Author's note: It has been over a decade since I last read a Harry Potter book, and I have only recently watched the films for the first time. Please, leave reviews whether you like my work or not.
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The snow was cold beneath his bare feet. He watched the students disembark from their carriages, into the village below. He sniffed the air, hungrily. Hearty stews and butterbeer was the first to come with the crisp Yuletide air. But there was more.
He could smell him.
Azkaban had not been kind those long 12 years, but he never lost the scent.
Sirius Black, under the cover of his black furred animagus, had found him.
Rage began to fill his heart, a desire for revenge, a desire to hunt him down, a desire to kill-
When new smells struck him. New and old smells that tore at his heart.
Prongs. Moony. Even his own scent. All faint, but there, down in the village, with the children.
Desperation drove him to focus on the scents. Where were they? How?
Then he saw them. The boys. The twins. Bright red hair, and mischievous eyes. Their robes reeked of Zonko's products… pranksters and merrymakers.
Had he the right muscles, he would have smiled.
Beneath that smell though, it was there. Old parchment… magic ink… years of grubby little hands opening and closing the folds to the Marauders' Map.
Dashing silently down the hill, knocking the two wizards off their feet was simplicity itself. Swiftly, but gently pulling the map from within their robes got him a few good swats and a rather weak offensive charm from them, but he did it, pulling a few snacks from the robes as well.
As far as the boys would know, he was just a starving dog that still had enough sense not to bite the hand that feeds, unwilling as it may be.
He got his map, that's what mattered.
Hours later, hidden within the Shrieking Shack where he and his brothers had once comforted one of their own under the light of the full moon, Sirius Black wept. For the first time in over a decade, he well and truly wept.
Opening the map to its fullest had allowed him to see the entirety of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade below.
And in that map he found the names.
Remus Lupin and Harry Potter.
His last remaining brother and his godson. Together in the castle.
And Pettigrew. The traitorous rat. To keep calling him Wormtail felt an insult to worms now.
After 12 years, he was so close. To all of it. To vengeance, reconciliation, to meeting and apologizing to his godson.
But this also presented something else. Memories.
James and Remus were the brains behind the Marauders, but that didn't mean he was short on grey matter himself. He knew that if he just killed Pettigrew, no one could prove his innocence. Then where would he be? A man on the run for crimes he never committed, never being able to truly be there for Harry.
No, he needed to plan. He needed to act with discipline. He failed James and Lily. He couldn't afford to fail Harry.
He waited 12 years. He could wait a bit longer. That didn't mean he would be inactive though.
The twins who had the map were pranksters, to be certain, but they were no Marauders. And Sirius imagined that in the years without Marauders, Hogwarts had become quite dull.
He couldn't carry the mantle anymore, and Remus was too dignified for it nowadays. They'd need a new generation.
"Divide the plunder."
He spoke the words and a new function of the map emerged. A psychological profile of the Marauders, so to speak.
"Death to Wormtail, betrayer of Prongs. Long may rest Prongs, Marauder eternal. Long life to Moony, who's finally grown up. Let Padfoot find new friends, Marauders devout."
As ink spread across the parchment, sweeping over every set of footprints, and every name, four were highlighted, with house and year.
Harry James Potter, Gryffindor, Year 3.
Hermione Jean Granger, Gryffindor, Year 3.
Neville Longbottom, Gryffindor, Year 3.
In honesty, he wasn't shocked at the first two. It seemed that Harry and Miss Granger were never too far apart. The third was slightly unexpected, though not totally. He was almost certain that the third would be the Weasley boy. However, the fourth name gave him pause, as it certainly wasn't as he expected.
Luna Lovegood, Ravenclaw, Year 2.
The first iteration of the Marauders had all been the same house and the same year, though looking back, he realized that those were mostly out of convenience. He also realized that just because they all belonged to Gryffindor, hadn't meant they were family.
If the map said this Ravenclaw girl was a good fit for the New Marauders, he wasn't going to question it. He trusted the handiwork of James and Remus.
