Disclaimer - Usual.

Chapter 57

James got on the train, the start of the Marauders' fifth year, and wondered what this year would bring. They were so close to becoming animagi, he knew this year would be the year it happened. While the Marauders' Map had been all but completed last year, he had a few ideas to add finishing touches to it. Next to becoming animagi, the most exciting thing about this year was that, over the summer, he had been named captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, since Jenkins and Longbottom had both finished school the year before.

He sat down in their usual compartment and waited for Sirius and Peter to arrive. It was odd to him not to have Remus already waiting on the train for them. Even at Christmas last year, he had been with them, because he'd come home with James. As he sat there, the compartment door slid open.

"Remus?" James asked grinning and standing up to greet his friend.

Remus grinned back, stepping fully into the doorway. That's when James noticed the shiny prefect's badge pinned to his chest. James laughed and shook Remus' hand in congratulations. Sirius came up behind Remus.

"What are you doing here?" he asked in surprise. Remus turned around to show him the prefect's badge. "Oh great," Sirius joked. "Now, not only is Moony our conscience, he's got authority to punish us."

"That's right. So behave," Remus joked. "And don't let me catch you doing anything you shouldn't be doing."

Sirius donned his Cheshire grin and looked at James. "I think he just issued a challenge."

"Right," James laughed. "Don't get caught."

Remus shook his head. "Hey, let Peter know…"

"Let me know what?... And… what are you doing here?" Peter came up behind them on the train.

"Remus is a prefect," James supplied.

"Shiny," Peter replied with a smile. Remus was always the voice of reason in the group, and he wondered how things would change now that Remus could actually get them into trouble. Would he gain control of the group and temper the amount of pranking that went on?

"Anyway, I have to go to the Prefect's cabin. Duty calls. But I'll see you guys later, after my patrol is done."

They watched him go before settling into the cabin. "I wonder who the girl is." Peter said out loud.

"Three guesses." Sirius rolled his eyes.

"How do you know?" James asked.

"Because I know these things… and… because I passed her coming in."

"Who?" Peter asked.

"Evans," James stated, looking to Sirius for confirmation.

Sirius nodded.

"Hey," Gillette entered the guys' compartment. She was followed by Stacey. "Mind if we join you?"

Sirius smiled roguishly and pulled Gillette onto his lap. "Anytime." She smiled back and gave him a hug in greeting, then moved to sit next to him.

"Potter," Stacey greeted James, then nodded in greeting at Sirius and Peter. "So do you know who the new captain is?"

"As a matter of fact I do," James' eyes twinkled in delight.

Sirius groaned in exasperation. Ever since James had been named captain, it was all Sirius heard about - James' plans for the team, wondering who he was going to pick to fill the vacancies, new strategies, and just a hint of self-doubt. That was not something James would share with anyone but his brother, but even the golden boy needed encouragement now and again.

"Really?" Stacey giggled and grinned broadly. When James nodded, she said, "Excellent!" and threw her arms around him in congratulations.

James was a bit startled by the gesture, causing Sirius and Gillette to snicker, but hugged her back.

"You didn't tell me," Peter said, trying to keep the hurt out of his voice.

"I hadn't told anyone, yet."

"Sirius knew."

"Well, yeah."

"Oh," Peter glanced at Sirius who, despite groaning earlier, was obviously very proud of James. It shouldn't have surprised him. James and Sirius had always been close, but there were still moments when he envied them and hated Sirius. He was being petty and he knew it, but that only increased his frustration at the situation.

"So where are Patty and Leena?" James glanced at the door of the compartment as if he expected them to suddenly appear, which he hoped they wouldn't, as the compartment would then become very crowded.

Gillette and Stacey exchanged looks, then Gillette said, "They're sitting in another compartment with Hayden."

James frowned. "I thought Evans and Hayden broke up."

