley murmured into her ear as he began to rub her shoulders.

She shuddered inwardly, still unused to him touching her. "I'm just thinking."

His grip on her tightened painfully for a moment before he released and stepped back. "We have important guests arriving shortly. Make sure they are sufficiently entertained."

And with that he strode out of the room, leaving her with tear filled eyes alone in the cold empty room. Her father's voice echoed in her mind, "Stop that noise! Blacks never cry!" She sniffed but made no effort to wipe the tears away. After all, she wasn't a Black anymore was she?

Ted Tonks was a broken man. It was official. He stumbled out of the Leaky Cauldron, bleary eyed and stinking of firewhiskey. Ignoring the laughs and shouted comments from the other regulars he finally got out into the cold Autumn air and leaned heavily against the rough brick wall. As usual, his mind was on one thing.

"'Dromeda..." he moaned, tears slipping down his cheeks. He still couldn't understand why she had rejected him that day on the train. He still hadn't gotten over it. He'd held out hope for months... until he'd seen the news in the Daily Prophet two years ago. That damned wedding announcement: Andromeda Black and... hell he couldn't even remember the bastard's name. He'd been a Pureblood of course, he thought bitterly. One with suspected ties to the Death Eaters.

Well... maybe that was the way to win her back... she liked Death Eaters... so he would become one. He began to laugh hysterically, attracting worried looks from people passing. Yes, that's what to do, become the first Muggle-born Death Eater! The plan was flawless! He fell to his knees, tears of laughter now coursing down his unshaven face. He would storm into the meeting, demand to join their ranks and then sweep Andromeda off her feet and carry her off into the sunset like those old Muggle movies his mum loved.

Or he'd die trying.

:)