The next time the carriages came to Hogsmeade, Sirius made certain that the map could be found by the twins. Again. Soon the young third years would be permitted to visit the village, but he knew that Frank and Alice weren't able to take care of him. His cackling cousin saw to that. And knowing how Petunia was, all those years ago, he highly doubted she had gotten better.
He only could hope that the twins might have a favorable opinion of his godson.
But, until he could be sure, he was going to prepare. No use greeting Harry in dirty old prison rags, and rancid teeth. Imagine how the poor boy might react to such a sight!
Harry Potter could only stare in awe at the piece of parchment before him. It had been a map of all of Hogwarts, showing the footsteps and names of every person on the premises. At least until the twins had left him alone. Then the whole thing had gone black with white text!
"Hello, fawn. If you're reading this, then that means the map has fallen into proper hands. Marauder hands. The days of Mssrs. Prongs, Moony, and Padfoot are over, and the mantle falls to you. Place a drop of blood upon the parchment to unlock the names of your fellows, and build the Marauders anew."
Taking a quick bite into his thumb, Harry daubed what little blood leaked onto the paper. As he read the names, he was confused. Hermione, he could understand, she'd stood by his side through thick and thin, ever since the troll in the girl's lavatory. But Neville? Harry liked the boy well enough, he supposed, but Neville Longbottom hardly seemed to be the type to join… whatever the Marauders were. And he didn't even know who Luna Lovegood was.
Why wasn't Ron on the list?
As though hearing his thoughts, the text shifted.
"The Marauders are a team. Meant to compliment the abilities of one another, and form bonds of unity between one another. Prongs was the de facto leader, being charismatic, strong, and generally well off. Moony was the brains, and the voice of reason when needed. Padfoot was the drive, always thinking outside the box. And the sniveling rat was supposed to be the support. You, Harry James Potter, will likely take on the position of Prongs. Miss Granger, your voice of reason and brainiac. Miss Lovegood will help you think beyond the norm. And Mister Longbottom, your most steadfast companion. No more questions at the time, thank you."
Harry was only able to choke out a surprised noise of protest, as the ink rearranged itself back into the map.
He needed to see Hermione. She was the brightest witch of their age after all. But there was the issue of the Firebolt. As upset as he'd been about the breach of trust, after a few days he'd calmed enough to see her logic. He really wanted to have his best friend back at his side again, but he just didn't know how to go about it.
He definitely couldn't show Ron. If the map ever let slip that he and Hermione were… selected?... for this new generation, but he was not? Harry loved Ron dearly, but as they were growing he began to notice Ron's tendencies that reminded him a bit too much of Dudley.
He hadn't a clue who Luna Lovegood was, so she was off the table for now.
That left Neville. When Ron had gotten back to school he'd almost immediately gone for the great hall for supper, leaving Harry free to find Longbottom in the Gryffindor dorms.
"So, the map listed me? Like, me specifically? By name? You're sure?"
"Yes, Neville, it said you, specifically, by name. I was hoping you'd be able to help me figure it out."
"Harry, I- I don't- I think you'd be better suited asking Hermione for help. Me, I'm… I'm just sort of… useless."
Harry was taken aback. He had heard jokes, some made by Neville himself, but he had never, not in the three years since they'd met, heard the boy speak so lowly of himself with such seriousness.
"Neville… are you alright?"
Neville started at the question, and raised his head to face Harry, looking like he'd never been asked before.
He wiped at his eyes, dispelling any tears that welled. He tried to smile at Harry, but it didn't even reach his cheeks, let alone his eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine, you don't… you don't have to worry about me… it's just… rough time of the year coming up."
Harry thought about the date… it was getting close to Halloween.
"Did something happen… on Halloween?"
Neville sniffed and looked away.
"Nah, not on Halloween anyway… bit after. Can… can you promise not to tell?"
"I promise."
"Right… well… I was just a baby at the time. Staying at me Gran's house while my parents were off working. They were Aurors, ya see. Hunting Death Eaters after You-Know-Who… well you know about that. They got captured by Bellatrix Lestrange and a few others. They used the Cruciatus Curse…"
Neville sniffed again and wiped his eyes.