"Well, they did," Gillette explained. "But… Leena wants to date Hayden and Hayden's not over Lily, so it's a big mess and… we don't really want to be there when Lily shows up."

Sirius was grinning again, "Does anyone know if Aden is a prefect this year?"

"No, I don't think so. Why?" Stacey answered.

"I have an idea. See if you can get Patty and Leena… and Hayden… into the compartment across from us. I'm going to go find Aden."

James got up and followed Sirius out, "What are you up to?"

"We're gonna have a party… complete with entertainment." When James looked at him confused, Sirius explained, "I want to see what happens when Evans sees that git." Sirius went to the compartment across from where the Marauders' were. "Everyone… Out!" he commanded. Since the Marauders traditionally took a compartment at the back of the train, they were usually surrounded by first-years who had no one with whom to sit. The first-years were terrified of the older, larger boy yelling at them to get out of the compartment, and they all took off.

Sirius then located Aden and her friends and invited them to join their cabin. He told her that way Remus wouldn't have to divide his attention so much between them and her.

James and Sirius arrived back at the two compartments with Aden and her friends. Hayden took one look at James and scowled. "What are you doing here?" Hayden asked.

James was taken aback by Hayden's reaction to his presence. To his knowledge he'd never done anything to him – not really. "Still upset about that little dance, eh?" James joked.

Hayden didn't answer; he just sat down in the opposite compartment with a huff. Leena sat down next to him and whispered something, but he didn't respond.

Remus came around on patrol and spocked his eyebrow when he saw the, now, three compartments that the group was occupying – two wasn't quite enough, so Sirius had intimidated another group of first-years to move. In one compartment were the Marauders, Gillette and Stacey – the latter two traveled most from one compartment to another. In the compartment directly across the corridor from them were Aden and her Ravenclaw friends. And in the compartment to the left of the Ravenclaws were Patty, Leena and Hayden. Remus stuck his head in Aden's compartment. She jumped up and they embraced. When they kissed, the Marauders started clapping and howling. The couple broke apart, and both were laughing and blushing. Leaning back in, Remus whispered something to Aden, who nodded, then he headed to the Marauders' compartment.

"So what are you up to?" Remus squinted his eyes in suspicion.

"Whatever do you mean?" Sirius asked innocently.

"We're all friends here. Just figured we'd all sit together," James added.

"Uh-huh. And," Remus dropped his voice so as not to be overheard, "Hayden?"

"Leena likes him," Peter added.

Remus surveyed his friends, wondering if that was the whole story, but he didn't say anything.

"How long until you can join us?" James asked.

"Well, I'm almost done with my patrol, so… maybe half an hour."

"See you then."

Remus and Lily arrived together. Lily also looked around, mildly suspicious. To the Marauders' surprise, and James' delight, when she saw Hayden, she decided to join them in their compartment. Patty and Hayden looked scandalized that Lily would choose the Marauders over them. Lily gave Patty and Leena an apologetic look, but she was not about to sit with Hayden.

"How are you?" James asked with genuine concern.

Lily sighed. "Glad to be back." She offered James a weak smile.

"Rough summer?" he asked gently.

"Something like that," she answered. She sat for a moment, lost in thought, before excusing herself and leaving the compartment.

James got up to follow her, but Gillette stopped him. "James. No." Gillette had spent many hours this summer comforting her best friend. Lily had mourned the loss of her parents during the school year, but mourned the loss of still more over the summer.

James did not follow, but Hayden did. "Lily, wait up."

"Not now, Hayden," Lily said sounding tired.

"I just want to talk," he said, catching up to her and taking hold of her arm.

James was watching from the door of his compartment.

"There's nothing to talk about. And let me go." Lily tried to pull her arm free, but Hayden had a fairly strong grip on it.

"Hayden!" James warned.

Hayden startled, not realizing they were being watched. He glanced between James and Lily and then James again before letting go and wandering off to find a compartment somewhere else on the train.