"Da doesn't move at all, and mum… she doesn't know who I am. Not really. I think there's some part of her left, she always gives me bubblegum wrappers when I visit them at Saint Mungo's, but beyond that there's… nothing. My gran, she wants me to be like how Da was before. Even gave me his old wand. But I can't. No matter how much I try, I just can't. You remember first year. I couldn't even do levitation proper. And then, last year, I was hung from a chandelier by pixies. This year? At least I've not made a complete fool of meself this year. I shouldn't have been sorted into Gryffindor. I shouldn't have even come to Hogwarts. I shouldn't have magic."
Harry hadn't known when he sat down next to Neville. Nor did he know when he threw an arm about his shoulders. And he hadn't a clue when he and Neville had both shed tears.
"You know something, Neville? I think you absolutely belong in Gryffindor. You deserve to be at Hogwarts. And you're certainly worthy of your magic."
"Why do you think that?"
Harry looked at this boy, this brother in burdens, and understood why he was the one the map suggested.
"Because it takes more courage than anything else I know to confide in someone. That's courage that I wish I had. Tell ya what, when we get back to London, we'll head to Ollivander's, and see about getting your own wand."
"But I got-"
"You've got your dad's wand, but you said it yourself. You're not like him. You're not him. So why expect his wand to work for you?"
Neville looked down and nodded.
"Thanks, Harry… I don't think anyone has listened for so long."
Harry patted his back.
"Well, birds of a feather…"
Neville smiled somberly at him. Both knowing the others pain.
"Come on. I may not be able to help you, but Hermione certainly would. Let's go find her."
Harry looked down in shame.
"What's wrong?"
"I haven't spoken to her in a week."
"What? Why not? You two have done everything together since first year! Well, all but Quidditch and the Library."
"I… I got a new broom in the post. 'Mione thought it might've come from Sirius Black. Thought it might be jinxed. I didn't listen to her at first because I was just happy to have a broom again. Then she took it to McGonagall, but didn't tell me she was doing it."
"So you don't want to talk to her?"
Harry looked up frantically, panic and regret written on his face.
"I do! But I've been such an idiot and a git to her, she won't want anything to do with me!"
Neville took his glasses from his face, and held them up to the candlelight, moving them back and forth in front of his own eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"Checking to see how blind you really are. Anyone with two brain cells to rub together could tell you she's been miserable without you."
Harry snatched his glasses back and put them on, mumbling under his breath.
"I guess I only have the one, then."
Neville clapped him on the back.
"Well, between the two of us, I think we have 3."
Harry snorted.
"When'd you become a comedian?"
"Remember my rememberall?"
"I remember you forgot your rememberall."
The two boys laughed and pushed each other, moving past their somber moments.
"In all seriousness though, I think you two need to actually talk it out, not just apologize for it."
"I don't know…"
"Come on! You fought a basilisk and won! Surely talking to your best friend isn't as bad."
"All right. Do you know where she is?"
If possible, Neville gave him a deadpan so swiftly, Harry could swear he saw the ghost of a skillet fly through the wall.
"Right, map. Stupid question. 'I solemnly swear I am up to no good.'"
He looked at the magical moving map of Hogwarts to find his favorite frizzy haired friend.
Honestly, he felt like the biggest moron to ever walk the halls of Hogwarts. Of course she was in the library, she always went to the library, she loved to read and study everything she could. Where else would she be if not the library?
He scanned the room until his emerald eyes caught sight of her untamed mane. He nervously shuffled his weight left to right before Neville nudged him forward.
"Go talk to her. I'll be around, looking at a few things."
With that, Neville Longbottom disappeared into the aisles of tomes, scrolls, and books regarding plants and animals in the magical world.
Harry swallowed and made his way to the table Hermione sat at. Each step closer filled him with regret.
Her shoulders were slumped, her hair seemed more frazzled than ever, and dark circles sat beneath her eyes, which themselves were puffy and bloodshot. She'd been crying recently.
Because of him. Him and his stupid ego.
He managed to whisper.
"Hermione?"
She looked at him, startled as she hadn't been paying attention to her surroundings.
"H-Harry?"
By Merlin, her voice shattered his heart. Shaky, hoarse, barely a whisper. It reminded him of how she was in the lavatory, when he fought the troll. And when he had to walk through the fire in the third wing. And when she had nightmares about the basilisk and would walk down into the common room and call for him from downstairs. Had she always seemed so… vulnerable? He knew he didn't like being the cause of it.
"Hermione, I-"
"Harry-"
They both started at the same time, and both could certainly hear the fear in each others' voices.
He took a deep breath. Time to be brave. Like Neville.
"Hermione, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I've been such an arse to you. I let my stupid ego get in the way, and I was impatient and stupid, and I understand if you don't want anything to do with me ever again, because honestly I've been a total git when all you've ever done is look out for me and care about me and try to help me and-"
He was cut off from his quiet rant as a frazzled girl rocketed into his chest, arms wrapping around him as though he were the only life preserver in the open sea.
"I'm sorry too. I should've talked to you about the broom. Instead I was just so convinced I was right, that I just acted without thinking about how it would affect you."
Harry wrapped his arms around her, just as tightly, and bowed his head in the crook of her neck as she did the same.
He gave a tearful chuckle.
"I thought I'd lost my first real friend."
"What about Ron?"
"Ron… he's an alright guy, but he's not as thoughtful or considerate as you. He's still a good mate, but… he's no Hermione Granger."
She hugged him tighter and buried her face in his neck, but he could still feel the heat rush to her face.
"I take it you two are friends again?"
"That's good. The two of you seem to have cleared out most of the wrackspurts that had been making your heads fuzzy."
The two separated and looked to the voices, seeing Neville and a small blonde girl standing with him, a relaxed, dreamy expression on her face.
Harry was the first to recover as Hermione blushed deeper. He extended his hand as he spoke.
"H-Hello. I'm Harry Potter. Who might you be?"
"A pleasure to meet you, Harry Potter. My name is Luna Lovegood."
As she took his hand to shake it, Harry's eyes widened behind his lenses. She was the last name on the map!
"You seem surprised at my name. Why? Did Raddlemuks tell you about me? They whisper to me sometimes."
"Uh, no, it's just that… well… actually we should all sit down. It'll be easier to show you rather than try to explain."
As the four sat about the table, Harry looked to see that the coast was clear, before spreading out the blank parchment.
"'I solemnly swear, I am up to no good.'"
However, what surprised him most was that the parchment turned black instead of the normal map.
"Well done finding your fellows, fawn. The New Marauders are already shaping up to be greater than we ever were."
The four students looked in awe.
"Harry, what is this?"
"That's actually why I wanted to talk to you. Well, one of the reasons. I mean I did want to apologize for how I've acted, I just…"
He stopped as she gave him her smile. Specifically the smile for when she understood something new, or when she answered a difficult question.
"Right, shutting up about that. It's called the Marauders' Map. It shows everything in Hogwarts, even where the people are! But when I first got ahold of it and was alone, it said that the four of us, specifically us, would be a new generation of Marauders."
And so he explained the roles each of them were said to have. The students continued to discuss how the map might've chosen them out of all the students of Hogwarts. It wasn't until their conversation waned that they noticed the text had changed once more.
"1. Harry James Potter: Mister Colt
2.
3.
4."
"Before it told me about all of you, it wanted a drop of my blood."
Without hesitation, Luna pulled a needle from… somewhere, and pricked her thumb before dabbing the sheet.
"1. Harry James Potter: Mister Colt
2. Luna Lovegood: Miss Nimh
3.
4."
Within moments, the other two, spurred by curiosity added their blood.
"1. Harry James Potter: Mister Colt
2. Luna Lovegood: Miss Nimh
3. Hermione Granger: Miss Ceridwen
4. Neville Longbottom: Mister Reynard"
The parchment cleared again, before the original opening of the map began to fade in.
Mssrs Prongs, Padfoot, Moony, and Wormtail proudly present,
With the New Marauders
Featuring the illustrious
Mssrs Colt and Reynard
Mses Nimh and Ceridwen,
The Marauders' Map