Not meeting James' eye, Lily nodded her thanks before continuing on her way.

Returning to his seat, James asked, "Did something happen over the summer?" He continued staring in the direction Lily had gone.

Gillette glanced at Sirius and then looked back at James. She nodded. "Petunia…"

James turned his attention to Gillette. "Petunia's not dead, too, is she?" He sounded horrified at the notion.

Gillette chuckled bitterly. "No. That might have been a kindness. Petunia blames Lily for their parents' death. She's become very… bitter. Treats her horribly; calls her names. It's been a really hard summer for Lily."

Sirius, possibly for the first time ever, felt a connection to Lily. He knew how it felt to be hated by family and blamed for things beyond his control. He subconsciously reached out and took Gillette's hand, as much to support her as seek comfort for himself.

"Well that's just ridiculous," James argued. "It wasn't her fault. How can she say that?"

Remus spoke up. "Look at it from Petunia's point of view. If Lily wasn't a witch, the Death Eaters would never have targeted their family."

"You don't honestly believe…" James started, angry at what Remus was suggesting.

Remus held up his hand. "No. I don't. But I wouldn't be surprised if Lily does, especially after our talk last year. Besides, she's always been one to take on responsibility for others."

"Sound familiar, Moony?" Sirius pointed out. Remus smiled sadly at him.

"Oh I know she does. She as much as said so over the summer. I had hoped she'd stopped blaming herself by the end of last year, but… Petunia brought all that guilt back again – and more. It was one thing for her to believe it, but then when Petunia said what she'd been thinking… It just made it worse," Gillette said.

Remus shook his head, empathizing all too well. "And that's not a feeling that just goes away, either."

"I'm still just glad she wasn't there," Gillette whispered. The others in the compartment all nodded in agreement.

Aden popped her head in the compartment, smiling. "Hey. You guys are being awfully quiet." She glanced around at the sullen faces and her smile faded. "Is everything all right?"

Remus stood up and joined her in the door way. "Yeah," he smiled reassuringly.

"Yeah. Aren't we supposed to be celebrating the start of a new school year?" Peter made a face, as if realizing how odd it was to be celebrating a new year of classes.

"Right you are," Sirius agreed and the mini-party got under way again. Patty and Leena even joined in with everyone else.

Lily came back some time later and said, "Remus, we have to get to the prefects' compartment."

"Right. See you at the feast." He waved to everyone, and gave a quick peck on the cheek to Aden.

"All right… Out!" Sirius commanded for the third time that day, this time directed at the girls in their compartment, only this time it didn't have the desired effect.

They laughed, and Stacey challenged jokingly, "Make us."

"Very well. I'll change with you here," Sirius retorted.

Stacey and Gillette giggled until Sirius actually started disrobing, at which point they fled the cabin. He grinned at James and Peter. James shook his head, but Peter was staring at him in disbelief. Peter thought he'd never get used to Sirius' brazenness.

- - - - -

A/N - For those of you who are curious, the term "shiny," as Peter uses it, is from the most awesome show - Firefly.

I'm not sure how many of you remember, but during, I think it was PoA, Remus was mentioned as being a prefect. Later, however, James was said to have become head boy. Rest assured, this will be resolved.

Thanks again for the many wonderful reviews and words of encouragement. I thank you all. I know life gets busy, especially around the silly season, so thanks for taking the time to drop a line.

And of course, love and much gratitude to Mom, mei mei, and J.A.Carlton.

Nonair - Thank you for the complement on the map creation. I have a feeling the Marauders did quite a few things that Harry never did (and I'm not just talking about bullying). His life was a lot... harder - in some ways at least. Or maybe our beloved Marauders just had different coping mechanisms.

You also picked up very well on Peter's motivation (his wandless-magic) and how it helps shape him into the man he becomes. Thanks for that.

Wow! Awesome complement about comparing my map to Rowlings'. Thank you. :)

Thanks again for the lovely review.